[OutsiderFan]

For the above reasons, I would also agree that the defense ought to be winning spring ball.  That they're not is usually a good sign...unless the defense is depleted.

During spring ball, every team could be "something special" come fall.  We shall see.

What?  I get y'all not wanting to jump the shark on how good the OL can be, based on not exactly going against the Steel Curtain in Spring, but...

Walker Little was the #1 OT recruit in the country in 2017.  Sarell was #2. Nate Herbig and Walker Little were both Frosh All Americans.  Little didn't allow a single sack his True Frosh season.  Fanaika has played a TON of football for Stanford.  Chaffin has played more than everyone on the DL but Dylan Jackson.

There is simply no way the DL has as much talent and experience as the OL. It would be really concerning to hear the DL was the better unit even in Spring.  What is more important now is to see how much the DL improves, going against such an elite OL in practice situations, from Spring through Summer training camp.  Few DLs Stanford's OL plays this year are going to have had the opportunity to be challenged by an OL as good as Stanford's.

And while you could argue Stanford's OL won't be pushed to its limits by a great DL in practice, given the talent, experience, and size it has, there is a meaningful delta between how far the Stanford DL can push it, and how strong a DL it can handle.

[OutsiderFan]

For the above reasons, I would also agree that the defense ought to be winning spring ball.  That they're not is usually a good sign...unless the defense is depleted.

During spring ball, every team could be "something special" come fall.  We shall see.

What?  I get y'all not wanting to jump the shark on how good the OL can be, based on not exactly going against the Steel Curtain in Spring, but...

Walker Little was the #1 OT recruit in the country in 2017.  Sarell was #2. Nate Herbig and Walker Little were both Frosh All Americans.  Little didn't allow a single sack his True Frosh season.  Fanaika has played a TON of football for Stanford.  Chaffin has played more than everyone on the DL but Dylan Jackson.

There is simply no way the DL has as much talent and experience as the OL. It would be really concerning to hear the DL was the better unit even in Spring.  What is more important now is to see how much the DL improves, going against such an elite OL in practice situations, from Spring through Summer training camp.  Few DLs Stanford's OL plays this year are going to have had the opportunity to be challenged by an OL as good as Stanford's.

And while you could argue Stanford's OL won't be pushed to its limits by a great DL in practice, given the talent, experience, and size it has, there is a meaningful delta between how far the Stanford DL can push it, and how strong a DL it can handle.