This is barring that we do go ahead and finish with who we think we will and the ones that are committed currently.
QB: RS/Sr Ty Storey- I honestly don't think he will be a part of this going forward and I honestly am not 100% sure that he will even be on the team. Just doesn't have arm strength needed to run this offense, he has showed toughness and the ability to make decent enough reads, but doesn't have the arm to win at that level.
RS/Fr Connor Noland- Certainly has the arm strength and has some intangibles that could be valued, such as toughness and leadership. I worry about him with Baseball and how that will all work. I mean I know its doable as Kyler Murray obviously makes it work at OU (and btw there is ZERO comparison of him and Murray other than they both play both sports)
Fr- KJ Jefferson- I love everything about his game on film he has the arm strength to stretch the field and has the speed to add to this offense qb run game with QB power, counter, Chase, and sweep. I really think KJ is the future and has all the attributes to make plays at all levels. Just watching his film he can make the throws that are required to make this offense work.
My prediction: Connor Noland starts early and KJ Jefferson eventually takes over as the starter.
RB: Sr- Devwah Whaley- Powerful runner, with ability to break off short burst runs that can be effective between the tackles. He runs the power and counter decently well but is more of a zone iso runner.
Jr- Rakeem Boyd- Most complete back that we have and needs to add some weight this off-season. He is a great power/counter runner that has the ability to hit the inside zone or outside zone schemes they run. Also, is a very a major threat out of the backfield catching passes.
Jr- Chase Hayden- A north/south runner that isn't great getting outside the tackles. Needs to find a way to become more explosive because in this zone scheme from the shotgun like we run he isn't as explosive being a one cut runner, as he is being a down hill head of steam runner.
Fr- A'monte Spivey- I like his one cut ability and I like him to get downhill. I think he will help us next year depending upon if Hammonds stays with us and is fully committed to what we are trying to do here. I like this kids ability for sure.
Predictions:
1- Boyd
2- Whaley
3- Hayden/Spivey
Wide Receiver: Sr- LaMichael Pettway- Physical receiver that will at least start off early in the year as the 9 receiver. He needs to get faster and probably cut a little weight, but I also believe with a good QB he could help
Sr- Deon Stewart- Has a decent set of hands but is a below average route runner. Is fairly quick one cut after the catch kid that will be a spot duty player for us next year, mostly as a 2 or a 5 depending on personnel groupings
Jr- Jordan Jones- Still think this kid has high potential but needs to gain weight and become more physical. Possesses the speed for a 2 receiver in this offense but has to get sharper on his route running.
Jr- De'Vion Warren- this is as explosive of a player as we have and can be a game breaker if he only can get consistent with his hands. No question he is a 10 personnel (5 or 3) slot receiver who can make things happen with a ball delivered on time and on target.
So- Mike Woods- Will start the season off as the starting 2 receiver and a year in the weightroom and working over the summer with the timing on things I look for a breakout season from this kid. I think he possesses all the physical tools he needs to become the field receiver. I think they had to used him as the boundary (9) guy this year and he was mostly out of position and yet still made plays. I like his upside and potential.
Fr- Trey Knox- big physical kid that we don't have this year. I like his chances to become the starting 9 receiver and he their yes/no player. Which likely means he will be one of the teams leading pass catchers this next season. He is a one on one guy and with him coming in early (I believe that is correct if not I apologize) he has an upper hand.
Fr- Trey Burks - I love his size and athletic ability, I seriously look for him to compete at the 9 spot but also the 5 spot as well. He has enough make you miss type skill set to him that he will be a tough one for sure to deal with and I look for him to get moved around a lot. The question will be how quickly will be recovered from this knee injury?
Fr- Shamar Nash- A tall guy that will be a (3 or 5) in spread and probably a 5 when they go to 20 personnel. I think this guy will be the surprise of this class. He was kinda underrated for his skill set because of the team he played on. He is a guy that could be as explosive of a kid as we have. When we go to the climb routes of 4 verticals verses a 1 high he is going to he a guy you want to run the seams. I like him even some to the field.
Fr- TQ Jackson- I love this kid's swagger and I think he kinda like Nash will come in with a chip on their shoulders. I also love his ability to be a seam runner in spread or Deuce. I love his high motor and hands. On film I feel like he is an above average high school route runner as he gets in and out of his breaks very quickly. Certain impact player for 2019.
