Defensive Depth Chart Changes

Georgia Tech is only our biggest game of the season, the winner is almost certain to represent the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship Game. So really there's no better time for Bud Foster to swap around the bodies on the defense.

J.R. Collins is moving inside from defensive end to tackle. If you remember Collins practiced at both end and tackle during spring ball. He's got a heavy shoulder, but didn't maintain the weight necessary to play fulltime at tackle.

Tyrel Wilson will replace Collins at end. Wilson earned the praise of the coaches in relief of James Gayle at stud end, but at 6-1 219 he struggled at times to take advantage of his quickness and rush the passer.

Jack Tyler will start at middle linebacker over Barquell Rivers. Rivers and Tyler were listed as 1 and 1a on the depth chart going into the Duke game, but Rivers played all 72 snaps. Tyler has only started one game, the Orange Bowl against Stanford. Tyler is the better backer against the run. Against Duke Rivers still couldn't move to his left and right like he used to before his quad injury.

Kyle Fuller will remain at Whip backer. Alonzo Tweedy practiced in a blue non-contact jersey Sunday. He's still hampered from a high ankle sprain. That means Cris Hill and Jayron Hosley will play at corner.

These moves are geared to get guys with more speed and lateral, sideline-to-sideline, movement onto the field; it comes at the expense of overall size and experience. Although, with this lineup there are no true freshman starting on the d-line. On paper I like Bud's rational, but I'll have to see it work to believe it. Also, I'm a little perplexed as to why we would tip our hand five days before the game, if at all. However, as with all things defense, in Bud we trust.