New defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has a position in his defense called "rush end". You're going to hear a lot about this position as long as Rossi's the coordinator because it has been very successful in the past, especially at Minnesota.
Michigan State even hired a rush ends coach in Chad Wilt.
The rush ends operate as its own position room, separate from the interior of the defensive line and the typical defensive end position.
Who's in the rush ends room?
It's a small position room of just five players right now. Keep in mind there is typically going to be one rush end on the field at a time in Rossi's system.
Here are the five players working at rush end in practice:
#2 6th-Yr. Khris Bogle (6'4" 244 lbs)
#9 So. Jalen Thompson (6'3" 260 lbs)
#22 So. Bai Jobe (6'4" 252 lbs)
#32 R-So. James Schott (6'4" 228 lbs)
#56 R-So. Jay Coyne (6'1" 229 lbs)
Difference between rush ends and defensive ends?
When we (the media) talked to Jalen Thompson this week, he said that the rush ends will tend to be lighter in weight than the normal defensive ends. Rush ends will be asked to rush the passer AND be athletic enough to drop back in coverage, similar to the role of an outside linebacker.
The idea is that this can create a hybrid look up front, sometimes three down linemen, sometimes four down linemen, and it could confuse opposing offenses. You'll also see these rush ends be in a two-point stance (standing up) more times than not.
This is definitely one of the bigger schematic/positioning differences from the previous regime to the current regime. Players seem excited about. Bogle and Thompson told the media on Tuesday that they have experience playing something similar to rush end, Bogle at Florida and Thompson in high school.
Michigan State even hired a rush ends coach in Chad Wilt.
The rush ends operate as its own position room, separate from the interior of the defensive line and the typical defensive end position.
Who's in the rush ends room?
It's a small position room of just five players right now. Keep in mind there is typically going to be one rush end on the field at a time in Rossi's system.
Here are the five players working at rush end in practice:
#2 6th-Yr. Khris Bogle (6'4" 244 lbs)
#9 So. Jalen Thompson (6'3" 260 lbs)
#22 So. Bai Jobe (6'4" 252 lbs)
#32 R-So. James Schott (6'4" 228 lbs)
#56 R-So. Jay Coyne (6'1" 229 lbs)
Difference between rush ends and defensive ends?
When we (the media) talked to Jalen Thompson this week, he said that the rush ends will tend to be lighter in weight than the normal defensive ends. Rush ends will be asked to rush the passer AND be athletic enough to drop back in coverage, similar to the role of an outside linebacker.
The idea is that this can create a hybrid look up front, sometimes three down linemen, sometimes four down linemen, and it could confuse opposing offenses. You'll also see these rush ends be in a two-point stance (standing up) more times than not.
This is definitely one of the bigger schematic/positioning differences from the previous regime to the current regime. Players seem excited about. Bogle and Thompson told the media on Tuesday that they have experience playing something similar to rush end, Bogle at Florida and Thompson in high school.
