FanPost

Way too Early Look Ahead at 2023

***Warning - this is an overly optimistic look on 2023 in light of MJ Morris' breakout game and the emergence of Terrell Timmons following the VT game. Please take it with a grain of salt***

This year will hopefully end up being a fun year with MJ Morris at QB, but I'd like to turn my eyes ahead to project what 2023 looks like because I think there will be more returning production than we necessarily expect at first shake.

Offense:

Definitely lose - Grant Gibson (C), Chandler Zavala (G), Thayer Thomas (WR), Darryl Jones (WR), Jack Chambers (QB)

Returners (best case scenario) - Devin Carter (WR), Trent Pennix (TE), Anthony Belton (T), Timothy McKay (T), Derrick Eason (G), Dylan McMahon (G), Chris Toudle (TE), Porter Rooks (WR), Keyon Lesane (WR), Terrell Timmons (WR), Anthony Smith (WR), Julian Gray (WR), Demi Sumo-Karngbaye (RB), Jordan Houston (RB), Michael Allen (RB), Delbert Mimms (RB), Seaborough twins (TE), Kam Walker (TE), MJ Morris (QB), Devin Leary (QB), Ben Finley (QB).

Defense:

Definitely lose - Cory Durden (DT), Isaiah Moore (LB), Tanner Ingle (S), TBW (Nic), Cyrus Fagan (S), Derek Pitts (CB)

Returners (best case scenario) - Savion Jackson (DE), CJ Clark (DE), Josh Harris (DT), Travali Price (DE), Davin Vann (DE), Drake Thomas (LB), Payton Wilson (LB), Devon Betty (LB), Jaylon Scott (LB), Jaylan Parker (LB) (and other LBs), JPL (Nic), Devan Boykin (S), Jakeen Harris (S), Rakeim Ashford (S), Shyheim Battle (CB), Aydan White (CB).

I would assume a few of these guys (particularly in the linebacking corps) to try and make their way to the NFL, but those are the areas with a preponderance of depth.

As it turns out, we have more depth at OL than expected. I would expect us to do 2 things - bring in a transfer offensive linemen and have at least one young guy move into the rotation.

At DL I'd expect a similar situation - we need to improve our DL recruiting and bring in a few more players to contribute and compete, but we do have several young guys on the team as it stands. If we bring in a transfer Nose who can be an immediate impact player, it'll improve our overall DL play (this assumes we don't lose any of the other 5 guys - namely Clark or Jackson).

As it turns out, the 2 big areas of need for next year will be safety and slot receiver. I love Porter Rooks, but we need to see a lot more consistency out of him to feel comfortable with him as the number 1 guy. I do feel like, unless we somehow pull Noah Rodgers in and he can contribute immediately, we'll want to bring in a transfer at WR as well - someone who can be a game breaker on offense - and that's regardless of whether or not Devin Carter stays.

Safety (and to a lesser extent Nickel) is the biggest drop off between this year and next as we lose Ingle and Fagan. Fortunately, Jakeen Harris has a ton of experience and Devan Boykin has gotten better every year. Assuming JPL returns to the team, he will be the starter at Nickel barring a major surprise. The depth behind them is the question. Jalen Frazier has another year to play so he may come in. Sean Brown has been highly touted, and Darius Edmundson might take a big step forward, but we don't really have anyone proven. Corner will also be a bit of an issue, but we have a lot of young guys coming in as well as a few guys already in the system developing.

All told, next year will be an adjustment, but if the offense can take a step up with the receivers developing some and Demi Sumo Karngbaye + Michael Allen being a force in the backfield, we can take a bit of stress off the defense. Fortunately, it turns out the schedule won't be as bad as expected as ND may be a .500 team and Miami is still getting their feet under them. Duke is tougher than expected, but we should still be the better team, and we get UNC and Clemson at home. Beyond that, let's hope Sam Hartman chooses to go professional instead of return to school for the 78th year. If all those things fall into place, next year could be a great year.