I was thinking about the difference from last years team to this team. I was thinking about leadership, depth, and talent per position group. It seems on paper the upcoming team will always have a little disadvantage since starters will always be lost.
OFFENSE
WR - Last years squad seems to be much better. When you think of leadership you have Robinson who is not Student body President. Fuller who is one of the most electric WRs in modern day for ND. Not saying the most and there are a lot to pick from (Stovall, McKnight, Tate, Samardja, Floyd). This years squad just seems so unproven. Every year you hear about up and coming players and this year it's St. Brown and Tori but neither one has really done much during a game up to this point. That's not to be negative at all just a fact. I am rooting for them both!!
OL - I actually would grade this about even. I figured I may get ripped about this one a little bit. McGlinchy could be just as good as Stanley (not as good PB but better RB) Nelson should be better, and as much as I respected Martin I just don't feel like he ever dominated. Now we are talking about a unit that lost 2 of 3 to the NFL and a 2+ year starter. I feel Mustipher could be that Jeff Faine type player
Right guard is still a mystery but you have to feel real good about right tackle with Bars
TE - Way better. Alize has a year under his belt and Smythe healthy, Weisher and Tyler!! All with another year and all seem to have some decent to good experience
QB - Way better. Who ever wins this battle out will be a stud and whoever doesn't is going to be a stud. Kizer has a full season under his belt and experience in some big games. Malik obviously has some good experience too. Let's not forget Wimbush who should redshirt but sill be able to help the team during the week......WOW
RB - Better, another controversial pick. CJ is a stud but remember he was a back up and he was a back up to the guy who will be starting. On top of that Adams should be even better and stronger hopefully allowing him to take on a little more.
DEFENSE
DL - Again many may not agree with me but I am going to say this group may be about the same. Jones is back, Trumbetti has another year under his belt, Rochell going into his sr. year and Tillery now with a year in the program and experience. Cage being able to rotate inside and maybe a few young guys to step up. I know Day will be a huuuuge loss but with everyone else back with more experience and coaching I feel this should be on par with last year.
LB - Again on par with last year. James will be a sr. and has a ton of experience. I feel he doesn't get a ton of respect but he's a solid leader. Nyles should/will be a huge improvement over Joe - enough said. Jaylon is such a huge loss but I feel Nyles is such a huge gain they almost erase each other (almost). Coney and Bilal are at the other spot and what ever one of those two wins out should be pretty good with a solid back up.
DBs - Better, yes better. I think Cole won't get tested much this year which means he could take one side of the field away. Not sure if it will be Watkins starting on the other side so that's a question mark. This isn't anything against Russell. I was so happy he came back and did what it took. I just feel with him playing with the injury last year he wasn't exactly elite. Max is either going to become what we hoped or ...maybe get passed up? Some you DBs look good at that safety spot and just fit the scheme better. With all that I would say on par with last year but what pushed it ahead for me was the fact that Crawford will be playing and from what I understand that should really help how they run that D.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Better..don't feel like there is any reason it won't be, everyone is back and should be.....should be better.
Look forward to hearing what the board has to say.
OFFENSE
WR - Last years squad seems to be much better. When you think of leadership you have Robinson who is not Student body President. Fuller who is one of the most electric WRs in modern day for ND. Not saying the most and there are a lot to pick from (Stovall, McKnight, Tate, Samardja, Floyd). This years squad just seems so unproven. Every year you hear about up and coming players and this year it's St. Brown and Tori but neither one has really done much during a game up to this point. That's not to be negative at all just a fact. I am rooting for them both!!
OL - I actually would grade this about even. I figured I may get ripped about this one a little bit. McGlinchy could be just as good as Stanley (not as good PB but better RB) Nelson should be better, and as much as I respected Martin I just don't feel like he ever dominated. Now we are talking about a unit that lost 2 of 3 to the NFL and a 2+ year starter. I feel Mustipher could be that Jeff Faine type player
Right guard is still a mystery but you have to feel real good about right tackle with BarsTE - Way better. Alize has a year under his belt and Smythe healthy, Weisher and Tyler!! All with another year and all seem to have some decent to good experience
QB - Way better. Who ever wins this battle out will be a stud and whoever doesn't is going to be a stud. Kizer has a full season under his belt and experience in some big games. Malik obviously has some good experience too. Let's not forget Wimbush who should redshirt but sill be able to help the team during the week......WOW
RB - Better, another controversial pick. CJ is a stud but remember he was a back up and he was a back up to the guy who will be starting. On top of that Adams should be even better and stronger hopefully allowing him to take on a little more.
DEFENSE
DL - Again many may not agree with me but I am going to say this group may be about the same. Jones is back, Trumbetti has another year under his belt, Rochell going into his sr. year and Tillery now with a year in the program and experience. Cage being able to rotate inside and maybe a few young guys to step up. I know Day will be a huuuuge loss but with everyone else back with more experience and coaching I feel this should be on par with last year.
LB - Again on par with last year. James will be a sr. and has a ton of experience. I feel he doesn't get a ton of respect but he's a solid leader. Nyles should/will be a huge improvement over Joe - enough said. Jaylon is such a huge loss but I feel Nyles is such a huge gain they almost erase each other (almost). Coney and Bilal are at the other spot and what ever one of those two wins out should be pretty good with a solid back up.
DBs - Better, yes better. I think Cole won't get tested much this year which means he could take one side of the field away. Not sure if it will be Watkins starting on the other side so that's a question mark. This isn't anything against Russell. I was so happy he came back and did what it took. I just feel with him playing with the injury last year he wasn't exactly elite. Max is either going to become what we hoped or ...maybe get passed up? Some you DBs look good at that safety spot and just fit the scheme better. With all that I would say on par with last year but what pushed it ahead for me was the fact that Crawford will be playing and from what I understand that should really help how they run that D.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Better..don't feel like there is any reason it won't be, everyone is back and should be.....should be better.
Look forward to hearing what the board has to say.
