[OutsiderFan]

This will look at one player from each position group to keep an eye on.  We'll start with Defense because the Defense has progressively gotten worse over each of the last three seasons and must improve, and because the Offense is loaded.

Defensive Tackle
Dalyn Wade-Perry. If there is one player on the roster who could determine whether Stanford is a contender or a champion in 2018, it's him.  He'll be going up against arguably the best OL in the country this Spring.  Watch to see if he can get his pad level down and if he can take on double teams and hold his ground.  If he can, the run defense, and the entire defense will improve dramatically.  Will also be good to see Michael Williams on the field after heart surgery, and to see what Bo Peek can do, as it's possible Stanford could have some decent depth here for once.

Defensive End
Ryan Johnson.  Jovan Swann showed evidence he is a player in 2017.  He had a better RS Frosh year than Dylan Jackson did, IMO, and maybe even a better year than Jackson's Soph campaign.  But Johnson is the guy to watch, because someone needs to push Jackson to be better.  It's doubtful the coaching staff will want to have two RS Frosh on the starting DL, but if Johnson shows some ability in Spring, Stanford will be in good shape, especially with Booker coming in Fall.

Inside Linebacker
Andrew Pryts.  Given the horror show that is ILB depth after this season, Pryts must develop into a reliable starter.  With DWP up front, Stanford can probably afford to trade some size for the speed at the ILB position. As a former Safety (with High School highlights I loved), Pryts should bring that, but can he make the full transition?

Outside Linebacker
Curtis Robinson.  So far, Robinson would classify as a disappointment in my view.  Stanford's highly touted 4 and 5 star OLBs really haven't lived up to their hype as dominant outside pass rushers.  Kalambayi, Alfieri, Noor Davis, and James Vaughters were all suppose to be possible pass rushing terrors, but all of them were pretty much eclipsed by much less heralded Mike Tyler in terms of pass rush production.  Tyler didn't put up big numbers either, but he put more consistent pressure on the QB than any of these other guys, IMO. Stanford needs Curtis Robinson to make a major leap and live up to his 5 star recruit billing as a constant pass rusher.

Cornerback
Paulson Adebo. Based on what has been inferred, Adebo might be the most athletically gifted CB Stanford has had since Richard Sherman.  Fluid athlete, great speed, kind of the prototype it seems.  If Stanford can re-load the position Meeks left, it bodes well for the defense.

Safety
Stuart Head.  This kid reminds me of the Stanford Safeties of yesteryear; tall, rangy, and physical, in the mold of Tim Smith and Tank Williams.  Not going to play all five positions like Justin Reid could, but pure Safety who probably brings a more physical presence to the field.  Really liked his high school highlights.  You'll be able to tell if Stanford can re-load the Safety position vacated by Reid by watching Head in Spring.

Right side of Offensive Line
Foster Sarell & Devery Hamilton. Given Little, Herbig, and Burkett are cemented in as starters at LT, LG, and C, and because of the numbers, you almost have to include more than one guy here.  Hall acquitted himself much better at RT in 2017 than 2016, but it seems Devery Hamilton and Foster Sarell have more upside.  All these guys played Tackle in 2018, so it would seem someone is moving to Guard, unless Fanaika or Wilson are too good.  The most fierce competition for starting jobs between now and August is going to be who the starters are on the right side of the OL.

Quarterback
KJ Costello.  We know he is coming off hip surgery and won't be a full participant in Spring, but it will be pretty important for him to be seen participating at some level.  Because though he has a lot more time to heal, it will bode well to see him in the mix sooner than later.
Hmm.  Maybe Tavita can suit up and get some reps?  How the hell are the receivers going to get any work with no QBs available in Spring?

Wide Receiver
Osiris St. Brown. It's possible he would have played as a Frosh in 2017 if he was healthy, or the NCAA had the new redshirt rule that allowed players to play in ANY four games without losing a year of eligibility.  I almost chose Simi Fehoko here, but given no Stanford player has played the same year after returning from a mission, the nod goes to St. Brown.

Tight End
Scooter Harrington. Kaden Smith looks like an All-American candidate and Colby Parkinson is much more of a big slot or even WR who doesn't line up as an inline blocker.  If Harrington develops as both a blocker and receiver, Stanford will be able to deploy double or maybe even triple Tight End formations.

Running Back
Trevor Speights.  After looking pretty impressive in 2017 Spring game, Speights didn't produce as expected in 2017.  Watch to see how much RB master teacher Ron Gould can extract from Speights in his second year.  My guess is, based on Gould's track record, we'll see a big jump from Speights this season.

Overall, if you look at the roster, this has the potential to be a championship contending team if the highlighted guys develop adequately.  The offensive line might be the best in the country.  Bryce Love is the most productive and explosive RB in college football.  KJ Costello will probably be able to get his completion percentage up over 60% throwing to some great TEs and capable WRs. If the DL can improve and get the Rushing Defense to allow even just less then 4 YPC, this team could be dominant, because the OL and offense could be pretty much unstoppable.

