QB...Speight, O'Korn, Peters, Malzone, McAffrey
2017...There will ALWAYS be competition, but if he's healthy Speight will be the guy. I think O'Korn will get some spread looks this year and Peters will get some snaps. Malzone and O'Korn will graduate.
2018...Still gonna be Speight, who could develop into a dark-horse Heismann candidate in his fifth year. Peters will likely be the backup with McAffrey getting some experience.
Needs (1)...Almost all the eggs are in the Thompson-Robinson basket. If we miss on him, we will go all out for Joe Milton. After that I think we might take a chance on a versatile prospect like James Graham that can run the spread or eventually move to TB.
RB...Evans, Isaac, Higdon, Walker, Samuels, Taylor
2017...Evans needs to get 15-20 touches between carries and receptions and will be half of the TB production next year. Isaac, Higdon and Walker will split the other half. Samuels and Taylor will learn the ropes on scout team unless they have outstanding camps.
2018...Evans returns with Higdon and Walker. Samuels will be ready for some reps and we'll have to see what Taylor provides. But we're in good shape here for a couple of seasons.
Needs (0-1)...Nobody jumps off the recruiting page. Of course that could change when players finish their senior seasons. I think it's 50/50 that we get one in this class, though. Instead, we could fill the need with a versatile guy like Tre'shaun Harrison (who could play WR or DB, too). If ND falls on their face again (please, please, please), I'd be happy to take Ekiyor's teammate Marquese Stepp off their hands. Reading the tea leaves, I don't think the staff liked a ton of 2018 RB prospects which prompted their aggressive pursuit of Najee Harris. 2019 looks more likely for filling this position.
FB...Hill, Poggi
2017...Hill is possibly the best FB in the country and Poggi is an experienced backup. Both exhaust their eligibility this year.
2018...????? You gotta believe Mason has the most potential in the Pro formations, but he reportedly wants to start out on defense. Harbaugh has played a LB/FB combo in the past at Stanford.
Needs (1)...Versatility is the theme for this class and I like DL/FB/TE Alim McNeil in this roleright now. He may stay in the Atlantic region, but he'd be a great get.
Here's where it gets a little tricky. Harbaugh has already proven that he will run a ton of looks on offense and with the addition of Pepp Hamilton and Scott Turner, I can see more spread and less true FB in 2018. IF that's the case, we'll probably use one of the interior WR positions as a JUMBO/TE/WR combination and we already have a couple on the roster and a couple prospects.
JUMBO slot...Zach Gentry, Nick Eubanks, Nico Collins.
2017...Bunting could play this position, too, and probably does this year when we play from the spread/pistol formations, especially if O'Korn gets a package again this year.
2018...everybody returns here and we may not have a true FB, so this position could become more prominent in the future.
Needs (1)...I'm putting L'Christian "Blue" Smith here for now. A true jumbo athlete that prefers WR. Will Mallory could excel in this "flex" position as well.
TE/HB....Wheatley, Bunting, McKeon
2017...TJW is probably more of a traditional TE with his size and will line up next to a Tackle on most plays. Bunting has a bit more flexibility and will play next to the T, as an H-back and occasionally as a jumbo slot. McKeon has that type of versatility, too (and might even play some FB in 2018 ala Aaron Shea).
2018...everybody returns unless Wheatley or Bunting blow up this year and go pro. I wouldn't be 100% shocked if we play Ryan Hayes here as a frosh should he choose the Maize and Blue.
Needs (1-2)...Jeremy Ruckert, Brevin Jordan and Mustapha Muhammed appear to be the top guys on the board here and any of them could also play that Jumbo slot depending on how well they block coming in.
Quick slot...Perry (?), McDoom, Johnson, Martin
2017...I think Perry returns once his legal matters are resolved, but he might slip behind McDoom and/or Johnson in the meantime (potentially red shirting?). Hopefully, McDoom becomes a threat with his routes and hands.
2018...everybody's back and could benefit from more spread formations.
Needs (1)...Jahan Dotson fits the mold and could renew our Jersey connection. If not, Kamryn Babb fits well here.
Wide Receivers...DPJ, Crawford, Harris, Black, Ways, Hawkins (S?).
2017...Lots of potential, but little production from this group so far. I think DPJ and Crawford are the most likely to start here. Harris and Ways could be auditioning to return for 5th years. I like Hawkins as a WR, but we might need him more at S.
