What's known:
Depth is a critical issue at several key positions. Linebacker being concern number one for me. While K.Riley has had a promising off-season and a spring demonstrative of that progress so far, that still only makes 1...Pappoe is on the injured list, but he didn't play winning football at any point last season when he was healthy. Steiner has the intellect and the physical tools, I'm not sure what is holding him back at this point, but his emergence is more than necessary. This position group definitely needs to add a player, or two, from the post spring crop of transfer portal players. I'm very surprised we haven't seen a certain big-bodied safety moved down inside the box to the Will spot yet, and that may unfold when more secondary players arrive in the summer if another LB isn't signed.
The OL is a major conundrum, I love the fact that due to injury and attrition that an essentially new group is getting a lot of time this spring. Council's body will not hold up as a starter, and last year he was less than serviceable on the field. When he gets healthy he needs to be a versatile swingman off the bench. KZ has stepped up and is having a strong spring on and off the field, that's very encouraging! The offense needs to learn how to operate efficiently without Brahms in the middle. Coffee had a strong off-season, and needs to continue it through the summer. His base was weak when he arrived, but it's gotten stronger, and he has tremendous length and upper body strength. He might be one of those guys that finally has it "click" in year 4 and 5. Trox is a great attitude and effort guy, but we've seen that he can't hold up, so someone else coming on strong needs to be more than a contingency plan. The group that took the field with the 1's Friday is much more well suited, athletically, for Harsin's outside zone and duo run scheme.
Receiver numbers are bad, and Johnson's injury doesn't help at all. However, you're seeing Dawson and Johnson Jr emerge, and they both have game breaking speed. If they can become consistent players between now and September they add an element that AU never had on the field last season.
Tank is a dude, he got no help at all up front last season, but also cost himself yardage being impatient. All accounts are that he's developing well as a football player. He will be used more in the return game to increase his chances to make plays. The staff is higher on Jordan Ingram that most think, partially because they have to be right now, but he understands how to read blocks in a zone scheme, and that helps his cause. I think Sean Jackson may be better than most of the backs that will hit the portal after spring ball ends, and thus AU may stand pat at RB.
The players love Schmed and seem to really respond well to his more aggressive approach. He's no Boom level intense, but he's way more of an energy catalyst than Mason was last year. This group of DBs is better suited to play more man and pattern match zone coverage, and that will be evident once the season starts.
Wooden and Hall are f'n dudes. Harris isn't far off. If they can add one more pressure guy in the portal, this group could be one of the top DL units in the SEC. The TE group is a strength, augmented moreso by King working there full time. They will have to be a major factor in both phases of offense for this team to have any success.
What's been learned:
JJones has been a welcome transfer addition at Nose. I was skeptical bc he was not a good football player in hs, he was just massive. He will provide a bigger and more athletic version of what Fair gave AU last season.
Young Wooden is much more than a courtesy signing to keep his big brother on campus. He's a big physical young safety with great football instincts. I could very well see him being a player similar to J Sherwood before he's done at AU.
The staff likes what Finley provides as a leader. I still don't think you can beat good SEC teams with him at QB consistently, but leaders are important in tumultuous times, and this off-season was all of that. Him being alone at QB1 right now shows how much the staff respects and appreciates that effort. They are very high on HG, very high.
What to expect:
Portal recruiting will be a fanatic effort. I'm not sure it will be super fruitful, though. AU needs impact players at LB, WR, and Edge. I'm just not sure those are there. As well as depth pieces at WR, LB, and DL. Without upgrades at the first three, this is probably a 6-6 roster if they stay healthy.
I truly believe this staff right now, is the first true version of a Brian Harsin staff that AU has seen, as his initial hires at coordinator were heavily "influenced". They mesh well together, coach practice very well together, and seem to be creating some recruiting momentum. Sadly, there's a strong chance the time frame won't be in their favor. Another sub par season gets Harsin run, and if they do win 8-9 the roster turnover after this group of upperclassmen is HUGE.
