With 11 freshmen enrolling in January, who is likely to play in 2020??

[GregInPitt]

Franklin said he anticipates that 11 players will enroll in January. Those set to enroll early include RB Caziah Holmes, WR KeAndre Lambert, WR Jaden Dottin, TE Theo Johnson, OG Nick Dawkins, DT Cole Brevard, DT Fatorma Mulbah, DE Bryce Mostella, S Enzo Jennings, CB Joseph Johnson III and LB Tyler Elsdon

My guesses:

• RB Caziah Holmes - Likely, possibly returning KO's if Hamler goes to NFL and a few carries and slot receiver targets, but the RB room is already pretty full.....
• WR KeAndre Lambert - Likely that at least 1 or 2 true freshmen WR's play in 2020 and enrolling early gives Lambert and Dottin a leg up on the other 3, although Washington seems to have the most B10 ready physique. Winter S&G will be great for KL and Dottin.
• WR Jaden Dottin, same as Lambert
• Theo Johnson, Very likely to play, with Bowers moving on, Kuntz still looking somewhat light, and Strange also young.
• OG Nick Dawkins, Redshirt. Great to get him in the S&C program for the Spring, but Nick looks like a OL player that will take 2 or 3 years before competing to get in the rotation.
• DT Cole Brevard, Great chance to play, similar to how Mustopher played as the 4th, 5th, or 6th DT in the rotation and as injuries cause starters to miss snaps or games. But his road to playing time will be harder than Mustopher's was as there are more DT's ahead of Brevard than there were when PJ showed up.
• DT Fatorma Mulbah, Not likely to play. Newer to the game and although a massive athlete will need to refine his game a good bit.
• DE Bryce Mostella, A possible competitor for the DE rotation, although he is listed as being pretty lean and long. If he has the jets to pass rush who knows. I'm looking for at least one true freshmen DE to earn a spot in the rotation with YGM leaving and other possible attrition at DE.
• S Enzo Jennings, 50-50 - I'm looking for Rudolph, Jennings and the JC Safety Brown to compete to get in the Safety rotation with Wade, Sutherland and Brisker.
• CB Joseph Johnson III, Likely redshirt but possible to play some if he comes in and progresses, with Reid moving on and other possible attrition at CB. Likely 4 game player.
• LB Tyler Elsdon - Redshirt. Just too much young LB talent ahead of him.

Thoughts???

 

[eidolon21]

Think Dawkins grows into a OT (couple inches/ 30lbs) and becomes a great player.

 

[sss]

Looks like you based early PT based on recruiting ratings. I guess that tracks to some degree. Rarely is a FR OL or DT ready to contribute much in their 1st year. You also forgot the ND transfer, who I suspect will be in the S mix this year. The good news is that we finally have the depth that critical play is not needed at almost any position. Talent that is so good it can’t be kept off the field is a good thing.

 

[GregInPitt]

Think Dawkins grows into a OT (couple inches/ 30lbs) and becomes a great player.

Yep, it was discussed that his Pappy grew considerably in his late teen's..... so that's a possibility. Limegrover is going to have his hands full replacing Fries and likely Walker at OT going into the 2021 season......

 

[GregInPitt]

Looks like you based early PT based on recruiting ratings. I guess that tracks to some degree. Rarely is a FR OL or DT ready to contribute much in their 1st year. You also forgot the ND transfer, who I suspect will be in the S mix this year. The good news is that we finally have the depth that critical play is not needed at almost any position. Talent that is so good it can’t be kept off the field is a good thing.

Yep, Holmes could be a factor at Safety. He'll be a redshirt Junior for 2020 so it's pretty much make it or break it time this Spring and into Fall camp for him. Holmes looks like a big strong athlete and it was surprising he didn't really see the field at Safety this season, but he did change positions from RB not too long ago....

And if Porter would move to Safety this Spring due to his size and progress in the S&C program that would likely seal Jennings' redshirt....... baring injuries.

 

[GregInPitt]

Looks like you based early PT based on recruiting ratings. I guess that tracks to some degree. Rarely is a FR OL or DT ready to contribute much in their 1st year. You also forgot the ND transfer, who I suspect will be in the S mix this year. The good news is that we finally have the depth that critical play is not needed at almost any position. Talent that is so good it can’t be kept off the field is a good thing.

Not just recruiting ratings, but the needs at WR are obvious and we are losing a good bit at DB.

