starters for this coming season
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sutomcat
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Thanks KC. That two deep was from Sportskeeda. They did a decent job but they didn't use the new scheme for defense, so that part is screwed up, and I disagree with a few other things.
They didn't mention some important players at all. Off the top of my head, there isn't even a mention of Justus Ross-Simmons, Savion Washington, Codie Hornsby and Clarence Lewis, and all have a good chance of being starters (they certainly will all at least be in the two deep).
Kalan Ellis is listed as a starter and he is no longer with the team.
It doesn't even mention Trebor Pena as the PR and he is one of the best PR specialists in the country.
I will try and put out another two deep guess sometime soon. I think I put one out shortly after the spring game but there have been some announcements that change things.
OL is going to be a challenge to pick. I am not sure even the OL on the team know for sure who is going to start (and where they are going to play) right now.
You got me fired up though so I am going to do this right now off the top of my head. I am sure I will miss some players but here goes...
WR-X Justus-Simmons/Meeks
WR-Z Haynes/Gill Jr
Slot Pena/Brown
OT E Cruz or Washington/Wohlabaugh
OG Miller/Moeolo
C Reed/Ilaoa
OG Hornby/Bradford
OT Weatherspoon/Petry
TE Gadsden II/Villari
QB McCord/CDRW
RB Allen/Willis
DE Diggs/Jaquez Jr
DT Wilson Jr/Ingraham
DT Perry/Hastings
DE Jobity/Simmons
LB Wax/Sparrow
LB McDonald/Bailey
Star Barron/Martin
BS Clark/Gould
FS Chestnut/Perry
CB Grant/DeLaine
CB Lewis or Bellamy/Barnes
Punter Stonehouse/Oh
Placekicker Denaburg/Oh
Kickoffs Denaburg/Oh
Long Snap Callahan/Zuhr
Holder Stonehouse/Barron
Punt Returns Pena/Brown
KO Returns James/Gill Jr
Really don't know who the backup to Barron is. I would guess Grant would move in there even if he was starting at CB. Maybe Gould, who seems like a terrific athlete who we need to find a way to get on the field ASAP.
721Comstock
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It is sooo refreshing to see we finally have a legit 2-deep across the vast majority of positions.
(Still a little worried about QB2, as are most of us.)
Might be the deepest talent we’ve had at WR/TE in… ages.
And we have the perfect guy to get the ball to them all.
And also that we have some BIG DUDES on the DL for a change,
so hopefully we’ll never see a team like Pitt or ND just run the ball at will on us for play after play after play after play….
That LT position is VITAL this year. Very interesting competition there with One year Washington, Cruz returning and Wolabaugh who was so promising before the injury. My prediction... Washington takes field 1st against Ohio. My heart is pumping quick just talking about it.
steve deberg
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Great post, Tomcat. I had the same thoughts on the Star position and it will be interesting to see who they give practice reps to there.
Will the development philosophy be to take a natural coverage guy and teach them to play downhill/ in the box, or take an athletic box defender and get them comfortable in coverage?
I also think Grant is the natural second choice, but CB currently seems like the position with the least depth.
Would they be comfortable with an athletic LB like Bailey playing there on run downs, and a downhill safety like Clarke playing there in obvious passing situations?
One thing is clear though, this is the deepest roster we’ve had in recent memory.
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FrancoPizza
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Not sold on McD as starting LB. He's never struck me as fast.
Ik I've said it before, but I still don't really understand moving Duce to safety and Grant to CB. Duce was a freshman AA at CB and Grant was first-team all-conference at safety. Secondary got torched in the spring game especially Grant he struggled...If someone could explain it to me from the coach's perspective I'd love to know why. Not saying they're wrong or that I know better I am just genuinely curious.
cusefan88
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I believe Fran Brown told Duce he can have a longer career as a pro playing Safety
CusefanATL
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i dont know, maybe i am incredibly biased... but if mccord stays healthy - we are really damn good.
Is the Wahington kid we are talking about the mountain frosh from Texas cause there is no way he starts this year and i dont mean he wont be good. way to hard for an olinemen to not go thru spring camp andpush for spot same year at our biggest need with McCord being a righty.
orangefog
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I believe it's the giant transfer from Colorado.
Ok yeah ur right. Forgot him.
sutomcat
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Could be. Miller has a really good shot at starting and also needs to be considered.
In the spring, as far as I could tell, Spoon played exclusively at tackle and E Cruz bounced between OT and OG (though mostly at OT). That makes me think it is more likely if we decide to move a tackle inside, it is Enrique, not Weatherspoon.
When thinking about Miller, I think we need to keep in mind that he bounced between OT and OG as well. He is surely a candidate to start at either position. I have him playing OG right now if for no other reason than I think we have more quality players at OT than OG right now. Also think that is his more natural position though.
Hornsby has the disadvantage of missing all spring ball so he will be in catch up mode early. It might be he starts off the season on the bench and gets worked into the lineup over time Would not be surprised if Bradford starts the season as the second starting OG and gets replaced by Hornsby after a couple of games.
We have a bunch of good looking OL that appear to be right about the same level. Hard to make a call which ones end up on top right now.
sutomcat
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I think Coach Fran really likes fast guys at CB. Also likes to have at least one CB with some height, to match up against some of the big WRs we will play against.
