[Row80Critic]

Who are next year's most likely starters  :)

[Row80Critic]

Who are next year's most likely starters  :)

[stupac2]

Well, we need to hear about whether some guys are coming back, Rector comes to mind. I think bowl games are also pretty useful for seeing how coaches are thinking about next year, the extra month of practices can be enough to get some guys ready for roles they weren't ready for during the season.

[stupac2]

Well, we need to hear about whether some guys are coming back, Rector comes to mind. I think bowl games are also pretty useful for seeing how coaches are thinking about next year, the extra month of practices can be enough to get some guys ready for roles they weren't ready for during the season.

[OutsiderFan]

One guess:
Italics = True Frosh
Defense
DE Kaumatule - Watkins
NT Phillips - Annan - Williams
DE Thomas - Jackson
OLB Kalambayi - Toohill
ILB Palma - Barton
ILB Branch - Davis
OLB Tyler - Robinson
FS  Reid - Simmons
SS Lloyd - Edwards
5¢ Meeks - Buncom
CB Holder - Edmonds
CB Murphy - Long

Offense
QB Chryst - Burns
RB CMac - Love - Sanders - Scarlett
FB Marx - Harrell
TE Hooper - Schultz
WR Rector - Owusu
WR Irwin - Robertson
RT Tucker - Hall
RG Caspers - Wilson
C Schuler - Burkett
LG Fanaika - Bright
LT Davidson - Dryer

Lots of depth at DB and LB.  A little bit more on DL than 2015. 
Loaded at RB and TE.  OK depth at OL. Position of least depth: WR.  Rector MUST come back!

[OutsiderFan]

One guess:
Italics = True Frosh
Defense
DE Kaumatule - Watkins
NT Phillips - Annan - Williams
DE Thomas - Jackson
OLB Kalambayi - Toohill
ILB Palma - Barton
ILB Branch - Davis
OLB Tyler - Robinson
FS  Reid - Simmons
SS Lloyd - Edwards
5¢ Meeks - Buncom
CB Holder - Edmonds
CB Murphy - Long

Offense
QB Chryst - Burns
RB CMac - Love - Sanders - Scarlett
FB Marx - Harrell
TE Hooper - Schultz
WR Rector - Owusu
WR Irwin - Robertson
RT Tucker - Hall
RG Caspers - Wilson
C Schuler - Burkett
LG Fanaika - Bright
LT Davidson - Dryer

Lots of depth at DB and LB.  A little bit more on DL than 2015. 
Loaded at RB and TE.  OK depth at OL. Position of least depth: WR.  Rector MUST come back!

[donkey687]

On defense, I think Alfieri, Okereke, Alexander and Lohn would make the depth chart if not starting.

On offense, I think Owusu should be on it if not starting.

[donkey687]

On defense, I think Alfieri, Okereke, Alexander and Lohn would make the depth chart if not starting.

On offense, I think Owusu should be on it if not starting.

[TrumpCard]

On defense, I think Alfieri, Okereke, Alexander and Lohn would make the depth chart if not starting.

On offense, I think Owusu should be on it if not starting.

Perez
 

[TrumpCard]

On defense, I think Alfieri, Okereke, Alexander and Lohn would make the depth chart if not starting.

On offense, I think Owusu should be on it if not starting.

Perez
 

[PrinceLightfoot]

Bright at LT.

Ogre: Wilson

WR: JJ Arcega-Whiteside behind Irwin. (who is Robinson? Curtis is an OLB. Thinking Robertson out of GA?)

Noor Davis may take the other ILB opposite Palma.

[PrinceLightfoot]

Bright at LT.

Ogre: Wilson

WR: JJ Arcega-Whiteside behind Irwin. (who is Robinson? Curtis is an OLB. Thinking Robertson out of GA?)

Noor Davis may take the other ILB opposite Palma.

[washingtonismoney]

Yeah, I'd be shocked if Davidson beat out Bright for a spot. Bright was the first guy on the field when Murphy got (briefly) injured against SC (in September), and has been more frequently used in various jumbo packages.

[washingtonismoney]

Yeah, I'd be shocked if Davidson beat out Bright for a spot. Bright was the first guy on the field when Murphy got (briefly) injured against SC (in September), and has been more frequently used in various jumbo packages.