2018...DPJ, Crawford and Harris provide a nice rotation if we decide to recycle the scholarships of Harris and Ways (which we may since we have such a small class to start).
Needs (0-1)...If we can land Hall or St. Brown, buh-bye Harris and/or Ways. If we don't make progress with those recruits, one or both could be invited back.
Offensive Line (L-R)...Cole, Ruiz, Kugler, Onwenu, and Bredeson backed up by JBB, Ulizio, Runyan and Spanellis. Redshirts for Newsome, Filiaga, Hall, Stueber and Honingford.
2017... I like Cole at LT and Bredeson at RT to get the top 5 on the field with Ruiz playing G and learning the calls from 5th year senior Kugler. That's my hunch and I realize others will not agree because Cole is probably a C in the NFL. Well, he's not in the NFL yet and I think he's our best LT. Bredeson at RT gets Ruiz on the field and keeps JBB and crew off.
2018...We'll lose Cole, but hopefully a 100% Newsome steps right in. Ruiz slides back to C with Onwenu and Bredeson returning as starters. That leave an open position for battle. Will Bredeson play G and allow JBB, Filiaga, Hall, Ulizio and Steuber to battle for the RT spot or will he remain at RT and create a need at LG? JBB could be on the fence for his 5th year if he doesn't stay healthy this year, IMO.
Needs (3-5)...I like Ekiyor and hope we keep him. I also like the potential of in-staters Hayes (TE as a frosh, potentially), McCall (grades?)Sampson(no offer) and Mayfield. Antwan Reed is another in-stater that has some potential. 2019 has in-state and Midwest prospects Logan Brown, Dovontae Dobbs (DL?) and Nolan Rumler. It feels like there's some very high-quality, low-hanging fruit here.
To summarize: This year we could potentially lose O'Korn, Malzone, Isaac, Hill, Poggi, Perry, Harris, Ways, Cole and JBB.
Best guess: DTR, Harrison, Mallory, Ruckert/Muhammed/Jordan, Dotson/Babb, Ekiyor, Hayes, McCall, Sampson, Mayfield.
2017...There will ALWAYS be competition, but if he's healthy Speight will be the guy. I think O'Korn will get some spread looks this year and Peters will get some snaps. Malzone and O'Korn will graduate.
2018...Still gonna be Speight, who could develop into a dark-horse Heismann candidate in his fifth year. Peters will likely be the backup with McAffrey getting some experience.
Needs (1)...Almost all the eggs are in the Thompson-Robinson basket. If we miss on him, we will go all out for Joe Milton. After that I think we might take a chance on a versatile prospect like James Graham that can run the spread or eventually move to TB.
RB...Evans, Isaac, Higdon, Walker, Samuels, Taylor
2017...Evans needs to get 15-20 touches between carries and receptions and will be half of the TB production next year. Isaac, Higdon and Walker will split the other half. Samuels and Taylor will learn the ropes on scout team unless they have outstanding camps.
2018...Evans returns with Higdon and Walker. Samuels will be ready for some reps and we'll have to see what Taylor provides. But we're in good shape here for a couple of seasons.
Needs (0-1)...Nobody jumps off the recruiting page. Of course that could change when players finish their senior seasons. I think it's 50/50 that we get one in this class, though. Instead, we could fill the need with a versatile guy like Tre'shaun Harrison (who could play WR or DB, too). If ND falls on their face again (please, please, please), I'd be happy to take Ekiyor's teammate Marquese Stepp off their hands. Reading the tea leaves, I don't think the staff liked a ton of 2018 RB prospects which prompted their aggressive pursuit of Najee Harris. 2019 looks more likely for filling this position.
FB...Hill, Poggi
2017...Hill is possibly the best FB in the country and Poggi is an experienced backup. Both exhaust their eligibility this year.
2018...????? You gotta believe Mason has the most potential in the Pro formations, but he reportedly wants to start out on defense. Harbaugh has played a LB/FB combo in the past at Stanford.
Needs (1)...Versatility is the theme for this class and I like DL/FB/TE Alim McNeil in this roleright now. He may stay in the Atlantic region, but he'd be a great get.
