Possible Positives of the Season

[AngryOtto]

This season so far has become so frustrating I started to think of any positives.
1. By Ricky playing everyone got to see this year that he is not the answer. Imagine if Steve would have played the whole season did great leaving for the nfl. The staff may have actually believed that Ricky was the answer and not got another qb from the portal. Now hopefully the staff will go out and get another qb that actually fits Nixon’s system to compete.
2. Samuels, Peel, AD all look really good. As long as we keep them we have a young strong foundation for next year at cb and lb.
3. Fran has been able to play a lot of younger players and as long as they stay it will only help us next season.
4. Fran is a young head coach and maybe after the season he can look back and reflect on things he could have done differently that may help the team in the future.
I am sure there are others but this is some things as a fan I can look at to get through the rest of the season.

 

[Archbold44]

This season so far has become so frustrating I started to think of any positives.
1. By Ricky playing everyone got to see this year that he is not the answer. Imagine if Steve would have played the whole season did great leaving for the nfl. The staff may have actually believed that Ricky was the answer and not got another qb from the portal. Now hopefully the staff will go out and get another qb that actually fits Nixon’s system to compete.
2. Samuels, Peel, AD all look really good. As long as we keep them we have a young strong foundation for next year at cb and lb.
3. Fran has been able to play a lot of younger players and as long as they stay it will only help us next season.
4. Fran is a young head coach and maybe after the season he can look back and reflect on things he could have done differently that may help the team in the future.
I am sure there are others but this is some things as a fan I can look at to get through the rest of the season.

I think player retention will be very difficult. Samuels and AD will all command top dollar from B1G/SEC programs. I think some team may throw the bank at Angeli too. As you can see, you get a pretty nice asterisk when QB#1 does not pan out.

 

[Cusefan78]

I think player retention will be very difficult. Samuels and AD will all command top dollar from B1G/SEC programs. I think some team may throw the bank at Angeli too. As you can see, you get a pretty nice asterisk when QB#1 does not pan out.

at some point you need to pay these kids or you will lose them every year. there is also the flip side that a lot of these kids are leaving for bigger schools and arent seeing the field like they are here. the grass isn't always greener.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

I think player retention will be very difficult. Samuels and AD will all command top dollar from B1G/SEC programs. I think some team may throw the bank at Angeli too. As you can see, you get a pretty nice asterisk when QB#1 does not pan out.

We will pay those 2 kids and you guys figure it’s not always about the money with some . They want to go to the nfl at the end of the day. I’m worried about AD staying but he will start and get a lot of playing time next year . I know for sure Samuels will stay.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

I agree that the top priority this offseason has to be roster retention — something we didn’t handle well last year. Along with that, we need to upgrade at defensive line, quarterback, and offensive line, and also bring in some depth at safety. I like the overall direction this roster is heading, but we need a legit quarterback to come in through the portal. I’ve already said it before — we should go after Austin Mack, the 6’6” backup quarterback from Alabama.

 

[hoopsupstate]

We will pay those 2 kids and you guys figure it’s not always about the money with some . They want to go to the nfl at the end of the day. I’m worried about AD staying but he will start and get a lot of playing time next year . I know for sure Samuels will stay.

They both will stay. They love SU and the staff. They came because they liked Fran’s vision and the plan for their football and off the field development.

 

[MamesJungro]

I agree that the top priority this offseason has to be roster retention — something we didn’t handle well last year. Along with that, we need to upgrade at defensive line, quarterback, and offensive line, and also bring in some depth at safety. I like the overall direction this roster is heading, but we need a legit quarterback to come in through the portal. I’ve already said it before — we should go after Austin Mack, the 6’6” backup quarterback from Alabama.

I’d argue that retention isn’t really the issue. We had a very talented senior core move on, and outside of Watson, there hasn’t been another truly significant portal loss.

We’ve struggled with the hit rate on older transfers. Reese, Ferguson, Thomas, and Rooks (and RCollins if he counts here) have all been downgrades from the players they replaced, and several of our high-upside younger guys are still probably a year away.

Defensive line and linebacker should be top priorities, along with quarterback, and maybe adding a shifty back who brings a different skill set than Willis or Hill.

 

[upperdeck]

I get that AD has done well as a FR. But I dont see it when watching the film. He is generally in the right area, but often a step slow and can you find any actual tackles that he actually makes the hits you expect from the MLB.

 

[Archimedes]

1. I enjoyed watching Steve play.
2. Jamie Tremble was a revelation on D.
3. We witnessed the greatest onside kick of all-time v Pitt (and a sneaky one v Clemson).
4. Agreed about the DBs. Davien and Chis stood out to me.
5. I developed confidence in our FG kicker (never take a good kicker foregranted).
6. We beat UConn. With our B game. Again.
7. Recruiting seems sustained.
8. I don't know how Byron graded out, but I sure hope he's back on the OL next year.
9. Kids are killing it in the classroom, according to Fran.
10. We finally closed the deal at Clemson. I stopped seeing that BS late hit penalty in my sleep.

I mean, does anyone not have high expectations for next year? You can't have high expectations without having something good to start.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

I’d argue that retention isn’t really the issue. We had a very talented senior core move on, and outside of Watson, there hasn’t been another truly significant portal loss.

We’ve struggled with the hit rate on older transfers. Reese, Ferguson, Thomas, and Rooks (and RCollins if he counts here) have all been downgrades from the players they replaced, and several of our high-upside younger guys are still probably a year away.

