Breakout Kings: Chris Jones of Mississippi State sets the tone for the new crop of defensive tackles
By Al Burke
Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive end Marcus Smith (91) sacks South Florida Bulls quarterback Bobby Eveld (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive tackles – how does someone so big get often overlooked? Like their offensive line counterparts, the sad fact is, unless a tackle is blowing up pockets and making life hell for quarterbacks, he probably isn’t much more than a name to the casual fan until NFL Draft Day. “Why Draft Day?” you may ask. Well, because NFL coaches and backroom staff know the value of a good DT better than anyone. The truth is, a defensive tackle can play a whole game without troubling the stat sheet and have the best game of his career. In front of most star linebackers is a great tackle (or two). With that being said, here are five who have shown in reserve duty that they could be ready to dominate soon. Maybe in a couple of years (in the month of May to be more precise), everyone will know their names.
Issac Gross, Mississippi
November 17, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman Issac Gross (94) hits LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Nkemdiche stole all the headlines last season as the top defensive line recruit in the country, but Gross may have outplayed him when it came to knocking heads with the big boys. Despite weighing in at a mere 250 pounds (as per Ole Miss website), Gross saw plenty of action at tackle as a sophomore, playing in every game and even starting 4 at nose. What Gross lacks in size, he makes up for in explosion, coming off the snap like a bullet and knifing through the offensive line to blow up plays. Despite playing primarily as a reserve, albeit a much-used one, Gross (34 tackles) was second on the team with 9 tackles for loss and first with 3.5 sacks. With another offseason to pack on a few pounds of muscle – hopefully not at the expense of his quickness – Gross should push Woodrow Hamilton for a starting job. Hamilton has the size, but is less of a playmaker, plus he’s missed spring camp with a broken foot. Even if Gross doesn’t start, he will be a huge part of the rotation yet again.
Shaquille Huff, Middle Tennessee State
Nov 23, 2013; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens (14) runs away from Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders defensive tackle Shaquille Huff (51) in the first quarter of their game at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Conference USA certainly isn’t known for its defense, but don’t tell Huff, who whetted the coaching staff’s collective appetite with a strong (redshirt) freshman year. Despite only starting 1 game, Huff played in all 13, making 28 tackles, with 7.5 coming in the opponents backfield, 2 of them sacks. His disruptive presence last season bailed out an occasionally struggling defense. This year, Huff showed huge improvement under new defensive line coach Tommy West, gaining a better understanding of the requirements of the position and showing great consistency. As a result, the 297 pounder was voted “Most Improved Lineman” in spring camp, a scary prospect for league offenses, and has deservedly earned a starting spot. Watch out for him on the all-conference teams at the end of the season.
Chris Jones, Mississippi State
Sep 21, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Troy Trojans running back Jordan Chunn (36) carries the ball up the field and is tackled by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Chris Jones (96) during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-7. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t know what they’re putting in the water in Mississippi (joke!!), but both schools are fielding some impressive defensive linemen. We’ve already had a look at Ole Miss, but the Bulldogs have their own destructive presence in Chris Jones. Like most freshman defensive linemen, Jones rode his talent last season, starting 3 games and playing in all 13. He made 32 tackles and was second on the team with 7 for loss and 3 sacks. He wasn’t done there, knocking down 3 passes and being credited with 10 quarterback pressures. Now that he’s got the basics of the playbook and the game in general, Jones has been refining his skills and understanding of the system. At a relatively trim 6’5 and 300 or so pounds, Jones could easily add more weight without impacting his ability. With a more seasoned team in 2014 (9 returning starters), and Jones earning more reps as a starter, the sky could be the limit.
Monty Nelson, North Carolina State
Nov 2, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Khris Francis (1) carries the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Robert Caldwell (48) and Monty Nelson (94) defend at Carter Finley Stadium. North Carolina beat North Carolina State 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Wolfpack didn’t have a whole lot go right for them last season, but they did have an aggressive front seven that made a lot of plays in the opponents backfield, finishing 22nd in the country with 84. Part of the rotation was true freshman Nelson, who saw action from day 1 and got more over the course of the season as the coaching staff realized what they had. Nelson was in on 32 tackles, with 8.5 in the backfield, although he only had ½ a sack, and he also forced and recovered a fumble. Despite starting just 4 games, and playing on a 3-9 team, Nelson got some freshman all-American love. He’s been bulking up in the offseason, and is poised for a big year. Here’s a nice piece on his backstory from Rivals.
Nigel Williams, Virginia Tech
Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Nigel Williams (95) sacks Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) in the third quarter of the 2013 Chick-fil-a Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
One thing about the Hokies, their defense continues to motor no matter who they slot in there. Last season, their aggressive front seven helped the defense account for a whopîng 96 tackles for loss, good for 15th in the nation. With a sterling defensive line that didn’t lose a single start to injury, Williams was able to be brought along at his own pace. He saw action in all 13 games, making 14 tackles. Impressively, 7 of them were behind the line of scrimmage, with 2 sacks and 4 hurries. Williams added some bulk in the offseason, with the intention of putting some sand in his pants to better manage the rigors of an FBS line, but the coaching staff are concerned it may hamper his athleticism. With a strong group of linemen back this year, Williams may have the toughest fight to earn a starting spot and recognition, but regardless, he will contribute this season, and he will make plays.