2025 Two-Deep

[TomCat88]

I’ll also say this. This team with a more consistent passing game can win championships. Even with Tommy’s improved ability, teams were daring us to pass. Challenging us to prove they could pass. A better passing game will make a huge, huge, difference.

Very true. As good as he got, Mellott would still miss open receivers or throw to the wrong guy even though that guy gained 15-20 yards. MSU also molded its passing game so he could dump high percentage passes into the flat or other short routes. MSU succeeded at widening the field but didn’t improve its ability to stretch the field.

Then why the hell didn't we do just that on the second to last possession when we went three-and-out down 28-25?!?!?!

MSU also never put in a tushpush play despite having Sain, Wehr, the QB with the strongest legs in college football and players like Lonergan and Jones to provide the push.

On third and 3s msu probably could’ve either got the yards or got 2 and then just run it again. That was very frustrating to watch as they put Mellott in the shotgun and had him hand off. That failed vs ndsu last year, unm, psu this year and Idaho too.

This! The tush-push with this year's Oline should have been used on every 3rd and short!!!

Third and 3 vs ndsu on the 14(?) would’ve been a good time to break it out. Also first and G after catch at the goal line.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Tush push can be hard if you’re not used to getting the snap under center.

[VimSince03]

Updated post portal entries.

This is my way of grieving...projecting forward. This is likely subject to change as NIL will likely take 3-4 of our guys but here is how it stands in my view. 1st string listed first.

QB: Wilson or (insert transfer)/Reed or River Warren
RB: Jones/Coon or Henley
FB: Murphy or Valcin
WR: R. King/J. King
WR: Taco/Trimble or Steel
WR: Garrigan/J. King or Dodson-Greene
TE: Provience or Schlepp/Lencioni
LT: Jefferson/Thornton (incoming true frosh)
LG: Mastel/Carr
C: Reed/Kaplan or Nyland
RG: Rollins/Nilson
RT: Fleischmann/Ezekial

DE: Eiden/Parsons
DT: Eckart/Black or Marsh
DT: Brott/Sharbono
DE: Crews/Salano
LB: Grebe/Taylor or Bowles
LB: Daily/Krahe or Bowles
NB: Gray/Dolan or Petre
CB: Powdrell/Carr or S. Johnson or Boyd
CB: J. Johnson/McMillan or Williams
FS: Polidore/Uluilakepa
SS: Dowler/Pottenger or Steel

A lot up in the air at QB and kind of the OL (but not really). Hearing Moore is headed to a Big Ten school on a sizeable NIL deal. Cedric Jefferson played well in the first three games of the year while Mastel/Reed were healing up and Moore played guard. He's ready. WR is a little exposed with Alexander hitting the portal but if Ryan King comes back, he and Javonte King give us two big body receivers who can make plays. Will likely bring in two transfer WRs like we do every year. Jabez Woods is highly thought of and they like the two freshman they are bringing in to push for time right away. RB is loaded again even with Scottre leaving. Jared White leaving means he wants to be a feature back somewhere else and likely means Mix viewed him as the #4 behind Jones, Coon, and Henley. We bring in two freshman backs but we'll likely pursue a transfer just like Davis a few years back. We also just might bring back Davis! TE we only lose Lonergan. It obviously all hinges on QB but we will have a base run game that still will produce at a high level.

I think defensively we are bringing a good core back on the DL and two now-battle tested LBs but we need our other backers to take the next step. They are very high on Bowles but Krahe and Taylor took steps this year in practice/special teams. In the secondary, Dowler replaces Ortt but strength of the group hinges on Jon Johnson maybe getting another year because of the new JUCO rule not counting towards eligibility. Same goes for Cole Sain but I think he's done. Really like our interior DL coming back and the foursome of Eiden, Crews, Parsons, and Salano is wonderful. Dominic really came on later in the year and played a TON in the title game. Taki playing well this year helps our depth. Corner will be that foursome of talented freshman pushing for starter reps (McMillan, Johnson, Boyd, and Williams). I also have a feeling Brendan Ross is going to push for a spot next year somewhere in the secondary (nickel or safety).

Overall, everything comes down to Chance Wilson taking the next step or bringing in a transfer that we can install into what fits us. Walker is gone as OC so Vigen will get the chance to show his QB development chops once again. Here's to counting down the days to spring ball!

[BelligerentBobcat]

Vim, Garrigan walked on senior day. Not sure if he’ll be back or not.

[VimSince03]

Vim, Garrigan walked on senior day. Not sure if he’ll be back or not.

