The Football Brainiacs

Image via Dillon Faamatau Twitter

The Sooners picked up a commitment from DT Dillon Faamatau on Monday. Faamatau has taken an interesting route to get to OU, between Arizona State, JUCO, and a USC commitment; however, he will be on campus soon and available to play this fall. With that in mind, I wanted to go a bit more in depth on what I see in him.

Faamatau gives the Sooners much needed size and power on the interior defensive line. Measuring 6’4″ and 305, he can play anywhere from a head-up nose to a 4I when the Sooners employ the 3-4. He will be a tough matchup for centers and guards with his length, especially when the Sooners go 4-3 and he’s in an A-gap. Faamatau has the quickness to get upfield as a 3 technique, but strikes me as an A-gap, “war-daddy” type player. K has been saying for a couple of years that the Sooners need length along the D Line: Dillon brings that. He uses his hands well and sheds blocks quickly. Additionally, his play recognition is very good for an interior player. He regularly recognizes screens and hustles downfield to the ball-carrier. Another promising note is that he doesn’t give up on plays and makes a lot of effort in his pursuit of tackles and pressures on the quarterback. Faamatau will improve the Sooners’ interior pass rush as well.

This is a get that will definitely will help the Sooners match up with potential playoff opponents and the Buckeyes this fall. He hasn’t had a lot of publicity, but kudos to Coach Thibs for getting him, as he will come in and contribute right away. This sends a strong message to rest of the D line that we’re going to bring in anyone who can help us. Effort and energy, along with attitude, will be a great group of intangibles to add to the mix. The Sooners got themselves a good one here.