OL - Who knows - Updated

[HRE Otto IV]

These guys will be showing up probably mid to late May. They will begin working out together and practicing together but without the coaches. Not sure if consultants and grad students can work with them during this time. Camp will add pads but they will have three months together before the season.

That is not the same thing as actual practice. OL is a different animal.

Edit

Will they clear academically to get enrolled by mid May? That seems difficult given their grades from their current semester are not even in yet. If not then they do not show up until end of June.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Actually, the time to worry was probably a few weeks back before we got these new guys. The coaches probably wouldn't be bringing in four guys if they liked what they saw.

It is both. Obviously talent was a serious issue bigger than we thought. It appears we brought in talent but that might not fix the issue (see GA kid not starting and see FSU last year). The OL seems like a mess. Hopefully we figure it out sooner than later.



Edit

I want to be clear that I am very happy with these adds. My point is we need the OL to be functional day 1 given who we play. I think it will be difficult to have things completely figured out until Clemson. Heck, that happens often with returning OL who you had for several years AND in Spring. It usually takes several weeks for an OL to settle. Adding 3 new guys in the Summer will make that even more difficult.

 

[djorange1989]

I think it was Julian Whigham. Jimbo Fisher went to see him in the hospital. Think what you want about Jimbo but that was class on his part.

Yes it was

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yeah this. These guys will get some time to work together.

FWIW, I did track and not football, but NCAA allows for "Captain's Practices." The veterans on the team already knew how to lead all the regular drills, had all the contact info, and would organize the time and places. We weren't allowed any staff members or coaches to be there but IIRC there were grad students. They weren't mandatory in the traditional sense, but everybody would know if and when somebody didn't show up.

Even when campus was closed, people in dorms would come and crash at the off campus rentals of upperclassman, and we'd have big "spaghetti" or "pizza" or "chicken and rice" type of dinners. Talking about it, I really miss those days...the competition gets all the credit but there's a million great moments that lead up to it.

edit: Ah, more coming back to me lol. We'd play pickup football too. The throwers were the lines, the sprinters the receivers and DBs, and decathletes the running backs and LBs.

Those are cool memories. Thanks for sharing.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Actually, the time to worry was probably a few weeks back before we got these new guys. The coaches probably wouldn't be bringing in four guys if they liked what they saw.

This is a great point.

Having to cobble a functional o-line together with a lot of new guys is the problem the staff chose to solve.

That seems telling.

 

[RF2044]

The OL portal additions might really shake things up:

Collins 6-3 / 300 Sr - Center
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG
Pringle 6-8 / 335 Rfr - OT


OT group now looks like:
Mack 6-6 / 312 So - LT: Won the job out of spring practice, will have to fend off newcomers
Weatherspoon 6-7 / 330 Sr - RT: Played quite a bit of LT last year, projects to RT this year. Lock to start
Pringle 6-8 / 335 RF - OT: South Carolina transfer, big time offer list

Cruz, Petry, or Betrand could all potentially slide out to OT in a pinch. Rice was labeled as a LT as a high school prospect, but probably projects to OG now.

OG unit shapes up like so:
Petry 6-4 / 301 Sr: Started last two years at RT and RG.
Cruz 6-5 / 308 Jr: Has played extensively as a reserve, won starting OG spot out of spring practice
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG: Started at FSU at OG after transferring from Alabama, former 5 star recruit
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG: UNC transfer, former 5 star recruit
Miller 6-4 / 303 So: Transfer from Georgia, will he crack the two deep?
Betrand 6-6 / 320 So: Transfer from Texas A&M/Alabama, hasn't played much, will he crack two deep?
Washington 6-7 / 380 Fr: Massive true frosh, who participated in spring practice; will he see rotation?
Brown-Miller 6-6 / 354 RF: Massive RF, was on two deep after spring practice

I think we go at least four-deep at OG, maybe 6 depending on the readiness of Miller / Betrand.

Here's what I expect to be the starting lineup:

LT -- Mack ------------------6-6 / 312
LG -- Ferguson -------------6-4 / 330
C -- Collins -----------------6-3 / 300
RG -- Petry ------------------6-4 / 300
RT -- Weatherspoon --------6-7 / 330

I expect Rice, Pringle, Cruz, Miller, and Betrand to be the second unit.

Not sure what to expect from Rice. Was his lack of PT at UNC attributable to his off-field issue causing him to tailspin? Will Ferguson pop? Are Miller / Betrand / Pringle ready?

