Spring Roster and Practices

With the first practice a week away, moving on to position battles. I expect we'll see a lot of movement as players step forward throughout spring. I'll try to update this thread if I hear anything specific and hopefully others will do the same.

QB - clearly JFF is the guy but the backup job will be interesting. McKinney had no feint praise for Matt Davis which surprised me a bit. His problem has been consistency and accuracy as he has the talent. I think it's rather important to the future of the program that Davis step up and clearly claim the #2 role.

RB - with Trey Williams out til summer, Brandon Williams and Tra Carson should a lot more snaps. It seems safe to assume Malena will not lose his job because he's such a hard worker but how each back fits in is going to be interesting.

WR - here's where we really get to it. With only 7 scholarship WRs on campus, all 7 should get a ton of time to prove themselves. My guess is all 7 will start in the 2-deep rotation come fall just because it does take some time to work into the rotation and not make major mistakes. TJ was the most polished HS receiver in the 2012 class and he was just starting to click when he lost his way last year. It's hard to expect much more from the incoming freshman so we're going to need these 7 to be major contributors at least through the early part of the season. Evans and Kennedy will almost certainly start and the other two spots will probably start off as Walker vs Pope and Holmes vs Williams. There will probably be a bit of mix and match in there depending on who is coming on though.

TE - Hicks is a returning starter but Clear is more talented. I do think we're going to see some Big Bone type packages with both in the game and if the other team lines up in a dime we slide them both in the backfield and run it down their throats. But to have this sort of option, both of these guys need to stay healthy and focused.

OL - Matthews moves to LT, Ogbuehi to RT to start. And Harrison returns at LG while Mike Matthews has been handed the C job. The initial battle at RG is likely between Ifedi and Compton. However, if Cheek plays well you could see a shift of Ced back inside. Others like Gutekunst, Stuckey, Tipoti, and Klinke are question marks but any could force their way into the conversation. The good thing is this is going to be an experienced and talented group no matter who wins the jobs as the line starts off with 3 returning 3rd year starters.

DE - this is going to be interesting without the one clearcut starter in Obioha participating. It should let the coaches really see what they have. Stansbury has been solid depth but as a JR it's time for him to claim a spot if he's going to ever do so. Brandon Alexander will probably be the most watched player at any position as he looks to replace Moore. Honestly, I was told we are strongly considering moving Obioha to WDE but it will likely depend on which of these two performs better in Spring. The Taylors will provide an elite edge rush, especially useful on passing downs. I'm not sure either is thick enough to be an every down lineman though. I put Points at DE for now because if he contributes this year, that will probably be where. Long term he probably grows into a 3-tech DT. I think we will probably also give Zo Williams and Polo a look at SDE.

DT - Ennis is a problem. We really don't have a true NT in the bunch outside of him as the other 3 are all better off as the DT (3-tech). I'm not sure who is going to play the nose if Ennis is out for spring (or longer) but clearly Golden is going to need to come in and contribute early. Maybe we'll see Points or someone else here for the spring as bodies are rather limited.

LB - Probably we'll see a starting first team of SLB Sanders, MLB Baggs, and WLB Jenkins. It's good to have the EEs here for spring though just for bodies. With Patterson and Richardson still recovering from injury and Richmond suspended (for how long?), it would only leave 6 scholarship LBers. So I expect a 2nd team of SLB Hilliard, MLB Chevis, and WLB Wade. There's no doubt the young LBers are going to have to make their presence felt next season so hopefully the spring reps will help Wade and Chevis do so. I don't think we are going to be lucky enough to get by playing just 4 LBers again this year.

CB - Everett and Harris are certainly going to start. We really need Jacobs to show more so that we can move Raven to safety permanently. Sezer is starting off here but he has no experience so I wouldn't expect him to contribute early outside of special teams. Honestly we really need both Garner and Ellis to come in ready to play as we are going to need more than 3 CBs.

S - lot of bodies but not a lot of production to this point from this group. Howard Matthews looks on the verge of stardom at least. Hurd is a smart hard working kid who is a great nickel. Honeycutt was getting playing time at the end but I just don't think he has enough range to be a real option. We flat out need Ken Marshall to come claim that other spot. I've heard he's recovered nicely and hasn't lost any speed. This is his 2nd spring so he's got some experience. If he doesn't, I expect the coaches to give Raven a long look here. While all 3 of the incoming safeties are interesting prospects, I'm not sure we want to head into fall depending on one to be ready to start.