[CompSci87]

Where are the mods?    It’s Brock Jones

Baseball is a partial Scholarship sport Jones is on a football scholarship

I thought you did fine at pointing out the mistaken name, so I didn't go in and edit people's posts. But I have done so now.

[CompSci87]

Where are the mods?    It’s Brock Jones

Baseball is a partial Scholarship sport Jones is on a football scholarship

I thought you did fine at pointing out the mistaken name, so I didn't go in and edit people's posts. But I have done so now.

[SamuelMcF]

Brock Jones is a safety. That's the Jones to which I was referring. I think he may get more PT than Stuart Head, so listed him alongside McGill and Gilman.

-m.

I think that's too much of an unknown to say with any certainty (and personally doubt it), but if it does happen it would be a welcome development.

Thanks for clarifying - yep, I misunderstood and thought you were referring to incoming CB Brandon Jones, who by the way is a 4*. That room actually looks solid right now, though losing Eboh is a bummer (he wouldn't have started, so I can't really blame him for leaving - he'll start at UCLA while getting a Masters, props to him).

[SamuelMcF]

Brock Jones is a safety. That's the Jones to which I was referring. I think he may get more PT than Stuart Head, so listed him alongside McGill and Gilman.

-m.

I think that's too much of an unknown to say with any certainty (and personally doubt it), but if it does happen it would be a welcome development.

Thanks for clarifying - yep, I misunderstood and thought you were referring to incoming CB Brandon Jones, who by the way is a 4*. That room actually looks solid right now, though losing Eboh is a bummer (he wouldn't have started, so I can't really blame him for leaving - he'll start at UCLA while getting a Masters, props to him).

[Langdude]

Brock Jones is a safety. That's the Jones to which I was referring. I think he may get more PT than Stuart Head, so listed him alongside McGill and Gilman.

-m.

I think that's too much of an unknown to say with any certainty (and personally doubt it), but if it does happen it would be a welcome development.

Thanks for clarifying - yep, I misunderstood and thought you were referring to incoming CB Brandon Jones, who by the way is a 4*. That room actually looks solid right now, though losing Eboh is a bummer (he wouldn't have started, so I can't really blame him for leaving - he'll start at UCLA while getting a Masters, props to him).

Yeah. You totally could be right about Head > Brock. The eyeball test last year suggested Brock had more natural athleticism, but it was still a work in progress. Who knows about this year, but I fear we've seen what Head can offer.

I agree that CB looks ok right now. I think you were right in your post a while back that Eboh decided to leave after being unseated by a true frosh. Remember how much they were hyping Eboh one year ago? But, in his defense, our whole defense underperformed, so he was not getting a lot of help.

-m.

[Langdude]

Brock Jones is a safety. That's the Jones to which I was referring. I think he may get more PT than Stuart Head, so listed him alongside McGill and Gilman.

-m.

I think that's too much of an unknown to say with any certainty (and personally doubt it), but if it does happen it would be a welcome development.

Thanks for clarifying - yep, I misunderstood and thought you were referring to incoming CB Brandon Jones, who by the way is a 4*. That room actually looks solid right now, though losing Eboh is a bummer (he wouldn't have started, so I can't really blame him for leaving - he'll start at UCLA while getting a Masters, props to him).

Yeah. You totally could be right about Head > Brock. The eyeball test last year suggested Brock had more natural athleticism, but it was still a work in progress. Who knows about this year, but I fear we've seen what Head can offer.

I agree that CB looks ok right now. I think you were right in your post a while back that Eboh decided to leave after being unseated by a true frosh. Remember how much they were hyping Eboh one year ago? But, in his defense, our whole defense underperformed, so he was not getting a lot of help.

-m.

[BostonCard]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

[BostonCard]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

[Langdude]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

[Langdude]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

[SamuelMcF]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

Yep.

He was already not the nickel by the end of last season either, even when there was an opportunity to do so (i.e. while Adebo and Kelly were healthy and playing CB...naturally he came in for Adebo at CB post-injury). Nickel is a different position schematically than outside CB. Antoine, McGill, and Parson all played nickel in some capacity. I believe Zahran Manley worked his way in there as well towards the end of the season when both Antoine and Adebo were out.