 

[bnoro]

The OL portal additions might really shake things up:

Collins 6-3 / 300 Sr - Center
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG
Pringle 6-8 / 335 Rfr - OT


OT group now looks like:
Mack 6-6 / 312 So - LT: Won the job out of spring practice, will have to fend off newcomers
Weatherspoon 6-7 / 330 Sr - RT: Played quite a bit of LT last year, projects to RT this year. Lock to start
Pringle 6-8 / 335 RF - OT: South Carolina transfer, big time offer list

Cruz, Petry, or Betrand could all potentially slide out to OT in a pinch. Rice was labeled as a LT as a high school prospect, but probably projects to OG now.

OG unit shapes up like so:
Petry 6-4 / 301 Sr: Started last two years at RT and RG.
Cruz 6-5 / 308 Jr: Has played extensively as a reserve, won starting OG spot out of spring practice
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG: Started at FSU at OG after transferring from Alabama, former 5 star recruit
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG: UNC transfer, former 5 star recruit
Miller 6-4 / 303 So: Transfer from Georgia, will he crack the two deep?
Betrand 6-6 / 320 So: Transfer from Texas A&M/Alabama, hasn't played much, will he crack two deep?
Washington 6-7 / 380 Fr: Massive true frosh, who participated in spring practice; will he see rotation?
Brown-Miller 6-6 / 354 RF: Massive RF, was on two deep after spring practice

I think we go at least four-deep at OG, maybe 6 depending on the readiness of Miller / Betrand.

Here's what I expect to be the starting lineup:

LT -- Mack ------------------6-6 / 312
LG -- Ferguson -------------6-4 / 330
C -- Collins -----------------6-3 / 300
RG -- Petry ------------------6-4 / 300
RT -- Weatherspoon --------6-7 / 330

I expect Rice, Pringle, Cruz, Miller, and Betrand to be the second unit.

Not sure what to expect from Rice. Was his lack of PT at UNC attributable to his off-field issue causing him to tailspin? Will Ferguson pop? Are Miller / Betrand / Pringle ready?

Rice played tackle at UNC, no? Not sure why we'd bring him in at guard when he has tackle size

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The OL portal additions might really shake things up:

Collins 6-3 / 300 Sr - Center
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG
Pringle 6-8 / 335 Rfr - OT


OT group now looks like:
Mack 6-6 / 312 So - LT: Won the job out of spring practice, will have to fend off newcomers
Weatherspoon 6-7 / 330 Sr - RT: Played quite a bit of LT last year, projects to RT this year. Lock to start
Pringle 6-8 / 335 RF - OT: South Carolina transfer, big time offer list

Cruz, Petry, or Betrand could all potentially slide out to OT in a pinch. Rice was labeled as a LT as a high school prospect, but probably projects to OG now.

OG unit shapes up like so:
Petry 6-4 / 301 Sr: Started last two years at RT and RG.
Cruz 6-5 / 308 Jr: Has played extensively as a reserve, won starting OG spot out of spring practice
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG: Started at FSU at OG after transferring from Alabama, former 5 star recruit
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG: UNC transfer, former 5 star recruit
Miller 6-4 / 303 So: Transfer from Georgia, will he crack the two deep?
Betrand 6-6 / 320 So: Transfer from Texas A&M/Alabama, hasn't played much, will he crack two deep?
Washington 6-7 / 380 Fr: Massive true frosh, who participated in spring practice; will he see rotation?
Brown-Miller 6-6 / 354 RF: Massive RF, was on two deep after spring practice

I think we go at least four-deep at OG, maybe 6 depending on the readiness of Miller / Betrand.

Here's what I expect to be the starting lineup:

LT -- Mack ------------------6-6 / 312
LG -- Ferguson -------------6-4 / 330
C -- Collins -----------------6-3 / 300
RG -- Petry ------------------6-4 / 300
RT -- Weatherspoon --------6-7 / 330

I expect Rice, Pringle, Cruz, Miller, and Betrand to be the second unit.

Not sure what to expect from Rice. Was his lack of PT at UNC attributable to his off-field issue causing him to tailspin? Will Ferguson pop? Are Miller / Betrand / Pringle ready?

Gave it a like for the alternating orange and blue.

Very nice.

 

[2B20Again]

Rice played tackle at UNC, no? Not sure why we'd bring him in at guard when he has tackle size

Maybe the coaches have a plan. Just because you add players doesn’t mean the guys you already have aren’t any good. Plan for having players of equal or better talent with some experience in case of injury and or versatility. I
Haven’t a clue. This is a good staff with an exceptional leader. Try to build up a program and trying to win. I for one intend to watch and enjoy. Not my job to question Caesar.

 

[Chip]

Will they clear academically to get enrolled by mid May? That seems difficult given their grades from their current semester are not even in yet. If not then they do not show up until end of June.

Is this still a thing?

