Looking Towards 2025

[catdaddyp]

* beside player indicates new addition.

 

 

QB (4)

Bullock (R. Sr.)

Finley (R. Sr.)

Roggow (R. Fr.)

Broughton (Fr.) *

 

RB (4)
Gant (R. Jr.) *

Gee (Jr.) *

Williams (R. So.)

Patrick (R. Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Simmons (R. Sr.) - Portal
Kellom (R. Jr.) - Portal

 

 

WR (11) (1 needed)

Adams (R. Sr)

Campbell (R. Sr.)

Grear (R. Sr.) *

Walker (R. Sr.)

Granger (Sr.)

Davis (R. So.)

Hills (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 (4)

Newell (R. Jr.)

Whisner (R. Jr.)

Cravaack (R. So.)

Witherspoon (R. Fr.)

 

OL (15)

Lyons (R. Sr.)

Shor (R. Sr.)

Johnson (R. Sr.) *

Archer (R. Jr.) *

Davis (R. Jr.)

Fox (R. Jr.)

George (R. Jr.)

G. Jones (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

Williams (R. Jr.) - Portal

 

 

DE (8)

Durham (R. Jr.) *
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 (5) (4 needed)

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 (7)

Hollobaugh (R. Sr.) *

Spriggs (R. So.)

Benenge (So.)

Hocker (R. Fr.)

Boswell (Fr.) *

James (Fr.) *

Reeves (Fr.) *

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Cooper

Fish (Sr.) - Portal

McCoy (Sr.) - Portal

Summers (R. Sr.) - Portal

 

CB (8)

Branch (R. Sr.) *
DeWalt (R. Sr.)

Proby (R. Sr.)

Jarmon (R. Jr.)

Kamara (R. Jr.) *

Reed (R. Jr.) 

White (R. So.)

Johnson (R. Fr.) 

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

Golden- Nelson (R. Sr.) - Portal

Hunter (R. Sr.) - Portal

 

NB (3)

Greenwood (R. Sr.)

D. Lewis (R. Sr.)

T. Thomas (R. Jr.)

 

S (6) (2 needed)

Anderson (R. Sr.)

David (R. Sr.)

D. Johnson (R. Sr.)

Somerville (R. So.) *

Hunter (R. Fr.)

T. Davis (Fr.)

 

Likely Leaving/Out of Eligibility:

P. Lewis

Roach (R. Sr.) - Portal

Owens (R. So.)

 

ST (0) (3 needed)

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 Saturday at 07:19 PM 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, 2024 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, 2024 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.

[catdaddyp]

I updated what’s needed at each position. ST may not be accurate as we may already have our starters on the roster.

 

Unless someone else portals, the offense is set with the exception of WR. Defense still needs 5 DL, 1 LB, and 4 DBs. So plenty of action incoming from the portal.

[Let'sGoZips94]

43 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

I updated what’s needed at each position. ST may not be accurate as we may already have our starters on the roster.

 

Unless someone else portals, the offense is set with the exception of WR. Defense still needs 5 DL, 1 LB, and 4 DBs. So plenty of action incoming from the portal.

 

How are we feeling about OL, particularly OT?

[LZIp]

34 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

How are we feeling about OL, particularly OT?

I would like on more OT personally. Numbers game. Can’t expect everyone to hit, but we still need a certain number to be hits.

[catdaddyp]

4 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

How are we feeling about OL, particularly OT?

So many “ifs” to even know what we actually have. All the players brought in have the athletic ability and length to be successful, but that’s been par for the course under JRod. The potential is there, but will the portal and JUCO guys actually develop? Might be a situation where one of the freshmen take over at LT midway through the season.
I’ll feel pretty good if we go into the spring with Mann locking down RT. Then all we need is to figure out LT and identify one swing OT. It’s a shame Landers and James wouldn’t/couldn't stay. It’d be an entirely different scenario heading into next year with those guys, along with the returning interior of the OL.

The good news is all of our MAC peers are also struggling to land quality OTs.

Edited December 22, 2024 by catdaddyp

[catdaddyp]

Bump for update. I believe classes have started, so unless there are commitments that have yet to be unveiled, this is what we are heading into the spring with.

 

We still have a glaring hole at DT that will likely be partially filled by JUCOs. 
 

This probably isn’t going to be our strongest portal class, but the staff seems to have done a solid job considering the players we’ve lost and our NIL situation.