2025 Preseason Camp Thread

[dwilmont44]

What if our OL is really good and we just run over people and the QB isn't as important as we think.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I think our defense is deeper and will be better. But All 4, Wax, Barron, Diggs and Clark would be 1st, 2nd or 3rd team all ACC if back. Tough to replace that.

But better DL play will make everyone better.

Also LB is in much better shape than most think. (Bryant replaces Wax, Sparrow and McDonald older and better, good young guys) Corner too IMO. Worried about safety/star most. Grant and Deuce good at playing run at LOS, but not so good in space.

I think 7 of the guys we lost would likely be starting over the current players. Although potentially we brought in four portal guys who could offset that. So the net might be smaller but lessor in any case.

Agree though about the depth. It will help a lot. I don’t think we have enough to be a Top 50 D, but with good coaching we can be Top half of FBS. We should know right away.

 

[orangenauburn]

Am I mistaken or was Barron an issue on D last year?

 

[Cuse4455]

Pornstache ... FTW !!!

What you didnt see was Pete Sala chasing Stonehouse around the stadium for 5 mins for hitting his massive TV screen.

 

[SUforme]

What you didnt see was Pete Sala chasing Stonehouse around the stadium for 5 mins for hitting his massive TV screen.

Lol he was like come on guys you can't do that ...lol

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Everything always starts with QB play and the lines. I think there is talent at all three position groups but most of it is unproven. Next two weeks should solidify the depth chart. I expect to see 8 offensive lineman and 10 defensive lineman to rotate all season. Who emerges as the leaders?
BTW watch out for Jobity if he stays healthy.

 

[ECE '76]

Tennessee has an outstanding defense and a great run game. They don't rely on great QB play. Things are about to get real.

 

[vegasnick]

Took a hiatus over the summer, but man am I glad to be back!

Really enjoyed reading the latest comments and many good points made.

Here's my take. OFFENSE: Let's start with the boys up front. It's clearly noticeable that this team focused on two things this off season- adding SIZE AND SPEED. The OL is significantly bigger than last year and most importantly deeper. There's a minimum of 10 guys who can play at a high level. Adding Zach Rice who was the #1 OT in the class of 22 and a 5star recruit out of high school will help. Obviously he didn't convert to that level at the college level yet, but the move to guard is smart. Austin Collins is an upgrade at center. If Cam Pringle can replace Savion I think overall this unit is upgraded over last year. WR - Arguably the deepest room on the team (or Secondary) and is full of talent. Yes, Trebor put up fantastic numbers but was that a result of good QB play and the system? Johntay Cook is a far.ore athletic and talented player and has the potential of being a sizeable upgrade over Pena. Justus Ross Simmons is the "guy" who can break out to replace much of the production by Meeks. Now I'm sure you're thinking what about Darrell Gill, he was the fifth option on last year's team with over 500 yds- all he has to do is play his game and he's good for 800+ yards. The WR group is faster, bigger, and more talented as a whole. Can we get adequate enough QB play to get them the ball? RB - a position by committee, led by Willis and Nixon. Behind them there's some extremely young and raw talent and some of the fastest speedsters in the country. By committee they can definitely put up numbers similar to Lequint. Again back to QB. We do t have Mccord or anyone that will be him, but we do have 2 solid options with talent, players who could benefit from the system more than any other group. OVERALL- The pieces around the QB are better and the potential for this offense to be as good as last year is definitely on the table. Oh- and we didn't even mention Villari! Don't expect a huge step back like most media persons suggest! DEFENSE- Again let's start with the DL. Fadill Diggs is a major loss in the locker room. However, on the field he was asked to do so much in the absence of Marlowe, that it took away from his ability to focus on being a pure pass rusher. Had he had that opportunity I think he would have had double digit sacks and would have been drafted higher. That said, David Reese had 11.5 sacks over the last 2 seasons at Cal. I think he will be good for at least 8 this season (.5 sack more than Fadill). The other remaining edge rushers are back from last year with another off season of strength and conditioning. David O and Jacquez both show improve their production from last year. Inside you lose Watson. That's a tough loss. But last years team played without "Tank" for over half the season. Getting g Tank back is an improvement over Watson. Kevin Jobity, Chris Thomas and George Rooks will all play significant time and the rotation is deeper and more talented then last year. They are also much bigger!! LB- Another position that was hindered by injury and people playing out of position. Marlowe no doubt was the heart and soul of the D but he missed half the season. JB played out of position and did a great job filling in. But he was still out of position. Gary Bryant Jr would have been the second best LB on last years team. Anyone with over 100 tackles will transition well. He is the best LB on the team and will lead this defense. McDo ald is another one who has a ton of game experience and will benefit from a other year in the system. Antoine Deslauriers is a freak physically and he is more than holding his own in camp. James heard is another one who will have a great year. The LB group is much better than most give credit. The Secondary is deep. Chris Peal was a major add. Demetres Samuel is as advertised. He is CB1. I'm interested to see how playing time is divided up especially with Kerr and Buxton. Overall this D will be more physical and better tacklers. I thi k they will be a better unit in general. This team is loaded with talent and a deep roster- it's biggest nemesis is the schedule. That said the most overrated team they play will be the Vols!

I'm on the bandwagon of an 8-4 season despite the schedule but one thing for sure- it's going to be a phenomenal season. Let's end on the most important thing to come from this season, the need to extend Fran Brown.

