Decisions, decisions...

[vagusnerve]

I've seen a lot of speculation of Colt Lyerla playing at LB.

I know he's played this position in HS but do we have any indication that this will be the case? I think it's actually the opposite.

The fact is, we've got two seniors in 2011 at TE along with one rFR (White). That means that we really need a TE in this class, possibly two.

With Lyerla and French both able to go either TE or DE/LB, it will be interesting to see where they end up. I have to think at least one of them goes TE, maybe both.
It would be fantastic to see both of these on defense, but we don't have a true TE coming in so it leads me to believe otherwise.

Any thoughts?

[briarduck]

What I would like is Colt playing MLB and French at DE but what most likely happens is Colt will be the next Ed Dixon and French goes to end because of his suspect hands (ala Dion Jordan) and his speed would be an amazing asset at DE.

What ever happens I'm sure we will be happy...they are both studs!

[Boom]

I think Colt has the highest ceiling at LB and I think French has the highest ceiling at either DE or TE.

Colt is going to be here for spring practice.... and he wants to play early.... I don't see him playing early at TE. So unless he's willing to give that up and likely redshirt then I think he plays defense.

I don't believe French is going to be here for spring.... So he could end up redshirting and play TE behind White.

But honestly it could go either way. I guess we will find out in spring & fall camp.

[Duck Dogers]

Colt is going to be here for spring practice.... and he wants to play early.... I don't see him playing early at TE. So unless he's willing to give that up and likely redshirt then I think he plays defense.

.

Unless he ends up playing a slot wr hybrid position.

[vagusnerve]

I don't see him playing slot WR. I suppose it's possible but put the guy at LB or TE and he will kill it.

The only downside of TE for Lyerla, is that White will be the same class (after redshirting) and he's supposed to be the bee's knees at TE.

I would also like to see Lyerla at LB... and I'd prefer French at DE. But we do need a TE in this class so........

[TheMaehlMan]

Another thing to remember is that injuries on either offense or defense could always change the equation. If some tight ends get banged up then Lyerla may be there, if defensive ends/LB(Not sure where he is going to play yet) get hurt then he could play there. The nice thing is that he is at least physically capable of playing on either side of the ball.

[GoDuckYourself]

White could also go DE and be a beast.

[duxball]

Colt at LBer, French at D end and White stays at Tight end IMO. pretty nice problem to have i suppose.

[vagusnerve]

Colt at LBer, French at D end and White stays at Tight end IMO. pretty nice problem to have i suppose.

yeah but after 2011 season there will only be one TE if your opinion becomes policy

[AugustDuck]

The only thing I know for sure is that we absolutely cannot go into the 2012 season with only one scholarship TE, so one of them has to be a TE. We can't trust an unknown 2012 signee to play at #2 TE.

[duck55]

I've seen a lot of speculation of Colt Lyerla playing at LB.

I know he's played this position in HS but do we have any indication that this will be the case? I think it's actually the opposite.

The fact is, we've got two seniors in 2011 at TE along with one rFR (White). That means that we really need a TE in this class, possibly two.

With Lyerla and French both able to go either TE or DE/LB, it will be interesting to see where they end up. I have to think at least one of them goes TE, maybe both.
It would be fantastic to see both of these on defense, but we don't have a true TE coming in so it leads me to believe otherwise.

Any thoughts?

Play him both ways - Furd pulled it off!

[RanDux]

I've seen a lot of speculation of Colt Lyerla playing at LB.

I know he's played this position in HS but do we have any indication that this will be the case? I think it's actually the opposite.

The fact is, we've got two seniors in 2011 at TE along with one rFR (White). That means that we really need a TE in this class, possibly two.

With Lyerla and French both able to go either TE or DE/LB, it will be interesting to see where they end up. I have to think at least one of them goes TE, maybe both.
It would be fantastic to see both of these on defense, but we don't have a true TE coming in so it leads me to believe otherwise.

Any thoughts?

Play him both ways - Furd pulled it off!

Yep.

[stewbertwilloughby]

The only thing I know for sure is that we absolutely cannot go into the 2012 season with only one scholarship TE, so one of them has to be a TE. We can't trust an unknown 2012 signee to play at #2 TE.

We did that this year with Brandon Williams. And besides, you play to the strengths of the team, and what you have. If we only have really one viable TE next and whiff on a bunch of recruits, we'll probly just play more WR's and RB's (we got lots of those).

[Maxcw]

Couple of quick observations regarding the Tight End group for next year and where I expect Colt to go. The contrast between the bodies of all the tight ends on the roster right now is amazing. Since football season is over now I see most of the football players at the Rec on the basketball courts (Brandon Williams and Kenjon Barner can really ball) and the differences between Curtis White and the other two is substantial. Curtis White is absolutely massive (no doubts about him hitting the weight room during his redshirt) while the other two are leaner more athletic looking. White could honestly pass for a bigger defensive end its kind of shocking to think of him as a tight end when you see him but as long as he's been able to keep his high school quickness he should be an absolute nightmare matchup in the near future. Also I have no doubt in my mind that next year Brandon Williams will play a much bigger role in the passing game. Williams and Ed Dickson were both on campus in the EMU today and they have near identical builds. I think if Williams is able to stay healthy this year he will be a great weapon. As far as Colt goes I had the chance to watch him a couple of times when I was in high school and in my opinion I think you stick him at Linebacker. Using him in some sort of a rush capacity would be ideal to me because he is simply unblockable and does a pretty good job of diagnosing the play (granted not the greatest competition). Still I would have no problem with him lining up at TE but in terms of getting on the field early that would definitely be at linebacker.

[headshottzzzz]

Lyerla could actually dominate at the safety position. He's as at least as athletic as Pleasant is. He'd essentially be Oregon's version of Taylor Mays.

He definitely has the body of a linebacker though. He could really be special at linebacker, as in capable of reaching "best ever" at UO status.