I love Julian Fleming. Great dude. Good player. While Fleming will likely start, it's very much in the realm of possibility that Innis becomes the #3 WR next year. If he's the dynamic, game changing, 'get him on the field' type player many think he is, he's going to get the snaps.
Fleming is going to end up having a solid NFL career... in my opinion (which admittedly isn't based on a whole lot for WRs) I see him as Noah Brown with a higher upside. I'm certainly cheering for the guy!
"Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your aggressions without going to jail for it." Woody Hayes
Interesting post, UA. But....eh....you think Hayden will start over Trey or Miyan -- if both are healthy? I don't see it. Inniss over Fleming? Only if Fleming hits the portal for some reason. Not saying Inniss won't get PT - maybe lots of it, but I don't see him starting.
Kourt Williams & Mitch Melton should make some noise at S & Jack/DE as well.
Im interested in the OL as well but think we add another transfer before fall.
Interesting you had Hayden over both Henderson/Williams, Innis (presumably) in the slot, Hicks at the Leo and Stokes over Carter.
I would go:
LT: Jackson
LG: Tshebola
C: Cutler
RG: Jones
RT: Fryar
QB: McCord
RB: Henderson/Williams (I don't think it matters they're both RB1 in getting the same amount of touches)
WR: Harrison, Egbuka, Flemming (I liked your idea of Innis as the 3rd WR and could definitely see him taking over later in the season)
TE: Stover
DE: JT and Jack
DT: Hall, Williams
Leo: Curry
LB: Eichenburg and Chambers (Hicks subs in on obvious passing downs and really pushes Chambers for PT)
SAF: Carter, Ransom, Styles (Stokes plays a lot as the fourth safety. With the three starters I named I think there's a lot of versatility in being able to play multiple safety positions within the scheme allowing for different combinations of groupings)
I think he’s 1of 4 people who have the potential to be so good they force their way on the field for the defense (curry, hicks, stokes and brown) and that’s why I named them on the list. My take on curry is I think they’ll have Leo specific packages and he’s the Leo. Sawyer could play a little Leo but when Jack and JT are on the field together we’re going to see more traditional 4 man fronts. My basis for this is Days wants to be a CEO coach so if he’s more involved with the defense him and Knowles will be able to cook up some more exotic specialty packages.
Carter, Fleming, and Sawyer are starting next year unless injuries get in the way. I do agree with you that CJ Hicks is gonna be the JACK (but a healthy Mitchell Melton could have something to say about that) but Sawyer is gonna start at DE. Carter didn't come here to be a backup and although I love Stokes, he's not good enough to beat out a proven player like Carter at the nickel. Zen Michalski ain't starting unless Frye strikes out in the portal after the spring game
Trey is also RB1 when he's healthy! Idk why some Buckeye fans have turned on him when he's great in healthy but struggled with injuries all season last year
Love Hicks at Jack had not really considered that prior and feel like they have to get him on the field. The safety room is gonna be so interesting because Carter seems like a lock at Nickel Safety and Ransom will obviously be another starter but who is deep safety? I think Stokes is the only one who profiles as a FS, Ransom and Styles seem more like box guys and where does that leave Kourt bc he is definitely a box guy.
Think we could probably dial up about 13 different OL combinations but I agree I would love to see Tegra take a IOL spot, guy is just a beast and while I was pumped for Vimahi he got destroyed when he played against TUN. Jackson, Tegra, transfer, Jones, Fryar seems like it could be a really strong group. Fryar looked really good in limited action last year.
Should be a really interesting spring because there are not a ton of jobs up for grabs but a LOT of guys competing for each job.
Caden Curry probably could get some run there in 2023. Melton would be a fit there as well if he can finally stay healthy. Gabe Powers also would be more likely to get a look at JACK than Hicks IMO. I'd expect Hicks to stay strictly at LB.
… a DE , CJ Hicks is a MLB ….. like the Jack is literally a glorified edge rusher who can drop into coverage on occasions , thats it, its just used to cause confusion on defense for QBs
Who told you Hicks was a MLB? I always assumed he was an outside edge/OLB type?
Also, the rumor going around is that he will get a shot at Jack, to get him on the field. The same rumors that were being said about Sawyer this past year, which came true. Sawyer just did not fit the role once he was in the game, which is why I think he ends up back at a natural DE. There isn't a written rule that says you have to be a "DE" to play the Jack position.
You HAVE to get Hicks on the field this year just like you HAVE to get Styles on the field :)
The starting RBs will be Chop and Trey unless they both get hurt again
Fleming is starting at WR as long as he remains healthy. If he goes down X-Man will get the snaps before a true freshman will. I think Hartline has demonstrated you have to be mega talented and/or experienced to play WR for him.
Carter will be the slot safety replacing McAlister
Hicks isnt starting over Sawyer. Hicks needs to bulk up a bit to play that position.
