Since workouts are about to start back up, I figured it would be a good time to put together an early projected starting lineup for the season. Curious if others have different opinions.
OFFENSE
QB:
1A- Graham
1B- Yates
Graham and Yates will be in tight competition this Fall and I expect both to be much improved and provide more consistent play at QB than we saw last year. Graham has the edge due to experience but Yates could easily take the role. I just hope we don’t rotate mid drives like we did last year. Ideally the competition will be over at the end of Fall camp.
RB:
Jordan Mason
It goes without saying Mason will be a lock to start at RB. He is arguably the most talented player on the roster and is projected to have a monster season behind an improved OL. This may be our deepest position this year and I look for Griffin and D. Smith to get significant carries as well. Both of them looked great in Spring camp and took a step forward since last season. I also expect Gibbs to carve out a role as the lead APB that can make plays on 3rd and long and provide the electric playmaking ability we need out of the position.
WR:
Jalen Camp
Malachi Carter/Adonicas Sanders
The WR group should also take a step forward this year with Camp returning from injury. He looks faster and stronger than he did pre-injury and is projected to be an impact player for us. I’m looking for either Carter or Sanders to step up and provide a consistent second option outside. Both showed potential last year but struggled with consistency. We also have some young talent behind this group in guys like Peje Harris, Avery Boyd, and Ryan King who could provide some solid depth.
Slot:
Ahmarean Brown
Brown was one of the most exciting players to watch last year and should only improve with better OL and QB play. Behind him Kalani Norris and incoming freshman Nate McCollum should make up a young but very solids slot receiver group
TE:
Dylan Deveney
This group will be young and relatively inexperienced with only Deveney and Leonard providing game time experience. I expect CDP to have fewer TE sets this year and defer to adding an extra RB given our depth there. However, Deveney and Leonard showed some promise last year and incoming freshman Billy Ward could also compete for playing time
LT:
Devin Chochran
Our OL will start with Cochran this year who should come in and be the most talented player across the line. Behind Cochran I expect Clark and Williams to split time but we will likely keep Cochran on the field as much as possible
LG:
Jack Defoor
Defoor showed some great potential last year and is a preseason All ACC candidate. The new system seemed to fit Defoor perfectly and he should be our starter at LG. Behind him I expect I expect either Austin Smith, Mike Maye, or an incoming freshman to get some snaps. We will need one of them to step up and provide depth. If no one is able to, we might be forced to move someone like Cooper or Minihan here.
C:
Kenny Cooper
It should be a battle this fall between Cooper and Minihan. Cooper has been battling injuries for the past year but has proven to be a talented OL when he has been healthy. Minihan also was injured most of last season but played well this Spring at C. Lay should also be a solid backup given his experience. Our depth at Center will allow us to move some people to OG if we have injuries or depth concerns
RG:
Ryan Johnson
Like Cochran, Johnson should come in as a transfer and make an immediate impact. Look for him to be a leader on the OL this year and secure the starting job. Behind him Smith and Maye are candidates for playing time along with some incoming freshman. Like LG, we are not very deep here and might need Minihan or Cooper to play if there are injuries.
RT:
Zach Quinney
Quinney has bulked up significantly since he arrived on campus. He has improved each year and should continue to build on his solid season last year. He has the size and frame we need at tackle and should be a lock to start here. Clark and Williams are candidates to backup Quinney and provide solid depth.
DEFENSE
SDE:
Antonneous Clayton
The former 5 Star recruit has a lot of hype around him this offseason and should be an impact player on defense. He has an NFL frame and could be one of our best DL this year. We should have good depth this year at the position with Dingle and Yondjouen bringing some valuable experience and upside to the position. I also expect Owens to play some snaps here on goal line and short yardage situations.
DT:
Jahaziel Lee
The coaches have raved about Jahaziel since the new staff arrived on campus. He primarily played OT last year before his season ending injury but has all the tools to succeed at DT. His combination of size and quickness should contribute to his success here. We also have solid depth with guys like Chimedza and Chris Martin fighting for playing time and potentially a starting role.
