Preseason '24

[The Jackal]

Bandit
Clark 6-3 253
Maier 6-4 238
Schuck 6-3 230
Short 6-3 214 (became the first 6A Texas player to garner state all-star game invitations in both football and basketball)
The Bandit position looks to be in great shape, with two youngsters in the wings, getting PT and, in Short's case, increasing size/strength.

DE
J Jackson 6-0 265
Alabi 6-2 225 (should rotate with JJ)
Stoneking 6-3 252 (could contend for PT)
Dobbins 6-3 240 (impressive recruit, has the size to play now)
DE should be about the same as last year, I think Alabi and Stoneking are going to be fun to watch.

DT
Harrison 6-1 270 (my bet is Malachi is the starter)
Bussey 6-3 283 (moved from DE - will play a lot)
Kauserud 6-4 277 (early-enrollee played IMG prep, big motor guy)
Baldwin 6-1 268 (highly-recruited, first-team all-state)
DT, I trust DL coach Kevin Lewis, he's a helluva coach. Yes, this group is smaller overall, but it appears quicker and more mobile.

NG
X Stephens 6-3 292 (starter)
Dudek 6-4 277 (might be #2)
Hernández 6-4 307 (transfer from Army; we will need PT from Marc)
Knauber 6-1 295 (true freshman, highly recruited local product, my bet to be the freshman to get the most PT from this class)
NG, Stephens is an excellent NG; the question mark is depth and rotation. My guess Dudek will be #2, Hernández hopefully jumps into the rotation, the final piece is Bruce Knauber, maybe he gets a redshirt, I think he plays.

I see some of what others noted. I would like two or so to be heavier. A couple 300 lb boys in the middle of DL can really help stop a run game

Furman had an elite run defense last season, and the only 300 lbs defensive lineman on that roster is the same guy on this roster (Marc Hernandez, who has slimmed down a bit).

As I see it, the 2024 roster will be nearly as big - if not as big - up front as the '23 roster.

It's also worth remembering that our bandits, Clark and Maier, aren't small guys up front either.

One thing that made Furman's defense so good last year is the constant rotation of players up front. That the second and even third line guys were just as big and physical as the first line guys. I suspect Furman will attempt to execute a similar plan again this year.

[The Jackal]

Perusing the roster and chewing on some questions:

1. At running back, I'm guessing Jayquan Smith is the guy, if healthy. Hicks and Robinson both have a lot of reps. I know Furman likes to go 4 or 5 deep at running back, so it will be interesting to see who else gets some of the opportunities and when Smith may be ready to go.

2. I wonder if we'll see Bailor Hughes assume a bit of the Wayne Anderson-type slasher role. Hughes has gained some weight, and like Anderson, is a bit of a multi-tool RB and WR profile.

3. I know the offensive line is going to be a bit of a new crowd, but we're still going to be pretty big and experienced. Most of the guys I expect to see in the rotation are all 6'3/6'4 290+, which seems the typical frame for our get-out-and-run linemen. Some of these incoming freshmen are huge.

4. Interesting to see what we do at SPUR. Justin Hartwell has gained 10 lbs and seems likely to be heir apparent at that position. Furman the last few years frequently used Jalen Miller, a converted safety, and Cally Chizik, a CB to man the position. Maybe we'll see a nickel CB again.

5. I'm interested to see what they plan for Amaa Achina. With DiMaggio, Chideo, Herbert, and Earl, we've got some depth at ILB. Achina is a guy that played safety in high school, started at Furman as a SPUR, and now is listed as a linebacker. If he can stay in the lineup, maybe he's a guy we can use as a bit of a defensive swiss army knife.

[gofurman]

Perusing the roster and chewing on some questions:

1. At running back, I'm guessing Jayquan Smith is the guy, if healthy. Hicks and Robinson both have a lot of reps. I know Furman likes to go 4 or 5 deep at running back, so it will be interesting to see who else gets some of the opportunities and when Smith may be ready to go.

2. I wonder if we'll see Bailor Hughes assume a bit of the Wayne Anderson-type slasher role. Hughes has gained some weight, and like Anderson, is a bit of a multi-tool RB and WR profile.

3. I know the offensive line is going to be a bit of a new crowd, but we're still going to be pretty big and experienced. Most of the guys I expect to see in the rotation are all 6'3/6'4 290+, which seems the typical frame for our get-out-and-run linemen. Some of these incoming freshmen are huge.

