Before anyone gets all wired up that the season just ended, I can't help the fact I am addictaed to my university AND we live in the same state as the Pro Football HOF AND I cannot get enough Bobcat Football.
Well, I looked over the roster. Just about every FR or R-FR I saw reminded me that we have some solid potential from some players that have not taken the field. Most (if not all) had some impressive high school careers. The things that come to mind for me are all defensive. If our main man LC says the OL is in great shape, that’s good enough for me. WR and RB will offer some serious competition for playing time. Good problem to have.
Given our losses to graduation and the fact we need more pressure on the QB, some players that jump out to me are:
DL
Andrew Bennett (6-6, 245) – this is a big man here. Did he play at all?
Tony Davis and Eric Price – like the kids coming from Cincinnati. Put on some more bulk and I think we have some players here.
Justin Haser (6-5, 260) and Brandon Purdum (6-4, 250) – again good size. Man!
Many of these guys are bigger than some of those ahead of them on the depth chart. I am not implicating current starters be benched at ANY position, I am merely observing, on paper, what appears to be some very promising talent.
LB
This position is really puzzling to me. We have many underclassman with better size than some of the upperclassman getting the playing time. This must be a speed/experience separator? With the Great Keller gone, I am hoping that we have a new “secret weapon” in waiting like Stefanski and/or Russell? Will Jovon step it up? Schany has a ton of hype coming in and good size to go with Edmond from the Juco ranks. Carpenter gained some valuable experience and I would bet he will come back bigger and wiser with the football genes to make it happen.
DB’s
I am not giving up on Kristoff. Dude got a ton of experience this year after being thrown into the action but getting Xavier back will big huge. I have a feeling Macer may be a wildcard here. I also cannot forget the impact Moore had and I believe his best days as a Bobcat are ahead of him still (1 or 2 years left?).
CB looks good to me in Leftwich and Carrie. Another position with a host of underclassman who could come out of nowhere. I just think our DB’s were forced to cover WR’s for too long and they are better than we may think given a solid pass rush.
If I have a point, it’s that this is really a good football program! We have more talent than I have EVER witnessed up and down the roster. Hats off to the coaching crew. Can’t wait until 9/1 baby! This Bowl Win will keep me pumped until then!