It's actually pretty easy to name the presumed starting five DBs (we play nickel a ton anyways so 2 DL/5 DBs may as well be our base defense at this point):
CB Adebo
CB Kelly
NB McGill/Antoine
FS Antoine/McGill
SS Williamson

[SamuelMcF]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

Yep.

He was already not the nickel by the end of last season either, even when there was an opportunity to do so (i.e. while Adebo and Kelly were healthy and playing CB...naturally he came in for Adebo at CB post-injury). Nickel is a different position schematically than outside CB. Antoine, McGill, and Parson all played nickel in some capacity. I believe Zahran Manley worked his way in there as well towards the end of the season when both Antoine and Adebo were out.

It's actually pretty easy to name the presumed starting five DBs (we play nickel a ton anyways so 2 DL/5 DBs may as well be our base defense at this point):
CB Adebo
CB Kelly
NB McGill/Antoine
FS Antoine/McGill
SS Williamson

[BostonCard]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

Yeah, I misread “wouldn’t have” for “would have”.

My bad.

BC

[BostonCard]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

Yeah, I misread “wouldn’t have” for “would have”.

My bad.

BC

[CTcard]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

Yeah, I misread “wouldn’t have” for “would have”.

An interesting question is whether he will start at UCLA as SMF suggested.

I don't think UCLA lost any DBs to graduation (though don't know about retention overall). Of course that was from the worst pass defense in the Pac 12 (even versus us).

Overall, Stanford's grad transfers have not had a big effect on their new teams. Significant starters I remember are Casey Tucker who was a full time starter for ASU in 2018 and Charlie Hopkins who started several games fof UVa in 2015.
Others?

There are a lot more this year who might ... if there is a season.

[CTcard]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

I think that both SMF and I were saying that he left because he would not have started. He was already not starting by the end of last season. Not even sure he would have been the nickel.

-m.

Yeah, I misread “wouldn’t have” for “would have”.

An interesting question is whether he will start at UCLA as SMF suggested.

I don't think UCLA lost any DBs to graduation (though don't know about retention overall). Of course that was from the worst pass defense in the Pac 12 (even versus us).

Overall, Stanford's grad transfers have not had a big effect on their new teams. Significant starters I remember are Casey Tucker who was a full time starter for ASU in 2018 and Charlie Hopkins who started several games fof UVa in 2015.
Others?

There are a lot more this year who might ... if there is a season.

[Phogge]

Not one of them will make a difference in the win/loss column. Better to play kids who can learn on the field rather than the bench.

[Phogge]

Not one of them will make a difference in the win/loss column. Better to play kids who can learn on the field rather than the bench.

[SamuelMcF]

An interesting question is whether he will start at UCLA as SMF suggested.

I don't think UCLA lost any DBs to graduation (though don't know about retention overall). Of course that was from the worst pass defense in the Pac 12 (even versus us).

Starting CB and one-time serious Stanford recruit Darnay Holmes declared early for the NFL draft (and was selected in the 4th round). You're right though that the rest of their CBs come back, but they're all young and the position is sorely lacking a veteran presence with Holmes gone. I think Eboh starts. Does he remain the starter? That's a good question. He didn't at Stanford.

Overall, Stanford's grad transfers have not had a big effect on their new teams. Significant starters I remember are Casey Tucker who was a full time starter for ASU in 2018 and Charlie Hopkins who started several games fof UVa in 2015.
Others?

There are a lot more this year who might ... if there is a season.

Patrick Skov was the full-time starter at B-back in GT's triple option offense in 2015 and Brian Chaffin was the full-time starter at C for Rice last year.

This year, however, I agree - should be different. By my count, ~7 of the 11 scholarship grad transfers should start at their new schools (Costello, Williams, Swann, Eboh, Hamilton, Hattis, Powell).

Not one of them will make a difference in the win/loss column. Better to play kids who can learn on the field rather than the bench.

