RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
We already know a lot despite our spring game not being for another almost two weeks.
PJ Walker is PJ Walker. Reilly is a veteran backup with starting experience, but not a lot of depth overall. Two true freshmen QBs incoming.
A lot of RB depth between Kenny Harper, Zaire Williams, Jamie Gilmore, and R-FR Jabo Lee. Not to mention true freshman David Hood. 1,325 rushing yards and 12 TDs last year between Harper, Williams, and Gilmore.
WR has talent, but replacing Robbie Anderson is the key thing. Unfortunately, R-SO Sam Benjamin re-fractured his clavicle which was the same injury that cost him nearly all of last year. We have 5, as many as 6 freshmen WRs incoming depending on where Delvon Randall plays. 6'4 midyear enrollee Derrek Thomas might be the most promising of the group, as well as 6'5 MS native Matt Eaton. We needed tall WRs with speed, and bring in 3 WRs over 6'2. 5'11 JR Brandon Shippen moved from CB to WR and has looked good. We're not really going to utilize the TE position much, so we need our bigger WRs like Romond Deloatch to step up this year.
OL has battled injuries, but I dont believe anything major. Everyone should be good for the season. Class headliner 4* Aaron Ruff should challenge to start as a true freshman. Some pretty good OL talent, but not a lot of depth.
DL is still a major question. R-FR Brian Carter has been mentioned often as a player who has showed a lot in practice. Our DL is very undersized with only 2 players 300+ lbs. (one freshman), and only 3 others over 250 lbs. True freshmen Michael Dogbe (#2 in NJ in sacks) and Freddie Booth-Lloyd are two to watch.
LB should be good. Not a large group, but very athletic. Tyler Matakevich should be on a lot of watch lists.
Secondary was probably the biggest concern last year. We added two JUCO studs in All American Alex Wells and Shahid Lovett. According to reports, Wells has been every bit as good as advertised. Lovett, unfortunately, has been injured and is likely out for the spring. We added walk on R-JR Boye Aromire from Virginia Tech, who had offers from UNC, WVU, Illinois and Maryland out of high school. We added freshman midyear enrollee Cequan Jefferson, who was a former Virginia Tech commit. We also bring in one of the top DB classes in the country, so our secondary should be significantly better.
Kicking should be better. Jim Cooper supposedly looks significantly better. We bring in freshman Austin Jones who will compete for starting kicker. No clue what's going on at punter.
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