We will lose a ton on defense. I am guessing the problems of the last three games will be true at the beginning of the season next year. We will lose Montgomery, Mingo, Logan, Minter, Simon, Reid, Loston, Edwards. Not good. Hopefully our offense will be more prolific next year. All the D line losses in one year is going to hurt. I hope that Ferguson, Rasco, Johnson pick up their game. Who else will be in the mix?
It can be said that Mingo and Sam under-performed as of late. However, the Freshman DB's will be improved after this year. Everything they screwed the pouch on this year is 100% correctable and I see nothing that will stop them from improving. Also, we will have some really good LB's back. I actually think our secondary will be better next year given the valuable playing time. I think what you saw these past few games was a physical letdown due to injury's and lack of depth. When you are down to starting freshman at many skill positions, you do not have much room for error.
I don't see Minter or Simon leaving for the pros yet, though I'm merely going off of what I see from them on the field. Minter is great, but not that well known or hyped yet. Simon is the same to me except I think he hasn't played quite as well a)as Minter and b)as he can. I also think Mingo is iffy; dude is LIGHT still, whereas Montgomery grew and looks ready for the next level.
Not all those players will be leaving. They do have a number of kids coming in this next class that will help. We also have a few Red-Shirt players. Remember this, 15 True Freshmen played in games this year and 5 started at least one game. We'll be fine.
The original post is unrealistic. I don't see Minter, Reid, Loston, or Simon leaving. Why leave if you are only going to be a 3rd rounder or less?
I agree the only place we will be hit hard is the D line but we are recruiting well and should have enough returning to be all right.
Should be better at DB and LB next year. DT's have under performed all season so I 'm hoping for improvement there. DE is where we will take a hit, but Miles has recruited well and someone will step up. What we have really been missing is that disruptive force in the middle. If one of the many very talented DT's will step into that role the D will be better next year.
