ISU gets a Minnesota DL transfer

[RustShack]

Sounds like the NFL projects McDonald as a 3-4 OLB. If Will came back, curious if the staff tries to continue to put bulk on McDonald or they go a different direction.

Prior to the 2019 season, the plan was playing McDonald at LB. As the 2019 season progressed, he become a full-time rush end. Would the staff experiment with McDonald at OLB again? In 2019 Rose, Vance and Hummel were all young LB's. In 2022 they will all be gone. Having Will McDonald play a DeMarcus Ware/Von Miller stand-up LB role would be a shift to make ISU's 3-3-5 more physical and aggressive in getting to opposing QB's.

If successful, it could also improve his draft stock.

If I remember right the experimented with him as a standup rush OLB his rookie year, and it quickly ended. While his primary concern would be to rush the passer, he would need to show some ability to drop back and cover a little. I think his best bet is to bulk up a little more. Even with more weight he could play OLB in a 3-4 defense still, as well as DE in a 4-3.

I won’t blame him for going Pro this year, he has a career there. He just won’t get drafted as high as he deserves.

 

[isucy86]

If I remember right the experimented with him as a standup rush OLB his rookie year, and it quickly ended. While his primary concern would be to rush the passer, he would need to show some ability to drop back and cover a little. I think his best bet is to bulk up a little more. Even with more weight he could play OLB in a 3-4 defense still, as well as DE in a 4-3.

I won’t blame him for going Pro this year, he has a career there. He just won’t get drafted as high as he deserves.

I don't recall why his playing LB ended. Was it a strong LB group, so his best chance to play was DE? Or did he struggle in pass coverage?

McDonald was a very raw football player back in 2019. He has now played 4 years of college football, so maybe his instincts in pass coverage are better.

Guys like Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware were outstanding standup pass rushers in 3-4 defenses and didn't play much coverage. He can always play DE on pass down/distance.

 

[CycloneBamaFan]

I hope Campbell is working the transfer portal hard to reload vice rebuild!!

 

[cyputz]

With the coaching carousel, some of the changes may eat into Cyclone recruiting territory - mainly Florida with Cristobal, and Kelly more prominent now in Southeast.Grab some good transfers now. Re-establish with veteran inroads.