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Best "Units" in the Nation next year
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:28 am
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:28 am
Just thinking about the pre-season polls and LSU's D-line and Bama's O-line. So here we go. I'm gonna go with these units Backfield (QBs/RBs), Receivers (TE's/WR's), Oline, Dline, Secondary and LBer's. Not doing Special Teams.
Backfield:
Arkansas Wilson is by most accounts the 2nd best QB in the country and if Kniles Davis is truly back to 100% then there's not a lot of arguing this.
USCw Barkley is the odds on favorite for the heisman and Curtis McNeal is a speedster/1000 yard rusher.
Wisconsin (Very slight edge over LSU) O'Brien was very good before transferring and everyone knows about Ball. I want to put LSU here because they clearly have the best Stable of RB's in the country but Mett is unproven and that would be biased.
Receivers
USCw This doesn't really need to be explained Marqise Lee and Robert Woods are clearly the best WR combo in the country.
Tennessee Da'Rick is a solid WR and if Hunter/Bray stay healthy they will challenge Barkley/Woods as the best QB/WR combo in '12
West Virginia This was the toughest ranking I had but I'm going with Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey.
Oline
Alabama No argument, nations best O-lineman (Jones) and likely the first O-lineman off the board in the '13 draft (Fluker) anchor the line. I've seen several sources saying this could be the best Oline in Bama's historic program.
LSU Chris Faulk will be a 1st round selection and Alex Hurst will go in the 1st or early 2nd round. Both are road graders and the line improves with La'el Collins coming in at gaurd and Josh D. being granted his 6th year of eligibility.
A&M Matthews and Joeckel are monsters and they anchor the line. Quality is there, just not depth.
Dline
LSU Should be no debate. Mingo/Montgomery are hands down the best DE combo and Logan is a potential 1st rounder while the other DT might have the highest ceiling of all. This will be the best Dline LSU has ever seen.
USCe Clowney was a mega prospect and showed why in limited time. Him and Devin Taylor will combine to wreck havoc.
Texas Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor are animals and I'm sure there are some other 5 stars I'm not mentioning that will be outstanding.
Secondary
LSU Once again there should be no argument. The nations reigning best defensive player (Tyrann Mathieu) and the country's best safety (Eric Reid) solidify the unit and Loston has a ton of potential while Simon is a 6'3" shutdown corner.
Alabama Going off sheer talent. Demarcus Milliner should be a 1st rounder.
Florida State Incredible amount of athletes with Xavier Rhodes being the man of the unit.
LBer's
Alabama Moseley is a stud and the fact that Saban really likes Adrian Hubbard and Xzavier Dickson means they'll both end up being monsters.
UGA All I really should have to mention is Jarvis Jones. Absolute 'dawg' off the edge and I look for Ray Drew to break out this year.
Notre Dame Because of Manti Te'o. Easily the best ILB in '12.
Thoughts?
Backfield:
Arkansas Wilson is by most accounts the 2nd best QB in the country and if Kniles Davis is truly back to 100% then there's not a lot of arguing this.
USCw Barkley is the odds on favorite for the heisman and Curtis McNeal is a speedster/1000 yard rusher.
Wisconsin (Very slight edge over LSU) O'Brien was very good before transferring and everyone knows about Ball. I want to put LSU here because they clearly have the best Stable of RB's in the country but Mett is unproven and that would be biased.
Receivers
USCw This doesn't really need to be explained Marqise Lee and Robert Woods are clearly the best WR combo in the country.
Tennessee Da'Rick is a solid WR and if Hunter/Bray stay healthy they will challenge Barkley/Woods as the best QB/WR combo in '12
West Virginia This was the toughest ranking I had but I'm going with Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey.
Oline
Alabama No argument, nations best O-lineman (Jones) and likely the first O-lineman off the board in the '13 draft (Fluker) anchor the line. I've seen several sources saying this could be the best Oline in Bama's historic program.
LSU Chris Faulk will be a 1st round selection and Alex Hurst will go in the 1st or early 2nd round. Both are road graders and the line improves with La'el Collins coming in at gaurd and Josh D. being granted his 6th year of eligibility.
A&M Matthews and Joeckel are monsters and they anchor the line. Quality is there, just not depth.
Dline
LSU Should be no debate. Mingo/Montgomery are hands down the best DE combo and Logan is a potential 1st rounder while the other DT might have the highest ceiling of all. This will be the best Dline LSU has ever seen.
USCe Clowney was a mega prospect and showed why in limited time. Him and Devin Taylor will combine to wreck havoc.
Texas Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor are animals and I'm sure there are some other 5 stars I'm not mentioning that will be outstanding.
