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Thoughts on the Season and Next Year (Long)
Posted on 10/7/26 at 1:55 pm
Posted on 10/7/26 at 1:55 pm
Next year:
QB: Russell/Thomalia/ Elijah Haven (kid is so special)
RB: T Brown/ Crowell (best duo in the country next year)
WR: Brooks/C Morgan/ N Rogers/ Rico/ Meadows/ Gales
LT: Loyd
LG: Sanders
C: Delgatti
RG: M Carroll
RT: J James
(Could possibly return all 5)
TE: Edwards/Pritchett/Ford/Sutter/etc
(Best TE room you will find)
You can see why CKD has brought in so many quality TE’s. He inherited basically none in 2024, and the offense has been HIGHLY successful out of 12 personnel and also flexing Kaleb Edwards out in 11 personnel.
The TE’s have clearly been a major factor in the improvement we have seen in the run game and are a big part of the passing game as well.
The same was true at UW (Cuevas was their #3 at TE)
Grubb can still be frustrating at times, but man is it nice to see a toss/sweep out of the “I” with multiple TE’s on the field inside the 10yd line.
Personnel-wise for next season on the Offensive side of the ball is as good as it gets imo.
Defense next year:
Losses:
- D Thompkins
- Y Pierre
- Caleb Woodson
- Z Brown
- Sabb
- Hubbard
- Dline is very deep. I look for them to add another 5-tech who can slide inside the way Thompkins can from the Portal. If not, then I look for Edrik Hill (who is good as a 4/4i), and there are several capable 5-techs on the current roster, so replacing Thompkins “by committee” is a good option to have bc Thompkins’ versatility is special.
C Woodson:
- will be replaced by X Griffin imo. Woodson has been tremendous, but Griffin is a legitimate 1st team All SEC and future 1st Round talent imo. He is a faster/more physical version of Jihad Cambell.
He can also put his hand down and rush the passer, as he has already shown as a TF.
- Y Pierre is the biggest loss defensively imo.
He’s one of the best Edge rushers in all of CFB.
I think Justin Hill will be ready to take that next step along with X Griffin being able to rush the passer in obvious passing situations. Several other players are getting opportunities with Hill and Zulu currently out (K Henry #14 has flashed the most imo).
I’m sure the Staff will add a transfer here too.
It seems like “Edge” defenders and CB are the two positions you need to get very talented players out of HS, bc they are hard to find and there just aren’t many in the Portal who are difference-makers, and the 2-3 who are cost a fortune.
- Z Brown:
Chuck McDonald has looked really good so far, and is getting more snaps each week.
Also, the Staff is very high on Jordan Edmonds (5-star TF CB) who has been sidelined with injury thus far, but will certainly factor into the competition with McDonald and others to replace Brown.
- Sabb and Hubbard:
I LOVE Brey (who doesn’t?) and his versatility is so valuable in CKW’s scheme.
However, I believe the combination of Ivan Taylor and Jireh Edwards will be an upgrade as a DUO just bc of the freakish talent they both possess.
Honestly, I wish Ivan Taylor started over Sabb now, and it’s pretty apparent at this point that Jireh Edwards has as much upside as any Safety during the CNS era imo.
As long as CKW doesn’t leave (I don’t see that happening), I think the defense will be extremely stout against the run again next year now that he has the size up-front that was lacking the past two seasons.
I like this years defense more than most….they have a shot at finishing top 10 in Total D (only giving up 312ypg so far and 297ypg put them 10th Nationally last year).
Stopping the run and pressuring the QB will almost always result in turnovers, along with getting the Bama Offense several possessions.
The more possessions there are in the game favors Bama heavily imo.
The defense has certainly done that so far: 7th most takeaways and lead the nation with 4 defensive scores, and only allowing 72ypg on the ground,
Getting beat deep 1-on-1 on balls thrown down the field on occasion is NOT going to get Bama beat.
