Quarterback: This should easily be the best QB play we have seen since Jarrett Stidham (low bar). If we get the 2021 version of Thorne, plus some maturity and a better offensive system, then this could be a record setting year for Thorne. Ashford also could be a key change of pace if used correctly (we are all scarred by Gus trying to manage a 2-QB system) - his athleticism can't be questioned and he has enough throwing ability to at least keep defenses honest or make them pay if they let a receiver run free. This production here has as much to do with the coaching and the players around the QB, but I'll give the talent in the room a B+.
Running Back: Without a doubt the strongest unit on the team. While a lot of outside attention is given to Hunter stepping up as the starter, and rightly so, those following closely know Alston and Battie are going to be key contributors as well, and all signs point to Cobb being another star in the making. With both Hunter and Alston at 210 lbs. but with the speed to break it outside, we've got two guys who can do it all at an all-conference level. Battie doesn't have the size, but he does have the speed and elusiveness to break a long run when given a seam. Perhaps most importantly, these guys will be running behind the best offensive line we have fielded in 5+ years. The only thing missing is All-American star power, but we may see that by year end - this group is a solid A.
Offensive Line: A lot of us are going to have to see it to believe it, which is completely fair, but it seems Freeze has done what would have seemed impossible just 9 months ago, and turned one of the worst returning offensive line units in the country into one that should perform towards the top of the SEC. What is most encouraging is seeing guys like Jeremiah Wright or Gunnar Britton, who seemed destined for starting roles at LG and RT respectively, still having to compete for their spot, not because of their struggles, but because of the performance of those around them. Beyond the six guys that have seen the most starting reps (Wade, Wright, Jones, Stutts, Britton, Miller) we also have depth from guys like Muskrat, Johnson and Lew. And what coach Thornton has done in cross-training these guys to play multiple spots, there is even more depth than the numbers would suggest. At this point run blocking seems to be ahead of pass blocking and some of these guys still have to prove it at the SEC level, but at this point, I'd give this unit a B+.
Wide Receiver: This has been the weakest offensive unit through the off-season and despite some players stepping up and showing improvement recently, plenty of questions still remain. The emerging star appears to be Shane "Hollywood/Captain" Hooks. Giving our QBs a 6'4" target on the outside who can win jump balls is an amazing advantage and a security blanket that can keep drives alive and win games. However, hearing he needs to still learn to play at SEC game-speed all the time shows he still has work to do to count on him as a reliable #1 receiver in this league. Despite the quiet camp from Var, who is our leading returning receiver, depth at the slot seems strong with Fair stepping up and Burton impressing early on. We still need more outside guys to emerge out of Shorter, Brown, Kelly, Mardner, MJJ and Moore, but it hasn't seemed to happen yet. The best things going for this group are, 1) having a competent QB, 2) a strong run game to take some pressure off, and 3) an extremely receiver friendly offense; but, until we see more consistent production, this group can't be rated higher than a C+.
Tight End: If a great tight end is a quarterback's best friend, than go ahead and get Rivaldo Fairweather fitted for a tux, because he's going to be Thorne's best man. No disrespect to JSS or Lutzie, but it's been since CJ Uzomah that we've had a tight end with this level of talent, and Uzomah is entering his 9th year in the NFL, still hauling in passes and signing multi-million dollar contracts. Fairweather has the size, speed and hands to be a mismatch nightmare. Behind Fairweather, Deal and Fromm return as seniors, both capable as blockers and receivers, though neither nearly as dynamic as Fairweather. If Fairweather went down with injury we'd likely turn to MRD to be the primary pass catcher out of this group. Top tier depth is the only thing holding this group back, A-.
Offense: Between Freeze and Montgomery we have two of the better offensive minds in CFB, we finally have a serviceable offensive line, our running backs will be one of the best groups in the country and we have a dynamic tight end. We don't need a lot from the receivers, especially in an offense that will make them look better than they are, but if we are going to go from good to elite on this side of the ball, we need some play-makers on the perimeter that I'm just not sure are there yet. Even still, the coaching pushes this unit towards the top of the league and makes us an overall A-.
Running Back: Without a doubt the strongest unit on the team. While a lot of outside attention is given to Hunter stepping up as the starter, and rightly so, those following closely know Alston and Battie are going to be key contributors as well, and all signs point to Cobb being another star in the making. With both Hunter and Alston at 210 lbs. but with the speed to break it outside, we've got two guys who can do it all at an all-conference level. Battie doesn't have the size, but he does have the speed and elusiveness to break a long run when given a seam. Perhaps most importantly, these guys will be running behind the best offensive line we have fielded in 5+ years. The only thing missing is All-American star power, but we may see that by year end - this group is a solid A.
Offensive Line: A lot of us are going to have to see it to believe it, which is completely fair, but it seems Freeze has done what would have seemed impossible just 9 months ago, and turned one of the worst returning offensive line units in the country into one that should perform towards the top of the SEC. What is most encouraging is seeing guys like Jeremiah Wright or Gunnar Britton, who seemed destined for starting roles at LG and RT respectively, still having to compete for their spot, not because of their struggles, but because of the performance of those around them. Beyond the six guys that have seen the most starting reps (Wade, Wright, Jones, Stutts, Britton, Miller) we also have depth from guys like Muskrat, Johnson and Lew. And what coach Thornton has done in cross-training these guys to play multiple spots, there is even more depth than the numbers would suggest. At this point run blocking seems to be ahead of pass blocking and some of these guys still have to prove it at the SEC level, but at this point, I'd give this unit a B+.
Wide Receiver: This has been the weakest offensive unit through the off-season and despite some players stepping up and showing improvement recently, plenty of questions still remain. The emerging star appears to be Shane "Hollywood/Captain" Hooks. Giving our QBs a 6'4" target on the outside who can win jump balls is an amazing advantage and a security blanket that can keep drives alive and win games. However, hearing he needs to still learn to play at SEC game-speed all the time shows he still has work to do to count on him as a reliable #1 receiver in this league. Despite the quiet camp from Var, who is our leading returning receiver, depth at the slot seems strong with Fair stepping up and Burton impressing early on. We still need more outside guys to emerge out of Shorter, Brown, Kelly, Mardner, MJJ and Moore, but it hasn't seemed to happen yet. The best things going for this group are, 1) having a competent QB, 2) a strong run game to take some pressure off, and 3) an extremely receiver friendly offense; but, until we see more consistent production, this group can't be rated higher than a C+.
Tight End: If a great tight end is a quarterback's best friend, than go ahead and get Rivaldo Fairweather fitted for a tux, because he's going to be Thorne's best man. No disrespect to JSS or Lutzie, but it's been since CJ Uzomah that we've had a tight end with this level of talent, and Uzomah is entering his 9th year in the NFL, still hauling in passes and signing multi-million dollar contracts. Fairweather has the size, speed and hands to be a mismatch nightmare. Behind Fairweather, Deal and Fromm return as seniors, both capable as blockers and receivers, though neither nearly as dynamic as Fairweather. If Fairweather went down with injury we'd likely turn to MRD to be the primary pass catcher out of this group. Top tier depth is the only thing holding this group back, A-.
Offense: Between Freeze and Montgomery we have two of the better offensive minds in CFB, we finally have a serviceable offensive line, our running backs will be one of the best groups in the country and we have a dynamic tight end. We don't need a lot from the receivers, especially in an offense that will make them look better than they are, but if we are going to go from good to elite on this side of the ball, we need some play-makers on the perimeter that I'm just not sure are there yet. Even still, the coaching pushes this unit towards the top of the league and makes us an overall A-.
