The 30 Day Countdown to opening day rolls on. Today, we’re looking at the best defenders in the Big 10 conference and choosing one to add to the UW defense. It’s worth noting that this version of the UW defensive depth chart is a lot more robust than it has been in a few years, so we can be more selective in choosing an addition. The Dawgs have at least rotational returning production at most defensive positions, plus some transfers who could make an instant impact (CB Emmanuel Karnley, DT Kai McClendon),
and young players who seem set to establish themselves quickly (DL Derek Colman-Brusa, LB Ramzak Fruean). Without any gaping holes, what will be the best place to add talent? Let’s take a look at some candidates.
- John Henry Daley, DE, Michigan
Kyle Whittingham took over as the Head Coach at Michigan after Sherrone Moore’s meltdown/dismissal and he brought one of his best defensive weapons with him from Michigan. Daley is a beast of an edge rusher, but at 6’4”, 255 lbs., he has the size to hold the edge against the run. Going from Michigan to UW would be no problem emotionally since Daley already crossed the battle lines from BYU to Utah in his career. He was an All-American for Utah last season with 17.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. If there’s an argument against Daley, it is his health. He spent the summer rehabbing from an Achilles injury and the Michigan coaches have said he will start the season on a “pitch count.” Given UW’s Edge rotation, that wouldn’t necessarily be a major problem. Jacob Lane, Isaiah Ward, Russell Davis II, and Devin Hyde bring various levels of experience to the position. The Dawgs lack the game-breaking force of someone who can get in the backfield and make opposing QBs see nothing but purple. Daley could be that guy.
- Anthony Smith, DE, Minnesota
Smith is a fifth-year player with a resume somewhat similar to Daley’s, though he has done it at one school instead of three. At 6’6”, 285 lbs., he is even more of a force of nature than Daley. His size does not compromise his explosiveness, though, as he led the conference with 12.5 sacks last season. He also tied Daley with 17.5 TFL. Those exploits earned him First Team All-Big Ten honors, a year after he was an Honorable Mention for the same list. The fit would be similar to Daley, but without the health concerns. Smith would slot in as the #1 Edge on the UW defense and play as many downs as possible, giving UW more depth and options opposite him. Perhaps the most notable thing about Smith is that he has emerged as one of the best defenders in the country over the last two seasons and has stayed at Minnesota. I respect that consistency in this era of tumult and I almost don’t want to break it up, even in my blog post about hypothetical roster moves.
- Koi Perich, Safety, Oregon
Speaking of Golden Gophers, Perich played on the same defense as Smith a season ago. Unlike his teammate, he jumped ship (or perhaps it would be more apt to say that he jumped “Boat” in PJ Fleck’s “Row the Boat” universe). Perich was one of the top defensive transfers of the offseason as a Second Team All-Big 10 Selection with three more years to play. Perich made a name for himself as a sort of center fielder who could clean up any messes behind the front seven. As such, his overall defensive numbers are not so eye-popping, but his versatility is. His 82 tackles are solid, and he also returned his only interception for a TD. On top of the defensive numbers, he is athletic enough that he became Minnesota’s top punt and kick returner, and even caught seven passes and rushed the ball five times. While it would be great to steal one of Oregon’s defensive starters from the depth chart, the counterpoint on Perich would be UW’s own depth at the position. With Alex McLaughlin returning after a strong first season with the Dawgs and Rylon Dillard-Allen looking like a star in the making, do the Huskies really need a safety? Perich would likely take McLaughlin’s spot on the depth chart. He is likely an upgrade, and he would have one more season of eligibility than the incumbent. Still, on the margins, he probably provides less value than the player he replaces.
The Pick: Anthony Smith. It is probably clear from the rationale I laid out above that Smith is my top pick. Daley is amazing and might be the choice if he entered the season 100%. Perich is also a star, but the gap between him and whoever he would replace is not so great. Smith would walk in the door as the best Edge on the team and would give the defense a dimension they have not consistently shown in years. In fact, if the Dawgs had Smith, they might even be in the mix for a top 10 ranking at this point.
Do you agree? Are there better candidates I missed? Give me your assessment in the comments.
