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- Mar 14, 2013
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Getting tired of all the negative posts on this board and talking about other schools, so I decided to take a look at what we have coming back next year. Looking at the depth chart, I have much hope for 2014 and beyond:
2014 Depth Chart
QB:
Key Loses from 2013: Stephen Morris
I was not a fan Morris early on but after his JR year, I became a fan. Last year was frustrating to watch as he did not seem to improve and remained inconsistent, even before his ankle injury.
2014 Outlook:
Next year the starter will most likely be Ryan Williams who I think may be better for the team than Morris was. He is not as talented but from everything I’ve read is a very smart player. Hopefully this will force the offense to play more as team and not rely on the home run every series. More consistency and ball control will do wonders for the D.
Future Outlook:
Olsen and Kaya will be the most talented backups we’ve had since Kyle and Kirby backed up Brock Berlin in 2004… hopefully they will develop better and live up to the hype. Rosier may be able to provide a different look in certain situations as well.
RB/FB:
Key Loses from 2013: Maurice Hagens, Eduardo Clements
The main challenge will be replacing Hagens at FB. He was a solid player who did a lot of the dirty work and even got the ball a few times last season. Clements was not much of a factor in the running game last year even with the lack of depth at RB. He will be missed on special teams.
2014 Outlook:
If Duke comes back healthy, this position will be much improved from last year. Dallas did his best in his first year as a RB but his role should be limited. Gus showed some promise this year after getting off to a slow start by missing most of camp. I expect to see more of him next year as our big back and possibility some at FB much like Mike James. He was the #1 rate FB by Rivals coming out of high school. Tucker will need to step as the FB but he has all the tools.
Future Outlook:
Yearby and Powell will both make an impact at the U before their careers are over. If Yearby can be healthy by next season he may be able to take some carries away from Duke and Dallas, if not a redshirt year should help him develop and get healthy for 2015. Powell should help out immediately on special teams but is not ready to physically to be an every down back.
WR:
Key Loses from 2013: Allen Hurns
Allen had one of the best seasons for any WR at the U out of necessity. Someone needs to step up and replace him as the #1 WR is 2014.
2014 Outlook:
Injuries really hurt the group in 2013. Scott and Dorsett both went down with injuries and Lewis never regained form after his injury in 2012. They were 3 of the top 5 WR going into the season. If they can all regain their pre-injury form in 2014 this unit should be much improved. Coley needs to continue to build on his success from this past season and take over as the #1 WR on the team. Waters is another guy who has potential but needs to be more consistent. This team is very solid at WR when healthy.
Future Outlook:
We have a good group of WRs in the incoming class and a couple may be able to help right away. Braxton Berrios will be an EE and should be able to contribute at slot as a true freshmen as a slot receiver. Jones is 6’4 WR who will be a rSO next year, if he does not want to passed up by the freshmen, he will have to show something in 2014.
TE:
Key Loses from 2013: Asante' Cleveland
Cleveland was primarily used as blocker in 2013.
2014 Outlook:
This should be one position that is poised for a break out year in 2014. Clive coming back for his SR year and Beau developing in his second year should provide Williams with large targets that are capable of creating mismatches down the field. Hopefully Williams will use the TE much more than Morris.
Future Outlook:
Dobard will likely be the guy after next year when Clive and Beau both graduate. Hendon is the lone TE in the signing class and should be able to redshirt next with Clive returning.
OL:
Key Loses from 2013: Brandon Linder, Seantrel Henderson, and Jared Wheeler
Replacing Linder will be tough as he was one of the most consistent and top lineman for the past 2-3 years. Seantrel has the most potential but he and Wheeler primarily provided quality depth in 2013.
2014 Outlook:
This will be a solid group again with Flowers, Feliciano, McDermontt, Bunche, Isadora all returning. Odogwu, Gadbois, and Gall will need to step up and provide quality minutes in 2014 or risk get passed up by the incoming Freshmen class.
Future Outlook:
The 2014 OL class will be one of the best when it’s all said and done. KC, Trevor, Reilly, and Nick will form a solid nucleus for the future. A couple of them may compete for playing time as true freshmen in 2014.
