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Fall Camp 2026
Posted on 7/12/26 at 9:40 pm
Posted on 7/12/26 at 9:40 pm
I think we are 13ish days away from the start of camp. I know it has been moved up 3 days to account for the Thursday night opening and camp usually starts a week or so after SEC media days...so lets go.
QB- If Simmons plays to his ceiling, the offense is going to be potent. If his command of the middle if the field isnt better than he showed last year, the games vs aTm, Texas, Georgia, and OU are going to be ugly.
RB- I'm excited to see what Roberts does with primary reps. Lindsey has historically used the backs quite a bit in the pass game and Jamal can stress defense working to the flat. If Hardy makes it back it only makes the team better, but I think Roberts will take advantage of his opportunity.
WR- This could end up being a sneaky deep position group. The #1s are obvious. Terry and Montgomery are my picks to stand out as secondary options in the slot and field WR positions.
TE- What version of Norfleet do we get this year? He is another guy that needs to play at his ceiling. Hopefully James can push past Harris as the #2 guy. Being able to go 12 personnel with two viable receiving options is a must.
Oline- I hope Atkins is ahead of schedule. Reichart is a massive human being but his feet have kept him from getting reps. He is in year four so it is make or break. This is the heaviest interior oline since Pendleton, Castillo, and Wallace. With Green anchoring LT this should be a good line provided Jones can get his RT coached up.
DE- This is another sneaky deep room IMO. Smith is going to be a problem at the Joker. Kitchen is listed as the Field DE starter but I dont think he is dynamic enough rushing the passer to keep the job. I have been bullish on Hopkins and I think he will force his way onto the field. Some combo of Kitchen, Morgan and Bryant will make up the rest of the rotation.
DT- Biggest question mark on the defense. Gracial and Marshall have the size to be two gap players and have to be ready for primary reps which means rushing the passer. Simpson, Dowell, and Williams are all unknowns.
LB- strongest position group on defense. Rodriguez and Woodyard are arguably the best pair in the league.
Safety- Lots of potential, but when Yaro puts an assignment sound unit on the field it will be his first.
CB- Al Pogues CBs allowed less than 50% of of the throws at them to be completed last year and had 15 PBUs. He has some leash IMO. It may take them a couple of games to get going but he has put a pretty consistent group on the field.
QB- If Simmons plays to his ceiling, the offense is going to be potent. If his command of the middle if the field isnt better than he showed last year, the games vs aTm, Texas, Georgia, and OU are going to be ugly.
RB- I'm excited to see what Roberts does with primary reps. Lindsey has historically used the backs quite a bit in the pass game and Jamal can stress defense working to the flat. If Hardy makes it back it only makes the team better, but I think Roberts will take advantage of his opportunity.
WR- This could end up being a sneaky deep position group. The #1s are obvious. Terry and Montgomery are my picks to stand out as secondary options in the slot and field WR positions.
TE- What version of Norfleet do we get this year? He is another guy that needs to play at his ceiling. Hopefully James can push past Harris as the #2 guy. Being able to go 12 personnel with two viable receiving options is a must.
Oline- I hope Atkins is ahead of schedule. Reichart is a massive human being but his feet have kept him from getting reps. He is in year four so it is make or break. This is the heaviest interior oline since Pendleton, Castillo, and Wallace. With Green anchoring LT this should be a good line provided Jones can get his RT coached up.
DE- This is another sneaky deep room IMO. Smith is going to be a problem at the Joker. Kitchen is listed as the Field DE starter but I dont think he is dynamic enough rushing the passer to keep the job. I have been bullish on Hopkins and I think he will force his way onto the field. Some combo of Kitchen, Morgan and Bryant will make up the rest of the rotation.
DT- Biggest question mark on the defense. Gracial and Marshall have the size to be two gap players and have to be ready for primary reps which means rushing the passer. Simpson, Dowell, and Williams are all unknowns.
LB- strongest position group on defense. Rodriguez and Woodyard are arguably the best pair in the league.
Safety- Lots of potential, but when Yaro puts an assignment sound unit on the field it will be his first.
CB- Al Pogues CBs allowed less than 50% of of the throws at them to be completed last year and had 15 PBUs. He has some leash IMO. It may take them a couple of games to get going but he has put a pretty consistent group on the field.
