2 Deeps for Next Season....

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Bob_Loblaw

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I realize that we have a relatively small JR class this season, but I really think that our new coach will be in a nice spot as far as depth is concerned. He shouldn't have to rush a ton of players a long and give up RS's for nothing (ie Tinsley, McKnight, Lair). I also realize that the system could definitely change these depth charts, but in general, we should be able to have a huge Fr class next season that isn't pushed to do too much too soon.

QB: Gray / Alipate / Parrish
HB: Eskridge / Bennett / Kirkwood / (possibly Wright, maybe RS too)
FB: Cotton
TE: Lair / Eure
OT: Olson / Bunders
OG: Orton / Wynn
C: Mottla /Epping
OG: Gjere / Eggen
OT: Michel / Ragoo / Lenkiawicz(spelling)
WR: McKnight / Green / C. Wilson / Hutton
WR: Allen / Kiese / Barker

DE: Jacobs / Garin / D. Mitchell (moved from LB)
DT: Edwards / Hageman
DT: Kirksey / Hahn / Ferguson
DE: Wilhite / KGM / B. Perry
OLB: Rallis / Reeves / Grant
MLB: Beale / Hill / Bathazor
OLB: Tinsley / Grant / Tatum (Cooper could be in here as well)
CB: Stoudermire / Vareen /Johnson
CB: Carter (hopefully) / Henderson / Bouie
FS: Manuel / Watkins
SS: Cooper / Lewis / Soloman
 

It is tough to project a guy like Cooper to a position change like that. He seems like he has the athleticism to make the switch, but you never really know.

I am hoping the new coach that is brought in will be able to bring in a guy or two who can contribute as freshmen.

If the O-line can put it together, there is enough talent and experience there to make a run at a bowl game. Should be able to win 3 non-conference games, and I hope we can win a few conference games.
 

I think Kirkwood could/should start if he has a good spring. The O-line looks like it could be pretty decent at first glance. It'll be interesting to see if one of Green or Allen steps up if Gray is indeed the QB.

The secondary looks a little suspect still but I'm hoping we bring in a couple guys who can contribute next year. Either way, it shouldn't be as bad as it has been this year.
 

Yeah, you are right. I didn't know what to do with guys like Edwards, Cooper, Mitchell because they could all switch positions or they could all stay where they are located.

But the replies are absolutely true, our season next year all depends upon how well our offensive line will be able to gell next season and if we can get something from our defensive backs.

If we can get anything from Watkins, Johnson, Bouie, Vareen and Carter gets stuff in order, we might be alright back there. I really think Stoudemire will be our best defensive back next season
 

Interesting. Depending on the new coaching staff anything could happen. Could be 4-5 JUCOs in the 2 deep. Has Parish been running the Scout Team? If so he may have more reps in our "new O" (whatever it will be) than any other QB on the roster. He was a very talented dual threat QB in HS. Could even be a JUCO. New O means no advantage going into the next year. No head start in the play book or terminology.

I think it is all wide open with no positions locked down. Spring practice will be very important.

If we return to a spread (strong likelihood), I hope the new staff are great teachers and I assume they will be.
 


Here we go again!! Its back to home plate with the offense and likely first base with the D. Lots of valuable Spring Ball will be spent standing around, listening and going over new stuff rather than practicing and working to perfect the old. Two deeps could change a lot depending on how well the players adapt.

Weber saw what? Four OC's in his five years? Now Gray and Alipate will be on their third in three years. And all the RS OL's we will be counting on may have to start all over again with a new scheme. Same with the Sr's Orton, Bunders and Wynn.

But that is where we are, like it or not. Some of the two deep players may figure they might as well go somewhere else, learn a new system and then be good enough to get some PT at a smaller school. Hope not. Its important to have a full squad plus plenty of walk-ons to get the base numbers where we need them.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
I realize that we have a relatively small JR class this season, but I really think that our new coach will be in a nice spot as far as depth is concerned. He shouldn't have to rush a ton of players a long and give up RS's for nothing (ie Tinsley, McKnight, Lair). I also realize that the system could definitely change these depth charts, but in general, we should be able to have a huge Fr class next season that isn't pushed to do too much too soon.

QB: Gray / Alipate / Parrish
HB: Eskridge / Bennett / Kirkwood / (possibly Wright, maybe RS too)
FB: Cotton
TE: Lair / Eure
OT: Olson / Bunders
OG: Orton / Wynn
C: Mottla /Epping
OG: Gjere / Eggen
OT: Michel / Ragoo / Lenkiawicz(spelling)
WR: McKnight / Green / C. Wilson / Hutton
WR: Allen / Kiese / Barker

DE: Jacobs / Garin / D. Mitchell (moved from LB)
DT: Edwards / Hageman
DT: Kirksey / Hahn / Ferguson
DE: Wilhite / KGM / B. Perry
OLB: Rallis / Reeves / Grant
MLB: Beale / Hill / Bathazor
OLB: Tinsley / Grant / Tatum (Cooper could be in here as well)
CB: Stoudermire / Vareen /Johnson
CB: Carter (hopefully) / Henderson / Bouie
FS: Manuel / Watkins
SS: Cooper / Lewis / Soloman
Click to expand...