Fryar has never played LT in his college career. It's either going to be Michalski or Jackson. Fryar will be the RT because he has experience there.
Jones will be the center. I'm sure Day feels better about having a 6th year senior snapping the ball to a first-year QB.
Only real question is who the RG will be. Cutler and Vimahi will get first crack at it since they are the most experienced
RB: Henderson/Miyan/Hayden (I think we're going to see more of a committee next year to keep them fresh and avoid injury problems again)
WR1: Marv
WR2: Egbuka
WR3: Fleming
TE: Stover
LT: Zen
LG: Jackson
C: M. Jones (center is his natural position)
RG: Vimahi
RT: Fryar
Defense
DE: JTT
3-Technique DT: Hall
NT: Tyleik
DE/Leo: Sawyer
LB: Chambers
LB: Eichenberg
CB: Burke
Bandit: Ransom
Free Safety: Styles
Cover Safety: Ja'Had Carter (Stokes may see the field but Carter has experience and was an excellent player at Syracuse, he's not coming here for any reason other than to start)
I'm usually someone who looks at these and sees reason. This is kind of just awful
Hayden is not the starter. Hicks is not starting at Leo. Hall and Tyliek have played the same position since coming in. Inniss is not going to be the top guy in the slot to start the year; he will at best start the season as second string, and that is completely ignoring the 2022 class. Don't think Fryar is a LT, he is a RT and Zen is more likely LT. Cuse kid is not coming over to not start or play a ton. I don't know if it is Stokes or Styles not starting but one of them likely is out as starter
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OL, we will see Matt Jones at C and Vimahi at G. Wonder why we don't hear any about Christman. He's in Year 3.
Inniss is not beating out Fleming, and Hayden is not beating out Tre/Miyan/Pryor/Chip. I also expect Ja'had Carter to beat out Stokes.
Other than that, great list.
I love Julian Fleming. Great dude. Good player. While Fleming will likely start, it's very much in the realm of possibility that Innis becomes the #3 WR next year. If he's the dynamic, game changing, 'get him on the field' type player many think he is, he's going to get the snaps.
It is possible, but he would have to be off the charts to come in and see significant time over the guys above him that are also talented.
If he is, then rotate the WR more. Minus Marv and EE of course.
"I was tired of trying to work my way around the back so I just ran him over.” -Joey Bosa, PSU 10/25/14
Fleming is going to end up having a solid NFL career... in my opinion (which admittedly isn't based on a whole lot for WRs) I see him as Noah Brown with a higher upside. I'm certainly cheering for the guy!
"Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your aggressions without going to jail for it." Woody Hayes
If Fleming can’t catch the damn ball than try someone else…lots of drops last year.
Those who stir the shit pot should have to lick the spoon.
He had 3 drops …. Egbuka had 7
Interesting post, UA. But....eh....you think Hayden will start over Trey or Miyan -- if both are healthy? I don't see it. Inniss over Fleming? Only if Fleming hits the portal for some reason. Not saying Inniss won't get PT - maybe lots of it, but I don't see him starting.
Im interested in the OL as well but think we add another transfer before fall.
Hmm
Interesting you had Hayden over both Henderson/Williams, Innis (presumably) in the slot, Hicks at the Leo and Stokes over Carter.
I would go:
LT: Jackson
LG: Tshebola
C: Cutler
RG: Jones
RT: Fryar
QB: McCord
RB: Henderson/Williams (I don't think it matters they're both RB1 in getting the same amount of touches)
WR: Harrison, Egbuka, Flemming (I liked your idea of Innis as the 3rd WR and could definitely see him taking over later in the season)
TE: Stover
DE: JT and Jack
DT: Hall, Williams
Leo: Curry
LB: Eichenburg and Chambers (Hicks subs in on obvious passing downs and really pushes Chambers for PT)
SAF: Carter, Ransom, Styles (Stokes plays a lot as the fourth safety. With the three starters I named I think there's a lot of versatility in being able to play multiple safety positions within the scheme allowing for different combinations of groupings)
CB: Burke, Hancock, Brown
KR: Kaleb Brown
PR: Xavier Johnson
A little bit of objectivity can go a long way
I hope we will see more Curry. Looked good when he was in there.
"I was tired of trying to work my way around the back so I just ran him over.” -Joey Bosa, PSU 10/25/14
I think he’s 1of 4 people who have the potential to be so good they force their way on the field for the defense (curry, hicks, stokes and brown) and that’s why I named them on the list. My take on curry is I think they’ll have Leo specific packages and he’s the Leo. Sawyer could play a little Leo but when Jack and JT are on the field together we’re going to see more traditional 4 man fronts. My basis for this is Days wants to be a CEO coach so if he’s more involved with the defense him and Knowles will be able to cook up some more exotic specialty packages.
