Football next year ---

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Sorry should have said we drop Troy for CCU in 2017.

For 2018 we'll play GS, GA St., Troy, CCU in our division and 4 of the 5 from the west (if they implement permanent partners we'll get Ark St, the two administration seems to favor each other). It seems the decision makers prefer the championship game to be played at the higher rated team (how that is determined should be interesting).

This would be awful, we could be undefeated next year and not play either Troy or Arkansas State. We would need those wins to legitimize our run for the playoffs!

[WVAPPeer]

Unfortunately Law has missed some considerable time this season and that has given the back-ups extra work - no question that Law and Gilchrist are very good players but having Boggs and Stringer back as the nucleus tells me we will be fine ---

[Saint3333]

I'm not overly concerned about the OL. TEC is ready to step in at either C or G and we have 7 redshirt freshman and sophomores to find the other starting position and add depth. Plus we should average ~15 fewer penalty yards/game next year.

I think we have a load of talent at LB and Boggs/Stringer aren't scared to lead from my perspective.

If Gibbs comes back the secondary is loaded.

Biggest drop off position from 2016 to 2017 IMO may be punter.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

We have some serious redshirt DL playing next year if I recall correctly.

[appbanker]

I think we will be okay at punter since we will have Critcher for 4 more years. That is Rylee Critcher, Bentlee's younger brother. He is a redshirt this year. Watching him during warm ups after halftime he appears to be able to kick it as well as Bentlee, and also like Bentlee he is a football player that also kicks, having also played TE and MLB for Watauga High.

[QueencityApp]

I'm not overly concerned about the OL. TEC is ready to step in at either C or G and we have 7 redshirt freshman and sophomores to find the other starting position and add depth. Plus we should average ~15 fewer penalty yards/game next year.
I think we have a load of talent at LB and Boggs/Stringer aren't scared to lead from my perspective.

If Gibbs comes back the secondary is loaded.

Biggest drop off position from 2016 to 2017 IMO may be punter.

I see what you did there

[EastHallApp]

The one spot I'm concerned about that no one's mentioned is DT. Obviously we have Stout returning but with Fernandez and Small leaving, and no true DTs signed the past couple classes, our depth and size are a worry. Brody Barrett could certainly help both if he's ready to play a major role. After that, it's a lot of ???

On the flip side, there are some areas where we could be better - specifically WR. I would expect Rubino to be more reliable from the first game and potentially start to try/make more longer FGs. And obviously the prospect of a Duck/Gibbs pairing at corner is pretty tantalizing.

[CornCobPipes]

The one spot I'm concerned about that no one's mentioned is DT. Obviously we have Stout returning but with Fernandez and Small leaving, and no true DTs signed the past couple classes, our depth and size are a worry. Brody Barrett could certainly help both if he's ready to play a major role. After that, it's a lot of ???

On the flip side, there are some areas where we could be better - specifically WR. I would expect Rubino to be more reliable from the first game and potentially start to try/make more longer FGs. And obviously the prospect of a Duck/Gibbs pairing at corner is pretty tantalizing.

I agree 100 percent........ Our biggest concern is the middle of front line on Defense......we are thin at DT and nose positions......this is position that is slow to grow guys into because of adding weight.......we desperately need shovel ready recruits for these positions....a freshman recruit with the size could come in and get playing time immediately......don't want to see us weaken our ol depth to fill these spots.

[moonshine]

The coaches seem to be pretty high on Haskins to step in on the OL assuming he can add the necessary weight. The biggest factor is adding depth behind the starters on the OL. Neuzil, Williams and Taylor will hopefully step up to solidify the 2-deep.

Hunter is being moved inside to shore up the DT depth and has been making some noise on the scout team. It will be difficult to replace KG and Law's production in the LBing corp. I think with the amount of time several of the backups saw this season, especially when we saw both Boggs and Law out, the LBer's should be fine.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

The one spot I'm concerned about that no one's mentioned is DT. Obviously we have Stout returning but with Fernandez and Small leaving, and no true DTs signed the past couple classes, our depth and size are a worry. Brody Barrett could certainly help both if he's ready to play a major role. After that, it's a lot of ???

On the flip side, there are some areas where we could be better - specifically WR. I would expect Rubino to be more reliable from the first game and potentially start to try/make more longer FGs. And obviously the prospect of a Duck/Gibbs pairing at corner is pretty tantalizing.

Agreed on the receiving, I think our WR core is going to be amazing next year. Especially with adding the kid from NW Guilford if he isn't redshirted. Even considering being able to redshirt him is amazing. Losing a big returner in Capel, and TE in Burns, but feel we have the depth to replace those guys and guys from this year starting to emerge could have break-out seasons next year.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

It will be interesting to see who replaces Marcus Cox. Jalin Moore will be the starter, but as much as we run, a reliable second choice RB will be needed. I would imagine Evans would be a leading candidate but, off season and camp will be interesting and I expect some good battles.

[JTApps1]

There was a lot of talk about Marcus Williams in the pre-season before his injury so I'd expect him to be in the hunt along with Evans and Boyd. Maybe Upshaw will be back as will since he is still on the roster.

[BUTCH1991]

Haven't seen Boyd in weeks, have to wonder about his status. I think he has a lot of potential, runs hard.

[bigdaddyg]

Looks like we will be loaded on offense and in the secondary. Linebackers will be fine. If our main concern is punter we are probably going to be okay- lol. Our family went on the field after the ODU game and like I've mentioned in a few other threads, we have some big boys in jerseys and shorts. The names escape me but aren't the twins supposed to be pretty good?

[proasu89]

Matthew and Mitchell McClurg. DE & TE.