Depth is a critical issue at several key positions. Linebacker being concern number one for me. While K.Riley has had a promising off-season and a spring demonstrative of that progress so far, that still only makes 1...Pappoe is on the injured list, but he didn't play winning football at any point last season when he was healthy. Steiner has the intellect and the physical tools, I'm not sure what is holding him back at this point, but his emergence is more than necessary. This position group definitely needs to add a player, or two, from the post spring crop of transfer portal players. I'm very surprised we haven't seen a certain big-bodied safety moved down inside the box to the Will spot yet, and that may unfold when more secondary players arrive in the summer if another LB isn't signed.
The OL is a major conundrum, I love the fact that due to injury and attrition that an essentially new group is getting a lot of time this spring. Council's body will not hold up as a starter, and last year he was less than serviceable on the field. When he gets healthy he needs to be a versatile swingman off the bench. KZ has stepped up and is having a strong spring on and off the field, that's very encouraging! The offense needs to learn how to operate efficiently without Brahms in the middle. Coffee had a strong off-season, and needs to continue it through the summer. His base was weak when he arrived, but it's gotten stronger, and he has tremendous length and upper body strength. He might be one of those guys that finally has it "click" in year 4 and 5. Trox is a great attitude and effort guy, but we've seen that he can't hold up, so someone else coming on strong needs to be more than a contingency plan. The group that took the field with the 1's Friday is much more well suited, athletically, for Harsin's outside zone and duo run scheme.
Receiver numbers are bad, and Johnson's injury doesn't help at all. However, you're seeing Dawson and Johnson Jr emerge, and they both have game breaking speed. If they can become consistent players between now and September they add an element that AU never had on the field last season.
Tank is a dude, he got no help at all up front last season, but also cost himself yardage being impatient. All accounts are that he's developing well as a football player. He will be used more in the return game to increase his chances to make plays. The staff is higher on Jordan Ingram that most think, partially because they have to be right now, but he understands how to read blocks in a zone scheme, and that helps his cause. I think Sean Jackson may be better than most of the backs that will hit the portal after spring ball ends, and thus AU may stand pat at RB.
The players love Schmed and seem to really respond well to his more aggressive approach. He's no Boom level intense, but he's way more of an energy catalyst than Mason was last year. This group of DBs is better suited to play more man and pattern match zone coverage, and that will be evident once the season starts.
Wooden and Hall are f'n dudes. Harris isn't far off. If they can add one more pressure guy in the portal, this group could be one of the top DL units in the SEC. The TE group is a strength, augmented moreso by King working there full time. They will have to be a major factor in both phases of offense for this team to have any success.
What's been learned:
JJones has been a welcome transfer addition at Nose. I was skeptical bc he was not a good football player in hs, he was just massive. He will provide a bigger and more athletic version of what Fair gave AU last season.
Young Wooden is much more than a courtesy signing to keep his big brother on campus. He's a big physical young safety with great football instincts. I could very well see him being a player similar to J Sherwood before he's done at AU.
The staff likes what Finley provides as a leader. I still don't think you can beat good SEC teams with him at QB consistently, but leaders are important in tumultuous times, and this off-season was all of that. Him being alone at QB1 right now shows how much the staff respects and appreciates that effort. They are very high on HG, very high.
What to expect:
Portal recruiting will be a fanatic effort. I'm not sure it will be super fruitful, though. AU needs impact players at LB, WR, and Edge. I'm just not sure those are there. As well as depth pieces at WR, LB, and DL. Without upgrades at the first three, this is probably a 6-6 roster if they stay healthy.
I truly believe this staff right now, is the first true version of a Brian Harsin staff that AU has seen, as his initial hires at coordinator were heavily "influenced". They mesh well together, coach practice very well together, and seem to be creating some recruiting momentum. Sadly, there's a strong chance the time frame won't be in their favor. Another sub par season gets Harsin run, and if they do win 8-9 the roster turnover after this group of upperclassmen is HUGE.
