SUFan44
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Even when we have had coaching changes in the past, I don't think we have gone down to the wire with so few commitments at this late a juncture, have we?
Not saying I'm worried - I think having official visits lined up with as many kids as we do, we'll get our share of commitments the next few weeks (I hope). But it'll be very interesting to see how this class winds up taking shape and how the roster looks for the 2016 season.
A quick glance at the roster composition based on what we know now indicates we have 63 returning scholarship players as of this date, with 11 commitments. Putting us at 74 with 11 left to give (this does not take into account players transferring or taking their degrees and leaving).
Position by Position Breakdown (W - Walk-On; R - Redshirt Used; ? - Question on Status, Based on Board Feedback)
Quarterback (2 returning scholarship players +2* incoming - depending on Scott commitment)
Senior: None
Junior: Austin Wilson (R), Zach Mahoney (W)
Sophomore: Eric Dungey
Freshman: Rex Culpepper, Lindsay Scott (?)
Analysis: With the questions surrounding Dungey's health, Mahoney's ability to play in this offense and Wilson's aptitude, not to mention if Scott will be kept as a commitment, I can see the staff adding one more player at this position if it is the right fit.
Running Back (5 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: Devante McFarlane (R), George Morris (R)
Junior: None
Sophomore: Jordan Fredericks, Dontae Strickland, Tyrone Perkins, Jacob Hill (W)
Freshman: None
Analysis: Not sure where a few of these players will wind up based on their prior H-Back positions (Strickland, Perkins) but I can see a scenario where one or two of these five is moved to defense. Wouldn't be surprised if two RBs are brought in, or if we plan on keeping all the players at the position, just one.
Wide Receiver (9 returning scholarship players +1* incoming - depending on position changes)
Senior: Alvin Cornelius (R), Ben Lewis (R), Brisly Estime
Junior: Steve Ishmael, Sean Avant (R), Jamal Custis, Ervin Phillips
Sophomore: Adly Enoicy (R), Kenterius Womack
Freshman: Moe Neal
Analysis: As evidenced by the staff offering a ton of players at this position, the talent needs to be upgraded in their opinion. Moe Neal could be a RB, but I put him at WR for his route-running abilities in the slot. We will likely have 2-3 more at this position come fall.
Tight End (5 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: Josh Parris (R), Kendall Moore, Cam MacPherson (W, R)
Junior: Tyler Provo (R), Trey Dunkelberger (?), P.J. Batten (R)
Sophomore: None
Freshman: None
Analysis: Not sure how big a part TE is to the new offense, but we have three or four guys who have seen action in games. Not sure it's a big need moving forward. Does Dunkelberger receive a medical redshirt this season?
Offensive Line (12 returning scholarship players - depending on Lasker +3 incoming)
Senior: Omari Palmer (R), Seamus Shanley (W, R), Jason Emerich (R), Michael Lasker (R, ?)
Junior: Donnie Foster (W), Alex Hayes (R), Jon Burton (R), Taylor Hindy (W, R), Jamar McGloster (R)
Sophomore: Cody Conway, Keaton Dartney (W, R), Aaron Roberts (R)
Freshman: Sam Clausman (R), Evan Adams (R), Colin Byrne (R), Andrejas Duerig (R), Airon Servais, Sam Heckel, Liam O'Sullivan
Analysis: A few question marks (Lasker didn't play last year - is he eligible for a redshirt? Shanley is eligible to come back, will he?), but the main factor is will the younger guys (Roberts, Conway, Duerig, Adams) be able to step up and fill the gaps? Also, our depth is severely lacking on this unit, IMO.
Special Teams (3 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: Cole Murphy (K), Nathan Hines (W)(LS)
Sophomore: Matt Keller (LS)
Freshman: Sterling Hofrichter (R)(P/K)
Analysis: Gain two scholarships with Norton and Dixon leaving program. Huge shoes to fill for redshirt freshman Hofrichter at punter.
