1) Shoop- 2nd year in the system HAS to eliminate the confusion and the busts. The defense typically having no idea what was going on was the biggest reason we struggled so badly.
2) Alexis Johnson- him having a RS will pay dividends in the future. Multiple people and coaches ravved about how good he will be.
3) Kongbo- off season to gain weight, strength and learn technique (hands and leverage). Seems to have bought in to playing inside and his athleticism can allow him to be a big time difference maker.
4) Quarte Sapp- will add immediate speed and athleticism that we desperately needed this year. He will be a RS Soph and will be a bit older. Last spring, O and W game and fall camp he was a play maker. His injury after losing JRM may have been the biggest loss on the defense because we had no answer at LB the entire year.
5) Evan Berry- Light was starting to come on and he was showing up. Laying the wood at S and giving us a presence over the top we haven't had at S in years in pass coverage. Not to mention how elite of a returner he is.
6) Daniel Bituli- physically he looks ready. Him just being a true freshman and seeing him is impressive. He has great speed as evidenced by how good he is in kick coverage. Shows he is very physical. He could give us another option for the 4-3 set that we badly need. Think he has a very bright future.
7) Kyle Phillips/Darrell Taylor- Both very talented and very athletic. Them now being in their 3rd year is huge and I think they start showing that talent. Taylor has showed his elite athleticism and how well he runs. Phillips showed up and made some plays inside this year.
8) Nigel Warrior- wasn't ready mentally as a true freshman and that is okay! Showed up on special teams. Can run and is very physical.
9) Tyler Byrd- If they keep him at WR fine. But he needs to play just about every offensive snap and touch the ball 10 plus times... if that is not the case then he needs to play CB. We really have no answer at CB without Cam. Mosesly is an average #2 and Martin has not shown he can help. If Byrd can be a starter at CB that is what you have to do and trust that Brandon Johnson and Callaway can get it done (love what they showed this year and think both will be really good players.)
Wild cards
I think McKenzie will be back no problem and him being in his 3rd year will be big for him. Was playing well before his injury.
Shy who knows. Has been off crutches for a couple weeks and it isn't a bad bone break which for a 300 plus pounder is good news. Not the same as the skill guys having to explode in and out of cuts.
Does the light come on for Bates and will he buy in to trying to be good (have heard are that he doesn't apply himself to the game)? I think he runs really well. Will it happen? Doubt it but it does happen with guys in all sports.
2) Alexis Johnson- him having a RS will pay dividends in the future. Multiple people and coaches ravved about how good he will be.
3) Kongbo- off season to gain weight, strength and learn technique (hands and leverage). Seems to have bought in to playing inside and his athleticism can allow him to be a big time difference maker.
4) Quarte Sapp- will add immediate speed and athleticism that we desperately needed this year. He will be a RS Soph and will be a bit older. Last spring, O and W game and fall camp he was a play maker. His injury after losing JRM may have been the biggest loss on the defense because we had no answer at LB the entire year.
5) Evan Berry- Light was starting to come on and he was showing up. Laying the wood at S and giving us a presence over the top we haven't had at S in years in pass coverage. Not to mention how elite of a returner he is.
6) Daniel Bituli- physically he looks ready. Him just being a true freshman and seeing him is impressive. He has great speed as evidenced by how good he is in kick coverage. Shows he is very physical. He could give us another option for the 4-3 set that we badly need. Think he has a very bright future.
7) Kyle Phillips/Darrell Taylor- Both very talented and very athletic. Them now being in their 3rd year is huge and I think they start showing that talent. Taylor has showed his elite athleticism and how well he runs. Phillips showed up and made some plays inside this year.
8) Nigel Warrior- wasn't ready mentally as a true freshman and that is okay! Showed up on special teams. Can run and is very physical.
9) Tyler Byrd- If they keep him at WR fine. But he needs to play just about every offensive snap and touch the ball 10 plus times... if that is not the case then he needs to play CB. We really have no answer at CB without Cam. Mosesly is an average #2 and Martin has not shown he can help. If Byrd can be a starter at CB that is what you have to do and trust that Brandon Johnson and Callaway can get it done (love what they showed this year and think both will be really good players.)
Wild cards
I think McKenzie will be back no problem and him being in his 3rd year will be big for him. Was playing well before his injury.
Shy who knows. Has been off crutches for a couple weeks and it isn't a bad bone break which for a 300 plus pounder is good news. Not the same as the skill guys having to explode in and out of cuts.
Does the light come on for Bates and will he buy in to trying to be good (have heard are that he doesn't apply himself to the game)? I think he runs really well. Will it happen? Doubt it but it does happen with guys in all sports.
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