Don't worry...your steady diet of defensive lineman is nearly at an end.
We've got 92 days until kickoff, but the #92 has yet to be assigned. I'll take a cue from the last player to don that jersey number and highlight a DE today—Sam McCaskill
#92, Sam McCaskill, True Freshman, DE
Stats
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 230 lbs.
High School: Sheldon High School, Eugene, OR
How'd he get to The Blue™?
McCaskill was a standout two-way player for Eugene's Sheldon high school playing both defensive end and center. As a senior, McCaskill was named first team All-State and the Southwest Conference defensive player of the year after registering 115 tackles and 16 sacks—also leading Sheldon to the Class 6A title game. As a junior, McCaskill was similarly productive, notching 110 tackles and 12.5 sacks—again, earning him first team All-State honors. McCaskill had offers from Portland State, Montana and Oregon State, but chose the Broncos. His highlight video is below:
Nickname
"Slingin' Sammy"
With all respect to Sammy Baugh, McCaskill will soon be slingin' quarterbacks to the turf.
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Look-alike
2012 Prospectus
Once again, there was a method to my madness in choosing McCaskill today. You might remember the previous wearer of the 92 jersey...a fella named Shea McClellin—McCaskill's game, size, and even name bear a striking resemblance to the first-rounder (same initials, even!). Now, I'm not trying to put pressure on McCaskill to be the next first-round draft pick from Boise State—that takes a bit of luck...but I don't see why he can't be as successful a collegiate player as McClellin was—that just takes hard work.
In a normal year, I'd say that there's no way that McCaskill doesn't redshirt...but as we've discussed previously, this isn't a normal year. Sure, the odds are still favoring a redshirt, but the one area that the Broncos will need immediate depth is DE, and if even one injury should occur, the Broncos will be mining the newbies to come up with a contingency plan. McCaskill, in my opinion would be most likely to get the call if it came right down to it. He was absolutely dominant at the highest level of competition in Oregon and actually led the entire state in sacks as a senior with 16. He's got the build to play the hybrid STUD position and obviously knows how to get after the QB—I'd say he could come in and play immediately. Again, redshirting is ideal, but the last DE to play as a true frosh was Byron Hout in 2008—under similar circumstances. Whenever we see Sam hit the turf, watch closely...I've got a feeling about this kid.
Completely made up fact
To stay in shape in the offseason, Sam would participate in Eugene's bi-monthly "hippie roundup"