Scout's Notebook: Defensive Review

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Observations and analysis from the ninth week of the college football season, including thoughts about some of the nation’s top defensive prospects.

ECU standout isn’t the pass-rushing specialist he’s cracked up to be

APEast Carolina DE C.J. Wilson

I got a good look last Tuesday night at East Carolina defensive end C.J. Wilson and came away less than impressed. Although Wilson does a nice job maintaining a low pad level, extending his arms into contact and creating a good push as a bull-rusher, he doesn’t display the kind of initial burst to reach the corner and threaten the edge. On top of that, he’s too much of a straight-line athlete who fails to cleanly changing directions and sidestep blocks underneath. He does possess above-average run/pass-recognition skills and can be stout at the point of attack, but if you’re looking for someone who can consistently rush the passer and create pressure off the edge, Wilson is not your guy.

Early season sacks look like a mirage

I wrote about Connecticut defensive end Lindsey Witten early in the season after he recorded seven sacks in his first two games. However, he has just 3½ over his last six games and was absolutely dominated this past week by Rutgers LT Anthony Davis. Now, Davis is as talented and NFL-ready as any offensive lineman Witten is going to face this year, but he simply failed to match up physically all game long. Witten was consistently overpowered at the point of attack in the run game and was unable to reach the corner and/or disengage as a pass rusher off the edge. Witten’s inability to shed blocks with his hands and cleanly change directions on his pass rush really showed up in his one, as Witten did not fare well against the best competition he’ll face all year.

Warming on up

APIndiana DE Greg Middleton

So far this season, the only Indiana defensive lineman I’ve discussed (and for good reason) is Hoosiers DE Jammie Kirlew. However, Kirlew’s counterpart, DE Greg Middleton, has really impressed me in recent weeks with his ability to slip blocks cleanly off the edge and instantly accelerate toward the football. Middleton is a gifted athlete who has the ability to play with power on the edge and can get after the quarterback in a variety of ways. He displays impressive closing speed once he gains a step and has the body control and balance to cleanly change directions at full speed, slip blocks and get after the quarterback. He does have a tendency to take his share of plays off, particularly in the run game, and gets sealed away from the ball far too easily at times. However, if Middleton ever finds a defensive line coach who can motivate him to play down after down, there’s no reason he can’t start and play at a high level in the NFL.

One bright spot on a cloudy day for Purdue

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