2016 Defensive Replacements

[uconnphil2016]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I keep worrying about who's going to replace Andrew Adams. That's not to say that Andrew Adams has been spectacular and is at all irreplaceable, but I think it's fair to say that we're lacking in depth at safety. Our other defensive losses look like they should be filled with solid talent...figure Fatukasi/Myers replace Campenni, Vann has Walsh behind him, Adeyemi will be replaced by Ormsby, I'm guessing Levenberry takes Stewart's spot, but Andrew Adams' replacement remains a mystery. Any guesses as to who the best candidate is? I feel like the strong safety spot may be a point of weakness on the D next year.

 

[ATLDYKA]

Adams did not have one of his better games against USF. A lot of bad angles for missed tackles.

 

[hardcorehusky]

We will have Murphy in the mix at tackle. Levenberry is an inside lb I believe. I think the next safety up is Ellis Marder, but you could see a redshirt in there as well.

 

[ktuck911]

On D, our front 4 will be fine, but I'd like to see us get some more heat on the opposing team's QB in the pocket. Hoping kids like Atkins, Lawley, and Okounam can step up and get in the rotation and make some noise.. At LB, it'd be nice to see kids like Britton and Richardson push for PT as well.. I feel like Levenberry's gonna start for us, period..at CB.. I like our situation. I'm looking for Garland to take somebody's spot in the two deep. our back up corners are small, we definitely more size there... S, Melinfonwu at one spot.. jury would be out on the other spot.. Not sold on Ellis Marder... and Watkins haven't seen much of him.. Terry to me seems more of a Melinfonwu clone with his size, so I see him backing up at that Safety spot...

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Of all the graduating spots Adams and Samra are the 2 that I'm least worried about replacing.

 

[Stainmaster]

Marder has been outstanding on special teams, but I'm not sure if he's ready to be a 3-down safety.

 

[CTMike]

Of all the graduating spots Adams and Samra are the 2 that I'm least worried about replacing.

Why the hell is your avatar different?!

 

[Pudge]

Samra is a functioning OLineman.

We have heard good things about Peart. We know Crozier is good. And Knappe, Levy and Hopkins have all progressed in the last year. Vechery looks good to me. Then add Rutherford.

You seem to have the competitive core to have a line that advances in 2016 and depth.

Marder is lacking the athleticism of Melifonwu and Adams. He has looked good in spot duty this year.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Why the hell is your avatar different?!

I'll miss them too.

 

[FDNY99]

I could see Eddie Hahn as a true freshman replacing Adams at safety.

 

[uconnphil2016]

I could see Eddie Hahn as a true freshman replacing Adams at safety.

I guess that's what I was getting at...whether or not that's at all a possibility. Definitely not ideal, but we don't have any depth. I personally don't want to see Marder starting on D.

 

[FDNY99]

I guess that's what I was getting at...whether or not that's at all a possibility. Definitely not ideal, but we don't have any depth. I personally don't want to see Marder starting on D.

A friend of mine who played at RBC and UCONN has seen Eddie Hahn play and is VERY impressed by his athleticism. He said he can hit like a LB too. It may be a bit of a reach...but according to his Yahoo recruiting profile he is 6-3 200 lbs...that would pair well with the 6-4 Melifonwu.

 

[huskypantz]

I guess that's what I was getting at...whether or not that's at all a possibility. Definitely not ideal, but we don't have any depth. I personally don't want to see Marder starting on D.

If Marder is our backup next year, we will have depth.

 

[Uconnalliance]

Most importantly how bout the O line ? Do we get some solid people in there? Sheriffs is begging for protection he's not telling you that cuz he's to busy running from the defense

 

[BNich]

A friend of mine who played at RBC and UCONN has seen Eddie Hahn play and is VERY impressed by his athleticism. He said he can hit like a LB too. It may be a bit of a reach...but according to his Yahoo recruiting profile he is 6-3 200 lbs...that would pair well with the 6-4 Melifonwu.

Don't forget about Aaron Garland who came in as a pretty highly regarded DB, Marshe Terry another 6'4 Safety who is redshirting this season, and John Robinson another good sized DB. I know it's not usual to see someone jump from a RS freshman to the starting lineup or two deep but it is possible.

 

[Nostical]

Marder is lacking the athleticism of Melifonwu and Adams.

Speed is comparable as is hitting ability. Agility is likely not as fluid, but one thing is clear---the NFL loves our intelligence back there. Guess they havent seen those recent head scratching (bonehead) plays from all three of them!


