Way too early 2018 depth chart projections

[cyclones500]

Butler and Lima seem like they should be seniors in '18. Glad they're only juniors (Montgomery fits the description, too, obviously).

My way-out forecast is for Campbell to find a niche for Warren to get more time — best-guess as kick/punt-returner. Not as radical as moving Lanning to LB, but it'd be cool to tap into his ability even if it isn't in backfield.

 

[tolfbfan]

I love watching Seonbucher. I can' remember what play it was when he blasted number 6 and told him about it. He doesn' gaf

I'm sure he watched film of old #41 from Toledo when CMC was there. Played H Back his Senior year at 275lbs.

 

[2forISU]

I hope the TE's get more involved in catching the ball. We are going to need to some red zone help with Lazard & Lanning graduating.

 

[ZB4CY]

I'm assuming there is no way for Tongamoa to get a Med RS or anything? I'm anxious to get him for 1 year at least, but almost seems like this year was a waste for him.

Played a handful of snaps early on.. then I never saw him again.

 

[clonedude]

I love watching Seonbucher. I can' remember what play it was when he blasted number 6 and told him about it. He doesn' gaf

Seonbuchner has been a very key piece for us this year. Glad he's back next year, but we'll have to find his replacement for the year after. He's been great. I could even see him playing on Sundays possibly with his blocking ability, and the fact that many NFL teams still use fullbacks.

 

[clonedude]

I'm assuming there is no way for Tongamoa to get a Med RS or anything? I'm anxious to get him for 1 year at least, but almost seems like this year was a waste for him.

Played a handful of snaps early on.. then I never saw him again.

From what I understand, no chance. He came in with 2 years to play 2 with no chance for a RS year.

 

[danielyp29]

just came across this tweet... I thought Cole Anderson would be a promising H-Back after converting from OL, but is he calling it a career after his injury history and graduating?

 

[bawbie]

Some thoughts:

- As young as we were this year, it's somewhat surprising to see 13 FR on that depth chart. Hopefully that many earn it - it would be justification for the raves Campbell's recruiting has earned.

- At LB, Sutton, Vance and Hummel are all nice future pieces, but I feel like Spears, Harvey and Northrup are our best 3 LBs and I wouldn't be surprised to see them slide Harvey (or Spears) to the middle to get them all on the field.

- On the go-to receiver discussion, I think the answer is Matthew Eaton. Butler will definitely be the #1 receiver - but I don't think he fits the "possession receiver" mold that Lazard did. I also thing Jalen Martin will be the breakout receiver next year - and I wouldn't be surprised to see Landon Akers show up on the depth chart.

- The unsung strength of the receiving corp this year was their blocking - led by Lazard. It does seem that Jones and Butler have followed in his footsteps on that, hopefully the young guys do too.

- My guess is, given the depth and strength of the DL, that they go back to a 4-man front next year, probably a 4-2-5 look.

- The only player listed on the depth chart this year who isn't on Chris' is #20, Aaron Austin at the 'Star' position. I'm guessing they'll be some shuffling of the defensive back field (Demonte Ruth plays like a safety to my eyes), but the coaches liked Austin enough to give him a spot on the depth chart this year - my guess is he'll be there next year too.

 

[ZB4CY]

From what I understand, no chance. He came in with 2 years to play 2 with no chance for a RS year.

That is what I thought as well.

I know our D-Line had some depth this year, but I was surprised we weren't using him towards the end of the year.

Everything points to him being a stud so again, surprised he didn't get any reps at all.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I agree on the offensive scheme. The RPO isn't nearly as effective with a Kyle Kempt or Zeb Noland running it as it is with someone who is actually a threat to run, like Re-al Mitchell.

I would like to see what Montgomery could do with an OL that was actually run blocking on running plays. Looking at what the weaknesses were with this year's team, the OL run blocking sticks out the most to me. There's a reason Montgomery led the nation in broken tackles and yards after contact..... he had no blocking all year and got everything on his own. Felt bad for him really. You kinda had the feeling it was only going to be a matter of time before he got injured, and eventually he did. Gotta shore that up next year.

RPOs aren't about the QB running.

 

[clonedude]

Some thoughts:

- As young as we were this year, it's somewhat surprising to see 13 FR on that depth chart. Hopefully that many earn it - it would be justification for the raves Campbell's recruiting has earned.

