If nobody leaves early:
DE Ken Ekanem
DT Luther Maddy
DT Corey Marshall
DE Dadi Nicolas
LB Ronny Vandyke
LB Andrew Motuapuaka
LB Deon Clarke
CB Kendall Fuller
FS Desmond Frye
ROV Der'Woun Greene
CB Brandon Facyson
Reserves:
DT Nigel Williams
DT Ricky Walker
DE Melvin Keihn
LB Dahman McKinnon
ROV Holland Fischer
FS CJ Reavis
CB Donovan Riley
CB Chuck Clarke
That doesn't even include all redshirting or any incoming freshmen like Darius Fullwood, Trevon Hill and Mook Reynolds.
I wouldn't be shocked if Chuck Clark gets moved to safety to make up for the lack of experience coming in at both starting positions. The entire D-line will be back, as will all of the LBs but Williams and DiNardo.
Losing Big Lu and Facyson hurts this season, but should give us a defense for the ages next year.
Comments
Wouldn't be surprised at all if Reavis earns his way to starter at FS by the time next fall rolls around.
A very talented D for sure, biggest question marks will be replacing the safeties. I know Kyshoen had a rough game last week, but he and Bonner have been great overall. I've said this before but one of the most under appreciated parts of our D is how crucial Bonner is to getting our D properly aligned play in and play out.
Any chance Holland Fischer starts? He was a big time prospect in high school. Haven't really heard much about him since he's gotten here
Personally I think he'll be the #2 rover
Didn't we have the conversation in another thread that it's Holland Fisher, with no c?
He actually prefer's no H's....Olland Fiser...He goes by Ollie.
No Raymond Minor?
Yep, we should be stocked, and if they can get the offense back healed and on pace.....
Hope springs eternal.
I didn't include all of the redshirting freshmen, but yes he'll be in at either Mike or Backer
I am more concerned about developing depth, as we have seen a few Key injuries and we are left in a bad place. Hopefully we can use the rest of this year to get valuable reps to all the freshmen and and redshirt freshmen so they are ready for primetime next year.
I literally was looking at the depth chart, closed that tab, and this conversation was waiting behind it. Good timing.
Yes, we will have personnel for the ages next year. I worry about the safety positions because I haven't noticed the younger guys getting a lot of experience, but overall I'm not all that worried. Worse case scenario, Kendall or Sam Rogers can always do it because of course they can.
I'm real excited about Reavis and Holland Fisher, and hoping they'll be set to go when next season starts. Also, I'm kinda still waiting on Ronny VanDyke to be the player we've heard about for so long. Looks like Motuapuaka is becoming that guy.
FWIW, Reavis has been in for just about every game this year. He's mostly played on the punt/kickoff teams, but he's gotten some snaps at safety as well. Looks like a very similar player to Kyshoen from what I've seen so far.
Plus the possiblity of adding some big time players to finish the defensive class and we will hopefully be looking pretty good for next year.
I could see Foster using Chuck Clark and Riley at safety spots given their experience with the D, with Mook Reynolds, Stroman, etc backing up at CB.
I like your thinking about Riley and Clark for this reason:
They love hitting people.
You're missing Josh Sweat and Jalen Dalton at reserve DE spots as well
I said I didn't include.....ohhhhh I see what you did there
and Tim Settle at DT/Tolliver III at CB
I am thinking Clark and Fischer will be the safeties. Clark has been decent in coverage, but better at tackling. I think one of the freshman or Riley gets the nickel corner spot.
Please edit:
Should be LB Andrew Polamalu.
Wonder if he is a Heads n Shoulder's kind of guy...
D-FENCE.....awesome D-line, couldn't ask for more and depth with Nigel Williams and Woody Baron and Ricky Walker is great.
Not to mention Seth Dooley along with the incoming freshmen
Me like
Gotta love that D....
(Insert obligatory wang package joke)(insert school girl laughter)
Imagine our jokes if we were to sign these guys....
http://247sports.com/Player/Derrick-Dick-28347
http://247sports.com/Player/Duke-Hwang-66023
http://247sports.com/Player/William-Cockman-22572
http://247sports.com/Player/Richard-Ball-69442
http://247sports.com/Player/Zack-Asack-42380
http://247sports.com/Player/Jake-Butt-12849
something something sausage-fest.
JAKE BUTTS DOT COM
Clark and Reavis should be the starters at safety/rover. Riley as the nickel.
I'm not counting on Fisher for anything until he shows up on an actual depth chart.
It will be great to have Facyson back
I believe we should be getting DVD back, too. I'm anticipating a tough battle come spring between him and AM at the Mike spot. Depth should be good there with McKinnon moving back over to the Backer spot with Clarke.
French would disagree because he's all about that Motuapuaka
I'm interested to see what the Whip position will shape up to be