...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.

quote:
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

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.

quote:
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.

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.