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Name: Dennis Daley
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight: 6’6" / 290 lbs.
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Rating: Rivals, 247: Three star. ESPN: Four star
Daley originally committed back to South Carolina back in January of 2015, however this occurred in Milledgeville, Ga. while playing for Georgia Military College, not Ridge View High School. He reaffirmed his commitment before his sophomore year and retained it even after Shawn Elliott left to be the head coach at Georgia State. Elliott didn’t stop recruiting Daley either, as Georgia State would extend an offer on December 15. However it wasn’t enough to pull Daley away, who was one of the top JUCO offensive tackles in the country after leading GMC to a top-15 ranking in the NJCAA.
Strengths: Daley’s a lean, athletic tackle who excels in getting to the second level and working down field to linebackers in the run game. He has a good first punch and has knockdown ability when he gets some momentum behind him. In pass protection he has the wingspan to ward off speedy, edge rushers and keeps his head on a swivel in pass sets. He can handle defenders one-on-one in the run game and can dominate when he gets you in a phone booth.
Weaknesses: Had a tendency to stand straight up coming out of his stance and will take big, looping steps in pass protection as opposed to short, choppy ones. Daley also shows struggle with stronger edge defenders who bull rush, often being driven back. He’ll also struggle with defenders who can work outside and in with an inside swim/rip move. Even knowing this, Daley will be a junior who will be expected to work into the starting rotation right away.
Overall: Watching his film, it’s clear Daley still has some work to do in pass protection. That could pose to be a problem if he’s expected to start right away, which is possible considering Mason Zandi graduated from left tackle. This might force Daley to play right tackle, where he won’t have to match up with the opposing team’s best pass rusher and can still add value in the run game. He’ll probably compete right away with Malik Young and Blake Camper in camp this spring as an early enrollee.