Remaining depth issues, injury vulnerabilities, how it relates to portal

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

As the 2025 team fills out with the last few additions, it is clear that we have a crazy talented team.  I'd like to look at remaining depth issues, which may play into how we fill the last few slots.  I've broken it down into a few categories:

Rooms that have high end top line talent that could have major drop off with injury, but Sark has done all that is possible at this point:

QB - Arch Manning, most important player on team.  Owens has thrown a few meaningless passes, but it's not like we can bring in another body into this room.

K - Assume Shipley is the guy.  Could Stone be serviceable?  Again, coaches have done everything they can to fix last year's glaring issues.

P - Bouwmeester.  Kern couldn't be worse than what he was last year.  Room looks good.  

 

Rooms that have injury concerns already, further would be major problems:

RB - If everyone is healthy this is a fantastic room.  However, we will likely begin the year against tOSU with Wisner as RB1, and he wasn't particularly productive the last time around.  Can Clark contribute early?  When will Baxter be back?  Can Gibson learn to hold on to the ball?  Can Simon take some meaningful snaps this year?  Lots of questions, and this could be a missed opportunity for a portal if a few of these guys are not ready to go.

TE - Endries was a huge pickup.  If he and Washington start out the year as #1 and #2, we are in good shape.  Shannon could pair with either as a blocking TE.  Townsend will need to learn the system during summer camp but is uber talented.  Lack of experience is the problem for this important position, particularly if Endries were to lose time to injury.

WR - Wingo would be hard to replace with anyone.. but I feel that the rest of the room as a lot of good sized targets at different phases of development.  Would still have loved to see a speed/shifty WR with KR/PR potential, but not sure if that will happen.

 

Rooms with lots of talent, but unproven:

OL - Love the first team OL.. however, what happens if Goosby is out?  Doubt we rely on Brooks to fill in.. then is Baker or Cojoe okay to swing to LT?  Chatman?  Who else could play LT?  WIth OG or C injuries, we still have talent, but it is going to be very inexperienced.  Assuming Hutson is C, at least Robertson has had some high stress steps against OU.  However, fitting a young Kibble next to an inexperienced RT could spell trouble.  At this point, it's Flood's room, and he's not one to add in the transfer portal easily... we'll see if this is a problem eventually.

DL - The portal DTs have infused the room with lots of depth, allowing the freshmen time to learn.  Love it.  Don't necessarily have an alpha, but lots of good looking bodies that go 3 deep.  Watson would make this room bulletproof.  

CB / Nickel - Manny is the only clear starter.  Roberson, Black, Wilson, and Guilbeau could be opposite Manny.  Phillips and Littleton waiting in the wings.  Wish we had more experience here cause if Manny is out, we are very green here.  Interested to see who ends up at nickel.

S - Taafe is irreplaceable from a knowledge of the defense standpoint.  Raptor needs to be back early otherwise we are very thin at experience.  Will McDonald even be at safety next year?  Would he hold up in pass coverage?  JJR and Filsaime need to take big steps.  Doubt Jonah will contribute much given his shortened time with the team.

 

Rooms with talent and depth: 

DE - looks great obviously.. would assume any injuries could lead to Moore being back into the room.  Worry about Vasek's health but Zina and Jackson will provide some incredible young talent.   

LB - Addition of Spence was huge.  Not that anyone could replace Hill if he went out, but I think we would be okay with Spence, Moore, and Lefau in a pinch.  

 

Honestly it's hard to say that Sark could do much more contructing this team.  Where we are inexperienced we have ridiculous young talent.  Coaches putting a lot of faith in OL and DB rooms figuring it out and RB room getting healthy.  If we have 2 scholarships left, would figure disruptor DT and then best available player could fill out team ... otherwise maybe leave a spot for a late grad transfer in case of fall injury like last year.  

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Updated with Watson.  What are everyone's preferences for the last scholarship?  If it's not Marion, then best available versus hold for a grad transfer that could be needed with fall camp injuries?  

 

Rooms that have high end top line talent that could have major drop off with injury, but Sark has done all that is possible at this point:

QB - Arch Manning, most important player on team.  Owens has thrown a few meaningless passes, but it's not like we can bring in another body into this room.

K - Assume Shipley is the guy.  Could Stone be serviceable?  Again, coaches have done everything they can to fix last year's glaring issues.

P - Bouwmeester.  Kern couldn't be worse than what he was last year.  Room looks good.  

 

Rooms that have injury concerns already, further would be major problems:

RB - If everyone is healthy this is a fantastic room.  However, we will likely begin the year against tOSU with Wisner as RB1, and he wasn't particularly productive the last time around.  Can Clark contribute early?  When will Baxter be back?  Can Gibson learn to hold on to the ball?  Can Simon take some meaningful snaps this year?  Lots of questions, and this could be a missed opportunity for a portal if a few of these guys are not ready to go.

TE - Endries was a huge pickup.  If he and Washington start out the year as #1 and #2, we are in good shape.  Shannon could pair with either as a blocking TE.  Townsend will need to learn the system during summer camp but is uber talented.  Lack of experience is the problem for this important position, particularly if Endries were to lose time to injury.

WR - Wingo would be hard to replace with anyone.. but I feel that the rest of the room as a lot of good sized targets at different phases of development.  Would still have loved to see a speed/shifty WR with KR/PR potential, but not sure if that will happen.

 

Rooms with lots of talent, but unproven:

OL - Love the first team OL.. however, what happens if Goosby is out?  Doubt we rely on Brooks to fill in.. then is Baker or Cojoe okay to swing to LT?  Chatman?  Who else could play LT?  WIth OG or C injuries, we still have talent, but it is going to be very inexperienced.  Assuming Hutson is C, at least Robertson has had some high stress steps against OU.  However, fitting a young Kibble next to an inexperienced RT could spell trouble.  At this point, it's Flood's room, and he's not one to add in the transfer portal easily... we'll see if this is a problem eventually.

CB / Nickel - Manny is the only clear starter.  Roberson, Black, Wilson, and Guilbeau could be opposite Manny.  Phillips and Littleton waiting in the wings.  Wish we had more experience here cause if Manny is out, we are very green here.  Interested to see who ends up at nickel.

S - Taafe is irreplaceable from a knowledge of the defense standpoint.  Raptor needs to be back early otherwise we are very thin at experience.  Will McDonald even be at safety next year?  Would he hold up in pass coverage?  JJR and Filsaime need to take big steps.  Doubt Jonah will contribute much given his shortened time with the team.

 

Rooms with talent and depth: 

DE - looks great obviously.. would assume any injuries could lead to Moore being back into the room.  Worry about Vasek's health but Zina and Jackson will provide some incredible young talent.   

DL - The portal DTs have infused the room with lots of depth, allowing the freshmen time to learn.  The addition of Watson gives us legit 3 deep depth without even counting the high ceiling freshmen. 

LB - Addition of Spence was huge.  Not that anyone could replace Hill if he went out, but I think we would be okay with Spence, Moore, and Lefau in a pinch.