[needle]

Is Lloyd coming back? He's older, having taken his mission, and I think he's also married, which may or may not influence his decision to stay.

I hope he comes back.

[needle]

Is Lloyd coming back? He's older, having taken his mission, and I think he's also married, which may or may not influence his decision to stay.

I hope he comes back.

[ChicagoCard]

Is Lloyd coming back? He's older, having taken his mission, and I think he's also married, which may or may not influence his decision to stay.

I hope he comes back.

He already has stated that he's returning.

Seems crucial for Schuler and Caspers to return on the offensive line. Also, 2 of the following 3: Kaumatule (I guess this is a done deal), Lohn and Watkins.

[ChicagoCard]

Is Lloyd coming back? He's older, having taken his mission, and I think he's also married, which may or may not influence his decision to stay.

I hope he comes back.

He already has stated that he's returning.

Seems crucial for Schuler and Caspers to return on the offensive line. Also, 2 of the following 3: Kaumatule (I guess this is a done deal), Lohn and Watkins.

[TrumpCard]

Every year feels like a rebuild. The team is likely to lose half its starters. I guess that is the nature of college football. 

[TrumpCard]

Every year feels like a rebuild. The team is likely to lose half its starters. I guess that is the nature of college football. 

[Hurlburt88]

Unless Rector thinks his pro prospects are better than my assessment of them, I think he returns.  He certainly is one of the more outwardly exuberant players! 

[Hurlburt88]

Unless Rector thinks his pro prospects are better than my assessment of them, I think he returns.  He certainly is one of the more outwardly exuberant players! 

[CTcard]

So, a guess started from Outsiders, with changes from comments here and other bits i have heard.


Defense
DE Kaumatule - Watkins
NT Phillips - Annan
DE Thomas - Jackson
OLB Kalambayi - Toohill
ILB Palma - Barton
ILB Perez - Davis/Branch
OLB Alfieri - Tyler
FS  Reid - Simmons
SS Lloyd - Edwards
5¢ Meeks - Buncom
CB Holder - Alexander
CB Murphy - Buncom/Meeks

Offense
QB Chryst - Burns
RB CMac - Love - Sanders - Scarlett
FB Marx - Harrell
TE Hooper - Schultz - Taboada
WR Rector - Brandt-Sims - Arcega-Whiteside  (lots of hyphens this line)
WR Irwin - Owusu
RT Tucker - Dryer
RG Caspers - Wilson
C Schuler - Burkett
LG Fanaika -  Maihen
LT Bright - Davidson

Notes:

Bright came in for Murphy a few times this year and played relatively well. I suppose there could be a left-right switch with Tucker but somehow that seems less likely than last year with Murphy.

Interesting rumor is that Cotton will reappear on the defensive side of the ball - possibly as early as the Rose Bowl. He hasn't played this year, and I never heard a solid story about just what issues he was working through. Given that he also red-shirted as a frosh, there is no eligibility reason to not appear in the Rose Bowl, though presumably that would not happen in a close game.

When Taboada has made the field, by my memory he has either been been in the slot or even split out wide. I haven't checked, and my memory is iffy, but I don't remember him playing in-line. So, while my guess is he won't be listed as a WR, he might essentially function as a WR - how often depending somewhat on performance of the other options.

Sure hope Phillips can make it back and that Kaumatule can be effective. Still a tough situation on the DLine.

Perez had some troubles this year and is somewhat undersized, but he has some potential and I remain somewhat optimistic for his future. Perhaps I am the only one in that camp.

Some true frosh will come in and make the two-deep. However, I find those rather impossible to predict, especially before we know for sure what the class will be.

[CTcard]

So, a guess started from Outsiders, with changes from comments here and other bits i have heard.


Defense
DE Kaumatule - Watkins
NT Phillips - Annan
DE Thomas - Jackson
OLB Kalambayi - Toohill
ILB Palma - Barton
ILB Perez - Davis/Branch
OLB Alfieri - Tyler
FS  Reid - Simmons
SS Lloyd - Edwards
5¢ Meeks - Buncom
CB Holder - Alexander
CB Murphy - Buncom/Meeks

Offense
QB Chryst - Burns
RB CMac - Love - Sanders - Scarlett
FB Marx - Harrell
TE Hooper - Schultz - Taboada
WR Rector - Brandt-Sims - Arcega-Whiteside  (lots of hyphens this line)
WR Irwin - Owusu
RT Tucker - Dryer
RG Caspers - Wilson
C Schuler - Burkett
LG Fanaika -  Maihen
LT Bright - Davidson

Notes:

Bright came in for Murphy a few times this year and played relatively well. I suppose there could be a left-right switch with Tucker but somehow that seems less likely than last year with Murphy.

