catdaddyp Posted August 21 Report Share Posted August 21 I wanted to touch on most of the potential starters. Not mentioned are many new players in backup roles who may also work their way into significant action. QUARTERBACK - California transfer Ben Finley was clearly the best QB in the spring game and seems to have solidified his position as the starter through fall camp. Tahj Bullock (former Virginia Tech transfer) will be the backup and participate in situational packages. RUNNING BACK - Michigan State transfer Jordan Simmons will likely be the starter and split snaps with redshirt sophomore Charles Kellom. WIDE RECEIVER - 2022 1st Team All-MAC Alex Adams (former LSU transfer) will reprise his role in the slot, if healthy. True sophomore Adrian Norton is set for a breakout season. The third receiver spot could be claimed by a number of players. Juniors Bobby Golden and Myles Walker will see significant playing time. Newcomers Jarvis Rush (JUCO) and Ahmarian Granger (Old Dominion/JMU) should also push for significant roles. TIGHT END - After coming on strong late in the 2023 season, Jake Newell (former Arizona State transfer) will claim the starting spot. The top backup will be Missouri transfer Max Whisner. OFFENSIVE LINE - This is an area that could feature a number of different players. The top offensive tackles are Josh Blanchard (former South Florida transfer), redshirt freshman Jayvin James, NC Central transfer Da’Quan Thomas, and Alabama/UCONN transfer Dayne Shor. The guards are Miami(FL) transfer Laurence Seymore, redshirt sophomore Keylen Davis, redshirt junior Colin Lyons, and JUCO Jerrod Burrell. Center should be filled by either redshirt sophomore Tyhler Williams or JUCO Alex Fox. DEFENSIVE LINE - 1st Team All-MAC CJ Nunnally (former JUCO) will start at one end, while senior Bennett Adler will start on the opposite side. Lama Lavea (former New Mexico State transfer) returns as a starter at defensive tackle. The other tackle spot will be occupied by either New Hampshire transfer Nathan Kapongo or true sophomore Marcus Moore. LINEBACKER - A deep linebacker corps returns three players that started over the course of 2023 in 3rd Team All-MAC Bryan McCoy, Antavious Fish (former JUCO), and Shammond Cooper (former Illinois transfer). DEFENSIVE BACK - Devontae Golden-Nelson (former Memphis transfer) has one cornerback spot locked up. The opposite CB spot could be filled by either Joey Hunter (former South Carolina transfer), redshirt freshman Catrell White, JUCO Justin Anderson, or JUCO Iesa Jarmon. Darrian Lewis returns at Nickelback. Safety will likely be a rotation between Cornell transfer Paul Lewis, Oregon transfer Daymon David, and Syracuse transfer Aman Greenwood. SPECIAL TEAMS - Owen Wiley returns at kicker and will be challenged by McNeese State transfer Garrison Smith. Punter Dante Jackson (former JUCO) has competition with Augustana transfer Avery Book. 7 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted August 21 Report Share Posted August 21 5 hours ago, catdaddyp said: QUARTERBACK - California transfer Ben Finley was clearly the best QB in the spring game and seems to have solidified his position as the starter through fall camp. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted August 21 Report Share Posted August 21 @catdaddyp Thamel mentioned that Finley is a redshirt junior. Do we have him for 2 years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 Am I the source? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 45 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: @catdaddyp Thamel mentioned that Finley is a redshirt junior. Do we have him for 2 years? Yes, he has next year if he wants it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 1 hour ago, catdaddyp said: Yes, he has next year if he wants it. Big. For whatever reason, when he transferred in, I was under the impression this was his only year with us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 16 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: This guy has been around more than one of the girls in the backroom of an old western saloon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catdaddyp Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 10 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: Big. For whatever reason, when he transferred in, I was under the impression this was his only year with us. We’ll see if he decides to stay another year, but he has the COVID eligibility year to use if he wants it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 16 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said: Am I the source? Maybe. It certainly wasn't anyone at the ABJ. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoZip Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 Does the team put out a depth chart prior to the games? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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