What returning players do you think are poised for a breakout season in 2020?

Nettles

Logan Z is a mauler
Jordan Cole is a stud
Erin Collins scores double digits TDs
Cole Tucker is a great number 2
Tyrice Richie...goes over 1,000 yds
Matt Lorbeck...gets stats
Ross Bowers...passes over 3000 yds and has a great TD to INT ratio

I'm biased. I love this team.

Bowers. He's never gotten a second season in the same system. With Brinkman and Crawford back he can really spread it around. Should get more out of the #3 wr as I doubt Robinson holds onto that spot after an 8 catch effort in 2019.

(03-05-2020 07:17 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Bowers. He's never gotten a second season in the same system. With Brinkman and Crawford back he can really spread it around. Should get more out of the #3 wr as I doubt Robinson holds onto that spot after an 8 catch effort in 2019.

I think the offense breaks out as a whole. 2nd year in system with our top 4 pass catchers back and a few new/young guys as well. I think Harbs is missed less than people think as an improved pass game means bigger running lanes with faster backs = a lot more big plays in the running game.

I think the big surprise is going to be Rondarius Gregory. Most of the attention may be on Nettles & Collins, but Gregory has been individually mentioned multiple times by coaches during the offseason and has been front & center in quite a bit of the workout/drills/practice pictures and videos that have been posted. 5’7” but 200 lbs. Gives him good center of gravity and balance, played a lot of WR in HS so can be a serious matchup problem out of the backfield. Bold prediction: I think he puts up 500+ yards of offense.

I'm with Rabid on Robinson. I think he loses his job to Toure and/or McCray almost immediately, and I think they both have nice years. Toure returned kicks and punts in HS and blocked multiple punts. Physical but also elusive with ball in hands @ 6’2” 200 lbs. McCray was our highest rated recruit from the ‘19 class & is 6’2” 190 lbs. with very good hands.

On defense I think Tyrik Henderson surprises and steps up big time. Made the switch to S from CB this offseason. Explosive athlete, can tell he played a lot of WR in HS as he has very good ball skills. With a shaky pass rush having a good cover guy at S could be a big deal. I think he starts opposite Appolon.

For me, it all boils down to two things: (1) Will the O-line be good enough to protect the QB and open some lanes, and (2) Will we have receivers who can get open, catch the ball, and hold onto it?

Rondarius Gregory. I liked what I saw from him in limited action last year.

Michael Love. They tried to get the ball to him last year as a true freshman but he was too young and raw. I think a full year in a weight training program and understanding the offense/college game will Help tremendously and we might see some electric plays. Rondarius Gregory is another name. The coaches have spoke very highly of him and I’m sure hammock knows potential in RBs when he sees it.

Tyrice Richie is going to put up some real decent numbers. Somewhere around 60 REC, 900 YARDS, 8 TDs.

(03-05-2020 07:33 PM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(03-05-2020 07:17 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Bowers. He's never gotten a second season in the same system. With Brinkman and Crawford back he can really spread it around. Should get more out of the #3 wr as I doubt Robinson holds onto that spot after an 8 catch effort in 2019.

I think the offense breaks out as a whole. 2nd year in system with our top 4 pass catchers back and a few new/young guys as well. I think Harbs is missed less than people think as an improved pass game means bigger running lanes with faster backs = a lot more big plays in the running game.

I think the big surprise is going to be Rondarius Gregory. Most of the attention may be on Nettles & Collins, but Gregory has been individually mentioned multiple times by coaches during the offseason and has been front & center in quite a bit of the workout/drills/practice pictures and videos that have been posted. 5’7” but 200 lbs. Gives him good center of gravity and balance, played a lot of WR in HS so can be a serious matchup problem out of the backfield. Bold prediction: I think he puts up 500+ yards of offense.

I'm with Rabid on Robinson. I think he loses his job to Toure and/or McCray almost immediately, and I think they both have nice years. Toure returned kicks and punts in HS and blocked multiple punts. Physical but also elusive with ball in hands @ 6’2” 200 lbs. McCray was our highest rated recruit from the ‘19 class & is 6’2” 190 lbs. with very good hands.

On defense I think Tyrik Henderson surprises and steps up big time. Made the switch to S from CB this offseason. Explosive athlete, can tell he played a lot of WR in HS as he has very good ball skills. With a shaky pass rush having a good cover guy at S could be a big deal. I think he starts opposite Appolon.

I hope Gregory is all that. There hasn't been a "wow" type back since Huff. I think Nettles can be very good. But after 120+ carries I'm not sure i saw anything special.

The RB battle should be the most exciting competition of spring. No idea who or even how many will win out. The third WR battle has the most up-side as McCray could be great. Not sure i can say that for the other spots - safety, corner and O-line. Feel like serviceable is what is expected there.

