Gap Down Backer.

[Soapy]

It would be them folk in Gainesville making a problem

like my dawg redsox be saying...FUCK EM!

[Soapy]

The Road Back to Charlotte: Stanford needs to iron out these positions in fall camp
Sam Bitonio, CBS College Football Writer • 4 min read

Bubba Mack took Stanford to their first ever ACC Championship Game in his first season as head coach of the Cardinal, turning around a program that won just three games at a much quicker rate than anyone would have expected. He did it with a Heisman finalist quarterback in Tavien St. Clair that he inherited, a dominant running game and secondary that he helped build through the transfer portal last spring and a Mackey Award winner at tight end that he unearth.

If the Cardinal are going to make it back to Charlotte and compete for a playoff spot once more, they'll need to replace a lot of talent that graduated, declared for the draft or entered the transfer portal. In some positions, they did. In others, it's still a work in progress as fall camp begins this week.

Let's dive into those.

Quarterback
Departure Tavien St. Clair: Pro Draft (First Round) » 528-817, 6207 Yds, 43 TD, 24 INT, Sacked 42x, 248 Car, 1530 Yds, 19 TD
Replacement candidates Alex Rowe (redshirt freshman), Zach Hoppes (redshirt junior)
Confidence 4/10

While the scaffolding around the quarterback position has improved this offseason with an offensive line that should be improved and potentially three starter caliber running backs with the addition of Jamarice Wilder (potentially) and Trumaine Lasike in the portal, Stanford's offense still ran through their quarterback last year. The operation will probably look different no matter who is at quarterback but ultimately, you need to be able to throw the ball when you need to and with these two candidates, there's not much of a proof of concept with either.

Alex Rowe was a late add to Mack's transitional class so he does have some familiarity with the offense but in the spring, it was Kansas transfer Zach Hoppes that looked more impressive. Hoppes is the better athlete of the two and while he doesn't the natural arm talent of Rowe, he does seem to have a knack for finding his receivers on time and placing a very catchable.

At this junction, it looks like it's Hoppes job to lose entering fall camp but Rowe could make a late push if he has a really strong few weeks or Hoppes' struggles,

Safety
Departure Xavier Squires: Transfer Portal » 194 Tkl, 6 TFL, 6 INT
Replacement candidates Alec Dalton (redshirt junior), Ricky Trewyn (senior)
Confidence 6/10

Squires was a key piece in helping steady this defense year over year and was certainly one of the team's better defensive players before entering the portal. Stanford, after failing to get his replacement in the portal, has moved last year's starting cornerback Jimmie Winston to safety but still need another safety to replace the pair of Squires and Darrius Davis, who graduated.

They have two distinct options in Alex Dalton, a bigger safety at 200 pounds whose more of your box safety type and then Ricky Trewyn who has some length at six-foot-two but is on the lighter side at 190 pounds and is the better coverage guy of the two. Dalton is an impressive athlete so the coaching staff could decide to roll him out there and hope that he gets better over time as the upside is certainly higher for Dalton while Trewyn is the more safer pick in coverage although he could put more stress on the second level of the defense due to his lack of run support.

The likely outcome is we see both players throughout the early portion of the season until one of them solidifies that starting role.

Slot receiver
Departure Deon Jasso: Transfer Portal » 98 Rec, 1288 Yds, 7 TD, 6 Drops
Replacement candidates De'Angelo Everett (sophomore), Eduardo Enriquez (redshirt junior), Sam Tonga (redshirt junior), Zach Yelk (sophomore)
Confidence 8/10

Jasso was a huge piece of this offense last year, leading the receiver room with the most catches, yards and touchdowns. Why the high confidence they'll be able to replace him? First, the offense is slot friendly with the ways they're able to scheme easy touches for the position so whoever ends up playing is going to get a few targets a game just within the flow of the offense. Secondly, there are plenty of different options and all of them are intriguing and appealing with the potential to even upgrade the position.

The most 'natural' transition would be De'Angelo Everett who is a very similar athlete profile to Jasso as a jitterbug type of slot receiver. Eduardo Enriquez played some last year, catching fourteen passes and a touchdown as a bigger slot receiver at six-foot-five and 206 pounds, almost like a tight end at the position. The same can be said for Zach Yelk who has the ability to play both outside and in the slot and is a former four-star recruit that is entering his second year.

My favorite to win the job, however, is Sam Tonga, the transfer from Oregon State. He had 811 receiving yards last season for the Beavers and is a veteran receiver that knows how to get open, read defensive leverages and has reliable hands. He might not have the huge upside of the other guys but he's certainly the most experienced of the bunch.