DT:
Antwan Owens
Owens has put on muscle this offseason and seems primed to make the move to DT. His skills as a pash rusher should make him a great option at DT. I’m also excited to see younger guys like Mike Lockhart and Quon Griffin get significant snaps here. Both guys looked great last year and Lockhart has as much upside as anyone on our defense. Griffin is not physically intimidating but his quickness and knack for slipping under larger Guards should be exciting to watch as he adds muscle in the offseason.
WDE
Jordan Domineck
I expect this to be another intense competition in fall camp between Domineck and Chico Bennett. Both Domineck and Bennett have huge upside and will be fun to watch. Domineck played great especially towards the end of the season and Bennett was having an incredible freshman season before getting injured. Coach Coleman is extremely high on Bennett so I could see him winning the job if he builds on his freshman campaign. We should have great depth here as well with Henderson returning and incoming stars Kaya Wright and Jared Ivey pushing for playing time.
MLB:
David Curry
Curry will be the leader of the defense this year and has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. He hasn’t shown to be the most naturally gifted LBs on the roster but his toughness and leadership make him a lock to start here. Behind him I expect to see Quez Jackson play significant snaps and we could often see the two of them on the field at the same time.
WLB:
Demetrius Knight
This will be a tossup between Knight and Jackson but I think the upside Knight offers is off the charts and he has the physical ability to be an All ACC caliber LB. He showed off his ability as a freshman last year but if he can learn the defense he could be one of our best players in the coming years. Quez will also play significant snaps here and I could see him winning the job as well. One of the underrated players at the position is Jerry Howard after making the move from RB. He was impressive this spring and could play himself into a significant role if he learns the defense. Like Knight, he has all the physical tools needed. Incoming freshmen Meiguez and Franks could also see some playing time here.
CB:
Tre Swilling
Swilling is a lock at starting here and will be an All ACC level CB this year. Behind him we have good depth with guys like Miles Sims and incoming freshman Miles Brooks. I expect Brooks to earn playing time but it will be almost impossible to beat our Swilling.
CB:
Tobias Oliver
I am calling it now. Tobias Olivier will be the biggest surprise on the team this year. He was already playing with the 1s this spring after just two weeks of learning his new position. His athleticism and competitiveness make it impossible to keep him off the field. He will have tough competition with guys like Walton, Brooks, and Askew but I think he will win the job. I am also going to make the hot take that Oliver will find his way on an All ACC team this year. He was a turnover machine this spring and between him, Swilling, Walton, and Brooks we will have one of the best secondaries in the ACC this year.
NB:
Charlie Thomas
Thomas made the move from LB to NB this offseason and it fits him perfectly. He is the hardest hitter on the team and will be a nightmare for receivers or RBs who make it into the secondary. Competing with Thomas will be Kaleb Oliver who could also win the starting job. We are set here at NB with solid depth in guys like Jaylon King and Wesley Walker.
FS:
Tariq Carpenter
Carpenter is another lock at starting this year. He was one of our best defensive playmakers and should be an NFL prospect/All ACC player after this season. Behind him I expect Derrick Allen and Jaylon King to get some playing time. Both guys were high rated recruits out of HS and will be strong backups for Carpenter
SS
Juanyeh Thomas
Along with Carpenter, Thomas is one of our top defensive players and will round out the starters for one of the top ACC secondaries next year. He also has NFL potential and will be an All ACC caliber player. Behind Thomas we have Avery Showell who is very solid and could probably start at some ACC schools
. And never have had a drink with Vanna. Was Billy's the small bar on the triangle with pool tables and darts near Carlos McGee's? If so, then yes I probably do have some stories though quite "foggy" today. Spent lots of time as a youngster in Buckhead since my grandmother lived just off Paces Ferry for a number of years, then moved up closer to Brookhaven when I was at Tech. Haven't really driven through there in probably 10 years and I'm sure it looks a bit different today.