Only Michael Williams and maybe one or two of the OL IMO. (We're gonna be starting 2 true sophs at OG, though they'll be stronger and more familiar with the offense.) Otherwise I agree. Plus we needed most of them to leave in order to have the scholarship space. We're at 83 right now and would've been full up at 85 without the retirements of Pryts and Stratford. Though I imagine it's possible a couple other 5th years could've not been asked back had another portal guy or two returned.

[SamuelMcF]

An interesting question is whether he will start at UCLA as SMF suggested.

I don't think UCLA lost any DBs to graduation (though don't know about retention overall). Of course that was from the worst pass defense in the Pac 12 (even versus us).

Starting CB and one-time serious Stanford recruit Darnay Holmes declared early for the NFL draft (and was selected in the 4th round). You're right though that the rest of their CBs come back, but they're all young and the position is sorely lacking a veteran presence with Holmes gone. I think Eboh starts. Does he remain the starter? That's a good question. He didn't at Stanford.

Overall, Stanford's grad transfers have not had a big effect on their new teams. Significant starters I remember are Casey Tucker who was a full time starter for ASU in 2018 and Charlie Hopkins who started several games fof UVa in 2015.
Others?

There are a lot more this year who might ... if there is a season.

Patrick Skov was the full-time starter at B-back in GT's triple option offense in 2015 and Brian Chaffin was the full-time starter at C for Rice last year.

This year, however, I agree - should be different. By my count, ~7 of the 11 scholarship grad transfers should start at their new schools (Costello, Williams, Swann, Eboh, Hamilton, Hattis, Powell).

Not one of them will make a difference in the win/loss column. Better to play kids who can learn on the field rather than the bench.

Only Michael Williams and maybe one or two of the OL IMO. (We're gonna be starting 2 true sophs at OG, though they'll be stronger and more familiar with the offense.) Otherwise I agree. Plus we needed most of them to leave in order to have the scholarship space. We're at 83 right now and would've been full up at 85 without the retirements of Pryts and Stratford. Though I imagine it's possible a couple other 5th years could've not been asked back had another portal guy or two returned.

[Phogge]

Michael Williams is not Harrison Phillips nor Pete Lazetich, Greg Sampson, Jody Graves, Drew Palin or Stone Fua. Yes, he would have started and his absence will be felt but not enough to alter the bottom line. Plus he's home and good for him after giving the program four years and surviving a serious medical condition. A credit to himself and the to the U.

Now press on and begin the rebuild of a once solid defense. Is the staff up to it? Is the recruiting department up to it? I have my doubts but otherwise Gung Ho as my uncle said just before he jumped out of the Higgins Boat.

[Phogge]

Michael Williams is not Harrison Phillips nor Pete Lazetich, Greg Sampson, Jody Graves, Drew Palin or Stone Fua. Yes, he would have started and his absence will be felt but not enough to alter the bottom line. Plus he's home and good for him after giving the program four years and surviving a serious medical condition. A credit to himself and the to the U.

Now press on and begin the rebuild of a once solid defense. Is the staff up to it? Is the recruiting department up to it? I have my doubts but otherwise Gung Ho as my uncle said just before he jumped out of the Higgins Boat.

[winflop]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

Definitely not Adebo and probably not Kelly who has eligibility beyond 2020. And he'd probably backup McGill at nickel too.

Probably contributed to his decision to transfer

[winflop]

Would Eboh have started ahead of Adebo and Kelly?

BC

Definitely not Adebo and probably not Kelly who has eligibility beyond 2020. And he'd probably backup McGill at nickel too.

Probably contributed to his decision to transfer

[JustAnotherFan]

Ayden Hector would have been our best safety next year.

Probably looking at Antoine/Williamson as starters. Maybe McGilll, Jones, Gilman, or cornerback-convert-to-be-named-later will get minutes. But it will not be fun to watch deep coverage and crossing routes. McGill can tackle vs. run, not sure about the rest.

-m.

Antoine and Williamson will start.

McGill will play a lot at nickel (or safety with Antoine at nickel), and I'm actually pretty sanguine on him given the flashes he showed as a true frosh. The jump from freshman to sophomore year is usually sizable, and given the amount he has played already I can see him breaking out. Could end up being a poor man's Honey Badger depending on his development trajectory. Dude is an extremely hard worker and will continue to improve. He does have some athletic limitations but devouring film, letting the game slow down, and playing smart and disciplined is easily half the battle at safety.

