SoCon next year

[ETSUfan1]

ETSU - Our two top rushers (Holmes and Saylors) return. Likely starting QB is Logan "Lucky" Marchi with Tyrique Sandusky and Trey Mitchell challenging. Wick (TE) and Werts (WR) are gone. We lose two starting OL along with four defensive starters to graduation. I expect yuge things next year for us.

If ETSU can get solid play from Marchi, I expect us to be competitive. Wasn't all that impressed with him early on, so not sure if he can be the guy or not. LB core will take a hit. DL and secondary will be even better. If we can get receivers with speed and that can actually create separation and catch balls, that would be great.

[Reign of Terrier]

I don’t know how good a barometer that YSU game is since the YSU program has fallen into the crapper.

I understand where you are coming from grad, and I have read the Penguin fans laments on here - still in watching YSU play NDSU into the 4th quarter, and also the stomping of Playoff-bound UNI, I seem to not get that warm fuzzy feeling that I would like to have.

Just fookin beat them m8.

Seriously, if Samford sweeps their OOC, no one cares if they finish 7-4

[SU DOG]

You're right about that YT, because that scenario would include a win over Auburn.

[kdinva]

For VMI, (on paper), they lose, on offense: starting center, backup guard, backup WR (who caught only 6 passes this season), another WR/return spec. hurt in game 6, one HB.

Defense: starting DE, starting SS, backup CB.

Spec: Kickoff specialist, backup PK.

[PaladinFan]

Our O-Line loses ONE player in the 10 man 2 deep rotation. That unit should be VERY good. RBs(hey sometimes we do run the ball) will be better if any different with the emergence of Fr. DeMarcus Ware who led the team in rushing this year. Even with the loss of Kelvin McKnight, who you can't really replace, WRs are not a concern at all as we have tons of gifted players at this position. Now, you don't even consider saying you can replace a Devlin Hodges, as that would be an asinine statement. I think talk of a xfer QB, however, is totally wrong. Liam Welch will be a RS Jr. who has been patient and was always projected as the next man up. He knows the system thoroughly, but how much the lack of game experience will hamper his development is an unknown factor at this time. I can say that he is very talented, and watching him in practice gives Samford fans a lot of optimism.

The Samford defense losses some really good ones, but has lots of experienced players returning. Obviously, Ahmad Gooden will be missed - tremendously missed. LB Aaron Harris, and DT Horace Roberts will need to be replaced also. If Jr. LB Aaron Atkinson, out this year with injury, can come back healthy that will really strengthen that unit. He is a fine player. Even with the loss of Ahmad, I look for the front 7 to be pretty solid. The Samford secondary, that was injury riddled this year, should be much improved. Lots of young players got plenty of PT, and hopefully S Koi Freeman returns from injury. That guy is a stud of a DB.

Lots of questions - YES, but lots of talent also. It will be interesting to see how we do in the KO Classic against YSU. Samford is not quite as depleted as some folks on here think, and probably hope.

It has long been my opinion that teams struggle to replace really top-flight players. Even talented backups are going to struggle to match the productivity of truly great players.

Samford's issue is not talent. They have talent. They were the most talented team in the league this year. In my opinion, they have issues that are perhaps more systemic than having "Jimmys and Joes."

I think the concern for Samford fans is whether Hatcher & Co. will take a hard look at what went wrong in 2018. The Bulldogs had gobs of talent, were in a league without a dominant team, and had the rare opportunity to have some of the best players in program history on both sides of the ball playing at the same time.

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

I understand where you are coming from grad, and I have read the Penguin fans laments on here - still in watching YSU play NDSU into the 4th quarter, and also the stomping of Playoff-bound UNI, I seem to not get that warm fuzzy feeling that I would like to have.

It's mainly because Pelini brought onto his team one Malik Richmond. He was best known for raping a coed along with one of his teammates at a party while in high school. He literally shopped around trying to find a school that would take him on their FB team until Youngstown State said yes. Let's face it, if even Randy Sanders tried to bring someone like that onto his team, Brian Noland would drop kick his keester out of Johnson City. Gibbs-slapping a player is one thing but knowingly and willfully bringing a convicted rapist is (in this environment) a completely different matter. I hope Pelini never coaches again in life.

