Any position groups you don't feel bullish on for the future?
OL - Check
RB- Check
WR- Check
DL - Check
DB - Check
Qb-???
LB???
Coaches: CHECK
I feel absolutely fine about QB next year.
Lay off the shrooms homey
I'd put WR and passing game in the ??? category. This staff has yet to recruit and develop a successful B1G WR. Our best WR's through this staffs tenure have been recruits or walk-ons that were already here (McKnight, Baker, Engel). How much of that is the players and how much is the QB? Tough to know without being at practice. I also can't be confident in this staff's ability to create a passing game until I see it. The complete lack of any two minute offense is a concern.
I am personally pretty confident in the staff's ability to put together a good LB corp next year. It seemed like we'd miss Hill/Manuel this season, and we didn't. Wilson was a beast, but the freshman who played flashed nicely (Celestin/Williams) and the staff was pretty excited about Poock.
I am probably most excited about what the Dline could be: Richardson was amazing as a true freshman and Elmore/Stelter should only get better. Add in both Ekpe brothers and Cockran and I think there's a shot for this group to be a strength next year. Interested to see if the develop Laster more as a situational pass rusher or if he joins the LB competition.
I am cautiously optimistic about the O line. We lose our 3 best lineman in Campion/Olson/Epping and LT and C are probably the two most important positions on the line. I also think we will miss Epping's nastiness. We need someone to step in and be a mean guy next year. Talent wise, Pisig/Lauer/Mayes/Hayes seems like a nice foundation to build on.
Slightly worried about the depth in the secondary for next season. Obviously as long as Murray and Boddy-Calhoun stay our CB's will be a strength and having Myrick and James behind them is great. I am not sure S is in as great of shape however.
Great point about Punter MNVCGUY, Mortell leaves some huge shoes to fill. Field position created by the punt team was instrumental in a lot of the Gophers wins this season.
Are Campion and Mortell leaving early? I believe they are only redshirt juniors. IIRC Bobek and Christianson should be back next season. If Christianson is 100% He could/ should be solid at center or one of the guard positions.
Any position groups you don't feel bullish on for the future?
OL - Check
RB- Check
WR- Check
DL - Check
DB - Check
Qb-???
LB???
Coaches: CHECK
I have supported Leidner this season - because he seems to be a good, hard-working kid, and because it's my nature to support the players.
BUT - for this program to take another step forward, they have to develop a more consistent passing attack. If they can do that with Leidner, great. But, at some point, the coaches are going to have to make a decision. If, at some point, they decide that Leidner is never going to be a consistent passer, then they have to give someone else a shot at the position. Who that is, I have no idea.
All I know is, for this program to continue to show positive momentum, the passing game has to improve. And, with Cobb gone, there is no guarantee the running game will be as productive next year, which puts more pressure on the passing game to improve.
I would not be surprised if Pirsig moved to LT. might want a grader at RT in Lauer. OL will be a strength again next year barring injuries.
And Josh Campion, who has started every game in his first three years here, goes where??? I know he is old Maxy, but he is not done here yet.
I would not be surprised if Pirsig moved to LT. might want a grader at RT in Lauer. OL will be a strength again next year barring injuries.
You want mobile, athletic guy at LT, because that where the other teams best pass rusher usually lines up, but the RT can be more of a statue. Lauer is much more athletic than Pirsig, or Campion for that matter. Campion is still probably the best player at either Tackle or Guard spot though next year. He'll start wherever the weakest link is I imagine? My money would be at RG.
You want mobile, athletic guy at LT, because that where the other teams best pass rusher usually lines up, but the RT can be more of a statue. Lauer is much more athletic than Pirsig, or Campion for that matter. Campion is still probably the best player at either Tackle or Guard spot though next year. He'll start wherever the weakest link is I imagine? My money would be at RG.