Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Texas hosted highly touted five-star defensive lineman Bear Alexander for an unofficial visit on Wednesday.
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Five-star defensive lineman Bear Alexander is one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2022 recruiting class. Continue reading “LOOK: Five-star DL Bear Alexander shows off photos from Texas visit”
On Wednesday, four-star defensive lineman Rueben Bain announced that he received a ‘big’ offer from the University of Texas.
Four-star defensive lineman Rueben Bain is one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2023 recruiting class.
On Wednesday, Bain announced via Twitter that he received a ‘big’ offer from the University of Texas. The Miami, Florida, native is rated the No. 8 player at his position in the 2023 cycle according to 247Sports.
In 2020, he appeared in six games as a sophomore and helped Miami Central High School to an 8-1 record and the Florida 6A state championship. He totaled 38 tackles, 13 sacks and nine forced fumbles.
Bain has compiled an impressive list of early offers including Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Penn State, Miami and Tennessee.
| Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
| 247 | 4 | 130 | 8 | 29 |
| Rivals | – | – | – | – |
| ESPN | – | – | – | – |
| 247 Composite | – | – | – | – |
| Hometown | Miami, FL |
| Projected Position | DT |
| Height | 6-2 |
| Weight | 250 |
No crystal ball predictions at this time
Now this is a big one! Extremely excited to say I have received an offer from the University of Texasđ¤đ§Ą #HookEmđ¤đž@CoachSark @CoachBoUT @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/uUKziaerQ8
— Rueben Bain Jr. (@Ba1nnnn) May 19, 2021
Ta’Quon Graham is a defensive lineman from Texas and was the Falcons first of three picks in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ta’Quon Graham is a defensive lineman from Texas and was the first of three Falcons picks in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Graham is a good fit for the Falcons’ new defense as either a defensive tackle or defensive end, who should effectively provide some depth and size up front.
2020: 9 Games Played, 23 Tackles, 7.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Recovered, Academic Second-Team All-Big 12
2019: 13 Games Played, 31 Tackles, 12.0 Tackles for Loss, 3.5 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Pass Deflection
2018: 14 Games Played, 12 Tackles, 2.0 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Forced
2017: 12 Games Played, 6 Tackles, 2.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mghgfjuvLd4
To start, Graham is a very good run defender with room to grow as a pass rusher. His high level of athleticism is going to give him a sky-high ceiling in getting after quarterbacks, and could turn into a four-to-six sack guy on the interior on a regular basis.
Against the run, Graham is almost as polished as any current pro. He is able to penetrate the line from the interior or set the edge from a 5-technique and allow his linebackers to make the plays. He’s going to be able to see a lot of time early from his ability to hold up against the run well. Atlanta should have him play a lot of first and second downs early on.
As a pass rusher, he’s an unfinished product. There are questions about his burst off the line, but it’s more that he needs to get better at timing the snap. Once he does learn to better anticipate things, he’s got a ton of upside. He’s got to improve his hands in the pass rush as well, and he will need to do it quick to play expanded time on passing downs.
Graham was the defensive captain for the Texas Longhorns in 2020. He’s not just a lead-by-example guy, he’s also a vocal leader. He’s got the hard-nosed nature on the field and is highly competitive. The Falcons need guys like him in the locker room on defense as there’s a void after losing so many players during the offseason.
The Falcons will need pocket-collapsing presence for their new scheme, and Graham is a better fit than Marvin Wilson. He comes in already knowing how to play against the run and should get time on the field. The Falcons have de-emphasized the running back position with the signings of Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson, so they are holding off on that spot.
NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Corey Peters
While he may never be the pass rusher that his athletic profile would suggest, Graham compares well as a decent pass rusher and exceptional run defender like Corey Peters was in Atlanta. He fits in well as a long-term 3- and 5-technique for the Falcons, and he should make an impact early on relieving Grady Jarrett or Marlon Davidson on run downs.
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A look at Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle LaRon Stokes’ preseason profile.
Evaluating the 2021 roster, Sooners Wire profiles the current players with defensive lineman, LaRon Stokes up next. Continue reading “Oklahoma Sooners Snapshot Profile: No. 96 LaRon Stokes”
A look at Oklahoma Sooners DT Kori Roberson’s preseason profile.
Evaluating the 2021 roster, Sooners Wire profiles the current players with defensive lineman, Kori Roberson, up next.
Roberson has mainly served as backup rotational depth in Oklahoma’s defensive line. In his 2020 campaign, Roberson accumulated 11 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry in 11 games. He has had a limited role in Alex Grinch’s penetrating front and is striving to impress during spring camp.
The former three-star prospect arrived in Norman as a defensive end but has predominately played in the interior at defensive tackle. He is a solid contributor for the Sooners when given opportunities.
three stars // No. 32 SDE // No. 62 in TX //
Perrion Winfrey is projected to be the starting nose tackle with Jalen Redmond at defensive tackle. Both Josh Ellison, LaRon Stokes, and Jordan Kelley provide depth along with Roberson in the interior. These will certainly be position battles to watch as spring camp continues. Spots are not set in stone and production on the practice field will determine placement.
The Atlanta Falcons could use an upgrade along the defensive line at nose tackle, and Christian Barmore should be it.
The Atlanta Falcons could use an upgrade along the defensive line at nose tackle, and Christian Barmore should be it. Adding Barmore to the starting front three with Marlon Davidson and Grady Jarrett would give the Falcons a group that could thrive in Dean Pees’ scheme. Barmore has a perfect frame for a nose tackle and would excel in a penetrating 1-technique role.
