2018 Spring Roster

[Irish YJ]

We're talking about 2016 though, Lax. ESB didn't have production in 2015 other than a single catch and Steph was a true freshman that nobody expected to put up serious numbers. The WR position was considered one of the least talented groups heading into 2016, just like 2018.

I think both sides of this argument are correct in some ways. Lots of unproven folks. Lots of Qs.... We have "star" power though. Star rankings aren't everything obviously, but we have plenty of potential.

Yes you can also evaluate WRs with a crappy QB. BUT, and big but, you have a lot less to evaluate. And what you are evaluating is a smaller sample size (less opportunity to see what younger guys can do) with a bad and inaccurate input. Small sample size and bad input can also push a coach into playing "safe" choices at WR. Bad input also shrinks the passing playbook and pushes other means of O (RTDB). Small sample size, bad input, being safe, focusing on 2 grad WRs early, are all things that hampered the development preseason and throughout the year.

We can also look at Book vs LSU. Again, another small sample, but we saw flashes of what our WRs can do with a guy who can be accurate and progress through reads. I'm not saying we need to forget about BW, or go straight to PJ, but I hope BK allows all three to get an equal share of eval. I'd love for BW to mature and develop, but I also don't want to see a force fit over loyalty, safeness, stubbornness, or false hope.

In short, the entire O is big question mark. QB and OL are bigger questions than WR IMO. Or maybe I should say I'm more worried about QB and OL, than WR.

2018's class at WR on paper is the best class we've had in 5 years, arguably the best in BK years here. IF we have decent QB play,,,,,,,, I'm going to bank on Boykin breaking out, Austin contributing from day 1, either Lenzy or Keys contributing by the second half of the season if not earlier. I think the safe choices (Canteen, Finke) will see less PT if not early, at least by mid season. Claypool or Jones could see a lot of RZ action as well.

All the above is not even getting into the talent we have at TE (which is arguably the most talented position we have on O depth wise). Bottom line, just my opinion, but if QB is fine, WR will be fine too.

2018
Austin 96
Lenzy 92
Keys 90
Jones 89

2017
Armstrong 87 (RB?)
Young 87

2016
McKinley 95 (Injury?)
Claypool 93
Stepherson 86 (gone)

2015
Boykin 92
Finke NR
ESB 93 (Gone)
Sanders 90 (Gone)
Guyton 88 (Gone)

2014
Canteen 89 (Grad)
Brent 96 (Gone)
Holmes 93 (Gone)

 

[Irish YJ]

Apparently, after his leg injury, he just doesn't get separation in practices. Not explosive, can't get open. This is all second-hand, but it's what I've heard.

Are you hearing this is just lingering injury/slow recovery, or is he 100% healed and struggling?

 

[stlnd01]

Offensive position groups I'm concerned about in 2018, ranked:

QB
RB
WR
OL
TE

 

[Irish YJ]

Offensive position groups I'm concerned about in 2018, ranked:

QB
RB
WR
OL
TE

I forgot to add in RB, but I'd rank things

QB
OL
Tie RB/WR
TE

I think WR will go as far as QB will allow it, and RB will go as far as OL allows it.

There are so many Qs, but good QB play, and good OL play, and make RB and WR look good, or better than it really is. Just like awesome OL play last year helped Josh be a Heisman candidate.

Michigan game will be interesting, but I think OL will struggle a bit, but have 3 games post scUM to get it together. Not sure what Meatchicken has coming back on D, but they scare me (when thinking about our O). Glad it's the first game, and at home. Ball State and Vandy at home don't worry me, and Wake on the road should be fine. Stanford IMO is the first true test of what our "matured" team will face, but they shouldn't scare us at home. VT is a great first true road test and I think will be a make or bread game.

 

[ND88]

Would you agree that this is the least proven/talented group of returning WRs we've had in the Kelly era? Looking at the guys we've run out there from '10 until now it sure seems like it.

I think WR can be good as long as Claypool becomes more consistent, Boykin continues his progression, and you get someone like Kevin Austin, Michael Young, etc. to step up. I'm not saying the position group can't be good, just that it's got the least proven talent of any group on the roster and the scariest if there's an unfortunate injury or a regression.

Michael Young should really step up and be more productive this year. We've seen flashes of his talent.

And yes, receivers will be a question mark unit until we see the product on the field vs. Michigan.

Who is coaching up receivers this year? Same coach as this past season? I apologize, but his name escapes me at the moment. Coach Alexander?

 

[PANDFAN]

Are you hearing this is just lingering injury/slow recovery, or is he 100% healed and struggling?

from what reports i have read and listening to podcasts, he just isn't the same player he was coming out of high school...fully healed just lost explosiveness...despite being the most highly rated wr in BK's recruiting history he can't crack the 2 deep

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

from what reports i have read and listening to podcasts, he just isn't the same player he was coming out of high school...fully healed just lost explosiveness...despite being the most highly rated wr in BK's recruiting history he can't crack the 2 deep

Does he have any experience playing RB wonder if he would be up to switching from WR to RB?

 

[PANDFAN]

Does he have any experience playing RB wonder if he would be up to switching from WR to RB?

no idea, but i would assume with most gifted athletes, they play rb or qb growing up in an effort to keep the ball in their hand the most

 

[Domina Nostra]

Sometimes it just takes some time to get back to 100%...

 

[ThePiombino]

Apparently, after his leg injury, he just doesn't get separation in practices. Not explosive, can't get open. This is all second-hand, but it's what I've heard.

Faaaaack -- thx, LAX!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[P_Rose]

Clemson Tigers say running back C.J. Fuller is transferring

Not sure where to put this but could provide good depth at RB.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Really wish we could pull him in. I'd feel much better about our depth but I wouldn't want it to cause issues in the locker room.