Disagree pretty strongly here, although I am concerned about a couple positions next season. I think our foundation beyond the transfers/seniors is strong, we will still land a couple quality guys in the portal (1 already confirmed), and even with the more costly losses, we are losing an average amount at most compared to our peers.
Offense essentially loses the three transfers and nobody else, barring an early exit from Hiltz, which i believe is only a slight chance. Mule I like but believe we have a lot of potential replacements next season, with Deere probably the most likely. Stevens and English it could be hard to replace some of their two way contributions (especially Stevens on the wing) but as strictly offensive players I think it is not an impossible task to replace what they do. English as a dodger/party starter will be missed, as will Stevens dodging, but Rhoa and Leo have a lot of that same dodging skill, we have seen quality improvements from Thomson, Birtwistle still in the mix, and we have freshman Peyton Anderson coming in who is as likely as any freshman to be a slide drawing party starter out of the gate, whether that is at attack or middie. Spallina is still that dude and has two years remaining.
Middle of the field gets a little trickier. Toughest position next year could be LSM, since we for sure lose both senior Olexo and transfer Wright. Confirmed transfer Will Grace from RIT could help us there. Kohn has been excellent, but crucially, so has freshman Johnny Mullen. His percentages have been good against tough competition, and I have faith in him as the main man at the X next season. Still very early in his career and he is a monster athlete. If he was out of the picture I would be in more of a this year or bust mode, but we have three more years of him.
On defense we are in a good place next season, IF we can find a suitable Will Mark replacement. Ssdms return just about everyone, Carter Rice most importantly, and Figgy and Dwan are back as the key close guys. That plus another year under Odierna and I feel very good about the D. Mark is a tough replacement job, but between our backups and the rumored portal add I am hoping we can keep the damage minimal.
Getting long winded here, but while our offseason is not problem free, look at what our main foes have to deal with. Duke - entire attack line gone, including generational talent ONeill, as well as Kenny Brower on D and Naso at the X. ND - Pat Kav Entennman Dobson McClane and (maybe?) Taylor gone, along with most of their main ssdms. UVA crucial attack Shellenberger and Cormier gone, and there are others from those teams. Hop in the big 10 loses a serious boatload. Goalie, 2 main close D guys, at least 2 attack, 3 or 4 middies who see major minutes, and nearly their entire ssdm stable. We have some holes to fill, but our problems are not different at all to what our main rivals face and more often than not they look easier to solve. Our rivals will also be dealing with less portal options next season same as us. And there are PLENTY of leaders in that locker room who are not transfers.
