Post-Spring Wrap-Up: The Defensive Line
4/2/2020 1:40:00 PM | Football
GSEagles.com catches up with each position coach following the shortened spring ball
Even with spring practice being cut short, the Georgia Southern football coaching staff was able to evaluate its program through offseason lifting and conditioning, as well as six on-field practices. GSEagles.com was able to catch up with each coach via email to get their thoughts on their group, as well as a preliminary two-deep heading into the fall.
Dillon Springer. I'm really excited with how he was progressing as a leader! He had done a great job in the weight room and was working on really changing his body. It was showing on the field and I can't wait to see him blossom.
Who's someone who didn't see a lot of game action that has impressed you this offseason?:
Everyone has improved on some part of their game, but the one who sticks out is Gavin Adcock. Gavin played only sparingly last year due to injury. When he was healthy he showed some flashes of big-play capability. The third down stop against App sticks out to me. If he can stay healthy and play within his own game, he will help the team more so than last year.
What will be a top priority for your group when you return to the field?:
We have to continue to grow as a unit. We have had some strong personalities and leadership that really took pride in being successful within the group and the entire team. With the graduation Ty Phillips, there will be a major hole to fill from a leadership and playing standpoint. He was like having a coach on the field. We have seen great things in the short amount of time this year with the fellas and I'm really impressed with how they were maturing both on and off the field.
What excites you about your group?:
I think from a sheer talent standpoint, we have a deep group of guys that take an enormous amount of pride in the work aspect of the position. They are all eager to get the season going and see what kind of product they can put on the field week-in and week-out. We have a great balance of upperclassmen and underclassmen that will all play a significant role on our team. I also can see the possibility of one or more of the true freshmen playing some this year also.
Who is or are the vocal leader(s) in your meeting room?:
Raymond Johnson III, Dillon Springer and Traver Vliem are the first ones who come to mind. They have a lot of experience and everyone has a high level of respect of their play on the field and what they do off the field. I am blessed to have such a good group of young men that want to Do Right and work really hard.
Who leads more by example?:
I can honestly say that majority of the guys in DBlock lead by example. It may be something by what they do academically, battling back from injury, their body language in meetings, how they attack at practice and how they play in critical moments of the game. That's one of the most disappointing things about having spring semester cut short was we were starting to see some guys starting to blossom.
If you had any, how did your mid-year guys adjust to life at Georgia Southern?:
AJ Watkins was an early enrolle last year and this year we have Jordan Mitchell and Brandon Wilson who joined us in January. I think they all go through some early bumps, but I feel like they have really come into their own. I always compare the early enrollee like trying to jump on a treadmill going full speed and at the highest incline. We have a great support staff and the things that Coach Lunsford has in place for their acclimation helps in the transition. I really love seeing where these young dudes are heading!
Post-Spring Two-Deep:
DE: 92, Raymond Johnson III (6-3, 260, Sr.)
59, Elijah Campbell Jr. (6-3, 255, r-So.)
NT: 94, C.J. Wright (6-0, 290, Jr.)
57, Gavin Adcock (5-11, 270, r-Jr.)
DE: 98, Dillon Springer (6-1, 255, r-Jr.)
49, Traver Vliem (6-4, 260, r-Sr.) -or-
93, AJ Watkins (6-2. 270. So.)
Today, we hear from Victor Cabral, who coaches the defensive line.
Who stood out for your group in the short amount of time you were practicing?:Dillon Springer. I'm really excited with how he was progressing as a leader! He had done a great job in the weight room and was working on really changing his body. It was showing on the field and I can't wait to see him blossom.
Who's someone who didn't see a lot of game action that has impressed you this offseason?:
Everyone has improved on some part of their game, but the one who sticks out is Gavin Adcock. Gavin played only sparingly last year due to injury. When he was healthy he showed some flashes of big-play capability. The third down stop against App sticks out to me. If he can stay healthy and play within his own game, he will help the team more so than last year.
What will be a top priority for your group when you return to the field?:
We have to continue to grow as a unit. We have had some strong personalities and leadership that really took pride in being successful within the group and the entire team. With the graduation Ty Phillips, there will be a major hole to fill from a leadership and playing standpoint. He was like having a coach on the field. We have seen great things in the short amount of time this year with the fellas and I'm really impressed with how they were maturing both on and off the field.
What excites you about your group?:
I think from a sheer talent standpoint, we have a deep group of guys that take an enormous amount of pride in the work aspect of the position. They are all eager to get the season going and see what kind of product they can put on the field week-in and week-out. We have a great balance of upperclassmen and underclassmen that will all play a significant role on our team. I also can see the possibility of one or more of the true freshmen playing some this year also.
Who is or are the vocal leader(s) in your meeting room?:
Raymond Johnson III, Dillon Springer and Traver Vliem are the first ones who come to mind. They have a lot of experience and everyone has a high level of respect of their play on the field and what they do off the field. I am blessed to have such a good group of young men that want to Do Right and work really hard.
Who leads more by example?:
I can honestly say that majority of the guys in DBlock lead by example. It may be something by what they do academically, battling back from injury, their body language in meetings, how they attack at practice and how they play in critical moments of the game. That's one of the most disappointing things about having spring semester cut short was we were starting to see some guys starting to blossom.
If you had any, how did your mid-year guys adjust to life at Georgia Southern?:
AJ Watkins was an early enrolle last year and this year we have Jordan Mitchell and Brandon Wilson who joined us in January. I think they all go through some early bumps, but I feel like they have really come into their own. I always compare the early enrollee like trying to jump on a treadmill going full speed and at the highest incline. We have a great support staff and the things that Coach Lunsford has in place for their acclimation helps in the transition. I really love seeing where these young dudes are heading!
Post-Spring Two-Deep:
DE: 92, Raymond Johnson III (6-3, 260, Sr.)
59, Elijah Campbell Jr. (6-3, 255, r-So.)
NT: 94, C.J. Wright (6-0, 290, Jr.)
57, Gavin Adcock (5-11, 270, r-Jr.)
DE: 98, Dillon Springer (6-1, 255, r-Jr.)
49, Traver Vliem (6-4, 260, r-Sr.) -or-
93, AJ Watkins (6-2. 270. So.)
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