Linebacker
Departure Sam Mattingly: Graduation » 189 Tkl, 27 TFL, 4.5 Sacks
Replacement candidates Desmond Spann (redshirt sophomore), Isaiah Lanovoi (redshirt junior), Richard Caussin (redshirt sophomore)
Confidence 8/10

Mattingly played a lot of good football for Stanford last year, as did fellow senior Maxwell Richardson who started a few games as well when Manu Toomer got hurt. Toomer now elevates into that 'green dot' role as the signal caller, replacing Mattingly so this is really Toomer's replacement as that weakside linebacker.

Isaiah Lanovoi played plenty last year with 27 tackles on the season, spelling both Mattingly and Toomer at times so clearly he's able to play either spot but Desmond Spann is a real contender entering fall camp. He flashed in his limited snaps last year, mostly in garbage time, but is a high motor player that flies to the football. A sleeper name to watch is Richard Caussin who played most of the bowl game last year and showed some promise, finishing he year with eighteen tackles and a pass breakup.

[redsox907]

4/10 confidence at QB?

might be a rough sophomore season in Palo

[Soapy]

4/10 confidence at QB?

might be a rough sophomore season in Palo

St. Clair was damn near 99 overall, gonna be a step down no matter what

[Soapy]

Stanford Football: 2029 Cardinal Season Preview and Prediction
Athlon Sports Staff Writer • 8 min read

Head coach: Bubba Mack (2nd year)
Offensive Coordinator: Richard Wiley (2nd year)
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Stewart (2nd year)
2028 record: 11-3, 6-2 (2nd in ACC)
Preseason All-American: None
Preseason All-ACC: HB Jamarice Wilder (second), C J.J. Sauer (second), CB Rukeem Stroud (second)

It didn't take long for Bubba Mack and his coaching staff to turn things around for Stanford, flipping their record from a three-win team to a three-loss team that made it to the ACC Championship Game and had a Heisman finalist at quarterback. This season, however, brings its own challenges as they look to maintain that level of play while also having to replace some major losses to the draft, graduation and transfer portal

Previewing Stanford's Offense for 2029
Richard Wiley's offense was a match made in heaven for last year's starter in Tavien St. Clair who nearly took home the Heisman. The Cardinal were also able to rely on a running game, bolstered by St. Clair's scrambling ability, to take them all the way to the ACC Championship Game and nearly made the playoffs.

While there is uncertainty at quarterback following backup quarterback Josh Ghee's departure to Michigan, we do know that Stanford is loaded at running back with Trent Parrish, who rushed for 1,079 yards last year for Stanford, and then in the portal, they added Iowa State's Trumaine Lasike and then got a late addition in Jamarice Wilder following his exit from Florida.

The offensive line is also a strength with three returning starters and two pickups in the portal in top ranked left tackle Neil Pryor from Wisconsin and a three-year starter in Alexander Mixon whose started in 37 games at both Toledo and Kentucky.

The passing game, however, will need to prove itself after losing not only St. Clair to the draft at quarterback but also lost their top two receivers in Deon Jasso (portal) and Jeremiah Ware (graduation). At quarterback, it's a thin room with only two scholarship players in Zach Hoppes, the transfer from Kansas, and Alex Rowe. Neither player have started a football game at the college level but Hoppes, the redshirt junior, appears to be the favorite to win the job.

Whoever does, they'll likely serve the role of game manager and will just need to be able to get the ball efficiently to Mackey Award winner Tyrone Nicks at tight end and then they do have some talented players out wide, led by Illinois transfer Jalen Ramsay who was a 1,000-yard receiver at San Jose State and caught 48 passes last year at Illinois.

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Previewing Stanford's Defense for 2029
This defense projects to be a strength for Stanford as they bring back Adam Shovlin and Avery Tangelo, their top two defensive ends from last year and expect to get some solid contribution from their other returning players in former four star David Calloway and a deep and veteran group at defensive tackle.

Linebacker Manu Toomer dealt with injuries last year but was a playmaker when he was healthy, recording eleven tackles for loss with three sacks and two interceptions as he returns as the unquestioned leader at linebacker, which is a deep group that includes Isaiah Lanovoi and a few younger guys in Desmond Spann, Richard Caussin and true freshman James Gattis, one of the highest ranked players in last year's recruiting class.

The secondary, which was completely revamped via the portal last year, has some familiar faces in Rukeem Stroud and Lonnie McAllister who were major contributors last season and then Jimmie Winston is making the transition from corner to safety. There are some question marks as newcomer DeAndre Megna (transfer portal) projects to be a starter in the slot while some of the returning players, such as McAllister, J.T. Kipper and safeties Malik Ricks, Alec Dalton and Ricky Trewyn move into more prominent roles.

