Breaking Down The Defensive line: Part Two Defensive Tackle

Today, Cockfather Illustrated completes an in-depth analysis of the defensive line by examining the defensive tackle position.

USC assistant coach Brad Lawing certainly has his work cut out for him this fall with the defensive front. Most players are either undersized or overweight. This is particularly true for the defensive tackles. In fact, three defensive tackles were delayed in beginning fall camp until they reached their summer weight loss goals. Stanley Doughty, Matt Raysor, and Kenrick Ellis spent two and one half hours each evening doing sprints and jogging around USC's practice fields, while the rest of the team began practice.

USC lost it's most consistent inside performer in Chris Tucker. The 6'2 303 pound senior played the best football of his career in 2005. The Atlanta, GA native made perhaps the play of the year in 2005 versus Florida, as he intercepted a tipped ball and rambled over 60 yards, all the way down to the Florida 5 yard line, setting up a Mike Davis touchdown run in USC's 30-22 victory.

Here are the players coach Lawing will be working with this year

Marque Hall 6'3 295 Junior - Hall arrived at USC with high expectations in the summer of 2004. The former 4 star prospect is still the most impressive player Cockfather Illustrated has personally scouted. Hall was productive as a freshman, even starting the final three games of the 2004 season. With the loss of Darrell Shropshire, Hall was expected to dominate in 2005. Instead, a virus caused the 290 pound tackle to lose down to 268 pounds, which was too light to go against 320 pound SEC offensive linemen. This off-season has been great for the former prep All-American, as he worked hard to re-gain his weight, as he is currently 295 pounds, and has a new coach, in Brad Lawing, that knows what kind of player he can be. Hall had a great spring, as he was named most outstanding defensive lineman at the conclusion of spring practice, and is poised for a break-out junior season.

Cockfather Illustrated believes that 2006 will be Marque Hall's year, and that the big junior could garner post-season all-SEC honors.

Nathan Pepper 6'1 285 Sophomore - "Pep" as he is called by his teammates, has fully supplanted returner Stanley Doughty as a starter. After a solid spring, the former Shrine Bowl performer had an excellent summer, and another solid fall camp. Pepper is one of the most dependable players on the defensive line, and has earned the trust of his position coach, Brad Lawing. The former Greenville High School star has also done an excellent job grasping the stunts and alignments that will be employed this fall. in Tyrone Nix's defensive scheme. "Pep" played in nine games last season, and also served as the reserve snapper, and made an appearance in that role during the Florida game.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Pepper will be a solid player this fall. He plays with great effort, and will always carry out his assignment.

Lemeuel Jeanpierre 6'4 278 Freshman(R) - Jeanpierre was moved inside after spending the spring at defensive end. He was also asked to gain 20 pounds and report at around 280. He did that with a great off-season, and has been extremely impressive in fall camp. The Orlando, FL native is a smart player, and has retained the same quickness he had at 260 pounds , which makes him very effective at defensive tackle. "Lem", as his teammates and position coach call him, has been very disruptive in pass rushing situations in both scrimmages and 11 on 11 drills.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Jeanpierre has the frame to add another 15-20 pounds in next off-season, and should be a solid contributor for years to come. He will be Marque Hall's back-up this season, and could be used along with Hall to get an extra push in the middle on obvious passing downs.

Joel Reaves 6'1 271 Junior(TR) - Reaves transferred to USC this past January from Georgia Military College, where he was a teammate of The Brinkley twins. The Marion High School product signed with the Gamecocks after making a a verbal commitment to Baylor University. After playing defensive end at GMC, Reaves was moved to the interior by assistant coach Brad Lawing in the spring. Reaves has worked hard over the summer to put himself in a position to play this fall. He is a classic"tweener", but with Stanley Doughty in Spurrier and Lawing's dog house, Reaves could emerge as Nathan Pepper's back up.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Reaves is under-sized and not ready for significant snaps, but could be forced into actions due to the staff's disappointment in Stanley Doughty and Matt Raysor.

Stanley Doughty 6'0 315 Junior(R) - Doughty is currently running with the third team, and is in danger of not making the travel squad for USC's season opener at Mississippi. Gamecock fans need to get past the thoughts of Doughty being an NFL player, and an All-SEC performer. The Greensburg, LA native has short arms, and poor leverage, which is not an ideal combination for an SEC defensive tackle. Doughty did not take the staff's threats seriously in the off-season to shed 30 pounds before reporting to fall camp. In the past, Doughty would be demoted, and then re-inserted in the starting line-up the week of the season opener. Not anymore. doughty must take practice seriously and get out of Brad Lawing's doghouse if he is to see significant snaps this season.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Doughty will be a reserve at NG behind Nathan Pepper this fall. just how much Doughty contributes depends entirely on him. If he works hard he could be promoted to second team and play in short yardage situations.

Matt Raysor 6'3 301 Sophomore(R) - Raysor is another player that will need to escape Brad Lawing's doghouse in order to see playing time in 2006. Currently running third team behind Marque Hall and Lemuel Jeanpierre, Raysor is another player that did not take the off-season seriously. He was called out at the annual Ladies Clinic by head coach Steve Spurrier, who said Raysor beat the heat by sleeping in this summer instead of making early morning runs with his teammates. The former Shrine Bowl performer does not have the quick-twitch mechanism necessary to be a factor in the SEC.

Cockfather Illustrated believes Raysor is at a crossroads with his career. He needs to either buy in to Steve Spurrier's philosophy and give maximum effort or move on. Raysor may be better suited for the offensive line.

Kenrick Ellis 6'5 330 Freshman - Ellis reported to USC this summer as one of the more highly touted signees in the freshman class. The 4 star recruit also reported at 349 pounds, and in terrible shape physically. A native of Jamaica, Ellis struggled to make the grade and stressed himself into gaining a "bad 20 pounds" before reporting in July. Kenrick has a great attitude and wants to be a player. He does have excellent potential, as he was rated one of the top defensive tackles in the country by Rivals.com coming out of John L. Leonard High School.

Cockfather Illustrated believes that Ellis will red-shirt this season, work on re-shaping his body, and losing the rest of the bad weight. Should the big defensive tackle do that, he will be a force to be reckoned with next spring. Ellis should have a stellar career if he stays in shape.