Defensive backs

It’s the grimmest outlook of all position groups but there is talent there.

Looks like McGhee and Baker at corners next year. Baker could leave early. Speed an Poole could make some noise though

I think much like the offensive line this year was addition by subtraction I think next year's secondary could be the same. Example Gibbs will likely take aaron davis star safety spot. Same body type but Gibbs is loads more athletic. A few pounds larger too. Lecounte is smaller than Dom but faster and a more willing tackler. If we can survive the first few games and get through some growing pains I think we will be improved.

Baker coming back would definitely make things a lot better there.

C- Baker (if he stays), Speed/Webb, Poole

SS - Reed, J. Wilson, Gibbs (no idea whats up with him)

FS - LeCounte, Bishop

C- McGhee, Poole, Stokes (Campbell could make a play here)

STAR- Gibbs? Bishop? This will be an interesting one.


A lot of talented young guys but their lack of PT this year makes me nervous -- Speed, Webb, Poole, Bishop, Stokes, etc.

I think we see this group as the grimmest because there are so many unknowns. We got incredibly lucky we didn’t experience any injuries this season, aside from Malcolm Parrish.

Mark Webb making the switch over to a corner could mean 1 of two things, Webb is really good but too raw to have played this year or everybody else sucks.

Lecounte played some significant snaps throughout the season and will probably be an athletic upgrade from Domonick Sanders. If Gibbs is all in and builds his body in the offseason he will be an upgrade at Safety or the Star position. Will be interesting to see what Kirby do there.

Deandre baker returns and we are fine and our depth will improve from last season but how much it will improve nobody knows. If we could add Tyson Campbell and Isaac Taylor-Stuart the speed and depth of that group would improve dramatically. Not sure if the impact they’d make next being freshman but their ceiling would be extremely high.

With Kirby and co ability to develop the talent that’s there we could see a stud emerge that nobody is talking about. That’s the real question mark IMO. So far they are developing talent like nobody’s business.

If Campbell commits I think there is a fair chance he could start at one of the CB positions. We just don't have anyone who is 6-2 who can run like Campbell, and he's played top HS competition as well. Speed is another guy I could see taking a jump. 6-3 200 lbs and can run. We're about to start getting much bigger and more physical in the defensive backfield.

It’s really tough to say because the game has become so technical. If he is coachable he probably will get that chance out the gate but if not it could take a while.

Problem with high school athletes is, when they are this good they don’t have anyone there to push them like they will see in college and so the learning curve is a lot steeper in college. Will be interesting to see though.

quote:

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I’m just thinking(hoping) there’s no way that we can’t see some type of improvement in year three. It’s Kirby’s position... has to be driving him crazy

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Mel’s position, too.

I think it's more important they have excellent tackling ability and speed. The scheme doesn't have to be complicated. Basic zones with some CB/S blitz packages. Not alot more complex than HS just higher level of competition.



ETA- ability to tackle SEC running backs reliably is going to be the key here.

Did not know that