Assuming we don’t get an elite WR in the portal, I think we will find out how good Dawson is as an OC.
The best OC’s make use of what they have, getting the ball to the playmakers you have.
In 1988, UM has just lost Irvin, Perriman and Blades to the NFL.
The had 1 WR with experience in A. Brown, a serviceable but not an elite WR, a Young inexperienced Dawkins and Hill.
So Gary Steven’s changed his game plans to match what we had.
The TE and both RB’s had more catches in 1988 Than the starting WR corps. The result was a juggernaut that lost only one game, probably the biggest officiating screwup of all time.
The point is, Dawson should utilize the RB’s, Lofton and Bauman as much as possible if only one or two WR’s step up. I can see times where Lofton might line up in the backfield or as a second tight end. There should be plenty of targets for both TE’s this season, if Dawson has the flexibility to think outside the box.