We will be stronger at QB, RB, WR, TE, and DB. Our O-line won't be like it was in the last coach's first year where there was no experience at all. A lot of upper classmen along with some young talent will still return even after we lose the starters after this year. D-Line will be the biggest concern. Linebackers may regress a little too, but the recruiting class will shore that up some as well. Overall, experience and talent on offense along with what should end up to be one of our best recruiting classes in years means that 2014 won't be some step back that some expect.
Losses on the offensive line:
Bullard (Very versitile player, who plays all positions on the offensive line)
Stone, has been a starter since his freshman season.
Fulton, played alot his freshman, sophomore, & junior seasons, then a starter his senior season.
James, became a starter his freshman season.
Tiny, is a junior, but I find it difficult to see him remaining for his senior season.
Special Teams losses:
Palardy, I feel that even though Palardy is versitile as a punter, field goal kicker, and on kick offs, his replace is already better than he is now. And his replacement is still in high school.
Defense:
Brewer, Propst, Sapp are all gone from the linebacking corps. I would be surprised if A.J. stayed for his senior sesaon, if he got a favorable eval from the N.F.L. That would mean 4 linebackers will be gone after this season.
Walls, Couch, McCullers, Hood & Miller along the defensive line would all be gone due to graduation.
So, in essence we would have to replace the entire offensive line, " If Tiny left early" and five players on the defensive line and four linebackers.
This is not replacing one tailback, one receiver, one safety, one tight end etc. These replacements are the total starting positions at L.B., O. Line & D. Line.....
