Here is a look at the deletions and additions from the 24' roster. This will change several times as spring ball ends, newcomers get numbers, and the rest of the signing class arrives in summer.

Deletion:
0 Milan Tucker
2 Tyrek Funderburk
4 Nick Ross
5 Nate Noel
6 Dashaun Davis
6 EJ Jackson
7 Andrew Parker
9 Jarrett Paul
18 Ryan Burger
18 James Edwards
20 Nathan Kibambe
24 Scoobie Ford
25 Jackson Green
39 Tony Harris
41 Conner Maynard
44 Jake Mann
48 Deshawn McKnight
54 Isaiah Helms
55 Seth Williams
57 Austin Shook
62 Bucky Williams
75 Damion Daily
78 Joesph Solomon
81 Miller Gibbs
83 Coen Sutton
88 Donovan Spellman
89 August Drews
93 Karon Wright


Addition:
88 Luke Hale
Jackson Bussey
Jason Chambers
Avarion Cole
Felix Doege
Myles Farmer
Kai Fernandes
William Fowles
Jack Kelly
Trey Lenhardt
Michael Marotta
Kaleb Neal
Zavier Short
Thomas Shrader
Gabriel Simpkins
JT Sowell
Matthew Wilson
Charles Wright

Number Change:
29 to 28 Maquel Haywood
54 to 66 Danny Stevens

10 of those 28 departures are seniors. And amazingly, none of the departures were true freshman and I believe 3 redshirt freshmen.

Between the redshirts and newcomers, this team will have 40-50 some freshmen next season if everyone stays and still have a lot of experience coming back.

Didn't Scoobie leave the team during fall camp?

What happened to Auggie Drew's? Did he transfer or graduate?

AppDub wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:30 pm

What happened to Auggie Drew's? Did he transfer or graduate?

Def had eligibility left but might have graduated and bagged it.

Has a job lined up and ready to get on with life. Drews that is.

What about the D Line? Lost some and have not added any for spring enrollment.

MusicCityApp wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:53 am

What about the D Line? Lost some and have not added any for spring enrollment.

We lost 3 but only 1 of those played last year. McKnight and White didnt play, Spellman did. You're right though. DL needs to add some strength and weight or we need a couple additions to the interior...or both.

311neers wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:05 am

MusicCityApp wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:53 am

What about the D Line? Lost some and have not added any for spring enrollment.

We lost 3 but only 1 of those played last year. McKnight and White didnt play, Spellman did. You're right though. DL needs to add some strength and weight or we need a couple additions to the interior...or both.

If we don’t find some good D linemen in the portal, Joeys going to have to break that passing and TD record again. Because we’re going to need a bunch of points to win.

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:11 am

311neers wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:05 am

MusicCityApp wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:53 am

What about the D Line? Lost some and have not added any for spring enrollment.

We lost 3 but only 1 of those played last year. McKnight and White didnt play, Spellman did. You're right though. DL needs to add some strength and weight or we need a couple additions to the interior...or both.

If we don’t find some good D linemen in the portal, Joeys going to have to break that passing and TD record again. Because we’re going to need a bunch of points to win.

Clark Hopper Kelley and Farmer are going to be TIRED.

311neers wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:05 am

MusicCityApp wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:53 am

What about the D Line? Lost some and have not added any for spring enrollment.

We lost 3 but only 1 of those played last year. McKnight and White didnt play, Spellman did. You're right though. DL needs to add some strength and weight or we need a couple additions to the interior...or both.

Both.

We have three guys in Clark, Hopper and Kelly. DDP can also play some snaps if needed. Plus you have Kendall Farmer coming in although he will likely RS. DL, or NT isn’t a need given where we are with scholarships. Now if someone drops in our lap then you rethink that allocation.

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:27 am

We have three guys in Clark, Hopper and Kelly. DDP can also play some snaps if needed. Plus you have Kendall Farmer coming in although he will likely RS. DL, or NT isn’t a need given where we are with scholarships. Now if someone drops in our lap then you rethink that allocation.

Help me out, how is D-line not our most urgent need. Hopper is one hell of an athlete but he’s about 250lb and playing the tackle position in a 3/4 defense. Again, absolutely no disrespect to Hooper but the guy at the center of a 3 man line needs to be able to stay put and absorb two O-linemen to keep them from getting to the backers. Troy washed out D-line down primarily to our left and pinned our backers inside. There ability to do that repeatedly cost us any chance at that game.

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:00 pm

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:27 am

We have three guys in Clark, Hopper and Kelly. DDP can also play some snaps if needed. Plus you have Kendall Farmer coming in although he will likely RS. DL, or NT isn’t a need given where we are with scholarships. Now if someone drops in our lap then you rethink that allocation.

Help me out, how is D-line not our most urgent need. Hopper is one hell of an athlete but he’s about 250lb and playing the tackle position in a 3/4 defense. Again, absolutely no disrespect to Hooper but the guy at the center of a 3 man line needs to be able to stay put and absorb two O-linemen to keep them from getting to the backers. Troy washed out D-line down primarily to our left and pinned our backers inside. There ability to do that repeatedly cost us any chance at that game.

If your position is based on how we looked in one game, then I can understand the concern. Yes, Hopper is smallish for DT and yes, in some forms of the 3-4 the NT is supposed to absorb multiple blockers to open up holes for the LBs. But that’s not his game and quite frankly, that’s not what our NTs are taught. He is lightening quick off the ball and uses his hands very well. This allows him to get up field and create lanes for the LBs by making the OL reach for him.

Every defense and every offense has its kryptonite. Some teams are just going to be difficult to match up with and you have to get creative. The Star defense has a whole is vulnerable to physical running teams as they can wear you down. You are citing the one team last season that exploited it as a reason to make an adjustment in personnel.

