Way too early 2018 depth chart projections
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
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Keontae Jones, Richard Bowens, and Johnnie Lang all played early in the year. Due to "injuries" (or just lack of PT) Campbell has said they hope a couple of those guys still qualify for redshirt. Same goes for Leo, I know he's not a freshman.
I just feel like the OL might be the ONLY thing holding us back from a REALLY good year next season. That's assuming Zeb will be decent, which I fully expect he will be.
The OL should be better, but one never knows. Just because you have experience coming back doesn't mean it will be better IMO. They were not good at run blocking this year, so there's no guarantee they will be any better next year. We need some new blood in there to help us out..... whether it's Oge, Bolton, Hudson, Mueller, etc? Someone needs to come in and be a great surprise for us next year, kinda like Knipfel was this year for us.
The OL should be better, but one never knows. Just because you have experience coming back doesn't mean it will be better IMO. They were not good at run blocking this year, so there's no guarantee they will be any better next year. We need some new blood in there to help us out..... whether it's Oge, Bolton, Hudson, Mueller, etc? Someone needs to come in and be a great surprise for us next year, kinda like Knipfel was this year for us.
My key questions going into 2018:
1. Will the OL be improved?
Obviously we need a more consistent running game for Montgomery. Not to mention a couple other backs behind him with better homerun speed. That will also help take pressure off a new starting QB, as well as open up 1 on 1 opportunities for still a very talented WR group.
2. Who becomes the go-to WR for crucial 3rd/4th downs?
Lazard was so big for us over the years. The natural response would be Butler. I like his potential, however, he will need to prove he can produce as THE man. Can he consistently catch the ball when teams get physical with him? I really like Eaton. Thought he was more consistent relative to targets, making easy and tough catches. Also thought Jones was underutilized this season. And Chase Allen needs to start getting targets.
3. Will the Kicker position be reliable?
Owens was an unsung hero this season. Very good with FGs and PATs. We need that to continue. Hope Narveson can step in, otherwise Francis?
4. Who steps in at the 2 or 3 safety spots?
If we stick with the 3-3-5 look, just need smart, disciplined safeties staying deep and coming down in run support. Even if we play a more traditional 4-3 or 4-2-5, Peavy and Payne should be able to handle themselves on the outside, freeing up the safeties.
5. This could actually be most important, who steps into vocal and example leadership roles?
Lanning, Lazard, Waggoner, KCM, Campos and Kempt were great in various leadership aspects this season. Aside from Montgomery and Peavy, who else steps up? Anyone on the OL? Lima? Harvey? Payne?
Really looking forward to 2018, but as Coach Campbell has said, the team cannot feel entitled to another winning season. Must start from scratch and put in the work to earn success.
1. Will the OL be improved?
Obviously we need a more consistent running game for Montgomery. Not to mention a couple other backs behind him with better homerun speed. That will also help take pressure off a new starting QB, as well as open up 1 on 1 opportunities for still a very talented WR group.
2. Who becomes the go-to WR for crucial 3rd/4th downs?
Lazard was so big for us over the years. The natural response would be Butler. I like his potential, however, he will need to prove he can produce as THE man. Can he consistently catch the ball when teams get physical with him? I really like Eaton. Thought he was more consistent relative to targets, making easy and tough catches. Also thought Jones was underutilized this season. And Chase Allen needs to start getting targets.
3. Will the Kicker position be reliable?
Owens was an unsung hero this season. Very good with FGs and PATs. We need that to continue. Hope Narveson can step in, otherwise Francis?
4. Who steps in at the 2 or 3 safety spots?
If we stick with the 3-3-5 look, just need smart, disciplined safeties staying deep and coming down in run support. Even if we play a more traditional 4-3 or 4-2-5, Peavy and Payne should be able to handle themselves on the outside, freeing up the safeties.
5. This could actually be most important, who steps into vocal and example leadership roles?
Lanning, Lazard, Waggoner, KCM, Campos and Kempt were great in various leadership aspects this season. Aside from Montgomery and Peavy, who else steps up? Anyone on the OL? Lima? Harvey? Payne?
Really looking forward to 2018, but as Coach Campbell has said, the team cannot feel entitled to another winning season. Must start from scratch and put in the work to earn success.