Prediction:
(9) Trey Knox- Trey Burks or La'Michael Pettway
(5) Shamar Nash- TQ Jackson, Deon Stewart, Da'Vion Warren
(2) Mike Woods- Jordan Jones- Shamar Nash
OLINE-
This is a must here:
So- Noah Gatlin- Like his upside and think he will be a pretty good player at the RT position, look for him to take a huge jump this off season
Rs/So- Dalton Wagner- Will certainly add depth at the LT and RT position and I think he long arms will help him in pass blocking situations.
Jr. Ty Clary- I think he will be a starting G and possibly the back up center. I liked him at G as a true Freshman (he wasn't great but certainly better than he was at C)
Sr- Austin Capps- Don't really know what to think here but if he has a great off-season he could compete at G possibly.
Rs/So- Shane Clenin- Really needs to add weight and stay healthy and you would like him to add some depth here.
RS/ Fr- Silas Robinson- I think he will be your starting C next year and I think he will be an upgrade. I have heard nothing but good things about his work ethic and skill set. Would have played this year had he not got hurt in pre-season
RS/Fr- Ryan Winkel- Another tall ranging 6'6 kid that has nice long arms and can be an effective pass blocker with more strength. Don't really know much about his as he fought injuries all year.
Fr- Dylan Rathcke- I like his film and he seems to a G type in college at 6'5 305 he has good get off, but he is a little high up in his sets to be a T in the SEC. He seems to have a strong motor and appears to have the ability to move laterally fairly well.
Fr- Bradley Latham- I think on film he is the most ready of the Freshmen, he is very technique sound and you can tell well coached. He has good get off and he keeps his hips down and knees bent in his pass sets. I seen him pull a couple times and I think he is a nice player could easily project as a G. at 6'5 he could play either guard or Tackle. He has the Long Tackle Arms but again I think he might make a fine G.
Fr- Beau Limmer- Big Physical kid that is 6'7 or 6'8 but very raw. He could turn into one heck of a linemen someday but he seems to be the least ready right now that I have seen on film. Will certainly be great with Depth.
Nwanna- if we get him would start at LT from day 1 and I really like this kid. I believe he would be a major upgrade to what we have had for sure. A definite must get imo
Cunningham- seems set on Oklahoma but if he did get him you could actually drop him down to a tackle and put him on the left side beside Nwanna and you could have a pretty solid Left side there. Both athletic and physical kids
Sr- Colton Jackson- If he doesn't become a grad transfer I will be surprised. If he does come back he would be another kid that would have to he on a short leash and told you better not pull the BS you did this last year. He could possibly be moved into G as well because he is horrendous at either Tackle spot but if he does stay at tackle please move him to the Right Side
Prediction- LT- Nwana, LG Noah Gatlin, C Silas Robinson, RG Ty Clary, RT Dalton Wagner
LT- Clenin, LG- Latham, C Clary, RG- Capps, RT- Colton Jackson
If Cunningham comes slide him in at LG
If we get a grad transfer then slide him anywhere but LT
TE-
Sr- CJ O'Grady- Set to have a monster year with outside help and possibly a QB to get him the ball. Needs to seriously keep improving on his run blocking and he will end up being a decent draft pick after next year
Fr- Hudson Henry- Will play and play a lot, I really expect him to even stand up in the slot a few times like Grayson Gunter did this year. I love his quick feet and great hands. With weight added he is going to be a tremendous weapon for us.
Jr- Grayson Gunter- I really like his development and at 6'7 he is a redzone nightmare. I look for his role to increase in 2019 because of his skill set. Certainly, needs to improve on the blocking and his strength.
Prediction-
1- CJ O'Grady
2- Hudson Henry
3- Grayson Gunter
So projected lineup
Qb- KJ Jefferson by conference play maybe before
RB- Boyd, Whaley, Hayden
9- Trey Knox, Trey Burks or La'Michael Pettway
5- Shamar Nash, TQ Jackson, Deon Stewart
2- Mike Woods, Jordan Jones, Shamar Nash
(spread) 3- Trey Burks, Da'Vion Warren
3- CJ O'Grady, Hudson Henry
LT- Nwanna, Clenin
LG- Noah Gatlin(Hoping this could be Cunningham) Latham
C- Silas Robinson, Clary
RG- Ty Clary, Capps
RT- Dalton Wagner, Colton Jackson or Ryan Winkel
QB: RS/Sr Ty Storey- I honestly don't think he will be a part of this going forward and I honestly am not 100% sure that he will even be on the team. Just doesn't have arm strength needed to run this offense, he has showed toughness and the ability to make decent enough reads, but doesn't have the arm to win at that level.
