Like a lot of you I've been wondering why our portal activity seems to be a little light so far. We've had quite a few leave, so I was a little surprised we haven't seen another few guys come in. I think I may know why. I had some time over the holidays and after national signing day to put together a look at what our roster looks like this year compared to last from a position by position perspective. I found that we are pretty darn close at the moment to the same numbers as last year position by position. I have us at 84 right now with guys who CAN return and haven't announced they aren't as of yet. There are certainly some question marks left but until those get answered, it may explain why we haven't been more involved in the portal yet.
Here's the numbers breakdown if you are interested considering only scholarship guys. So guys like Drake Stoops won't be included though they are certainly a big part of the team.
DB- 2022- 19 2023-19
The only real question marks on this one are Jaden Davis. He has traditionally used up his eligibility but the Covid year allows him to return if he chooses. One would think that we'll have to have someone else portal out or declare at this spot to bring anyone in from the portal.
DE- 2022- 7 2023- 7
The question mark here is Marcus Stripling. He is listed as a Sr. this year, but I believe has a covid year left. 7 guys for 2 spots....seems reasonable.
DT- 2022- 10 2023- 9
First let me say we can argue some semantics on both my DE and DT numbers. I have Dasan McCullough as a DE, as I'm considering him an EDGE. Taking one of those 4 down spots regardless of whether it's hand on the ground or standing up. I'm also calling guys like Gracen Halton DT's. They haven't played much yet anyway and at 275 plus listed, his future seems inside to me. Bottom line we have 16 guys for 4 spots next year unless someone else portals out.
LB- 2022-7 2023-9
This is the first spot where we've added depth since last year and it was sorely needed. The question marks here are David Ugwoegbu and to a lesser extent Shane Whitter. I think we're likely done at LB, and I think this is one reason not to worry much about the kid from Utah we missed on for signing day. At 6-3 and 215, I think he would have to be a LB to make much of an impact any time soon.
OL- 2022-16 2023-15
This one really has no big question marks other than whether some other guys will portal. Some of the board loves to beat up poor BB but we're in good shape numbers wise on the OL. Just need some of those guys who were highly regarded out of HS to step up and take their spots. Byrd, Sexton, Taylor, Parks, etc. Moving from 16 to 15 is not a big change. If you look around college football, you'll see teams living in that 15-to 18 range depending on where they are in the cycle.
PK- 2022-1 2023- 1
I believe that Turk was our only kicker on scholly last year and I think Braun will be our only one this year.
QB- 2022-5 2023- 5
Arnold replaces Evers. So far everyone else is returning accept Ralph Rucker who was a walkon.
RB- 2022-6 2023-7
The question on this one is Bentavious Thompson. I believe he was a 5th year guy this year but, the covid year would give him one more. We either gained 1 or are even from last year on depth to this point. If we brought someone through the Portal it says to me that we think Major is done or Egwa will never be a factor.
TE- 2022- 5 2023- 4
No real question marks here accept for perhaps Daniel Parker. When I looked at this he wasn't reported back on the team yet, so it could be 5 and 5 as I think he may have a Covid year.
WR- 2022-10 2023-9
Everyone of course is waiting to see what happens with Mims. But other than that we've essentially replaced with the same # we went through most of 2022 with. I have Graham at WR on both last year and this as he finished the season as a WR. If you consider he was at DB most of the year...it's 9 and 9.
All in that's 84 guys. We're hearing Trace Ford may be coming our way. So that would put us at 85. So to take much more, we'll have to see some more guys decide to leave. I'm just wondering if the exodus is nearly over, AND maybe that the coaches like some of the young guys on campus who haven't yet become household names better than what's available.
It will be interesting to see what transpires in the coming weeks but feels to me like we've done about what we can in the portal so far.
Here's the numbers breakdown if you are interested considering only scholarship guys. So guys like Drake Stoops won't be included though they are certainly a big part of the team.
DB- 2022- 19 2023-19
The only real question marks on this one are Jaden Davis. He has traditionally used up his eligibility but the Covid year allows him to return if he chooses. One would think that we'll have to have someone else portal out or declare at this spot to bring anyone in from the portal.
DE- 2022- 7 2023- 7
The question mark here is Marcus Stripling. He is listed as a Sr. this year, but I believe has a covid year left. 7 guys for 2 spots....seems reasonable.
DT- 2022- 10 2023- 9
First let me say we can argue some semantics on both my DE and DT numbers. I have Dasan McCullough as a DE, as I'm considering him an EDGE. Taking one of those 4 down spots regardless of whether it's hand on the ground or standing up. I'm also calling guys like Gracen Halton DT's. They haven't played much yet anyway and at 275 plus listed, his future seems inside to me. Bottom line we have 16 guys for 4 spots next year unless someone else portals out.
LB- 2022-7 2023-9
This is the first spot where we've added depth since last year and it was sorely needed. The question marks here are David Ugwoegbu and to a lesser extent Shane Whitter. I think we're likely done at LB, and I think this is one reason not to worry much about the kid from Utah we missed on for signing day. At 6-3 and 215, I think he would have to be a LB to make much of an impact any time soon.
OL- 2022-16 2023-15
This one really has no big question marks other than whether some other guys will portal. Some of the board loves to beat up poor BB but we're in good shape numbers wise on the OL. Just need some of those guys who were highly regarded out of HS to step up and take their spots. Byrd, Sexton, Taylor, Parks, etc. Moving from 16 to 15 is not a big change. If you look around college football, you'll see teams living in that 15-to 18 range depending on where they are in the cycle.
PK- 2022-1 2023- 1
I believe that Turk was our only kicker on scholly last year and I think Braun will be our only one this year.
QB- 2022-5 2023- 5
Arnold replaces Evers. So far everyone else is returning accept Ralph Rucker who was a walkon.
RB- 2022-6 2023-7
The question on this one is Bentavious Thompson. I believe he was a 5th year guy this year but, the covid year would give him one more. We either gained 1 or are even from last year on depth to this point. If we brought someone through the Portal it says to me that we think Major is done or Egwa will never be a factor.
TE- 2022- 5 2023- 4
No real question marks here accept for perhaps Daniel Parker. When I looked at this he wasn't reported back on the team yet, so it could be 5 and 5 as I think he may have a Covid year.
WR- 2022-10 2023-9
Everyone of course is waiting to see what happens with Mims. But other than that we've essentially replaced with the same # we went through most of 2022 with. I have Graham at WR on both last year and this as he finished the season as a WR. If you consider he was at DB most of the year...it's 9 and 9.
All in that's 84 guys. We're hearing Trace Ford may be coming our way. So that would put us at 85. So to take much more, we'll have to see some more guys decide to leave. I'm just wondering if the exodus is nearly over, AND maybe that the coaches like some of the young guys on campus who haven't yet become household names better than what's available.
It will be interesting to see what transpires in the coming weeks but feels to me like we've done about what we can in the portal so far.
