Here's a shot at position by position rankings and feel of this team, interested to see how far off I am from others.
Offense:
OL: When is the last time we brought back this much talent and experience on the OL? 08 maybe but I feel this line is better than the 08 version. Similar IMO to the 05 line with more experience, maybe slightly better at the tackles and less off at the guards (the rock being at center). This will be the strength of this team and if they stay healthy, are going to close multiple games out for us. A+
WR: Not quite as experienced as the OL but more raw talent. If Ka'Raun make 3/4 the jump his older brother did then we have deep threats, possession WRs, and a speedster in Durante. Biggest weakness is depth but you can overcome that at WR. A- with potential to be A+
RB: Shell is a breakout candidate running behind this OL. Assuming he doesn't breakout like I think he will, it seems we have 2 guys dying to get on the field behind him in Crawford and McCoy. Theres some uncertainty here but the way RBs have preformed in this offense (Sims, Dremius, Smallwood) you have to expect 1 or more to have a monster season. B+ with A potential
QB: Offensive wildcard but we still have a starting QB with a season + of starts under his belt. Skylar doesn't have to be an NFL talent with these weapons, we need him to play smart and get the ball to playmakers, while hitting an occasional big play. If Skylar's performance is the difference between a 7-9-11 win season.
Defense:
DL: Like their offensive counterparts, Sr, Sr, Sr. Experience, experience, experience. Cant stress how important experience is on the lines and we have it. 4 years of D1 training programs. Depth on this side isn't as solid and health will be a major concern. Noble has a chance to really have a big year and Brown is as solid as you get. A-
LBs: Here is the weakness of the D, and that's scary. Benton will be a stud in the middle, speed on the outsides scares me, but hearing good things on Walters. I don't see this group being a strength, but it is nowhere near the talent level (or lack there of) of the historic 2012 "defense". They wont be great, but they wont be terrible either. C+
Secondary: Defensive wildcard. More seniors, less starting experience. Kyzir White is going to be the guy that people are reaching for a program in the first couple weeks to find out "who is that guy". The Crawford and White additions may save this group. 9 of the top 12 are seniors, they've done this before. B with swing potential both ways.
ST: Kicker, check. Hopefully No one knows Nick Meadows name until they realize in a few years that our long snapper is graduating and going pro. Dangerous KO return guys and a PR that can catch (2014 needs you). I honestly know nothing about our punters. Solid B+
Season prediction, 9-3. Losses at TT, v OU, and @ OSU. First solid bowl berth since the Orange bowl. If our wildcards exceed expectations (including HC to a degree) then this could be a special season. If not, we could easily fall flat on our face.
Just a fans view on this team coming in. The excitement is really starting to hit. Almost gameday.
Offense:
OL: When is the last time we brought back this much talent and experience on the OL? 08 maybe but I feel this line is better than the 08 version. Similar IMO to the 05 line with more experience, maybe slightly better at the tackles and less off at the guards (the rock being at center). This will be the strength of this team and if they stay healthy, are going to close multiple games out for us. A+
WR: Not quite as experienced as the OL but more raw talent. If Ka'Raun make 3/4 the jump his older brother did then we have deep threats, possession WRs, and a speedster in Durante. Biggest weakness is depth but you can overcome that at WR. A- with potential to be A+
RB: Shell is a breakout candidate running behind this OL. Assuming he doesn't breakout like I think he will, it seems we have 2 guys dying to get on the field behind him in Crawford and McCoy. Theres some uncertainty here but the way RBs have preformed in this offense (Sims, Dremius, Smallwood) you have to expect 1 or more to have a monster season. B+ with A potential
QB: Offensive wildcard but we still have a starting QB with a season + of starts under his belt. Skylar doesn't have to be an NFL talent with these weapons, we need him to play smart and get the ball to playmakers, while hitting an occasional big play. If Skylar's performance is the difference between a 7-9-11 win season.
Defense:
DL: Like their offensive counterparts, Sr, Sr, Sr. Experience, experience, experience. Cant stress how important experience is on the lines and we have it. 4 years of D1 training programs. Depth on this side isn't as solid and health will be a major concern. Noble has a chance to really have a big year and Brown is as solid as you get. A-
LBs: Here is the weakness of the D, and that's scary. Benton will be a stud in the middle, speed on the outsides scares me, but hearing good things on Walters. I don't see this group being a strength, but it is nowhere near the talent level (or lack there of) of the historic 2012 "defense". They wont be great, but they wont be terrible either. C+
Secondary: Defensive wildcard. More seniors, less starting experience. Kyzir White is going to be the guy that people are reaching for a program in the first couple weeks to find out "who is that guy". The Crawford and White additions may save this group. 9 of the top 12 are seniors, they've done this before. B with swing potential both ways.
ST: Kicker, check. Hopefully No one knows Nick Meadows name until they realize in a few years that our long snapper is graduating and going pro. Dangerous KO return guys and a PR that can catch (2014 needs you). I honestly know nothing about our punters. Solid B+
Season prediction, 9-3. Losses at TT, v OU, and @ OSU. First solid bowl berth since the Orange bowl. If our wildcards exceed expectations (including HC to a degree) then this could be a special season. If not, we could easily fall flat on our face.
Just a fans view on this team coming in. The excitement is really starting to hit. Almost gameday.
