Highly interesting question! My first thought was Park. However, if a backup - Lanning in all probably - with high skills could prevent a significant falloff in performance, then Park is not the answer.
So, then, I asked myself, what spot on the squad is not yet proven but is critical to the outcome of the season? Receiver, running back, defensive back all look decently stocked with proven performers and talented youths. That leaves OLine, DLine, Linebacker groups.
Secondhand, I've heard a couple of "weird" things - both are hearsay, not fact. 1 - The DLine has the potential to become Big 12 exceptional; 2 - Linebacker Willie Harvey has as much ability as anyone the coaches have had at that position during their coaching careers (Toledo-iSu).
For me, then, the focus is on - surprise! - the OLine.
Meeker, I like a lot what I saw of him in the spring game. Great footwork, power, sustainability on blocks.
Campos, who did not participate in spring ball, how well can he rebound from 2016's pre-season broken ankle?
Julian Good-Jones is an understood athlete, few question marks.
OG Oge Udeogu, did he play in the spring game? (IIRC, he had a niggling injury and was held out. Correct?) For me, he's an unknown although he's projected to be in the battle to start.
OG Robbie Garcia, watching him in November games, I was happy for the kid to see that he played aggressively with power and technique.
Rookie OT Sean Foster, when I focused on him for a few plays during the spring game, seemed to dominate huge DE Eyioma Uwazurike.
So, now, I'm not only down to the OLine as the key unit to success in the fall, I'm focused on the health of Campos and the impact that Udeogu might make. But, there's a third guy that must factor in: Josh Knipfel, the transfer in from Western Iowa.
So, myself, I'm down to three key figures, all OLinemen:
1 - Udeogu - can he perform?
2 - Campos - will he recover well enough from a severe injury?
3 - Knipfel - will he be P5 ready?
The coaches have said that Campos looks good, he's recovered well from injury with rehab, they expect him to be fully ready to go for fall camp.
Knipfel is an unknown, although he is highly regarded and reportedly has an extra element in that he is a Cyclone fan of standing. There is an adjustment there that must be made, to P5 football, to iSu practices and playbook.
Ugeogu - OK, here's my guy. The offense, skill-wise, has superior potential. The unknown segment of the offense, though, at this point, is the offensive line. Last fall Meeker and Good-Jones played many snaps, Garcia got some snaps, too, along the way. Udeogu redshirted.
When Udeogu signed out of JC, CMC raved, beyond what seemed typical, about Udeogu's athleticism. A former soccer player who grew into a 6-3, 320 pounder who excelled at strength and movement. He came in late for fall camp in 2016 out of shape, it was said, and it took some time for him to adjust to his new P5 environment. From what we've heard, he's made strong progress.
Before I began this long-winded exercise, I had no idea where I would end up. That was the fun of it. So, cyfan21, thanks much for providing entertainment tonight! My candidate for iSu Jenga piece:
OG Oge Udeogu.
