Looking Towards 2025

[catdaddyp]

We have a small group of seniors leaving the team. All 12 of the vacated spots are being filled by incoming freshmen, with the exception of defensive tackle and potentially kickers/punters. For the most part, whoever we land in the portal will be replacing any outgoing transfers.

 

 

QB

All current quarterbacks have the option to return. Bullock has his degree and possibly won’t return. He has enough film at this point that other teams may be interested in his versatility.

Bullock (R. Sr.)

Finley (R. Sr.)

Roggow (R. Fr.)

Broughton (Fr.)

 

 

RB

All of the scholarship running backs have the option to return. 

Simmons (R. Sr.)

Williams (R. So.)

Patrick (R. Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Kellom (R. Jr.) - Portal

 

 

WR

Adams has another year if he wants it. He’s already graduated, so he may decide to move on. This will be a veteran group and it’s hard to imagine all the seniors will be back with only so many snaps available.

Adams (R. Sr)

Campbell (R. Sr.)

Walker (R. Sr.)

Granger (Sr.)

Davis (R. So.)

Louis (R. So.)

Polk (R. So.)

Mason (R. Fr.)

Sivon (Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Rush (R. Sr.) - Portal

Golden (Sr.) - Portal

Norton (Jr.) - Portal

Wilson (R. Jr.) - Portal

 

TE

All of the scholarship tight ends have the option to return.

Newell (R. Jr.)

Whisner (R. Jr.)

Cravaack (R. So.)

Witherspoon (R. Fr.)

 

OL

The OL has 3 players out of eligibility. Blanchard started at left tackle and will be a significant loss. We started 4 players that were redshirt sophomores or younger on the OL during MAC play. It was the youngest starting OL in the conference.

Lyons (R. Sr.)

Shor (R. Sr.)

Davis (R. Jr.)

Fox (R. Jr.)

George (R. Jr.)

Williams (R. Jr.)

King (Jr.)

Mann (R. So.)

Morris (R. So.)

Mitchell (R. Fr.)

Brown-Demery (Fr.)

Gould (Fr.)

McManus (Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Blanchard

Thomas

Fields

Burrell (Sr.) - Portal

Seymore (R. Sr.) - Portal

James (R. So.) - Portal

 

 

DE

Adler and Richards are out of eligibility. Nunnally should have another year if he wants it. It would be nice to have him return due to so many new faces expected to play a heavy load.

Cheatom (R. So.)

Dall (R. So.)

Graham (R. Fr.)

D. Frazier (R. Fr.)

J. Frazier (R. Fr.)

Kavals (Fr.)

Watkins (Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Adler

Richards 

Nunnally (R. Sr.) - Portal

 

DT

Kapongo and Lavea are the two defensive tackles out of eligibility. It remains to be seen if the staff chooses to fill their spots with incoming freshmen or opt for more physically ready transfer players.

Brockington (R. Sr.)

Madden (R. Sr.)

Murphy (R. Jr.)

Hull (So.)

Davis (R. Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Kapongo

Lavea

Proffitt (R. Sr.) - Portal

Moore (Jr.) - Portal

 

LB

Cooper and Fish are out of eligibility. Cooper missed nearly the entire season and may be able to apply for a medical redshirt. I doubt he will though as he already has his degree. 

Fish did not have as good of a season as 2023 and lost snaps to Summers down the stretch.

Spriggs (R. So.)

Benenge (So.)

Hocker (R. Fr.)

James (Fr.)

Reeves (Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Cooper

Fish

McCoy (Sr.) - Portal

Summers (R. Sr.) - Portal

 

CB

All scholarship cornerbacks have the option to return. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hunter and perhaps one more CB move on. Hunter has his degree and was leap-frogged by Reed.

DeWalt (R. Sr.)

Golden-Nelson (R. Sr.)

Hunter (R. Sr.)

Proby (R. Sr.)

Jarmon (R. Jr.)

Reed (R. Jr.) 

White (R. So.)

Johnson (R. Fr.) 

 

NB

All of the nickelbacks have the option to return. 

Greenwood (R. Sr.)

D. Lewis (R. Sr.)

T. Thomas (R. Jr.)

 

S

P. Lewis is the only scholarship safety out of eligibility. Anderson and David should be the starters next year barring injury.

Anderson (R. Sr.)

David (R. Sr.)

D. Johnson (R. Sr.)

Owens (R. So.)

Hunter (R. Fr.)

T. Davis (Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

P. Lewis

Roach (R. Sr.) - Portal

 

ST

Jackson and Book are out of eligibility. I believe the starting K, P, and LS receive scholarships.

 

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Jackson (KO)

Book (P)

Smith (R. Sr.) (K) - Portal

Reardon (R. Sr.) (LS) - Portal

 

Edited December 10 by catdaddyp

[NeoZip]

Looks like a tackle and defensive tackles will be the priority in the portal as it stands right now. Doesn’t look like there’s a day 1 starter at LT on the roster. Other than Marcus Moore the DT depth is very thin. Minus unforeseen portal departures, there seems to be a good core.

[NeoZip]

Also didn’t know Nunnally had another year. What are the odds he is back?