 

[Cusefan69]

I am also interested in seeing how well conditioned Washington gets this summer for camp. I think if he gets down to 365 ish, builds his endurance and gets some repetitions he could be an absolute monster in the running game as a guard and just tough on pass protection just given size and arm length. No one from Tennessee is going to bull rush that guy.
Love the overall talent infusion this week but coaching now is critical.

 

[RF2044]

Rice played tackle at UNC, no? Not sure why we'd bring him in at guard when he has tackle size

Saw an article that suggested he was a guard.

Would love for him to be able to compete at LT.

If he can shake his problems from his time at UNC and benefit from the fresh start, then it would be great to have a former 5-star recruit pushing Mack / Spoon for time at OT. Ditto Ferguson at OG.

May the best players win the PT.

 

[CbusCuse]

My best guess at the OL 2 deep.

LT – Pringle, Mack (I think Pringle eventually wins the job)

LG – Cruz/Rice (These two should be a battle but right now I think Cruz wins out)

C – Collins, Ferguson

RG – Petry, Miller (I don't see anybody replacing Petry)

RT – Weatherspoon, Betrand (Spoon is definitely starting)

 

[All4SU]

Just to put things in perspective how far we've come...

...back in the Dino era I remember watching an away game on TV. We were on offense, and my wife--who is only very mildly interest in football--said "How come their guys look so much bigger?"

I hope you told her it’s not all about size. They also have to be alert to zone block.

 

[OttosShoes]

I hope you told her it’s not all about size. They also have to be alert to zone block.

Lolol. I think she knows, I mean, she chose me--a 5'9 180lb dude.

 

[bnoro]

Saw an article that suggested he was a guard.

Would love for him to be able to compete at LT.

If he can shake his problems from his time at UNC and benefit from the fresh start, then it would be great to have a former 5-star recruit pushing Mack / Spoon for time at OT. Ditto Ferguson at OG.

May the best players win the PT.

Gotcha. Wasn't sure if there was information otherwise.

 

[CuseMan4]

LT: Pringle
LG: Ferguson
C: Collins
RG: Cruz/Petry
RT: Spoon/Rice

Yup this is how I see it. That’s a pretty big, athletic, talented line. I like where we are with this group now. The Collins signing is so underrated in my opinion. I love Pringle too. He’s going to be playing on Sundays and we are going to have him for multiple years. Just a big time get

 

[Sdot]

The OL portal additions might really shake things up:

Collins 6-3 / 300 Sr - Center
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG
Pringle 6-8 / 335 Rfr - OT


OT group now looks like:
Mack 6-6 / 312 So - LT: Won the job out of spring practice, will have to fend off newcomers
Weatherspoon 6-7 / 330 Sr - RT: Played quite a bit of LT last year, projects to RT this year. Lock to start
Pringle 6-8 / 335 RF - OT: South Carolina transfer, big time offer list

Cruz, Petry, or Betrand could all potentially slide out to OT in a pinch. Rice was labeled as a LT as a high school prospect, but probably projects to OG now.

OG unit shapes up like so:
Petry 6-4 / 301 Sr: Started last two years at RT and RG.
Cruz 6-5 / 308 Jr: Has played extensively as a reserve, won starting OG spot out of spring practice
Ferguson 6-4 / 330 Sr - OG: Started at FSU at OG after transferring from Alabama, former 5 star recruit
Rice 6-6 / 320 Jr - OG: UNC transfer, former 5 star recruit
Miller 6-4 / 303 So: Transfer from Georgia, will he crack the two deep?
Betrand 6-6 / 320 So: Transfer from Texas A&M/Alabama, hasn't played much, will he crack two deep?
Washington 6-7 / 380 Fr: Massive true frosh, who participated in spring practice; will he see rotation?
Brown-Miller 6-6 / 354 RF: Massive RF, was on two deep after spring practice

I think we go at least four-deep at OG, maybe 6 depending on the readiness of Miller / Betrand.

Here's what I expect to be the starting lineup:

LT -- Mack ------------------6-6 / 312
LG -- Ferguson -------------6-4 / 330
C -- Collins -----------------6-3 / 300
RG -- Petry ------------------6-4 / 300
RT -- Weatherspoon --------6-7 / 330

I expect Rice, Pringle, Cruz, Miller, and Betrand to be the second unit.

Not sure what to expect from Rice. Was his lack of PT at UNC attributable to his off-field issue causing him to tailspin? Will Ferguson pop? Are Miller / Betrand / Pringle ready?

I agree with everything except, Ferguson starting. Joe Cruz job to lose and for returning guys I think is the most polished.

