What does our depth chart look like for next year? Who will replace the graduating seniors? I'm especially interested in our linemen.
this isn't a science, so don't quote me. -QB Jefferson -Tebow position/specialty QB Shepard -HB Scott -3rd down back (receptions back) Williams -FB (less used than in previous years because the offense will be more of a spread offense/pistol offense), but Ridley will probably get a shot to hold it down as a "Hester back". I think Allen will be the pancake/goal-to-go FB. WR- LaFell WR - Toliver WR - Chris Mitchell WR - whoever is best out of Randle, DeBose, Benton, C. Toliver, J. Mitchell, etc... TE - Dickson OT- Barksdale OG- Hitt C - Hebert OG - I don't know who takes the last guard spot, b/c I don't know who are guards and tackles out of the reserve linemen, but I can tell you the coaches love Josh Dworaczyk and Will Blackwell OT - Black DE -Alem DT - Woods DT - Alexander DE - Levingston (5th lineman = Drake Nevis) OLB - Riley MLB - Cutrera OLB - Sheppard CB1 - Peterson CB2 - Hawkins CB3 - Eugene CB4 - Jackson CB5 - Phelon Jones Safety- McCray Safety - Coleman Rover/blitzing safety - Chad Jones K - Derek Hilton or Josh Jasper P - Josh Jasper KR - Holliday and Keiland PR - Holliday and Chad Jones
Good list, Clair. I was too lazy to come up with my own, so I'll add some things to ponder to your excellent attempt. CLM was working one of the freshman TE (I think it was Edwards) at FB last spring. I wonder if that continues? I like Ridley there, but he seems more of a J. Hester FB than a QJ FB. Allen is certainly the future QJ. May take a year, though. Some talk (can't remember where I read it) that Hitt may move to C for his senior year. If so, then we break in two new guards vs. a guard and a center. Blocking TE? Saw a few guys rotate this year. Not sure who was the best. Unless Alexander gets very healthy, which he hasn't been, and Woods really steps it up, I think Nevis breaks into the starting four - not that this means much with the way LSU has rotated DLs. Which I hope we continue to be able to do. Next year begins the move towards dominant passing defense. All we're missing is a great coverage LB in the middle (Baker? May be too short, but Highsmith was OK, so...). I don't see Chad Jones not being on the field every play next year. I say he starts as a safety. I think Harry Coleman may have a tough time keeping his job based on his tackling a lot of this year. Our corners did well this year. They'll be great next year. I like your top 3 in order. Helton is a punter - I think you just put him in the wrong spot. I've heard Alleman is a good FG kicker. Possible he gets Colt David's job. I'll add - I think new faces as special teams studs next year will be Loston, Minter, DeBose (if we get him), and Calhoun (if he doesn't RS).
I think Hitt may move to center also. Does anyone know how serious Hebert's injury is? If we have to add 2 new guards will they be Blackwell and Dworacyck? Is moving McCoy over from OT an option? The best predictor is how much playing time these players received an unfortunately I wasn't paying attention like I should have been. On the DL I have been hearing about how much promise Nevis has since last year, but haven't really heard his name called much in games this year. If Levingston does replace Tyson Jackson and Alem plays the other end we will have lost a little size up front. Obviously, we will gain speed with Alem, but I can't say I am familiar with Levingston's play. Perhaps someone can reassure me that he is up to our DL standard. Don't forget about Hicks because he is in essence a junior coming in. Hopefully he can contribute as Wroten did when he came here. I am not sold on Ridley as a FB. He just looks to small and I haven't seen him really hit anyone in the mouth or run over anyone the way Hester did. I think the TE may be a better option until our freshman FB recruit is ready.
I guess calling it the "Tebow" position is better than calling it the "Perrilloux" position, eh? What about just calling him the COP?
They were using Edwards as some sort of FB/TE Hybrid - haven't heard whether that is still the case. He'll be the only true FB on the roster, so he'll definitely play. Well, we'd actually be breaking in 2 Gaurds & a Center since Hitt has never played the position. Josh D has gotten a fair amount of snaps and the coaches have been pretty high on him, so I expect him to start at either RG or LG. With a new defensive coaching staff & the way our season went this year, everybody's position is up for grabs (except a handful of guys - Black & LaFell predominantly).
Chris Mitchell has been solid, but I definitely think that third WR spot will be up for grabs as well. We'll see if he is able to secure it. I see a possible shake up here with Chavis coming in. This is how we go into summer practices though. Didn't Jones start at FS for the bowl game? Was McCray injured?
now that you mention it, I didn't see him at all. I don't think he was injured. Maybe a silent bowl-game suspension?
