Which Freshmen play in \'02?
It should be interesting to see which Freshmen make an impact in '02. This was obviously not the best class we've brought in over the last few years, but I believe it could be an underrated group. It doesn't have any real headliners, but I think it's a very solid group. Most of the group are guys that the previous staff offered very early, so I feel comfortable with that.
In addition, if we look back at the last 7 years of GT football we have had more luck with the 2-3 star recruit than the 4 star kid. Look at all the low to mid tier recruits that make up the backbone of this team: Gathers, Dorsey, Reilly, J. Smith, Hargrove, Fox, Hester, L. Robinson, etc.
I know this is just wild speculation at this point but it's fun. Which guys do you think will play? I'm going down the list by memory, so excuse me if I leave anyone out.
Bridges WR- I think he is the man that will help us at WR this year. I heard a lot of whispers about this guy being a real sleeper. Has great size and sounds like a natural athlete. I think he gets a limited role in some of our sets because of his size but the Fabulous 4 will get most of the WR snaps if they are healthy.
McGuire WR-I think he redshirts. Usually WRs this large need a lot of time to adjust to the college game or they move to another position. There aren't many 6'5 WRs that get it done.
Cooper TE-Looks like a great athlete. I've heard some talk about him playing on the DL, although that might have just been a typo that started a rumor. I think we have a bigger need at TE this season and down the road. Darius Williams is still a question mark. We could certainly use a little more athletic ability in the depth. I think Cooper plays.
McHargue OT-I hate to play OLs as freshmen but I'm afraid we have to do it again. The backup OT spot is the biggest concern on the team in my mind. My hope is he can be at the same level as Wallace was coming in last year.
ACE RB-I think this is a kid we will develop. Sounds like he has a lot of raw potential. Unless he is just a natural he redshirts along with the rest of the RBs.
Michael Sampson RB-Looks like a very nice athlete. From the little I've heard of him sounds like he could also play DB. But I'd guess RB will be his home. Looked to me like he needs to add a little more muscle and time to develop.
ELI RB-DB I'd have to guess that ELI will play DB seems like he is a little small to play RB. I haven't read enough about him to form an opinion. Likely Redshirt.
Mike Matthews DE-I really like this kid. He is my sleeper of the class. Sounds like he is real athletic. Unless depth becomes a factor, I think he takes time to redshirt. I have feeling he will be a big factor in '03.
Brad Brezina DT-Reminds me of Reilly coming out a few years ago. Great motor and solid athletic skills. Not to mention pretty good bloodlines. Big move from Athens Acadmey to the ACC. Likely Redshirt.
Terron Pullen DT-I think he is going to be the best player out of this class. I don't think we have huge need for him to play, but I have this feeling he will be too good to keep off the field. He could be a good role player for us at DT this year.
Cory Wallace LB-I don't know enough about him. Productive HS player. Likely Redshirt.
Kenji McNair LB/DB-Sounds like he will likely grow into a LB. I hear he is a solid athlete. Good late find, but we will likely redshirt him and beef him up.
Vinny Gilliam DB-I've heard we like him at CB. If that is the case, I see a redshirt year. If he gets a look at safety he might play. I see Safety as our biggest need outside of OT depth. I haven't heard a lot about him.
Chris Reis DB-I think he has a chance to be a very good player for us. My guess is he plays this year as a backup to Collins at SS and Butler moves to backup FS. I like productive HS players that like to play. Should get special teams time and could figure in the depth later in the season. Likely starter next season.
I-Perfection Harris DB-Good Height for a CB. Sounds like he has the speed to be a factor, but I like the corners currently in the depth. I think he will likely need time to develop and will redshirt.
David Jordan K-I don't think coahces worry too much about burning redshirts on kickers. If he is a better kickoff man than Manget he will play. No sense redshirting a better kickoff man because you may have to use him late in the season anyway because of injury.
It should be interesting to see which Freshmen make an impact in '02. This was obviously not the best class we've brought in over the last few years, but I believe it could be an underrated group. It doesn't have any real headliners, but I think it's a very solid group. Most of the group are guys that the previous staff offered very early, so I feel comfortable with that.
In addition, if we look back at the last 7 years of GT football we have had more luck with the 2-3 star recruit than the 4 star kid. Look at all the low to mid tier recruits that make up the backbone of this team: Gathers, Dorsey, Reilly, J. Smith, Hargrove, Fox, Hester, L. Robinson, etc.
I know this is just wild speculation at this point but it's fun. Which guys do you think will play? I'm going down the list by memory, so excuse me if I leave anyone out.
Bridges WR- I think he is the man that will help us at WR this year. I heard a lot of whispers about this guy being a real sleeper. Has great size and sounds like a natural athlete. I think he gets a limited role in some of our sets because of his size but the Fabulous 4 will get most of the WR snaps if they are healthy.
McGuire WR-I think he redshirts. Usually WRs this large need a lot of time to adjust to the college game or they move to another position. There aren't many 6'5 WRs that get it done.
Cooper TE-Looks like a great athlete. I've heard some talk about him playing on the DL, although that might have just been a typo that started a rumor. I think we have a bigger need at TE this season and down the road. Darius Williams is still a question mark. We could certainly use a little more athletic ability in the depth. I think Cooper plays.
McHargue OT-I hate to play OLs as freshmen but I'm afraid we have to do it again. The backup OT spot is the biggest concern on the team in my mind. My hope is he can be at the same level as Wallace was coming in last year.
ACE RB-I think this is a kid we will develop. Sounds like he has a lot of raw potential. Unless he is just a natural he redshirts along with the rest of the RBs.
Michael Sampson RB-Looks like a very nice athlete. From the little I've heard of him sounds like he could also play DB. But I'd guess RB will be his home. Looked to me like he needs to add a little more muscle and time to develop.
ELI RB-DB I'd have to guess that ELI will play DB seems like he is a little small to play RB. I haven't read enough about him to form an opinion. Likely Redshirt.
Mike Matthews DE-I really like this kid. He is my sleeper of the class. Sounds like he is real athletic. Unless depth becomes a factor, I think he takes time to redshirt. I have feeling he will be a big factor in '03.
Brad Brezina DT-Reminds me of Reilly coming out a few years ago. Great motor and solid athletic skills. Not to mention pretty good bloodlines. Big move from Athens Acadmey to the ACC. Likely Redshirt.
Terron Pullen DT-I think he is going to be the best player out of this class. I don't think we have huge need for him to play, but I have this feeling he will be too good to keep off the field. He could be a good role player for us at DT this year.
Cory Wallace LB-I don't know enough about him. Productive HS player. Likely Redshirt.
Kenji McNair LB/DB-Sounds like he will likely grow into a LB. I hear he is a solid athlete. Good late find, but we will likely redshirt him and beef him up.
Vinny Gilliam DB-I've heard we like him at CB. If that is the case, I see a redshirt year. If he gets a look at safety he might play. I see Safety as our biggest need outside of OT depth. I haven't heard a lot about him.
Chris Reis DB-I think he has a chance to be a very good player for us. My guess is he plays this year as a backup to Collins at SS and Butler moves to backup FS. I like productive HS players that like to play. Should get special teams time and could figure in the depth later in the season. Likely starter next season.
I-Perfection Harris DB-Good Height for a CB. Sounds like he has the speed to be a factor, but I like the corners currently in the depth. I think he will likely need time to develop and will redshirt.
David Jordan K-I don't think coahces worry too much about burning redshirts on kickers. If he is a better kickoff man than Manget he will play. No sense redshirting a better kickoff man because you may have to use him late in the season anyway because of injury.
