The “youngsters” we have not seen play yet

[The Jackal]

I think the #1 question I have going into next season is the SPUR position.

Defenses use different terminology, but the hybrid DB/OLB has become one of the most critical positions in college football as the game becomes more "positionless." In our defense, we used primarily two guys - the more pass oriented Chizik and the more run oriented Miller. It also happens that our third guy - Richards - has also graduated. Currently there are only two SPUR players listed on the roster, neither with much/any playing time.

If you go back and watch the games and isolate the SPUR, you can see how many ways our defensive staff used the position. Sometimes they'd be up on the line slamming against the TE. Sometimes they were dropping into the deep third in pass coverage. Sometimes they were responsible for man coverage on the opposing running back.

The position takes a smart physical player. Someone that can run. Someone that can tackle. Someone that has good instinct.

With the exception of some mop up duty, I believe we've lost nearly every snap at that position over the past year (and, perhaps, multiple years). So, this is a big role that will need to be filled on the '24 team.

I suspect one of the likely targets will be one of the younger talented CBs or maybe one of our reserve safeties.

[The Jackal]

Also, I can't help but notice that we have a small army of wide receivers on this roster.

I wonder if any of those would flip to defense at some point. A few of these guys look like they played some defense in high school.

[Jasper]

Also, I can't help but notice that we have a small army of wide receivers on this roster.

I wonder if any of those would flip to defense at some point. A few of these guys look like they played some defense in high school.

Pretty good idea, I say. These guys are certainly great athletes with speed, etc. In a run oriented offense that our coach prefers, no way we can keep all these guys happy as receivers. Football players want to play football so let's get them in a position to see the field. I am sure most of them were two way players in HS and probably most as defensive backs.

[The Jackal]

Also, I can't help but notice that we have a small army of wide receivers on this roster.

I wonder if any of those would flip to defense at some point. A few of these guys look like they played some defense in high school.

Pretty good idea, I say. These guys are certainly great athletes with speed, etc. In a run oriented offense that our coach prefers, no way we can keep all these guys happy as receivers. Football players want to play football so let's get them in a position to see the field. I am sure most of them were two way players in HS and probably most as defensive backs.

I may be completely off base, but I see a guy like Bailor Hughes, who is listed at 200+ lbs. He's been a reserve receiver for a few years, but plays a good bit on special teams. He was a do everything player in high school and played DB as well.

He seems like a physical athlete, but a kid that hasn't really gotten a lot of opportunities as a pass catcher with the depth we have at that position.