UPDATED
After today's loss, it's tough to get excited, especially about the offense. Especially with losing Bo Melton. But I was looking through what we could be working with, and I actually like the potential here. It's of course wayyyy too early. Transfers in/out will change things. Or if anyone declares. And highly rated incoming class will definitely shake up the rooms.
QUARTERBACK
QB: Gavin Wimsatt RS FR
Sooo excited. Gavin's team now. Most heralded recruit in program history, and his early admittance gave him ability to learn offense and get ready. Evan Simon wasn't too shabby either today.
RUNNING BACK
RB: Isaih Pacheco SR (NFL)
RB: Kyle Monangai
RB: Aaron Young
RB: Jamier Wright-Collins
RB: Samuel Brown
Hope he comes back. With a better line, he'll thrive. If he doesn't come back, the room is stacked. Monangai, Young, Wright-Collins, and 4-star recruit Samuel Brown.
WIDE RECEIVER
WR: Aron Cruickshank SR
WR: Isaiah Washington JR
WR: Amarion Brown FR
WR: Joshua Youngblood JR
WR: Shameen Jones RS SR
WR: Rashad Rochelle
I hope Cruickshank comes back, because he is a serious top tier weapon when healthy. Same with Jones. Isaiah Washington had a real nice game today. Amarion Brown is a 4-star recruit who's too talented not to play year 1. Staff raves about Rochelle, an early-enrolle. Maybe Youngblood unlocks his potential, he caught a touchdown against OSU, and played today. Lot of young talented players in this room, and excited to see who inevitably separates themselves. And honestly, may just come down to chemistry with Wimsatt.
TIGHT END
TE: Johnny Langan SR
TE: Matt Alaimo RS SR
TE: Victor Konopka RS SO
Johnny Everything has the toughness, mobility and blocking versatility to be a solid TE. With a full offseason dedicated to one position, he could thrive. Victor Konopka has a Gronk-like body and got playing time as a freshman. I could see him make major strides. Alaimo was also injured a lot of this year, so will get another chance to shine.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Raiqwon O'Neil RS SR
OG: Reggie Sutton RS SR
C: Gus Zilinskas SO
OG: Ireland Brown JR
RT: Hollin Pierce SO
Krimin is only starter who graduates.
Raiqwon O’Neil selected for All Big10 Honorable Mention by PFF, and 4th best LT 🙌
Sutton comes back from injury, and he was playing great before being lost for the season 3 games in.
Freshman Pierce has sky-high ceiling. Staff has raved about freshman Gus. Both need more reps/film room. Entire line should improve as a unit with a proper offseason, especially since 2 are true freshman and one spent spring camp on defense.
Transfers/Freshmen Paillant, Rainey, Nawaogwugwu and Felter should also grow with another year in the system. Felter and Rainey I believe both played in last game, all were on the 2 deep to start the season. Not sure what happened with former Temple starter David Nawogwugwu, but I know he was injured for a lot of the season?
Then, we bring in6 7 heralded OL recruits, including the top OL in the state, Jacob Allen. So I think between those 15, it gets sorted out to a good line, and most importantly, improved depth. And that's not including any potential transfers. Lastly, a more mobile QB should also help this unit.
DEFENSE
As for defense, we can save that for another post. We lose a lot of starting Seniors, but Schiano just has a knack for finding talent on the defensive side of the ball. We also have some legit future stars in Max Melton, Longerbeam, Aaron Lewis, Toure, Powell, Hamilton, and others. Izien, Ahantou, Young, and Abraham all return as Seniors. Abraham was listed to first team All Big-10 by PFF. Braswell was out for the season and will return as a RS SR. And we have a great incoming class.
After today's loss, it's tough to get excited, especially about the offense. Especially with losing Bo Melton. But I was looking through what we could be working with, and I actually like the potential here. It's of course wayyyy too early. Transfers in/out will change things. Or if anyone declares. And highly rated incoming class will definitely shake up the rooms.
QUARTERBACK
QB: Gavin Wimsatt RS FR
Sooo excited. Gavin's team now. Most heralded recruit in program history, and his early admittance gave him ability to learn offense and get ready. Evan Simon wasn't too shabby either today.
RUNNING BACK
RB: Kyle Monangai
RB: Aaron Young
RB: Jamier Wright-Collins
RB: Samuel Brown
WIDE RECEIVER
WR: Aron Cruickshank SR
WR: Isaiah Washington JR
WR: Amarion Brown FR
WR: Joshua Youngblood JR
WR: Shameen Jones RS SR
WR: Rashad Rochelle
I hope Cruickshank comes back, because he is a serious top tier weapon when healthy. Same with Jones. Isaiah Washington had a real nice game today. Amarion Brown is a 4-star recruit who's too talented not to play year 1. Staff raves about Rochelle, an early-enrolle. Maybe Youngblood unlocks his potential, he caught a touchdown against OSU, and played today. Lot of young talented players in this room, and excited to see who inevitably separates themselves. And honestly, may just come down to chemistry with Wimsatt.
TIGHT END
TE: Johnny Langan SR
TE: Matt Alaimo RS SR
TE: Victor Konopka RS SO
Johnny Everything has the toughness, mobility and blocking versatility to be a solid TE. With a full offseason dedicated to one position, he could thrive. Victor Konopka has a Gronk-like body and got playing time as a freshman. I could see him make major strides. Alaimo was also injured a lot of this year, so will get another chance to shine.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Raiqwon O'Neil RS SR
OG: Reggie Sutton RS SR
C: Gus Zilinskas SO
OG: Ireland Brown JR
RT: Hollin Pierce SO
Krimin is only starter who graduates.
Raiqwon O’Neil selected for All Big10 Honorable Mention by PFF, and 4th best LT 🙌
Sutton comes back from injury, and he was playing great before being lost for the season 3 games in.
Freshman Pierce has sky-high ceiling. Staff has raved about freshman Gus. Both need more reps/film room. Entire line should improve as a unit with a proper offseason, especially since 2 are true freshman and one spent spring camp on defense.
Transfers/Freshmen Paillant, Rainey, Nawaogwugwu and Felter should also grow with another year in the system. Felter and Rainey I believe both played in last game, all were on the 2 deep to start the season. Not sure what happened with former Temple starter David Nawogwugwu, but I know he was injured for a lot of the season?
Then, we bring in
DEFENSE
As for defense, we can save that for another post. We lose a lot of starting Seniors, but Schiano just has a knack for finding talent on the defensive side of the ball. We also have some legit future stars in Max Melton, Longerbeam, Aaron Lewis, Toure, Powell, Hamilton, and others. Izien, Ahantou, Young, and Abraham all return as Seniors. Abraham was listed to first team All Big-10 by PFF. Braswell was out for the season and will return as a RS SR. And we have a great incoming class.
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