[catdaddyp]

21 hours ago, NeoZip said:

Looks like a tackle and defensive tackles will be the priority in the portal as it stands right now. Doesn’t look like there’s a day 1 starter at LT on the roster. Other than Marcus Moore the DT depth is very thin. Minus unforeseen portal departures, there seems to be a good core.

Agree, it’s a good core.
 

My guess is James gets flipped to LT. Mann could be ready to step in at RT, similar to James’ situation this season. Shor backed up at LT and will need to make a substantial leap if he’s going to start next year. Depth at both OT spots will probably need to be addressed in some fashion.

 

I agree there is a drop off at DT after Moore. Brockington and Murphy gave us some good reps when they were healthy. Madden is still somewhat raw despite being an upperclassman. Hull looks like he will eventually develop into a stud. We’ve done well bringing in quality DTs from the portal with Holt, Jones, Lavea, and Kapongo. I’d expect we land another good one (or two).

 

I’m not 100% sure on Nunnally, but he was originally a 2021 HS recruit. If I’m not mistaken, he has the ability to apply for a redshirt year from 2021.

 

[NeoZip]

1 hour ago, catdaddyp said:

Agree, it’s a good core.
 

My guess is James gets flipped to LT. Mann could be ready to step in at RT, similar to James’ situation this season. Shor backed up at LT and will need to make a substantial leap if he’s going to start next year. Depth at both OT spots will probably need to be addressed in some fashion.

 

I agree there is a drop off at DT after Moore. Brockington and Murphy gave us some good reps when they were healthy. Madden is still somewhat raw despite being an upperclassman. Hull looks like he will eventually develop into a stud. We’ve done well bringing in quality DTs from the portal with Holt, Jones, Lavea, and Kapongo. I’d expect we land another good one (or two).

 

I’m not 100% sure on Nunnally, but he was originally a 2021 HS recruit. If I’m not mistaken, he has the ability to apply for a redshirt year from 2021.

 

What are your thoughts on safety depth. Watching the hs tape of Hunter and Owens they look athletic and physical. Do you think they are ready to step up?

 

Has anyone ever got any clarification on what happened to Alex Adams? I know he has been injured, but he has disappeared for the past 2 years. Is he out of eligibility? If he’s not is there any chance he comes back?

[catdaddyp]

18 hours ago, NeoZip said:

What are your thoughts on safety depth. Watching the hs tape of Hunter and Owens they look athletic and physical. Do you think they are ready to step up?

 

Has anyone ever got any clarification on what happened to Alex Adams? I know he has been injured, but he has disappeared for the past 2 years. Is he out of eligibility? If he’s not is there any chance he comes back?

I really like both Hunter and Owens. Owens needed to add some mass before consistently contributing. He may be ready to contribute in 2025. I think Hunter played in 7 games as a true freshman. Mostly special teams, but he should see significant snaps on defense next season.

 

Adams has his degree already, but could redshirt and come back.
 

Edited November 30 by catdaddyp

[LZIp]

@catdaddyp safe to assume everyone who walked at senior day is planning for 2024 to be their last season? Can’t remember their names, but recalled seeing a few Redshirt Jrs/players I though might have another year of eligibility be recognized.

Edited November 29 by LZIp

[Blue & Gold]

Did Nunnally walk?

[catdaddyp]

3 hours ago, LZIp said:

@catdaddyp safe to assume everyone who walked at senior day is planning for 2024 to be their last season? Can’t remember their names, but recalled seeing a few Redshirt Jrs/players I though might have another year of eligibility be recognized.

Not necessarily, but can sometimes be the case. I believe Bullock and J. Hunter were the only non-seniors (football wise) to walk.

[catdaddyp]

21 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

Did Nunnally walk?

I don’t believe so. He wasn’t listed online if he did.

[LZIp]

Don’t know why, but I was thinking all of Nunnally, Adler, and Richards were seniors. Would be sweet if we got Nunnally back. I think Dall has the capability to step in and Cheatom at minimum be a rotational player, but Dall showed me a lot more this season.

[catdaddyp]

2 hours ago, LZIp said:

Don’t know why, but I was thinking all of Nunnally, Adler, and Richards were seniors. Would be sweet if we got Nunnally back. I think Dall has the capability to step in and Cheatom at minimum be a rotational player, but Dall showed me a lot more this season.

You’re correct. Nunnally, Adler, and Richards are all seniors. However, Nunnally hardly played his freshman year and could apply for a redshirt to return as a redshirt senior. 
 

I’m with you, I like the potential Dall and Cheatom possess. That said, I’d like to see us land someone with the similar pass rushing ability as Nunnally. Our pass rush has consistently been close to the bottom of the conference.

[Ham]

There is no question that our pass rush sucks; however personnel may not be the only problem.  Even in obvious passing situations, we were reluctant to rush 5.  Were we trying to protect a weak secondary?  This is a chicken or egg dilemma.  Catdaddyp has repeatedly pointed out the stark difference in completion percentages when under pressure.  Maybe next year, we will trust our man coverage, and commit more to the rush.