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?