Now the '23 class will have a chance to have it's say but IMO, it doesn't have the opportunity as true freshmen that the '22 class did. Let's look closer.
'22 early impact players:
RBs Singleton (31st overall recruit) and Allen (155th overall recruit) took over and were the top 2 freshmen duo in the country
LB Carter (287th overall recruit) was a freshman all-american
DE Dennis-Sutton (29th overall recruit) was a freshman all-american with good numbers in depth reps
OT Shelton (122nd overall recruit) stepped in and started, playing well when 1st round projection Fashanu went down
QB Allar (32nd overall recruit) took over the backup QB role and played well mostly after the games were in hand
DT Durant (331st overall recruit) earned regular reps in the DL rotation and played well for a freshman
WR Evans (541st overall recruit) earned regular reps in the WR rotation
OG Loane (573rd overall recruit) came in with some injuries and played well, even with a noticeable pancake
Others saw very limited reps
If you look at our transfer additions this year, WR Tinsley did quite well, DE Robinson was perhaps the most disruptive on the DL, and OL Nourzad played well in almost a co-starter role
Now let's evaluate the '23 class opportunities:
Our highest rated recruits are OTs Williams (40th overall recruit), Birchmeier (52nd overall recruit) and Onoh (259th overall recruit) but we seem to be set with OT with Fashanu, Wallace, and Shelton returning. Maybe these guys find a 2nd string role this year?
Next highest ranked position seems to be Safeties Mack (87th overall recruit), Nelson (169th overall recruit), and Washington (170th overall recruit). 2 deep may already be set with Ellis, Reed, Winston, and Wheatley. Not sure how much time these guys get immediately unless one or more is a clear upgrade.
Next highest ranked position seems to be LBs Rojas (86th overall recruit), Keys (266th overall recruit) and Robinson (276th overall recruit). I can see 2nd string roles for one or more of these guys this year but there isn't an opening at the moment with Jacobs, likely King, and Carter projected starters.
TEs Rappleyea (126th overall recruit), Schlaffer (306th overall recruit), and Barnwell (415th overall recruit) are coming into a room that is loaded. I don't know how much time they get at all this year. You'd have to think that they may figure in heavily as sophomores though.
DEs Lyons (257th overall recruit), Mupoyi (386th overall recruit), and Robinson (697th overall recruit) are going to have a difficult time seeing time with a pretty strong 3 deep returning at DE.
OG Donkoh (413th overall recruit) is going to have time to develop with depth at the position this year.
CBs Tracy (442nd overall recruit) and Payne (604th overall recruit) have an outside shot at 2nd string depth but I've heard that Washington (170th overall recruit) may be also starting as a CB.
QB Smolik (729th overall recruit) will by almost default be 3rd string. Let's hope it never comes to that.
WR Taylor (365th overall recruit) would have a shot at depth if he can surpass some of the '22 recruits who have yet to make their mark.
RBs Montgomery (414th overall recruit) and Wallace (892nd overall recruit) will by potentially default be 3rd string. Montgomery is coming off of injury so may not be ready. Maybe Tank keeps his 3rd string reps?
DT Blanding (746th overall recruit) will likely have time to develop as depth above him is more ready.
Now where the '23 inbound impact will come is from the transfers. WRs Cephas (could be WR1) and McClain are likely to take a prominent role and immediate impact. CB Duck is at worst 2nd string and will get lots of game action. Punter Thompson will battle Bacchetta for the starting job.
Overall analysis:
The '22 class was ripe for early impact and did not disappoint. In fact, they absolutely delivered more than we realistically could have expected. But there were holes in our roster that don't exist for 2023. So, I don't know if we see a single 2023 recruit start a game and the vast majority will probably redshirt. This is a product of having a more complete roster. There are some really strong recruits in that '23 class but I think they will have time to develop before they make their mark. Plus, OL may be the top recruited position of this class and that position usually takes time to develop.
However, '23 transfer inbounds will make a huge immediate impact in my estimation. WR was a question mark and we landed 2 studs at the position. CB depth was needed and a strong player was added. Punter, we'll see but that looks like a good addition as well.
