Football post

[Todd4State]

To get everyone in a better mood. Here are some way early thoughts for next year.

QB- Dak. Enough said. Can he become the best QB in MSU history?

ATH- Can Malik Dear become the "Percy Harvin" that we really haven't had since Dan has been here? A dynamic player that can function as both a RB and a slot WR. Now, I'm not expecting Dear to be Harvin 2.0 especially as a freshman or ever really, but nonetheless he could potentially give us an extra dimension we really haven't had since Dan has been here.

RB- I hope we see a platoon of Ashton Shumpert and Aeries Williams. I loved what Jackie used to do with Davis and Bouie. Get two power backs and let them plow over people. But with Dan, we can be a little bit more diverse with these guys. Josh leaving may be a blessing in disguise. If he was playing to not get hurt at the end of the year last year, I imagine he would have done the same the entire year in 2015 had he come back. That could have been an issue. Plus Shumpert is a better blocker and an underrated receiver.

H-back/FB- We haven't really had a true FB type of player since Patrick Hanrahan. Could Rashun Dixon be that guy for us? He already plays H-back and has the size to do it. Can he block well enough? At the very least I think he could be used as a weapon as a receiver and also maybe as a runner.

WR- I think Bear Wilson is a three year guy and probably the best WR we have had since Eric Moulds. Fred Ross really emerged last year also, and then we have Morrow and Fred Brown who are proven and solid WR's.

Slot WR- If Donald Gray can replace Jameon and give us that important position back that we lacked last year, I think we'll see our offense pick up. To me it's not a coincidence that our best offensive performance was the last game that Jameon was 100%. Gabe Myles was good in the screen game, but we need someone in the slot to emerge and be a downfield threat like Bumphis and Lewis were.

H-back/TE- I think we will miss Malcolm Johnson, but how much we miss him may depend on two guys- Gus Walley and Dontea Jones. Can Jones come in right away and be an elite downfield threat by the end of the year? And if Walley continues to improve, I think we will be fine- but Jones could be a guy that like Dear could give us something to take us to the next level.

OL- We need Rankin to step in right away and be good. Senior, Desper, Clayborn, and Malone all should be better and all have started games. One thing I noticed from my fan highlight film watching was how much Desper pulled and trapped in the Texas A&M game. Could that mean that we see more counters this year?

DL- Can Chris Jones get his weight down to play DE? Can Ryan Brown become Preston Smith 2.0? Will Nick James play more? And if Jones is outside, does that mean Nelson Adams goes inside with James? If Jones is inside, which I think is likely, we have AJ Jefferson. I want to see if Fletcher Adams plays right away and where he plays at.

LB- I can't wait to see Gerri Green in action. Hell, I can't wait to see these guys actually blitz. The Brown brothers will play a lot and probably start, but I also really like JT Gray, and I'm curious to see Traver Jung and Leo Lewis and the role that they will have.

CB- This should be a strength with Redmond and Calhoun. But I am interested in their back-ups. Can Jiles come back 100%? I want to see Rayford from Byhalia. And then can Chris Stamps contribute as a freshman? And how about Jamoral Graham- can he make the transition?

S- Lots of questions here. I hope it's Peters and either Bryant or McLaurin- all three have zero college experience. Market will probably start, but how healthy will he be? Not real sold on either Evans or Coman, although I think Coman may be good on special teams.

K- ???????????????????? I think this will be what everyone is watching in the spring. Westin Graves to me is the worst case scenario- and he's possibly basically another Sobiesk. I do think Devon Bell and Logan Cooke will get looks. And then there are some mystery guys like Bryce Brown, and who knows?

P- Bell and Cooke are both solid.

KR/PR- I hope it's Dear and Gray on KO and Gray on punts. I have a feeling it will be Holloway though. I really like Deddrick Thomas too- I would include him as a KO return guy candidate.

[chef dixon]

Is Dear expected to redshirt?