Stuart Head will play a lot and JJ Parson will play significant minutes. Neither of these should happen on a P5 defense.

Jones is a CB.

I mean it's not like we don't have safeties, SamuelMcF. You don't see the likelihood of any improvement over last year? Maybe from the second-year players?

You're right. We do have 10 safeties on the roster. Here's a breakdown of the room:
- 2 converted CBs, both starters
- Jonathan McGill
- A veteran RS Jr who couldn't beat out one of the above converted CBs, even though said convert was 2 years younger and new to the position
- A true frosh
- FIVE current or former walk-ons

Does this inspire confidence in you? The room is a total mess under the watchful eye of "the best DB coach in college football."

To answer your question, I do see likely improvement over last year from the ONE second-year scholarship player, Jonathan McGill. I suppose Williamson could count as a second-year player too as this will be his second year at safety. I honestly didn't notice much about his play, which probably means he's alright given how much I scrutinized the position last year. Now that I think about it, there's definitely the possibility of improvement in his second year fully entrenched at the position, but again our track record with converted CBs has me concerned until proven otherwise.

Looking at some others:

Spencer Jorgensen and Brock Jones were both walk-on true frosh who played every single game on STs because half the team was dead. I do wonder if we'll see anything from them. Oregon comeback hero Noah Williams received his scholarship, made that insane game-saving forced fumble in Autzen stadium, and then just...disappeared from the position, pretty much only appearing on STs after that. I also thought Nicolas Toomer would come in as a safety for us, but apparently he's a CB - we could really use him here instead, at the very least for credible depth. Now if we convert him, he'll be yet another converted CB. Bummer.


All this said, we might legitimately be taking FOUR bonafide safeties in this recruiting class. That's fine by me, if a bit of an over-correction. The position clearly needs a ground-up rebuild (McGill isn't a bad start and Gilman is obviously TBD), you can play three at a time in nickel packages plus use the depth on STs, and the CB conversions haven't been working.

None of these guys will be starting this year. There will not be a football season this year.

[JustAnotherFan]

Ayden Hector would have been our best safety next year.

Probably looking at Antoine/Williamson as starters. Maybe McGilll, Jones, Gilman, or cornerback-convert-to-be-named-later will get minutes. But it will not be fun to watch deep coverage and crossing routes. McGill can tackle vs. run, not sure about the rest.

-m.

Antoine and Williamson will start.

McGill will play a lot at nickel (or safety with Antoine at nickel), and I'm actually pretty sanguine on him given the flashes he showed as a true frosh. The jump from freshman to sophomore year is usually sizable, and given the amount he has played already I can see him breaking out. Could end up being a poor man's Honey Badger depending on his development trajectory. Dude is an extremely hard worker and will continue to improve. He does have some athletic limitations but devouring film, letting the game slow down, and playing smart and disciplined is easily half the battle at safety.

Stuart Head will play a lot and JJ Parson will play significant minutes. Neither of these should happen on a P5 defense.

Jones is a CB.

I mean it's not like we don't have safeties, SamuelMcF. You don't see the likelihood of any improvement over last year? Maybe from the second-year players?

You're right. We do have 10 safeties on the roster. Here's a breakdown of the room:
- 2 converted CBs, both starters
- Jonathan McGill
- A veteran RS Jr who couldn't beat out one of the above converted CBs, even though said convert was 2 years younger and new to the position
- A true frosh
- FIVE current or former walk-ons

Does this inspire confidence in you? The room is a total mess under the watchful eye of "the best DB coach in college football."

To answer your question, I do see likely improvement over last year from the ONE second-year scholarship player, Jonathan McGill. I suppose Williamson could count as a second-year player too as this will be his second year at safety. I honestly didn't notice much about his play, which probably means he's alright given how much I scrutinized the position last year. Now that I think about it, there's definitely the possibility of improvement in his second year fully entrenched at the position, but again our track record with converted CBs has me concerned until proven otherwise.

