Alligator Alley

I can't answer the first part because I don't really think there will be any surprises unless the coaches strike out big again. I think they will only want to wait on Tunsil and VH3 on NSD. But there could be surprises and you pretty much named everyone I was thinking about I could see Mercer getting a spot but I really doubt it and maybe if the coaches want another WR they go after one of the Lincoln kids towards NSD.

Second part I'm going with a true freshman on offense with Colin Thompson. He is literally the only true inline blocking TE on the team that could also catch, I think he is going to be important part of the offense. He might not get 50 catches and 700 yards, but he is going to be like a 6th OL and help the run game. On defense I'll go Mike Taylor. McCray moves to BUCK while Powell is out and I think Taylor steps up. He did good when he came in last year, so I could see him earning some solid playing time and impressing people.

Part I:
I think we split with LSU for Pagano and Gilmore. I like Gilmore but I LOVE Pagano. The kid has called out Adams and RN so give me a kid with that type of swag and a chip on his shoulder anyday. I'm not concerned with recruiting on D because we can go so many ways to fill the class with solid talent. But the WR and OL board is becoming concerning even at this early stage. We are after Tunsil and Borwn but what's really left at OTs is we miss on both. I like Outlaw and Rod but they are more suited for OG imo. After Hump all our OT are upper classmen. WR is a guessing game atp but if we miss on Robinson and Coley I hope we take a guy like Mercer or give a strong look at Dominic Walker or Ryan Jenkins(Ga).

Part II:
If McCray starts the season at Buck then I hope we kick Bostic to SLB and Taylor to Mike. IMO Floyd is going to make himself some money this year. The more time he gets at DT the better for both sides.
On offense, I go with Patton, James Wilson and the Hback position group. Patton has the talent to be a Chris Rainey or tDexter McCluster type of player in the slot,RB and ST. Wouldn't shock me to see him become All SEC as ATH/RS.
The WR will have a solid year but I don't see any getting over 600 yards and 5TD. IMO our Rec/TD leader will come from the TE/HBack spot.

I'm going to tell you right now and I'm pretty confident in my prediction that in recruiting our biggest surprise will come at the 2nd CB spot

I'm gonna go with Larentee McCray as THE GUY on defense if he can stay healthy. During the Auburn game last year he took Powells spot while Ropo was injured. He was our best defensive player that day. He was everywhere. He seemed to play the role we all thought the "buck" would be. I remember him making plays in coverage, against the run, and causing pressure on the QB. I'm reluctant because he's been injured alot lately. If he stays healthy, he should have a huge year.

Also think Jaylen Watkins becomes our best corner. He's put on good size and is physical against the run. He was in position all year to make INTS's, he just wasn't quite comfortable enough to get his head on a swivel. In the spring game I saw him make a couple great plays, especially the jump ball with Jordan Reed where he got his head around quickly and made a play. I think he's alot more talented than many of us give him credit for. He's going to be great this year.

I want to say one of the freshmen DL's makes an impact, but I'll atleast wait until we hear "rumors" of one of them killin it in fall practice. Can't do that yet. I suspect Bullard is going to be a good freshmen and I don't really expect Fowler to be ready early in the year.

I expect our LB corp to be much better. Everything from Bostic and Jenkins being bigger, older, more experienced, and knowing the system, to them having a better DL in front of them, to having more depth with legit players like Taylor and hopefully Morrison. That is going to make a difference. I'd like to see McCray at Buck, Bostic and Jenkins at WLB/SAM, and Taylor in the middle.. Not all the time, but when the opposing offense calls for it.

Gotta think about offense and I'll post later

As far as recruiting surprises go, I think in the end, we end up with Demarcus Walker. Maybe we come out on the opposite end of last yr's JHC fiasco, with Gilmore, as well. Whatever the case, I think the dline class will end up very well by NSD.

As far as the season surprises goes, I think we see Omar Hunter become a force in the conference. Well, I hope this turns out to be the case.

Offensively, I think the starting qb will be discovered before gm 1. I cant see the qb battle going into the season. There isnt enough time to prep 2 qbs in one week, especially with week 2 being an away conference gm. My money is on Brisset being the starter, but I think Driskel's tools have more upside.

I dont believe Pittman will be a difference maker this yr. It takes supreme talent to be that as a true freshman, in this conference. No knock against Pittman at all. But, offensively as a team, I cant find a justifiable reason to see anybody exploding this yr. Im just hoping for consistency, progression, and for the oline to stay healthy.

Xavier Nixon has put on weight and his dreads have reached his shoulders. I say he'll have a breakout year and I also would like to nominate him for goonhood.

If not he, I'm guessing Michael Taylor. He's impressive.

So who are we thinking we get to finish up the OL class? Hope its not Tunsil or bust cause we need atleast one more good OT prospect. I'm just not excited about our OL class thus far.

Priest Willis CB, Arizona