Defensive End (4* returning scholarship players - pending suspensions + 1 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: None
Sophomore: Amir Ealey, Qaadir Sheppard
Freshman: Jake Pickard (R), Kenny Carter (R), Jamal Holloway
Analysis: Yikes. By far our thinnest position, and in need of a desperate influx of depth/talent, especially with Thompson going to the NFL. Not good. Could potentially see a DT (Guidice maybe?) or OLB see time at position.
Defensive Tackle (5 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: None
Sophomore: Kayton Samuels, Chris Slayton (R), Steven Clark (?), Anthony Guidice
Freshman: Tyler Cross
Analysis: A lot of young talent at this position, but would feel a lot more comfortable with one or two more guys in the mix.
Linebacker (8 returning scholarship players + 2 incoming)
Senior: Marqez Hodge, Ted Taylor
Junior: Zaire Franklin, Jonathan Thomas, Paris Bennett, Alryk Perry (R), Terell Drayton (W)
Sophomore: None
Freshman: Shy Cullen (R), Troy Henderson (R), Kenneth Ruff, Taylor Riggins*
Analysis: I think we have a pretty good group at this position, minus some of the size you're looking for in the defense that the new coaching staff may be looking to implement. Riggins is a question mark recruit right now.
Cornerback (5 returning scholarship players + 1 incoming)
Senior: Wayne Morgan (R)
Junior: Corey Winfield (R)
Sophomore: Juwan Dowels (R), Cordell Hudson (R), Daivon Ellison
Freshman: Carl Jones
Analysis: Younger group with Winfield, Dowels & Hudson all having the most capability and all having 2 or more years of eligibility remaining. Not sure where to put Ellison - smallish type to put at safety, but so is Cordy. Could be a nickel-type back, too.
Safety (5 returning scholarship players + 1 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: Antwan Cordy, Chauncey Scissum (R)
Sophomore: Rodney Williams (R), Kielan Whitner
Freshman: Chris Frederick (R), Scoop Bradshaw
Analysis: This position was stung by the Williams injury at the end of the year but hopefully Whitner & Scissum can learn from their mistakes. Was a rough year for all the secondary, but especially this unit outside of Cordy.
Not saying I'm worried - I think having official visits lined up with as many kids as we do, we'll get our share of commitments the next few weeks (I hope). But it'll be very interesting to see how this class winds up taking shape and how the roster looks for the 2016 season.
A quick glance at the roster composition based on what we know now indicates we have 63 returning scholarship players as of this date, with 11 commitments. Putting us at 74 with 11 left to give (this does not take into account players transferring or taking their degrees and leaving).
Position by Position Breakdown (W - Walk-On; R - Redshirt Used; ? - Question on Status, Based on Board Feedback)
Quarterback (2 returning scholarship players +2* incoming - depending on Scott commitment)
Senior: None
Junior: Austin Wilson (R), Zach Mahoney (W)
Sophomore: Eric Dungey
Freshman: Rex Culpepper, Lindsay Scott (?)
Analysis: With the questions surrounding Dungey's health, Mahoney's ability to play in this offense and Wilson's aptitude, not to mention if Scott will be kept as a commitment, I can see the staff adding one more player at this position if it is the right fit.
Running Back (5 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: Devante McFarlane (R), George Morris (R)
Junior: None
Sophomore: Jordan Fredericks, Dontae Strickland, Tyrone Perkins, Jacob Hill (W)
Freshman: None
Analysis: Not sure where a few of these players will wind up based on their prior H-Back positions (Strickland, Perkins) but I can see a scenario where one or two of these five is moved to defense. Wouldn't be surprised if two RBs are brought in, or if we plan on keeping all the players at the position, just one.
Wide Receiver (9 returning scholarship players +1* incoming - depending on position changes)
Senior: Alvin Cornelius (R), Ben Lewis (R), Brisly Estime
Junior: Steve Ishmael, Sean Avant (R), Jamal Custis, Ervin Phillips
Sophomore: Adly Enoicy (R), Kenterius Womack
Freshman: Moe Neal
Analysis: As evidenced by the staff offering a ton of players at this position, the talent needs to be upgraded in their opinion. Moe Neal could be a RB, but I put him at WR for his route-running abilities in the slot. We will likely have 2-3 more at this position come fall.