And although there seems to be decent numbers returning on the DL, the 4-6 player rotations necessary to get through a season to keep players fresh and due to injuries usually require contributions from talented young players.

 

[MJG-90]

I think the entire class could potentially redshirt and less than a handful might not by actually playing in more than four games. I can't see any of them burning their redshirts unless they are clearly better than other options. The only spots I can see that is TE (T Johnson) and LB (Jacobs). Maybe the JUCO's play too, but neither of the two will be on campus until the summer. And possibly another WR beats out the field as well (based on my untrained eye, I only see Parker W being that ready).

Since we are still seven over (eight until Shorter officially transfers) the 85 limit, I reserve the right to change my mind once we know the actual roster.

 

[83wuzme]

I have to believe the door is pretty much wide open at WR, especially if KJ declares. So I would be willing to bet that Lambert and Dottin see significant snaps in 2020.
At safety, I can see Jennings getting some time.

 

[GregInPitt]

I think the entire class could potentially redshirt and less than a handful might not by actually playing in more than four games. I can't see any of them burning their redshirts unless they are clearly better than other options. The only spots I can see that is TE (T Johnson) and LB (Jacobs). Maybe the JUCO's play too, but neither of the two will be on campus until the summer. And possibly another WR beats out the field as well (based on my untrained eye, I only see Parker W being that ready).

Since we are still seven over (eight until Shorter officially transfers) the 85 limit, I reserve the right to change my mind once we know the actual roster.

Yep as CJF has built up the talent not as many true freshmen need to play more than the 4 games allowed, but I have a hard time finding the 5 or 6 WR's necessary to get through a season to support a dynamic offense that can actually catch a football without including some true freshmen....

And yes Washington seems to have a more college ready physique, but enrolling early will give Lambert and Dottin a big head start. See you at the B/W game!!

It will be hard to keep Jacobs off the field, but Dixon redshirted and he was a 5 star. Jacobs looks more physical than Dixon and if Jacobs is a demon on special teams coverage that could get him on the field the way Luketa played his true freshman season.

 

[MJG-90]

Yep as CJF has built up the talent not as many true freshmen need to play more than the 4 games allowed, but I have a hard time finding the 5 or 6 WR's necessary to get through a season to support a dynamic offense that can actually catch a football without including some true freshmen....

Right. That's why I allowed for the JUCO and maybe Parker W to play. And reserved the right to change my mind after we know exactly who transfers / leaves for the NFL.

 

[1000_OaksLion]

From that group Brevard is most likely to burn his redshirt. He's bigger than all the current DTs except Mustipher, Hansard and Shelton. His film is excellent.

TE Johnson will definitely burn his because he needs experience to take over for Pat the following year. Kuntz and Strange appear to be complimentary TE types.

I will say Brevard and Johnson are locks not to RS, the others who knows. Holmes is very talented and could be used as a KR specialist although I don't see burning a redshirt to be a KR specialist.

 

[GregInPitt]

Right. That's why I allowed for the JUCO and maybe Parker W to play. And reserved the right to change my mind after we know exactly who transfers / leaves for the NFL.

Normally we'd expect a JUCO WR to come in and have a leg up on true freshmen WR's, but CJF alluded to Black being pretty thin and that a redshirt year is probably likely. Black seems thinner than either Dotting or Lambert, both of whom will have the benefit of Winter S&C and Spring practice which Black will not. But it's great to have 7 new WR's competing, including the 2 that redshirted in 2019 (Dunmore & Jones), as we sure need some WR's that can make plays to step up and surprise us!!

 

[Texas Lion]

all of them except Bowens will play.....

 

[BBrown]

I think the entire class could potentially redshirt and less than a handful might not by actually playing in more than four games. I can't see any of them burning their redshirts unless they are clearly better than other options. The only spots I can see that is TE (T Johnson) and LB (Jacobs). Maybe the JUCO's play too, but neither of the two will be on campus until the summer. And possibly another WR beats out the field as well (based on my untrained eye, I only see Parker W being that ready).

Since we are still seven over (eight until Shorter officially transfers) the 85 limit, I reserve the right to change my mind once we know the actual roster.

+1 on Parker Washington.

 

[rigi11]

If the freshman WRs play, will they get the ball?

How many WRs on the roster will have over 10 catches for the season?

 

[danvillenit]

If Hamlin leaves, at least one and probably two WR will have to play significant minutes. We will need them to be real contributors if the playoffs are a real possibility. I include Dunmore in that group