FIU defensive lineman Jack Daly continuing to impress during fall practices
The modern pass rush is mostly about perimeter players such as the Bosa brothers, Joey and Nick, as well as Myles Garrett and others.
But don’t forget about defensive tackles such as Aaron Donald and Quinnen Williams who can impact the pass rush from the inside.
At FIU, coaches continue to praise Bryant transfer Jack Daly, a 6-3, 315-pound fifth-year senior who has been wrecking offensive plays all fall.
FIU defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt indicated Daly is so strong that he’s forcing double teams, which is “giving us the ability to go one on one on the edges.”
Sacks are great, Dewitt said.
But any type of disruption is the goal.
“Anytime the quarterback can step up in the pocket, his throw will be more accurate and have more velocity,” Dewitt said.
“We’ve talked to our guys about pass-rush lanes. It’s not always about getting the sack. We want to affect the quarterback, whether it’s a hit or getting him off his comfortable spot.”
Elsewhere on the defensive line, players who have drawn praise this fall include 295-pound Jordan Guerad, who was second on the team last year with three sacks; 270-pound Claude Larkins, who played three games the past two years for North Carolina State; 265-pounder Jeramy Passmore, who has become the defense’s top leader; and Will Prendergast, who had just five tackles last season in his first year with the Panthers.
FIU coach Mike MacIntyre also said he has some speedy linebackers who can provide perimeter pass rushing, including Alex Nobles and Khaya Wright, a transfer who spent the past two years seeing action in eight Georgia Tech games.
In the secondary, Hezekiah Masses, Adrian Cole and Jamal Potts are the two corners and the nickel back, respectively.
Masses has benefitted from the 12 games he played last season as a true freshman. Cole is back from an injury, and Potts last year made a successful switch from safety.
The cornerbacks this year are being coached by DeMarcus Van Dyke, the former Miami Hurricanes star cornerback who got six years in the NFL, playing a total of 25 games with the Raiders and Steelers.
Besides his experience as a player, “DVD” served as the Canes’ cornerbacks coach in 2021.
“He came to us late this past spring,” Dewitt said of Van Dyke’s April 20 hire date. “So now is his first opportunity to work with the cornerbacks on a long-time basis. It’s been fun to watch the maturation of those guys.
“DVD is a high-energy guy. You can see some of the technique he’s teaching showing up with our players. DVD has a special ability to communicate with his guys.
“Even off the field, he has a great relationship with those guys. You can’t be just a transactional coach. You have to make sure you are investing in your guys, and you can see that with DVD.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU’s defense this year will have to adjust to the losses of four key transfers: leading tackler Gaethan Bernadel (Stanford); sacks leader Shaun Peterson Jr. (UCF); top safety Demetrius Hill (Illinois) and part-time starting defensive back Andrew Volmar (Louisiana Tech).
In addition, starting safety Dorian Hall and starting defensive tackle Davon Strickland are out of eligibility.
▪ Offensively, the Panthers lost six starters from last year, including running back Lexington Joseph, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in April.
The other losses were all to transfers: wide receiver Tyrese Chambers (Maryland); tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (Auburn); tackle Lyndell Hudson (Florida); tackle Shamar Hobdy-Lee (Houston); and guard Julius Pierce (Middle Tennessee).