Secondary
LSU Once again there should be no argument. The nations reigning best defensive player (Tyrann Mathieu) and the country's best safety (Eric Reid) solidify the unit and Loston has a ton of potential while Simon is a 6'3" shutdown corner.
Alabama Going off sheer talent. Demarcus Milliner should be a 1st rounder.
Florida State Incredible amount of athletes with Xavier Rhodes being the man of the unit.
LBer's
Alabama Moseley is a stud and the fact that Saban really likes Adrian Hubbard and Xzavier Dickson means they'll both end up being monsters.
UGA All I really should have to mention is Jarvis Jones. Absolute 'dawg' off the edge and I look for Ray Drew to break out this year.
Notre Dame Because of Manti Te'o. Easily the best ILB in '12.
Thoughts?
17
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:31 am to Tigah32
Special Teams:
Auburn
Auburn
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:38 am to Tigah32
FSU should be up there for DL.
Clemson's WR are better than West Virginia's IMO
Wisconsin has to be up there for OL
Clemson's WR are better than West Virginia's IMO
Wisconsin has to be up there for OL
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:40 am to CrazyCadillac
I think Oklahoma could be an honorable mention for the WR spot. lot of 5* guys there. And even though we lost adams and wright i think we have an outside shot at WR as long as the system doesnt change with paul petrino...having wilson helps
List looks great though imo
List looks great though imo
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:43 am to Tigah32
I think UTenn has some incredible potential at WR but several if's. Don't forget they have Patterson (from JUCO).
May also want to add ST's to the list as suggested by the Auburn poster. He should probably state his case for why he thinks they belong on the list. In the meantime, I think ours does (Wing, TM7, et al).
May also want to add ST's to the list as suggested by the Auburn poster. He should probably state his case for why he thinks they belong on the list. In the meantime, I think ours does (Wing, TM7, et al).
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:45 am to AlwysATgr
quote:
May also want to add ST's to the list as suggested by the Auburn poster. He should probably state his case for why he thinks they belong on the list. In the meantime, I think ours does (Wing, TM7, et al).
Clark was a Ray Guy Finalist, Parkey was 2nd in the nation in touchbacks, and Mason/McCalebb are as solid a KR duo as there is
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:46 am to Tigah32
quote:
UGA All I really should have to mention is Jarvis Jones. Absolute 'dawg' off the edge and I look for Ray Drew to break out this year.
RD is a Defensive end now.
You are also forgetting about Alec Ogletree, Christian Robinson, Amarlo Herrera and Mike Gilliard. Also have Jordan Jenkins, and Josh Harvey Clemons coming in as freshman
Maybe a homer but, I UGA should be #1 in this category
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:47 am to gohogs141
quote:
List looks great though imo
+1 - good work in the OP
Posted on 5/20/12 at 12:57 am to AlwysATgr
It might sound silly but it seems like the SEC is loaded at punter this year. Im no punter guru, but they could have 4 or 5 of the top punters in the country this year
Posted on 5/20/12 at 1:08 am to dawgfan1979
quote:No offense but no I wasn't. Were talking about the country not the SEC east.
You are also forgetting about Alec Ogletree, Christian Robinson, Amarlo Herrera and Mike Gilliard.
quote:C'mon man really?
Also have Jordan Jenkins, and Josh Harvey Clemons coming in as freshman
quote:Guess which part of this statement is correct.
Maybe a homer but, I UGA should be #1 in this category
Also thanks fellas. Actually put some thought into this one.
Posted on 5/20/12 at 1:14 am to AMM AU9893
quote:Based upon? Brandon Jenkins is good but Jeffcoat is better and Okafor is better than anyone else on FSU's line.
FSU should be up there for DL.
quote:That's basically saying Sammy Watkins over WVU's wide receivers. That's not too far fetched as Watkins is the favorite to take home the Biletnikoff.
Clemson's WR are better than West Virginia's IMO
quote:Once again based upon? LSU/Bama are clearly better and A&M likely has 2 1st round tackles.
Wisconsin has to be up there for OL
Posted on 5/20/12 at 1:23 am to Tigah32
quote:Bjoern Werner isn;t a slouch by any means, and they return all contributors I believe. They've also recruited better than anyone the last couple years when it comes to DL.
Based upon? Brandon Jenkins is good but Jeffcoat is better and Okafor is better than anyone else on FSU's line.
quote:Umm Clemson has other guys too
That's basically saying Sammy Watkins over WVU's wide receivers. That's not too far fetched as Watkins is the favorite to take home the Biletnikoff.
DeAndre Hopkins- 72 rec, 978 yards, 5 TDs
Jaron Brown- 31 rec, 406 yards, 4 TDs
quote:I was basing this off of the fact that Wisconsin always has a bunch of huge maulers and are always successful on the OL. I have no idea who they actually have
Once again based upon? LSU/Bama are clearly better and A&M likely has 2 1st round tackles.
