re: Roster as of 1/12 @ 10pm

OL

High school and Juco OL are Clay Wedin, Bradyn Joiner, Izavion Miller, Conner Lew, and Tyler Johnson

Izavion Miller come from the Juco ranks and has 3 years to play 2 (not sure the covid rules for Juco it could be 3 to play 3). Miller comes in as the number 4 Juco OT and before we landed some portal players was going to be expected to start. He still has the opportunity to compete for a starting spot. Since bringing in portal players the expectation is that Miller will be a 2nd string RT to start practice. I haven’t seen much film of Miller to break down his play because Juco can be such a wide range of talent to judge. He is a much needed tackle for layered depth. He should and could be a multi year starter.

Tyler Johnson is a high school player coming in as a low rated OT for a SEC program. The thing about Tyler is his upside is very high but his floor is very low. Tyler has a great frame to build on the next couple of years. By his redshirt sophomore or Junior season he has the potential to be a starting LT. He has to change his body, get bigger, stronger, and fundamentally sound. He has the time depends on what Johnson demands of himself the first couple years. Is he just gonna say well I’m probably it playing this year and take a back seat or is he gonna go in and challenge the best DL guys in practice every rep no matter if they kick his tail. Time will tell. There is no need to look to far into film he’s a project player that at this time has the measurables, has good athleticism, and frame to be a future NFL player. This player will be molded by this coaching staff and how much Tyler Johnson wants yo be the man.

Connor Lew is one of the if not the top Centers in the country coming out of high school. Before the portal addition of Avery Jones some speculation was floating if Lew could compete for the starting spot. I don’t expect that need but Lew needs to come in ready to go. He still needs some size on his frame and will benefit from a year in the weight room. Lew is and Joiner below are both really good Centers for high school prospects. I have Lew rated higher as a center personally but if the position were left guard I’d have Joiner rated higher. Fundamentally sounds and has an aggressive mindset. Joiner is very similar as well. These 2 will be tied at the hip much of their careers. I expect Lew to be the number 2 center coming out of fall practices but if an injury were to happen early in the season I don’t expect Lew to be the starter. They will swap some players around I would guess. I expect Lew to be a multi year starter at center.

Bradyn Joiner much like Lew comes in a highly rated center. A position of great need for the 2023 season and going forward. It’s very difficult to find 4 star centers. Joiner is one of very few and has a lot to do with his lower body strength and ability to move to guard as well even though on the shorter side for an OL he plays with good leverage and has great lower body strength. That’s a great foundation for any potential offensive lineman. Joiner is also aggressive as mentioned with Lew. Good traits for younger linemen. I expect Joiner to run 3rd string center this season coming out of fall practices but to cross train going into next spring at guard. Bradyn has the potential to be a starter in the future. At worst he’s a very good backup in the future.

Clay Wedin comes in as our highest rated OL recruit this year. He was flip from Michigan state. He had an impressive offer list as well. Wedin is the Swiss Army knife of this OL class. He can probably play every position on the OL except center. Wedin as with the other freshman linemen need a year in the weight room for their bodies to mature. I expect Wedin to start out practicing at RT but could be moved anywhere there is a need. Eventually I expect Wedin to be a guard but always better to start outside then work from tackle to guard then the other way around. Wedin has a very good frame and could be a mailer in the run game at RT or RG. My expectations for Clay is to be a 2-3 year starter at guard and early I. His career a rotation in practice drills at tackle and scout teams.

The OL class for this signing period was very exciting just to get some real numbers for the first time since 2017. I do expect more talented OL classes in the near future but for a 1st year class thrown together in just a short period of time this is a very good building block for the future.