Looking at some others:

Spencer Jorgensen and Brock Jones were both walk-on true frosh who played every single game on STs because half the team was dead. I do wonder if we'll see anything from them. Oregon comeback hero Noah Williams received his scholarship, made that insane game-saving forced fumble in Autzen stadium, and then just...disappeared from the position, pretty much only appearing on STs after that. I also thought Nicolas Toomer would come in as a safety for us, but apparently he's a CB - we could really use him here instead, at the very least for credible depth. Now if we convert him, he'll be yet another converted CB. Bummer.


All this said, we might legitimately be taking FOUR bonafide safeties in this recruiting class. That's fine by me, if a bit of an over-correction. The position clearly needs a ground-up rebuild (McGill isn't a bad start and Gilman is obviously TBD), you can play three at a time in nickel packages plus use the depth on STs, and the CB conversions haven't been working.

None of these guys will be starting this year. There will not be a football season this year.

[lex24]

Ayden Hector would have been our best safety next year.

Probably looking at Antoine/Williamson as starters. Maybe McGilll, Jones, Gilman, or cornerback-convert-to-be-named-later will get minutes. But it will not be fun to watch deep coverage and crossing routes. McGill can tackle vs. run, not sure about the rest.

-m.

Antoine and Williamson will start.

McGill will play a lot at nickel (or safety with Antoine at nickel), and I'm actually pretty sanguine on him given the flashes he showed as a true frosh. The jump from freshman to sophomore year is usually sizable, and given the amount he has played already I can see him breaking out. Could end up being a poor man's Honey Badger depending on his development trajectory. Dude is an extremely hard worker and will continue to improve. He does have some athletic limitations but devouring film, letting the game slow down, and playing smart and disciplined is easily half the battle at safety.

Stuart Head will play a lot and JJ Parson will play significant minutes. Neither of these should happen on a P5 defense.

Jones is a CB.

I mean it's not like we don't have safeties, SamuelMcF. You don't see the likelihood of any improvement over last year? Maybe from the second-year players?

You're right. We do have 10 safeties on the roster. Here's a breakdown of the room:
- 2 converted CBs, both starters
- Jonathan McGill
- A veteran RS Jr who couldn't beat out one of the above converted CBs, even though said convert was 2 years younger and new to the position
- A true frosh
- FIVE current or former walk-ons

Does this inspire confidence in you? The room is a total mess under the watchful eye of "the best DB coach in college football."

To answer your question, I do see likely improvement over last year from the ONE second-year scholarship player, Jonathan McGill. I suppose Williamson could count as a second-year player too as this will be his second year at safety. I honestly didn't notice much about his play, which probably means he's alright given how much I scrutinized the position last year. Now that I think about it, there's definitely the possibility of improvement in his second year fully entrenched at the position, but again our track record with converted CBs has me concerned until proven otherwise.

Looking at some others:

Spencer Jorgensen and Brock Jones were both walk-on true frosh who played every single game on STs because half the team was dead. I do wonder if we'll see anything from them. Oregon comeback hero Noah Williams received his scholarship, made that insane game-saving forced fumble in Autzen stadium, and then just...disappeared from the position, pretty much only appearing on STs after that. I also thought Nicolas Toomer would come in as a safety for us, but apparently he's a CB - we could really use him here instead, at the very least for credible depth. Now if we convert him, he'll be yet another converted CB. Bummer.


All this said, we might legitimately be taking FOUR bonafide safeties in this recruiting class. That's fine by me, if a bit of an over-correction. The position clearly needs a ground-up rebuild (McGill isn't a bad start and Gilman is obviously TBD), you can play three at a time in nickel packages plus use the depth on STs, and the CB conversions haven't been working.

None of these guys will be starting this year. There will not be a football season this year.

Agree.

[lex24]

Ayden Hector would have been our best safety next year.

Probably looking at Antoine/Williamson as starters. Maybe McGilll, Jones, Gilman, or cornerback-convert-to-be-named-later will get minutes. But it will not be fun to watch deep coverage and crossing routes. McGill can tackle vs. run, not sure about the rest.

-m.

Antoine and Williamson will start.