Tight End (5 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: Josh Parris (R), Kendall Moore, Cam MacPherson (W, R)
Junior: Tyler Provo (R), Trey Dunkelberger (?), P.J. Batten (R)
Sophomore: None
Freshman: None
Analysis: Not sure how big a part TE is to the new offense, but we have three or four guys who have seen action in games. Not sure it's a big need moving forward. Does Dunkelberger receive a medical redshirt this season?
Offensive Line (12 returning scholarship players - depending on Lasker +3 incoming)
Senior: Omari Palmer (R), Seamus Shanley (W, R), Jason Emerich (R), Michael Lasker (R, ?)
Junior: Donnie Foster (W), Alex Hayes (R), Jon Burton (R), Taylor Hindy (W, R), Jamar McGloster (R)
Sophomore: Cody Conway, Keaton Dartney (W, R), Aaron Roberts (R)
Freshman: Sam Clausman (R), Evan Adams (R), Colin Byrne (R), Andrejas Duerig (R), Airon Servais, Sam Heckel, Liam O'Sullivan
Analysis: A few question marks (Lasker didn't play last year - is he eligible for a redshirt? Shanley is eligible to come back, will he?), but the main factor is will the younger guys (Roberts, Conway, Duerig, Adams) be able to step up and fill the gaps? Also, our depth is severely lacking on this unit, IMO.
Special Teams (3 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: Cole Murphy (K), Nathan Hines (W)(LS)
Sophomore: Matt Keller (LS)
Freshman: Sterling Hofrichter (R)(P/K)
Analysis: Gain two scholarships with Norton and Dixon leaving program. Huge shoes to fill for redshirt freshman Hofrichter at punter.
Defensive End (4* returning scholarship players - pending suspensions + 1 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: None
Sophomore: Amir Ealey, Qaadir Sheppard
Freshman: Jake Pickard (R), Kenny Carter (R), Jamal Holloway
Analysis: Yikes. By far our thinnest position, and in need of a desperate influx of depth/talent, especially with Thompson going to the NFL. Not good. Could potentially see a DT (Guidice maybe?) or OLB see time at position.
Defensive Tackle (5 returning scholarship players + 0 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: None
Sophomore: Kayton Samuels, Chris Slayton (R), Steven Clark (?), Anthony Guidice
Freshman: Tyler Cross
Analysis: A lot of young talent at this position, but would feel a lot more comfortable with one or two more guys in the mix.
Linebacker (8 returning scholarship players + 2 incoming)
Senior: Marqez Hodge, Ted Taylor
Junior: Zaire Franklin, Jonathan Thomas, Paris Bennett, Alryk Perry (R), Terell Drayton (W)
Sophomore: None
Freshman: Shy Cullen (R), Troy Henderson (R), Kenneth Ruff, Taylor Riggins*
Analysis: I think we have a pretty good group at this position, minus some of the size you're looking for in the defense that the new coaching staff may be looking to implement. Riggins is a question mark recruit right now.
Cornerback (5 returning scholarship players + 1 incoming)
Senior: Wayne Morgan (R)
Junior: Corey Winfield (R)
Sophomore: Juwan Dowels (R), Cordell Hudson (R), Daivon Ellison
Freshman: Carl Jones
Analysis: Younger group with Winfield, Dowels & Hudson all having the most capability and all having 2 or more years of eligibility remaining. Not sure where to put Ellison - smallish type to put at safety, but so is Cordy. Could be a nickel-type back, too.
Safety (5 returning scholarship players + 1 incoming)
Senior: None
Junior: Antwan Cordy, Chauncey Scissum (R)
Sophomore: Rodney Williams (R), Kielan Whitner
Freshman: Chris Frederick (R), Scoop Bradshaw
Analysis: This position was stung by the Williams injury at the end of the year but hopefully Whitner & Scissum can learn from their mistakes. Was a rough year for all the secondary, but especially this unit outside of Cordy.
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