Spring Football - Who will surprise us?

Bowzer! aka Luiji Villain.

Ed Warriner.

Both players earn their way onto the field in multiple roles through athleticism and speed. 

Offense: McCaffrey

Defense: Singleton

Nolan Ulizio. Really gotta hope his name pops up out of nowhere 1 week prior to the ND game.

I'm going for originality, but I think this could work. Had his blocking gotten better, Jr. would've been on the field more. Nothing gets a guy like Harbaugh pumped like good blocking, so that should increase his usage, maybe even some Wheatley packages.

Brad Robbins.

Late to the thread...trying to throw out some guys that havent been named..

For offense I think Spanelis could be in the top 6 OL  if not starting somewhere. I'm hoping Warriner can find use for a huge, smart guy on the OL. Eubanks...flashed some of that athleticism last year..and with how we use TEs I could see him getting some playing time.

On defense I want to see more of Uche, Paye for pass rushing. Hopefully Jeter can stay healthy and get in the rotation. Kemp's been named but I am really keeping an eye on our Dline rotations since we will be replacing alot after this year.

Also...Pep Hamilton....*ducks*

Fall Camp - J Hudson and Luiji (all the talent right now, but need time to adapt and heal)

My hope is that we're "surprised" by our D Line getting no pressure or penetration.  Because that means the O Line is actually good.  Although I do legit expect to see some major steps forward for the O Line and the tackles specifically, just becuase of upgrades in coaching and more experience.  

Who "surprised us" last year. I'm struggling to think of an offensive player given all of the youth. Therefore, I'll go with any of the young WRs.

Please let it be Dylan McCaffrey.  We desperately need at least one eligible and quality QB next year.  I'm all in for Shea, but dreading the NCAA doing a job on us, just because.

What's up with Mone?  He had such a promising first few seasons, but he disappeared last year.

O - Peters comes back focused and angry, wins the starting QB job 

D - Not sure if he'll start but I see big things for Josh Uche

Offense I'll go with Collins & Eubanks, defense is tough to choose... Sooo many returning starters which is a great luxery to have. I'll go with Uche as a guy that comes in hot on passing downs.

Kareem Walker emerges from the doghouse to kick ass as the power back

Josh Ross steps up to take over McCray's thumper spot

Stueber / Hudson / Filiaga end up in the top 7 lineman after fall camp, hopefully with one of them taking over the LT spot with success.

Villain, he was a beast in practice until the injury

I expect huge strides here, despite the lack of depth.  Some new coaching blood will help immensely.

TJ Wheatley, at OT.  Let's review, shall we?  (1) He's the best blocking TE on the team because, (2) he's big enough to play OT already (duh). (3) He has freaky speed and athletic skills, that (4) somehow don't translate to him being much of a receiving threat.  And finally, (5) we have precisely ZERO returning OTs in whom we have any confidence whatsoever, while the TE depth chart is more crowed than the Tokyo subway.

Yeah, if he ever figures out all the components of being a TE, he is potentially Gronk v2.0 in the NFL.  It's getting a little late for that.  I'm guessing he really wants to be TE, and the coaches are humoring him.  Once it becomes obvious he's not seeing the field in any passing situation, I expect Coach Warriner (and hopefully Ty Senior too) will siddle up to him and say, "Son, you do realize that top end LTs make some serious money for a longer than average career in the NFL."