This is the third in a series of posts about the status of the program. I examine the roster by breaking down each of the program’s classes (not necessarily the “recruiting classes” since some redshirt, but the seniors, juniors. etc.). How will each class affect the roster depth, what contributions will they make next year and beyond, as well as whom from each class originally signed but is no longer with the team? [See also: “State of the Program Part 1: Hawkruiting” (November) and “Part 2: 2012 Positional Outlook” at right in the Archives.]
§ Rising Seniors. This is actually a very small class of only 11 players, only 5 0r 6 that have actually contributed in the past. While usually a team wants a strong senior core, I maintain that for now it is better that we have fewer players that were heavily influenced by the losing culture here under Hawk.
§ The team and the defense will be led by the dynamic duo, hopefully both completely healthy going into the season, of LBs Jon Major and Doug Rippy (will miss spring ball). Major (should be fully recovered from a variety of minor injuries) will almost assuredly continue as a captain and Rippy could very well join him in that leadership role. The other very important senior players on the defense are DT Wil Pericak (another potential captain) and safety Ray Polk, who must be the leader of the secondary, set the example and reign in some of his reckless play. This core must lead the defense physically, emotionally and vocally to slow down the dynamic Pac-12 offenses they will face all year long.
§ This is the final chance for DT Eric Richter, DB/LB Vince Ewing and DB(WR?) Makiri Pugh to get on the field outside of special teams. While all of them will surely play on special teams, if one or more of them could make a difference, be next year’s “Conrad Obi-feel good” story as senior, that would be a nice bonus for the defense. On the other hand, it wouldn’t bode well for our overall talent level if all of them end up playing larger roles on the defense.
§ Offensively, RT Ryan Dannewitz looked to be only senior to get a lot of playing time, until blue chip defensive line recruit Nick Kasa moved to TE in the latter part of the season. Dannewitz will compete with Jr. Jack Harris and any others for the right tackle spot, but is more likely to be the utility tackle, backing up both sides, as he was originally set to do this season, before injuries led to him being the right tackle for most of the year. Kasa says he will be ready to challenge for the starting job at TE next year, providing a little more senior presence and leadership on offense.
§ WR Dustin Ebner will compete with his younger brother Drew among others for playing time as a possession receiver in multiple wideout sets. QB Brent Burnette is just a body brought in for depth and insurance (before finding John Schrock) and is now just earning a free ride.
§ Signed but no longer with the team: The 2008 class (would be fifth-year seniors like Doug Rippy and S Ray Polk) is littered with names that never played-LB Lynn Katoa (legal), TE Ryan Wallace, S Steven Hicks, WR Chance Blackmon-as well as players that didn’t work out but could have really helped-of course RB Darrell Scott (at some geographical Florida now) as well as two guys who were supposed to be blocking for him, OG Max Tuoti-Mariner (injuries) and OT Bryce Givens (general screw-up).
The 2009 class also had some players expected to contribute right away but ended up leaving the program, the highest profile being DE Forrest West, who could have been a senior leader on the d-line but chose to transfer after spring ball wasn’t his cup of tea. WR Andre Simmons was a JC transfer member of that class, never did much, struggled academically, and faded into the night.
§ Rising Juniors. This is not a huge class either (only about 17 plus walk-ons), but does include some guys who have already played significant roles and will be probably be counted on to be the core of the squad for the next two years. It will be interesting to see how many of these guys hold on to their spots and see significant playing time, and how many are surpassed by younger players and fade down the depth chart.
§ The headliners of this group are WR Paul Richardson and DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe, who are also the only two who are true third year juniors, having come in and played right away as freshmen, while the rest of their class redshirted. They both need to have huge years and not disappear during games (as both were wont to do), for the Buffs to be successful.
§ Other major contributors on defense will be: DB Parker Orms, likely the nickel back when healthy; S Terrell Smith, a big hitter who has been very inconsistent, but who has also been asked to play every spot in the secondary (he has a lot of potential but it would be dangerous to have him and Polk back there together-both for us giving up long plays, but also to opposing receivers); Paul Vigo has never really taken advantage of any opportunities given him so far but he should be in the mix for playing time in the secondary; DT Nate Bonsu should finally be healthy and ready to make some noise inside with Wil Pericak. LB Derrick Webb showed some great promise toward the end of the year and could really solidify the LB corps alongside Major and Rippy.
