Progression of Will McDonald

[Aclone]

Last week it was posted that he is up to 242.

He said in the offseason that he struggles to put on weight. Some metabolisms are just like that (wish!). If 243 wasn’t just coach speak, that’s huge for him—and a great start on next season!

Kinda trying to figure out how we get all of the talented DL on the field next season. CMC has repeatedly said that he prefers alignments that get the best players on the field.

Hmm. McDonald, Petersen, Uwazurike, Bankston and Bailey—with plenty more talent left over for depth. Huh. A five man line?

 

[CYCLNST8]

He said in the offseason that he struggles to put on weight. Some metabolisms are just like that (wish!). If 243 wasn’t just coach speak, that’s huge for him—and a great start on next season!

Kinda trying to figure out how we get all of the talented DL on the field next season. CMC has repeatedly said that he prefers alignments that get the best players on the field.

Hmm. McDonald, Petersen, Uwazurike, Bankston and Bailey—with plenty more talent left over for depth. Huh. A five man line?

Fresh legs. Rotate rotate rotate. Don’t forget Tucker Robertson.

 

[Blandboy]

Just want to give him a shout out. Guy has been a beast the last two games; he's going to be a good one.

He already IS a good one!

 

[CTTB78]

I think one of the reasons they tried him at LB this offseason was because he wasn’t putting on weight. I think he’s a guy you just let develop
rather than place into a position

Agree. It sounds like he would rather play DE. So if that's where he's comfortable, coach him up and turn him loose.

 

[isucy86]

I love where our roster sits going into next season. A lot of returning minutes.

OL is obviously the biggest question mark.

On defense I think we are in the position to be more aggressive/dominant and McDonald is a hugh part of that. I don't think him being a 260lb guy is important. He can be great at 240lb in the right system (A traditional 3-4 defense rush LB).

I love a front 6 potential rotation and this doesn't project development:

DE. Bailey, Petersen, Uwazurike
DT. Robertson, Lee, Bailey, Bankston
LB. Rose, Vance, McDonald, Hummel

IMO the 2 biggest needs are emergence of a dominent DT and a speed LB in the mold of Willie Harvey. The good thing is we have a lot of young LB's in the 210/220 size.

 

[tyler24]

I love where our roster sits going into next season. A lot of returning minutes.

OL is obviously the biggest question mark.

On defense I think we are in the position to be more aggressive/dominant and McDonald is a hugh part of that. I don't think him being a 260lb guy is important. He can be great at 240lb in the right system.

I love a front 6 potential rotation and this doesn't project development:

DE. Bailey, Petersen, Uwazurike
DT. Robertson, Lee, Bailey, Bankston
LB. Rose, Vance, McDonald, Hummel

IMO the 2 biggest needs are emergence of a dominent DT and a speed LB in the mold of Willie Harvey. The good thing is we have a lot of young LB's in the 210/220 size.

Robertson has been playing some DE for us. It will be interesting to see what this staff does next year defensively. They have a lot of pieces that they can really move around. I am curious to see what kind of wrinkles they will add next year.