01-27-2014, 07:18 PM
Things can change, obviously, but right now I would think there are two members of the incoming class who have a good chance to get significant playing time, with a third possibility depending on how things play out in the next week.
Brandon Simmons seems like a candidate, given the need at safety and his high ranking. I still think he would be a longshot to start at the beginning of the season, but as the year goes on, maybe. I think with him it may depend on if he is physically strong enough to handle big time college football when he first steps on the field. I do recall reading a couple of times at at the recruit camps he seemed like a take-charge guy who understood defenses quickly, which sounds great.
The other possibility would be Dalton Shultz, given the lack of production by the TEs last season. If he can master the play book, one could imagine him getting,on the field, depending upon how the other TEs are developing.
The third possibility would be Solomon Thomas, what with the loss of both Josh Mauro and Ben Gardner. If Shittu, Watkins, or someone else does not really step up and claim that position, maybe Thomas can gain some time.
Does anyone else seriously get on the field? Is Casey Tucker going to jump over all the backups, and unseat Kyle Murphy or Andrus Peat in his first year? Doubtful. Will Christian McCaffrey jump over BSJ, Wright, Rickey Seale and maybe Kelsey Young? Possible, but I think those other guys get a long look first. There's a tremendous amount of physical and mental preparation in making the transition from HS to College athletics.
Brandon Simmons seems like a candidate, given the need at safety and his high ranking. I still think he would be a longshot to start at the beginning of the season, but as the year goes on, maybe. I think with him it may depend on if he is physically strong enough to handle big time college football when he first steps on the field. I do recall reading a couple of times at at the recruit camps he seemed like a take-charge guy who understood defenses quickly, which sounds great.
The other possibility would be Dalton Shultz, given the lack of production by the TEs last season. If he can master the play book, one could imagine him getting,on the field, depending upon how the other TEs are developing.
The third possibility would be Solomon Thomas, what with the loss of both Josh Mauro and Ben Gardner. If Shittu, Watkins, or someone else does not really step up and claim that position, maybe Thomas can gain some time.
Does anyone else seriously get on the field? Is Casey Tucker going to jump over all the backups, and unseat Kyle Murphy or Andrus Peat in his first year? Doubtful. Will Christian McCaffrey jump over BSJ, Wright, Rickey Seale and maybe Kelsey Young? Possible, but I think those other guys get a long look first. There's a tremendous amount of physical and mental preparation in making the transition from HS to College athletics.