Detailed Depth Chart Analysis for 2025-6, analyzing portal needs at every position

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Excited to see how the 2025 recruiting class fills out, but we will be in full swing of the portal season as well.  Looking at the current depth chart, there will be a ton of talent that comes back next year, though we will still need to supplement through the portal (i did not list everyone, but mostly next in line / higher regarded younger players):

QB Knowns - Arch, Owens, Lacey.  Question marks - Ownens ready to be QB2?.  Portal needs - None

RB Knowns - Wisner, Gibson, Simon, Stewart.  Question marks - how Baxter and Clark recover from serious injuries, could Blue go pro?   Portal needs - possible experienced between the tackles runner.

WR Knowns - Moore, Wingo, Livingstone, Ffrench, Lockett.  Question marks - Will Nibblett stay at UT and if so still be a WR?, Debose's recovery from injury, Butler's development, could Bolden return?  Portal needs - speed experienced WR1/WR2

TE Knowns - Washington, Shannon, Townsend, Winston.  Question marks - Michael Terry H-back role if he commits, Niblack returning?, Randle development?   Portal needs - possible if there is attrition in particular, also if there is a true difference maker

OL Knowns - Goosby, Hutson, Neto, Robertson/Cruz, Baker likely starting 5.  Question marks - Could DJ Campbell return?, development of youngsters like Cojoe and Chatman, Portal needs - unlikely given Floods's assembly line of studs

EDGE Knowns - Burke, Simmons, Jackson.  Question marks - could Moore return?, Vasek's health, Zina's development.  Portal needs - only a true difference maker

DT Knowns - January, Hills.  Question marks - all 2025 recruits until ink is dry, Mitchell returning?  Savea leaving for sure?  Portal needs - yes, yes, and yes.

LB Knowns - Hill, Lefau, Smith, Barnes, Cunningham.  Question marks - Akana's future, Guellete's development.  Portal needs - only a true difference maker

CB Knowns - Muhammad, Guilbeau, Black, Roberson, Mack, Wilson, Philips.  Question marks - Cole's future.  Portal needs - experienced CB2?

S Knowns - McDonald, Johnson Rubell.  Question marks - Taaffe really gone?  D WIlliams' recovery, Filsame's development,  will J Williams be slowed by baseball / late football start.  Portal needs - starter level player

K Knowns - Stone (kickoffs).  Question marks - Auburn's reliability.  Portal needs - starter level player

P Knowns - crickets.   Question marks - does Kern have more upside than we think?  Portal needs - starter level player

P/K returner - no obvious ones now.  Question marks - do we have someone that is suited for either role if Bolden is done?   Portal needs - suspect at least one of the spots could be taken by a portal WR.

Big picture is that we are in an enviable state.  Clearly need experience / speed at WR, a safety transfer, special teams help, and DT starters / depth.  All others additions seem to be mostly gravy.. big game hunting, unless there is unexpected portaling out of the program.

 

Thoughts?

[AJJ_Sports]

This was really good!

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Forgot to add on DT - Question marks Bledsoe and Bryant leaving?

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Glad to be able to add the two DTs in to the known category today.   Still need at least 2 more experienced ones in the portal. 

[tenneseehorn08]

19 hours ago, Quinncent McManning, Jr. said:

Forgot to add on DT - Question marks Bledsoe and Bryant leaving?

Would be sad if at least one couldn't be a long term success story. 

[Red Five]

21 hours ago, Quinncent McManning, Jr. said:

RB Knowns - Wisner, Gibson, Simon, Stewart.  Question marks - how Baxter and Clark recover from serious injuries, could Blue go pro?   Portal needs - possible experienced between the tackles runner.

I would say it's more likely we look for a Keilan Robinson type. Baxter should be good to go. 

Don't think we'll return everyone, though. Which means probably not both Blue and Gibson.

[connorkp23]

I think Kern has plenty of upside, he’s been passable this year as a true freshman and has a big leg. They should go to the portal for a kicker but I’d be curious to see Stone try field goals, he also has a big leg and was a big HS recruit.

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

2 hours ago, tenneseehorn08 said:

Would be sad if at least one couldn't be a long term success story. 

I’m particularly disappointed Bledsoe wasn’t a bigger part of the equation this year. Not sure how much is we had a great 6 man rotation versus he’s just not ready. Of course we’ve see how development goes in this room so maybe there is still hope. Sweat went from okay backup to Outland trophy. Collins went from disappointing 5 star to now possible 2nd or 3rd round pick. 

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

9 minutes ago, connorkp23 said:

I think Kern has plenty of upside, he’s been passable this year as a true freshman and has a big leg. They should go to the portal for a kicker but I’d be curious to see Stone try field goals, he also has a big leg and was a big HS recruit.

Hard to believe sark would just say let’s let kern develop give that punting was literally the weakest part of the entire team. Sure he may get better but injury or not this year have to think sark will bring in a second punter.  My guess is they mostly know what they have with stone after the last few years so either we are fine with that or we will bring in someone new. 

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

34 minutes ago, Red Five said:

I would say it's more likely we look for a Keilan Robinson type. Baxter should be good to go. 

