91 DAYS TO KICKOFF: Brandon Harold

#91 Brandon Harold Redshirt Junior 6-5 | 264 East St. Louis, Ill. Bio

Position: Defensive End Previous College: None Projection: Starter Status: On Scholarship

Brandon Harold (b. Feb. 24, 1990) played almost exclusively at defensive tackle during the spring game. That development came on the heels of losing his starting job as a defensive end toward the end of last season.

So is a permanent position switch in the offing?

The answer to that question likely will have to wait until this season begins, although it can be argued that his move to defensive tackle was necessitated by a lack of bodies at that position during spring camp — and not by long-term plans for a position change.

But an argument also can be made that the move would serve him well. Ever since the multiple knee injuries that robbed Harold of some of his explosiveness and eleven-twelfths of his 2009 season, Harold has been less effective as a pass rusher. No wonder — a pass rusher's speed is everything.

But he lacks nothing in the run-stopping department and he appeared to be as strong as ever during the spring game.

On the defensive interior, Harold is somewhat undersized, but he still is faster than most defensive tackles. Sounds like a prototypical three-technique player to me.

I expect we will see Harold take snaps at both positions, at least until the coaches can determine where he best would fit among the other personnel.

If nothing else, Harold's temporary demotion to second-string, as evidenced by his playing exclusively for the White team, should serve as motivation for a player sometimes criticized for not giving 100 percent on every single snap.