In the beginning of the season I was very optimistic about 2016 and very skeptical about how we would perform in 2017-2018 given the number of starters we would lose after this year (18). However, after a full season I will say I think I am more optimistic about 2017 then potentially I was earlier in the year. We had a lot of kids that peaked and never really improved - Darboh, Chesson, Smith, Kalis, Braden, Erik M., Wormley, etc. Other then Taco and Lewis, most of our seniors were playing to their best and I don't think the talent was there for them to improve, Butt included. As the season progressed you could see the younger kids actually get better and improve and I think given the talent JH is recruiting, I expect that despite losing seniors we may actually improve in most of the areas.
I think the losses of Peppers, Lewis, and Taco will sting the most - especially Lewis. He was so savvy and fantastic and that helps out an entire defense. I do think the D-line of Gary, Mone, Chase, and Hurst will still be the best in the BIG if they can stay healthy. I am very encouraged about McCray next year and I think a couple of our young LBs will step up.
On offense, honestly other then the chemistry that Butt had with Speight, I see us improving across the board. I think our WRs with DPJ, Crawford, and McDoom may actually be better then Chesson and Darboh. I am really glad Smith is leaving - that guy had zero vision and I think our RB situation will improve by default. Our O-line may actually be better - I think Kalis was beyond repair - the dude just kept getting worse and it's hard for other kids to be that bad. These kids had size, just terrible habits and I expect that our O-line has to improve.
I think the first game will be the most telling - if we beat Florida, I expect that we likely go 10-0 before 2 final tough games. I think Penn State is starting to load up and will be tough but I do think we beat them.
My early prediction is that we go 10-2, miss going to Indy again but set ourselves up one heck of a 2018!
I think the losses of Peppers, Lewis, and Taco will sting the most - especially Lewis. He was so savvy and fantastic and that helps out an entire defense. I do think the D-line of Gary, Mone, Chase, and Hurst will still be the best in the BIG if they can stay healthy. I am very encouraged about McCray next year and I think a couple of our young LBs will step up.
On offense, honestly other then the chemistry that Butt had with Speight, I see us improving across the board. I think our WRs with DPJ, Crawford, and McDoom may actually be better then Chesson and Darboh. I am really glad Smith is leaving - that guy had zero vision and I think our RB situation will improve by default. Our O-line may actually be better - I think Kalis was beyond repair - the dude just kept getting worse and it's hard for other kids to be that bad. These kids had size, just terrible habits and I expect that our O-line has to improve.
I think the first game will be the most telling - if we beat Florida, I expect that we likely go 10-0 before 2 final tough games. I think Penn State is starting to load up and will be tough but I do think we beat them.
My early prediction is that we go 10-2, miss going to Indy again but set ourselves up one heck of a 2018!
