TL;DR - Just curious who you all expect to step up and replace the seniors next season? Who you guys expect to be players out of the 2019 class?
Let’s talk about the 2019 depth chart and how we plan to replace the departures from this season. A few disclaimers…
1. An asterisk (*) will be placed by any player where I am guessing on the depth chart.
2. I am assuming we land Kelly Bryant* because our situation makes the most sense for him.
Let’s first go through the departures, how much they will hurt, and how ready the replacements are to play at a high level. Gabe already did a something similar in his ten thoughts but I’ll go ahead and do it anyways cause I’m bored.
DREW LOCK – I agree with Gabe that he is the biggest loss on the team by far. I also agree with some of the people Gabe has talked to in the sense that Kelly Bryant* would make the team better next year than another year of Lock. Assuming Bryant is the replacement, we have a lethal rushing attack that will really open things up on the outside. Right now we make teams pay for not having an extra player in the box. Kelly Bryant would require that much attention to be paid to the backfield. KELLY BRYANT* would be a step down from a QB skill standpoint, but would add another dimension to our already solid rushing attack.
EMANUEL HALL – He was on pace for an historic season before the groin injury. He will be replaced with depth and development of the younger guys. We are in good hands (see what I did there?) with Knox, Scott, and Gicinto moving forward. Add in more incoming talent with Massey and Boone. Looks like they will get away with not having anyone left from the 2016 and 2017 classes.
PAUL ADAMS – Biggest thing we lose at the position is all his experience. I think he was 4 out of 5 when it comes to talent on the line but he was a very solid 3 year starter. I think HYRIN WHITE* starts the first game at RT. He will do some things better than Adams, but will go throw some growing pains.
KEVIN PENDLETON – Copy and paste what I wrote for Adams with Pendleton being 5 out of 5 in terms of talent. Expect CASE COOK* to be the starter in what will probably be the least debatable prediction I have in this post. Same deal as White, I think Cook is more talented than Pendleton but will go through some growing pains.
TERRY BECKNER JR./WALTER PALMORE – I’m not sure I agree with Gabe that Beckner disappeared at times this year. The position group was so deep and there are only so many plays to be made at the line. I kind of look at this group the same way I looked at the DE’s in 2014. We are losing depth but the starters will still be as legit as it gets up front. Two more pretty easy predictions, JORDAN ELLIOTT* and KOBIE WHITESIDE* will be your starters week 1.
BRANDON LEE – The worst of the LB this season (has he been playing through injury all year?) and I think we actually get better at the position next season with RONNELL PERKINS* having a solid senior year and a young guy backing him up learning the position for 2020. I think Aidan Harrison sheds the shirt and is second string here next season.
TEREZ HALL – Biggest loss of the defense, although I go back and forth between he and Garrett over who is better. I’m glad we have Garrett coming back so he can be on the field to help NICK BOLTON* learn how to be an SEC LBer. Expect wuite a bit of drop here though. I think this will be the only position (assuming we get Bryant) where there will be a noticeable drop off in production. Hall has been a beast this year.
CAM HILTON – Playing much better lately but I cannot wait until JOSHUA BELDSOE* and Tyree Gillespie are starting next year. Bledsoe has played enough that I expect him to play better than Hilton from day 1. I think the secondary will be a major strength for the 2019 Tigers, especially if any of the young DE can develop an ability to rush the passer.
So the way I look at it we are upgrading all departures from a talent standpoint except the Lock, Beckner JR, and Terez Hall. I’m curious what the offense would look like with Bryant as the QB. If we don’t get a grad transfer and Powell is the guy, I don’t expect much change from this year’s offense minus some of the deep shots that only Drew can make.
Now let’s take a look at the 2 deep and see where some the expected weaknesses are going to be. After I list out the positions I want to take a closer look at each group and give some predictions on young guys that we have yet to see.
QB – Kelly Bryant*, Taylor Powell
RB – Rountree, Crockett, Badie, Bakare, Watkins, etc.
