Optimus said:
With this outstanding class coming in what postions are open now and can be opend if we have a superstar?
With a new OC, I don't know that any position is safe. I believe that our lack of substitution at the QB slot in 2007 was the result of just not having anyone good enough for the coaches to be comfortable with - Saban has never been shy about swapping QB's if one was cold until this past season.
This class has superstars...truly explosive playmakers have been missing from our team since Prothro went down. Arenas is the closest thing we have had, but you don't take over a game on special teams alone...we need someone who will get the ball in his hands on offense and do something with it...and this class has potential in that arena.
Optimus said:
Is QB safe? What about up front in the trenchs where we need help the most? Can some of these FAB freshmen plug holes, on both the offensive side and defensive side of the ball?
QB: see above. If someone is good enough, JPW better not falter. I feel really good about our new OC though. What he did with the QB at Fresno was nothing short of miraculous. He went from worse than JPW was this past season to all-world in one year.
I don't care what anyone says, look for Julio to start against Clemson. We don't have anyone who is as good as he is right now and he will get better. With our losses from graduation, we need the 5 star to do what 5 stars are supposed to do - contribute in a big way on day 1.
RB is a riddle wrapped in an enigma. On paper, we have enough depth to redshirt our new RB's, but the game is not played on paper. Literally all of our current RB's have had injury problems and Ingram looks like the real deal, 3 stars or not. Goode may be wonderful, but he has been rehabbing and you never know that will go.
On defense, I would look for Cody to start at tackle if he can drop 35 pounds in the off season. I have heard that he is working on his weight issue already. It would not surprise me to see Barron pick up starting duties very early. Dareus will probably play, as will Burton Scott and Alonzo Lawrence. Any of them could be starters at the D1 level very quickly. Kerry Murphy is coming out of a year of prep, so he is not a normal frosh. He may contribute...at least one of the incoming DL will, probably more.
Hopefully we will not have to play any of our OL right away. Love will be a monster but he needs to bulk up and get stronger. 285 is smallish for a 6'8 tackle but his potential is incredible.
Optimus said:
Really, where and who do you see starting? Will JJ take a starting spot what about RB? We haven't had a soild back in years, since Shaun IMO.
JJ will start.
As I said, RB is an unknown due to injuries and rehabs. I don't look for all 3 to redshirt though. I disagree about Shaun being the last solid back. Even though he was small, Shaud was a great every down back.