Depth Chart 3.0 Mid-Term 2011

[Oklahawg]

This is always a fun project. Update the depth chart and plug in commits and LOIs as they are made available. First, let's look at where we were last May (2011):

QB (4) Wilson, Mitchell, Walker, Allen
RB (5) Davis, Johnson, Green, Wingo, Walker
FB (1) Small
OL (12) Bailey, Swanson, GCook, Freeman, Charpentier, BCook, Smothers, Danenhauer, Peacock, Oden, Beck, Stringer
TE (6) Gragg, Tate, Ueckman, Peterson, Dean, Simek
WR (12) Wright, Adams, Childs, Hamilton, Horton, Humphrey, Herndon, Wade, Funderburke, McKinney, Whitehurst, Minor
41 on offense

DT (10)- DDJones, BJones, Davis, Askew, Jackson, Thomas, Hodge, Flowers, Beachum, Stadther
DE (- Bequette, Wright, Smith, Miles-Nash, Ollison, Kelly-Thomas, Gosha, Arkadie
LB (12) - Franklin, Nelson, Rasner, Williams, Harris, Marshall, Mitchell, Lake, Haman, Gilbert, Highsmith, Atiga
CB (7) - Madison, Winston, Mitchell, Curtis, Gatson, Fisher, Mitchel
S (9) - Thomas, Ford, Bennett, Carr, Turner, DSmith, Gaines, Wier, Sims

Specialists (1) - Hocker

45 defense, 1 specialist

3 Sign and Place Candidates: Sims, Dean, Minor
Prominent Walk-Ons: Breeding, Armbrust, JGreen, WColeman, Gunderson, Hurd, Deacon, Killebrew, Beuhner, Linton, Shearin

87 by my count.

EDIT: Removed the double listing of Austin Beck.
EDIT: Stadther has rejoined the team, it appears. He's added back (he was not working out with the team at times this winter).
EDIT: added Atiga, Linton and Shearin. Added new spreadsheet (didn't get names fixed, oops).

[Oklahawg]

Now, let's revise as best we can:

QB (3) Wilson, Mitchell, Walker, Allen
RB (7) Davis, Johnson, Wingo, Walker, Roberts, Williams, Holmes
FB (1) Small
OL (12) Bailey, Swanson, Charpentier, BCook, Smothers, Danenhauer, Peacock, Beck, Stringer, Ward, Boyd, Ollison
TE (6) Gragg, Tate, Sprinkle, Peterson, Wier, Dean
WR (11) Hamilton, Horton, Humphrey, Herndon, Wade, Minor, Hawkins, Hatcher, Cowan, Wilson, McKay
40 on offense

DT (9 )- DDJones, BJones, Davis, Askew, Jackson, Thomas, Hodge, Arkadie, Philon
DE (10) - Smith, Miles-Nash, Flowers, Kelly-Thomas, Wise, Lewis, Winston, Gilbert, Flynn, Johnson
LB (10) - Wright, Williams, Marshall,  Mitchell, Lake, Highsmith, Atiga, Turner, Ascolese, Peters
CB (8 ) - Winston, Mitchell, Fisher, Mitchel, McKinney, Buchanan, Collins, Hines
S (6) - Bennett, Rasner, Carr, Turner, Gaines, Lowe

Specialists (2) - Hocker, Breeding

43 defense, 2 specialist

High-Profile Walk-Ons:
OG Hurd
OC Deacon
WR - Farr
ST/DE - Coleman
SNP -D'Appollino
CB - Kelleybrew
LB- Jones

May 2, 2012, Update: 86 scholarship players as of today.