1. Agree, OL needs to be a LOT better in the run game. Kene will provide the homerun threat you're looking for.
2. I feel like either Butler or Eaton needs to become the go to guy in crucial situations next year. Eaton and Deshaunte Jones both need to get more targets next year, they are both studs, and I also hope to see Allen targeted more as well. Of course there's only so many balls to go around though.
3. Not sure how good the new kicker will be? Will be crucial though, as always.
4. New JUCO Eisworth needs to be a good one for us. I like White and Jones will be good too eventually.
5. Montgomery is already a great leader, and defensively Peavy should be if he can keep his head screwed on straight.
Many reasons for optimism, but also many key seniors from this year to replace. Going along with a look at personnel, I’m curious to see if we see any scheme changes, particularly on offense:
1.) We lose three very good WRs, but we’ll add two very explosive RBs (Lang and Kene) and have at least two good blocking TEs, one of which has great potential as a receiver.
2.) Given the aforementioned personnel and our struggles to run the ball, will we see more use of multiple back sets and use of the TE and H-Back?
3.) Kempt stepped up very well, and his horizontal passing at times was our run game. But defenses could really key on Montgomery with him and some of the field was removed due to his arm. What needs to change to help the OL and DM? What will change for presumably Noland as QB?
In terms of personnel:
I echo the questions on the OL. We return 4 guys with a lot of starting experience, plus a player that potentially would have started this year if not for injury. But they really struggled to run block. I know we have some promising freshmen coming off redshirts, but it would be huge to get Campos back and/or a grad transfer.
-Hopefully we hit on the special teams specialists. Adding better returnmen would be nice. We need to be good here.
-I think grad transfers at LB and Safety/DB would make sense, and a QB is a must. Lewis and White will need to make a step up.
-Trent and Waggoner really stepped up. We have the bodies, but it will be hard to have a better DL. Those guys played very sound football.
1.) We lose three very good WRs, but we’ll add two very explosive RBs (Lang and Kene) and have at least two good blocking TEs, one of which has great potential as a receiver.
2.) Given the aforementioned personnel and our struggles to run the ball, will we see more use of multiple back sets and use of the TE and H-Back?
3.) Kempt stepped up very well, and his horizontal passing at times was our run game. But defenses could really key on Montgomery with him and some of the field was removed due to his arm. What needs to change to help the OL and DM? What will change for presumably Noland as QB?
In terms of personnel:
I echo the questions on the OL. We return 4 guys with a lot of starting experience, plus a player that potentially would have started this year if not for injury. But they really struggled to run block. I know we have some promising freshmen coming off redshirts, but it would be huge to get Campos back and/or a grad transfer.
-Hopefully we hit on the special teams specialists. Adding better returnmen would be nice. We need to be good here.
-I think grad transfers at LB and Safety/DB would make sense, and a QB is a must. Lewis and White will need to make a step up.
-Trent and Waggoner really stepped up. We have the bodies, but it will be hard to have a better DL. Those guys played very sound football.
I love watching Seonbucher. I can' remember what play it was when he blasted number 6 and told him about it. He doesn' gaf
Agree about the offensive scheme. I just really dislike the RPO/zone read stuff. Unless you have a Lamar Jackson or Bake Mayfield at QB, I think you'e better off calling a designed run OR pass play. It leaves the OL in limbo, trying to engage in run blocking but can't get to 2nd level in case of a pass. It appears we won't have a starting QB dangerous enough to be a threat in the running game. I wouldn't mind getting Jay or Bruns' analysis on our RPO scheme.
The one thing I have appreciated with Manning and Campbell is willingness to throw downfield, and regardless of time/down/distance will target perceived mismatches in the passing game. Even tho it could cost us (KSU game), have to live the confidence and aggressiveness. And of course we've had good passers and catchers compared to previous years.
Redzone efficiency needs to be improved next season.
Key decisions coming up: Kempt and the NCAA, Peavey and the NFL. Those two decisions will help in deciding whether to bring in grad transfers.
The main thing we as fans don't know is how the redshirting players did this fall. What can we expect from Hudson and Bolton? How good is Josh Johnson and Tarique Milton?
It will be VERY interesting to see where guys are lined up when the spring two deep comes out. Where do Bowens and Jones fit in the secondary? Which RSFR make the initial two deep? I think that will be pretty telling. Will Oge be back for spring? Where do Leo and Tongamoa fit in?