Not a returning player, but I can't wait to see Ducker.

(03-05-2020 08:27 PM)NIUHuskie4life Wrote:  Rondarius Gregory. I liked what I saw from him in limited action last year.

+1 I'm giddy to see the running game this year.

(03-05-2020 09:29 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(03-05-2020 07:33 PM)TXHuskieJA26 Wrote:  

(03-05-2020 07:17 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  Bowers. He's never gotten a second season in the same system. With Brinkman and Crawford back he can really spread it around. Should get more out of the #3 wr as I doubt Robinson holds onto that spot after an 8 catch effort in 2019.

I think the offense breaks out as a whole. 2nd year in system with our top 4 pass catchers back and a few new/young guys as well. I think Harbs is missed less than people think as an improved pass game means bigger running lanes with faster backs = a lot more big plays in the running game.

I think the big surprise is going to be Rondarius Gregory. Most of the attention may be on Nettles & Collins, but Gregory has been individually mentioned multiple times by coaches during the offseason and has been front & center in quite a bit of the workout/drills/practice pictures and videos that have been posted. 5’7” but 200 lbs. Gives him good center of gravity and balance, played a lot of WR in HS so can be a serious matchup problem out of the backfield. Bold prediction: I think he puts up 500+ yards of offense.

I'm with Rabid on Robinson. I think he loses his job to Toure and/or McCray almost immediately, and I think they both have nice years. Toure returned kicks and punts in HS and blocked multiple punts. Physical but also elusive with ball in hands @ 6’2” 200 lbs. McCray was our highest rated recruit from the ‘19 class & is 6’2” 190 lbs. with very good hands.

On defense I think Tyrik Henderson surprises and steps up big time. Made the switch to S from CB this offseason. Explosive athlete, can tell he played a lot of WR in HS as he has very good ball skills. With a shaky pass rush having a good cover guy at S could be a big deal. I think he starts opposite Appolon.

I hope Gregory is all that. There hasn't been a "wow" type back since Huff. I think Nettles can be very good. But after 120+ carries I'm not sure i saw anything special.

The RB battle should be the most exciting competition of spring. No idea who or even how many will win out. The third WR battle has the most up-side as McCray could be great. Not sure i can say that for the other spots - safety, corner and O-line. Feel like serviceable is what is expected there.

I did see flashes from Nettles last year. I'm optimistic about the RBs this year. And Gregory looked intriguing in limited action.

On that Oline Perez , Cox and Z we have 3 solid players. Like to see Cox and Z improve significantly. There should be improvement both are young. Rbs? Love Collins. We will be improved here with more flexibility. Ritchie? Agree with other poster will have Huge numbers. Can the D find an edge rusher? Hope Mattox or someone else pops. The DBs are ??? Lbs please stay healthy, Please.

My darkhorse is CJ Brown at safety. Put on some weight in only 2 months and has been mentioned by THam himself.



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(03-05-2020 10:18 PM)Teamduh Wrote:  My darkhorse is CJ Brown at safety. Put on some weight in only 2 months and has been mentioned by THam himself.



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I like CJ Brown bas well. But a true Fr a lot learn at safety.

(03-06-2020 12:14 AM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(03-05-2020 10:18 PM)Teamduh Wrote:  My darkhorse is CJ Brown at safety. Put on some weight in only 2 months and has been mentioned by THam himself.



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I like CJ Brown bas well. But a true Fr a lot learn at safety.

As I said earlier, I think Henderson will be the 2nd safety, but with Brown being an early enrollee he definitely should have the inside track out of the big group of true freshman safeties. More than likely will be a 3 way competition between Henderson, Brown and Earl and is definitely the most wide open spot on the team. Someone stepping up and being effective there, no matter who it is, is very important for this defense.

(03-05-2020 07:40 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  For me, it all boils down to two things: (1) Will the O-line be good enough to protect the QB and open some lanes, and (2) Will we have receivers who can get open, catch the ball, and hold onto it?

+1. Results from both these position groups were below average last year.

(03-06-2020 02:31 PM)niu79 Wrote:  

(03-05-2020 07:40 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  For me, it all boils down to two things: (1) Will the O-line be good enough to protect the QB and open some lanes, and (2) Will we have receivers who can get open, catch the ball, and hold onto it?

+1. Results from both these position groups were below average last year.

I'm not at all concerned about the WR/TE group. The issues last year were Tear's drops. Robinson's drops and inability to get open. And a little bit of Love's inexperience.

The Big 4 of Tucker, Richie, Brinkman and Crawford as a group averaged 14 receptions a game that Bowers' started. That's awesome. Love should improve and just keep Robinson on the bench. They'll get open...but the O-line question still stands. Big help with Perez back.