Kind of stupid to already be looking ahead to next year when this year is so much fun, but Desper passing Clayborn on the depth chart has this on my mind:
I was already comfortable with Clayborn starting at OG. Not sure if he's taken a slight step backward because of dealing with personal loss, but assuming Desper really has just made a leap, that's two very solid guards returning next year with Malone. We then have Senior coming back, along with Rufus Warren and Cole Carter at OT. Obviously Senior seems to be solid. Supposedly Carter briefly passed Senior on the depth chart in the off season, so assuming that was legit and not a motivational ploy to push Senior, that should be another solid OT. I haven't watched his on field performance, but have heard good things about Warren, so I assume with another year he will be a solid OT.
So I'm assuming next year our worst case line is:
LT - Senior
LG - Clayborn
C - Desper (I'm hoping he can move back here and be effective, as I'm not sure what the next option is)
RG - Malone
RT - Warren/Carter
My only concern would be that Desper was moved from Center after playing there in high school, and I assume there's a reason for that. Otherwise it seems like he would have been the obvious choice for backing up Day, although Beckwith would be who you want making the calls.
All-in-all though, I'm not sure how much more comfortable you could be losing three starters on the OL.
And that's not counting the potential that somebody younger like Calhoun or Jake Thomas could be ready to play. Anybody have any insight as to any younger OL that will likely play next year and how well they are doing?