4. Interesting to see what we do at SPUR. Justin Hartwell has gained 10 lbs and seems likely to be heir apparent at that position. Furman the last few years frequently used Jalen Miller, a converted safety, and Cally Chizik, a CB to man the position. Maybe we'll see a nickel CB again.

5. I'm interested to see what they plan for Amaa Achina. With DiMaggio, Chideo, Herbert, and Earl, we've got some depth at ILB. Achina is a guy that played safety in high school, started at Furman as a SPUR, and now is listed as a linebacker. If he can stay in the lineup, maybe he's a guy we can use as a bit of a defensive swiss army knife.

A healthy SMith at RB would REALLY help I think. He looked like he might be a good one. I think his and Achina's health could be big and I wish them the best, especially since Achina was slated to be a starter or player for two years now

[gofurman]

Can one of you super smart dudes list the probable order of OL (best 10 I guess). First and 2nd string at each position maybe. Hate we lost the super big guy (name escapes me but he was a starter and slated to be one of the few returners and then left or something

[apaladin]

It would be great if Smith was back but due to the extent of the injury wasn’t there some doubt that he would be ready by this season? I could be wrong but think that was the case.

[The Jackal]

Can one of you super smart dudes list the probable order of OL (best 10 I guess). First and 2nd string at each position maybe. Hate we lost the super big guy (name escapes me but he was a starter and slated to be one of the few returners and then left or something

Just my uneducated guess:

Center:

- Chris Luna. Luna seems to have a lot of fans. He was frequently dressed out with the road squad as a freshman. They didn't need him, but I think he's got a high ceiling.

- Ryan Lamb is a versatile interior OL who has played at OG and Center.

Guard

- I'm guessing EJ Wilson is probably the guy at RG. He was Johanning's backup last season and started in his absence. Has 27 games under his belt and is a redshirt senior.

- Luke Petit, if healthy, seems likely to be the one to reassume LG. He won that starting job last year.

- Steven O'Dell is a true freshman, but at 6'7 300, is a big hombre.

Tackle

- Blake Hundley is a mix and match guy at OG and OT. He was already on the two deep at RT last season.

- Eli Brasher. Already listed on the two deep at LT last season.

[FUBeAR]

Can one of you super smart dudes list the probable order of OL (best 10 I guess). First and 2nd string at each position maybe. Hate we lost the super big guy (name escapes me but he was a starter and slated to be one of the few returners and then left or something

Just my uneducated guess:

Center:
- Chris Luna. Luna seems to have a lot of fans. He was frequently dressed out with the road squad as a freshman. They didn't need him, but I think he's got a high ceiling.
- Ryan Lamb is a versatile interior OL who has played at OG and Center.

Guard
- I'm guessing EJ Wilson is probably the guy at RG. He was Johanning's backup last season and started in his absence. Has 27 games under his belt and is a redshirt senior.
- Luke Petit, if healthy, seems likely to be the one to reassume LG. He won that starting job last year.
- Steven O'Dell is a true freshman, but at 6'7 300, is a big hombre.

Tackle
- Blake Hundley is a mix and match guy at OG and OT. He was already on the two deep at RT last season.
- Eli Brasher. Already listed on the two deep at LT last season.

Watched Lamb, Wilson, Petit, Hundley, and Brasher fairly closely (at times) last season. All can play. They weren’t perfect, but they were good and will be a year better. That’s 5. If the other 2 are comparable…or comparable to where the others were last year, OL will be just fine.

[AllTimeFU]

We may have had an injury or two for the spring game. Did we learn anything at that?

[AllTimeFU]

Luke Clark!
https://herosports.com/fcs-best-returni ... ence-bmbm/

[The Jackal]

Luke Clark!

I think Furman has gotten a lot more creative with the Bandit position the last few seasons. Having both Clark and Maier back is a boon for the defense.

Early in Vaughn's tenure, we relied a bit more on the Bandit being essentially a pass rusher (think, Adrian Hope). Now, I think you see Furman use the position as basically a do-everything player that is big and strong enough to hold off blockers, can rush the passer, but also can drop into coverage and free up blitzers from other areas.

Perused a few videos from last year:

Bandit (Maier) bluffs the rush and then drops into coverage in what appears to either be a spy on the QB or in man coverage with the RB. The OT has to respect the outside rush, but the false step puts him in a position where he can't recover to help inside where our DT and NG just beat their guys.

Here, Clark just straight pass rushes, rips through the outside shoulder of the OT, and notches the sack. Tough on an OT who never really knows where that player is going off the snap.