Schedule (2028 record)
vs. USC (5-7, 4-5 Big Ten)
at #3 Michigan (11-3, 6-2 Big Ten)
OPEN
at North Carolina (7-6, 4-4 ACC)
vs. #11 Clemson (10-3, 6-2 ACC)
at #16 UCLA (10-3, 6-3 Big Ten)
vs. #6 SMU (10-3, 6-2 ACC)
at Virginia Tech (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
at #4 Miami (10-4, 8-0 ACC)
vs. Louisville (7-6, 5-3 ACC)
vs. Virginia (5-7, 2-6 ACC)
vs. California (7-6, 3-5 ACC)
vs. #5 Notre Dame (13-2)

Similar to last year, it's a gauntlet to begin the season with five ranked matchups in the first eight games of the season, not even including the opener against a USC team that should be much better than last year. They then travel to Michigan to play a top-three team in the country and when they return home, their next two home games are against No. 11 Clemson and No. 6 SMU.

Once they get through Miami on the road, who beat them twice last year, the schedule lightens up with four straight home games to end the season with very winnable matchups against Louisville, Virginia, California before facing Notre Dame in the season finale.

Projected ACC Standing: 3rd
Projected Final Record: 9-3

The questions at quarterback and in the secondary keep this from being a ten-win team while also having the potential to be a seven to eight win team if they're not able to squeeze out some one possession wins early in the season. They get Clemson, SMU and Notre Dame at home so if they can split that with a winning record and then win at least one of Michigan, UCLA and Miami on the road, the path to nine wins is there for this team.

[Captain Canada]

That front-end of the schedule is a wild ride. Going to really set the tone for how the season goes.

[redsox907]

4/10 confidence at QB?

might be a rough sophomore season in Palo

St. Clair was damn near 99 overall, gonna be a step down no matter what

I feel this. Still miss my man Bryce

[Caesar]

USC deffo a trap game. Mark it down.

[Soapy]

That front-end of the schedule is a wild ride. Going to really set the tone for how the season goes.

Can't duck no smoke. Going to try to schedule a lot of the California schools and then one "academic" school like Michigan going forward since we are reaching the portion of the chise where they are no more real life future scheduled announced yet

4/10 confidence at QB?

might be a rough sophomore season in Palo

St. Clair was damn near 99 overall, gonna be a step down no matter what

I feel this. Still miss my man Bryce

first skylar then St. Clair. heartbreak.

USC deffo a trap game. Mark it down.

Idk about trap game since they're 'better' than us on paper, just had a down year.

[Soapy]

ACC Huddle stops at Stanford: Cardinal balance talent and depth amid offseason storylines
Michael Harrell
August 22, 2029, 04:17 PM ET

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The ACC Network’s latest ACC Huddle campus visit brought reporters to Stanford, where the Cardinal opened practice to the media and offered a look at a team poised to compete at the top of the conference despite roster turnover and off-field distractions.

Offensive coordinator Richard Wiley’s system, which last year nearly helped Tavien St. Clair earn Heisman consideration, remains a perfect match for dynamic playmakers. St. Clair’s departure to the NFL leaves a gap at quarterback, but the backfield remains a strength. Trent Parrish, who rushed for 1,079 yards in 2028, leads the returning players alongside Iowa State transfer Trumaine Lasike and late addition Jamarice Wilder, who joined the program after a short stint at Florida (more on that later). The trio gives Stanford a blend of power, speed, and versatility that could make the ground game a national story again.

Stanford’s offensive line also impressed which should help a young quarterback room, with redshirt junior Zach Hoppes appearing to be the favorite to start. Backup Alex Rowe rounds out a thin but promising quarterback room. With St. Clair gone, the passing game will lean heavily on tight end Mackey Award winner Tyrone Nicks and Illinois transfer Jalen Ramsay, who returns to his home state.

During the ACC Huddle visit, Mack addressed the ongoing tampering allegations tied to Wilder, who left Florida after just one semester.

“It’s completely ridiculous,” Mack said. “We had guys play in the bowl game, ball out and all of a sudden end up in the transfer portal because they had the tape they needed to show [opposing coaches]. We’re not sitting here complaining about it, we went to work as a staff, we adjusted and we have a pretty damn good football team that you got to watch us practice. I think for some of these coaches, they can’t fathom or understand the relationship that we have with these guys and it’s more than just football. I recruited [Wilder] out the portal, got him to come to [Kennesaw State] and we had a lot of success. I don’t think it takes tampering or whatever for him to want to come play with us and what we’ve got going on. It’s the most natural thing in the world if you ask me.”

Mack added that he expects the case, which was filed jointly by Florida and Kennesaw State accusing Mack and his staff of illegally recruiting Wilder while he was enrolled at Kennesaw State and Florida, to be dismissed.

Even with quarterback questions and lingering controversy off the field, Stanford projects to be one of the ACC’s most balanced teams. The running game, offensive line depth, and veteran defensive leadership give them a high floor.