We know what we are going to get out of Wilson, but I really think Ross will be ridiculously good now that Rojo and Jameon aren't taking as many WR reps. Also I know Donald Gray is supposed to be awesome, but I really liked the way Myles looked with the football and hope he gets more involved.

JT Gray was one of the most impressive players I've seen in a long time. His motor was incredible, looked like a heat-seeking missile.

[hells bells]

Is Dear expected to redshirt?

We know what we are going to get out of Wilson, but I really think Ross will be ridiculously good now that Rojo and Jameon aren't taking as many WR reps. Also I know Donald Gray is supposed to be awesome, but I really liked the way Myles looked with the football and hope he gets more involved.

JT Gray was one of the most impressive players I've seen in a long time. His motor was incredible, looked like a heat-seeking missile.

Ok T and Chef, a kicker-a damn kicker. Can someone on campus that played soccer be located. Yes, easier said that done but hold open try outs.

[thf24]

And how about Jamoral Graham- can he make the transition?

Is this speculation, or are there indications he's making the switch?

[Todd4State]

Is this speculation, or are there indications he's making the switch?

Paul Jones seems to be strongly hinting at it. That may be speculation on his part, but that's where my speculation is coming from.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Jamoral is/has moved to defense.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Nobody ever seems to mention Dontavious Lee but he will factor into the RB picture.

[MabenMaroon]

Nobody ever seems to mention Dontavious Lee but he will factor into the RB picture.

There is your X-factor at rb. By mid-season folks will be asking where did he come from and touting him as one of the breakout players.

[msstate7]

Jamoral is/has moved to defense.

S or cb?

[Coach34]

Our WR group is just outstanding

Wilson/Stonehands
Fred/Fred

Slot- Myles/Gray

Thats a really good 2-deep- with more talent behind it pushing them. That group is going to help the run game as much as anything. Teams just wont be able to cheat into the box to load up against it.

[Coach34]

As far as OL goes- this will be the 1st time under Mullen we will have an actual legit 2 deep.

We have Johnson, Jenkins, Carter, and Warren backing up at OT
We have Flowers and Thomas backing up at OG
We have Calhoun backing up C

Johnson could also play OG

Thats 12 guys that can contribute

[mic]

To get everyone in a better mood. Here are some way early thoughts for next year.

QB- Dak. Enough said. Can he become the best QB in MSU history?

ATH- Can Malik Dear become the "Percy Harvin" that we really haven't had since Dan has been here? A dynamic player that can function as both a RB and a slot WR. Now, I'm not expecting Dear to be Harvin 2.0 especially as a freshman or ever really, but nonetheless he could potentially give us an extra dimension we really haven't had since Dan has been here.

RB- I hope we see a platoon of Ashton Shumpert and Aeries Williams. I loved what Jackie used to do with Davis and Bouie. Get two power backs and let them plow over people. But with Dan, we can be a little bit more diverse with these guys. Josh leaving may be a blessing in disguise. If he was playing to not get hurt at the end of the year last year, I imagine he would have done the same the entire year in 2015 had he come back. That could have been an issue. Plus Shumpert is a better blocker and an underrated receiver.

H-back/FB- We haven't really had a true FB type of player since Patrick Hanrahan. Could Rashun Dixon be that guy for us? He already plays H-back and has the size to do it. Can he block well enough? At the very least I think he could be used as a weapon as a receiver and also maybe as a runner.

WR- I think Bear Wilson is a three year guy and probably the best WR we have had since Eric Moulds. Fred Ross really emerged last year also, and then we have Morrow and Fred Brown who are proven and solid WR's.

Slot WR- If Donald Gray can replace Jameon and give us that important position back that we lacked last year, I think we'll see our offense pick up. To me it's not a coincidence that our best offensive performance was the last game that Jameon was 100%. Gabe Myles was good in the screen game, but we need someone in the slot to emerge and be a downfield threat like Bumphis and Lewis were.

H-back/TE- I think we will miss Malcolm Johnson, but how much we miss him may depend on two guys- Gus Walley and Dontea Jones. Can Jones come in right away and be an elite downfield threat by the end of the year? And if Walley continues to improve, I think we will be fine- but Jones could be a guy that like Dear could give us something to take us to the next level.