I know...just have a feeling he might return given the circumstances surrounding Alexander leaving. If Garrigan has truly hung up the cleats, I'd expect two-three transfer receivers by next summer. You need about 7 to play. The slot trio of Dowler, Trimble, and Steel is set but need more dudes on the outside.

[ClowderUp]

I'm expecting Max Murphy to make some waves this spring at H/FB.

[Hawks86]

This suggests he's probably done.

[nanacat]

This suggests he's probably done.

Read the comments. Agree he's done.

[TomCat88]

I'm expecting Max Murphy to make some waves this spring at H/FB.

Young guys that are playing on special teams are good bets for becoming rotational players at a minimum. There are a lot of starters playing special teams, so guys on special teams early in their career, are promising. Petre was a good special teams player, so I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a run at a safety spot. So was Williams - the freshman from Texas(?).

[Monymony]

Well Powdrell is gone. Really hope Jon comes back. Do we need a portal DB?

[CatBlitz]

Well Powdrell is gone. Really hope Jon comes back. Do we need a portal DB?

Several.

[RockyBearCat]

Any way to get Taki U and Polidore on the field at the same time?

[BelligerentBobcat]

At least McMillan looked good. Needs to put on some weight, but he was arguably the best pure coverage player I saw on the field.

[VimSince03]

At least McMillan looked good. Needs to put on some weight, but he was arguably the best pure coverage player I saw on the field.

We had four true freshman corners last year that are all talented. Kory Boyd, Jhase McMillan, Seth Johnson, and Carson Williams. Other corners on the roster:

Takhari Carr - Jr. (Has played some and made the two-deep but was really a 3rd stringer)
Jackson Harmon - Jr. (Big kid that looks the part but same as Carr...3rd stringer in 2024)
Ryan Nansel - RFr. (Redshirted as a PWO in 2024)

Incoming freshman:

Timothy Thomas - Fr.
Marcus Coleman II - Fr. (Heard they are very high on him)

If Jon Johnson doesn't come back, I would expect two transfers and two more freshman signees before next season. Powdrell leaving was unexpected. That's too bad because I don't think he is there yet in his development. McMillan is going to be one of the starters next year and the other three spots in the rotation will be up for grabs between a lot of youth and the two juniors.

[GoCats18]

Well Powdrell is gone. Really hope Jon comes back. Do we need a portal DB?

Several.

I would say that we need to get a couple DB’s as well as an experienced safety and a couple linebackers. Mainly because it seems like we usually lose 2 or so to injury every year.

[VimSince03]

Transfer recruiting in order of need/priority:

1 - QB (need more competition for Wilson and crew)
2 - LB (Taylor, Krahe, and Bowles could make this less of a need)
3 - CB (I like our youth but could use another Jon Johnson type)
4 - S (Caden is coming off back to back ACLs)
5 - WR (Go find another Ty...but I like the room overall)
6 - IOL (We are set at tackle even with Moore departing)

QB and LB are the only two must-haves in my book.

UPDATE!

Maybe we add three instead of two corners and wide receivers after the departures of Powdrell and Alexander. Still think one more experienced safety. Maybe two instead of one LB but I trust Bobby's ability to develop. IOL got a huge jolt with Reed coming back so I'd almost take that one off now.

[kwcat]

Transfer recruiting in order of need/priority:

1 - QB (need more competition for Wilson and crew)
2 - LB (Taylor, Krahe, and Bowles could make this less of a need)
3 - CB (I like our youth but could use another Jon Johnson type)
4 - S (Caden is coming off back to back ACLs)
5 - WR (Go find another Ty...but I like the room overall)
6 - IOL (We are set at tackle even with Moore departing)

QB and LB are the only two must-haves in my book.

UPDATE!

Maybe we add three instead of two corners and wide receivers after the departures of Powdrell and Alexander. Still think one more experienced safety. Maybe two instead of one LB but I trust Bobby's ability to develop. IOL got a huge jolt with Reed coming back so I'd almost take that one off now.

I am still thinking we need another strong safety with some size for depth as well as nickel

[VimSince03]

Transfer recruiting in order of need/priority:

1 - QB (need more competition for Wilson and crew)
2 - LB (Taylor, Krahe, and Bowles could make this less of a need)
3 - CB (I like our youth but could use another Jon Johnson type)
4 - S (Caden is coming off back to back ACLs)
5 - WR (Go find another Ty...but I like the room overall)
6 - IOL (We are set at tackle even with Moore departing)

QB and LB are the only two must-haves in my book.

UPDATE!