EDIT 11/27/11: moved Miles-Nash to DE, per IronHog.
EDIT 11/27/11: added Andrew Peterson to TE, could be OT, per AnthroHog
EDIT 11/28/11: moved Kelly-Thomas to LB, per Jack Johnson
EDIT 11/30/11: added Mike Pennel to DT, new commit
EDIT 12/9/11: tardy, removed Pennel who decommitted this week
EDIT 12/15/11: added Courtney Gardner to WR; removed Robert Gregory due to soft commit
EDIT 12/17/11: moved 2011 recruits to reflect comments of Petrino in presser (Wier to TE, Atiga to LB, Whitehurst to DB, guessed CB)
EDIT 12/21/11: added Austin Flynn to DE, new commit; removed Jacoby Walker, transferring to UCA
EDIT 12/21/11: added Taiwan Johnson to DE, new commit per Richard Davenport
EDIT 12/27/11: removed Cobb at WR, heading to JUCO per Richard Davenport
EDIT 01/19/12: removed Darrell Smith, transfer to Jacksonville State, per Matt Jones' blog; removed Gibson from commit list and depth chart until he is confirmed as visiting (academic casualty)
EDIT 01/19/12: added Will Hines as a commit, per RD and MMHogs17
EDIT 01/25/12: removed Jakari Thomas, decommit headed to Vandy, per RD
EDIT 01/29/12: added Vinny Ascolese (almost forgot! welcome aboard, Vin); added Demetrius Wilson to WR, per RD
EDIT 02/01/12: removed Gardner, added Philon, Dean, and Peters, and moved Holmes to RB, per CBP press conference today
EDIT 03/07/12: moved Rasner to safety, did not list him as a starter even though he almost qualifies; added a list of "high profile" walk-ons, those in the depth chart or vying for a scholarship offer.
EDIT 04/01/12: Moved Wright fulltime to LB (it looks like a real thing to me). Tried to juggle the LB/DE list as a result. I am not including the walk-ons who are performing in the 2-deep just yet (this is only scholarship guys). I still have Whitehurst and Peacock with the team, despite their transgressions.
EDIT 05/01/12: Removed Brock Haman from roster. Added Kelleybrew and a couple of other walk-ons who appear poised to help (if they haven't already).
EDIT 05/02/12: Removed Quinta Funderburk from roster.
EDIT 06/03/12: Forgot to remove Kane Whitehurst from roster. 85 currently on roster. Still have Wade, Peterson and Humphrey's suspension up in the air.

[Nipsey Mussle]

That's freakin awesome, thanks Oklahawg

[IronHog]

Nash should be DE

[Oklahawg]

I've got recruits/commits in italics. I've got returning starters in boldface text. I won't consider both Smothers and Peacock returning starters since they simply replaced one another. Similarly, I am counting Mitchel but not Winston. It can be one but not both, in my opinion.

I anticipate Wingo moving to Hback, the hybrid between FB and TE. We need TE depth!

Looks a bit short at DT, a bit long at CB (believe it or not), and I'm betting there is some massive juggling of assignments this off-season.

[Oklahawg]

Nash should be DE

Could list him at both, I suppose. He played DE vs LSU. Not sure when he last played TE.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

I'm always confused with the offensive line.  I still don't know where everybody plays.  Who will be next year's OT's and OG's and which will be on the strong side and weak side?

[IronHog]

They moved MORE middle linebackers to DE?

[IronHog]

Could list him at both, I suppose. He played DE vs LSU. Not sure when he last played TE.

He moved several weeks back....he is a better DE.

BUT TE is razor thin after the loss of the young man last week.

[AnthroHog]

What happened to Andrew Peterson? 

[Bubba's Bruisers]

What happened to Andrew Peterson? 

Some suggesting weakside OT.

[Music City Hog]

The returning safeties dont impress me outside of Bennett.  Something tells me the Carrs, Smiths, Gaines of the world are gonna be misses.  Call it a gut feeling and hopefully I am wrong.

[IronHog]

I'm always confused with the offensive line.  I still don't know where everybody plays.  Who will be next year's OT's and OG's and which will be on the strong side and weak side?

Won't know that until after the spring......hopefully some guys will step up and claim the OT spots.

[IronHog]

What happened to Andrew Peterson? 

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30724&SPID=2419&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=205184072&Q_SEASON=2011

Still on the roster. RS.


