As in any year there will be turnover on the team due to graduation etc. My question is who is in the pipeline to step up to starter status next year that no one is talking about? Who may be a surprise quality first teamer waiting in the wings that is flying under the radar in your opinion? Thank!
Great question - I guess it depends what position you’re looking at…. So I’ll just go position by position of guys I think could be starters down the road.
QB: Beau Pribula - Allar gets all the attention but I think Pribula in the case Allar doesn’t pan out has a really nice ceiling himself.
RB: No one here we don’t know about.
WR: I really think Omari Evans is someone who could be a big time player for them with Allar at quarterback. Allar’s arm strength + Evan’s game breaking speed could be a deadly combination. Maybe not as a starter but I really do think Liam Clifford could perhaps carve himself out a nice little role in the offense as well.
TE: Jerry Cross - He has been banged up which hasn’t helped a ton this year but he was a tight end we knew needed some developmental time and it looks like he is impressing and developing maybe even a little faster than expected.
OL: Ya’ll pretty much know the names here. I don’t expect too many surprises but young guys like Drew Shelton, Vega Ioane and not as young but still new to the program, JB Nelson all have really high upsides.
DL: Does Zuriah Fisher count? I think he has a chance to have a big 2023 after missing most of this season. That defensive line next year will be one of the best in the country if they are able to return everyone outside of PJ Mustipher. Also Davon Townley I’m still high on, think he could come on big next year.
LB: Keon Wylie is someone I expect to become a big part of the linebacker room in the future.
CB/S: Kevin Winston and Cam Miller both are guys I think will continue the trend of strong play in the secondary.
I know not all of these may be surprises but all are young guys who I think can be starters in 2023 or 2024 and beyond.
