Alright, so who plays vs redshirted this fall?

[57stratdawg]

I think we're going to see Malik Dear, Mixon, Peters, and Fletcher Adams on the field. I can see Leo redshirting cause of the complexity of playing LB under Diaz.

I could see damn near the rest of the class redshirting. I think McLauren is going to be a hell of a player for us, and he's at a rather thin position, but I don't know how easy his transition will be from a smaller HS.

I hope Story and Williams RS on the OL. I think if either of them see the field, it's probably not a great sign.

 

[J-Dawg]

I think Adams, Peters, Dear, Gray, Rankin, Jung and possibly Stamps play.

It's a shame Moton couldn't make it bc I believe he would see the field too.

Lewis may play as well. I think he's definitely good enough but I don't want to waste a year of eligibility on him if we are fine at the position. Peters is a different story. We need him to play. He will get significant minutes I believe.

 

[57stratdawg]

Is there any official word on Moton? Last I heard he still had work to do, but had a chance.

 

[Faustdog]

Lewis is going to play for two reasons. The first is that you play your highest profile recruits so that you can get more high profile recruits. The second is that you run the risk of only getting two years of playing time out of him if he redshirts. This nearly happened to us with McKinney. And I'm well aware of the varying opinions of Lewis's ability.

 

[57stratdawg]

Probably. I just don't see him getting many snaps with Richie Brown and Gerri Green. Although there have been rumors of Richie changing positions.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

Although there have been rumors of Richie changing positions.

I would love to get B Brown, Green and Richie on the field together, just not sure that trio would work well again spread offenses. I would rather an extra DB come in against pass heavy spread teams and then rotate Richie and Green alongside Beniquez. I have confidence in Manny to figure out the best mix.

 

[Go Budaw]

Lewis is going to play for two reasons. The first is that you play your highest profile recruits so that you can get more high profile recruits. The second is that you run the risk of only getting two years of playing time out of him if he redshirts. This nearly happened to us with McKinney. And I'm well aware of the varying opinions of Lewis's ability.

I don't disagree so much with your first reason, but your second reason is overcomplicating it a bit. If he is one of our top 6 LB's in the fall, he needs to play. If he isn't, he likely needs to redshirt. Pretty simple. However, if he can't crack the two deep but doesn't want to redshirt, he can play special teams.

We'll still be able to point to Peters and a few others if Mullen wants to play the "our top guys play right away" card. However, the coaches don't have the need (or the ability) to weigh the risks of Lewis going pro early vs getting as many productive years as possible. If he can't get on the depth chart this fall, then a year of just playing mop up duty and special teams isn't much different than just not playing at all.

 

[patdog]

Exactly. If he's one of the top 6, play him. If not, redshirt him.

 

[Faustdog]

I don't disagree so much with your first reason, but your second reason is overcomplicating it a bit. If he is one of our top 6 LB's in the fall, he needs to play. If he isn't, he likely needs to redshirt. Pretty simple. However, if he can't crack the two deep but doesn't want to redshirt, he can play special teams.

We'll still be able to point to Peters and a few others if Mullen wants to play the "our top guys play right away" card. However, the coaches don't have the need (or the ability) to weigh the risks of Lewis going pro early vs getting as many productive years as possible. If he can't get on the depth chart this fall, then a year of just playing mop up duty and special teams isn't much different than just not playing at all.

You're right. I didn't say that he will play if he's in the top six because that part is obvious.

But I do agree with everything in your post.

 

[esplanade91]

Slot receiver is STACKED. What happens to Gabe Myles? Seems like he's the odd man out.

 

[57stratdawg]

He got hurt at one of the last scrimmages, but I think he's going to get plenty of snaps. I think Gray might be a little more talented, but I bet Myles get the start for several of the early games.

Let me put it this way, if Gray beats out Myles to start the USM game, we are loaded at WR.

 

[esplanade91]

He got hurt at one of the last scrimmages, but I think he's going to get plenty of snaps. I think Gray might be a little more talented, but I bet Myles get the start for several of the early games.

Let me put it this way, if Gray beats out Myles to start the USM game, we are loaded at WR.

I think Ross will start at slot, with Gray #2. But beyond that, you've got Myles and Dear. Gray was the #1 JUCO WR last year.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Slight thread hi-jack: Do we have any physical freaks of nature that can fill Cheetah Wells' hybrid DB/LB cleats?