Here, Clark picks up the RB out of the backfield in man coverage. Furman brings five, but the rush confuses the protection and no one picks up the MLB. Clark is running right with his man down the sideline and nearly picks off the pass.

[The Jackal]

Honestly, I know everyone seems to focus on who might return on the defensive interior, but I really think that having the two Bandits back might be the biggest thing for the defense. Those two guys are big, fast, and experienced players. They allow Furman to create all sorts of confusion for the offensive blocking schemes.

[gofurman]

Can one of you super smart dudes list the probable order of OL (best 10 I guess). First and 2nd string at each position maybe. Hate we lost the super big guy (name escapes me but he was a starter and slated to be one of the few returners and then left or something

Just my uneducated guess:

Center:

- Chris Luna. Luna seems to have a lot of fans. He was frequently dressed out with the road squad as a freshman. They didn't need him, but I think he's got a high ceiling.

- Ryan Lamb is a versatile interior OL who has played at OG and Center.

Guard

- I'm guessing EJ Wilson is probably the guy at RG. He was Johanning's backup last season and started in his absence. Has 27 games under his belt and is a redshirt senior.

- Luke Petit, if healthy, seems likely to be the one to reassume LG. He won that starting job last year.

- Steven O'Dell is a true freshman, but at 6'7 300, is a big hombre.

Tackle

- Blake Hundley is a mix and match guy at OG and OT. He was already on the two deep at RT last season.

- Eli Brasher. Already listed on the two deep at LT last season.

Jackal, first. a big Thank you ! Sincerely.

And I am not negative. Factually - Injuries can be a lot. We had 5 RBs last year and got down to 1 or 2. The loss of Roberto was devastating.

Center is hopefully OK

The concerns would be you need 4 OG and by the third we are already listing a true freshman. Not opportune. You would hope we would. Have 4 OG at Sophomore or R-Sophomore or older

Also at Tackle we need 4. I see 2 listed. Do we have backups as Sophomore or older?

[gofurman]

I’ll say it again. We damn better beat Wofford this year. That still pisses me off

[gofurman]

Luke Clark!

I think Furman has gotten a lot more creative with the Bandit position the last few seasons. Having both Clark and Maier back is a boon for the defense.

Early in Vaughn's tenure, we relied a bit more on the Bandit being essentially a pass rusher (think, Adrian Hope). Now, I think you see Furman use the position as basically a do-everything player that is big and strong enough to hold off blockers, can rush the passer, but also can drop into coverage and free up blitzers from other areas.

Perused a few videos from last year:

Bandit (Maier) bluffs the rush and then drops into coverage in what appears to either be a spy on the QB or in man coverage with the RB. The OT has to respect the outside rush, but the false step puts him in a position where he can't recover to help inside where our DT and NG just beat their guys.

Here, Clark just straight pass rushes, rips through the outside shoulder of the OT, and notches the sack. Tough on an OT who never really knows where that player is going off the snap.

Here, Clark picks up the RB out of the backfield in man coverage. Furman brings five, but the rush confuses the protection and no one picks up the MLB. Clark is running right with his man down the sideline and nearly picks off the pass.

FYI

I REALLY appreciate the video clips showing different formations and what develops. Thanks!!!

[The Jackal]

A couple of thoughts on WRs.

Furman is going to have to replace Shiflett and Dean. While those two didn't blow the doors off in terms of the stat sheet, they were consistent and productive players, especially in terms of blocking on the edge.

Joshua Harris returns as a senior. He's played a lot of football for us and is arguably the most talented WR in the SoCon.

Last season, Ethan Harris was Joshua Harris' backup. I like what I've seen from Harris the last year or two. I'm guessing he might be the most logical starter opposite Joshua Harris.

Our slot/Z WR spot looks incredibly promising. Colton Hinton made a name for himself last season as a freshman and seemed to get stronger as the season wore on. Ben Ferguson, too, has had some impressive moments. Both of those guys are going to keep defensive coordinators up at night.

On the edges, Furman has a lot of size down the depth chart with some interesting players we have not seen much of yet. Ja'Keith Hamilton (6'3, 198) and Jon Holbrook (6'4 200) are '23 signees I expect to start seeing.

While listed as a TE, I would expect to see a lot of Joshua Burrell, the Florida State transfer. Furman has had a lot of success with hybrid-type TEs they will flex out in the passing game. Burrell is listed at 6'3 and nearly 220 lbs.

I suspect Furman will throw the ball a bit more this season they did with Huff. It would also not surprise me to see Furman take a lot more shots downfield than we have in year's past. I think we have the personnel to do that more frequently.