Jacobs needs to work on his footwork and beating the first man. Kirksey must step up and not be such a whiner about working out, at least in front of a camera with reporters. Mitchell?
 


A couple of things stand out.

1. The potential safety spots would seem to lack speed. That is a bit scary, but I suppose we have been dealing with that for some time now.

2. It will be interesting to see what they do with Tommy Olson. I am guessing red shirt, but who knows.

3. I would not want 4-5 JUCOS brought in. I would rather take some lumps now, but build depth for 4 years instead of going for a quick fix.

4. I doubt either Maresh or Lipscomb are here next year.
 



I think we'll see a couple of JC guys. Depends on the coach.

Watching Stoudermire play CB, I seriously wonder if he shouldn't have been playing there from the beginning of his career.
 

Anyone know what Tatum is looking like during his redshirt year. I know he needed to put some weight on but he seemed to have good instincts and wasn't afraid to lay the wood in high school. He seems like a wild card for next year.
 

50PoundHead said:
Watching Stoudermire play CB, I seriously wonder if he shouldn't have been playing there from the beginning of his career.
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Well...he started his career as a DB, but coach Brew saw some playmaking ability in him and moved him to the offensive side of the ball. I agree with you 100%. Wish he would have been a DB the whole time and they still could have used his playmaking abilities as the kick AND punt returner.
 

Ahh, good to be entering the good part (no games, only speculation) of the year where we assume talent that couldn't play on mediocre to bad teams will become solid Big Ten starters.

Looking at the two deeps, I see real porblems at QB (no experience), rb (no true Big ten starter) wr (no one but McKnight), O-line (duh) but TEs look good. Add having no kicker and this offense will have trouble scoring.

Defense hopefully will be better.
 



Stan The Caddy said:
Well...he started his career as a DB, but coach Brew saw some playmaking ability in him and moved him to the offensive side of the ball. I agree with you 100%. Wish he would have been a DB the whole time and they still could have used his playmaking abilities as the kick AND punt returner.
Click to expand...

Some threads you may find enlightening (and entertaining):

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?t=6857 (notice the date - this was before last season. I never get tired of being right.)

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?t=10867 (specifically post #21 and beyond)
 

diehard said:
Interesting. Depending on the new coaching staff anything could happen. Could be 4-5 JUCOs in the 2 deep. Has Parish been running the Scout Team? If so he may have more reps in our "new O" (whatever it will be) than any other QB on the roster. He was a very talented dual threat QB in HS. Could even be a JUCO. New O means no advantage going into the next year. No head start in the play book or terminology.

I think it is all wide open with no positions locked down. Spring practice will be very important.

If we return to a spread (strong likelihood), I hope the new staff are great teachers and I assume they will be.
Click to expand...

I really hope the new coach stays aways from JUCO players as much as possible. I think that created a huge problem on the defensive side of the ball this year from a experience point of view. I would rather take a couple lumps in the first two years and let good players red-shirt straight out of high school than kick the can down the road.
 

Winnipegopher said:
Ahh, good to be entering the good part (no games, only speculation) of the year where we assume talent that couldn't play on mediocre to bad teams will become solid Big Ten starters.
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Winnepeg-

What are you talking about? The thread is projecting next year's lineup based on who is returning and who is red shirting on the current roster. There is nobody projecting greatness or all-conference performances, just what the two deeps MIGHT look like next year.
 


Bob-

One change I see on your two-deeps for next year is on the OL. Bunders is currently a starting guard. I would think he would maintain that spot and Orton would be the primary backup at a number of spots. Considering the state of the OL at Illinois, it is refreshing to see that this is one area of the team that will hopefully have plenty of depth next year. That was one area of recruiting on which Coach Brew focused and at least delivered a number of bodies...even though we somehow had 5-6 healthy lineman on Saturday.
 

Winnipegopher said:
Ahh, good to be entering the good part (no games, only speculation) of the year where we assume talent that couldn't play on mediocre to bad teams will become solid Big Ten starters.

Looking at the two deeps, I see real porblems at QB (no experience), rb (no true Big ten starter) wr (no one but McKnight), O-line (duh) but TEs look good. Add having no kicker and this offense will have trouble scoring.