This post was edited on 5/20/12 at 1:25 am
Posted on 5/20/12 at 1:33 am to AMM AU9893
The SEC is stacked. Good to be the king
Posted on 5/20/12 at 2:02 am to LSUNV
Solid list OP. There should be zereaux debate about the DLine.
Posted on 5/20/12 at 8:04 am to TheNotoriousGOP
quote:
Solid list OP. There should be zereaux debate about the DLine.
Well, let me start one then.
Clowney/Taylor are a better defensive end combo than Montgomery/Wingo -- which matters because the end combo was the primary reason given by the OP for ranking LSU first. If that's how you look at it, then USC has the number one unit.
That being said, I would still give LSU a slight edge because of the tackles. Kelsey Quarles will be every bit as good as Logan, but LSU has a definite edge on the second DT. USC has solid players at that position, but no superstarts.
Still a solid list by the OP and I admit I'm splitting hairs on the D-line ranking.
Posted on 5/20/12 at 8:30 am to Tigah32
Our offensive line could go down as the best ever in our program's history. I might not give it the nod over Bama's, but it is better than the swamp kittens. "Depth" at oline isn't going to be an issue, we have Ced-O to slide in at tackle if Joeckel/Matthews goes down, and he's first round talent as well, just a year younger.
Posted on 5/20/12 at 8:40 am to Tigah32
quote:
A&M Matthews and Joeckel are monsters and they anchor the line. Quality is there, just not depth.
Everyone forgets about Patrick Lewis (starting C, has started every game since he was a freshman). The depth isn't that bad, just unproven.
Posted on 5/20/12 at 9:16 am to Tigah32
I do not get the Wisconsin backfield, the transfer from Maryland was benched last year. He is no Russell Wilson
Wisconsin does however return two All American caliber linebackers as does Stanford also.Not sure how one linebacker at Notre Dame a pre-season second team All American would make them a top 'unit' if that was the case why not UGA with the nation's best linebacker in Jarvis Jones ?
Wisconsin does however return two All American caliber linebackers as does Stanford also.Not sure how one linebacker at Notre Dame a pre-season second team All American would make them a top 'unit' if that was the case why not UGA with the nation's best linebacker in Jarvis Jones ?
This post was edited on 5/20/12 at 9:26 am
Posted on 5/20/12 at 9:26 am to KillianRussell
As already stated A&M's OL is stacked. 2 future first round tackles and the rest of the line with be in the NFL too.
I'll also give A&M's backfield honorable mention. We return Christine Michael (899 yards, 8 TDs, in only 9 games last year while splitting time with Cyrus Gray), Brandon Williams (5 star transfer trying to get eligible this year), Trey Williams (5 star freshman), and Ben Malena (259 yards, 4 TDs in only 2 stars due to injuries and limited mop up duty). All are threats to catch passes out of the backfield and they get to run behind a stacked OL.
I'll also give A&M's backfield honorable mention. We return Christine Michael (899 yards, 8 TDs, in only 9 games last year while splitting time with Cyrus Gray), Brandon Williams (5 star transfer trying to get eligible this year), Trey Williams (5 star freshman), and Ben Malena (259 yards, 4 TDs in only 2 stars due to injuries and limited mop up duty). All are threats to catch passes out of the backfield and they get to run behind a stacked OL.
Posted on 5/20/12 at 9:28 am to Farmer1906
Didn't Wisconsin's all american guard and center (1st & 2nd team) bounce to the NFL ?
ETA Ohio State's problems last year were not D they return both an end and a tackle listed on Phil Steele's pre season all american team
-- DEFENSE --
list reads left to right,first name on left being 1st, last 4th team
DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida St Sam Montgomery, LSU William Gholston, Michigan St Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
DT Star Lotulelei, Utah Jesse Williams, Alabama Kawann Short, Purdue Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio St John Jenkins, Georgia Sharrif Floyd, Florida Joe Vellano, Maryland
DE Alex Okafor, Texas John Simon, Ohio St Corey Lemonier, Auburn Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
ETA Ohio State's problems last year were not D they return both an end and a tackle listed on Phil Steele's pre season all american team
-- DEFENSE --
list reads left to right,first name on left being 1st, last 4th team
DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida St Sam Montgomery, LSU William Gholston, Michigan St Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
DT Star Lotulelei, Utah Jesse Williams, Alabama Kawann Short, Purdue Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio St John Jenkins, Georgia Sharrif Floyd, Florida Joe Vellano, Maryland
DE Alex Okafor, Texas John Simon, Ohio St Corey Lemonier, Auburn Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
This post was edited on 5/20/12 at 9:45 am
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