Best pickup on the OL in the last class.......has elite OT written all over him....still a project though lke most weak OT's are.......

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Won't know that until after the spring......hopefully some guys will step up and claim the OT spots.

That I already know.  Was hoping someone could offer some educated guesses.  Is Brey likely to be a G, while Smothers a T?  Is Carpentier the heir apparent at C someday?  Basically, who is ahead of who at what positions?

[Oklahawg]

I plugged Peterson in at TE just to fill the void. It felt really awkward not having more folks there.

My guess for OL today:
OT - Brey Cook (back outside)
OG - Smothers (back inside)
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Peacock

Option #2:
OT - Smothers
OG - Peacock
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Cook

[Oklahawg]

That I already know.  Was hoping someone could offer some educated guesses.  Is Brey likely to be a G, while Smothers a T?  Is Carpentier the heir apparent at C someday?  Basically, who is ahead of who at what positions?

Not sure how Petrino feels about moving guys around the OL. That is the question at hand - Peacock, Smothers and Cook could all move. Peterson could be in the mix if he's bulked up enough. They may slow his bulking and keep him at TE, but that seems iffy. The two OT we are still recruiting - Diamond and Stanley - are every bit as good as Smothers and Brey Cook. I can't see them forcing their way into playing time, though.

[Oklahawg]

The returning safeties dont impress me outside of Bennett.  Something tells me the Carrs, Smiths, Gaines of the world are gonna be misses.  Call it a gut feeling and hopefully I am wrong.

Carr and Smith and Turner have all had a year. This was Gaines RS year, so he's got more clock. Carr was a valuable ST player this year. Our issue is trying to find players with the flexibility to not substitute based on down/distance. Nelson and Rasner, weaknesses noted, gave us that flexibility as hybrid S/OLB. Gaines was recruited to that position. Seth Jacobs is being recruited to that position this year.

[HF#1]

Carr and Smith and Turner have all had a year. This was Gaines RS year, so he's got more clock. Carr was a valuable ST player this year. Our issue is trying to find players with the flexibility to not substitute based on down/distance. Nelson and Rasner, weaknesses noted, gave us that flexibility as hybrid S/OLB. Gaines was recruited to that position. Seth Jacobs is being recruited to that position this year.

Why can't Rasner be a SS and we put a real LB in his spot?  I've always wondered this...

[BulldogBasketball]

The two OT we are still recruiting - Diamond and Stanley - are every bit as good as Smothers and Brey Cook. I can't see them forcing their way into playing time, though.

Could you imagine the OL we'd have in a couple years if Diamond and Stanley sign, when you combine them with the two Springdale boys?

[IronHog]

I plugged Peterson in at TE just to fill the void. It felt really awkward not having more folks there.

My guess for OL today:
OT - Brey Cook (back outside)
OG - Smothers (back inside)
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Peacock

This is the best guess, but Stringer might take Smothers G spot.  They've run Stringer-Cook as a pair every chance they get.


Hopefully Peterson rehabs the knee and comes out for spring ball about 300 pounds ready to get reps at OT.......we'll see.

[BulldogBasketball]

Why can't Rasner be a SS and we put a real LB in his spot?  I've always wondered this...

Which is what he actually is. He played best this season when he was out of the box and in space. He struggled to get off blocks against teams that run it up the gut, which is understandable since he only barely tops 200 pounds.

[AnthroHog]

Thanks Bubba's Bruisers and IronHog.  Didn't see him listed on Oklahawg's second depth chart and wondered if something had happened that I didn't know of.

Any chance that some of these receivers could be turned into a Tight End down the road?  Chris Gragg came in 6-3 & 195 and is now listed at 6-3 & 236? Only receiver commit with similar size is Keon Hatcher 6-2 & 205.  He's a younger Senior, turning 17 in September, so would he be a possibility?

Nathan Holmes initially said that he was getting recruited at Running Back.  Do you think that he may start on offense and get moved to defense?

Isn't Jakarri Thomas supposed to fill the Jerico Nelson hybrid linebacker role?

