re: Anyone else get the feeling we’ll be really good next year?

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Anyone else get the feeling we’ll be really good next year?

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Depends who are OC & DC are

depends a lot on Rosenthal and Deculus returning. Offense will be solid with those guys returning., but the defense will still have holes at all three levels. We'll be good, one of the top teams in the SEC, but no where near the talent level we had in 2019 and far short of the talent of teams like Bama, clemson, and Ohio State.

We need Trey Palmer to take the next step and some immediate help at LBer

Also I fear we’ll be starting 2 true freshman safeties

I think we’re a NY6 team but 2022 looks like the year we should make a run

Agreed. Next year I’m hoping for a 10-2 type season. 2022 I’m hoping for a CFP run. O has to bring in some solid coaches and keep recruiting. A few solid transfers

I like the confidence, but I think statements like...

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I can honestly see us winning the SEC next year and at the very least making the playoffs.

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...are a little premature.

On the plus side:
- Returning QB (one way or another) and QB play should be a strong point next year.
- Returning at least 3 starting OL, possibly 4 or 5.
- Returning 85+% of RB production and Emery, TDP, and Bradford have all shown flashes this year.
- Getting a stud receiver back in Boutte who should improve after an offseason, along with several other experienced WRs and a stellar freshman receiving class coming in.
- Almost the entire defensive backfield is returning, with Stevens being the only loss so far. Ricks/Stingley will be an elite combo on the outside if both stay healthy, and Flott/Ward/McGlothern will battle for the nickel/backup roles. #2 safety in the country coming in as a freshman, and Jordan Toles may challenge for a starting spot as well. DB should be a legit strength next year, which feels crazy to say after the way this year has gone.
- Returning everyone on the DL, pending Logan’s decision. Gaye and Ojulari will be a force, and our DTs should be a VERY strong group.

On the negative side:
- Losing a fair amount of receiving production. Losing 41% of receiving yards, 39% of receptions, and 54% of receiving TDs. This won’t be like the 2019 receiving corps where you have 3 first-second round NFL guys coming back. If anything it’ll be more like the 2018 receiving corps where those guys are still growing into their game.
- Will be VERY thin at TE next year.
- If Dare and Deculus declare, we will be VERY thin and inexperienced at OT.
- Unclear what the LB corps will look like. Still waiting on announcements from Cox, Baskerville, Clark, and Anthony. LB play was not very good this year either.
- Unclear what the offensive and defensive schemes will look like, pending coaching hires.

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Stingley, should he play next year and not opt out as feared (dear 8 lbs 6 oz Lord baby Jesus let him stay) was always promised he’d get to play offense and defense his junior year

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After the season Stingley had this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t even return punts next year. His dad never sounded like he was totally onboard with the idea of Stingley playing both ways, and I have to think his injuries this year have driven that point home.

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And, as disappointing as this season was, people need to keep in mind this team would been 8-5, possibly 9-5 with a bowl game in a normal year with OOC games and us being able to play in a bowl game.

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I think you mean 7-5, possibly 8-5 with a bowl game. 9-5 is 14 games. Regardless, we went 4-4 vs. the SEC teams on our original schedule. So depending on what happens in the Texas game, you’re talking about a 7-5 or 8-4 regular season. Personally, I don’t think we lose to Mississippi State if we had tuneup games (or Stingley for that matter) so I’ll say this would have probably been an 8-4 team with a normal schedule. Not that it really matters though.

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You think Harris and Hampton both get beat out? If that happens, I have to assume that means we aren’t any worse off than we are now.

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I think Sage Ryan will be the best safety on the team. I think it’ll be Hampton or Davis Jr.

I don’t think we’ll be worse than this year but I don’t think it’ll be possible for our safety level to be worse.

Here’s the thing - with these modern offenses you need at least above average safety play and I don’t expect that from our true freshman.

We ridin

We seem to be getting a good amount of key pieces back

Stars could be lining up

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We have the talent to be very good next year. With the amount of talent we have already and the valuable experience they got this season returning and then add our recruiting class coming in, and we have a really good foundation of returning talent to work with at every position.

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Do we have the safeties who can play smart, cover when necessary and tackle?
Do we have the LBs necessary to guard running backs, run sideline to sideline, and plug holes to stop the gun?
Do we have the DTs to plug the middle, to collapse the pocket and to get after the QB?
Do we have the DEs that can set the edge and play the run?
Do we have an OL that can open holes and protect?
Do we have a running back that can step up and be the man?
Do we have a TE that can be a safety valve and stretch the field?
Do we have depth at WR to take some pressure off Boutte?
Will Brennan be healthy and if not who will be left to back up our starter?
And then there are a ton of coaching questions.

Sure we have a lot of candidates at most positions, but ratings and HS accolades mean just so much. Our players like the team in 2019 has to train for it, work for it and come together as one and stick together. Having Linehan, Hines, Ingram, and Gaye return is a big deal; however, we need everyone to buy in come January 11.