Has the potential to be top 25 at the very least if not better. We are returning every impact player in the secondary (assuming no weird transfers or draft declarations) besides Zane Campbell. Our cb's will be Austin, Hayes, Wharton, with the fourth and 5th cb's likely being redshirted this year. The first two both have star potential and can be guys that lock down their side of the field in one-on one coverage save a star receiver. Let's also not forget Tre Avery the transfer who signed with Ohio State two years ago, there is a chance he could be a baller.
At safety we will have Hampton, KJ Gray, Hester, and Harris if he stays there (with a whole bunch of safety practices under his belt). Have we ever had 4 safeties deep like that?
Linebackers we are only losing Tj Taylor, Ross- Douglas, and if the staff decides to let Russel and Margolis go and not come back for their 5th year them too. Only one player who technically starts, and who will no doubt easily be replaced. The other 3 have had limited impact, and with the development of our freshmen, as well as Maddox- Williams coming back next year we should be in great shape at the position with Roberts being a stud, morris coming on, and two guys out of Maddox-Williams, Fogg, Simmons, Onyechi, Fatukasi and Devera stepping up. Wow typing that out is crazy when you think about it. 5 guys plus simmons who have all shown promise battling it out for 1 or 2 starting spots. We could have some real depth.
The d-line is a little more of a question mark with some great players leaving like Turay, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Darnell Davis. Hogan also might be gone, but I hope he is asked back and stays, he played well today, and has never been bad on the field. At the very least we will be returning Lumor who has shown flashes so far, Bateky, Previlon, and Wilkins. That's a decent group up front, and Julius Turner has shown some potential as well. We also might be able to get something out of Tverdov, Bordner, Duggan, and Mason next year, not too mention the Juco transfer Harris might be a real player for us, I guess we will see. Ultimately though we likely return 7 of 11 starters, and a whole lot of depth behind them, and that does not account for any of the freshmen set to come in this year.
While special teams is a big unknown with Anderson, and Harte leaving, and offense is a bit unknown with Miller leaving (maybe cole leaving, hopefully not) Mitchell, Grant, and our 3 out of top 4 rb's leaving, we are returning a bunch of starters on our 0-line, (4) Gio, and Lewis, and keeping Jerome Washington and Blackshear. The defense though should be absolutely fantastic next year, providing everyone stays healthy. if we could nab someone who could possibly make an impact early like Friday that would just add to what should be our best defense since 2012.
At safety we will have Hampton, KJ Gray, Hester, and Harris if he stays there (with a whole bunch of safety practices under his belt). Have we ever had 4 safeties deep like that?
Linebackers we are only losing Tj Taylor, Ross- Douglas, and if the staff decides to let Russel and Margolis go and not come back for their 5th year them too. Only one player who technically starts, and who will no doubt easily be replaced. The other 3 have had limited impact, and with the development of our freshmen, as well as Maddox- Williams coming back next year we should be in great shape at the position with Roberts being a stud, morris coming on, and two guys out of Maddox-Williams, Fogg, Simmons, Onyechi, Fatukasi and Devera stepping up. Wow typing that out is crazy when you think about it. 5 guys plus simmons who have all shown promise battling it out for 1 or 2 starting spots. We could have some real depth.
The d-line is a little more of a question mark with some great players leaving like Turay, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Darnell Davis. Hogan also might be gone, but I hope he is asked back and stays, he played well today, and has never been bad on the field. At the very least we will be returning Lumor who has shown flashes so far, Bateky, Previlon, and Wilkins. That's a decent group up front, and Julius Turner has shown some potential as well. We also might be able to get something out of Tverdov, Bordner, Duggan, and Mason next year, not too mention the Juco transfer Harris might be a real player for us, I guess we will see. Ultimately though we likely return 7 of 11 starters, and a whole lot of depth behind them, and that does not account for any of the freshmen set to come in this year.
While special teams is a big unknown with Anderson, and Harte leaving, and offense is a bit unknown with Miller leaving (maybe cole leaving, hopefully not) Mitchell, Grant, and our 3 out of top 4 rb's leaving, we are returning a bunch of starters on our 0-line, (4) Gio, and Lewis, and keeping Jerome Washington and Blackshear. The defense though should be absolutely fantastic next year, providing everyone stays healthy. if we could nab someone who could possibly make an impact early like Friday that would just add to what should be our best defense since 2012.