2014 Depth Chart
QB:
Key Loses from 2013: Stephen Morris
I was not a fan Morris early on but after his JR year, I became a fan. Last year was frustrating to watch as he did not seem to improve and remained inconsistent, even before his ankle injury.
2014 Outlook:
Next year the starter will most likely be Ryan Williams who I think may be better for the team than Morris was. He is not as talented but from everything I’ve read is a very smart player. Hopefully this will force the offense to play more as team and not rely on the home run every series. More consistency and ball control will do wonders for the D.
Future Outlook:
Olsen and Kaya will be the most talented backups we’ve had since Kyle and Kirby backed up Brock Berlin in 2004… hopefully they will develop better and live up to the hype. Rosier may be able to provide a different look in certain situations as well.
RB/FB:
Key Loses from 2013: Maurice Hagens, Eduardo Clements
The main challenge will be replacing Hagens at FB. He was a solid player who did a lot of the dirty work and even got the ball a few times last season. Clements was not much of a factor in the running game last year even with the lack of depth at RB. He will be missed on special teams.
2014 Outlook:
If Duke comes back healthy, this position will be much improved from last year. Dallas did his best in his first year as a RB but his role should be limited. Gus showed some promise this year after getting off to a slow start by missing most of camp. I expect to see more of him next year as our big back and possibility some at FB much like Mike James. He was the #1 rate FB by Rivals coming out of high school. Tucker will need to step as the FB but he has all the tools.
Future Outlook:
Yearby and Powell will both make an impact at the U before their careers are over. If Yearby can be healthy by next season he may be able to take some carries away from Duke and Dallas, if not a redshirt year should help him develop and get healthy for 2015. Powell should help out immediately on special teams but is not ready to physically to be an every down back.
WR:
Key Loses from 2013: Allen Hurns
Allen had one of the best seasons for any WR at the U out of necessity. Someone needs to step up and replace him as the #1 WR is 2014.
2014 Outlook:
Injuries really hurt the group in 2013. Scott and Dorsett both went down with injuries and Lewis never regained form after his injury in 2012. They were 3 of the top 5 WR going into the season. If they can all regain their pre-injury form in 2014 this unit should be much improved. Coley needs to continue to build on his success from this past season and take over as the #1 WR on the team. Waters is another guy who has potential but needs to be more consistent. This team is very solid at WR when healthy.
Future Outlook:
We have a good group of WRs in the incoming class and a couple may be able to help right away. Braxton Berrios will be an EE and should be able to contribute at slot as a true freshmen as a slot receiver. Jones is 6’4 WR who will be a rSO next year, if he does not want to passed up by the freshmen, he will have to show something in 2014.
TE:
Key Loses from 2013: Asante' Cleveland
Cleveland was primarily used as blocker in 2013.
2014 Outlook:
This should be one position that is poised for a break out year in 2014. Clive coming back for his SR year and Beau developing in his second year should provide Williams with large targets that are capable of creating mismatches down the field. Hopefully Williams will use the TE much more than Morris.
Future Outlook:
Dobard will likely be the guy after next year when Clive and Beau both graduate. Hendon is the lone TE in the signing class and should be able to redshirt next with Clive returning.
OL:
Key Loses from 2013: Brandon Linder, Seantrel Henderson, and Jared Wheeler
Replacing Linder will be tough as he was one of the most consistent and top lineman for the past 2-3 years. Seantrel has the most potential but he and Wheeler primarily provided quality depth in 2013.
2014 Outlook:
This will be a solid group again with Flowers, Feliciano, McDermontt, Bunche, Isadora all returning. Odogwu, Gadbois, and Gall will need to step up and provide quality minutes in 2014 or risk get passed up by the incoming Freshmen class.
Future Outlook:
The 2014 OL class will be one of the best when it’s all said and done. KC, Trevor, Reilly, and Nick will form a solid nucleus for the future. A couple of them may compete for playing time as true freshmen in 2014.
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