6-foot-5, 311 pounds
Stats and Awards
2020: 12 Games Played, 37 Tackles, 9.5 Tackles for Loss, 8.0 Sacks, 6 QB Hurries, 3 Fumbles Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, First-Team All-SEC, National Champion, National Championship Defensive MVP
2019: 12 Games Played, 26 Tackles, 6.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 5 QB Hurries, 2 Pass Deflections
2018: Redshirted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L14Z7BCF-o
Christian Barmore is a freakish athlete at the position and compares best to someone like Gerald McCoy on the field. He’s got a great first step off the line. His lateral mobility is exceptional, and he can play hash to hash with no issue. For a lineman, that exceptional athleticism will allow him to play anywhere from heads up on a center to off a tackle’s shoulder.
Barmore is exceptional as a run defender and has great power off the line. His functional strength is at a minimum excellent. He bullies his way through double teams all the time and is able to penetrate the line whenever he needs to. He’s a perfect power rusher with a bull rush that can decompress the middle of the pocket and force quarterbacks off their spot easily.
Something teams will love about Barmore is how quickly he improves from game to game. The more he plays, the more he knows and the better the angles and instincts he has. He’s extremely versatile, as he’s aligned at 3-technique, 1-technique and 5-technique during his time at Alabama. He has been equally effective in every role he played, and that will translate well.
The Crimson Tide product has a lot of good traits, but he’s still extremely raw. He has issues with his hand technique not being close to there yet and would benefit from the mentoring of a guy who has great technique. While he did play for Alabama and was part of a National Championship team as a starter, Barmore needs more snaps and experience.
Barmore’s effort is reminiscent of another Atlanta Falcon in Grady Jarrett. He goes 110 percent on every snap. While he was never a true leader at Alabama, he was a great teammate with the Crimson Tide and played well under the leadership there. He’s a hard worker on and off the field and fits in well with the NFL philosophy of working as hard off the field as you do on it.
NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Marcus Stroud
The beastly Barmore compares best to another penetrating nose tackle in Marcus Stroud. He was a good fit for the same role that Barmore would be despite it being a different scheme. He never was a 10-sack guy, but he would eat double teams, attack from the 3-technique and 1-technique as a penetrating lineman and averaged around 3.5 sacks a year with good run defense.
The Falcons could take him if he somehow falls to pick No. 35 overall. If he’s there, they should sprint to the podium because he’s a mid-first round level talent. Barmore is a penetrating nose tackle that would be perfect for the Falcons’ scheme and could instantly be a great starter.
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Take a look at the highlights of the week from former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham.
Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham will be participating in the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl live on NFL Network on Saturday. Continue reading “Senior Bowl: How to watch, highlights of the week from Sam Ehlinger and Ta’Quon Graham”
Texas defensive tackle Keondre Coburn is questionable to return against West Virginia after suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter.
Promising defensive tackle Keondre Coburn is now questionable to return against West Virginia after suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter. Continue reading “Texas DT Keondre Coburn questionable to return against West Virginia”
Dallas has signed journeyman right tackle Jordan Mills to their practice squad. Defensive lineman Ron’Dell Carter has left for Indianapolis.
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line has been a mix-and-match experiment over the first three games of the season. La’el Collins has yet to suit up and apparently isn’t close to doing so. Seven-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith has missed the past two games. Cam Erving is on injured reserve.
Terence Steele came out of Sunday’s game with food poisoning. Zack Martin shifted over midgame to play a position he hasn’t tried since college. A rookie was out there snapping the ball to Dak Prescott against the best team in the conference. Suffice it to say, it’s been a cobbled-together unit. And now the front office is bringing in new parts and pieces to work with.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys signed right tackle Jordan Mills to the team’s practice squad. A fifth-round draft pick in 2013, Mills has seen action in 90 games, with 84 starts on his resume.
The #Cowboys signed veteran tackle Jordan Mills to the practice squad, per the wire.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2020
Originally drafted by the Bears, Mills has also spent time with Detroit, Buffalo, Miami, and Arizona, as well as a previous short stint in Dallas.
The Cowboys claimed Mills in early September 2015, but a foot injury kept him out of the season opener, played just days later. The Louisiana Tech product was released the following week to make room for another lineman.
Now he returns to Dallas to provide some sorely-needed depth as OL coach Joe Philbin’s group struggles to find its footing in this young and injury-riddled season.
In other roster news, the organization has lost one of its practice squad darlings.
A blow to Cowboys' depth on D-line: rookie DT Ron'Dell Carter has terminated his contract in pursuit of opportunity elsewhere. Once he clears COVID-19 protocol, he intends to sign to the Colts' 53-man roster, per agent Adam Seifer. Carter was coveted prospect on practice squad.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 29, 2020
Ron’Dell Carter was a defensive superstar at James Madison in the FCS. The undrafted free agent was a promising prospect entering 2020’s Cowboys camp and looked to be something of a project for new defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
Now he’ll be wearing a horseshoe on his helmet instead of a star as he looks to break onto a starting roster.
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Malcolm Roach provided one of the more heartwarming and inspirational stories in regards to the NFL’s deadline for a 53-man roster.
Former Texas defensive lineman Malcolm Roach provided one of the more heartwarming and inspirational stories in regards to the NFL’s deadline for a 53-man roster. Continue reading “Undrafted free agent, Texas ex Malcolm Roach makes Saints’ 53-man roster”