The other interesting thing will be how they finish the recruiting class. To me, they have a chance to be a very good team next year. I would use the remaining scholarships to sign guys that can help right away...JC/grad transfer OT, S.
The main thing we as fans don't know is how the redshirting players did this fall. What can we expect from Hudson and Bolton? How good is Josh Johnson and Tarique Milton?
It will be VERY interesting to see where guys are lined up when the spring two deep comes out. Where do Bowens and Jones fit in the secondary? Which RSFR make the initial two deep? I think that will be pretty telling. Will Oge be back for spring? Where do Leo and Tongamoa fit in?
The other interesting thing will be how they finish the recruiting class. To me, they have a chance to be a very good team next year. I would use the remaining scholarships to sign guys that can help right away...JC/grad transfer OT, S.
Keontae Jones, Richard Bowens, Johnnie Lang and Jake Hummel were those who played.
Excited to watch the young players step up and fill voids left by those solid seniors.
Keep hearing really good things about the young guys at multiple positions. Really hope Keontae Jones puts on some size this offseason. Not very often you see a 163lb safety (im sure he will put on at least 10 just by default).
I agree on the offensive scheme. The RPO isn't nearly as effective with a Kyle Kempt or Zeb Noland running it as it is with someone who is actually a threat to run, like Re-al Mitchell.
I would like to see what Montgomery could do with an OL that was actually run blocking on running plays. Looking at what the weaknesses were with this year's team, the OL run blocking sticks out the most to me. There's a reason Montgomery led the nation in broken tackles and yards after contact..... he had no blocking all year and got everything on his own. Felt bad for him really. You kinda had the feeling it was only going to be a matter of time before he got injured, and eventually he did. Gotta shore that up next year.
By the time Hudson, Bolton and incoming freshman Ramos and Downing are upperclassmen you could be looking at an offensive line that goes 315-320 (minimum) pounds across the board. Don't hate that!
They say defense wins championships, so I like how according to the article we have given up on the traditional "offense & defense" scheme and will now only be playing defense both ways (now referred to as "the Double-D").
The innovation of our defense and the success it had throughout the year is great, and I'm glad Campbell continues to create new ideas on the field.
[insert jimlad]
The innovation of our defense and the success it had throughout the year is great, and I'm glad Campbell continues to create new ideas on the field.
[insert jimlad]
Angel Dominguez and Tucker Robertson: Specific info for placing Angel on list and not Tucker? Angel had a serious knee owy; Tucker is powerful and aggressive.
Maybe we should consider rookie OL Alex Kleinow as a mover and shaker on the line, too? In fall camp he and Hudson were drawing raves from the coaches. Later in the fall, there was word Kleinow was dinged up. Spring ball, guess we'll know more. . . .
Maybe we should consider rookie OL Alex Kleinow as a mover and shaker on the line, too? In fall camp he and Hudson were drawing raves from the coaches. Later in the fall, there was word Kleinow was dinged up. Spring ball, guess we'll know more. . . .
1. I feel like the OL was geared to pass-block first this year. For a lot of the games it seemed like the plan was to pass to set up Montgomery's bruising runs later in games. The short passing game really replaced the running game for many games. Going into this staff's third year, it'll be interesting to see if they feel confident enough to man up against other Big XII lines week in and week out and run the ball. I'm guessing we'll look fairly similar to this year, though.
2. Butler has to be the choice, but I like your comments about Eaton and Allen too. Does anyone else feel like every throw to Allen was high this year? I swear every ball he caught he was fully extended. Ryen was a little unsung this year, but he was so reliable. There were numerous times where he caught a crucial third down to keep a drive going. I'm hoping someone embraces that speed role this year.
3. Owens was very solid. He had some misses, but he didn't miss a PAT. I'd take that kind of performance every year from my kicker. I think we all remember what used to be and hope to never return to those dark times.
4. I think we are gonna have to hope Eisworth is the real deal. I wouldn't be surprised if we still go after some more bodies back there, though. It's definitely the biggest question mark on defense.
5. Leaders always step forward. Montgomery leads by example. Lima and Bailey are absolute studs, but I love seeing a vocal linebacker as a leader since they get involved in so many plays. I'm not sure of their personalities, but I'd like to see Spears or Harvey step up for this role.
Gonna miss Waggoner a lot. He was such a pain in the ass for so many opponents, and I loved watching him disrupt so many plays.
