While their roster is young over all, like most SBC teams A-State has an abundance of talented transfers from JC and other 4 year schools, who they hope will play key roles in 2022. If they do have their bounce back year, these talented transfers will probably be the reason.

On offense:

SR QB James Blackman( 6-5, 200)-the former multi-year FSU starter , was the starter before being injured-their coaches felt his loss cost them 2-3 wins down the stretch. Has reclaimed the starting spot for 2022. Now comfortable with the offense, Butch Jones has made it clear he is the leader of the team. With an improved OL , and above average skill players to work with , he is expected to have an outstanding senior campaign. He is a POY talent.

Sr WR Tevailance Hunt (6-1, 208)– the former 4-Star had a solid first year, and has emerged as a leader of a young but talented WR corps.

Sr RB Johnnie Lang (5-8, 188)-an on/off starter during his time at Iowa State, he exited spring ball as the #1 RB. Butch Jones has said he is the most improved player on the offense.

Jr OT Robert Holmes (6-4, 340)- won the starting job last year before being lost for the season , and when healthy a true SEC caliber talent. If healthy should be a leader on a much improved OL, and a candidate for post season honors.

So WR Adam Jones (6-2, 188) – Butch Jones son transferred in form Central Michigan and had a productive first season. Should see his role expand in 2022.

So OG Mehki Butler (6-3, 338)-the first team JC All-American, who according to Butch Jones is their most explosive offensive lineman , was set to be the starter lasts year before preseason surgery sideline him of the season. Exited spring ball as a starter, and is a solid run blocker.

Jr RB Brian Snead (6-1, 214) the former Buckeye brings size and speed , and is expected to compete to the starting job at RB.

Fr RB Ja'Quez Cross (5-11, 185)- a contributor at Perdue as a true freshman , he had an outstanding spring .

Jr QB AJ Mayer (6-3, 231) – and off/on starter at Miami (Ohio) , the he brings starting experience, and is competing with touted freshman Jaxon Daley for the backup spot behind Blackman.

So QB Jack Kristofek (6-5, 210) – a transfer from Mississippi State , was a record setting QB in HS, who provides experienced depth.

S0 WR Khyheem Waleed (5-11, 190) – the Boise St transfer saw limited pt last year at WR, but was highly recruited out of HS and should see an expanded role in 2022.

KR/WR Champ Flemimg (5-5, 150) - the dynamic Oregon transfer is in his first year but should soften the loss All-American KR Adam Lamar, and will also add explosiveness to a talented WR room.

On Defense:

Sr LB Kivon Bennett (6-3,238) – had an solid first year as a starter at DE before being moved to LB this spring. A team leader and a strong candidate for post season honors.

SR DE Thurman Geathers (6-2, 217), the former Louisville cardinal has shifted into the spot Kevon Bennett filled before his move to LB. Like Bennett, an explosive athlete, who exited spring as a starter.

LB/DE Jordan Carmouche (6-2, 230)- The Houston transfers carrier has been derailed multiple time by injuries but showed this past spring why he was highly recruited out of HS. A solid run stopper, that Butch Jones thinks will have a big year for them.

DT John Mincey (6-4, 290)- the athletic former Tennessee VOL was a big reason their defense improved as the year went along, and exited spring ball as a starter.

Jr S Eddie Smith (6, 200) – The former Alabama player decided to join Butch Jones in Jonesboro after initially transferring to Illinois, is a strong candidate to start at safety. Had a solid spring.

So DB Denzel Blackwell (5-11, 189) – While hampered by injuries, the Boston College transfer had a solid first year . Should challenge returning starter Samy Johnson at CB.

Jr CB Leon Jones (6-1, 192) – A JC transfer , like Blackwell Jones had a solid first year and was one of the resons they improved as the year when along. Exited spring as a starter at CB.


Jr DE King Mwikuta (6-5, 240) – another highly recruited former Alabama player he had a solid spring and is a starting candidate at DE.

So De Blayne Toll (6-5, 244)- the highly recruited former Arkansas Razorback transferred to Colorado, before changing his mind and transferring to A-State. Is competing for a starting spot at DE.

Fr DT Terion Tank Sugick (6-2, 305)- The Vanderbilt transfer is expected to earn pt at the interior DL position. Highly recruited out of HS.

Sr DE Robert Mcwilliams (6-4, 235) – the Perdue transfer is expected to provide experienced depth at DE.

So DT Treviance VJ Bronson (6-2, 290) –Started at FSC Lamar as a freshman, and is expected to earn pt at the interior DL position.

Fr LB/S Cruse Temple (5-11, 205) – the East Carolina transfer should provide depth.

So LB Charles Willekes (6-1, 220) – The Michigan State transfer , had a solid first year and should see his role expand in 2022. Solid run stopper.

Again just some material I was putting together for Hogville.

Reading the CFN Sun Belt Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2022, on the Conference Message board they have A-State finishing 5-7, and 3-5 overall.

Think 5-5.5 wins has been the norm, over all.

I would go with six +/-1 , if Blackman stays healthy
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All Butch Jones has said is he expects this team will be in a bowl game at the end of the season, and IMO that should be the expectation for any A-State fan.

CFN listed A-State's top 10 players as:

#1 Sr. LB Kivon Bennett (6-3,238)
#2 Sr. QB James Blackman( 6-5, 200)
#3 Sr WR Tevailance Hunt (6-1, 208)
#4 Jr WR Jeff Foreman (6, 173).
#5 Jr. CB Samy Johnson (5-10, 188)
#6 So P Ryan Hanson (6-1, 214)
#7 Jr CB Leon Jones (6-1, 193)
#8 So OG Mekhi Butler (6-3, 338)
#9 Jr LB King Mwikuta (6-5, 238)
#10 So C/G Ethan Miner (6-2, 278)

Six were included in the transfer group in the previous post.

I would flip the top two.

I look for Jr Safety Eddie Smith (6, 200) , Sr DT John Mincey (6-4, 290), Sr RB Johnnie Lang (5-8, 188) and Jr OT Robert Holmes (6-4, 340) to be in their post-season top 10, although they may add a couple of player late that could be in it too

Again, after enduring Butch Jones's culture changing, year zero, fans this fall should have a much more enjoyable season in arguably the most competitive G5 Conference.
Exiting spring practice the consensus from everyone that observed this team was a lot would have to go wrong for them not win at least five games and not much right for them to win more than six.