I read a couple of negative comments about him, but I thought he played decently. Seemed to be always around the ball.

 

Question is - why was he in? He played a lot in the first half, too. Was it the 3/4 switch?

Here's an asnwer to my own question from NBCsports:

 

Especially essential was the performance of Martini. The freshman linebacker shifted inside as VanGorder decided to put Jaylon Smith on the perimeter, making nine tackles in basically his debut as a non-special teams contributor, a heady performance by a young player who was — for better or worse — the next man in.

 

“Greer is a very smart kid and his attention to detail is really good,” Kelly said. “And he’s the only guy we had. We don’t have anybody else.”

I think he's going to be pretty darn good when all is said and done. He's got got size and length and seemed fast enough. He'll definitely contribute to the defense overall for a long time.

True Freshmen that played last night: Tranquill, Cage, Martini, Morgan. Goodness, bright future.

True Freshmen that played last night: Tranquill, Cage, Martini, Morgan. Goodness, bright future.

 

What number does Goodness wear?

What number does Goodness wear?

I was wondering the same thing myself.

Martini is #48 and certainly faster than I thought he was.

He didn't look fast to me. He certainly helped but his speed didn't PPP off the screen like Kolin did early in the season.

What number does Goodness wear?

 

98. Trumbetti played too.

The future is very very bright on defense, especially at the linebacker position.

Here's an asnwer to my own question from NBCsports:

 

Especially essential was the performance of Martini. The freshman linebacker shifted inside as VanGorder decided to put Jaylon Smith on the perimeter, making nine tackles in basically his debut as a non-special teams contributor, a heady performance by a young player who was — for better or worse — the next man in.

 

“Greer is a very smart kid and his attention to detail is really good,” Kelly said. “And he’s the only guy we had. We don’t have anybody else.”

 

Just curious what happened to kids like Randolph who came from the exact same high school as martini. So the scouting report couldn't be that far off and he's a year older. I know he had minor shoulder surgery last year, but lets hope he's taking the Jarron Jones path.

 

And Ive heard Deeb absolutely does not fit into vangorders scheme, but he's another one that's dropped off the map.

 

Onwualu played well on the outside, but wasn't john turner in line for reps too? Another guy we haven't heard from as it seems like vangorder jumped two classes and went straight to the freshman.

Just curious what happened to kids like Randolph who came from the exact same high school as martini. So the scouting report couldn't be that far off and he's a year older. I know he had minor shoulder surgery last year, but lets hope he's taking the Jarron Jones path.

 

And Ive heard Deeb absolutely does not fit into vangorders scheme, but he's another one that's dropped off the map.

 

Onwualu played well on the outside, but wasn't john turner in line for reps too? Another guy we haven't heard from as it seems like vangorder jumped two classes and went straight to the freshman.

 

This is what I was wondering when Kelly basically said we literally have no one else in the middle.

He didn't look fast to me. He certainly helped but his speed didn't PPP off the screen like Kolin did early in the season.

 

He wasn't fast at all I don't know what others were watching. If he plays more you can bet teams will exploit his lack of speed, and he will get chewed out a couple times on film.

Rabasa is someone i cant believe never found his way on the field.

Young guys are getting some valuable experience for next year which help tremendously. I wish we could use some more red shirts but it will definitely help when these guys are sophomores and juniors.

I'm very excited to watch Cage develop. I'll admit, was definitely skeptical when they signed him, thought it was a reach - but from the limited reps he's gotten, color me surprised. Thank God I'm not the talent evaluator come signing day

Austin Larkin was in the game for short periods too...could be a sign as to how thin the unit is...

 

 

Haven't heard anything official, but is Jarrett Grace done...like, done, done.

Austin Larkin was in the game for short periods too...could be a sign as to how thin the unit is...

 

 

Haven't heard anything official, but is Jarrett Grace done...like, done, done.

 

Everything I have seen indicates he is done, at least for this year. Don't know if he has another year of eligibility.

Everything I have seen indicates he is done, at least for this year. Don't know if he has another year of eligibility.

 

Confirmed that Grace will not play this year

Grace does have a 5th year eligibility, but with that injury, Kelly may not ask him back. Right now there are 7-8 people ahead of him and numbers are tight.

I wouldn't call Martini track fast but he seems quick to the ball and has good football instincts, similar to Te'o.