[duncan_idaho]

UPDATED

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

QB Maty Mauk/Eddie Printz
RB Russell Hansbrough/Marcus Murphy
WR Dorial Green-Beckham/Darius White
WR Bud Sasser/Nate Brown (incoming freshman)
WR Jimmy Hunt/J'Mon Moore (redshirt freshman, forgot him 1st time around)
TE Sean Culkin/Brandon Merrifield
LT Clay Rhodes/Taylor Chappell
LG Anthony Gatti/Brad McNulty
C Evan Boehm/Alec Abeln
RG Connor McGovern/Mitch Hall
RT Mitch Morse/Jordan Williams

Offense returns 3/5 OL, good, experienced talent at WR (though it will go 6-6/6-4/6-2 rather than 6-6/6-5/6-4), a very effective RB group and a potentially dynamic QB. Big question will be who plays LT. They could slide the experienced Mitch Morse over there, but redshirt freshman Clay Rhodes has drawn rave reviews from practice and might have the highest upside on this OL.

Keep an eye on rs. freshman J'Mon Moore, who could be a breakout star. He likely would not have redshirted if this years group wasn't so deep.

RDE Shane Ray/Ricky Hatley or Marcus Loud
LDE Markus Golden/Ricky Hatley or Charles Harris
DT Matt Hoch/Josh Augusta
DT Harold Brantley/Lucas Vincent

OLB Donavin Newsome/Darvin Ruise
MLB Michael Scherer/Eric Biesel
OLB Kentrell Brothers/Clarence Green

CB Aarion Penton/Logan Cheadle or Anthony Sherrils
CB John Gibson/Earnest Payton

S Braylon Webb/Greg Taylor (freshman)
S Ian Simon/Duron Singleton

The defense has a pair of strong DEs in Ray and Golden - who were nearly as effective as Sam/Ealy this year - but depth behind them is a real question. The middle of the line should be ascending, with standout young guys like Brantley and Augusta joining quality vets like Hoch and Vincent.

At LB, they need to replace the man in the middle but should remain strong in the nickel set, which is the primary set. I think they're a little more athletic at the OLB spot. Secondary is a big question. Both Penton and Gibson played a lot and played well this year, but Gaines is still a big loss. They lose Matt White at S, which is addition by subtraction.

I'd expect a step back defensively, though not a complete drop-off. Offense will need to rev up to compensate.