Dantzler, other UTSA starters are hitting their stride.
Players transition into roles with new staff after unusual offseason, evaluation period
Trying to find his place in UTSA’S new 3-4 defense, senior Lorenzo Dantzler started the year working at weak side linebacker.
After playing 4-3 defensive end in 2019, Dantzler thought a shift to linebacker in 2020 was the most natural move to utilize his passrush ability.
But through the early stages of fall camp, Dantzler found he was “slow in the transition,” struggling to adapt to pass coverage and other responsibilities that were foreign after years playing with his hand in the dirt.
Sensing the Roadrunners had a greater need on the line, Dantzler volunteered to return to the trenches. His new defensive line position was similar in name but carried fresh challenges.
Instead of lining up outside the offensive tackle to attack quarterbacks and hold containment against the run, Dantzler is positioned across from the opposing tackle, tasked with shutting down any rushes between tackle and guard.
“The process of going from Will linebacker, back to five technique, back to four, it’s just been a whole big process of adversity,” Dantzler said. “I’ve faced adversity in my life before, so this was nothing new.”
Dantzler said the fresh role on the line came naturally and felt like going back to his roots. He made his first start of year Saturday against UAB, finishing with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback hits that led to interceptions during UTSA’S 21-13 defeat.
During a normal year, the process of finding a position and developing into a contributor might play out before the opening week’s kickoff. But with the coronavirus pandemic leading to the cancellation of spring practice and changes to the preseason routine, coach Jeff Traylor said UTSA’S staff looked at the start of the year as an evaluation period.
With a month of games in the books, Traylor said the coaches have built a sense of each player’s skillset, fit and learning style. Even minute elements such as notetaking and posture in team meetings have improved.
“We feel like after four games that we just finished fall camp, and we know our roster a little bit better now,” Traylor said. “That is all it is, us trying to get to know our players, and them trying to get to know us.”
Dantzler said he’d prefer to be playing a pass-rushing role lined up wider than the opposing tackle, but he recognizes that his current position is “what’s best for the team right now.”
Looking at Dantzler’s body of work and 6-foot-2, 245-pound frame, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix identified him as a defensive lineman before UTSA’S first practice. But Nix said Traylor is “going to give every guy every opportunity to play what their heart desires,” so Dantzler was granted a chance at linebacker.
When depth at the position proved to be more abundant than on the line, Dantzler started a conversation about moving.
“He came to us, and he said, ‘Coach, I can help out and play some of this defensive end. I feel like I can learn it and be an asset,’” Nix said. “We said, ‘Sure.’ We wished he would have accepted that role from the start, but, you know, it worked out for us in the end.”
Nix points to cases similar to Dantzler across the depth chart.
Tariq Woolen, a converted wide receiver, has made strides at corner, and safety Rashad Wisdom has started to “create some ownership of the back end” after playing nickel last year, Nix said. Safety Antonio Parks said the Roadrunners are growing more confident and comfortable relying on each other for in-game calls.
Clarence Hicks played defensive end last year, opened camp in 2020 at inside linebacker and has settled at strong side linebacker.
“It was some trial and error,”
Nix said. “When we started camp, most teams have a continuing staff and continuing players. They know what to expect and they know a little bit more about their players. I think every week, we’ve found out a little bit more.”
Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, Jr. said he’s faced a similar process, uncovering each player’s learning technique and practice habits. Many of the staff ’s offseason evaluations have been validated, Lunney said, but some pieces have taken time to fall into place.
UTSA started a different offensive line unit each of the first three weeks, flipping Spencer Burford from right tackle to left tackle and bringing right tackle Makai Hart and right guard Kevin Davis into the rotation after both missed time due to injury.
Hart was projected as a dayone starter at right tackle, Traylor said, and both he and Davis are expected to play their way back to top form through the next couple of games. A month into the season, the Roadrunners have “about settled” on an offensive line rotation, Lunney said.
“We knew that these first four weeks would take the place of spring ball and fall camp, to a degree, to help you get to understand your guys better,” Lunney said. “I think we really have a good feel of who we are, and what our strengths are, and what our weaknesses are.”