Maybe we add three instead of two corners and wide receivers after the departures of Powdrell and Alexander. Still think one more experienced safety. Maybe two instead of one LB but I trust Bobby's ability to develop. IOL got a huge jolt with Reed coming back so I'd almost take that one off now.

I am still thinking we need another strong safety with some size for depth as well as nickel

Caden Dowler is about 205 lbs. Our depth behind him could use some size though.

[kwcat]

Transfer recruiting in order of need/priority:

1 - QB (need more competition for Wilson and crew)
2 - LB (Taylor, Krahe, and Bowles could make this less of a need)
3 - CB (I like our youth but could use another Jon Johnson type)
4 - S (Caden is coming off back to back ACLs)
5 - WR (Go find another Ty...but I like the room overall)
6 - IOL (We are set at tackle even with Moore departing)

QB and LB are the only two must-haves in my book.

UPDATE!

Maybe we add three instead of two corners and wide receivers after the departures of Powdrell and Alexander. Still think one more experienced safety. Maybe two instead of one LB but I trust Bobby's ability to develop. IOL got a huge jolt with Reed coming back so I'd almost take that one off now.

I am still thinking we need another strong safety with some size for depth as well as nickel

Caden Dowler is about 205 lbs. Our depth behind him could use some size though.

Caden is good size but needs about 10 more pounds of muscle as well. Then we do need somebody behind him.

[Joe Bobcat]

This is my way of grieving...projecting forward. This is likely subject to change as NIL will likely take 2-3 of our guys but here is how it stands in my view. 1st string listed first.

QB: Wilson or (insert transfer)/Reed or River Warren
RB: Jones/Coon or Henley
FB: Murphy or Valcin
WR: R. King/J. King
WR: Taco/Trimble or Steel
WR: Garrigan/J. King or Dodson-Greene
TE: Provience or Schlepp/Lencioni
LT: Jefferson/Thornton (incoming true frosh)
LG: Mastel/Carr
C: Reed/Kaplan or Nyland
RG: Rollins/Nilson
RT: Fleischmann/Ezekial

DE: Eiden/Parsons
DT: Eckart/Black or Marsh
DT: Brott/Sharbono
DE: Crews/Salano
LB: Grebe/Taylor or Bowles
LB: Daily/Krahe or Bowles
NB: Gray/Dolan or Petre
CB: Powdrell/Carr or S. Johnson or Boyd
CB: J. Johnson/McMillan or Williams
FS: Polidore/Uluilakepa
SS: Dowler/Pottenger or Steel

A lot up in the air at QB and kind of the OL (but not really). Hearing Moore is headed to a Big Ten school on a sizeable NIL deal. Cedric Jefferson played well in the first three games of the year while Mastel/Reed were healing up and Moore played guard. He's ready. WR is a little exposed with Alexander hitting the portal but if Ryan King comes back, he and Javonte King give us two big body receivers who can make plays. Will likely bring in two transfer WRs like we do every year. Jabez Woods is highly thought of and they like the two freshman they are bringing in to push for time right away. RB is loaded again even with Scottre leaving. Jared White leaving means he wants to be a feature back somewhere else and likely means Mix viewed him as the #4 behind Jones, Coon, and Henley. We bring in two freshman backs but we'll likely pursue a transfer just like Davis a few years back. We also just might bring back Davis! TE we only lose Lonergan. It obviously all hinges on QB but we will have a base run game that still will produce at a high level.

I think defensively we are bringing a good core back on the DL and two now-battle tested LBs but we need our other backers to take the next step. They are very high on Bowles but Krahe and Taylor took steps this year in practice/special teams. In the secondary, Dowler replaces Ortt but strength of the group hinges on Jon Johnson maybe getting another year because of the new JUCO rule not counting towards eligibility. Same goes for Cole Sain but I think he's done. Really like our interior DL coming back and the foursome of Eiden, Crews, Parsons, and Salano is wonderful. Dominic really came on later in the year and played a TON in the title game. Taki playing well this year helps our depth. Corner will be that foursome of talented freshman pushing for starter reps (McMillan, Johnson, Boyd, and Williams). I also have a feeling Brendan Ross is going to push for a spot next year somewhere in the secondary (nickel or safety).

Overall, everything comes down to Chance Wilson taking the next step or bringing in a transfer that we can install into what fits us. Walker is gone as OC so Vigen will get the chance to show his QB development chops once again. Here's to counting down the days to spring ball!

I see in your 2 deep list you had Gray at NB but not a word about him in your writeup. I was impressed by him more than once this year but I don't have the chops to do any meaningful analysis and would like to see your thoughts on him. Those 4 DEs have me really excited as well.