[Bubba's Bruisers]

I plugged Peterson in at TE just to fill the void. It felt really awkward not having more folks there.

My guess for OL today:
OT - Brey Cook (back outside)
OG - Smothers (back inside)
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Peacock

Option #2:
OT - Smothers
OG - Peacock
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Cook

Yeah, that's my point.  The options are probably endless.  Guys like Cook, Smothers and Peacock,while all probably have a natural position, are all somewhat hybrids in that they are capable of playing multiple positions as necessary.  It's why the OL is the hardest to project.  Just have to find the right combination. 

I figure Ward and Boyd are recruited as G's, so we certainly need a couple quality T's in this class. 

[HF#1]

Which is what he actually is. He played best this season when he was out of the box and in space. He struggled to get off blocks against teams that run it up the gut, which is understandable since he only barely tops 200 pounds.

My point is, if you are going to have 3 LB's then lets have 3 LB's and stop with this Jack/Hybrid crap.  It could do nothing but help our run defense.

[IronHog]

Why can't Rasner be a SS and we put a real LB in his spot?  I've always wondered this...

Not fast enough.......

Arkansas can't get enough linebackers so they run a scheme with a jack.......works fine until you play one of the few true power teams left like Bama.

[BulldogBasketball]

Some rather aggressive speculation: Sprinkle at TE (not DE),

Sprinkle almost has to come in as a TE, at least initially, with the lack of depth at the position. And certainly if the speculation about Peterson moving to OL is true.

That's why I think Blake Jackson would be a huge get. It allows some flexibility with Sprinkle/Peterson/Miles-Nash.

[HF#1]

Not fast enough.......

Arkansas can't get enough linebackers so they run a scheme with a jack.......works fine until you play one of the few true power teams left like Bama.

My point is, if you are going to have 3 LB's then lets have 3 LB's and stop with this Jack/Hybrid crap.  It could do nothing but help our run defense.

[heatmiser]

All I know is we need LB's.  And I don't mean projects, I mean we need 6'2-4 230-250 lb LB's.

The two teams we need to beat in this league are power teams. Our speed LBs cant stop a good power team.  Neither can our interior line.

[IronHog]

All I know is we need LB's.  And I don't mean projects, I mean we need 6'2-4 230-250 lb LB's.

The two teams we need to beat in this league are power teams. Our speed LBs cant stop a good power team.  Neither can our interior line.

Arkansas has good enough DT's to hold the line vs teams like Bama......not dominate, but hold the line.

Then the issue becomes linebacker play.....it could be much, much better.

[passinghog]

Not fast enough.......

Arkansas can't get enough linebackers so they run a scheme with a jack.......works fine until you play one of the few true power teams left like Bama.

How does LSU get away with having guys the same size at LB though?

They have Baker, a guy we recruited, and they also have #37 who played safety for them last year. (Hatcher is his name I think??...the same guy that made the bonehead play on the 80 yard td Cobi Hamilton play in Little Rock in 2010).

Are they just faster? Because their D-line is about the same size as ours...

[IronHog]

How does LSU get away with having guys the same size at LB though?

They fly to the ball and hit.

Our guys wait for the ball and let it go by......

Go watch the film......LSU is more muscular overall, but most of it is attitude.

[heatmiser]

How does LSU get away with having guys the same size at LB though?

They have Baker, a guy we recruited, and they also have #37 who played safety for them last year. (Hatcher is his name I think??...the same guy that made the bonehead play on the 80 yard td Cobi Hamilton play in Little Rock in 2010).

Are they just faster? Because their D-line is about the same size as ours...

LSUs defensive line is about 4x better than ours (push, no need for blitz, intensity, smarts, etc).

Which leads us to the age old question?  When will we get a DC that can recruit and utilize a great DL

[Oklahawg]

LSUs defensive line is about 4x better than ours (push, no need for blitz, intensity, smarts, etc).

