While there may be another wave of entrants into the Transfer Portal after the Early Signing Period concludes and teams/players know what's still out there, it's comforting to see so many key players returning (hopefully) in 2023. Obviously the biggest question mark will be the QB position. Our biggest strengths look like they will be 4 of 5 on the OL returning, and 9 of 11 starters on Defense (Okoye, Ngata).
This is still a top 15 team IMO. Coach Thompson will be coaching and calling the plays for this defense, which brings back a ton of depth and experience (next year will be the tough year to replace guys on this side of the ball). With a new era on the offensive side of the ball, this unit will have to step up to keep us in games where maybe we're sputtering a bit...
PROJECTED OFFENSE
LT – Stiefel (Sr.)
LG – Slater (Jr.)
C – Mejia (So.)
RG – Riley (So.)
RT – Garza (Jr.)
TE – Martin (Sr.)
WR – Gandy (So.)
WR – Gipson (Jr.)
WR – Clayton (Sr.)
RB – Fulcher (Sr.) or Tau-Tolliver (So.)
QB – Bennett (Jr.)
PROJECTED DEFENSE
DE – Fashola (Jr.)
DT – Hardeman (Sr.)
DT – Stanley (Sr.)
DE – C. Smith (So.)
LB – Bailey (Sr.)
LB – Mather (Sr.)
CB – Juniel (Sr.)
CB – Nelson (Sr.)
SS – Davis Smith (Jr.)
FS – Broussard (Jr.)
***Gipson withdrew from portal on 12/20. Added as starter.
This is still a top 15 team IMO. Coach Thompson will be coaching and calling the plays for this defense, which brings back a ton of depth and experience (next year will be the tough year to replace guys on this side of the ball). With a new era on the offensive side of the ball, this unit will have to step up to keep us in games where maybe we're sputtering a bit...
PROJECTED OFFENSE
LT – Stiefel (Sr.)
LG – Slater (Jr.)
C – Mejia (So.)
RG – Riley (So.)
RT – Garza (Jr.)
TE – Martin (Sr.)
WR – Gandy (So.)
WR – Gipson (Jr.)
WR – Clayton (Sr.)
RB – Fulcher (Sr.) or Tau-Tolliver (So.)
QB – Bennett (Jr.)
PROJECTED DEFENSE
DE – Fashola (Jr.)
DT – Hardeman (Sr.)
DT – Stanley (Sr.)
DE – C. Smith (So.)
LB – Bailey (Sr.)
LB – Mather (Sr.)
CB – Juniel (Sr.)
CB – Nelson (Sr.)
SS – Davis Smith (Jr.)
FS – Broussard (Jr.)
***Gipson withdrew from portal on 12/20. Added as starter.