Returning Next Season

[cack]

We're losing a good bit this year Johnson, Cunningham, Taylor, Akeem, Bowens, Shaq, Holloman, DJ, Kenny, and Jerideau. Each of those guys really made an impact in games this season.

With that said, we're returning

THE best Defensive End and then some
One of (if not THE) best punt returners in the nation.
2 QBs that are only going to get better.
A WR core that really came together this year.
2 very explosive TEs
A running back group that will be LOADED again.
Most of one of the best Dlines in the nation (Sutton and Surratt should be able to step in and fill those gaps)
Most of our DBs that had a great season fighting through injuries and lack of depth

I think our major questions are going to be Oline (as usual), LB, and Safties. We have some guys that should be able to step in to those Saftey positions, but next season is going to live and die with the Oline. LB, we just need some guys that can step up and make the tackles behind the line. Our Dline is going to ruin peoples days so all the backers have to do is just step up and make the play.

We're in VERY good shape next season, and a very winnable schedule. It's never too early to start talking about next season.

[Kickerspl80]

LBs- Kaiwan Lewis has had one heck of a year on special teams. Looks promising
DL_ Alfy Hill, Darius English, Dixon JR will all make for more depth at their positions.
RB- Probably the most stable part of our team besides QB(who thought youd hear that?!)

I really think that Mike Davis is going to be our stud next year.

My biggest questions are how does Cody Waldrop handle the spotlight and how much depth can we build if he goes down?

[AikenRooster2112]

Not only that, we'll get better recruiting winning 11 games every year, beating teams like Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and cLIMPson, on a regular basis. Yes!!!

[CoverTwo]

We'll have to wait and see what officially happens with Hampton and Sanders.

Offensive line returns 4 starters, may be the most in the SEC? Has to be up there.

Basically, this team will be offensively driven at least the first half of the season. Coach Ward has his work cut out. I think he will be able to scheme and make adjustments with the best of them but he has to replace 2 starters on the defensive line and one key reserve (Fordham). He has to replace his entire 2 deep at MIKE and WILL linebacker, he has to replace his starting SPUR .. all with guys that have almost zero experience, and he is limited on bodies this Spring. He has to find a temporary replacement for his starting FS until TJ Gurley gets back. I think its unreasonable to not expect some decline in our defense next year, at least to start off.

I'll tell ya, there might be more points scored in Athens between the two teams this year than there was 2 years ago.

[IrishCoach]

We return 4 OL starters, and our OL recruiting has been pretty good these past couple years. I expect our OL to be at least as good as this past season's. Heck, our OL should be even better to be honest.

[puddle]

TE's I didn't know we had any on the team.

[PageUSC]

I really expect the offense to be better than this season. A lot will depend on if Ace stays and how Waldrop does at C.

On Defense Coach Ward has his work cut out for him especially with 2 of the top young newcomers in Gurley and Cooper coming back from knee injuries and losing the entire 2 deep at LB and an excellent Spur in Holloman. Also it will be a tough hit if Hampton leaves.

But my buddy that used to play at USC took a pic with Ward not too long ago and he went ahead and threw up the thumb in the pic and said, "Ima go ahead and give em the thumb." So he's confident.

[IrishCoach]

McWilliams coming back from injury too. Him along with Cooper and Gurley are guys that I hope come back strong from injuries.

[IrishCoach]

I thought Hampton said he would be back after the Clemson game!?!? Does anyone have some info on this?

[dreammachine]

Originally Posted by puddle

TE's I didn't know we had any on the team.

Going by the way that we used them in most games you would have thought that we did not have any and that's a shame as we did have three of the best TE in the nation, just wished that we had used them more.

[Kickerspl80]

Originally Posted by dreammachine

Going by the way that we used them in most games you would have thought that we did not have any and that's a shame as we did have three of the best TE in the nation, just wished that we had used them more.

Clearwater baby! Woot woot! 421 all day

[LegalCock]

We should be good on the DL. Linebackers are an enigma wrapped in a twinkie. Gotta' wonder why no one has really even logged a snap. The back end should be ok, provided Vic comes back. Even then they shouldn't be horrible. Legree, Williams and Gurley are all decent. Really hope bruce comes back, if ace goes, he's the only guy I have confidence in having a chance to be an all SEC type at wideout. We have most the OL coming back as has been noted. Not sure that's a positive. My god, our QB's got hammered in the bowl, and we had zero push as far as the run game. We got some QB's and tailbacks though and that is more than most teams can say.

[ktguen]

How about kicking? It was iffy all year. Doesn't Yates graduate?

[scfanohio]

Our young DL's played a great deal against Michigan. We should be good there.

My concern is who steps up to be the quarterback of the defense ala DJ and Antonio Allen before him.

[b381l]

I think we have the potential to be better at every position next year except blocking TE, LB and Spur. The LB problem may end up not being a problem based on our current LB and the recruits we sign. Even though we have a lot of potential at Spur, I don't see anyone that will be as good as DH.

[B&GSpur]

It will be interesting to see if Mason Zandi can come along. I know he was considered a project but he has been in the system for a year now. The OL can use all the depth it can get.

[Gamecockfanatic4]

Originally Posted by B&GSpur

It will be interesting to see if Mason Zandi can come along. I know he was considered a project but he has been in the system for a year now. The OL can use all the depth it can get.

heard some good things on Zandi, they think he will play at about 320

[kda]

Need a quarterback for the defense with dj and shaq leaving. Leadership on defense is what scares me.

[CaptainCock91]

The biggest question is LB/Safety, with DJ, Shaq, and DeVonte leaving. Who is replacing these guys?

[Carolina4Life]

Every time we get worried about loosing players on defense we have somebody step up the next year who's just as good or better. Think back to when the Brinkley Brothers and Norwood left.