Interesting rumor is that Cotton will reappear on the defensive side of the ball - possibly as early as the Rose Bowl. He hasn't played this year, and I never heard a solid story about just what issues he was working through. Given that he also red-shirted as a frosh, there is no eligibility reason to not appear in the Rose Bowl, though presumably that would not happen in a close game.

When Taboada has made the field, by my memory he has either been been in the slot or even split out wide. I haven't checked, and my memory is iffy, but I don't remember him playing in-line. So, while my guess is he won't be listed as a WR, he might essentially function as a WR - how often depending somewhat on performance of the other options.

Sure hope Phillips can make it back and that Kaumatule can be effective. Still a tough situation on the DLine.

Perez had some troubles this year and is somewhat undersized, but he has some potential and I remain somewhat optimistic for his future. Perhaps I am the only one in that camp.

Some true frosh will come in and make the two-deep. However, I find those rather impossible to predict, especially before we know for sure what the class will be.

[ChicagoCard]

Is the Cotton scuttlebutt that he'll be a defensive end or linebacker?

[ChicagoCard]

Is the Cotton scuttlebutt that he'll be a defensive end or linebacker?

[CTcard]

Is the Cotton scuttlebutt that he'll be a defensive end or linebacker?

My understanding was DE - though it wasn't completely clear.

[CTcard]

Is the Cotton scuttlebutt that he'll be a defensive end or linebacker?

My understanding was DE - though it wasn't completely clear.

[OutsiderFan]

It makes all kinds of sense to move Cotton to DE.  Stanford is very deep at TE, even without Cotton, and Kaden Smith is coming too.  Maybe the coaches told Cotton JJ Watt was recruited as a TE?

[OutsiderFan]

It makes all kinds of sense to move Cotton to DE.  Stanford is very deep at TE, even without Cotton, and Kaden Smith is coming too.  Maybe the coaches told Cotton JJ Watt was recruited as a TE?

[BostonCard]

Defense
DE Kaumatule - Watkins*
NT Phillips*** - Annan
DE Thomas*** - Jackson

[We also are probably returning Lohn* as well if he returns for a fifth year, which, given our depth at DL seems like a worthy bet]

OLB Kalambayi*** - Toohill
ILB Palma** - Barton
ILB Perez* - Davis**/Branch
OLB Alfieri** - Tyler*
FS  Reid* - Simmons
SS Lloyd*** - Edwards*
5¢ Meeks*** - Buncom
CB Holder*** - Alexander*
CB Murphy** - Buncom/Meeks

[Davis was once upon an OR with Palma until he got injured; given that and Perez' issues this year, I'd think Davis would be ahead]

Offense
QB Chryst* - Burns*
RB CMac*** - Love* - Sanders* - Scarlett
FB Marx*** - Harrell**
TE Hooper*** - Schultz** - Taboada*

[note, we listed two starting tight ends in our depth charts this year, who were Shultz and Hooper]

WR Rector*** - Brandt-Sims - Arcega-Whiteside  (lots of hyphens this line)
WR Irwin* - Owusu*
RT Tucker*** - Dryer
RG Caspers*** - Wilson
C Schuler*** - Burkett
LG Fanaika* -  Maihen
LT Bright* - Davidson*

*** Returning starter
** Returning back-up with significant starting experience (say because of an injury to a starter)
* Returning back-up

I'd say looking at the above, we look OK.  The biggest questions for me going into the year will be:
Who is the third starting offensive lineman?  Will it be Kaumatule, who has bounced around a lot?  Will it be Watkins, who has mostly been disappointing to date but has been with the program for a while?  Or will it be one of the frosh?
Who will be our second inside linebacker?
Is Fanaika ready to fill some very big shoes?
How will Chryst do?
Who will be the designated short yardage/vampire back?  We gave a couple short yardage carries to McCaffrey so maybe we will just give him the ball regardless.  If we want to go bigger, there's Scarlett, but he will be a RS Frosh.

