Deonte Gibson made the most of his opportunity this spring.
The redshirt freshman got extensive repetitions with the first team defense after rising junior defensive end Quentin Williams was out with an injury and impressed many of his coaches and teammates with his play. The young defensive lineman has a special relationship with the elder statesman, calling Williams his “big brother.” Williams was one of Gibson’s early mentors when he came into the program in August.
“When I came in as a freshman in the summer, he came in and mentored me through the defense,” Gibson said. “He told me to keep my head up because injuries happen.”
Gibson did not see any playing time last season due to a torn ACL, which he suffered his senior year of high school. He said sitting on the sidelines last season helped him realize what he needed to do to take his game to the next level.
“It showed me that coming out of high school at 215 (pounds) is not ideal for anybody,” Gibson said. “I sat down and watched guys like Vince Browne and I saw what it took to play in the Big Ten so I had to revamp by body.”
He has gained 35 pounds since the start of training camp, most of it through eating while he was still injured. Gibson said he hopes to get to 260 pounds before fall camp starts in August and not limit the speed which has helped him showcase his talent this spring. Gibson said he tries to emulate former NFL defensive end Jevon Kearse who was known for his speed off the edge.
Tyler Scott has seen Gibson’s speed up close and said he thinks Gibson is due to burst onto the scene in the fall. The rising senior end said there are small things Gibson will need to learn, but he will be a dynamic part of the defense once he does.
“He’s really fast,” Scott said. “He’s been stellar the entire spring ball. He’s got to learn little technical stuff, but once he does he’ll be a special player.”
Scott was not the only teammate believing Gibson could be the real deal in the fall. Rising junior Chance Carter said he is excited to see Gibson play so well in the spring.
“He’s going to be an integral part of our pash rush this year off the edge,” the defensive tackle said. “He’s going to get some sacks and hopefully we’ll get off the field on third down.”
Gibson’s improvement has been aided by the older athletes along the defensive line which has helped to mentor the younger players. Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Scott and rising senior defensive tackle Brian Arnfelt have done an excellent job at connecting with the younger linemen on a “peer-to-peer” level and helped explain the defense to them.
Gibson realizes how important the older players have been to his development and said he is gratefulto be able to learn from his elders.
“Guys like Tyler and (Arnfelt) took all of us under their wing and told us to just improve on one thing and hopefully the coaches will see what progress you’re making,” Gibson said. “In my case, I’m humbled by those guys, and I’m glad they were able to help me along the way.”
If Williams returns for fall training camp in August, he will likely be pushed for a starting job by his pupil. Gibson said it will be weird competing with his mentor for a starting spot, but said Williams is good about the competition. As for what Fitzgerald told Gibson his role will be in the fall?
“He told me to keep competing and see what I can do,” Gibson said. “Basically to make the decision hard on him.”