WR1 – Jalen Knox, Richaud Floyd
WR2 – Kam Scott*, Jonathan Nance*
SLOT – Johnathon Johnson, Dominic Gicinto
TE – Albert O, Daniel Parker JR*, Messiah Swinson*
LT – Yasir Durant, Mike Ruth*
LG – Case Cook*, Javon Foster*
C – Trystan Colon-Castillo, Jonah Dubinski
RG – Trevor Wallace-Simms, Jack Buford*
RT – Hyrin White*, Larry Borom
DE1 – Akial Byers, Tre Williams
DT1 – Jordan Elliott*, Markell Utsey*
DT2 – Kobie Whiteside*, Antar Thompson*
DE2 – Chris Turner, Trajan Jeffcoat*
WLB – Nick Bolton*, Aubrey Miller*
MLB – Cale Garrett, Jamal Brooks*
SLB – Ronnell Perkins*, Aidan Harrison*
CB1 – Demarkus Acy, Adam Sparks
SS – Joshua Bledsoe*, Jordan Ulmer*
FS – Tyree Gillespie, Khalil Oliver
CB2 – Christian Holmes, Tyrone Collins*
P – Josh Dodge
K – Tucker McCann
LS – Drew Wise
PR – Richaud Floyd*
KR – Richaud Floyd*
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the groups and how they might look on the field. I’m gonna give my opinion on some of the redshirts and 2019 commits that may be players down the road. Obviously some will do both
BACKFIELD – The ground is going to be great regardless of who the QB is. I think Anthony Watkins is the next 1,000 yard rusher for Mizzou that hasn’t done it yet (Badie will have a 1,000 yard season from scrimmage I bet, but not all on the ground). He is a few years from getting his carries, but he will be great. I think Bazelak has a good shot to be the QB of the future and it would not surprise me to see him take over as a RS Freshman in 2020. Thing that scares me is he rarely throws the ball for is HS team, I’m sure the staff had a chance to work him out and were impressed with his arm though.
PASS CATCHERS – The most talented class we have returning since the 2010 class with Scott, Knox, and Gicinto all proving themselves on the field as True Freshman. I stand by my prediction that Khmari Thompson will be better than all 3 of them. I also think Massey and Boone will have good careers at Mizzou. Odom struggled in his first 2 classes but I think he has shown he has an eye for talent. He had guys like Jafar Armstrong and Eli Gardiner committed at one point as well so identifying the talent doesn’t seem to be an issue. Hopefully we don’t have any more years like 2017.
OLINE – I think we will be better overall next year by about midseason. I think guys like Mike Ruth and Jack Buford can be stars. I really like that Javon Foster has a basketball background so I have higher hopes for him than some on this board might. I think Jack Buford will be a good one as well.
DLINE – I know this isn’t a profound thought but we have to find ways to pressure the QB next year without blitzing the LBers. I still want us to blitz, but I miss the days were a DE led the team in sacks. Hopefully Turner, Jeffcoat, or Hansford can become that guy next year. Byers is great but is not an edge rusher. Lots of lost depth in the interior but I still expect that to be a position of strength next year. I think we will be very good against the run again.
LINEBACKERS – Already mentioned how big of a loss Terez Hall. I wonder how far off Bolton is from being ready. We will find out soon unless Aubrey Miller takes a huge step and takes over the job. I’m curious to see Hall’s replacement develop throughout the season, whoever it may be. I think Aidan Harrison will be stud from day one and get meaningful snaps as a True Freshman. Jamal Brooks, Chad Bailey, and Cam Wilkins all have another year to develop. I think the future is bright at LBer, but will drop off a bit next year without Hall. Arvel Ferguson is an intriguing prospect at LBer, he is either way more athletic than I give him credit for or we may be witnessing a legitimate switch to a 3-4 defense.
SECONDARY – This will be the biggest difference between 2018 and 2019 IMO, in a good way. Acy and Holmes are legit and have another offseason to refine technique. I think they both will have stellar years in 2019. I think Tyrone Collins step up and is the fourth CB next year. Petry and Ware have also played this season. I think Ulmer becomes a serviceable backup next year and I think Manuel and Williams will also see the field. Not sure if they play enough to shed the shirt because there are a lot of bodies, albeit unproven, in the room.