- At LB, Sutton, Vance and Hummel are all nice future pieces, but I feel like Spears, Harvey and Northrup are our best 3 LBs and I wouldn't be surprised to see them slide Harvey (or Spears) to the middle to get them all on the field.

- On the go-to receiver discussion, I think the answer is Matthew Eaton. Butler will definitely be the #1 receiver - but I don't think he fits the "possession receiver" mold that Lazard did. I also thing Jalen Martin will be the breakout receiver next year - and I wouldn't be surprised to see Landon Akers show up on the depth chart.

- The unsung strength of the receiving corp this year was their blocking - led by Lazard. It does seem that Jones and Butler have followed in his footsteps on that, hopefully the young guys do too.

- My guess is, given the depth and strength of the DL, that they go back to a 4-man front next year, probably a 4-2-5 look.

- The only player listed on the depth chart this year who isn't on Chris' is #20, Aaron Austin at the 'Star' position. I'm guessing they'll be some shuffling of the defensive back field (Demonte Ruth plays like a safety to my eyes), but the coaches liked Austin enough to give him a spot on the depth chart this year - my guess is he'll be there next year too.

Great point on the WR blocking this year. It was outstanding. Lazard particularly. Hopefully that carries on to next year, and the year after, etc. It is HUGE. Under Rhoads our WR blocking was awful. We'd throw those WR bubble screens all day long and get tackled instantly because no WRs were blocking.

 

[clonedude]

RPOs aren't about the QB running.

I understand that. It's called RunPassOption for a reason. It's just more effective if your QB is a threat to pull it out of the RB's gut and run though.

It's why we put Lanning in on the goal line. Kempt is no threat to run down there when putting the ball in Montgomery's gut.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Great point on the WR blocking this year. It was outstanding. Lazard particularly. Hopefully that carries on to next year, and the year after, etc. It is HUGE. Under Rhoads our WR blocking was awful. We'd throw those WR bubble screens all day long and get tackled instantly because no WRs were blocking.

Under CPR we also didn't have a QB that could make that throw with enough velocity or accuracy. The WR bubble screen is probably one of the most underrated throws in college football and some guys make it look a lot easier than it really is. Kempt throws this ball really really well. He puts the ball right out in front of the receiver so that they are already moving forward by the time the ball hits his hands.

 

[HardcoreClone]

RPOs aren't about the QB running.

I disagree. The QB can absolutely choose to keep it and run, instead of handing off the zone-read, or instead of making a quick pass.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I disagree. The QB can absolutely choose to keep it and run, instead of handing off the zone-read, or instead of making a quick pass.

Yes, you can incorporate the QB into RPOs but you don't have to.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I understand that. It's called RunPassOption for a reason. It's just more effective if your QB is a threat to pull it out of the RB's gut and run though.

It's why we put Lanning in on the goal line. Kempt is no threat to run down there when putting the ball in Montgomery's gut.

We didn't run much in the way of option with Lanning. RPOs are about alignment reads more so than action reads like the veer and RO are.

 

[Beyerball]

Part of the problem with the run game was DE could always crash bc we had no threat to run at QB. Zeb is more mobile than KK but nothing great.

Another part is a lot of these guys were just young still.

On flip side pass protection was very good.

This will be most talented Roster in history of isu fball IMO next year

 

[tolfbfan]

I would be shocked we use a lot of RPO when run blocking improves. If we do, then. We won't be running the qb much Depth issues.

 

[FerShizzle]

Can't wait for Kene to be back. He was the most explosive player on the 2016 roster as a true freshman. It will be interesting to see how the coaches use him. I think he could assume the role of Ryen, and would provide a legitimate return threat, which we really lacked this season.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I would be shocked we use a lot of RPO when run blocking improves. If we do, then. We won't be running the qb much Depth issues.

I don't really like running the QB out of an RPO scheme. Essentially what an RPO wants to do is give you number based on an alignment and I just think a defense would have to make mistakes within their own defense to make a QB run in a traditional RPO real effective. There are exceptions like whatever that counter play OU ran last night was but I don't think that was RPO. I think that was a predetermined run where they gave a pass look but there was so much going on on the film room channel that I can't separate things out in my head. Anyway, if you want to run the QB, run RO, veer, and midline options.