RS/Fr Connor Noland- Certainly has the arm strength and has some intangibles that could be valued, such as toughness and leadership. I worry about him with Baseball and how that will all work. I mean I know its doable as Kyler Murray obviously makes it work at OU (and btw there is ZERO comparison of him and Murray other than they both play both sports)
Fr- KJ Jefferson- I love everything about his game on film he has the arm strength to stretch the field and has the speed to add to this offense qb run game with QB power, counter, Chase, and sweep. I really think KJ is the future and has all the attributes to make plays at all levels. Just watching his film he can make the throws that are required to make this offense work.
My prediction: Connor Noland starts early and KJ Jefferson eventually takes over as the starter.
RB: Sr- Devwah Whaley- Powerful runner, with ability to break off short burst runs that can be effective between the tackles. He runs the power and counter decently well but is more of a zone iso runner.
Jr- Rakeem Boyd- Most complete back that we have and needs to add some weight this off-season. He is a great power/counter runner that has the ability to hit the inside zone or outside zone schemes they run. Also, is a very a major threat out of the backfield catching passes.
Jr- Chase Hayden- A north/south runner that isn't great getting outside the tackles. Needs to find a way to become more explosive because in this zone scheme from the shotgun like we run he isn't as explosive being a one cut runner, as he is being a down hill head of steam runner.
Fr- A'monte Spivey- I like his one cut ability and I like him to get downhill. I think he will help us next year depending upon if Hammonds stays with us and is fully committed to what we are trying to do here. I like this kids ability for sure.
Predictions:
1- Boyd
2- Whaley
3- Hayden/Spivey
Wide Receiver: Sr- LaMichael Pettway- Physical receiver that will at least start off early in the year as the 9 receiver. He needs to get faster and probably cut a little weight, but I also believe with a good QB he could help
Sr- Deon Stewart- Has a decent set of hands but is a below average route runner. Is fairly quick one cut after the catch kid that will be a spot duty player for us next year, mostly as a 2 or a 5 depending on personnel groupings
Jr- Jordan Jones- Still think this kid has high potential but needs to gain weight and become more physical. Possesses the speed for a 2 receiver in this offense but has to get sharper on his route running.
Jr- De'Vion Warren- this is as explosive of a player as we have and can be a game breaker if he only can get consistent with his hands. No question he is a 10 personnel (5 or 3) slot receiver who can make things happen with a ball delivered on time and on target.
So- Mike Woods- Will start the season off as the starting 2 receiver and a year in the weightroom and working over the summer with the timing on things I look for a breakout season from this kid. I think he possesses all the physical tools he needs to become the field receiver. I think they had to used him as the boundary (9) guy this year and he was mostly out of position and yet still made plays. I like his upside and potential.
Fr- Trey Knox- big physical kid that we don't have this year. I like his chances to become the starting 9 receiver and he their yes/no player. Which likely means he will be one of the teams leading pass catchers this next season. He is a one on one guy and with him coming in early (I believe that is correct if not I apologize) he has an upper hand.
Fr- Trey Burks - I love his size and athletic ability, I seriously look for him to compete at the 9 spot but also the 5 spot as well. He has enough make you miss type skill set to him that he will be a tough one for sure to deal with and I look for him to get moved around a lot. The question will be how quickly will be recovered from this knee injury?
Fr- Shamar Nash- A tall guy that will be a (3 or 5) in spread and probably a 5 when they go to 20 personnel. I think this guy will be the surprise of this class. He was kinda underrated for his skill set because of the team he played on. He is a guy that could be as explosive of a kid as we have. When we go to the climb routes of 4 verticals verses a 1 high he is going to he a guy you want to run the seams. I like him even some to the field.
Fr- TQ Jackson- I love this kid's swagger and I think he kinda like Nash will come in with a chip on their shoulders. I also love his ability to be a seam runner in spread or Deuce. I love his high motor and hands. On film I feel like he is an above average high school route runner as he gets in and out of his breaks very quickly. Certain impact player for 2019.
