Our leader Mark has already done a great job in outlining our needs for next year based on the current returning roster, departures and some other possible ones as well. I am going to be a little more specific in who I would I like to see us get as early or late Christmas additions based on what I see. Here goes...
- QB - This one is tough. First, it does send a bit of a signal of a lack of confidence in your existing QB room, particularly at QB1 and QB2. I like both Reed and O'Neill. That said, I have questions. Does 10 have the ability to read the field, process and deliver the ball with accuracy at a high level? We've seen him make plays but we need true quarterbacking. The game sample is small so I'm willing to believe Coach Klein if he believes he can coach him up. If not, is O'Neill ready? We've all heard the cliche, "a year in system." But that only means something if the kid grasps the system and can play. We've no idea. So, do we take a chance a try to get a "bridge guy" for a year to compete? It's difficult because obviously guys want to start. In a perfect world, I'd rather one of our own guys be "the guy" so this isn't even a wish. Medium Wish
- RB - This one really, really depends on who stays, goes and health. We saw what being short on depth did to us this year. That can't happen again. Bussey filled in admirably back there but I want him developing at WR. I really like what I see from the fish. We look good on paper right now, but we did last year, too. No running backs are coming here looking at our backfield right now. I hope it stays that way and I pray for our good health. Incomplete Wish
- TE - I've gotten a little good natured postingly hammered for my views on why TEs are so important to this offense when we've seen so little production. Well, I can can only continue to say TEs are a staple of Coach Klein's offense and when we start utilizing them properly, you will see it. We did see it some in our run game (some bad, too). I would challenge many of you here to go and look at Sinott's tape at KSU to see how effectively Coach Klein can really use a TE. For us in the portal, depending on Green's recovery, I think we need two, one of which has to be a beast blocker, as well. Fire Wish (Qty 2)
- WR - I'm going to break this position up into a few needs based holdovers and wishes...
- Game Breaker - Now, we may have our guy in Myles, but a couple things. First, that's a lot to ask of a true fish and we don't know about the injury. I would prefer a bigger, faster guy in the mold of Myles. Everyone would and for those type players the bidding is going to be sky high. Also, a lot of WRs tend to be divas and Elko has already said if NIL is your # 1 priority, Aggieland ain't for you. Still, we desperately need to get bigger and faster outside. I like Noah, but I think he would be better served as true # 2 alongside a guy who can just wreck defenses on his own. Fire Wish ( Qty 1)
- Speed Slot - I am pretty unsure on the need on this one because of a few holdovers and whether they stay/where they end up playing. Campbell, Williams and Bethel-Roman are all fast but also about 50 pancakes short in stature (in Campbell's case about 250), so are they best suited for the slot? I like Bethel-Roman playing more outside, if they bulk him up as I think he's a bit faster. Williams seems more quick than fast. Honestly, I think Bussey's best position might be the slot. Just my opinion. And remember, 2 of our fish are burners but very slight right now. Fire Wish ( Qty 1)
- Outside Possession - This one might be more of a luxury if most guys come back, but we could sure use another guy who could just "get open" no matter the coverage. I believe we thought Allen was that guy this year. He just couldn't maintain. Walker is underappreciated. Medium Wish (Qty 1)
- O Line - I'll talk about this one as a group because we have really no idea who might stay and who might go. From a backup perspective, I believe we're in a better situation than we were a couple years ago but still not ideal. I'd be more concerned if our tackles left than our guards. We've already lost some interior depth so we've got to address that. Still, we're not in the immediate have go get immediate plug 'n' play scenario yet and that's a good thing. If there's one position I am concerned about at the moment, it's center. If one's out there, I say we go get him. I didn't like some of the play there after Nabou went down and pray for his speedy full recovery. Medium Fire Wish (Qty 3 - Center, for sure)
- DEs - Grrrr...my most disappointing position to think about. What can I say?! Got guys leaving so we want to see a serious reload at both SDE and WDE, but probably SDE first. I'm looking at the cupboard and it looks pretty thin right now. We are going to need to get some SEC size, talent and experience on the edge quick and in a hurry. Not that it helped us that much this year (sigh). We look look better at WDE or Jack. Some of the kids of played some like Kennedy and Howell. But no question, we need an infusion of bodies/talent hopefully equating to much, much better play next year!!! Hair on Fire Wish (Qty 3)
- DT - NOSETACKLE, NOSETACKLE, NOSETACKLE! Did I mention NOSETACKLE?! I really like Regis and I thought played well at times this year. Point being, he didn't he get much help and isn't really a true nose. He can play there but we need an earthmover to rotate with him. I'm over the moon with the potential of the fish coming in, but we should be able to ease them in. Counting on Hicks to keep coming on and see what some of the returnees like Evans have. Fire Wish (Qty 2)
- LBs - Frankly, this is the group I'm least concerned about with Scooby's announcement. I like our depth. As a group, I think they played the best of all the units on the defense. True, they missed tackles like the rest but it wasn't as abhorrent as the secondary and they were ill-protected by the line who allowed blockers to get to them far too often. Okay with It Wish
- CB - Mark's Kingdom for a # 1 cover corner! Lee coming back is a bonus. Hopefully, Ricks will progress, but a stud corner to lead the DB room would be awesome for the defense. We didn't get any pass rush most of the year, but we still couldn't cover very well, either. It was better than previously, but that's like saying the car barely hit me. It would do so much for what our defensive schemes could be if our DBs could cover like Coach Elko wants. Our fish crop is awesome, but, again, probably a year away. As far as the nickel, it depends on who comes back. May need one. Hair on Fire Wish (Qty 2, if nickel required)
- Safeties - Safety play overall was disappointing play to say the least. Guys regressed in fundamentals. Communication was terrible. But, we did have flashes of good play, so there is hope. I do like Brooks despite some goofs this year. His future is bright. Davis appears to be a monster in waiting back there. Other guys, well, slumps, just not that good or whatever else.... Could our one true fish play next year? Maybe. Not sure we have enough right now as this is a key position in our defense. Really can't have letdowns like this year. Fire Wish (Qty 1)