Mostly though, the departures, especially on offense, are manageable.  Even in positions where we are losing players, in many cases, it seems like we have experienced backups to fill in the gaps.  I think the biggest losses, in order, are:

1) Kevin Hogan - a four year starter at QB is an invaluable asset and Chryst has not gotten as much garbage time experience as I would have liked.  I'm hopeful Chryst will be great and we will be fine here, but there is no way to know for sure.  The one upshot is that Chryst walks into a pretty good situation, with opposing defenses keying in on McCaffrey, he should be able to see a lot of favorable coverages.
2) Josh Garnett - it will be interesting to see how McCaffrey's stats change when he can't just run behind an all-American guard
3) Aziz Shittu - our best player in a thin position.
4) Brennan Scarlett - See above
5) Blake Martinez - hard to believe that an all-American wouldn't be higher on the list... but we do have some experienced depth at the position
6) Kyle Murphy - hard to believe that a first team all-Pac-12 left tackle wouldn't be higher on the list, but Bright has acquitted himself well in relief
7) Devon Cajuste - I think Trent Irwin will fill in pretty well, though I had been hoping we'd have seen more of him by now
8) Kevin Anderson - Since he was injured for several games, we got to see what life was like without him; and I think we will be fine with Alfieri
9) Kodi Whitfield - I'm pretty excited to see what Justin Reid can do here.

Also worth noting that we are bringing back all significant special teams players:
Punter: Alex Robinson
Place Kicker: Conrad Ukropina
Kickoffs: Jake Bailey/Conrad Ukropina [we need to figure out the out of bounds kicks... yech]
Kickoff returner: Christian McCaffrey
Pu

BC

[BostonCard]

Defense
DE Kaumatule - Watkins*
NT Phillips*** - Annan
DE Thomas*** - Jackson

[We also are probably returning Lohn* as well if he returns for a fifth year, which, given our depth at DL seems like a worthy bet]

OLB Kalambayi*** - Toohill
ILB Palma** - Barton
ILB Perez* - Davis**/Branch
OLB Alfieri** - Tyler*
FS  Reid* - Simmons
SS Lloyd*** - Edwards*
5¢ Meeks*** - Buncom
CB Holder*** - Alexander*
CB Murphy** - Buncom/Meeks

[Davis was once upon an OR with Palma until he got injured; given that and Perez' issues this year, I'd think Davis would be ahead]

Offense
QB Chryst* - Burns*
RB CMac*** - Love* - Sanders* - Scarlett
FB Marx*** - Harrell**
TE Hooper*** - Schultz** - Taboada*

[note, we listed two starting tight ends in our depth charts this year, who were Shultz and Hooper]

WR Rector*** - Brandt-Sims - Arcega-Whiteside  (lots of hyphens this line)
WR Irwin* - Owusu*
RT Tucker*** - Dryer
RG Caspers*** - Wilson
C Schuler*** - Burkett
LG Fanaika* -  Maihen
LT Bright* - Davidson*

*** Returning starter
** Returning back-up with significant starting experience (say because of an injury to a starter)
* Returning back-up

I'd say looking at the above, we look OK.  The biggest questions for me going into the year will be:
Who is the third starting offensive lineman?  Will it be Kaumatule, who has bounced around a lot?  Will it be Watkins, who has mostly been disappointing to date but has been with the program for a while?  Or will it be one of the frosh?
Who will be our second inside linebacker?
Is Fanaika ready to fill some very big shoes?
How will Chryst do?
Who will be the designated short yardage/vampire back?  We gave a couple short yardage carries to McCaffrey so maybe we will just give him the ball regardless.  If we want to go bigger, there's Scarlett, but he will be a RS Frosh.

