Which early enrollee will make the most impact?
- Thread starter gobigblue812_rivals29381
- Start date
Tate Leavitt. Starting left Tackle is probably 2nd most important position on offense (hence our struggles lol) so if he's starting there as expected I think it's Tate by a long shot.
Only way he's not is If SJ2 wins QB job.
Id say Kash 3rd if he starts or cracks 2 deep at MLB which is very possible.
Only way he's not is If SJ2 wins QB job.
Id say Kash 3rd if he starts or cracks 2 deep at MLB which is very possible.
This class feels different in the way it's constructed but if you include transfers, who will now be eligible this year, with the Jucos and impact freshman, the staff did a great job of making sure areas of concern from last year could be fixed right away.
We lost Forrest but now we've got a Jr transfer with a year in the system in Love and a 4 star Freshman MLB in Daniel so there's a good bet Forrests loss won't be devastating.
OLine was a travesty so they add one of best Juco tackles, a 5 star tackle and a 4 star G/C... At least 2 of which can start right away and probably be a big upgrade. These impact tackles also allow GAA to move to guard where he can dominate.
Added a freak athletic Juco pass rusher in Bonner, and a big gap filler DT in Pringle, and a Juco QB to ensure we weren't relying on a true freshman QB as our only other option.
There's more obviously but I really like the way they addressed needs with veterans and instant impact guys
We lost Forrest but now we've got a Jr transfer with a year in the system in Love and a 4 star Freshman MLB in Daniel so there's a good bet Forrests loss won't be devastating.
OLine was a travesty so they add one of best Juco tackles, a 5 star tackle and a 4 star G/C... At least 2 of which can start right away and probably be a big upgrade. These impact tackles also allow GAA to move to guard where he can dominate.
Added a freak athletic Juco pass rusher in Bonner, and a big gap filler DT in Pringle, and a Juco QB to ensure we weren't relying on a true freshman QB as our only other option.
There's more obviously but I really like the way they addressed needs with veterans and instant impact guys
Gotta be Tate. Only bona fide starter out of that group. Pringle has an opportunity as well due to lack of depth on the DL, but unsure of his skill level as he wasn't as highly touted as Tate.
JUCOs are brought in to play, of course they'll be a factor. Of the HS guys KD is most likely since UK lacks LB depth.
I think you have a real point here,we add depth,but we also get better at a few spots right from day one. the make or break question is,can/will/did we upgrade the QB spot enough to make a difference
Last edited:
Doc,
That's a great point... I know it's been discussed on here many times... BUT...
Poor to below average QB play prohibits other potential playmaker from making an impact...
Good QB play allows other players to shine if you've recruited/developed well enough in other areas... (We have IMO)...
While GREAT QB play can mask many other deficiencies on your team....
Importance of good to great QB play is crucial to the success of our team...
That's a great point... I know it's been discussed on here many times... BUT...
Poor to below average QB play prohibits other potential playmaker from making an impact...
Good QB play allows other players to shine if you've recruited/developed well enough in other areas... (We have IMO)...
While GREAT QB play can mask many other deficiencies on your team....
Importance of good to great QB play is crucial to the success of our team...
Thanks! Definitely feels like we not only return almost everyone but that the guys we lost were replaced with equal level talent or in some cases even better talent. The line will no doubt be better due to a combo of progression, upgrades, and a change in coaching philosophy. Dawson's absurd line split decisions hurt us more than I think many realized. And at LB we added both talent and experience.
QB play really is the only question imo
You're so right!
Bad QB play kills a team and gets coaches fired.
I've always thought you either need a great QB that can work in any system or an average QB that's great in the system you're running.
Was my big problem with the air raid we were tying to run. Neither Barker nor Towles were typical air raid QBs (quick release, super accurate) but that's what they had to run... Was never a great fit... But maybe the new offense will be... it's been proven in college time and time again that you don't have to be an elite QB to dominate D1 as long as you're great for the system your team is running. Everyone's so caught up in stars and bright and arm strength but in reality college is full of average to above average qbs who can put up video game numbers by being in the right system.
Hopefully Gran and Hinshaw can run an offense that plays to Barker or SJ2s strengths instead of trying to fit a square peg round hole etc.... or at least start targeting the future guys tailor made for their offense. Just my opinion obviously.
Personally I think when he gets here, Mac jones is going to be good enough to run just about any offense. I'm really high on that kid.
Last edited:
I think Barker is well suited for an air raid offense. The issue was Dawson ran all vertical routes and never adjusted based on the defense. He never put in drive starters his offense was just very predictable and did not work period.
Not much doubt in my mind that it will be either Hoak or Johnson. One of those guys will be 1 snap away from being the starting QB. Hell, one of them may be the starting QB. Unlike other positions, the real "impact" here is not how much the #2 QB actually does play but rather the fact he must be kept "ready to play", meaning probably as many 1st team practice reps as any non-starter. Other positions seem to have some sense of depth but the QB position is total crap shoot at the moment. JMO.
Peace
Peace