Prediction:
(9) Trey Knox- Trey Burks or La'Michael Pettway
(5) Shamar Nash- TQ Jackson, Deon Stewart, Da'Vion Warren
(2) Mike Woods- Jordan Jones- Shamar Nash
OLINE-
This is a must here:
So- Noah Gatlin- Like his upside and think he will be a pretty good player at the RT position, look for him to take a huge jump this off season
Rs/So- Dalton Wagner- Will certainly add depth at the LT and RT position and I think he long arms will help him in pass blocking situations.
Jr. Ty Clary- I think he will be a starting G and possibly the back up center. I liked him at G as a true Freshman (he wasn't great but certainly better than he was at C)
Sr- Austin Capps- Don't really know what to think here but if he has a great off-season he could compete at G possibly.
Rs/So- Shane Clenin- Really needs to add weight and stay healthy and you would like him to add some depth here.
RS/ Fr- Silas Robinson- I think he will be your starting C next year and I think he will be an upgrade. I have heard nothing but good things about his work ethic and skill set. Would have played this year had he not got hurt in pre-season
RS/Fr- Ryan Winkel- Another tall ranging 6'6 kid that has nice long arms and can be an effective pass blocker with more strength. Don't really know much about his as he fought injuries all year.
Fr- Dylan Rathcke- I like his film and he seems to a G type in college at 6'5 305 he has good get off, but he is a little high up in his sets to be a T in the SEC. He seems to have a strong motor and appears to have the ability to move laterally fairly well.
Fr- Bradley Latham- I think on film he is the most ready of the Freshmen, he is very technique sound and you can tell well coached. He has good get off and he keeps his hips down and knees bent in his pass sets. I seen him pull a couple times and I think he is a nice player could easily project as a G. at 6'5 he could play either guard or Tackle. He has the Long Tackle Arms but again I think he might make a fine G.
Fr- Beau Limmer- Big Physical kid that is 6'7 or 6'8 but very raw. He could turn into one heck of a linemen someday but he seems to be the least ready right now that I have seen on film. Will certainly be great with Depth.
Nwanna- if we get him would start at LT from day 1 and I really like this kid. I believe he would be a major upgrade to what we have had for sure. A definite must get imo
Cunningham- seems set on Oklahoma but if he did get him you could actually drop him down to a tackle and put him on the left side beside Nwanna and you could have a pretty solid Left side there. Both athletic and physical kids
Sr- Colton Jackson- If he doesn't become a grad transfer I will be surprised. If he does come back he would be another kid that would have to he on a short leash and told you better not pull the BS you did this last year. He could possibly be moved into G as well because he is horrendous at either Tackle spot but if he does stay at tackle please move him to the Right Side
Prediction- LT- Nwana, LG Noah Gatlin, C Silas Robinson, RG Ty Clary, RT Dalton Wagner
LT- Clenin, LG- Latham, C Clary, RG- Capps, RT- Colton Jackson
If Cunningham comes slide him in at LG
If we get a grad transfer then slide him anywhere but LT
TE-
Sr- CJ O'Grady- Set to have a monster year with outside help and possibly a QB to get him the ball. Needs to seriously keep improving on his run blocking and he will end up being a decent draft pick after next year
Fr- Hudson Henry- Will play and play a lot, I really expect him to even stand up in the slot a few times like Grayson Gunter did this year. I love his quick feet and great hands. With weight added he is going to be a tremendous weapon for us.
Jr- Grayson Gunter- I really like his development and at 6'7 he is a redzone nightmare. I look for his role to increase in 2019 because of his skill set. Certainly, needs to improve on the blocking and his strength.
Prediction-
1- CJ O'Grady
2- Hudson Henry
3- Grayson Gunter
So projected lineup
Qb- KJ Jefferson by conference play maybe before
RB- Boyd, Whaley, Hayden
9- Trey Knox, Trey Burks or La'Michael Pettway
5- Shamar Nash, TQ Jackson, Deon Stewart
2- Mike Woods, Jordan Jones, Shamar Nash
(spread) 3- Trey Burks, Da'Vion Warren
3- CJ O'Grady, Hudson Henry
LT- Nwanna, Clenin
LG- Noah Gatlin(Hoping this could be Cunningham) Latham
C- Silas Robinson, Clary
RG- Ty Clary, Capps
RT- Dalton Wagner, Colton Jackson or Ryan Winkel
