Some Positives so some of you don't build a bomb shelter
- Next year, we are guaranteed to have another 6'5" wide receiver. May it be McInnis or Sullivan, we'll have some height there. If we pull Sullivan, he'll be behind Bear with AJ starting on the other side of the field. Fitz has the opportunity to have a better receiving core to throw at then Dak. So, all of you ****s who think we're losing every recruiting battle can suck it.
- Fred Ross is going to be a monster next year. He's set on playing the slot position, and I expect him to increase his draft stock next year. He seems to have progressed better than any receiver we have right now. He has turned into a sure handed receiver.
- Last year I thought Fitz was going to be the back up to Staley. Now, the table has turned tremendously. Staley is talented..... no doubt about it. But he hasn't hit that maturity level that Mullen likes to implant into his qbs. Fitz has it. He's not quite the leader, but Dak isn't gone yet. Expect Fitz to step up in a big way. I just hope he can learn to control his emotions. A good qb is like a good golfer. You can't tell when they've made a good or bad play..... they instill the same emotions for both situations.
- The offensive line is going to be sink or swim. Just by getting a feel for what the coaches are doing, I'm expecting Rankin @ LT, Desper @ LG, Clayborn @ C, Calhoun @ RG and Senior @ RT. This is a raw group. I'd feel more comfortable moving Williams to LG over Desper, but I think the coaches want Desper in there for some reason. Either way, Rankin and Senior should do the part at the tackle positions. Rankin is starting to get in the groove, and Senior has 2 years of starting under his belt. It's either go or quit for him.
- Again, I can't stress enough how good our linebackers look. I know everyone (including myself) got over hyped about hearing that Green has the opportunity to move to DE for the bowl game and future games after that. But he is really setting the stage for the MLB position. Granted he may still line up in a stand up DE position, but I don't see the coaches moving him to the DE full time. Now, imagine us in 4-2-5 with Leo and Green controlling the middle of the field.
- Our defensive line is looking like this for next year..... DEs - AJ Jefferson & Jonathan Calvin (Kendall Jones and Anfernee Mullins will fight for a spot as well here. Jones for his size and Mullins for his speed.) DTs - Nick James & Nelson Adams (Cory Thomas should be a factor next year. He's a lean 300 pounder.) I expect Chris Jones to bolt even if he gets a 3rd to 4th round grade.
- New 2017 commit Keytaon Thompson was a huge get. Correct me if I'm wrong Ifyouonlyknew, but I think Keytaon is an EE. So we should get him on campus next January. Of course, by the time he gets the opportunity to stand behind center..... we should have Champion and Lashley blocking for him. Williams should progress into a good guard, but we're currently ****ed for the center position unless Moon flips a switch. He's a smart guy, so maybe he creates a mean streak and gets on it.
- I still think 2016 is a building year..... we have a new qb, new faces on the defensive line and inexperienced dbs (if Smokey doesn't beat out Cleveland in the Spring, we may have issues. Durr may be able to make a splash here.). But it's going to be a year to gain experience. Coman is going to hand off the commanding of the defense to Peters. Leo, Green, Jung and Washington are going to get valuable experience. I also expect AJ Brown, Jeffery Simmons, Kobe Jones and possibly Nigel Knott to hit the field early next year. 2017 looks to be our year for a lot of key players to hit max potential.
- The future looks bright..... we're getting some talent to Starkville.