§ 2009 was actually a solid year for the offensive line as LT David Bahktiari has been a mainstay, first at right and now left tackle, OT Jack Harris looks to come back from his broken leg and win the right side from Dannewitz, and C/G Gus Handler will compete for two spots with two sophomores and a freshman, at a minimum serving as the top middle of the line backup.
§ RB Josh Ford will be looking to crack the lineup, fighting for time against Tony Jones and any younger backs. He has definitely shown some nice flashes running between the tackles, but has also had some fumble problems and is not a consistently good blocker. Another player who could play a big role, but one we’d probably rather have overtaken by a more talented freshman.
§ DaVaughn Thorton has switched from TE to WR and could make a splash right away with his size opposite Paul Richardson. If he can take some attention from opposing DBs, it will let P-Rich have the space to do his thing. Jarrod Darden has never done much but certainly has the opportunity now.
§ Looks like Ryan Iverson has the long-snapper duties for two more years, until Embree stumbles across someone else.
§ K/Ps Zack Grossnickle & Justin Castor (although he handled most kickoffs) will continue to earn honorary “Aric Goodman” scholarships for lame kickers.
§ Walk-ons Alex Wood and Scott Fernandez could factor in at TE or FB.
§ Signed but no longer with the team: The 2009 class had numerous other players who never contributed: C Shaun Simon, DT Edward Nuckols, WR Terdema Ussery did abosolutelt nothing; QB Clark Evans tried to convert to TE then disappeared; DB Deji Olatoye and LB Liloa Lobriga were expected to earn some playing time this year and next, but neither had the work ethic nor could they keep out of trouble, and both have been dismissed from the team this season.
§ Rising redshirt/third-year Sophomores. I separate this group for two reasons: 1) they bring a full extra year of experience, including an extra set of spring and fall practices, and more game exposure, if not experience; 2) this group consists of recruits from Hawkins’ lame duck year and are very different from Embree’s new crew. However, it actually does include a fair amount of talent that will be counted on heavily next year and beyond.
§ It will be interesting to see what happens with QB Nick Hirshman. Can he compete with Texas transfer Connor Wood, (who technically belongs in this group as well)? Hirschman got some experience this year and looked neither great nor awful in his limited time. However, everyone around the program is talking about Wood, who truly looks the part and seems to have all the intangibles. However, he played at a very small lower division Texas high school, and was fourth on the depth chart at Texas before transferring here. The winner of this battle will be very important to the team, but the loser could end up being just as important down the line.
§ C/Gs Kawai Crabb and Daniel Munyer both have a good chance to play a lot and could each win a starting job, competing with Handler at center and guard, as well as freshman Asiata at guard. Alex Lewis, who played some tackle and TE this season (not sure where he settles), was also originally in this class, but grayshirted and will be a “true” sophomore.
§ RB Tony Jones could be the man to carry the rock for a few years, or he could be passed up by younger players, especially if he doesn’t improve his pass blocking. Cordary Allen has some size but has not been heard from much; he was moved to TE at least for while, but is indeed still on the roster and we will have to see where he ends up or if he can contribute at all.
§ Kyle Slavin is the last of a huge group of TEs (see below and since Thorton has switched to WR). He got a little playing time but needs to step it up. Keenan Canty provides depth at WR and maybe kick returner, but it would be better if incoming frosh could overtake him with size, speed and talent.
§ CBs Josh Moten and Jered Bell are two of the more interesting cases on defense: Moten, a speedy, natural athlete who has played quarterback and many other positions, is also coming off a suspension (however, he was the first one re-instated as soon as he took care of some community service), but will be in the mix in the secondary; meanwhile Bell was in line for a starting job in the preseason, and obviously would have played a lot this year, before blowing out a knee in fall practices.
§ It would be nice if DE Kirk Poston made a splash as the depth is thin. [DT Eric Richter is a senior but was recruited from JC with this group.]
§ LB Lowell Williams has really only seen spot special teams duty and may have a hard time cracking the lineup with the true freshmen who have already passed him on the depth chart.
§ Justin Gorman can hold, return kicks, backup at DB and be emergency QB.