Duce might be a half step too slow to play CB for our defense. He has great instincts and tackles well so he seems well suited for the free safety position.
It seems every pre-season we are able to convince ourselves that our depth is much improved and we are going to be able to make it through the gauntlet that we have found a season in the ACC to be without much of a problem.
Maybe this is the year where we have enough depth to make it through October and into November with a fairly intact roster. Maybe we can have a solid November and even have a small advantage on some of the teams we play then.
Maybe.
kcsu
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Awesome and thank you!!
Like that you named James as KR, but hopefully we come up with situational plays on offense to get him on the field.
Can't teach speed, and at 5-11-200 he should be able to break some tackles.
sutomcat
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I am not sure he will get enough PT to be in the two deep as a true frosh.
What I think might be getting talked about is a plan where he plays maybe the first game, then sits out all the games until the last 3, looking a few plays on offense. Then he returns to action for the last 3 games of the season, typically later in the second half, when the defense starts getting tired and worn down (and returns kickoffs and who knows, maybe some punts too).
But ultimately, I think his value as a KO returner is so high it will probably be deemed worthwhile to play his frosh year mostly on specials, with some special appearances in games as well.
It will be very interesting to see how he gets used in 2024.
SUDadx2
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There could be several changes made before we step on the field against Ohio on August 31st, but Gould was the #2 Star all spring. Although Jalil Martin has worked at safety, he played CB for most of the spring and ran with the 2's and 3's. With the additions of Clarence Lewis and Marcus Washington, Martin could be back at safety sooner than later.
The true freshman Braheem Long was behind Clark. Barry Buxton and Cornell Perry were behind Chestnut.
With Clarence Lewis (Notre Dame) and Marcus Washington (L'ville/Georgia) joining the team after spring the quality of the CB room appears to be significantly improved. I don't know why Washington is not mentioned more often. Perhaps because he transferred in after spring, but I think he's flying under the radar so far. IMO there could be six corners in the mix; Grant (his length helps with longer WR's. He needs help over the top), Bellamy, Lewis, Delaine, Washington and the true freshman Barnes.
Up front Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff got some run with the 1's and Michael Nwokocha got some run with the 2's. Everyone mentioned should be in the mix. Plenty of depth. Producers will play.
Wax leads the LB corps. McDonald is not the fastest, but he's smart and tough. He might not be in on passing situations. Sparrow and Zyian Moultrie-Goddard (ZMG) were the #2's in the spring. ZMG looked pretty good at times. Bailey is probably going to still be recovering this season. He might play but will he be 100% before 2025? Heard and Lesaine give us decent depth.
On the other side of the ball... Gadsden is a WR in my book. Who comes out of camp as our best blocking TE, Mang, Clements, Villari? At TE Villari is the most versatile. He can easily be used as an H-back. Clements is young and large (6.6, 275). The incoming freshmen, Tremble and Washington could see time if they're ready.
With the addition of Meeks and Ross-Simmons, the WR room is much deeper with better quality than we've had in a while. Gadsden, Ross-Simmons and Meeks is a quality combination. Backed by Pena, Haynes, Gill and Hatcher. Has Donovan Brown made it out of the doghouse?
The offensive line. We have definitely added size and improved our depth up front. I'm not convinced this group will be championship caliber, but it will be interesting to see who emerges as the starters come August 31st. Please stay healthy.
McCord is our QB1. Curious to see who comes out of fall camp as QB2. Is CDRW finally healthy? Will the true frosh Jakhari Williams be ready to contribute? What becomes of Braden Davis who saw reps at WR in the spring?
The running back room as talented but does it have sufficient depth? The addition of Will Nixon will help with the depth. He is experienced and has good hands out of the backfield. Allen and Willis will run 1 and 2. Hart will see some time (not more than four games), but he will benefit from a year of development because he will be needed in 2025.
I believe fall camp starts on July 30th which will give the players almost four full weeks to compete with each other and sort this out before classes start on August 26th and they enter game week before the game versus Ohio on the 31st. Should be an interesting month.
I will be there on August 31 for the Ohio game. Will you?
Go Orange!
richmondcuse03
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can't wait. appreciate the post and insights.
I thought Haynes looked really good in the spring game. If he's our third or fourth wide receiver, we're doing VERY well.
money3189
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For the most part its scheme based. There are things they like to do with their secondary. It requires certain skill sets and Duce is not a sure thing at CB. He has his strengths and weakneses. It makes the whole defense better if they develop players at certain positions. They will continue to work on it throughout camp. The cream will rise.
cusefan88
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The biggest change to the program is depth right? Practice becomes a constant battle to keep your spot or get a spot. When you raise the floor, that pushes everybody else up.
OttoinGrotto
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I'm really excited for Haynes, but I think some people might be getting too excited too soon. He'll be awesome for us, but not sure it manifests right away this season. He's got a lot of guys he's competing with that have accomplished more at this level.
I actually love the WR situation right now. Feels like most seasons we're hoping a young guy that's unproven really pops. This season, between Gadsden coming back, transfers in, development of guys returning like Pena and Hatcher, we could still have a really strong unit even if none of the young guys are quite ready.
