the roster is pretty much finalized at its current stage. we added a lot of talent while, tbh, not losing a whole lot. great roster and talent management this offseason.
this is, in my opinion, the strongest to weakest position groups on the team. based on talent, depth, and experience. Obviously this will likely change at the end of the year as players emerge as stars.
1. Wide Receiver: Obviously.. Marvin Harrison is the best WR in the country and Emeka is probably the 2nd best in the country. That alone makes this the best position room probably anywhere. The addition of a Fleming who was a great 3rd option last year, a Carnell Tate who is showing out already, a speedster in Jayden Ballard, a versatile vet in Xavier, and a bunch of uber talented young guys like Grayes, Inniss, Rodgers, Rogers, and Antwi, every single recruit was a 4 star and most guys were top 100 players.
2. Running Back: I actually think this room is deeper than the WR room just based off the fact that I think 4 backs can be RB1 at any school. Treveyon Henderson was awesome as a freshman and I fully expect him to come back stronger after getting healthy, bigger, and faster. Miyan Williams joins Tre as two top 10 backs in the country. Dallan Hayden was the best back on the team during long stretches last year, and now he is stronger, in better shape, and experienced. Chip is a wildcard dude who is probably the most athletically gifted guy in the room. He will be a huge factor this year. Dont forget Evan Pryor. Speedster. and finally getting healthy. Shit even TC Caffey showed some great moments.
3. Cornerback: from what was a depleted room last year, I personally think this is the strongest CB room we've had since 2019. the top end guys arent necessarily there yet, however I expect Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun to be first round level corners next year. Denzel was borderline elite his freshman year, he can do it, and Davison was very good down in Ole Miss HIS freshman year. Behind them are a bunch of extremely highly ranked and touted guys. Hancock is healthy and was a top 100 player. Jyaire Brown was a top 200 player as a recruit and lowkey I felt he played very well whenever he was in. He looks huge compared to last year and I think he will make a lot of noise. I think Ryan Turner will be our starting nickel, and will be an improvement over last year's nickel situation. Behind all of that are two top 8 corners in Calvin Simpson Hunt and Jermaine Matthews. Lorenzo Styles adds even more talent to this room.
4. Linebacker: This is being inflated by Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers, but they were a top 5 duo last year, and should be the same this year. Tommy was the best LB we've had in years and he should only improve his instincts this year. Steele should improve even more as he is fully grounded multiple years in playing LB and not RB. Behind them is Cody Simon, who played a lot a couple years ago and is a great depth piece. The guy with the most untapped potential on the entire team might be CJ Hicks, who may very well be a big time member of the defense this year. Alongside them are huge recruits in Reid Carrico and Gabe Powers + a very athletic Arvell Reese.
5. Defensive End: The DE room is full of untapped potential, with JT's PSU performance last year showing what possibly could be in store this year. Some of the highest ranked guys on the team are in this room, including the two highest ranked in Jack Sawyer and JT. I expect Jaylahn to go crazy this year, and I think Sawyer sticking to playing traditional DE will show his talent best. I personally think the most talented guy in the entire room is Kenyatta Jackson, and he is more than a depth piece, he can be a difference maker i think. Omari Abor was another huge recruit, Caden Curry already flashed a lot, Melton is getting healthy, and Mickens has some serious twitch.
6. Defensive Tackle: This room was already very good, but the addition of Tywone Malone made it even deeper. I actually think he ends up co-starting this year. Mike Hall has been getting some super high praise and I think he will be the best player on the entire defense this year. Hall is elite level athletic and disruptive, he just needs to stay healthy and put some consistency together. Like Tywone, Tyleik is a huge body who will be necessary in those sloppy games. Ty Hamilton played a lot last year, and played well. Jaden Mckenzie is a good depth piece and the young dudes like Jason Moore , Will Smith, Kanu, and Kayden Mcdonald are bringing high level talent in different body types. Kayden was my 2nd favorite recruit in the entire class.
7. Interior Offensive Line: Two proven(ish) commodities lead this room in Donovan Jackson, who was very good last year, and Matt Jones who was solid. They should help anchor this line this year, and I think Hinzman will be excellent at center. Our IOL recruiting has been very strong as of late, with Luke Montgomery, Enokk, Padilla, Siereveld, all being big time recruits and Jakob, Cutler, Wilson being depth pieces. Cutler may end up being a starting OC, but i think Hinzman has it secured.
8. Quarterback: Yes, i know. 8th ! oh no. But every position room ahead of this is filled to the brim with proven players/flashes from elite recruits, but obviously this one is basically wide open. But thats fine. I trust Ryan Day. and I trust the QBs. Mccord, Devin Brown, and Lincoln Kienholz are elite recruits with different aspects to their game. Gebbia was a good insurance policy/elder statesman for the room. This may end up being top 2 by end of the year.
9. Safety: This may be the most overcrowded room on the team, but its currently looking wide open with every single player being highly recruited and highly talented. The most proven player is Lathan Ransom who played very well literally the entire season until the last two games. He played on a nationally recognized level for almost all of the year, and I think he improves a lot and creates consistency. Alonside Hicks, Styles may be the guy with the most untapped potential on the team. Dude is huge, runs like a horse, and can be lined up everywhere. Ja'Had Carter was brought in as a transfer to not only provide experience and leadership, but to be explosive and a playmaker, like he was at Syracuse. Kye Stokes flashed a lot in the 22 spring game, and he is now a year smarter and stronger. Proctor is the elder statesmen in the room, but he is healthy, and can prove the doubters wrong by playing with more instinct. He is still supremely talented and a big hitter like nobody else in the room, just needs have better awareness. Martinez, Hartford, Kourt, Hawkins, and Bonsu are all high level recruits.
10. Tight End: Dont be fooled by the #10, Cade Stover was great last year and he again leads this group. Behind him there isnt much in terms of proven talent, but I am personally extremely excited for Jelani Thurman. Sam Hart, Joe Royer, and Bennett Christian are all talented, yet unproven. Gee Scott is someone who I am excited to see this year, as he is a couple full years into his transformation into a tight end.
11. Offensive Tackle: Im sure a lot of you all probably are thinking the same thing about OT this year. I will preface this by saying I think OT will be fine this year. Just gotta wait and see. The room does have some talented bodies, and Fryar and Simmons should be a good starting OT duo (i expect Simmons to be very good this year). Behind them are a lot of raw bodies, like Tshabola, Walker, Henry, Toutant, Leroux, Fitzpatrick, and Michalski.
