Now that the season is wrapped up and the recruiting class is (mostly) done I thought I'd look at each position group and what we have leaving and coming back. I've also added my excitement level for each group. Remember this could change some between now and February with guys transferring in and out or adding more recruits. I haven't included many guys who will be true freshmen since I don't see many contributing next season.

Quarterback
Should be back: Smith, McCoy, Blount
Coming in: Udengwu
Gone: Powell
Excitement level: 5 out of 10

This is one of the two key position groups for next season in my mind. Powell really came on late in the year and played great. He obviously isn't much of a running threat, but when given time he could really sling it. Smith showed some potential, but can continue to develop, make all his reads and become more accurate. Udengwu has some impressive film and put up good numbers, but this a very different level than what he was playing at. It wouldn't shock me if they add a grad transfer like Powell, I think someone mentioned Bowman from UofM, that would be the kind of player I would expect if we were to bring someone in. Either way, a lot of question marks at this position since there is so much unproven, if one of these guys can separate themselves we could have a very special season.

Running back
Should be back: Evans, Jackson, Jackson-Anderson, Boone, Moss
Gone: No one
Excitement level: 10 out of 10

This should be a great group! Even if a guy or two transfer out, having Evans and Jackson back should be a great combo. Those two really compliment each other well and some of the young guys like Jackson-Anderson and Moss were pretty big recruits and have shown flashes. Given what we have coming back on the O-line, this group could have a big year! Especially breaking in a new QB, these guys will need to carry the team for the first few weeks and I have no doubt they can do it.

Wide receivers
Should be back: Knue, Lassiter, Mitchell, Keefe, Summers
Coming in: Wood and Walker
Gone: Drummond and Beydoun
Excitement level: 7 out of 10

Losing Drummond and Beydoun will hurt no question. They are two of the best to ever do it at Eastern. Having Knue and Lassiter back is a great starting point though, they have both been fantastic. Summers played a bit early last year and hasn't done much since. Mitchell and Keefe always show up on the depth chart but I don't remember either of them doing anything. I would assume those three would be the favorites for bigger roles next year. I've included our two recruits (Wood and Walker) since this is a sport we are going to have some holes to fill and they are two of our biggest recruits. I wouldn't be surprised to see a them try to add a JUCO by February. I wanted to say 8/10 on this just because Creighton and crew always seem to find WR, but kept it at 7/10 because there are questions about the guy who will be throwing them the ball.

Tight end
Should be back: Jackson, Getzinger, Paaske, Reese
Gone: Oakes
Excitement level: 9 out of 10

Oakes was a solid player, and I'll always remember his last catch, run, and jump for that first down which was one of the final nails in SJSU coffin. He isn't a player that is irreplaceable. Hopefully Jackson is back, I think he has potential. Paaske I think could really be in for a bigger and better role! For a young guy he played great and I think could be come a bigger threat in the passing game going forward. Getz is a good blocker and could be used in those short yard plays. Reese is the X-factor. He was a huge recruit and has the potential to be a true game changer at the tight end. I like this group a lot.

Offensive line
Should be back: Rewolinski, Howie, Douglas, Johnson, Dooley
Gone: Sow, Bates
Excitement level: 8 out of 10

Sow is obviously one of the greatest players we've had and will be a huge loss. Thankfully we have three guys (Howie, Johnson, Dooley) all back who have started for years and are good players. Rewolinski and Douglas both have started in spots and should be able to fill in and play well. I've also read or heard good things about some of the young guys (Jackson, Warnsman, Indestad, Anderson, Lee) so there should be a healthy competition for those spots. We may take a slight step back losing Sow, but overall this should be a good group.

Defensive line
Should be back: Zelinsky, Gaines, Evans, Miles, Bogard, Manior, Merritt, Price, Coleman, Haney, Grant-Randall, Swindle
Coming in: Nosike
Gone: Crawford, Ramirez, Trueman
Excitment level: 6 out of 10

This is the other big question mark in my mind. Ramirez is a huge loss, an all-american, a great great pass rusher...big loss. Trueman also had a great year on the edge and replacing those two will be difficult. Crawford was also a solid space eating tackle. There is A LOT of talent and a A LOT of potential here though. Price has really come along the last two years and could be an all-conference player I think. Haney and Merritt were both productive players before their injuries, hopefully they can come back and play well. It is a huge season for those guys on the edge (Gaines, Evans, Bogard, Coleman) they were all big recruits, have a few years in...its time some of them need to step up, and with Ramirez and Trueman on their way out the opportunity is there. Same thing with Swindle in the middle. I know a lot of people are excited about Messiah Blair (and rightfully so) but I think it will be hard to come in and make an impact as a true freshman, especially with the guys ahead of him.

Linebackers
Should be back: Kline, Sparacio, Cameron, Scheidt
Gone: Speights
Excitement level: 10 out of 10

Kline and Sparacio are great, and having them back is huge! They might be the best pair of linebackers we have had in the Creighton area, they both seem to be great leaders, tacklers, they can rush and cover. Excited to have them back. Cameron and Schedit both provide serviceable depth. I know part of a linebackers success is based on the guys in front of them, but this group is awesome!

Defensive backs
Should be back: Hernandez, Peavy, Scott, Smith, Lee, Shine, Scandrett
Coming in: Jenkins
Gone: Bogan and Vaden
Excitement level: 10 out of 10

This group should be very good! Shine and Scott should be one of the best combo of corners in the MAC and maybe the whole G5! I think Scandrett and Smith have the making of a great pair of safeties. Peavy is the big hitter back there...I think there is a lot to like about this group.

Special teams (Thanks Luckey for pointing out I miss this)
Should be back: Gomez, Tomasek, Bird, Jackson, Pohl
Gone: Drummond
Excitement level: 10 out of 10

With both Gomez and Tomasek back as well as Bird at long snapper and Jackson as a returner there is a lot to love here. Not only are those guys back, but they are super talented! I believe Pohl is even back for kickoffs. Really the only guy we loose on special teams is Drummond as a punt returner. Honestly I don't feel like that is a huge loss. As a whole Dylan is a massive loss, but as a punt returner specifically Dylan wasn't a big game breaker like Jackson is as a kickoff returner. Dylan was just a steady, smart guy who would catch the punt (which don't get me wrong, there is a big time value in that). At the very least I think we should be able to find a guy that can do that.


Looking at the schedule, at least 3-1 should be very doable in our nonconference again. We'll have to see what the MAC schedule looks like. In my mind those two question marks (QB and the D-line) will tell the tale. Even if those two spots struggle I think there is enough talent throughout the roster to at least get to 6-6 and get back to a bowl. If a QB emerges and all the talent on the D-line manifest itself this team could be right back in the 8-4 to 9-3 range and be in the thick of things to get to the MAC championship game.