Going forward, I thought it would be good to take a look at the expected roster for 2015. I'm going to include recruiting rankings for those leaving and those being replaced. When I list someone as an improvement, I am basing that view off of long term potential, not claiming that they will be better from day one.

(2014 vs 2015)
Offense:
QB: Dak Prescott (returns)
RB: Josh Robinson (returns)
RB: Holloway/Shumpert (return)
WR: DeRunnya Wilson (returns)
WR: Robert Johnson 3* - Replaced by Fred Ross 4* (Improvement)
WR: Gabe Myles (returns) - Likely replaced by Donald Gray. (Big Improvement)
OT: Justin Senior (returns)
OG: Ben Beckwith 0* - Replaced by Devon Desper 3* (Eventual Improvement)
C: Dillon Day 2* - Replaced by Jamaal Clayborn 3*(Slight Improvement)
OG: Justin Malone (returns)
OT: Blaine Clausell - Replaced by Martinas Rankin 4* (Big Improvement)
TE: Malcolm Johnson 3* - Replaced by Gus Walley 3* (Same)

Defense:
DE: Preston Smith 2* - Replaced by ?
DT: Kaleb Eulls 4* - Replaced by Nick James 4* (same)
DT: PJ Jones 4* - Replaced by Chris Jones 5* (Big improvement)
DE: Ryan Brown (returns)
LB: Matt Wells - Replaced by Gerri Green (Improvement)
LB: Benardrick McKinney 2* - Replaced by Richie Brown 4*(same)
LB: Beniquez Brown (returns)
CB: Traveze Calhoun (returns)
CB: Will Redmond (returns)
S: Kendrick Market (returns)
S: Jay Hughes - Probably replaced by Peters 5* or JT Gray(Improvement)

Thoughts? I will make changes as some of you point out different ideas. Overall, we really should improve next season, going to be a fun ride.

This post was edited on 12/23/14 at 4:00 pm

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Posted by Allyn McKeen

Key West, FL

Member since Jun 2012

4291 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 11:24 am to skirpnasty

I think we have some real question marks for next year, but I do see reasons that we could actually be better next year. The offense could be wicked. If the defense can cut down on the big plays, next year's team could be very difficult to beat.

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Posted by WhitewaterDawg

Tennessee

Member since Aug 2011

7233 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 11:47 am to skirpnasty

You think Jamal Peters would start at Safety as a true freshman? That like be very unDanlike.

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Posted by Jma313

Member since Aug 2010

5157 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 12:10 pm to skirpnasty

Will Redmond would make me curse him one second and then the next play happens ano I'm screaming for a new(er) mustang for him

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Posted by NIH

Member since Aug 2008

112726 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 12:34 pm to skirpnasty

We need a playmaker on defense, we haven't had that since Cox left in 2012.

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Posted by Donnie Darko Dawg

Member since Sep 2013

151 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 1:25 pm to skirpnasty

quote:
OG: Ben Beckwith 0* - Replaced by Devon Desper 3* (Eventual Improvement) C: Dillon Day 2* - Replaced by Jamaal Clayborn 3*(Slight Improvement) OG: Justin Malone (returns) OT: Blaine Clausell - Replaced by Martinas Rankin 4* (Big Improvement) TE: Malcolm Johnson 3* - Replaced by Gus Walley 3* (Same)

This is some Bundy level homerism.

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Posted by MadDoggyStyle

Member since Feb 2012

3857 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 3:22 pm to skirpnasty

Richie Brown is not the same as McKinney.

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Posted by croomdawggie

Member since Jun 2012

388 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 3:57 pm to skirpnasty

Gerri Green will not play the same position as Wells. That will be JT Gray.

Richie Brown being the same is a fricking joke I hope.

Gus Walley being the same is a bigger fricking joke.

Clayborn who was not even the backup center last year being an improvement is an even bigger fricking joke.

This post was edited on 12/23/14 at 3:59 pm

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Posted by 17theBears

Member since Apr 2012

6982 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 10:31 pm to skirpnasty

You went full retard.

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Posted by Tornado Alley

Member since Mar 2012

26584 posts

Posted on 12/23/14 at 11:25 pm to skirpnasty

So what you're saying is every single starter on next season's State squad is either as good or better than this season's?

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Posted by DynastyDawg

Relf-Coast

Member since Jan 2013

10886 posts

Posted on 12/24/14 at 6:53 am to skirpnasty

Offense:

quote:
WR: Gabe Myles (returns) - Likely replaced by Donald Gray. (Big Improvement)

I'd say slight improvement.

quote:
C: Dillon Day 2* - Replaced by Jamaal Clayborn 3*(Slight Improvement)

We can only hope in this scenario that Clayborne can play equal to Day. Even though Day was a 2* he is still wayyyyy ahead of Clayborne at this point.

quote:
TE: Malcolm Johnson 3* - Replaced by Gus Walley 3* (Same)

Not even close to the same in my opinion. Everyone's going to realize how valuable Johnson was this coming season.

Defense:

quote:
DE: Preston Smith 2* - Replaced by ?

Calvin / Coleman - Can only hope for the same. Probably a slight drop off.

quote:
LB: Matt Wells - Replaced by Gerri Green (Improvement)

No. Wells was easily the most valuable player on our defense this year. Even above McKinney. I expect Green to play MLB behind Richie anyway. He may play here some, but I expect someone else to play here, let's just hope it's not Jackson full time. Now with the change in scheme it may go back to being a regular outside LB, so you may be right projecting Green here.

Overall:

I expect the offense to be about the same, which is fine, because averaging over 500 yards of offense and 37 ppg is pretty impressive.

Defense has to be improved slightly I would hope. I can't imagine we give up more yards, but may not be as good in the red zone, 3rd down conversions, and completion %.

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Posted by MSUbulldogs03

Member since Apr 2013

2644 posts

Posted on 12/24/14 at 12:18 pm to skirpnasty

I think you need to take the maroon goggles off. Im all for being optimistic, but its way to early to write in Desper and Clayborn as improvements to Beckwith and Day.