Here's where it gets a little tricky. Harbaugh has already proven that he will run a ton of looks on offense and with the addition of Pepp Hamilton and Scott Turner, I can see more spread and less true FB in 2018. IF that's the case, we'll probably use one of the interior WR positions as a JUMBO/TE/WR combination and we already have a couple on the roster and a couple prospects.
JUMBO slot...Zach Gentry, Nick Eubanks, Nico Collins.
2017...Bunting could play this position, too, and probably does this year when we play from the spread/pistol formations, especially if O'Korn gets a package again this year.
2018...everybody returns here and we may not have a true FB, so this position could become more prominent in the future.
Needs (1)...I'm putting L'Christian "Blue" Smith here for now. A true jumbo athlete that prefers WR. Will Mallory could excel in this "flex" position as well.
TE/HB....Wheatley, Bunting, McKeon
2017...TJW is probably more of a traditional TE with his size and will line up next to a Tackle on most plays. Bunting has a bit more flexibility and will play next to the T, as an H-back and occasionally as a jumbo slot. McKeon has that type of versatility, too (and might even play some FB in 2018 ala Aaron Shea).
2018...everybody returns unless Wheatley or Bunting blow up this year and go pro. I wouldn't be 100% shocked if we play Ryan Hayes here as a frosh should he choose the Maize and Blue.
Needs (1-2)...Jeremy Ruckert, Brevin Jordan and Mustapha Muhammed appear to be the top guys on the board here and any of them could also play that Jumbo slot depending on how well they block coming in.
Quick slot...Perry (?), McDoom, Johnson, Martin
2017...I think Perry returns once his legal matters are resolved, but he might slip behind McDoom and/or Johnson in the meantime (potentially red shirting?). Hopefully, McDoom becomes a threat with his routes and hands.
2018...everybody's back and could benefit from more spread formations.
Needs (1)...Jahan Dotson fits the mold and could renew our Jersey connection. If not, Kamryn Babb fits well here.
Wide Receivers...DPJ, Crawford, Harris, Black, Ways, Hawkins (S?).
2017...Lots of potential, but little production from this group so far. I think DPJ and Crawford are the most likely to start here. Harris and Ways could be auditioning to return for 5th years. I like Hawkins as a WR, but we might need him more at S.
2018...DPJ, Crawford and Harris provide a nice rotation if we decide to recycle the scholarships of Harris and Ways (which we may since we have such a small class to start).
Needs (0-1)...If we can land Hall or St. Brown, buh-bye Harris and/or Ways. If we don't make progress with those recruits, one or both could be invited back.
Offensive Line (L-R)...Cole, Ruiz, Kugler, Onwenu, and Bredeson backed up by JBB, Ulizio, Runyan and Spanellis. Redshirts for Newsome, Filiaga, Hall, Stueber and Honingford.
2017... I like Cole at LT and Bredeson at RT to get the top 5 on the field with Ruiz playing G and learning the calls from 5th year senior Kugler. That's my hunch and I realize others will not agree because Cole is probably a C in the NFL. Well, he's not in the NFL yet and I think he's our best LT. Bredeson at RT gets Ruiz on the field and keeps JBB and crew off.
2018...We'll lose Cole, but hopefully a 100% Newsome steps right in. Ruiz slides back to C with Onwenu and Bredeson returning as starters. That leave an open position for battle. Will Bredeson play G and allow JBB, Filiaga, Hall, Ulizio and Steuber to battle for the RT spot or will he remain at RT and create a need at LG? JBB could be on the fence for his 5th year if he doesn't stay healthy this year, IMO.
Needs (3-5)...I like Ekiyor and hope we keep him. I also like the potential of in-staters Hayes (TE as a frosh, potentially), McCall (grades?)Sampson(no offer) and Mayfield. Antwan Reed is another in-stater that has some potential. 2019 has in-state and Midwest prospects Logan Brown, Dovontae Dobbs (DL?) and Nolan Rumler. It feels like there's some very high-quality, low-hanging fruit here.
To summarize: This year we could potentially lose O'Korn, Malzone, Isaac, Hill, Poggi, Perry, Harris, Ways, Cole and JBB.
Best guess: DTR, Harrison, Mallory, Ruckert/Muhammed/Jordan, Dotson/Babb, Ekiyor, Hayes, McCall, Sampson, Mayfield.