Defense hopefully will be better.
Click to expand...

Disagree. I think gray has shown glimpses that next year can be successful from the QB position. His passing needs to improve, but he can make plays with his feet.

The O-line will have some inexperience by we will get to see what highly ranked recruits like Gjere can do, I also think players like Olson will continue to take a step forward. If each returning lineman can improve like a Wills did then this line will be ok.

WR will have McKnight, Green, and Allen at a minimum. That will be a decent group, if used to their strengths.

Running back will have everyone back. They haven't been great but I think we are getting a sense of what each of them (eskridge & Bennett) can do. Kirkwood will be good and their will be no temptation to red shirt him if the he gets injured and it appears that it will be a lost season.

Tight end will be a solid position.

Will it be a top notch offense odds are probably not. It may be quite serviceable depending on what the starting GB can do. During the Illinois game the commentators mentioned how Gray made the proper read on the pass play were Illinois blitzed, his throw wasn't the most accurate but the receiver did get two hands on it. I will assume that it was a little bit due to needed improvement in accuracy from Gray and partially due to inexperience throwing in the wind. If Gray can keep making the right reads we will be Ok next year.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
If we can get anything from Watkins, Johnson, Bouie, Vareen and Carter gets stuff in order, we might be alright back there. I really think Stoudemire will be our best defensive back next season
Click to expand...

Sorry if I missed this, but what about Royston? Can he get a medical redshirt or is he done?
 

Firejumper said:
Sorry if I missed this, but what about Royston? Can he get a medical redshirt or is he done?
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He is most likely done because of the transfer from Wisconsin. Would have to petition for a 6th year of eligablilty. He also would have to pay his own tuition because of the intra-conference transfer.
 

Firejumper said:
Sorry if I missed this, but what about Royston? Can he get a medical redshirt or is he done?
Click to expand...

It has been debated on here with a number of different opinions offered. I think the consensus is that optimists believe it would be extremely difficult to due the fact that the first red-shirt wasn't for medical reasons. Other people believe it is not possible due to the rules requiring eligibility for it.

If it is possible there are also additional factors that must be weighed by the player and family stemming from the situation of the transfer within the BigTen.
 

I think the back-and-forth was answered pretty definitively when Chris Royston said, more or less, "It's not going to happen."
 

dpodoll68 said:
I think the back-and-forth was answered pretty definitively when Chris Royston said, more or less, "It's not going to happen."
Click to expand...

Thanks, dpo. I knew Chris had commented about it on here, but I was unaware that he had stated anything definitive.
 

It really has nothing to do with why is first RS was used.

From my understanding you get 5 years (with a RS) unless you have an injury that impacts two full seasons. For instance, if Rallis' injury last season would have made him miss all of last season AND this season, then he could very likely have petitioned for a 6th year.


Winnipeg ~ When I posted this thread it was really not a "look at how good the Gophers are going to be" thread, it was mostly to show that we do have some depth so that we shouldn't be in a mode like we were in 2007 where we had to desperately plug in a ton of freshman.
 

Bob, fair enough. Re-reading, it appears I jumped too soon.

I am hoping (but not hopeful) we are better next year.
 


KoolAid said:
Nice self promotion
Click to expand...

Thank you for the compliment.

I wish I had more time to break down what percentage of your posts are responding to mine - I'm guessing somewhere between 60 and 70 percent.
 

dpodoll68 said:
Thank you for the compliment.

I wish I had more time to break down what percentage of your posts are responding to mine - I'm guessing somewhere between 60 and 70 percent.
Click to expand...

Let me know what you find out
 

KoolAid said:
Let me know what you find out
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- True freshman Tyler Bray looks to be a future cornerstone for Tennessee at QB. He was the #7 QB overall in 2010, and a 4-star, though his only other offers were from Fresno St. and San Diego St.

- Speaking of Tennessee, I caught a TV featurette over the weekend on 2011 commit QB Justin Worley. Despite being a 3-star and the #30 QB overall (#26 prospect in South Carolina), Worley's offer list includes Florida, FSU, LSU, Notre Dame, and Stanford.

- Although Glen Faulkner has been downgraded from a 5-star to a 4-star, he is still the #5 safety in the country and the #1 overall prospect in Illinois. His lone offer is from Kentucky.

- Jalen Brown is a 3-star cornerback prospect and a 2011 commit to Notre Dame. He is unrated both among cornerbacks and in the state of Texas, though his offer list includes Arizona, Baylor, Iowa St., Kansas, Kansas St., Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Wisconsin.


I'm thinking of talking to GopherHole about doing a weekly column where I point out all the inconsistencies in the alleged gospel that "the recruiting services give out ratings based only on offer sheets". What do you think of my first rough draft?
 

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