Biggest ceiling raiser for each position group : defense edition

In peak offseason boredom I decided why not post a player I think is the biggest ceiling raiser for each position group. Im gonna start with defense first .

DL: Dom McKinley. Truth be told as much as I like the transfer we got from south Florida, I don’t think he’s a game wrecker type. Having a game wrecker in the middle of your DL changes you defense. Dom with his 5 star pedigree and flashes he made as a freshman has the best tools to be a force in the middle with his size , length and overall athleticism.

Edge rusher : Gabe Reliford. Was very close to picking Payton but I already expect him to be a solid player for us assuming he’s closer to the 2023 version of himself. However, if theirs anyone opposite of Payton who can emerge as a game breaker it’s Gabe Reliford. Kid was a top 60 recruit and has loads of talent. Will only be sophomore this coming season and by all accounts had a dominant spring. With his length, athleticism and pass rush potential him emerging will give you two dogs on each edge to make opposing QB’s lives difficult.


LB: Davhon keys. Assuming health, we already know we’re getting a tackling machine out of Whit weeks. However, keys showed flashes of being a playmaker in the last couple games of his true freshmen season. If he can turn those flashes into consistent production , you will have a hell of a lb tandem on your hands in keys and weeks. I was very close to goin with the true freshmen Charles Ross but by all accounts we’ve been playing him a lot at star so far.


Safety : Dashawn spears. This one may be slightly controversial since we got guys like AJ haulcy and Cooley. However, imo haulcy will most likely play more SS for us and Cooley is at his best playing the nickel. Meaning we need a true center fielder ball hawk to pair wit those two guys and I think spears fits that profile on paper. He didn’t have the huge impact freshmen year we expected but he still was out there and showed flashes. By all accounts he had a very strong spring. This is still a kid who’s long, a freak athlete, rangy and as a former top 60 recruit. If he puts it all together we are looking at the next stud LSU safety the best version of spears is a perfect fit next to Haulcy.


Cornerback: DJ Pickett. Easiest one on the list. We’re looking at a kid that is the highest rated cb recruit since Stingley. He has the size, athleticism and speed to be a shutdown corner from day 1. Kid already flashed his immense talent in spring camp.


Star : Harold Perkins. Another easy choice. Lb was never the kid’s natural position. He is at his best being around the LOS using his immense athleticism to wreck havoc by rushing the passer while also being able to cover when needed too. His skillset is tailor made for the star and an elite version of Perkins significantly elevates the ceiling for the star room