DL - Leaning into age and size here for starters, but I can see them going three deep. Three seniors Diggs, Wilson, Hastings Bama transfer, Jaquez. 2- Jobity, Ingraham, , EFC, Nwokocha; 3- Edwards, Simmons, Perry, Watson. Simmons could be on the clock roster wise.
LB - 1- Wax, McDonald; 2 - Sparrow, ZMG ; 3 - Heard, Bailey
DB - 1 In ink - Clark, Barron, Chestnut, pencil, Lewis, Grant. 2 - Bellamy, Gould, Washington, Barnes, . The rest are working to get the spot on the two deep.
OL - 1 Reed, ECJr, Miller, Washington, Weatherspoon,; 2 Ilaoa, Moeolo, Wohlabaugh (if he can play), , , Petry, Bradford
TE - Gadsden, Villari, 2 - Mang, Clement (In line)
WR - 1 , Haynes, JRS, Pena, 2 - Meeks, Gill, Ross, 3 - Hatcher, James, Hornsby, Thomas. It would be great if one of the freshmen is an instant impact player
QB - McCord, Williams, CDRW
RB - Allen, Willis, Nixon, Hart
GO, This was a fun write up as usual. I provided some alternatives with thoughts just to see if I have any sense at all. Would love to hear your (and others) more connected opinions regarding my response (I am not connected at all, so these are intuition, not based on intel)
Jaquez for Ingraham because I don't think we will start three DTs and Jaquez was 1st team during spring game
ZMG for Bailey because he looked like he was ahead of him during the spring game, but with only two backers it was hard to tell. Also ZMG was arguably the most impressive backer all day that day (dont feel strongly about this one)
Lewis for Bellamy Lewis started at ND, and Bellamy didn't. Bellamy didn't even start the year here over Wilson (who was physcially challenged). I think Bellamy will be CB 4 or 5 but solid depth, particularly under Fran's mentoring
Miller for Petry because I think Petry was only ahead because of continuity in the program. I don't think Fran would have brought Miller in from his team if he didn't think he could make an impact. Also Petry has never beaten out our mediocre starters here, so I have less confidence there for that reason as well but will be stoked if he starts since it means he beat out a bunch of decent talent, instead of being the best of a motely crew like the last several years
Haynes for Meeks based him being the top talked about talent in the room (aside from OG) all spring, starting the spring game, getting the most touches and finally he can play outside with JRS unlike Meeks who I think lacks the speed for the outside and will see more time inside but the top 5 will all play a lot, similar to 2016 with Ish, AET, Estime, Erv...
Ross for Hatcher Based on Hatcher already being passed by Gil, I think he is low man in the room as far as the experienced players go. Also, his continued achilies showing up in the spring game (drops) and I figure one of the new kids will make a splash as you say so I picked the top 150 kid out of Jerz. I feel pretty strongly that Hatcher will not be on the 2 deep (I am counting OG as a WR) but don't feel strongly it will be Ross that replaces him
Williams for CDRW Typically the incumbent has the advantage that the biggest benefit of experince is ability to read defensens, react to live situations and the other intangibles. In this case those are CDRWs biggest weakness with his biggest strength being his arm talent. Unfortunately for him Williams also has terrific arm talent, also seems like a great athlete, like CDRW (and I give CDRW credit for getting in better shape and regaining his athleticism from 2 years ago!). Also Williams is the future, so reps in practice and in games may be better spent on him, if both are going to be long shots to win us a game