Which leads us to the age old question?  When will we get a DC that can recruit and utilize a great DL

Steve Caldwell is a helluva DE coach. I think that's one reason we funnel things to the DEs, in theory.

Again, we are discussing how to match up vs 2 teams. That's a risky venture, recruiting to beat two teams when we play 10 others who cannot do the things Bama and LSU do.

[IronHog]

Steve Caldwell is a helluva DE coach. I think that's one reason we funnel things to the DEs, in theory.

Again, we are discussing how to match up vs 2 teams. That's a risky venture, recruiting to beat two teams when we play 10 others who cannot do the things Bama and LSU do.

Last year LSU's DL was on skates in the 4th quarter vs. Arkansas.


The average fan is a knee jerk......Arkansas knew where they stood going into that game......LSU hasn't lost at home since dropping a close one to no 1 Fla in 2009.

[Tim Harris]

I'm hoping Carr can step up and play the other safety position.  He has the size to be able to help with the run and make receivers think twice about going across the middle.

[ARtillahog]

Ironhog,  I've been saying the same thing, that attitude was a large part of the problem with our defensive players.  I've been slow to say anything about W.R., but its getting harder and harder to hold my tongue.

[JackJohnson]

Now, let's revise as best we can:

QB (4) Wilson, Mitchell, Walker, Allen
RB (6) Davis, Johnson, Wingo, Walker, Roberts, Williams
FB (1) Small
OL (12) Bailey, Swanson, Charpentier, BCook, Smothers, Danenhauer, Peacock, Beck, Stringer, Ward, Boyd, Ollison
TE (4) Gragg, Tate, Sprinkle, Peterson
WR (12) Hamilton, Horton, Humphrey, Herndon, Wade, Funderburke, Whitehurst, Minor, Hawkins, Hatcher, Cowan, Cobb
39 on offense

DT (7)- DDJones, BJones, Davis, Askew, Jackson, Thomas, Hodge
DE (11)- Wright, Smith, Miles-Nash, Kelly-Thomas, Arkadie, Flowers, Wise, Lewis, Winston, Atiga, Gilbert
LB (10) - Rasner, Williams, Marshall, Mitchell, Lake, Haman, Highsmith, Wier, Turner, Thomas
CB (9) - Winston, Mitchell, Fisher, Mitchel, McKinney, Buchanan, Holmes, Gibson, Collins
S (7) - Bennett, Carr, Turner, DSmith, Gaines, Gregory, Lowe

Specialists (2) - Hocker, Breeding

44 defense, 2 specialist

Leaves room for 5 more but two from last year can't be on scholarship, so two of the 79 are NOT currently on scholarship. Note: should leave us one player short going into next season.

Some rather aggressive speculation: Sprinkle at TE (not DE), Gregory at S (not QB), Lowe at S (not CB or WR), Hawkins at WR (not RB). Your discussion (and corrections) are appreciated.

EDIT 11/27/11: moved Miles-Nash to DE, per IronHog.
EDIT 11/27/11: added Andrew Peterson to TE, could be OT, per AnthroHog

Kelly-Thomas has been at LB since fall camp- Atiga at MLB

for those wanted size at LB- we redshirted the following

Weir- 6-5 240
DKT- 6-4 230
Haman- 6-4 240

Give it time guys.  We are just now able to sign the type of guys we want- AND have been able to redshirt and develop them the right way instead of having to throw them out there.  I think people are going to be surprised come spring at how big, fast and physical we are on D.

I will say that we definately need to sign some immediate help at CB or S- either from JC or someone good enough from the HS ranks.

I would LOVE to add Siesay from JC at either CB or S, Pennell at DT, Flynn at DE, and possibly even Mark Wilson at LB.  All of those guys have the size, speed and physicality to allow us to not wear down like we did against LSU.  Don't forget- it was a 24-17 game with 11 minutes left the other day until they wore us out.  having the redshirt guys plus these JC guys this time next year and it is a different story, imo

[Amityvillehogger]

I for one think Chris Smith would be a heck of a MLB.  Great sideline to sideline speed.