Holding teams between 17-24 is their M.O. Providing the Bama Offense with 12+ possessions is the key (along with forcing takeaways and/or setting up a couple short fields each week).
When you are defending 12-16 possessions a game (bc Bama is so explosive offensively), then the opponent is going to hit a play here and there just based off the sheer number of plays and the fact that every SEC opponent has playmakers.
Preventing 13 play 7:30 drives is the key for this team defensively, and so far they have done a fantastic job preventing opponents from doing that.
THAT is the way to beat Bama imo (keep KR and the Offense on the sideline by sustaining time-consuming drives).
So far the defense has not allowed that to happen.
The run defense is very stout and teams are getting “off-schedule” and becoming one-dimensional. Bama’s offense also puts pressure on the opposing offense to be more aggressive.
I do believe Coach Linquist will get the Secondary back on track (specifically the CB spot opposite Z Brown) very soon.
They have finished top10/top5 Nationally in Pass Defense in each of the past two seasons, and this year it’s the Run defense that is ranked near the top.
If they can just cutdown on losing on some of those 1-on-1 matchups when ball is thrown vertically down the field, then that would take a TD off the board each week at minimum….#5 will improve, and C McDonald is presssing him for more PT.
Next year’s offense will be even better bc of the experience factor imo.
The defense will certainly miss Thompkins, Woodson, Pierre, Hubbard and Z Brown, but there is a LOT of talent behind them, and that is without factoring in a single transfer addition yet.
The Staff has done a tremendous job evaluating talent at both the HS level and with transfers.
It’s unbelievable how many “3-star” recruits that have turned out to be very good players.
Also, their Transfer class was rated 10th/16 in the SEC, and yet every single one of them has been a major upgrade.
I love the fact that CKD believes in building the core of the team/roster around HS recruits, and then fills in the holes with transfers as needed, as opposed to having 12-15 new starters every single season out of the Portal.
Bama is back to being perceived as a Title contender again, and last year’s team was still able to make it to Atlanta and advance in the Playoffs.
It’s very apparent CKD needed HIS players, and in year 3, he clearly has them.
I would argue that EVERY position group on the both sides of the ball is drastically improved over what he inherited in 2024.
The 2024 roster that CKD inherited had so many flaws that it would take a post as long as this one to list them all.
The present and the future is VERY BRIGHT!
Enjoy the ride! RTR
QB: Russell/Thomalia/ Elijah Haven (kid is so special)
RB: T Brown/ Crowell (best duo in the country next year)
WR: Brooks/C Morgan/ N Rogers/ Rico/ Meadows/ Gales
LT: Loyd
LG: Sanders
C: Delgatti
RG: M Carroll
RT: J James
(Could possibly return all 5)
TE: Edwards/Pritchett/Ford/Sutter/etc
(Best TE room you will find)
You can see why CKD has brought in so many quality TE’s. He inherited basically none in 2024, and the offense has been HIGHLY successful out of 12 personnel and also flexing Kaleb Edwards out in 11 personnel.
The TE’s have clearly been a major factor in the improvement we have seen in the run game and are a big part of the passing game as well.
The same was true at UW (Cuevas was their #3 at TE)
Grubb can still be frustrating at times, but man is it nice to see a toss/sweep out of the “I” with multiple TE’s on the field inside the 10yd line.
Personnel-wise for next season on the Offensive side of the ball is as good as it gets imo.
Defense next year:
Losses:
- D Thompkins
- Y Pierre
- Caleb Woodson
- Z Brown
- Sabb
- Hubbard
- Dline is very deep. I look for them to add another 5-tech who can slide inside the way Thompkins can from the Portal. If not, then I look for Edrik Hill (who is good as a 4/4i), and there are several capable 5-techs on the current roster, so replacing Thompkins “by committee” is a good option to have bc Thompkins’ versatility is special.
