I know it's not over yet, but are we stronger or weaker in 2025 with the transfer situation and new recruits than 2024? I think:
QB: Stronger - DR with a season under his belt, the Purdue guy and the new freshman are an improvement over Kaelin/Haarberg.
RB: Weaker - Because of depth. The new freshman will have to be the #2 guy. This changes to neutral if we get a good one in the portal.
OL - Stronger - Mainly because we have talented younger players who I think will eventually be better than guys like Benhart and Scott. Still looking for a guy from the portal who can challenge to start in 2025.
WR - Neutral - We lost a lot of our production, but we seem to have filled in nicely in the portal and with younger players and some true freshman. Keeping Barney was critical.
TE - Stronger - Fidone has one more year, Luke looks like a player, and Nelson will train as a TE this season. The LSU guy will likely not be full speed by next season.
DL - Weaker - But not terrible. Davis and the guy from Missouri are the highest rated DLs we have had in a while. Jeudy and Van Popple should be solid. Don't know much about the other transfers, hope one or two can play. Weaker because we're having to replace 2 really good DLs and 2 others who played a lot. Look for a big OL to move over to defense in the middle this spring.
LB - Stronger. Sure, we essentially lose all of our starters and one or two key backups (unless Wright can come back). But Shavers and McGahee are budding stars, we have the good transfer from OU, and there are 2 freshmen who will play next season. We really need another portal player who's experienced or have one of the lost on the chart LBs step up. If Wright comes back, that will fill the bill.
DB - Stronger. Many players with experience and the young players really showed up in the bowl game. Add in Bly Hill and some portal guys, probably pretty good.
Punter - Probably Neutral
Kicker - Probably Stronger
Long Snapper - Probably Stronger, but who knows.
OC - Night and day difference.
DC - Probably not much changing from what I saw in the bowl game.
QB: Stronger - DR with a season under his belt, the Purdue guy and the new freshman are an improvement over Kaelin/Haarberg.
RB: Weaker - Because of depth. The new freshman will have to be the #2 guy. This changes to neutral if we get a good one in the portal.
OL - Stronger - Mainly because we have talented younger players who I think will eventually be better than guys like Benhart and Scott. Still looking for a guy from the portal who can challenge to start in 2025.
WR - Neutral - We lost a lot of our production, but we seem to have filled in nicely in the portal and with younger players and some true freshman. Keeping Barney was critical.
TE - Stronger - Fidone has one more year, Luke looks like a player, and Nelson will train as a TE this season. The LSU guy will likely not be full speed by next season.
DL - Weaker - But not terrible. Davis and the guy from Missouri are the highest rated DLs we have had in a while. Jeudy and Van Popple should be solid. Don't know much about the other transfers, hope one or two can play. Weaker because we're having to replace 2 really good DLs and 2 others who played a lot. Look for a big OL to move over to defense in the middle this spring.
LB - Stronger. Sure, we essentially lose all of our starters and one or two key backups (unless Wright can come back). But Shavers and McGahee are budding stars, we have the good transfer from OU, and there are 2 freshmen who will play next season. We really need another portal player who's experienced or have one of the lost on the chart LBs step up. If Wright comes back, that will fill the bill.
DB - Stronger. Many players with experience and the young players really showed up in the bowl game. Add in Bly Hill and some portal guys, probably pretty good.
Punter - Probably Neutral
Kicker - Probably Stronger
Long Snapper - Probably Stronger, but who knows.
OC - Night and day difference.
DC - Probably not much changing from what I saw in the bowl game.