 

[121Josey]

I think Ross will start at slot, with Gray #2. But beyond that, you've got Myles and Dear. Gray was the #1 JUCO WR last year.

Gray isn't playing in the slot.

 

[121Josey]

No chance Mixon plays with Dear and Thomas already ahead of him.

 

[57stratdawg]

Probably not in the same role, but Gerri Green is a freak of nature as is Dez Harris. I haven't heard much out of Harris since tearing his ACL last year, but there were some around the program that thought he was the most athletic player on the team prior to that. Unfortunately, he was just starting to scratch the surface of his abilities. He may go down as a "Nick Griffin, what if" type player for me.

 

[121Josey]

Exactly. If he's one of the top 6, play him. If not, redshirt him.

If he want to play, he plays. If he wants to redshirt, he redshirts.

 

[Go Budaw]

Exactly. If he's one of the top 6, play him. If not, redshirt him.

Along those same lines, if I had to guess I would say as of right now he is the #6 guy (at worst) behind the Browns, Green, Jung, and Dez Harris. So I would think he would play.

The real question is how Diaz views them in terms of his scheme. Right now we seem to be overloaded with MLB and SLB types, with really Jung as the only guy that seems like a natural fit on the weak side. I know Diaz will be very multiple in where he lines guys up and wants all 3 LB's to be able to understand the roles from each position, but we will still always need a guy on the field that can shadow a TE or RB out of the backfield. I think thats where you may see Richie Brown move over to the weak side due to his speed, with Green and Beniquez holding down MLB and SLB, and Lewis / Harris backing them up. Just a guess though.

ETA: I also forgot about Zach Jackson, Tim Washington, and JT Gray. We really are loaded at LB.

 

[esplanade91]

Gray isn't playing in the slot.

Has he not been practicing in the slot? He's a prototypical slot receiver.

Not that I have a problem with moving a slot receiver outside (we've done it quite a bit) but personally I think Gray would be at his best over the middle.

 

[57stratdawg]

Gray is going to be an interesting player to watch this fall. I think we need to get him out of the box, but I trust Diaz. He has a heck of a nose for the ball, but man is he undersized. I hate he played last year. Kind of wasted a year there.

Sorry, I'm hoping Zach Jackson gets passed on the depth chart. I would think Washington RS.

 

[patdog]

If he's one of the top 6, he's a stud. Just remember, all 3 of our starting LBs redshirted. And they were all very good recruits out of high school.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

Has he not been practicing in the slot? He's a prototypical slot receiver.

Not that I have a problem with moving a slot receiver outside (we've done it quite a bit) but personally I think Gray would be at his best over the middle.

No. He played all spring on the outside including the scrimmages and spring game. As long as he's strong enough and fast enough to avoid jams at the line, he'll be fine. It will be nice to have a true speed guy out there.

 

[hullabaloodog]

I think we'll see a few play.

Jung, Peters, Stamps, and Adams will play the most.
I'm up in the air on Leo. I think he could play but we have more depth at LB than people think. He'll have to beat out Dez or Gray for PT.
I know the coaches really like Dear, but he's behind a lot of veterans on the depth chart so it's hard for me to see him getting many reps. He appears to be very versatile though, so I think we could see him at RB, WR, and KR.

Redshirt the rest.

 

[121Josey]

Do people not realize that Jung is JUCO? 99% chance of him playing.

 

[kired]

I won't be surprised if one of the freshmen DEs play. I think we had 3 guys we signed in that 6'-4" 250 lbs range that project at DEs.

 

[Palos verdes]

Adams
Peters
Jung
Rankin
Moton- likely plays if he makes it

Outside chance if good fall showing-

Kendall Jones- we need more depth and guys to get experience .

Mark McLaurin- he may be better than people realize

Keith Mixon- I think he redshirts, but this kid is going to be a difference maker and the coaches know it. But we are already armed to the teeth here.

 

[hullabaloodog]

Anfernee Mullins

I won't be surprised if one of the freshmen DEs play. I think we had 3 guys we signed in that 6'-4" 250 lbs range that project at DEs.

Isn't Afernee Mullins supposed to be a great get for us? Not rated highly by recruiting services but our coaches apparently love him and he's some kind of athletic freak. I could see him getting thrown in there to give someone a breather.