[Tim Harris]

I will say that we definitely need to sign some immediate help at CB or S- either from JC or someone good enough from the HS ranks.

I definitely think we will use a spot or 2 on JC DB help.  There aren't many kids going to come in right away out of HS and be productive.  They can be serviceable but not many will be dominant.

[KeithStone]

I plugged Peterson in at TE just to fill the void. It felt really awkward not having more folks there.

My guess for OL today:
OT - Brey Cook (back outside)
OG - Smothers (back inside)
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Peacock

Option #2:
OT - Smothers
OG - Peacock
OC - Swanson
OG - Bailey
OT - Cook

I thought they really liked Cook's athleticism inside and Smothers feet on the outside in pass protection, but these two frosh's, a year older, a year stronger, a year smarter, and the realization that they're not here to paint, I think they're going to be special the next few years.

[KeithStone]

I for one think Chris Smith would be a heck of a MLB.  Great sideline to sideline speed.

MLB is so much more about instinct and anticipation in the 4-3 than it is about size/speed, I think Chris Smith is a REALLY good 3-4 OLB with that size/speed/tenacity, he resembles Upshaw a lot more than he resembles Patrick Willis IMO.  A lot of players make the jump from college 4-3 DE to NFL 3-4 OLB, and I'm not sure he's big enough for NFL OLB just yet.  Tank and Bequette are big enough, but I'm not sure they've got the lateral motion for it, that's just my opinion.

[SEdrhawg]

Now, let's revise as best we can:

QB (4) Wilson, Mitchell, Walker, Allen
RB (6) Davis, Johnson, Wingo, Walker, Roberts, Williams
FB (1) Small
OL (12) Bailey, Swanson, Charpentier, BCook, Smothers, Danenhauer, Peacock, Beck, Stringer, Ward, Boyd, Ollison
TE (4) Gragg, Tate, Sprinkle, Peterson
WR (12) Hamilton, Horton, Humphrey, Herndon, Wade, Funderburke, Whitehurst, Minor, Hawkins, Hatcher, Cowan, Cobb
39 on offense

DT (7)- DDJones, BJones, Davis, Askew, Jackson, Thomas, Hodge
DE (11)- Wright, Smith, Miles-Nash, Kelly-Thomas, Arkadie, Flowers, Wise, Lewis, Winston, Atiga, Gilbert
LB (10) - Rasner, Williams, Marshall, Mitchell, Lake, Haman, Highsmith, Wier, Turner, Thomas
CB (9) - Winston, Mitchell, Fisher, Mitchel, McKinney, Buchanan, Holmes, Gibson, Collins
S (7) - Bennett, Carr, Turner, DSmith, Gaines, Gregory, Lowe

Specialists (2) - Hocker, Breeding

44 defense, 2 specialist

Leaves room for 5 more but two from last year can't be on scholarship, so two of the 79 are NOT currently on scholarship. Note: should leave us one player short going into next season.

Some rather aggressive speculation: Sprinkle at TE (not DE), Gregory at S (not QB), Lowe at S (not CB or WR), Hawkins at WR (not RB). Your discussion (and corrections) are appreciated.

EDIT 11/27/11: moved Miles-Nash to DE, per IronHog.
EDIT 11/27/11: added Andrew Peterson to TE, could be OT, per AnthroHog

Nice post, thanks for taking the time to do this.

Some comments:

* I just can't see Sprinkle ending up at TE.  I know we are very thin there, I just think he ends up on DL.  Hoping we bring in Blake Johnson, as that allows us to move Sprinkled to DL where he should be and not feel bad about it.

* I think we will be ok at WR next year, although there will be some drop off early.  I don't expect Herndon/Humphrey to do much, but I think Wade/Funderburke/Minor will be elite talents like Adams/Wright/Childs by the time the graduate, and if you throw in DGB then watch out.  The main advantage I see with this reloaded core group is the height compared to our current corps

* Question marks abound on defense, once again.... The only position I feel confident in is DT.  We must find an elite pass rusher at DE.  LB I actually think we will be "OK" especially if some of the redshirts have bulked up nicely over the offseason.  CB I also think we will be OK, but there just isnt a whole heck of a lot of talent there to start with IMO.  Safety, we're going to miss Tramain Thomas....

