Ezzard, Clayton and the kid from Old Dominion (can't remember the name) came in with lots of fanfare and bravado and made NO difference to our success. The lineman he took his first year from Vandy (Soders?) Was one of the poorest O Lineman that I have ever seen at GT. Collins has had ample time to make us better than we are. He just isn't getting the job done.
Ezzard and Clayton were busts. No argument there. Keion White from ODU made no difference because he injured his leg in offseason summer workouts before he ever made it on campus. He played very little because of that. He is expected to be the starting DE this fall. Southers from Vandy wasn't that great but OL, specifically OT, was a huge need and he was apparently better than the CPJ holdovers he was playing ahead of because it got worse when he came out. The rest of the transfers have contributed and are moving in to larger roles now.
2019
Tyler Davis - started at TE every game, didn't get much action because we had to use TE for blocking more than anything.
Myles Sims - has been used plenty at CB so far, and is projected to start at CB this fall
Clayton, Ezzard, Southers - spoken about above.
2020
Derrik Allen - has played a good bit at safety and will be in the mix to start there this fall
Ryan Johnson - started RG for 2 seasons and did well, nothing spectacular but ok.
Devin Cochran - transfer credit issue and wasn't able to join the team until 2021 but started every game at LT and was the highest graded OL we had per PFF.
2021
Nick Pendley - started at G his first 2-3 games, was one of the top 2 linemen on the field and had a career ending injury
Kevin Harris - highly praised during camp, didn't produce much on the field yet but had a couple flashes. This was only his 2nd college season and was making a position change from Alabama. I expect him to be in the rotation much more this fall.
Makius Scott - played a little bit last year but mainly because we had enough depth ahead of him as his first year in the program. He will play more this fall, and likely competing for a starting DT spot.
Kyric McGowan - started every game at slot receiver and was by far the best receiver on the team.
Ace Eley - started every game at LB, #2 on team in tackles. Wasn't all-conference or anything but solid.
Brent Cimaglia - much better than the kicking we had the prior 2 years
Kenneth Kirby - was expected to make a push to start over Williams at RT but was an experienced LT and couldnt' get the footwork down so was relegated to 2nd LT, and Cochran seldom was out. Kirby was also injured for a good part of the season.
Trad Beatty - was never expected to be anything more than an emergency QB
2022
Don't know how any of these will pan out yet but here are the projectons:
Luke Benson - speedy TE with good hands should get much PT due to Long's use of TE's
Taisun Phommachanh - quality backup that can also push Jeff in practice
Ahmari Harvey - should get in the mix at safety and be starter level in a couple years
Khari Gee - same as Harvey
Eric Reed Jr. - same as above but at CB spot
KJ Wallace - DB depth, probably won't play much yet
Kenny Bennett - DB depth, probably won't play much yet
Dylan McDuffie - projected to be the #1 "bruiser" type RB
Corey Robinson - quality backup on OL with starting potential
RJ Adams - quality backup on OL with starting potential
EJ Jenkins - grad transfer tall receiver that can provide an outside threat. Can also play TE.
Christian Burkhalter - DE depth, likely won't play much yet