OL- We need Rankin to step in right away and be good. Senior, Desper, Clayborn, and Malone all should be better and all have started games. One thing I noticed from my fan highlight film watching was how much Desper pulled and trapped in the Texas A&M game. Could that mean that we see more counters this year?

DL- Can Chris Jones get his weight down to play DE? Can Ryan Brown become Preston Smith 2.0? Will Nick James play more? And if Jones is outside, does that mean Nelson Adams goes inside with James? If Jones is inside, which I think is likely, we have AJ Jefferson. I want to see if Fletcher Adams plays right away and where he plays at.

LB- I can't wait to see Gerri Green in action. Hell, I can't wait to see these guys actually blitz. The Brown brothers will play a lot and probably start, but I also really like JT Gray, and I'm curious to see Traver Jung and Leo Lewis and the role that they will have.

CB- This should be a strength with Redmond and Calhoun. But I am interested in their back-ups. Can Jiles come back 100%? I want to see Rayford from Byhalia. And then can Chris Stamps contribute as a freshman? And how about Jamoral Graham- can he make the transition?

S- Lots of questions here. I hope it's Peters and either Bryant or McLaurin- all three have zero college experience. Market will probably start, but how healthy will he be? Not real sold on either Evans or Coman, although I think Coman may be good on special teams.

K- ???????????????????? I think this will be what everyone is watching in the spring. Westin Graves to me is the worst case scenario- and he's possibly basically another Sobiesk. I do think Devon Bell and Logan Cooke will get looks. And then there are some mystery guys like Bryce Brown, and who knows?

P- Bell and Cooke are both solid.

KR/PR- I hope it's Dear and Gray on KO and Gray on punts. I have a feeling it will be Holloway though. I really like Deddrick Thomas too- I would include him as a KO return guy candidate.

DL... we need CJ to give 100% on the idea he is a DT and that's what he will play in the league.. With his sidekick NJ these 2 could be unstoppable.
S.... A guy I know that was with a NFL front office said that.. Good corner play can cover up what may be lacking at the safety position in the right system.. I still bet Peters and McLaurin play and play a lot..
CB...love the move of smokey to Cb.. Nice size very athletic and fast. Hopefully he can pick up Diaz schemes quick .. Gives up depth there.. Esp if we move Cleveland back to Cb..
TE... I think we miss Malcom the most in the run game... Let's not forget about BJ Hammond and Christy.. we will be deeper and all around better at TE..

[Ifyouonlyknew]

S or cb?

CB

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I will go ahead & say it now Kivon Coman will start next year & have a very good season.

[Really Clark?]

I will go ahead & say it now Kivon Coman will start next year & have a very good season.

Yeah I think Coman really came on at the end of the season and if he continues to progress he will be good at safety. Once Peters, McLaurin, and Bryant get up to game speed then by the end of the year Safety could be a real strength of the defense.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Yeah I think Coman really came on at the end of the season and if he continues to progress he will be good at safety. Once Peters, McLaurin, and Bryant get up to game speed then by the end of the year Safety could be a real strength of the defense.

For some reason Kivon gets combined with Evans & I don't understand why. Kivon was solid last year.

[Coach34]

For some reason Kivon gets combined with Evans & I don't understand why. Kivon was solid last year.

Because most people don't watch close enough to know the difference

[Political Hack]

Coman and Market will be better at S than we were this year. If we inject some young talent for depth, which I would expect to happen, we should be ok here. Smart LBs and lock down CBs will help a lot too.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I expect Coman, Market, Bryant, & Peters to be the 2 deep.

[Coach34]

Coman and Market will be better at S than we were this year. If we inject some young talent for depth, which I would expect to happen, we should be ok here. Smart LBs and lock down CBs will help a lot too.

Our football intelligence at LB and CB will be off the charts this year. Should be a great learning year for Green, Lewis, and the rest