 

[anomander]

Am I mistaken or was Barron an issue on D last year?

i think the only one we will really miss is a healthy Wax. Obviously Watson but that’s a different story

 

[Lukeyloo]

HCFB doesn’t coach scared.

If that’s true then why hasn’t he announced the starting QB?! It’s been *checks watch* hours since the scrimmage! What’s he waiting for!?

 

[sufandu]

Am I mistaken or was Barron an issue on D last year?

I don't know. If he was a problem, would they have changed his position midseason to plug a hole?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I don't know. If he was a problem, would they have changed his position midseason to plug a hole?

Was he not the best player on D last year? He led the team in tackles by a lot. He was 2nd in TFL and first in QB hurries.

Edit
Was looking at Sacks and our Top 3 guys are gone. Sadly KJE was 3rd last year with only 3.

 

[kcsu]

We may know our starting QB tomorrow. If we could just get above average QB play i think we have a chance to be really good offensively. I don’t think we miss a beat with Yasin at RB and should provide us a better run attack with an improved run blocking OL. WR’s are deep and talented as well. We just need someone to get them the ball and keep the defense honest.

Defensively, it certainly doesn’t seem like we have near the talent as last year, but from everything I hear it sounds like the defense is improved. Maybe it’s year 2 in the system, maybe it’s offensive problems at QB? I think Grant played hurt a lot last year. It didn’t seem like he had any burst and seemed he was labored while running. I think Samuels will give a nice boost to the corner position and Grant could be a ball hawing STAR. I’m a bit concerned about LB, but i actually like our DL. Good size and depth, which isn’t norm for our defenses. The guy im keying on to break out is David O. I think he has the potential to be an 8-10 sack guy and all-ACC potential.

Off breakout - Yasin
Def breakout - David O

As always it’s going to come down to quarterback and if they can get our talented WR’s the ball. I’m not breaking the wheel with this prediction, but JRS, Cook, and Gill all have the potential for 600 + yards and one close to 1,000 if they can get them the rock.

Also, worried about ST’s. Looks like Oh is going to win the starting job. Doesn’t give me confidence. Stonehouse will be good but hopefully we don’t see him that often.

Our field goal and kick offs are not looking very good so far.

 

[FasterCuse]

Our field goal and kick offs are not looking very good so far.

Not the first time you've mentioned something about kicking. Starting to make me a little nervous. Sounds like if I'm Fran and I'm in the 35s I'm going for it on 4th.

 

[sufandu]

Was he not the best player on D last year? He led the team in tackles by a lot. He was 2nd in TFL and first in QB hurries.

Edit
Was looking at Sacks and our Top 3 guys are gone. Sadly KJE was 3rd last year with only 3.

I thought he was good. I think you can argue Diggs was our best, even if he wasn't as productive, but I didn't think Barron was a problem.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Tennessee has an outstanding defense and a great run game. They don't rely on great QB play. Things are about to get real.

They’re replacing 4 starters on the OL and their 1500yard rusher is in the NFL

Bishop had about 500 yards rushing last year but let’s see if he can be Sampson

 

[Sudano]

What if our OL is really good and we just run over people and the QB isn't as important as we think.

And not use our talented WRs? Not in modern college football and not vs our schedule. Running sets up passing and vice versa. QB will have to be very good. Not McCord good, but Collins/Angeli good.

 

[Offthedome]

What you didnt see was Pete Sala chasing Stonehouse around the stadium for 5 mins for hitting his massive TV screen.

 

[wfschrec]

They’re replacing 4 starters on the OL and their 1500yard rusher is in the NFL

Bishop had about 500 yards rushing last year but let’s see if he can be Sampson

Bishop is not Sampson

 

[sufandu]

They’re replacing 4 starters on the OL and their 1500yard rusher is in the NFL

Bishop had about 500 yards rushing last year but let’s see if he can be Sampson

All the reporting down here is so fluff, at least local TV news, it's hard to get a feel for what they think they have. If you listen to them, they have 4 RBs that will step right in and keep things going.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

And not use our talented WRs? Not in modern college football and not vs our schedule. Running sets up passing and vice versa. QB will have to be very good. Not McCord good, but Collins/Angeli good.

We were very good last year in staying in makable 3rd downs. In ACC play we were tied for 2nd most 3rd down attempts, but at the same time were 3rd in conversion %. On top of that we went for the fourth most 4th downs, and had the 4th best conversion %.

IMO we will need to use the run game a lot more on 1st down if we are going to keep those makable 3rd and 4th downs. And even then we won't likely convert those as often given the players that we lost. That being said, with a stronger run game I do expect more shots down the field this year. Especially with the group of WRs that we have.

 

[SURules]

They’re replacing 4 starters on the OL and their 1500yard rusher is in the NFL

Bishop had about 500 yards rushing last year but let’s see if he can be Sampson

IF we can stop the Tennessee run game, it will be a close game. If Tennessee can run it down our throats, the game will get ugly. This is the key to the game.

 

[Roger N]

What you didnt see was Pete Sala chasing Stonehouse around the stadium for 5 mins for hitting his massive TV screen.

That was Carney

 

[FrancoPizza]

What is the obsession with David O? Isn’t he unproven just like everyone else?

 

[MG44]

Our field goal and kick offs are not looking very good so far.

I'll be psyched if our special teams can just block this year.