[gofurman]

We get back 4/5 on OL (9/10 on 2 deep, most were So this year). Our same OL started all games this year. Our new QB will be a Jr next year (we have 5 others vying for the #2 spot). All the A backs on the depth chart are back except one, all the BBacks are back. In other words, our O will be that much better. (8 starters on O were RSF or So. this year. We basically lose one O starter.

On D, we lose one on the DL (Ken Allen, ouch), two LBs (Hubbs and Dawkins), and one DB (Aaron Spann, ouch). (5 of our starters on D were F, RSF or So.). We lose 4 D starters.

All our kickers are back.

Not too bad.

I don't know enough about who is coming back on the other teams to prognosticate yet.

Good detail ElCid. Thanks !!! That's what I am looking for to compose my initial post

[ElCid]

Good detail ElCid. Thanks !!! That's what I am looking for to compose my initial post

One change, we get back 8/10 on the OL 2 deep. Same guy is RG starter and 2nd center.

To be specific and clearer,

We get back 10/11 O starters, 22/25 listed on depth chart. Starters, one OL (1st team all conf), one A back gone (hasn't played last 3 games). 8 starters are F, RSF, or Soph this year

We get back 7/11 D starters, 16/23 listed on depth chart. Starters, one DL, two LB (one 1st team all conf) , 1 DB (1st team all conf). 5 starters are F, RSF, or Soph this year, 2 are Jr.

We get back all Special teams except a LS, 11/12 on depth chart.

Also important to note that in our first 7 games we rushed for 1851 yards or 264 a game. Last three games we rushed for 1051 yards or 350 a game, which obviously included WCU, Samford, and Bama as well. The last three game we payed our new QB and backs.

[gofurman]

Significant graduations for Wofford include: HB Lennox McAfee and FB Andre Stoddard on offense and CB Domonique Lemon, CB Devin Watson, S Jojo Tillery and DL Miles Brown

Thanks 94 ! Great detail. Think I might be over in attendance Saturday with one or two more.

[PaladinNation]

Furman 2019

The offense returns 20/22 — 7 sophomores, 12 juniors, 1 senior
The defense returns 17/22 — 3 sophomores, 8 juniors, 6 seniors

Strengths

The offensive line returns intact — 1 senior, 5 juniors, 1 sophomore are the core.
The offensive backfield returns all three tailbacks (Wynn, Watkins, Morehead)
At running back (HB) Dirks and Gibson graduate but return blocking beast Maples (SO).
Receivers and Tight Ends are all returning
The defensive line loses Reid and Okonya. Furman rotates heavily, Stokes, Seabrook should step right in.
Linebackers all return, 2018 was learning on the go. Three redshirts should compete for PT at linebacker.
Special teams return All So-Con kicker and return specialist.
I actually think corner will be better in 2019.

Questions

Quarterback. It's been a long time since Furman had back to back season's this unsettled at QB.
My guess is Furman comes into 2019 off-season focused on developing Grainger and Sisson both will be redshirt freshmen.
I think Lincoln switches position — based on rumors and who got PT.
BTW… kudos to the coaching staff for getting Grainger and Sisson PT and still get redshirts.

Safety. Return Okeh but graduate Annoor. Clay could be the starter at strong safety but my guess is this position is the most wide open other than quarterback.

New Players

Furman had several players redshirt and never see the field, players to keep an eye on;
Cujo Coleman (NG), Louis Hall (WR), Jax Hackett (LB), Braylin Fisher (LB), Bradeon Domino (CB).
One big question will we see London Lewis play in 2019?

Freshmen

You should never count on players before they arrive but if the 2019 commits hold Furman will bringing in a helluva class.
Another rumor swirling is that several will be reporting in January. My guess is these are players that have a chance to compete right away. Ryan Steed did this went from early reporting to a starter.

Players to watch; Josh Slay (LB), Evan Jumper (OL), Jack Barton (DE), Austin Jones (S), Jalen Miller (Spur)
I don't think Furman is finished, the only good thing about being left out of the playoffs? Recruiting.
This staff appears to be great recruiters and great at evaluation. Furman has also broadened it's recruiting to Texas and the northeast. I think Furman brings in another quarterback to compete for the starting gig in 2019.