I’m proud of anyone who made it this far, what are your guys’ thoughts for the 2019 season?
Let’s talk about the 2019 depth chart and how we plan to replace the departures from this season. A few disclaimers…
1. An asterisk (*) will be placed by any player where I am guessing on the depth chart.
2. I am assuming we land Kelly Bryant* because our situation makes the most sense for him.
Let’s first go through the departures, how much they will hurt, and how ready the replacements are to play at a high level. Gabe already did a something similar in his ten thoughts but I’ll go ahead and do it anyways cause I’m bored.
DREW LOCK – I agree with Gabe that he is the biggest loss on the team by far. I also agree with some of the people Gabe has talked to in the sense that Kelly Bryant* would make the team better next year than another year of Lock. Assuming Bryant is the replacement, we have a lethal rushing attack that will really open things up on the outside. Right now we make teams pay for not having an extra player in the box. Kelly Bryant would require that much attention to be paid to the backfield. KELLY BRYANT* would be a step down from a QB skill standpoint, but would add another dimension to our already solid rushing attack.
EMANUEL HALL – He was on pace for an historic season before the groin injury. He will be replaced with depth and development of the younger guys. We are in good hands (see what I did there?) with Knox, Scott, and Gicinto moving forward. Add in more incoming talent with Massey and Boone. Looks like they will get away with not having anyone left from the 2016 and 2017 classes.
PAUL ADAMS – Biggest thing we lose at the position is all his experience. I think he was 4 out of 5 when it comes to talent on the line but he was a very solid 3 year starter. I think HYRIN WHITE* starts the first game at RT. He will do some things better than Adams, but will go throw some growing pains.
KEVIN PENDLETON – Copy and paste what I wrote for Adams with Pendleton being 5 out of 5 in terms of talent. Expect CASE COOK* to be the starter in what will probably be the least debatable prediction I have in this post. Same deal as White, I think Cook is more talented than Pendleton but will go through some growing pains.
TERRY BECKNER JR./WALTER PALMORE – I’m not sure I agree with Gabe that Beckner disappeared at times this year. The position group was so deep and there are only so many plays to be made at the line. I kind of look at this group the same way I looked at the DE’s in 2014. We are losing depth but the starters will still be as legit as it gets up front. Two more pretty easy predictions, JORDAN ELLIOTT* and KOBIE WHITESIDE* will be your starters week 1.
BRANDON LEE – The worst of the LB this season (has he been playing through injury all year?) and I think we actually get better at the position next season with RONNELL PERKINS* having a solid senior year and a young guy backing him up learning the position for 2020. I think Aidan Harrison sheds the shirt and is second string here next season.
TEREZ HALL – Biggest loss of the defense, although I go back and forth between he and Garrett over who is better. I’m glad we have Garrett coming back so he can be on the field to help NICK BOLTON* learn how to be an SEC LBer. Expect wuite a bit of drop here though. I think this will be the only position (assuming we get Bryant) where there will be a noticeable drop off in production. Hall has been a beast this year.
CAM HILTON – Playing much better lately but I cannot wait until JOSHUA BELDSOE* and Tyree Gillespie are starting next year. Bledsoe has played enough that I expect him to play better than Hilton from day 1. I think the secondary will be a major strength for the 2019 Tigers, especially if any of the young DE can develop an ability to rush the passer.
So the way I look at it we are upgrading all departures from a talent standpoint except the Lock, Beckner JR, and Terez Hall. I’m curious what the offense would look like with Bryant as the QB. If we don’t get a grad transfer and Powell is the guy, I don’t expect much change from this year’s offense minus some of the deep shots that only Drew can make.
Now let’s take a look at the 2 deep and see where some the expected weaknesses are going to be. After I list out the positions I want to take a closer look at each group and give some predictions on young guys that we have yet to see.
QB – Kelly Bryant*, Taylor Powell
RB – Rountree, Crockett, Badie, Bakare, Watkins, etc.