McGill will play a lot at nickel (or safety with Antoine at nickel), and I'm actually pretty sanguine on him given the flashes he showed as a true frosh. The jump from freshman to sophomore year is usually sizable, and given the amount he has played already I can see him breaking out. Could end up being a poor man's Honey Badger depending on his development trajectory. Dude is an extremely hard worker and will continue to improve. He does have some athletic limitations but devouring film, letting the game slow down, and playing smart and disciplined is easily half the battle at safety.

Stuart Head will play a lot and JJ Parson will play significant minutes. Neither of these should happen on a P5 defense.

Jones is a CB.

I mean it's not like we don't have safeties, SamuelMcF. You don't see the likelihood of any improvement over last year? Maybe from the second-year players?

You're right. We do have 10 safeties on the roster. Here's a breakdown of the room:
- 2 converted CBs, both starters
- Jonathan McGill
- A veteran RS Jr who couldn't beat out one of the above converted CBs, even though said convert was 2 years younger and new to the position
- A true frosh
- FIVE current or former walk-ons

Does this inspire confidence in you? The room is a total mess under the watchful eye of "the best DB coach in college football."

To answer your question, I do see likely improvement over last year from the ONE second-year scholarship player, Jonathan McGill. I suppose Williamson could count as a second-year player too as this will be his second year at safety. I honestly didn't notice much about his play, which probably means he's alright given how much I scrutinized the position last year. Now that I think about it, there's definitely the possibility of improvement in his second year fully entrenched at the position, but again our track record with converted CBs has me concerned until proven otherwise.

Looking at some others:

Spencer Jorgensen and Brock Jones were both walk-on true frosh who played every single game on STs because half the team was dead. I do wonder if we'll see anything from them. Oregon comeback hero Noah Williams received his scholarship, made that insane game-saving forced fumble in Autzen stadium, and then just...disappeared from the position, pretty much only appearing on STs after that. I also thought Nicolas Toomer would come in as a safety for us, but apparently he's a CB - we could really use him here instead, at the very least for credible depth. Now if we convert him, he'll be yet another converted CB. Bummer.


All this said, we might legitimately be taking FOUR bonafide safeties in this recruiting class. That's fine by me, if a bit of an over-correction. The position clearly needs a ground-up rebuild (McGill isn't a bad start and Gilman is obviously TBD), you can play three at a time in nickel packages plus use the depth on STs, and the CB conversions haven't been working.

None of these guys will be starting this year. There will not be a football season this year.

Agree.

[CowboyIndian]

Ayden Hector would have been our best safety next year.

Probably looking at Antoine/Williamson as starters. Maybe McGilll, Jones, Gilman, or cornerback-convert-to-be-named-later will get minutes. But it will not be fun to watch deep coverage and crossing routes. McGill can tackle vs. run, not sure about the rest.

-m.

Antoine and Williamson will start.

McGill will play a lot at nickel (or safety with Antoine at nickel), and I'm actually pretty sanguine on him given the flashes he showed as a true frosh. The jump from freshman to sophomore year is usually sizable, and given the amount he has played already I can see him breaking out. Could end up being a poor man's Honey Badger depending on his development trajectory. Dude is an extremely hard worker and will continue to improve. He does have some athletic limitations but devouring film, letting the game slow down, and playing smart and disciplined is easily half the battle at safety.

Stuart Head will play a lot and JJ Parson will play significant minutes. Neither of these should happen on a P5 defense.

Jones is a CB.

I mean it's not like we don't have safeties, SamuelMcF. You don't see the likelihood of any improvement over last year? Maybe from the second-year players?

You're right. We do have 10 safeties on the roster. Here's a breakdown of the room:
- 2 converted CBs, both starters
- Jonathan McGill
- A veteran RS Jr who couldn't beat out one of the above converted CBs, even though said convert was 2 years younger and new to the position
- A true frosh
- FIVE current or former walk-ons

Does this inspire confidence in you? The room is a total mess under the watchful eye of "the best DB coach in college football."

