David is No. 11 David Gilbert, a 6-4, 255-pound junior from Coral Springs, Fla.
Louis is No. 93 Louis Nzegwu, a 6-4, 255-pound senior from Platteville.
Gilbert has yet to start a game at defensive end. Nzegwu has 13 career starts.
“Fundamentally, he needs to continue to work on keeping his pads down,’’ Partridge said of Gilbert. “He’s made a big improvement in this camp as far as using his hands to get off blocks.
“Now it’s a matter of taking care of his gap where he becomes an eraser like J.J. — J.J. Watt could take care of his gap, get rid of his guy and make a play in another gap at the right time.
“That’s where David needs to take the next step. And he’s getting closer.’’
Nzegwu finished second on the defense (behind Watt) in sacks (three) and TFLs (7.5). Against Indiana, he showed how good that he can be with two TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble.
“From sideline to sideline,’’ Partridge said, “Louis is really doing a good job of running to the ball and using his athleticism to get involved in plays that a year ago he wasn’t making.
“He has to get better at the strike and shed mentality and make plays at the point of attack. He’s strong in his gap but there are still plays to make when the back is behind the guy he’s going against.’’
The X-factor in the defensive end rotation is No. 97, Brendan Kelly, a 6-6, 255-pound junior from Eden Prairie, Minn. (Holy Angels, same high school as John Stocco). Kelly needs to stay healthy.