This post was edited on 7/12/26 at 10:51 pm
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Posted on 7/12/26 at 10:47 pm to navynuke
Appreciate this breakdown. Let’s hope that Simmons sling the rock!
Posted on 7/13/26 at 9:14 am to navynuke
I'm excited for the season but since I have no idea who the players are anymore these days I just can't get excited for camps and position competitions.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 9:50 am to navynuke
As always, thanks for the knowledge Nuke.
I agree about Hopkins and the LBs.
If this offensive line can gel, the offense will surprise some teams.
I agree about Hopkins and the LBs.
If this offensive line can gel, the offense will surprise some teams.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 9:51 am to navynuke
Gonna be an interesting year. Feels like this team has a higher ceiling and lower floor than the last few teams.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 10:28 am to navynuke
QB-Simmons/Lindsey/Riley triumvirate should be an upgrade to the pass game production from last year, but can they also hold the turnovers down? We shall see.
RB-Roberts gets his shot...alright, bad word choice. Anyway, I think Roberts shines and Hardy could be on track to play at some point this season and if so would be one hell of a closer to bring out of the bullpen against the meat of the schedule. Regardless, I think Roberts' three backups all have different qualities that will give Luper options off of the bench.
WR-The addition of Lee was crucial in helping get Simmons comfortable as quickly as possible, but Olugbede is the undisputed top guy by the midway point of the season. Lots of other exciting players in this room. Fowlkes gets slept on.
TE-Limitting Norfleets snaps might help keep him out of the training room. Don't know enough about Lindsey's offense to know how often he uses multi-TE sets. James would be an interesting H-back, if he utilizes that type of look.
OL-The IOL has experience, depth and size. LT is in very good hands with Green. RT could be an issue if no one steps up early on, but Atkins should return by the time SEC play starts.
DE-This group is deep. Smith and Kitchen will likely start early on, but Morgan, Jones, Hopkins and Bryant should all get good looks as well
DT-Gracial has everything it takes to be a big time disrupter. Marshall has the size but not sure how often he will be in the other team's backfield. Look for Henley to play a lot early on, and for Dowell to play a lot late in the year, but overall if this group just maintains their gaps upfront they will allow for the next group to shine.
LB-I'm convinced that Rodriguez changed his # to 5 since he and Woodyard(#0) would be patrolling the middle of the field. We're deep here. I would expect a lot of good play and leadership from this group.
Safety-Like I said about Gracial, Banner has everything it takes to be a stud in this league. Lots of interesting pieces here. I'm hoping a fresh set of faces fixes some problems. We all are.
CB-I don't know if we'll be better than last year, but we'll be bigger. Have we ever had a 6'4" corner? I don't think we have a lock down type, but we look pretty solid 4-5 deep.
RB-Roberts gets his shot...alright, bad word choice. Anyway, I think Roberts shines and Hardy could be on track to play at some point this season and if so would be one hell of a closer to bring out of the bullpen against the meat of the schedule. Regardless, I think Roberts' three backups all have different qualities that will give Luper options off of the bench.
WR-The addition of Lee was crucial in helping get Simmons comfortable as quickly as possible, but Olugbede is the undisputed top guy by the midway point of the season. Lots of other exciting players in this room. Fowlkes gets slept on.
TE-Limitting Norfleets snaps might help keep him out of the training room. Don't know enough about Lindsey's offense to know how often he uses multi-TE sets. James would be an interesting H-back, if he utilizes that type of look.
OL-The IOL has experience, depth and size. LT is in very good hands with Green. RT could be an issue if no one steps up early on, but Atkins should return by the time SEC play starts.
DE-This group is deep. Smith and Kitchen will likely start early on, but Morgan, Jones, Hopkins and Bryant should all get good looks as well
DT-Gracial has everything it takes to be a big time disrupter. Marshall has the size but not sure how often he will be in the other team's backfield. Look for Henley to play a lot early on, and for Dowell to play a lot late in the year, but overall if this group just maintains their gaps upfront they will allow for the next group to shine.
