Last year's failure is really tied to the failure of the 2018 recruiting class imo... well now it is time for the 2019 class to step up to the plate. I think the biggest question for the upcoming season, outside of competent QB play, is the development of the 2019 class. Unlike the 2018 class, there have been just 2 medical DQs (Jansey and Foster) and 1 transfer (Joseph) in this group. The 2019 class is starting their 4th season within the program (can't say they haven't had time to develop) and should take the next step as the team leaders. This class has already produced a multiple B1G level starters and there are a lot more players that could have breakout seasons. It is hard for me to see a winning season without this class taking the next step though.
Initial class:
-Multi game starters from this group: Kirtz, Azema, Washington, Heard, Gallagher, Mitchell, Adebawore, and Hull. 8 of the 16 remaining in this class is a pretty good % with a couple more seasons to play.
-Adebawore has been the star of this group so far and should move on to the NFL after a great year. Wouldn't mind him using his extra eligibility and playing a season with his brother though.
-Feel pretty good about Washington, Azema, Mitchell, Hull, Kirtz all starting (or contributing a ton like Hull). Interested in seeing what role Hull plays this season with Cam Porter coming back. Kirtz has the injury to come back from but he is already practicing so I feel pretty confident he will be ready to breakout with improved QB play. Mitchell and Azema are the keys to the secondary and just need to play more consistent because both can be stars.
-Heard and Gallagher both gained significant playing experience last season but need to step up a ton. Coaches have praised both but they haven't backed it up on the field yet.
-Will Rowley take the starting RG spot? Will D'Antonio compete to start at center? Will Franks come back healthy and compete for the RT spot? Just a ton of questions and nothing proven with this OL group so that isn't great. Some Potential here especially Franks though.
-Can Gold bounce back to where coaches thought he'd be pre injury? Don't forget he was starting at DT week 1 of 2020 before getting rolled up on. Last year was just a rough season for him. Will Olges contribute anything more than just being a body? Interior DL obviously needs to develop a ton even with the transfers coming in.
-Gordon is probably the best HS prospect in the TE room but hasn't shown much. Can he pass Mangieri up on the depth chart and be an option in the passing game? Potential is still there.
-Will GHP and/or Dennis make any impact? Both are big bodies and have at least gotten a few reps on the field but nothing significant. GHP obviously has all the physical tools needed but just isn't a natural receiver. I still think about Dennis flashing in the Citrus Bowl but he was MIA all season. One or both really needs to become a difference maker imo.
A lot of questions with this group but the potential is undeniable imo. Who do you see breaking out? What are your opinions on the 2019 class?
Initial class:
| Genson Hooper-Price | WR |
| Bryce Kirtz | WR |
| Michael Jansey | WILL |
| Thomas Gordon | TE |
| Connor Foster | OT |
| Duke Olges | DL |
| Jason Gold | DL |
| Coco Azema | S |
| Malik Washington | WR |
| Rod Heard | DB |
| Zach Franks | OT |
| Brandon Joseph | S |
| Bryce Gallagher | MIKE |
| Conrad Rowley | IOL |
| Cam Mitchell | CB |
| Adetomiwa Adebawore | EDGE |
| Evan Hull | RB |
| Wayne Dennis | WR |
| Dominick D'Antonio | IOL |
-Multi game starters from this group: Kirtz, Azema, Washington, Heard, Gallagher, Mitchell, Adebawore, and Hull. 8 of the 16 remaining in this class is a pretty good % with a couple more seasons to play.
-Adebawore has been the star of this group so far and should move on to the NFL after a great year. Wouldn't mind him using his extra eligibility and playing a season with his brother though.
-Feel pretty good about Washington, Azema, Mitchell, Hull, Kirtz all starting (or contributing a ton like Hull). Interested in seeing what role Hull plays this season with Cam Porter coming back. Kirtz has the injury to come back from but he is already practicing so I feel pretty confident he will be ready to breakout with improved QB play. Mitchell and Azema are the keys to the secondary and just need to play more consistent because both can be stars.
-Heard and Gallagher both gained significant playing experience last season but need to step up a ton. Coaches have praised both but they haven't backed it up on the field yet.
-Will Rowley take the starting RG spot? Will D'Antonio compete to start at center? Will Franks come back healthy and compete for the RT spot? Just a ton of questions and nothing proven with this OL group so that isn't great. Some Potential here especially Franks though.
-Can Gold bounce back to where coaches thought he'd be pre injury? Don't forget he was starting at DT week 1 of 2020 before getting rolled up on. Last year was just a rough season for him. Will Olges contribute anything more than just being a body? Interior DL obviously needs to develop a ton even with the transfers coming in.
-Gordon is probably the best HS prospect in the TE room but hasn't shown much. Can he pass Mangieri up on the depth chart and be an option in the passing game? Potential is still there.
-Will GHP and/or Dennis make any impact? Both are big bodies and have at least gotten a few reps on the field but nothing significant. GHP obviously has all the physical tools needed but just isn't a natural receiver. I still think about Dennis flashing in the Citrus Bowl but he was MIA all season. One or both really needs to become a difference maker imo.
A lot of questions with this group but the potential is undeniable imo. Who do you see breaking out? What are your opinions on the 2019 class?