C Woodson:
- will be replaced by X Griffin imo. Woodson has been tremendous, but Griffin is a legitimate 1st team All SEC and future 1st Round talent imo. He is a faster/more physical version of Jihad Cambell.
He can also put his hand down and rush the passer, as he has already shown as a TF.
- Y Pierre is the biggest loss defensively imo.
He’s one of the best Edge rushers in all of CFB.
I think Justin Hill will be ready to take that next step along with X Griffin being able to rush the passer in obvious passing situations. Several other players are getting opportunities with Hill and Zulu currently out (K Henry #14 has flashed the most imo).
I’m sure the Staff will add a transfer here too.
It seems like “Edge” defenders and CB are the two positions you need to get very talented players out of HS, bc they are hard to find and there just aren’t many in the Portal who are difference-makers, and the 2-3 who are cost a fortune.
- Z Brown:
Chuck McDonald has looked really good so far, and is getting more snaps each week.
Also, the Staff is very high on Jordan Edmonds (5-star TF CB) who has been sidelined with injury thus far, but will certainly factor into the competition with McDonald and others to replace Brown.
- Sabb and Hubbard:
I LOVE Brey (who doesn’t?) and his versatility is so valuable in CKW’s scheme.
However, I believe the combination of Ivan Taylor and Jireh Edwards will be an upgrade as a DUO just bc of the freakish talent they both possess.
Honestly, I wish Ivan Taylor started over Sabb now, and it’s pretty apparent at this point that Jireh Edwards has as much upside as any Safety during the CNS era imo.
As long as CKW doesn’t leave (I don’t see that happening), I think the defense will be extremely stout against the run again next year now that he has the size up-front that was lacking the past two seasons.
I like this years defense more than most….they have a shot at finishing top 10 in Total D (only giving up 312ypg so far and 297ypg put them 10th Nationally last year).
Stopping the run and pressuring the QB will almost always result in turnovers, along with getting the Bama Offense several possessions.
The more possessions there are in the game favors Bama heavily imo.
The defense has certainly done that so far: 7th most takeaways and lead the nation with 4 defensive scores, and only allowing 72ypg on the ground,
Getting beat deep 1-on-1 on balls thrown down the field on occasion is NOT going to get Bama beat.
Holding teams between 17-24 is their M.O. Providing the Bama Offense with 12+ possessions is the key (along with forcing takeaways and/or setting up a couple short fields each week).
When you are defending 12-16 possessions a game (bc Bama is so explosive offensively), then the opponent is going to hit a play here and there just based off the sheer number of plays and the fact that every SEC opponent has playmakers.
Preventing 13 play 7:30 drives is the key for this team defensively, and so far they have done a fantastic job preventing opponents from doing that.
THAT is the way to beat Bama imo (keep KR and the Offense on the sideline by sustaining time-consuming drives).
So far the defense has not allowed that to happen.
The run defense is very stout and teams are getting “off-schedule” and becoming one-dimensional. Bama’s offense also puts pressure on the opposing offense to be more aggressive.
I do believe Coach Linquist will get the Secondary back on track (specifically the CB spot opposite Z Brown) very soon.
They have finished top10/top5 Nationally in Pass Defense in each of the past two seasons, and this year it’s the Run defense that is ranked near the top.
If they can just cutdown on losing on some of those 1-on-1 matchups when ball is thrown vertically down the field, then that would take a TD off the board each week at minimum….#5 will improve, and C McDonald is presssing him for more PT.
Next year’s offense will be even better bc of the experience factor imo.
The defense will certainly miss Thompkins, Woodson, Pierre, Hubbard and Z Brown, but there is a LOT of talent behind them, and that is without factoring in a single transfer addition yet.
The Staff has done a tremendous job evaluating talent at both the HS level and with transfers.
It’s unbelievable how many “3-star” recruits that have turned out to be very good players.
Also, their Transfer class was rated 10th/16 in the SEC, and yet every single one of them has been a major upgrade.
