This program will never NOT have a ton of question marks particularly with more and more reliance on transfers every year. I can only give him the benefit of the doubt at this point. I doubt our previous three or four coaches would have delivered a season like last year given the chaos at QB and the late loss of Addison. And it looked bleak for awhile. But he rallies them.
I still thought we had significantly more talent than most teams on our schedule last year, though. Like we knew coming into the season that our o-line would be solid, and it was solid enough that our best o-linemen going into this season wasn't even a starter to begin last season. We knew the d-line was one of the best in the country (even if the guys not named Kancey underperformed a bit). We knew what kind of player Dennis was; we knew the safeties were a plus; we knew who Izzy was; etc. We go 11-1 with just average QB play last year. .
This year, there are fewer position groups that are guaranteed plusses. O-line and cornerback, definitely. But then what? Outside of a few guys who CAN be difference makers this year, it seems like most of the starters/upperclassmen are probably solid but closer to bridge guys. I'm skeptical when guys who didn't get on the field much in 3 or 4 years, or who did get on the field but didn't contribute much, are slated to be starters/big contributors this season. I mean, you do see it every now and then where things just click and a guy gets way better in his final, or penultimate, season. But if I go by position:
1) Quarterback - Frankly, I'm not sold. He had a decent (not good) season three years ago and has been bad since. Would not shock me if the Canadian is the starter by season's end.
2) Running Back - I really like Hammond, but he isn't the home run back who can just house one when you're offense is sputtering, like Izzy was. He also goes straight at guys and takes a lot of hits.
3) Tight End - I do think they'll be better this year, but Bartholomew still has to prove he can do it from the traditional (i.e. not H-back) spot, because he didn't last year.
4) Receiver - Very high ceiling, low floor potential. The definition of question mark city.
5) O-line - Should be a huge plus.
6) DT - Solid, but I'm not convinced there's a difference maker there this year. I see a lot of the Amir Watts type, as opposed to Kancey or Twyman. And the difference between winning and losing can be paper thin; those difference makers, well, make all the difference.
7) DE - Like DT, I see guys who can hold their own, but no one who jumps off the page. Now, at both groups on the d-line, I think there are some younger guys who could be pretty big time (Okunola, Neal, Camon, maybe Scott, etc.). But being that as soon as this season seems a little less likely (and the true freshmen will likely redshirt, obviously).
8) LB - This could very a very solid group, and I lean toward that. But I don't underestimate the importance of having Dennis calling out assignments, etc. Goodness knows Kamara missed enough of them last season,
9) CB - I think we should be fine. Well, at least with the top three. After that... ???
10) Safety - Very difficult position to learn in this defense. Breaking in two new ones may or may not make for a bumpy ride.
