Commit Fit: Defensive tackles
Sometimes it’s not always the highest-rated prospects that fit the best with the school of their choice. In this series we call Commit Fit, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell picks five players at each position he thinks fit seamlessly into the schemes at the schools they’ve chosen.
Today we look at defensive tackle.
Athletic, gap-shooting defensive tackles excel in the Florida State defensive scheme and it’s a position of need with an opportunity to compete right away to make the two deep. Obviously if No. 1 DT Marvin Wilson picks FSU, it could affect Parks a bit, but regardless, I like his skill set and the defensive line coaching at FSU is off the hook.
LSU plays a mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 depending on the situation, but its main scheme is 3-4 with the need for a nose tackle. Shelvin is perfect for that. Interior defensive line recruiting hasn’t been great in Baton Rouge the last few years, so landing Shelvin is huge as he can play a zero tech. If No. 1 DT Marvin Wilson hops on board, he would obviously join this list as well.
Garrett is athletic and strong at the point of attack with good feet. Going into the Buckeyes situation and learning from great defensive line coach Larry Johnson is ideal. Defensive tackle is always a position of need for every team and its one area where the Buckeyes haven’t hit consistent recruiting home runs. Garrett should impact early.
In the Nittany Lions’ 4-3 scheme, guys who can not only handle the point of attack but can penetrate and flush the quarterback are key. The depth chart only has a few young guys and this was a position of need in this class. Hansard’s technique and motor allow him to fit in well.
Notre Dame likes big and strong defensive tackles who can be stout against the run and that’s Ewell. While he doesn’t have the natural pass rushing ability of some previous tackles in South Bend, he will take up blockers and allow others to roam free. There are many who feel he’s a better fit as a zero, but he’ll be good as a three-technique who will get better at gap shooting and pass rushing as he gets coached up.
