Best Player = C Curtis Bono (95)
Best Returning Starter = TE Alexander Prosinski (94)
Freshman Impact = OG Eli Linsday
Breakout Player = QB James Leamon (88)
X Factor = WR Mailau Mix (85)
Underrated = HB Eric Carswell (88)
Strength = OL and TE
Weakness = WR
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3 Biggest Questions
1. Can anyone even halfway slow down the powerbone offense?
2. Will Leamon take the big leap in year 3 and be a Heisman candidate?
3. What will the massive TE Alexander Prosinksi do in his final year?
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Scouts Take
_____________________________________________The offense is loaded and it all starts with the OL it's the best one they have ever had and that's saying a lot. Maybe they are some with higher ratings, but when you look at the whole picture it's the best they have had. The worst run blocker in the starting lineup has 93 run block. That QB didn't improve his accuracy as much as expected and instead focused on speed. He's dynamite on the ground now so look for more triple options. That big TE is such a weapon he catches everything and is is massive at 6'6 and 281 pounds a once in a generation prospect since he also has speed and can block. Mix at WR gives them legit speed something they haven't had so will be interesting to see how they use him. The 2 starting WR's are both strong as oxes as well. The HB room as always is loaded and they spread the wealth
QB Preview
This should be the breakout year for the 1st ever 5* QB in school history as he goes into his 3rd year. The first year he split time and the 2nd he was hampered by injuries and other factors. He is a dynamite athlete perfect for this offense with 94 speed, 96 accel, 99 agility and gold abilities of downhill, extender and option king. A good not great arm with 91 power and accuracy in the 80's. His 94 throw on the run combined with speed is key. He did spend a lot of his points this offseason on health and hopes to not have wear and tear like last year. We do expect him to come back next year where the accuracy will be the focus. Just 2 other QBs on the roster and both redshirt freshman. Goda is the backup with 96 arm power and 90 speed and Livings has the most potential with star development
HB Preview
We have 8 true HB's on the roster and like always we are loaded and will again look to split up the workload. Tim Kong (91) the flexbone FB last 2 years has focused on speed and moves into the #1 base HB role. He has 95 speed, 99 agility, 88 strength, 94 break tackle. When you add in platinum shifty and downhill at 224 pounds you have a legit threat. Sophomore Demarco Tobin with his elite dev takes over the #2 base HB spot. He has 97 speed, 99 accel, 89 break tackle with platinum shifty. He just doesn't have the power yet to beat out Kong. Senior Eric Carswell moves from short yardage HB to power HB and at 247 pounds he will shine at it. He has 98 trucking, 99 strength, 90 break tackle with platinum balanced and 90ish speed isn't bad for a 247 pound guy. Junior Daryl Tapp (86) is now the short yardage HB with 97 break tackle, 94 trucking, 95 strength and platinum balanced and downhill abilities. Robert Ramsay (91) the big portal addition at HB will be the flexbone FB. He has 94 speed, 90 accel, 96 trucking with platinum headfirst. He also has a lot of elite blocking skills so can double as a blocking FB. As far as backups go you have the highest overall of the group Steven Leamon (95) with 95 speed and silver shifty. Carl Nailor (88) and true freshman 5* N/S Blocker Jimmie Bull are more power HB options.
Blocking FB / Blocking TE Preview
Terrell Gideon returns as #1 blocking FB with his 99-lead block, 84 run block and platinum 2nd level. Eric Landman (80) is waiting in the wings and has a better dev trait. Sophomore Devante Biggums (87) has 83 run blocking and platinum pocket shield just needs to work on his lead block. Junior Manny Gomez (87) has similar grades to his fellow TE above and gold outside shield and pocket shield. Jay Wilcox is another former 4* pure blocking TE that has no chance to get on the field. Since he cares about champ contender and we are about to get a bunch of TE's drafted he will make a big leap next year. Jay has 81 speed so the fastest of this group. We have never had this many options at blocking FB or blocking TE as we have now.
WR / Pass Catching TE Preview
We may not have a lot of WR's on the roster just 5, but we sure love the ones we have. Sophomore elite dev Mailau Mix (85) is the new #1 WR and with 97 speed and accel is the fastest WR we have ever had. He also has 98 strength and 75 run blocking so he can do the dirty work and hopefully still give us some big plays. The catching and catch in traffic will mean some drops are coming and he has just 84 route running. He does have 97 spec catch and finding that combo of speed and power is rare. The 6'5 Ofisa Nye (88) is the #2 WR also has 99 strength and 76 run blocking. The platinum 50/50 will come in handy, but he isn't as fast as Mix. You could argue 6'5 Rasheem Tant should start with platinum press pro, sure hands and 50/50. The issue with him he isn't the blocker and also slower. The true freshman 5* Vernon Mentor will see the field a lot somehow as he is the future despite just having impact dev. He is 6'6 and already has platinum 50/50. With no seniors in this group and all 5 expected back look for this group to be deadly next year.
We have talked so much about our favorite player in school history Alexander Prosinski we will be beyond emotional when he graduates this year. He is the 2-time TE of the year award winner and just go ahead call it 3 times. He can do it all at 6'6 and 281 pounds he has 87 speed and 88 accel and an 87-base grade of power. He can block he has 85 run blocking with gold outside shield. He catches everything in sight with 90 catching and platinum sure hands. This year the biggest focus was route running and the short is now at 86. He also will line up at flexbone FB as well as FB in the pistol heavy spots. The odd thing is he isn't the highest rated TE on the team that's junior Jose Franco another elite guy that's a pure blocker type. We didn't list him in the blocking TE because he can do other things like with around 80 for hands and quickness. His 88-run blocking combined with platinum pocket shield and outside shield make him the perfect #2 TE. We aren't done at TE R.J Sumner and his elite dev took the rare redshirt for us last year after coming over from the portal. He has 89 speed, 89 strength as well as mid 80's route running and hands at 6'5 and 267 pounds. If need be he could start at WR for us and look for blocking to be a focus for him next year.
OL Preview
We have rambled on enough so instead lets just focus on the 5 starting OL
Kristian Sampson (95) = 3 year starter is a hoss and with platinum workhorse will never have to sit out. He has 98 strength, 98 run blocking with platinum strong grip, ground N Pound and inside shield
Eli Lindsay (84) = The super rare freshman to start for us and our fav OL commit ever. He has 98 strength, 94 run blocking, platinum inside shield and strong grip and silver ground N Pound before ever playing
Curtus Bono (95) = Platinum screen enforcer and quick step/drop for the portal commit and 2 more silver abilities. He has 98 run blocking and 99 strength
Finau Hufanga (87) = The rare all 5 platinum abilities screen enforcer, quick step/drop, option shield and outside shield. He also has 99 strength and 93 run blocking and a near lock to return to school
Romeo Westerman (89) = The Jr has 96 run blocking combined with platinum outside shield and option shield and silver quick step and quick drop