'22 early impact players:
RBs Singleton (31st overall recruit) and Allen (155th overall recruit) took over and were the top 2 freshmen duo in the country
LB Carter (287th overall recruit) was a freshman all-american
DE Dennis-Sutton (29th overall recruit) was a freshman all-american with good numbers in depth reps
OT Shelton (122nd overall recruit) stepped in and started, playing well when 1st round projection Fashanu went down
QB Allar (32nd overall recruit) took over the backup QB role and played well mostly after the games were in hand
DT Durant (331st overall recruit) earned regular reps in the DL rotation and played well for a freshman
WR Evans (541st overall recruit) earned regular reps in the WR rotation
OG Loane (573rd overall recruit) came in with some injuries and played well, even with a noticeable pancake
Others saw very limited reps
If you look at our transfer additions this year, WR Tinsley did quite well, DE Robinson was perhaps the most disruptive on the DL, and OL Nourzad played well in almost a co-starter role
Now let's evaluate the '23 class opportunities:
Our highest rated recruits are OTs Williams (40th overall recruit), Birchmeier (52nd overall recruit) and Onoh (259th overall recruit) but we seem to be set with OT with Fashanu, Wallace, and Shelton returning. Maybe these guys find a 2nd string role this year?
Next highest ranked position seems to be Safeties Mack (87th overall recruit), Nelson (169th overall recruit), and Washington (170th overall recruit). 2 deep may already be set with Ellis, Reed, Winston, and Wheatley. Not sure how much time these guys get immediately unless one or more is a clear upgrade.
Next highest ranked position seems to be LBs Rojas (86th overall recruit), Keys (266th overall recruit) and Robinson (276th overall recruit). I can see 2nd string roles for one or more of these guys this year but there isn't an opening at the moment with Jacobs, likely King, and Carter projected starters.
TEs Rappleyea (126th overall recruit), Schlaffer (306th overall recruit), and Barnwell (415th overall recruit) are coming into a room that is loaded. I don't know how much time they get at all this year. You'd have to think that they may figure in heavily as sophomores though.
DEs Lyons (257th overall recruit), Mupoyi (386th overall recruit), and Robinson (697th overall recruit) are going to have a difficult time seeing time with a pretty strong 3 deep returning at DE.
OG Donkoh (413th overall recruit) is going to have time to develop with depth at the position this year.
CBs Tracy (442nd overall recruit) and Payne (604th overall recruit) have an outside shot at 2nd string depth but I've heard that Washington (170th overall recruit) may be also starting as a CB.
QB Smolik (729th overall recruit) will by almost default be 3rd string. Let's hope it never comes to that.
WR Taylor (365th overall recruit) would have a shot at depth if he can surpass some of the '22 recruits who have yet to make their mark.
RBs Montgomery (414th overall recruit) and Wallace (892nd overall recruit) will by potentially default be 3rd string. Montgomery is coming off of injury so may not be ready. Maybe Tank keeps his 3rd string reps?
DT Blanding (746th overall recruit) will likely have time to develop as depth above him is more ready.
Now where the '23 inbound impact will come is from the transfers. WRs Cephas (could be WR1) and McClain are likely to take a prominent role and immediate impact. CB Duck is at worst 2nd string and will get lots of game action. Punter Thompson will battle Bacchetta for the starting job.
Overall analysis:
The '22 class was ripe for early impact and did not disappoint. In fact, they absolutely delivered more than we realistically could have expected. But there were holes in our roster that don't exist for 2023. So, I don't know if we see a single 2023 recruit start a game and the vast majority will probably redshirt. This is a product of having a more complete roster. There are some really strong recruits in that '23 class but I think they will have time to develop before they make their mark. Plus, OL may be the top recruited position of this class and that position usually takes time to develop.
However, '23 transfer inbounds will make a huge immediate impact in my estimation. WR was a question mark and we landed 2 studs at the position. CB depth was needed and a strong player was added. Punter, we'll see but that looks like a good addition as well.
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