LB-I'm convinced that Rodriguez changed his # to 5 since he and Woodyard(#0) would be patrolling the middle of the field. We're deep here. I would expect a lot of good play and leadership from this group.
Safety-Like I said about Gracial, Banner has everything it takes to be a stud in this league. Lots of interesting pieces here. I'm hoping a fresh set of faces fixes some problems. We all are.
CB-I don't know if we'll be better than last year, but we'll be bigger. Have we ever had a 6'4" corner? I don't think we have a lock down type, but we look pretty solid 4-5 deep.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 12:39 pm to mizslu314
quote:
Gonna be an interesting year. Feels like this team has a higher ceiling and lower floor than the last few teams.
The unknown is off the charts this year.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 2:19 pm to mizslu314
quote:
higher ceiling and lower floor
The offense has all the skill talent it needs, even more so if Hardy returns. Simmons and his blind side blocker will make or break that side of the ball.
The defense will go as far as the tackles can take it. They have to keep the LBs clean vs the run and move the QB off his spot on passing downs. The safety play the last two years was average and the defense overall was fine because of the front 7. Harbin and Blackwell will earn their checks this year.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 7:37 pm to navynuke
I am trying to understand why the so called experts are picking Missouri to go 6-6? Is there something that is missing for the team to ends up with a lower record than last year? Why are too many experts and SEC fans saying Mizzou will ends up unranked at the end of the season once again? Even I am saying this. Is Drinkwitz an overrated HC? I hate to see that might be the case.
Posted on 7/13/26 at 8:01 pm to TrueLefty
Questions at QB and on both lines means a lot to Vegas.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 9:23 am to TrueLefty
quote:
I am trying to understand why the so called experts are picking Missouri to go 6-6? Is there something that is missing for the team to ends up with a lower record than last year? Why are too many experts and SEC fans saying Mizzou will ends up unranked at the end of the season once again? Even I am saying this. Is Drinkwitz an overrated HC? I hate to see that might be the case.
We had manageable schedules the last 2 years and blew it. Standard procedure to assume a harder schedule will mean more losses.
Posted on 7/14/26 at 12:01 pm to Faurot fodder
quote:Fowlkes definitely has after the catch ability. The question is can he take on the outside run force and win blocking his position. Those are the blocks that turn 4 yard runs into 20 yard runs. Taking on a SEC slot corner or Safety isnt easy when you have the reach of someone that is 5'9 (that's being generous imo).
Fowlkes gets slept on.
This is the longest Secondary unit I can think of. Greco is the shortest at 5'11". Might see more man looks this season.
This post was edited on 7/14/26 at 12:02 pm
Posted on 7/15/26 at 8:01 am to navynuke
quote:
Safety- Lots of potential, but when Yaro puts an assignment sound unit on the field it will be his first.
Posted on 7/16/26 at 12:05 am to notsince98
quote:
We had manageable schedules the last 2 years and blew it. Standard procedure to assume a harder schedule will mean more losses.
Drinkwitz had chances over the years to prove he can win some big SEC games and is blowing it big time right now.
This post was edited on 7/17/26 at 1:03 am
Posted on 7/16/26 at 8:41 am to TrueLefty
quote:
Drinkwitz had his chances and is now blowing it big time right now.
Now, now, now lefty
Posted on 7/20/26 at 8:18 am to navynuke
Atkins is going to miss more time than originally hoped. RT is the most important position battle on offense. Fortunately Early has the DE depth to challenge them and have them ready for the season.
Posted on 7/20/26 at 8:50 am to navynuke
With the possibility of some recently graduated, undrafted players winning a lawsuit to get their 5th year do you think Drink kicks the tires on another OL out there?
Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:23 am to Faurot fodder
I doubt it. Jones has 4 guys to make into a serviceable tackle.
Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:42 am to navynuke
Hardy has been cleared to begin recovery to play. The bone that was hit has completely healed and he will be evaluated to return to play in 5-8 weeks.
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If tweet fails to load, click here. Posted on 7/20/26 at 2:47 pm to navynuke
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If tweet fails to load, click here. This is impressive. He had a pretty lean build and adding 25 lbs will go a long way towards setting the edge early and winning in the pass rush late.
This post was edited on 8/23/26 at 6:36 pm
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