A little bit of objectivity can go a long way
ja'hadd carter is going to start at safety
Carter, Fleming, and Sawyer are starting next year unless injuries get in the way. I do agree with you that CJ Hicks is gonna be the JACK (but a healthy Mitchell Melton could have something to say about that) but Sawyer is gonna start at DE. Carter didn't come here to be a backup and although I love Stokes, he's not good enough to beat out a proven player like Carter at the nickel. Zen Michalski ain't starting unless Frye strikes out in the portal after the spring game
Trey is also RB1 when he's healthy! Idk why some Buckeye fans have turned on him when he's great in healthy but struggled with injuries all season last year
Love Hicks at Jack had not really considered that prior and feel like they have to get him on the field. The safety room is gonna be so interesting because Carter seems like a lock at Nickel Safety and Ransom will obviously be another starter but who is deep safety? I think Stokes is the only one who profiles as a FS, Ransom and Styles seem more like box guys and where does that leave Kourt bc he is definitely a box guy.
Think we could probably dial up about 13 different OL combinations but I agree I would love to see Tegra take a IOL spot, guy is just a beast and while I was pumped for Vimahi he got destroyed when he played against TUN. Jackson, Tegra, transfer, Jones, Fryar seems like it could be a really strong group. Fryar looked really good in limited action last year.
Should be a really interesting spring because there are not a ton of jobs up for grabs but a LOT of guys competing for each job.
Maybe cause Hicks isnt a jack ….. they are literally just 3-4 OLBs who stand up in a 4-3
Who is then? Bc Sawyer sure wasn’t, at least not in any impactful way.
Caden Curry probably could get some run there in 2023. Melton would be a fit there as well if he can finally stay healthy. Gabe Powers also would be more likely to get a look at JACK than Hicks IMO. I'd expect Hicks to stay strictly at LB.
… a DE , CJ Hicks is a MLB ….. like the Jack is literally a glorified edge rusher who can drop into coverage on occasions , thats it, its just used to cause confusion on defense for QBs
Who told you Hicks was a MLB? I always assumed he was an outside edge/OLB type?
Also, the rumor going around is that he will get a shot at Jack, to get him on the field. The same rumors that were being said about Sawyer this past year, which came true. Sawyer just did not fit the role once he was in the game, which is why I think he ends up back at a natural DE. There isn't a written rule that says you have to be a "DE" to play the Jack position.
You HAVE to get Hicks on the field this year just like you HAVE to get Styles on the field :)
The starting RBs will be Chop and Trey unless they both get hurt again
Fleming is starting at WR as long as he remains healthy. If he goes down X-Man will get the snaps before a true freshman will. I think Hartline has demonstrated you have to be mega talented and/or experienced to play WR for him.
Carter will be the slot safety replacing McAlister
Hicks isnt starting over Sawyer. Hicks needs to bulk up a bit to play that position.
Fryar has never played LT in his college career. It's either going to be Michalski or Jackson. Fryar will be the RT because he has experience there.
Jones will be the center. I'm sure Day feels better about having a 6th year senior snapping the ball to a first-year QB.
Only real question is who the RG will be. Cutler and Vimahi will get first crack at it since they are the most experienced
Upon us all, a little rain must fall
Sawyer is playing next year as a starter. Be it Leo or true DE and Innis is not going to be a starter. Not with all the guys between him and that.
Offense
QB: McCord
RB: Henderson/Miyan/Hayden (I think we're going to see more of a committee next year to keep them fresh and avoid injury problems again)
WR1: Marv
WR2: Egbuka
WR3: Fleming
TE: Stover
LT: Zen
LG: Jackson
C: M. Jones (center is his natural position)
RG: Vimahi
RT: Fryar
Defense
DE: JTT
3-Technique DT: Hall
NT: Tyleik
DE/Leo: Sawyer
LB: Chambers
LB: Eichenberg
CB: Burke
Bandit: Ransom
Free Safety: Styles
Cover Safety: Ja'Had Carter (Stokes may see the field but Carter has experience and was an excellent player at Syracuse, he's not coming here for any reason other than to start)
CB: Hancock
Special Teams:
K: Parker Lewis
P: Jesse Mirco
LS: John Ferlmann
KR: Xavier Johnson
PR: Emeka
11 Strong.
I like your list. Gotta say, dang, that defense is loaded! Nice to be saying that
I'm usually someone who looks at these and sees reason. This is kind of just awful
Hayden is not the starter. Hicks is not starting at Leo. Hall and Tyliek have played the same position since coming in. Inniss is not going to be the top guy in the slot to start the year; he will at best start the season as second string, and that is completely ignoring the 2022 class. Don't think Fryar is a LT, he is a RT and Zen is more likely LT. Cuse kid is not coming over to not start or play a ton. I don't know if it is Stokes or Styles not starting but one of them likely is out as starter
Hayden in front of Henderson?
Nah.
Ironballs