J. Black at SDE in 2012?
With all these DE recruits, I was looking over the depth chart going forward at DE. I'm interested on thoughts at SDE after Van Bergen graduates. It seems we could have two very talented players rotating at WDE (Roh and Black) with a lesser player at SDE (unless Wilkins comes of age this year). It got me thinking about Jibreel Black and whether he could bulk up to play SDE by 2012.
He is listed at 258. Putting on another 15-20 lbs. over the next year and a half seems reasonable, and I think that would make him big enough to play SDE. Scouting on Black to date seems to be good pass rusher who needs work against the run. He'd need to improve against the run for WDE or SDE, but that seems likely given experience playing and more time in the weight room.
I'm thinking we'll end up with Roh at WDE and Black at SDE in 2012.
The response is indicative of the time of night. I felt that I would note that because I can contribute nothing else.
Interesting speculation but I think Black will remain at WDE alternating with Roh through 2012 because the depth behind those two is very young (and light). By 2012 our backups at WDE will be Beyer, who will be a RS freshman and hopefully bulked up, and perhaps Paskorz if he is moved there from LB, plus the two undersized true freshmen that commited yesterday. Meanwhile at SDE we will have RS sophomores Wilkins, and Terry Talbott along with two RS freshmen: Rock &Heitzman. In addition we are all hoping that Wormley comes on board soon and he is developed enough to play SDE right away in 2012 if necessary.
Black has great upside at WDE and should compete strongly for playing time with Roh this year and next. By 2013 he should be the senior starter with lots of great young talent behind him.
I think Black came in close to his college playing weight. He's only 6'2" and graduated high school at 250 pounds, so I assume that his current weight of 258 is close to where he'll be playing for the rest of his career, if not slightly under. With his skill set it only makes sense to keep him on the weak side.