Defensive line and linebacker should be top priorities, along with quarterback, and maybe adding a shifty back who brings a different skill set than Willis or Hill.

Barnes left as well that hurt

 

[Ttk.gman2]

They both will stay. They love SU and the staff. They came because they liked Fran’s vision and the plan for their football and off the field development.

Good to know if we can keep the pieces we have and add some good depth and experience we can make a run for a playoffs spot next year.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

The key to this offseason is building better depth and I believe the 2026 and 2025 recruiting Classes will help with that but we still need to use the portal to patch up some holes in this roster like DL and QB depth

 

[OttosShoes]

there is also the flip side that a lot of these kids are leaving for bigger schools and arent seeing the field like they are here. the grass isn't always greener.

This. Get them paid and they're ours to lose.

The more players act like mercenaries the worse off they seem to be. It didn't really work out for Pena, maybe not even Watson. It very publicly didn't work great for Iamaleavea. And Fran is a credible guy to explain that.

We just can't be stupid with the payroll is all.

 

[SUalldway]

1. I enjoyed watching Steve play.
2. Jamie Tremble was a revelation on D.
3. We witnessed the greatest onside kick of all-time v Pitt (and a sneaky one v Clemson).
4. Agreed about the DBs. They are spry. Davien and Chis stood out to me.
5. I developed confidence in our FG kicker (never take a good kicker foregranted).
6. We beat UConn. With our B game. Again.
7. Recruiting seems sustained.
8. I don't know how Byron graded out, but I sure hope he's back on the OL next year.
9. Kids are killing it in the classroom, according to Fran.
10. We finally closed the deal at Clemson. I stopped seeing that BS late hit penalty in my sleep.

I mean, does anyone not have high expectations for next year? That should tell us a lot.

You can't have high expectations without something good to start.

Agree with these points, except IMO Davien has under-performed this year, except for a couple of games.

 

[orangezen]

1. I enjoyed watching Steve play.
2. Jamie Tremble was a revelation on D.
3. We witnessed the greatest onside kick of all-time v Pitt (and a sneaky one v Clemson).
4. Agreed about the DBs. Davien and Chis stood out to me.
5. I developed confidence in our FG kicker (never take a good kicker foregranted).
6. We beat UConn. With our B game. Again.
7. Recruiting seems sustained.
8. I don't know how Byron graded out, but I sure hope he's back on the OL next year.
9. Kids are killing it in the classroom, according to Fran.
10. We finally closed the deal at Clemson. I stopped seeing that BS late hit penalty in my sleep.

I mean, does anyone not have high expectations for next year? You can't have high expectations without having something good to start.

and Hill llks good

 

[orangepassion]

Fran not going anywhere when there will be a ton of top openings

 

[MikeSU02]

This season so far has become so frustrating I started to think of any positives.
1. By Ricky playing everyone got to see this year that he is not the answer. Imagine if Steve would have played the whole season did great leaving for the nfl. The staff may have actually believed that Ricky was the answer and not got another qb from the portal. Now hopefully the staff will go out and get another qb that actually fits Nixon’s system to compete.
2. Samuels, Peel, AD all look really good. As long as we keep them we have a young strong foundation for next year at cb and lb.
3. Fran has been able to play a lot of younger players and as long as they stay it will only help us next season.
4. Fran is a young head coach and maybe after the season he can look back and reflect on things he could have done differently that may help the team in the future.
I am sure there are others but this is some things as a fan I can look at to get through the rest of the season.

I have a very basic positive -- it really feels like if we can land a quality QB in the portal or have a quality QB at the helm, we'll be in the 7-8 win range normally as a baseline with what we have.

I also like a lot of the young talent.

This year sucks so far, but finish out strong, or as strong as we can and tee up for next year.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

This season so far has become so frustrating I started to think of any positives.
1. By Ricky playing everyone got to see this year that he is not the answer. Imagine if Steve would have played the whole season did great leaving for the nfl. The staff may have actually believed that Ricky was the answer and not got another qb from the portal. Now hopefully the staff will go out and get another qb that actually fits Nixon’s system to compete.
2. Samuels, Peel, AD all look really good. As long as we keep them we have a young strong foundation for next year at cb and lb.
3. Fran has been able to play a lot of younger players and as long as they stay it will only help us next season.
4. Fran is a young head coach and maybe after the season he can look back and reflect on things he could have done differently that may help the team in the future.
I am sure there are others but this is some things as a fan I can look at to get through the rest of the season.

I thought for sure you were going with improved draft position

 

[CanadianSU]

We go 8-4 and Fran Brown is 10000% a candidate for some of those big name schools. Now, he’s not. Let’s just hope it plays out for us and he is the real deal, which despite his stubbornness, I believe he is.

Nixon will be back next year as well now. Let’s hope ERob won’t be (we all know he will)

 

[OrangeTarheel]

The addition of Dr Blitz aka Blitz, PhD was a big positive

 

[upperdeck]

Hopefully the film room this week is about the basics. Read your keys dont just blindly follow the ball. When the D plays well like Pitt they confused and attacked. More of that.

Add a Rush DE or 2

The offense has promise with a competent QB thats a huge step forward. With a better oline who knows how good it can be. Even last week some really good calls went to waste with poor throws and poor blocking.

Hill showed for the first time what a RB with some wiggle can do. Made more people miss in those 2-3 runs than we have seen all season.