Just to change it up a bit, how would you rank the ISU team by position? I will split it up by Offense and Defense. Positions being on Offense: QB, RB, TE, WR, OL. And Defense: DL, LB, DB.
Offense:
1. Running Back- This is the obvious choice i believe. White, Johnson, and Woody give us a nice mix of quickness and power. And who knows, Standard and Nealy could end up bringing something special to the table.
2. Offensive Line- I believe this is an underrated group coming into the season. Having a center like Farniok is great for this O-Line to build around. There are good numbers here with solid players for depth who can step in at any point during the game. And according to my numbers the line could average around 6'5 300+...which a love to see. I would like to see some more mobility though with the plays we run.
3. Wide Receiver- I think this group has potential. Lenz and Horne are the 2 main names that return. I believe Gary will be out because of off the field issues, which hurts. I could see Quenton Bundrage as well as Tad Ecby stepping up and becoming go to guys as well. Jarvis West may be one of the most exciting players in the Big 12 with him game breaking quickness. Also, Jerome Tiller could bring another solid pass catcher to this group.
4. Tight End- Hammerschmidt and Howard return to lead a fairly inexperienced group. I expect them to be great blocking tight ends, and both have short pass catching ability. It's going to be really interesting when Ernst Brun becomes available, i believe he brings the big play ability from a tight end that we currently lack.
5. Quarterback- This group i have ranked last because of the uncertainties. It's rarely ever a good thing when you aren't for sure who your starting QB will be (us and Texas last year as examples). Both Jantz and Barnett have the potential to have this group ranked higher on my list, but until somebody rises up to the occasion, they will remain #5.
Defense:
1. Linebacker- Knott and Klein are one of the best linebacking combinations in the country. Those 2 will be all over the field and i would expect another 100+ tackle season from them both. I'm also intrigued by the athleticism Jeremiah George brings to the table. C.J. Morgan and Jevohn Miller only solidify this group even more.
2. Defensive Back - Jeremy Reeves, Durrell Givens, and Deon Broomfield all return after playing significant minutes in 2011. Big losses with Johnson and Benton from 2011, but i expect players like Jared Brackens to be ready to step in. Also, who do you guys see playing the other Corner spot with Reeves? That is the one position i don't really know who will fill.
3. Defensive Line- Mcdonough, Laing, Simon, and Maggitt (injured 2011) return with experience. If David Irving lives up to the hype, this group could be very very solid. This group gives us solid size as well to take on blocks to allow Klein and Knott to roam free, which is an underrated quality. Will any newcomers play? I expect Wyoming transfer Ben Durbin to see some minutes.
Special Teams...
Kirby Van Der Kamp is one of the best punters in the nation, so its no surprise that he is the tops of the special teams. Jarvis West, Aaron Horne, and Josh Lenz all are very dangerous from the kick and punt return game as well, they might one of the best if not the best in the Big 12.
Cole Netten may have quite a bit of pressure on him coming into the season, and he is one of the only major question marks on the team. Hopefully he can at least maintain where the kickers left off from last year...
As a whole: I believe the Defense is a little more solidified than the offense. Quite honestly i think if the QB situation is solved, then our offensive will put up some good numbers. Finding another L.J. type shut down corner would be nice as well, as sometimes is tough for 5'7 Jeremy Reeves.
I got bored in the office, so i figured i'd do something i don't usually do by giving my personal assessment of the team. Feel free to give your own rankings of the team, or to disagree with mine!
Offense:
1. Running Back- This is the obvious choice i believe. White, Johnson, and Woody give us a nice mix of quickness and power. And who knows, Standard and Nealy could end up bringing something special to the table.
2. Offensive Line- I believe this is an underrated group coming into the season. Having a center like Farniok is great for this O-Line to build around. There are good numbers here with solid players for depth who can step in at any point during the game. And according to my numbers the line could average around 6'5 300+...which a love to see. I would like to see some more mobility though with the plays we run.
3. Wide Receiver- I think this group has potential. Lenz and Horne are the 2 main names that return. I believe Gary will be out because of off the field issues, which hurts. I could see Quenton Bundrage as well as Tad Ecby stepping up and becoming go to guys as well. Jarvis West may be one of the most exciting players in the Big 12 with him game breaking quickness. Also, Jerome Tiller could bring another solid pass catcher to this group.
4. Tight End- Hammerschmidt and Howard return to lead a fairly inexperienced group. I expect them to be great blocking tight ends, and both have short pass catching ability. It's going to be really interesting when Ernst Brun becomes available, i believe he brings the big play ability from a tight end that we currently lack.
5. Quarterback- This group i have ranked last because of the uncertainties. It's rarely ever a good thing when you aren't for sure who your starting QB will be (us and Texas last year as examples). Both Jantz and Barnett have the potential to have this group ranked higher on my list, but until somebody rises up to the occasion, they will remain #5.
Defense:
1. Linebacker- Knott and Klein are one of the best linebacking combinations in the country. Those 2 will be all over the field and i would expect another 100+ tackle season from them both. I'm also intrigued by the athleticism Jeremiah George brings to the table. C.J. Morgan and Jevohn Miller only solidify this group even more.
2. Defensive Back - Jeremy Reeves, Durrell Givens, and Deon Broomfield all return after playing significant minutes in 2011. Big losses with Johnson and Benton from 2011, but i expect players like Jared Brackens to be ready to step in. Also, who do you guys see playing the other Corner spot with Reeves? That is the one position i don't really know who will fill.
3. Defensive Line- Mcdonough, Laing, Simon, and Maggitt (injured 2011) return with experience. If David Irving lives up to the hype, this group could be very very solid. This group gives us solid size as well to take on blocks to allow Klein and Knott to roam free, which is an underrated quality. Will any newcomers play? I expect Wyoming transfer Ben Durbin to see some minutes.
Special Teams...
Kirby Van Der Kamp is one of the best punters in the nation, so its no surprise that he is the tops of the special teams. Jarvis West, Aaron Horne, and Josh Lenz all are very dangerous from the kick and punt return game as well, they might one of the best if not the best in the Big 12.
Cole Netten may have quite a bit of pressure on him coming into the season, and he is one of the only major question marks on the team. Hopefully he can at least maintain where the kickers left off from last year...
As a whole: I believe the Defense is a little more solidified than the offense. Quite honestly i think if the QB situation is solved, then our offensive will put up some good numbers. Finding another L.J. type shut down corner would be nice as well, as sometimes is tough for 5'7 Jeremy Reeves.
I got bored in the office, so i figured i'd do something i don't usually do by giving my personal assessment of the team. Feel free to give your own rankings of the team, or to disagree with mine!