[OutsiderFan]

This will look at one player from each position group to keep an eye on.  We'll start with Defense because the Defense has progressively gotten worse over each of the last three seasons and must improve, and because the Offense is loaded.

Defensive Tackle
Dalyn Wade-Perry. If there is one player on the roster who could determine whether Stanford is a contender or a champion in 2018, it's him.  He'll be going up against arguably the best OL in the country this Spring.  Watch to see if he can get his pad level down and if he can take on double teams and hold his ground.  If he can, the run defense, and the entire defense will improve dramatically.  Will also be good to see Michael Williams on the field after heart surgery, and to see what Bo Peek can do, as it's possible Stanford could have some decent depth here for once.

Defensive End
Ryan Johnson.  Jovan Swann showed evidence he is a player in 2017.  He had a better RS Frosh year than Dylan Jackson did, IMO, and maybe even a better year than Jackson's Soph campaign.  But Johnson is the guy to watch, because someone needs to push Jackson to be better.  It's doubtful the coaching staff will want to have two RS Frosh on the starting DL, but if Johnson shows some ability in Spring, Stanford will be in good shape, especially with Booker coming in Fall.

Inside Linebacker
Andrew Pryts.  Given the horror show that is ILB depth after this season, Pryts must develop into a reliable starter.  With DWP up front, Stanford can probably afford to trade some size for the speed at the ILB position. As a former Safety (with High School highlights I loved), Pryts should bring that, but can he make the full transition?

Outside Linebacker
Curtis Robinson.  So far, Robinson would classify as a disappointment in my view.  Stanford's highly touted 4 and 5 star OLBs really haven't lived up to their hype as dominant outside pass rushers.  Kalambayi, Alfieri, Noor Davis, and James Vaughters were all suppose to be possible pass rushing terrors, but all of them were pretty much eclipsed by much less heralded Mike Tyler in terms of pass rush production.  Tyler didn't put up big numbers either, but he put more consistent pressure on the QB than any of these other guys, IMO. Stanford needs Curtis Robinson to make a major leap and live up to his 5 star recruit billing as a constant pass rusher.

Cornerback
Paulson Adebo. Based on what has been inferred, Adebo might be the most athletically gifted CB Stanford has had since Richard Sherman.  Fluid athlete, great speed, kind of the prototype it seems.  If Stanford can re-load the position Meeks left, it bodes well for the defense.

Safety
Stuart Head.  This kid reminds me of the Stanford Safeties of yesteryear; tall, rangy, and physical, in the mold of Tim Smith and Tank Williams.  Not going to play all five positions like Justin Reid could, but pure Safety who probably brings a more physical presence to the field.  Really liked his high school highlights.  You'll be able to tell if Stanford can re-load the Safety position vacated by Reid by watching Head in Spring.

Right side of Offensive Line
Foster Sarell & Devery Hamilton. Given Little, Herbig, and Burkett are cemented in as starters at LT, LG, and C, and because of the numbers, you almost have to include more than one guy here.  Hall acquitted himself much better at RT in 2017 than 2016, but it seems Devery Hamilton and Foster Sarell have more upside.  All these guys played Tackle in 2018, so it would seem someone is moving to Guard, unless Fanaika or Wilson are too good.  The most fierce competition for starting jobs between now and August is going to be who the starters are on the right side of the OL.

Quarterback
KJ Costello.  We know he is coming off hip surgery and won't be a full participant in Spring, but it will be pretty important for him to be seen participating at some level.  Because though he has a lot more time to heal, it will bode well to see him in the mix sooner than later.
Hmm.  Maybe Tavita can suit up and get some reps?  How the hell are the receivers going to get any work with no QBs available in Spring?

Wide Receiver
Osiris St. Brown. It's possible he would have played as a Frosh in 2017 if he was healthy, or the NCAA had the new redshirt rule that allowed players to play in ANY four games without losing a year of eligibility.  I almost chose Simi Fehoko here, but given no Stanford player has played the same year after returning from a mission, the nod goes to St. Brown.

Tight End
Scooter Harrington. Kaden Smith looks like an All-American candidate and Colby Parkinson is much more of a big slot or even WR who doesn't line up as an inline blocker.  If Harrington develops as both a blocker and receiver, Stanford will be able to deploy double or maybe even triple Tight End formations.

Running Back
Trevor Speights.  After looking pretty impressive in 2017 Spring game, Speights didn't produce as expected in 2017.  Watch to see how much RB master teacher Ron Gould can extract from Speights in his second year.  My guess is, based on Gould's track record, we'll see a big jump from Speights this season.

Overall, if you look at the roster, this has the potential to be a championship contending team if the highlighted guys develop adequately.  The offensive line might be the best in the country.  Bryce Love is the most productive and explosive RB in college football.  KJ Costello will probably be able to get his completion percentage up over 60% throwing to some great TEs and capable WRs. If the DL can improve and get the Rushing Defense to allow even just less then 4 YPC, this team could be dominant, because the OL and offense could be pretty much unstoppable.