WR1 – Jalen Knox, Richaud Floyd
WR2 – Kam Scott*, Jonathan Nance*
SLOT – Johnathon Johnson, Dominic Gicinto
TE – Albert O, Daniel Parker JR*, Messiah Swinson*
LT – Yasir Durant, Mike Ruth*
LG – Case Cook*, Javon Foster*
C – Trystan Colon-Castillo, Jonah Dubinski
RG – Trevor Wallace-Simms, Jack Buford*
RT – Hyrin White*, Larry Borom
DE1 – Akial Byers, Tre Williams
DT1 – Jordan Elliott*, Markell Utsey*
DT2 – Kobie Whiteside*, Antar Thompson*
DE2 – Chris Turner, Trajan Jeffcoat*
WLB – Nick Bolton*, Aubrey Miller*
MLB – Cale Garrett, Jamal Brooks*
SLB – Ronnell Perkins*, Aidan Harrison*
CB1 – Demarkus Acy, Adam Sparks
SS – Joshua Bledsoe*, Jordan Ulmer*
FS – Tyree Gillespie, Khalil Oliver
CB2 – Christian Holmes, Tyrone Collins*
P – Josh Dodge
K – Tucker McCann
LS – Drew Wise
PR – Richaud Floyd*
KR – Richaud Floyd*
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the groups and how they might look on the field. I’m gonna give my opinion on some of the redshirts and 2019 commits that may be players down the road. Obviously some will do both
BACKFIELD – The ground is going to be great regardless of who the QB is. I think Anthony Watkins is the next 1,000 yard rusher for Mizzou that hasn’t done it yet (Badie will have a 1,000 yard season from scrimmage I bet, but not all on the ground). He is a few years from getting his carries, but he will be great. I think Bazelak has a good shot to be the QB of the future and it would not surprise me to see him take over as a RS Freshman in 2020. Thing that scares me is he rarely throws the ball for is HS team, I’m sure the staff had a chance to work him out and were impressed with his arm though.
PASS CATCHERS – The most talented class we have returning since the 2010 class with Scott, Knox, and Gicinto all proving themselves on the field as True Freshman. I stand by my prediction that Khmari Thompson will be better than all 3 of them. I also think Massey and Boone will have good careers at Mizzou. Odom struggled in his first 2 classes but I think he has shown he has an eye for talent. He had guys like Jafar Armstrong and Eli Gardiner committed at one point as well so identifying the talent doesn’t seem to be an issue. Hopefully we don’t have any more years like 2017.
OLINE – I think we will be better overall next year by about midseason. I think guys like Mike Ruth and Jack Buford can be stars. I really like that Javon Foster has a basketball background so I have higher hopes for him than some on this board might. I think Jack Buford will be a good one as well.
DLINE – I know this isn’t a profound thought but we have to find ways to pressure the QB next year without blitzing the LBers. I still want us to blitz, but I miss the days were a DE led the team in sacks. Hopefully Turner, Jeffcoat, or Hansford can become that guy next year. Byers is great but is not an edge rusher. Lots of lost depth in the interior but I still expect that to be a position of strength next year. I think we will be very good against the run again.
LINEBACKERS – Already mentioned how big of a loss Terez Hall. I wonder how far off Bolton is from being ready. We will find out soon unless Aubrey Miller takes a huge step and takes over the job. I’m curious to see Hall’s replacement develop throughout the season, whoever it may be. I think Aidan Harrison will be stud from day one and get meaningful snaps as a True Freshman. Jamal Brooks, Chad Bailey, and Cam Wilkins all have another year to develop. I think the future is bright at LBer, but will drop off a bit next year without Hall. Arvel Ferguson is an intriguing prospect at LBer, he is either way more athletic than I give him credit for or we may be witnessing a legitimate switch to a 3-4 defense.
SECONDARY – This will be the biggest difference between 2018 and 2019 IMO, in a good way. Acy and Holmes are legit and have another offseason to refine technique. I think they both will have stellar years in 2019. I think Tyrone Collins step up and is the fourth CB next year. Petry and Ware have also played this season. I think Ulmer becomes a serviceable backup next year and I think Manuel and Williams will also see the field. Not sure if they play enough to shed the shirt because there are a lot of bodies, albeit unproven, in the room.
I’m proud of anyone who made it this far, what are your guys’ thoughts for the 2019 season?
