I’m going to post this here, just in case Howard Brown or any of his teammates happen to see it. Long shot, but hey.
I know that we’re recruiting lots of defensive ends in this class, and one of them is Howard’s teammate, Tobechi Okoli. At a listed 6’5 250, this young man is extremely athletic. Though he hasn’t been playing American football for long, I think his potential is sky high.
Now, I’ve read in articles that Tobechi has said that he wants to play in the NFL. He’s also said that he thinks that playing in a four man front is the best way to do that, so that’s what he’s looking at in a college.
I’m not going to argue the young man’s opinion, even though ISU has played mostly three man fronts the past few years. Partly because I don’t know if there is any proof either way, but mostly because I figure he has a right to his own opinion.
Instead, I’ll simply point out that just because Coach Heacock has run mostly a 3-3-5 defense the past few years, doesn’t mean that he’ll continue to do so into the foreseeable future.
Why? Well, firstly because teams seem to be figuring out that defense. It’s no longer as unique as it once was, offenses practice against it more frequently, offensive coordinators have more film to work with.
Two, because I expect Jon Heacock to go right on tweaking and innovating. Who knows, one of those tweaks could be sliding to a 4-2-5.
What? I’m no expert. I don’t have a crystal ball, either!
Dammit anyway. Maybe I can find one on Amazon?
The third reason we might play a lot more four man front in the future is both simple and straightforward. Start with Latrell Bankston, and ISU is recruiting a higher caliber of interior pass rusher than it has...in a very long time.
Matter of fact, going forward it looks even better. When you pair the sheer athleticism of ‘20 signee JR Singleton with that of Howard Brown, it’s next to impossible not to envision the two of them playing next to each other. Matter of fact, my mouth is watering at the thought.
Ipso facto, a four man front.
A strong dual interior pass rush, plus a defensive end (or two) that can drop into pass coverage gives Coach Heacock more options to play with. The man is a natural innovator.
And, by sheer coincidence, gives that defensive end more NFL appeal.
Tobechi Okoli, come on down!