Don't think we'll return everyone, though. Which means probably not both Blue and Gibson.

I think blue is the keilan type and that is fine if he returns. If not I would guess it’s niblett if niblett doesn’t portal.  Gibson needs to stay. He’s got a lot of potential once he figures out blocking and not fumbling. 

[SamuraiKnight]

I think we still need an experience reliable big back to go with Baxter and Gibson. 

[GoHorns1]

2 experience, productive speedy WR

3 experience, productive DT (over the ball is must)

1 big between the tackle RB

1 experience, productive safety 

1 experience punter (make a offer to the a$m punter he can’t refuse)

1 playmaker DE

1 playmaker LB

[4thandFive]

WR, RB, DT = winning 

 

BUT…yeah, I’d like our punting game to actually flip the field and not be a concern 

Edited December 5 by 4thandFive

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

18 minutes ago, 4thandFive said:

WR, RB, DT = winning 

 

BUT…yeah, I’d like our punting game to actually flip the field and not be a concern 

Think of how much better the defensive stats would look this year if we could pin the opponent inside the 20 with any regularity. 

[Raistlin]

Let’s see who returns and who leaves first.   We should have room for 8-10 in the portal if necessary.  But if Taafe returns, we don’t need a safety with Taafe, D Williams, McDonald, JRR and several other young talented players.  If Moore returns, we are set at DE.  Michael Terry gives us big back depth to go with Baxter, Gibson and Clark.

[Derek Handler]

Only 3 DT's in portal means we can't have any injuries there.  We are going to need 4 at a minimum i would think.  We took 3 last year and had Broughton and Collins coming back.  

[Derek Handler]

6 minutes ago, Raistlin said:

Let’s see who returns and who leaves first.   We should have room for 8-10 in the portal if necessary.  But if Taafe returns, we don’t need a safety with Taafe, D Williams, McDonald, JRR and several other young talented players.  If Moore returns, we are set at DE.  Michael Terry gives us big back depth to go with Baxter, Gibson and Clark.

Don't we have all the room we actually need with the new roster rules.

[bourbasted]

As a true freshman, I believe Kern has done a solid job in some massive games this year.  Other than the botched snap last week, he's been solid.  He isn't a game changer, but he's ok.  Unless we could get our hands on another Dickson, I'm not too stressed about it, but if there's a stud out there, sure why not...

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

36 minutes ago, bourbasted said:

As a true freshman, I believe Kern has done a solid job in some massive games this year.  Other than the botched snap last week, he's been solid.  He isn't a game changer, but he's ok.  Unless we could get our hands on another Dickson, I'm not too stressed about it, but if there's a stud out there, sure why not...

Put it this way. In how  many games was our punting better than the opposition this year? I can’t remember one. I’m sure there are a few but never did I think our punting flipped the field on anyone this year. There’s no way we don’t find a portal punter this year with a narrow window with arch as qb1. 

[Hashtag]

3 hours ago, GoHorns1 said:

2 experience, productive speedy WR

3 experience, productive DT (over the ball is must)

1 big between the tackle RB

1 experience, productive safety 

1 experience punter (make a offer to the a$m punter he can’t refuse)

1 playmaker DE

1 playmaker LB

1 kicker

[John Moore]

1 RB maybe
1 WR
1 OT maybe
2-4 DTs
1 LB 
1 versatile DB

Also P and K if good ones become available

[bourbasted]

1 hour ago, Quinncent McManning, Jr. said:

Put it this way. In how  many games was our punting better than the opposition this year? I can’t remember one. I’m sure there are a few but never did I think our punting flipped the field on anyone this year. There’s no way we don’t find a portal punter this year with a narrow window with arch as qb1. 

Interesting point of view.  I look at the punt team as how many times did they put us in harm's way this year.  I can think of about 3 punts / plays that were damaging, which without doing a deep-dive (which I'm not going to do for punting) seems about normal.  The one last week stands out, but the others were just not optimal punts.  I'm probably forgetting one or two, but overall I think he's done ok. 

With regards to how he's compared to our competition, not sure it really matters too much, but agree, many of the teams we've played have had more experienced / talented punters.  Don't get me wrong, I'd like an upgrade, but it isn't on my priority list for the portal.  I suspect Kern will continue to improve. 

[GoHorns1]

3 hours ago, Raistlin said:

Let’s see who returns and who leaves first.   We should have room for 8-10 in the portal if necessary.  But if Taafe returns, we don’t need a safety with Taafe, D Williams, McDonald, JRR and several other young talented players.  If Moore returns, we are set at DE.  Michael Terry gives us big back depth to go with Baxter, Gibson and Clark.

D. Williams probably won’t be available until after the season starts. Wouldn’t count on a 100% recovery for Baxter and Clark until September 

Edited December 5 by GoHorns1

[GoHorns1]

13 minutes ago, John Moore said:

1 RB maybe
1 WR
1 OT maybe
2-4 DTs
1 LB 
1 versatile DB

Also P and K if good ones become available

Need 2WRs. Flood won’t take OT in the portal, we to trust the development of the high school OL recruits.

[GoHorns1]

1 hour ago, Hashtag said:

1 kicker

Auburns kicking issues are fixable.