Name: Andrew Adams
College: Connecticut Number: 22
Height: 5-11 Weight: 197
Position: FS Pos2: SS
Class/Draft Year: rSr/2016
40 Low: 4.48 40 Time: 4.58
40 High: 4.68
Projected Round:
Intangible: Economics Major

Name: Obi Melifonwu
College: Connecticut Number: 20
Height: 6-2 Weight: 214
Position: SS Pos2: FS
Class/Draft Year: rJr/2017
40 Low: 4.48 40 Time: 4.58
40 High: 4.68
Projected Round:
Intangible: AAC All Academic Team

Name: Ellis Marder
College: Connecticut Number: 19
Height: 6-1 Weight: 192
Position: FS Pos2: SS
Class/Draft Year: rJr/2017
40 Low: 4.50 40 Time: 4.59
40 High: 4.68
Projected Round:
Intangible: AAC All Academic Team

 

[cryjeremiah]

I'm not sure I fully understand the level of Adams- knocking that goes on here. Yes, he had a really terrible penalty that I'm sure he will kick himself over for eternity (pun intended). And, yes, he has missed several key tackles this year. I don't discount those lowlights.

But when I watch him, I see the guy tasked with cleaning up everyone else's messes, which is a major part of the role of the free safety. Maybe I'm too "glass half full", but how many time have you seen him open field tackle a guy that beat one or a couple of our LBs and DBs. I even think that he has covered a lot of Obi's deficiencies. Minus those few memorable mistakes, he is far and away UConn's most reliable defender, especially regarding reading a play and being exactly where he needs to be.

I also think he has to have logged maybe the most minutes on the field. Wonder if there's numbers available on that. Honestly, I think he is a guy that is gonna get a significant look at the nfl level. He is an above average ball-hawk, rarely gets beat deep, and is absolutely a better run defender than your average free safety.

Am I wrong?

 

[huskysupporter]

Of all the graduating spots Adams and Samra are the 2 that I'm least worried about replacing.

This. Both are having extremely poor seasons

 

[huskysupporter]

Samra is a functioning OLineman.

We have heard good things about Peart. We know Crozier is good. And Knappe, Levy and Hopkins have all progressed in the last year. Vechery looks good to me. Then add Rutherford.

You seem to have the competitive core to have a line that advances in 2016 and depth.

Marder is lacking the athleticism of Melifonwu and Adams. He has looked good in spot duty this year.

I wouldn't say Knappe progressed. Still struggling. Levy needs to find consistency. Sometimes he makes a textbook block, other times he misses completely. But he seems to be getting better. Hopkins is struggling and Vechery, as can be expected, has had ups and downs. He is actually lineman I am most optimistic about.

 

[businesslawyer]

I'm not sure I fully understand the level of Adams- knocking that goes on here. Yes, he had a really terrible penalty that I'm sure he will kick himself over for eternity (pun intended). And, yes, he has missed several key tackles this year. I don't discount those lowlights.

But when I watch him, I see the guy tasked with cleaning up everyone else's messes, which is a major part of the role of the free safety. Maybe I'm too "glass half full", but how many time have you seen him open field tackle a guy that beat one or a couple of our LBs and DBs. I even think that he has covered a lot of Obi's deficiencies. Minus those few memorable mistakes, he is far and away UConn's most reliable defender, especially regarding reading a play and being exactly where he needs to be.

I also think he has to have logged maybe the most minutes on the field. Wonder if there's numbers available on that. Honestly, I think he is a guy that is gonna get a significant look at the nfl level. He is an above average ball-hawk, rarely gets beat deep, and is absolutely a better run defender than your average free safety.

Am I wrong?

No, I think you're right. He has had a solid season and is one of our best defensive players. He had a bad game against USF>

 

[Palatine]

I think the defense will be just as good if not better next year. The DL loses some good players. But starters return all along the front and their are a host of big new guys ready to step up. The LB position will be stacked. And safeties are more easily replaced than CBs. The "D" should be experienced and deep.

 

[sub legacy]

I'm actually not worried about replacements. On the contrary, my theory is the more Diaco gets his own players (recruits) in there, the more consistent the product will be on both sides of the ball. There still seems to be some lag from the PP era in terms of bad habits and overall culture. As far as future depth is concerned, I'm not worried about it for the time being.

 

[ATLDYKA]

No, I think you're right. He has had a solid season and is one of our best defensive players. He had a bad game against USF>

And sorry to say but another bad one against Cincy. Several missed tackles again.

 

[huskypantz]

I wouldn't say Knappe progressed. Still struggling. Levy needs to find consistency. Sometimes he makes a textbook block, other times he misses completely. But he seems to be getting better. Hopkins is struggling and Vechery, as can be expected, has had ups and downs. He is actually lineman I am most optimistic about.

Levy is an enigma. He can push a guy 10 yards into the secondary on one play and then just completely miss an assignment the next. He is a junior and plays like a freshman/soph.

 

[huskysupporter]

Levy is an enigma. He can push a guy 10 yards into the secondary on one play and then just completely miss an assignment the next. He is a junior and plays like a freshman/soph.

It really is crazy. He makes some textbook pass blocks - great knee bend, arms extended, slides feet. Next play he gets out of stance late and whiffs.

Needs to get alot more consistent. He has the athleticism. I will say again. Move him to guard next year.