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:00 pm

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:27 am

We have three guys in Clark, Hopper and Kelly. DDP can also play some snaps if needed. Plus you have Kendall Farmer coming in although he will likely RS. DL, or NT isn’t a need given where we are with scholarships. Now if someone drops in our lap then you rethink that allocation.

Help me out, how is D-line not our most urgent need. Hopper is one hell of an athlete but he’s about 250lb and playing the tackle position in a 3/4 defense. Again, absolutely no disrespect to Hooper but the guy at the center of a 3 man line needs to be able to stay put and absorb two O-linemen to keep them from getting to the backers. Troy washed out D-line down primarily to our left and pinned our backers inside. There ability to do that repeatedly cost us any chance at that game.

I agree on this. Hopper is good but I feel like he needs to bulk up or be an end. I wonder if we have tried to lure that Lenoir-Rhyne DL that is big and getting NFL looks into the portal to come up for a visit? I would love to see us get 1 more OT and a DT.

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:17 pm

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:00 pm

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:27 am

We have three guys in Clark, Hopper and Kelly. DDP can also play some snaps if needed. Plus you have Kendall Farmer coming in although he will likely RS. DL, or NT isn’t a need given where we are with scholarships. Now if someone drops in our lap then you rethink that allocation.

Help me out, how is D-line not our most urgent need. Hopper is one hell of an athlete but he’s about 250lb and playing the tackle position in a 3/4 defense. Again, absolutely no disrespect to Hooper but the guy at the center of a 3 man line needs to be able to stay put and absorb two O-linemen to keep them from getting to the backers. Troy washed out D-line down primarily to our left and pinned our backers inside. There ability to do that repeatedly cost us any chance at that game.

If your position is based on how we looked in one game, then I can understand the concern. Yes, Hopper is smallish for DT and yes, in some forms of the 3-4 the NT is supposed to absorb multiple blockers to open up holes for the LBs. But that’s not his game and quite frankly, that’s not what our NTs are taught. He is lightening quick off the ball and uses his hands very well. This allows him to get up field and create lanes for the LBs by making the OL reach for him.

Every defense and every offense has its kryptonite. Some teams are just going to be difficult to match up with and you have to get creative. The Star defense has a whole is vulnerable to physical running teams as they can wear you down. You are citing the one team last season that exploited it as a reason to make an adjustment in personnel.

What you are saying is a big reason why I am not a fan of just one scheme and like the idea of having a multiple or hybrid so you can easily flip back and forth between defenses. It was definitely our kryptonite and we are basically conceding the league if we don't make adjustments to overcome a team like Troy. Other coaches saw that and I am sure we will see more of it.

AppStFan1 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:21 pm

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:17 pm

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:00 pm

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:27 am

We have three guys in Clark, Hopper and Kelly. DDP can also play some snaps if needed. Plus you have Kendall Farmer coming in although he will likely RS. DL, or NT isn’t a need given where we are with scholarships. Now if someone drops in our lap then you rethink that allocation.

Help me out, how is D-line not our most urgent need. Hopper is one hell of an athlete but he’s about 250lb and playing the tackle position in a 3/4 defense. Again, absolutely no disrespect to Hooper but the guy at the center of a 3 man line needs to be able to stay put and absorb two O-linemen to keep them from getting to the backers. Troy washed out D-line down primarily to our left and pinned our backers inside. There ability to do that repeatedly cost us any chance at that game.

If your position is based on how we looked in one game, then I can understand the concern. Yes, Hopper is smallish for DT and yes, in some forms of the 3-4 the NT is supposed to absorb multiple blockers to open up holes for the LBs. But that’s not his game and quite frankly, that’s not what our NTs are taught. He is lightening quick off the ball and uses his hands very well. This allows him to get up field and create lanes for the LBs by making the OL reach for him.

Every defense and every offense has its kryptonite. Some teams are just going to be difficult to match up with and you have to get creative. The Star defense has a whole is vulnerable to physical running teams as they can wear you down. You are citing the one team last season that exploited it as a reason to make an adjustment in personnel.

What you are saying is a big reason why I am not a fan of just one scheme and like the idea of having a multiple or hybrid so you can easily flip back and forth between defenses. It was definitely our kryptonite and we are basically conceding the league if we don't make adjustments to overcome a team like Troy. Other coaches saw that and I am sure we will see more of it.

I’m going to stop here as these are just opinions and no one is wrong in their opinion. But I will say one thing and ask another. 1) Troy was successful and showed teams how to be successful, it doesn’t mean that they will be able to though. 2) If we enter the season without adding a NT, will people that think that we need another NT see that as a failure on the part of the staff, or will people see it as the coaches are comfortable with what they have and accept it?

What will the two deep on both lines look like….?

In the grand scheme of things (pardon the pun), but have we ever had the depth (quality depth) to run multiple schemes with our defensive line. Not sure we have. Maybe I am wrong.
There will be teams that will have success against us whether the run or the pass from time to time.
Troy....and in my personal opinion...Miami would have had some good runs if not for the 37 fumbles.
We will have matchups that we do not match up wel from time to time...and the same for opponents as it relates to us.
I thought Troy's defense hurt us more than their offense as we could not run or pass effectively. We were in the game in the 3rd quarter and then the wheels fell off. During first half, they knew exactly what our run plays were as they had secondary person running up to line based on formation...We may have still lost the game..but would have been closer if offense played more effectively.
The UNC back ran all over us...but our offense was good enough to keep up to go to 2OT.

Stonewall wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:05 pm

What will the two deep on both lines look like….?

It will be interesting to see how it shapes up after Spring ball.

Good thread . . . informative, provocative questions, even some healthy disagreement. I was eating lunch while reading it and had a fortune cookie that read "you will soon see a miracle", was this it? Ha, well done lads.