§ Signed but no longer with the team: This 2010 group was supposed to bolster the offense but has had 3 TEs, 2 RBs and a WR basically do nothing and disappear already. This is the reason our TEs are so thin, as Justin Favors never made it here while Harold Mobley and Henley Griffon, both who had great size and athleticisim, were told their attitudes were not needed after spring ball. RB Trea Jones and WR Donnie Duncan couldn’t qualify, while RB/LB Justin Torres burned his redshirt, looked decent in his first action at RB, then abruptly bailed on the program and went home to mama.
§ Rising Sophomores. This is Embree’s first recruiting class and I think he has a certain bond with these guys on whom he will build the foundation of the future. The promise this group showed with 15 of them (including Alex Lewis) getting thrown into the fire this year, along with the solid group of players from the class before them (above), is why many are already pointing to 2013 and 2014 as years for the Buffaloes to make some noise in the Pac-12, when this large group will be juniors and seniors.
§ CB Greg Henderson leads this group and should man one side of the defense for three more years. Kyle Washington, Wil Harlos and KT Tu’umalo all were called upon to play some safety in the wake of so many injuries this year and will compete with each other for a starting spot next year.
§ Tu’umalo could also put on some weight and re-join Brady Daigh and Woodson Greer III at LB. The latter two should be sharing some time backing up the various linebacker positions and should play alongside each other for years to come. High school All-American Juda Parker also got some game experience this year and should earn some playing time at either DE or outside/Jack LB.
§ On offense, hopefully WR Tyler McCulloch steps it up next year and shows more of the receiving skills on Folsom that he has flashed on the practice fields. OG Paulay Asiata is primed to take over a guard spot for years to come and has earned the praise of both coaches and fellow players alike.
§ DD Goodson started as an RB, was expected to help in the return game but never did, and ended up helping out (when healthy) as a defensive back. No idea where he ends up, except that he should factor into the return game somehow and will be on coverage teams as well because of his speed and tenacity.
§ We will have to see how RB Malcolm Creer recovers from his severe knee injury. He definitely contributes if healthy but could actually redshirt.
§ The kicker specialist positions look to be set for awhile with P Darragh O’Neill and K Wil Oliver performing well all year. Oliver handled some of the kickoffs when Castor was ineffective, but O’Neill has the strongest leg and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win this spot as well.
§ Redshirting Freshmen There were a few freshmen who actually did redshirted and did not have to play this year, and some do look to contribute in the future. Stephane Nembot is hopefully the next Nate Solder at offensive tackle. CB Sherrard Harrington would have likely played if it hadn’t been for a strange preseason hip injury and hopes to be a mainstay in the secondary. Nelson Spruce has the potential to be a great possession receiver and had looked to play after fall camp but never broke into the lineup. Jermane Clark is another speedster who will likely end up in the secondary and could be a special teams stalwart.
§ Not sure if QB Stevie Joe Dorman (Detmer) will ever do much here. Brad Cotner was brought in to provide depth when Mike Iltis bailed but has slid down depth chart with emergence of Crabb at center.
§ Only Ath. Rashad Hall did not qualify from this class, although Austin Vincent’s shower antics will likely punch his ticket out of Boulder.
§ True Freshmen? While it is impossible to project exactly how this group, nowhere near completion, and none of whom have even signed yet, will actually turn out, the fact remains that many will need to play immediately. Having graduated so many seniors and having such a small incoming senior class, numerous true freshmen, maybe (hopefully) not fifteen, will have to burn their redshirts and contribute right away. We can predict that at least a few WRs and TEs, and possibly an RB will be touching the ball. A few bodies will definitely need to get into the rotation on the defensive line (this help could come in the form of JC players also) and at least one DB will get into the mix. Some freshmen, like this year, may be asked to play just for special teams purposes and one is likely to fill at least one of the return positions. Anything beyond that will be a blessing or another crazy year like this one was.
§ I will get more into this class with a few updates as we approach signing day February 1 (JC players can actually sign December 19 if they are going to enroll for the spring.
§ Keep your eye on the “Recruiting News” box on the right hand side of the website, where I periodically provide information on recruiting, prospects, scheduled visits, verbal commitments and other rumors as I find them.
No comments:
Post a Comment