To answer your question, I do see likely improvement over last year from the ONE second-year scholarship player, Jonathan McGill. I suppose Williamson could count as a second-year player too as this will be his second year at safety. I honestly didn't notice much about his play, which probably means he's alright given how much I scrutinized the position last year. Now that I think about it, there's definitely the possibility of improvement in his second year fully entrenched at the position, but again our track record with converted CBs has me concerned until proven otherwise.

Looking at some others:

Spencer Jorgensen and Brock Jones were both walk-on true frosh who played every single game on STs because half the team was dead. I do wonder if we'll see anything from them. Oregon comeback hero Noah Williams received his scholarship, made that insane game-saving forced fumble in Autzen stadium, and then just...disappeared from the position, pretty much only appearing on STs after that. I also thought Nicolas Toomer would come in as a safety for us, but apparently he's a CB - we could really use him here instead, at the very least for credible depth. Now if we convert him, he'll be yet another converted CB. Bummer.


All this said, we might legitimately be taking FOUR bonafide safeties in this recruiting class. That's fine by me, if a bit of an over-correction. The position clearly needs a ground-up rebuild (McGill isn't a bad start and Gilman is obviously TBD), you can play three at a time in nickel packages plus use the depth on STs, and the CB conversions haven't been working.

None of these guys will be starting this year. There will not be a football season this year.

Agree.

Are you agreeing with yourself? :)

[CowboyIndian]

Ayden Hector would have been our best safety next year.

Probably looking at Antoine/Williamson as starters. Maybe McGilll, Jones, Gilman, or cornerback-convert-to-be-named-later will get minutes. But it will not be fun to watch deep coverage and crossing routes. McGill can tackle vs. run, not sure about the rest.

-m.

Antoine and Williamson will start.

McGill will play a lot at nickel (or safety with Antoine at nickel), and I'm actually pretty sanguine on him given the flashes he showed as a true frosh. The jump from freshman to sophomore year is usually sizable, and given the amount he has played already I can see him breaking out. Could end up being a poor man's Honey Badger depending on his development trajectory. Dude is an extremely hard worker and will continue to improve. He does have some athletic limitations but devouring film, letting the game slow down, and playing smart and disciplined is easily half the battle at safety.

Stuart Head will play a lot and JJ Parson will play significant minutes. Neither of these should happen on a P5 defense.

Jones is a CB.

I mean it's not like we don't have safeties, SamuelMcF. You don't see the likelihood of any improvement over last year? Maybe from the second-year players?

You're right. We do have 10 safeties on the roster. Here's a breakdown of the room:
- 2 converted CBs, both starters
- Jonathan McGill
- A veteran RS Jr who couldn't beat out one of the above converted CBs, even though said convert was 2 years younger and new to the position
- A true frosh
- FIVE current or former walk-ons

Does this inspire confidence in you? The room is a total mess under the watchful eye of "the best DB coach in college football."

To answer your question, I do see likely improvement over last year from the ONE second-year scholarship player, Jonathan McGill. I suppose Williamson could count as a second-year player too as this will be his second year at safety. I honestly didn't notice much about his play, which probably means he's alright given how much I scrutinized the position last year. Now that I think about it, there's definitely the possibility of improvement in his second year fully entrenched at the position, but again our track record with converted CBs has me concerned until proven otherwise.

Looking at some others:

Spencer Jorgensen and Brock Jones were both walk-on true frosh who played every single game on STs because half the team was dead. I do wonder if we'll see anything from them. Oregon comeback hero Noah Williams received his scholarship, made that insane game-saving forced fumble in Autzen stadium, and then just...disappeared from the position, pretty much only appearing on STs after that. I also thought Nicolas Toomer would come in as a safety for us, but apparently he's a CB - we could really use him here instead, at the very least for credible depth. Now if we convert him, he'll be yet another converted CB. Bummer.


All this said, we might legitimately be taking FOUR bonafide safeties in this recruiting class. That's fine by me, if a bit of an over-correction. The position clearly needs a ground-up rebuild (McGill isn't a bad start and Gilman is obviously TBD), you can play three at a time in nickel packages plus use the depth on STs, and the CB conversions haven't been working.

None of these guys will be starting this year. There will not be a football season this year.

Agree.

Are you agreeing with yourself? :)