For references, I've posted Dandy Don's Depth Chart heading into Spring Practive. Alot of returning talent. Alot of new faces. The QB controversy has already been discussed. Regardless of who it is, I think we'd all feel pretty comfortable about it. What will be our weaknesses going into Spring practice? Last year linebackers were everyone's fear & they turned out to be a great group. What young players are going to step up? What are your overrall feelings on this group of players?
We will also be adding the following freshmen this recruiting class (current verbal commits + a few likelies): verbals: Jason Teague CB *** Perrish Cox CB **** Shomari Clemons DB/LB **** Troy Giddens DB/LB **** Danny McCray DB/LB *** Lazarius Levingston DE **** Marcus Tillman DE **** Al Woods DT ***** Jacob Cutrera LB *** Perry Riley LB *** Kelvin Shepphard LB *** Matt Allen OL **** Steve Singleton OL *** Mark Snyder OL *** Zhamal Thomas OL **** Richard Murphy RB **** Charles Scott RB **** London Crawford WR *** Richard Dickson TE **** J.D. Lott TE *** likely signees: Jai Eugene DB **** Gerald McCoy DT ***** Ricky Dixon WR **** Jared/Chris Mitchell WR **** Keiland Williams RB ***** Charles Deas DT ***
Keiland Williams is the man & there's a very good chance that he won't be redshirted. I think our other 2 RBs (Scott & Murphy) will likely redshirt. I think atleast 1, maybe 2, of our LB commits will not redshirt. I don't see any of our WR's not redshirting. What about the DT combo of McCoy & Woods? I can't wait to see them on the field. I really doubt they redshirt. We're going to need to get them some experience.
I like what I saw from Beckwith in his special teams play. This kid has bulked up a ton and looks like he could turn into a good one.
With just half of your likely CParso, we have a number 2 or 3 signing class. Florida will be hard to overtake, but I'll take a top 3 any day.
My concern continues to be the linebacking group dispite, like it was mentioned, the solid performance that they had this year when it was feared that they were the weak-link. However, our LB'ers had the protection of what was considered the "best defensive tackle tandem in the nation". When you have guys like Wroten and Williams drawing all the attention and double-teams, it allows the LB's to roam freely. So, for next season, either one of our down linemen (Dorsey, Favorite, etc.) need to step up, or perhaps Al Woods turn into a phenom right away OR we need to have a true MLB develope and be big enough and physical enough to take on offensive guards one-on-one. Current commitment, Cutrera has the body style to develope into a Lionel Turner-type--which is capable of attacking guards, etc., but I don't see Cutrera having that developement in time for '06.
My biggest concern right now is the secondary--especially if Laron leaves. Talented but a little short on experience. Chevis has looked amazing at times, but sometimes he's a little lost. Ditto for Zenon, although I have seen much less of him. Luckily we will have some help from a very talented freshman class if needed. Depth on the Oline is another concern, as well as linebacker. There is nothing really wrong with the linebackers, you would just like to see them make a few more great plays. Hopefully Highsmith will turn into that guy.
We look pretty good overall as far as talent. Some of these guys haven't played much though and will have to get their butts kicked in the SEC a time or two on the road this year, I'm afraid. We look thin at linebacker, but quite good at defensive back and fairly good on the defensive line. Talent but much less experience on the offensive line, deep at quarterback and wideout, question marks at running back.
I think we will be a very exciting team. I think Glen Dorsey could be a household name by the end of the season.