I love the fact that CKD believes in building the core of the team/roster around HS recruits, and then fills in the holes with transfers as needed, as opposed to having 12-15 new starters every single season out of the Portal.
Bama is back to being perceived as a Title contender again, and last year’s team was still able to make it to Atlanta and advance in the Playoffs.
It’s very apparent CKD needed HIS players, and in year 3, he clearly has them.
I would argue that EVERY position group on the both sides of the ball is drastically improved over what he inherited in 2024.
The 2024 roster that CKD inherited had so many flaws that it would take a post as long as this one to list them all.
The present and the future is VERY BRIGHT!
Enjoy the ride! RTR
This post was edited on 10/7/26 at 3:27 pm
Posted on 10/7/26 at 2:15 pm to Cover1Key
Why'd you leave Seaborn off the QB list?
Posted on 10/7/26 at 2:18 pm to Cover1Key
You are right about one thing, that is a long post.
Posted on 10/7/26 at 2:37 pm to FightingOkra
Mistake, on my part,
I certainly think he is a really good player.
However, I do believe that CKD favors mobility at the QB position and the ability to extend plays in the passing game (not just scrambling for yardage).
There is no debate that his offenses with Penix and now KR are about as elite as it gets.
They wouldn’t have offered Seaborn if they didn’t think he could compete for the position, and his tape looks very impressive l.
However, I believe Elijah Haven (got to see him play in-person) is a special talent that fits that same Penix/Russell skill set.
I certainly think he is a really good player.
However, I do believe that CKD favors mobility at the QB position and the ability to extend plays in the passing game (not just scrambling for yardage).
There is no debate that his offenses with Penix and now KR are about as elite as it gets.
They wouldn’t have offered Seaborn if they didn’t think he could compete for the position, and his tape looks very impressive l.
However, I believe Elijah Haven (got to see him play in-person) is a special talent that fits that same Penix/Russell skill set.
This post was edited on 10/7/26 at 2:54 pm
Posted on 10/7/26 at 2:44 pm to Syd
That’s why I prefaced it in the subject heading.
It took me 8-10 minutes to post it…it is a topic I enjoy discussing, and this is an appropriate place to do-so.
Personally, I would just not it if it appears too long/boring to you.
It took me 8-10 minutes to post it…it is a topic I enjoy discussing, and this is an appropriate place to do-so.
Personally, I would just not it if it appears too long/boring to you.
This post was edited on 10/7/26 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 10/7/26 at 3:26 pm to Cover1Key
If the new law passes what will that do to the transfer portal. I have read where you get one free year and then you must sit out a year. That could greatly damper the number of good looking kids going into the porta.
Posted on 10/7/26 at 3:47 pm to Cover1Key
quote:
WR: Brooks/C Morgan/ N Rogers/ Rico/ Meadows/ Gales
One of these will likely transfer, that's just the way it works now- and it's not written in stone that RCW will enter the draft.
Posted on 10/7/26 at 4:52 pm to mrbroker
That's a good thing IMO.
Posted on 10/7/26 at 5:35 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
Don't see Morgan or Rogers leaving.
Posted on 10/7/26 at 5:37 pm to Cover1Key
Ignore the trolls dude.
Posted on 10/7/26 at 5:47 pm to Cover1Key
Fat Henry has been a very nice surprise
Griffin is a fricking beast
Griffin is a fricking beast
This post was edited on 10/7/26 at 5:48 pm
Posted on 10/7/26 at 5:53 pm to Cover1Key
Why stop at next year. I'm more interested about 2040.
QB Zalladar Bathlazar is going to be a beast.
Roster turnover is a huge thing in college sports. No point in talking about next year in October.
This shite is an offseason thread.
QB Zalladar Bathlazar is going to be a beast.
Roster turnover is a huge thing in college sports. No point in talking about next year in October.
This shite is an offseason thread.
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