These are the projected numbers for 2020 including the LOIs
Here is the Link for the Numbers
As you can see there is a Log jam at running back. We probably should expect a lot to happen between now and fall. 11 Running backs is insane even in a rotation:
Running Back – 11
Deshawn McClease – Sixth-year Senior
Khalil Herbert – Senior
Jalen Holston – Redshirt Junior
Terius Wheatley – Redshirt Junior
Marco Lee – Junior
Caleb Steward – Redshirt Sophomore
Cole Beck – Redshirt Sophomore
Keshawn King – Sophomore
Tahj Gary – Redshirt Freshman
Jalen Hampton – Freshman
Jordan Brunson – Freshman
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11 scholarships for RBs is WAAAYYYY too many, it should be 6-8. I would not be surprised at all to see 2 out of 3 between Holston, Wheatley, and Lee hit the portal. Also Beck and Steward, but I feel like both of them could carve out a role next year if the juniors transfer.
I see our main rotation next year consisting of Herbert, King, and Gary in that order with McClease "retiring". I would like to see some combo of Steward and Beck take over kick return duties and the freshman see a redshirt.
Lee is going to hit the portal? Might want to back check there. He just signed out of juco
Good call, i was mixing him up with Bell, who I just read went into the portal
I don't think Bell was scholarship
I wouldn't be surprised to see three out of four from among Steward, Beck, McClease, and Wheatley be elsewhere for 2020. It's a crowded room, but I don't think it will stay that way.
Holston looks to be ready for next year
I could see all 5 of them being elsewhere next year. I think we have three major contributors at running back next season: Gary, King, and Herbert, with the Freshman, Lee, and maybe Wheatly or Holston providing carries in a blow out where we need to run the clock (if we're lucky enough to see any of those).
Praise Portal!
The portal giveth, and the portal shall taketh away.
That has us at 89. As with GGC, I assume three or four of those he listed leaving.
I also think we could see 1 or 2 WR, 1 TE, 2 OL, 1 DT, 1-2 DE, and as many as 3 DB leaving.
Not saying they will, but I could see it happening.
Unless you are injured, if you do not take a snap as a freshman anymore, as they give you 4 free games to do so, I question if you are ever going to be more than a backup. Just my unofficial theory, but I think it's a good one. You are healthy, on scholarship, get 4 free games to take a snap in, and you don't? hmmm. I'm sure there are a couple examples, but not many in that category. Beck and anybody else that fits that are candidates to leave or be asked to transfer.
I think the ideal path is for recruits to come in, redshirt their freshman year, then learn and practice their redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore years, then they would play their last two years. So if that is the progression, how much does it really help to get them a few snaps in what is most likely garbage time? Maybe you let the guys with the most talent that might play earlier than the others take some snaps, but I certainly don't think that if they aren't put in, that means they won't have good careers later.
That exact theory is why Curt Newsome is coaching at Emory and Henry or wherever. Look around college football today, many, many freshman and sophomore's play and play well. I say recruit more talented kids if you want to compete for ACC championships. Do that, and if your coaches are great at developing talent as well- then its a win/win
Some have waited out their time, and have had success. Not many, but they do exist.
Clyde Edwards Helaire comes to mind. Got 650+ yards last year, and was a beast as the starter this year.
When we had our stable, we played them as freshman. David Wilson, RMFW, Darren Evans, Ore, KJ, they all played as freshmen.
it doesn't mean you can't have a good career, but there is no more "penalty" for playing a true freshman you want to have redshirt. Scrimmage and practice all you want to help refine technique, but live game reps against a different team with unfamiliar tendencies is just different because the stakes are inherently higher even if it's "garbage time" up 63-0 on East Bumbleville State College
As Billy Hite famously said (paraphrasing) Running Back's coaches don't do much, either the back has vision or he doesn't. If the back doesn't have the vision to be effective in the ACC, he's probably not going to develop it by his junior year. If a back has vision and/or speed, but just needs to become more well rounded (improve on blocking, improve on play fakes, etc), he'll probably get on the field in some capacity in his first few years in gadget plays, plays designed to get him in space, special teams, etc.
If a running back hasn't gotten any in game touches by year two, he's probably never going to get meaningful snaps.
I think it depends on a lot of things. Some kids aren't physically ready. Some teams have more garbage time than others. There may be a logical group of talented upperclassmen that prevents it. But, there is definitely some merit to the theory.
The thing about numbers, is that they always work out, according to my sauces and marinades
I wager Beck never takes a snap for the football team.
Same for Drew Harris
Seems like a very safe bet.
Me too. We are playing with 84 scholarships. If Beck went to Blacksburg HS in Kansas, he would have never gotten an offer. Let the man run track and free up the scholly
If the attrition happens as expected, really nice distribution for each year at RB:
Khalil Herbert – Senior
Jalen Holston – Redshirt Junior
Marco Lee – Junior
Keshawn King – Sophomore
Tahj Gary – Redshirt Freshman
Jalen Hampton – Redshirting
Jordan Brunson – Redshirting
That means you have McClease, Steward, Beck, and Wheatley out, correct?
Right, which is the most likely scenario at this point. Holston is questionable as well with injuries.
McClease is rumored to be waivering between staying and going. I would rather him stay, keeping seniors who have contributed is a good thing even if there aren't a lot of obvious carries out there.
I like that. Herbert and King should be the primary backs next year.
Something, something, something the numbers always work out
.....statistically speaking
McClease should definitely stay, he's the best back and only King is close