Oklahawg.... how is Brett Wier developing during his redshirt year?  Is he adding a bunch of weight?  Thanks.

[SemperFi]

I thought Brett Weir was being projected as a Safety, at least I remember reading something here on Hogville about it.

Where does Charpentier, Danenhauer, Beck, Stringer, Ward, Boyd and Ollison project to be on the Offensive line?

I wonder with the emergence of Flowers if Chris Smith will be moved to LB'er. He appears to be a little small at DE, but has the speed and size to play MLB. Thoughts?

[Tim Harris]

He was recruited as an OLB and moved to DE.  Usually you only get moved for 3 reasons.

1.  You are needed elsewhere
2.  You outgrow LB
3.  You don't have the speed/instincts to make the plays.

[Dcace83]

I've got recruits/commits in italics. I've got returning starters in boldface text.

This is a great thread. Could I request you add this info to the very beginning? Would just be nice to get that info before reading through the names. Thanks! +1

[Oklahawg]

* I just can't see Sprinkle ending up at TE.  I know we are very thin there, I just think he ends up on DL.  Hoping we bring in Blake Johnson, as that allows us to move Sprinkled to DL where he should be and not feel bad about it.

* I think we will be ok at WR next year, although there will be some drop off early.  I don't expect Herndon/Humphrey to do much, but I think Wade/Funderburke/Minor will be elite talents like Adams/Wright/Childs by the time the graduate, and if you throw in DGB then watch out.  The main advantage I see with this reloaded core group is the height compared to our current corps

* Question marks abound on defense, once again.... The only position I feel confident in is DT.  We must find an elite pass rusher at DE.  LB I actually think we will be "OK" especially if some of the redshirts have bulked up nicely over the offseason.  CB I also think we will be OK, but there just isnt a whole heck of a lot of talent there to start with IMO.  Safety, we're going to miss Tramain Thomas....

Oklahawg.... how is Brett Wier developing during his redshirt year?  Is he adding a bunch of weight?  Thanks.

Blake Jackson is everyone's "savior" as TE recruit. We are not "in" on many TEs otherwise. Its a down year nationally for the position. I hope we still lead for his services. This is particularly concerning since we use the FB and TE as somewhat interchangable parts.

WR depth has been an issue, believe it or not. There were games we were gassed in 2010. It took Herndon and Wade to make that less an issue in 2011. Now, we lose 3 of the top 6. Not having Adams and Wright may help Wilson's development as QB - he no longer has the instant offense to turn to. DGB has a home if he wants it, and don't be surprised if we don't toy with one more.

I like the promise of the defense. It appears to be light years ahead of where most of the starters were when they arrived. That's a compliment and a concern - we'll be better, eventually, but the lack of experience is troubling. DT provides us a lot of depth but not depth we could count on as playmakers.

The returning DEs - Smith, Wright and Flowers - are more like each other and less likely to be an appropriate replacement for Bequette. That threesome is great...unless we are playing Bama or LSU and they can absolutely run it down our throats.

I love the two returning DBs, Bennett and Mitchel. They are big-time players. What has hurt the secondary is the lack of depth - tons of whiffs, or too many guys who did it on instinct in HS and can't learn (unlearn). It kept us from being more aggressive many games. Winston is nothing more than a spare part used to give someone a breather; if he produces better, cool.

Beyond that, we are at potential. That is why we see the JUCO names pop up - guys who have a quicker learning curve.

As for Wier, he's a long-term project.

[DeltaBoy]

Can Willy and promote Steve Caldwell to DC !

[JackJohnson]

Blake Jackson is everyone's "savior" as TE recruit. We are not "in" on many TEs otherwise. Its a down year nationally for the position. I hope we still lead for his services. This is particularly concerning since we use the FB and TE as somewhat interchangable parts.