Mostly though, the departures, especially on offense, are manageable.  Even in positions where we are losing players, in many cases, it seems like we have experienced backups to fill in the gaps.  I think the biggest losses, in order, are:

1) Kevin Hogan - a four year starter at QB is an invaluable asset and Chryst has not gotten as much garbage time experience as I would have liked.  I'm hopeful Chryst will be great and we will be fine here, but there is no way to know for sure.  The one upshot is that Chryst walks into a pretty good situation, with opposing defenses keying in on McCaffrey, he should be able to see a lot of favorable coverages.
2) Josh Garnett - it will be interesting to see how McCaffrey's stats change when he can't just run behind an all-American guard
3) Aziz Shittu - our best player in a thin position.
4) Brennan Scarlett - See above
5) Blake Martinez - hard to believe that an all-American wouldn't be higher on the list... but we do have some experienced depth at the position
6) Kyle Murphy - hard to believe that a first team all-Pac-12 left tackle wouldn't be higher on the list, but Bright has acquitted himself well in relief
7) Devon Cajuste - I think Trent Irwin will fill in pretty well, though I had been hoping we'd have seen more of him by now
8) Kevin Anderson - Since he was injured for several games, we got to see what life was like without him; and I think we will be fine with Alfieri
9) Kodi Whitfield - I'm pretty excited to see what Justin Reid can do here.

Also worth noting that we are bringing back all significant special teams players:
Punter: Alex Robinson
Place Kicker: Conrad Ukropina
Kickoffs: Jake Bailey/Conrad Ukropina [we need to figure out the out of bounds kicks... yech]
Kickoff returner: Christian McCaffrey
Pu

BC

[TrumpCard]

Prior to learning that Cotton wouldn't be playing this Fall, I speculated on this board that he could move to DE.  The move to DE makes plenty of sense to an outsider/layman like me who's willing to assume that he can add 20 pounds of good weight.  Has anyone heard from a team-related source that this is a real possibility though? 

[TrumpCard]

Prior to learning that Cotton wouldn't be playing this Fall, I speculated on this board that he could move to DE.  The move to DE makes plenty of sense to an outsider/layman like me who's willing to assume that he can add 20 pounds of good weight.  Has anyone heard from a team-related source that this is a real possibility though? 

[martyup]

[quote author=donkey687 link=topic=13989.msg147051#msg147051 date=1449693295]
On defense, I think Alfieri, Okereke, Alexander and Lohn would make the depth chart if not starting.

On offense, I think Owusu should be on it if not starting.

Perez

[/quote]

No thank you.

[martyup]

[quote author=donkey687 link=topic=13989.msg147051#msg147051 date=1449693295]
On defense, I think Alfieri, Okereke, Alexander and Lohn would make the depth chart if not starting.

On offense, I think Owusu should be on it if not starting.

Perez

[/quote]

No thank you.

[2 for 2028]

It makes all kinds of sense to move Cotton to DE.  Stanford is very deep at TE, even without Cotton, and Kaden Smith is coming too.  Maybe the coaches told Cotton JJ Watt was recruited as a TE?

After Big Game, Kaumatule tweeted a photo of the all of the D-Line players plus Hart and it included Cotton. 

[2 for 2028]

It makes all kinds of sense to move Cotton to DE.  Stanford is very deep at TE, even without Cotton, and Kaden Smith is coming too.  Maybe the coaches told Cotton JJ Watt was recruited as a TE?

After Big Game, Kaumatule tweeted a photo of the all of the D-Line players plus Hart and it included Cotton. 

[OutsiderFan]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=13989.msg147088#msg147088 date=1449698917]
It makes all kinds of sense to move Cotton to DE.  Stanford is very deep at TE, even without Cotton, and Kaden Smith is coming too.  Maybe the coaches told Cotton JJ Watt was recruited as a TE?

After Big Game, Kaumatule tweeted a photo of the all of the D-Line players plus Hart and it included Cotton.
[/quote]

Cotton is behind/between Hart & Shittu, right?  And btw, Luke's arms suggest they belong to a DL.

https://twitter.com/tonganironman/status...7085850624

[OutsiderFan]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=13989.msg147088#msg147088 date=1449698917]
It makes all kinds of sense to move Cotton to DE.  Stanford is very deep at TE, even without Cotton, and Kaden Smith is coming too.  Maybe the coaches told Cotton JJ Watt was recruited as a TE?

After Big Game, Kaumatule tweeted a photo of the all of the D-Line players plus Hart and it included Cotton.
[/quote]

Cotton is behind/between Hart & Shittu, right?  And btw, Luke's arms suggest they belong to a DL.

https://twitter.com/tonganironman/status...7085850624