 

[baggerbob]

It is both. Obviously talent was a serious issue bigger than we thought. It appears we brought in talent but that might not fix the issue (see GA kid not starting and see FSU last year). The OL seems like a mess. Hopefully we figure it out sooner than later.



Edit

I want to be clear that I am very happy with these adds. My point is we need the OL to be functional day 1 given who we play. I think it will be difficult to have things completely figured out until Clemson. Heck, that happens often with returning OL who you had for several years AND in Spring. It usually takes several weeks for an OL to settle. Adding 3 new guys in the Summer will make that even more difficult.

The best thing about this is when someone gets dinged up which will happen we have multiple people to step in.
Should be less injuries to our QB, and more time to throw, more consistency in the run game.

 

[Red2003]

Scrolling this thread I don't know how you guys can even make a guess. Maybe I'm the one out of my mind but I could care less who starts I just want to know that in November we aren't playing walkons or moving centers to tackle cuz of injuries. Better yet we actually are able to run two full lines of P4 level guys.

 

[Phin#3]

Is this still a thing?

First summer session begins May 19
Second summer session begins June 30
All summer enrollees usually arrive in time for second summer session... first if able.

 

[Dinkyspond]

Yes. It was the Whigham game. Thanks for the assist!

I was just blown away by the size difference between the FSU linemen and our linemen. It was clear why we were not competing in the trenches with the big boys back then.

I live in Florida and been several times to Tallahassee to see our games and the size difference is really noticeable when you are watching from decent seats fairly close to the field. Fran is correcting this!

 

[shu 49]

I am also interested in seeing how well conditioned Washington gets this summer for camp. I think if he gets down to 365 ish, builds his endurance and gets some repetitions he could be an absolute monster in the running game as a guard and just tough on pass protection just given size and arm length. No one from Tennessee is going to bull rush that guy.
Love the overall talent infusion this week but coaching now is critical.

I would have him lift for strength sake but he really should be killing the explosive things consistantly. A bit of speen and quickness will elavate him tremendously

 

[TexanMark]

I hope you told her it’s not all about size. They also have to be alert to zone block.

I think she already knew lack of size was a huge disappointment

Seriously, if we just hit on 50 to 60% of these guys it should be an upgrade. We'll see.

 

[SUDadx2]

First summer session begins May 19
Second summer session begins June 30
All summer enrollees usually arrive in time for second summer session... first if able.

There is also the Maymester session which is an intense two-week session (May 12 - 23). Fran is sending a group of players to the SU Campus in Los Angeles for a Maymester class, and a group to Washington DC. Coach Fran sent a group to LA last year. He also sends a couple of coaches as chaperones (?) so players could also be working out while attending the Maymester class.

This is a chance to pick up 3 units, but I think it is also used for team bonding.

I believe players are expected to report back to campus on Sunday, May 25th (no Memorial Day Weekend for you). Some of the early enrollees will be returning home briefly to partake in their HS graduations.


I've heard team workouts will begin right after Memorial Day. And I believe coaches are allowed to work with players up to eight hours a week. This includes S&C coaches in the weightroom and on the field for conditioning. Position coaches are also allowed to work with players on a limited basis. I'm not sure of the details or limits.

That's 14 weeks to bond, gel and get better between Memorial Day and a date with Tennessee in Atlanta at the end of August.

Expected campus arrival dates have changed over the years. Heck, we had 12 or 13 high school guys enroll early this year which is a big change. We even had a couple of high school guys and transfers practice with the team in San Diego before the bowl game. That was a first for me, but I've heard it has a been a thing for a couple of years. Incoming freshmen who coaches thought might be able to contribute their first year would arrive in time for the first summer session (May 19th this year), all other freshmen (primarily those expected to redshirt) would typically arrive the weekend prior to the second summer session. The second session usually overlaps with the start of fall camp.

Things have changed; HS players and portal transfers enrolling early and practicing with the team before a bowl game, more than a dozen high school players and a few portal transfers enrolling in January, and portal transfers coming and going before summer. Things will continue to change once the House suit is settled. When will rosters officially increase to 105? Once passed, will this go into effect July 1st? If the roster increase doesn't go into effect until July 1st will we be limited to 85 scholarship players until July 1st? Even at 85, I think we can bring in all of the transfers and 4 or 5 high school signees for the first session. Others may arrive a day late for the second summer session (IF rosters get increased to 105).

What happens if the rosters are not increased to 105 for scholarships? Are we going to try to circumvent the "scholarship" numbers by putting some players on a combination of grant and aid deals sufficient to cover tuition, fees, housing and meals?

Does anyone know what the plan is, or if there is a plan? Probably can't say if you do. I understand.



This is a crazy time.