WR depth has been an issue, believe it or not. There were games we were gassed in 2010. It took Herndon and Wade to make that less an issue in 2011. Now, we lose 3 of the top 6. Not having Adams and Wright may help Wilson's development as QB - he no longer has the instant offense to turn to. DGB has a home if he wants it, and don't be surprised if we don't toy with one more.

I like the promise of the defense. It appears to be light years ahead of where most of the starters were when they arrived. That's a compliment and a concern - we'll be better, eventually, but the lack of experience is troubling. DT provides us a lot of depth but not depth we could count on as playmakers.

The returning DEs - Smith, Wright and Flowers - are more like each other and less likely to be an appropriate replacement for Bequette. That threesome is great...unless we are playing Bama or LSU and they can absolutely run it down our throats.

I love the two returning DBs, Bennett and Mitchel. They are big-time players. What has hurt the secondary is the lack of depth - tons of whiffs, or too many guys who did it on instinct in HS and can't learn (unlearn). It kept us from being more aggressive many games. Winston is nothing more than a spare part used to give someone a breather; if he produces better, cool.

Beyond that, we are at potential. That is why we see the JUCO names pop up - guys who have a quicker learning curve.

As for Wier, he's a long-term project.

good post.  i agree with almost all points.  I have said dating back to when Sprinkle committed that we are on WAY more DE's than TE's, and as good of a DE prospect Jeremy may be his is going to be at TE simply for that reason.  The DE's we are bringing in ARE more like Bequette- and if we get Flynn that will be icing on the cake.  Also- redshirting DE horace Arkadie is going to be a BIG contributer next year.  He is like Jake- as is miles-nash.  all 3 are in the 260-275 range that is needed at the SDE spot.

WR will be a concern UNTIL some of the group steps up.  Of the 3 jrs to be- i liked Horton the best last year, Herndon this year.  Both should blossom next year.  Humphrey was actually out there against LSU in the 1st quarter as the only wr on the field- he definately has potential that- if reached- is arguably the most of any on the current roster- Hamilton included.  DGB would start from day 1, as would Courtney Gardner- the JC WR from California by way of Reno Nevada- he is a klenakis recruit and should not be overlooked.

One thing i have noticed in our WR recruiting- we are going away from the Wright/Adams types and are going for bigger types.  Look no further than what those two did against Bama and LSU this season and you will see why.  They are not able to get off the LOS against teams with NFL type corners.  They will go down- and rightfully so- as two of the BEST WR's to ever play here, but to beat those teams we have to have guys that can get off and create seperation not just with speed but with size and strength.

I too really like Blake Jackson- but a JC TE really isn't what we need for one of our last spots, imo.  If he had 3 years to play 3 rather than 2 to play 2 (which is the case), then i would be all for it.  But he isn't going to be beating out Gragg next year so i would rather let peterson/sprinkle develop next year THEN maybe go after a JC TE.  No need to give a scholarship to a guy that may just start for one year- even though he is really, really good.  It will take him the whole year just to be able to block well enough to not be a key that we are going to be passing when he is in the lineup.  Don't forget we have Hunter henry coming up in next years class who could be the best TE to come out of the state since Keif

biggest concern for next year is MLB, CB and S.  IF we can find immediate help next year at any of those spots than we will be top 5 all season and a legit NC contender- again.  if not then it will be more of the same of wearing down in the second half against bama and lsu.  as others have said- we REALLY need players on campus to step up and take those spots- TWilliams, Bray Mitchell or Haman at MLB, Fisher or Winston or Sleepy at CB and Carr, Smith or Turner at S.

[Tim Harris]

I'm not worried about WR at all.  We have quite a stable of capable guys there.  They aren't experienced like the group we just had graduate but that won't happen again with that many guys being household names for 4 years.  You can bet Petrino didn't want to do that but he had to his first year.  I don't think there is that much of a difference in size in some of the guys we have now and what we have/are recruiting.