These 3 (already on Roster) will be hard to keep off field
If you contemplate what Brady Hoke likes on the field, it's not difficult to jump to the conclusion three roster players could expect a huge increase in playing time next season.
The three most obvious, imo, are Big Will, Quinton and in the backfield, Hopkins.
They are going to be given every opportunity to start, and may get the nod even if they're only best at what Brady likes and he doesn't deem them a stumbling block in making his opening statement. This is either scary or good, depending on what you like.
If you want the old offense, he'll build with these type, but just like what RR was attempting, he'll need time to load the roster w/his type player.. Downside is not utilizing the speed that was recruited in the past three years. Be interesting to see how philosophy vs. philosophy shakes out.
Biggest lesson we've learned in the Martin/Brandon' fiascoes were you'd better expect some strange looking play for awhile, and if you can't live with that fact, you might want to step back for a bit.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
Koger as well.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
I'm looking forward to Koger having a breakout year.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
Marvin Robinson, and Furman maybe?
January 16th, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
Gotta think they were going to get a lot of PT no matter what with two LBs graduating and a lack of size/speed at safety.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
I'm excited to see what M-Rob and Furman can do. Rumor is that Furman was only kept off the field this year because he had trouble adjusting to the complexity of the college game. Hopefully after a year of practice he will be able to get some playing time because he is a freak athlete.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^
I thought I heard some buzz about him..
January 16th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
You forgot Brandon Moore who is going to be our #2 TE
January 16th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
Let us not forget that Hoke had a little burner as a superstar running back this last year at SDSU. Spread vs pro style does not mean fast vs slow. Everybody likes speed.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
running backs were small, so hopefully the RB who performs the best will start regardless of his size.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:17 PM ^
come on Fitz!, come on!
January 16th, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
Everybody keeps talking about how Hopkins is Hoke's dream back in his offense. I do think Hopkins is going to be a good one but the RB's he used at San Diego were on the small side. My stab at it is that Cox gets out of the dog house and finally gets some PT. He was regarded by all the other RB's as having the best ability. Until Fitz stays healthy I can't even discuss his possible PT.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:22 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^
Hillman is a 5'-10" 175lb freshman, so I would not conclude that Hopkins is going to be a main feature in the offense this coming year just because of his size. However, I would expect Hoke to use him in short yardage situations more often than RR did. My bet is on Fitz being the feature back (health permitting) or even Hayes. I'd be very suprised to see Smith & Shaw carrying the ball very much this yeat because they go down too easy.
January 17th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^
Uh, how bout NO!
January 16th, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^
Don't count out Jack Kennedy.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:17 PM ^
I'm guessing Denard will be the hardest guy to keep off the field........
That's just me tho..
January 16th, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
There are givens already on the roster, i.e., DR, LeWan, Patrick, Roundtree et, al.
I was just referencing those I thought are already in the B. Hoke mold and will be given more than a second look. Furman, Robinson have excellent upside and will, more than likely, force themselves into the starting lineup.
There are a certain group, normally referred to as "players" that can play for any one. The group I'm pointing to is those that I think most closely fit Hoke's preconceived notion of what "his" fb player should look like. Afterall, you're only chosen for a HC position because the AD agrees that you can build a winner with the type of player you believe in. Not a big mystery here.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:20 PM ^
There are givens already on the roster, i.e., DR, LeWan, Patrick, Roundtree et, al.
Don't forget LeWan's cousin, Obi Wan!
January 16th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
No doubt, he's a bulldozer
January 16th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
Hopkins is going to see an increase in PT I believe. However, I think that among the RB's Vincent Smith is going to be most affected by the system change... He's not big and physical enough to run in between the tackles and he does not possess the top end speed that can make up for that lack in size. He is pretty shifty though and an excellent blocker so I would expect him to be in there for a lot of spread formations and passing downs
January 16th, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 8:01 PM ^
Hopkins has a tendency to fumble and that usually puts a RB on the bench. He did seem to do better with ball security later in the year though.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:12 PM ^
January 17th, 2011 at 9:21 AM ^
Remember, we are installing a variation of a West Coast so the ability of the back to catch and move in space is close to being as important as taking it through the A gap. I wouldn't count Smith out yet.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
Furman, Isaiah Bell, Woolfolk, Hopkins, maybe even Stokes?
January 16th, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
Aside from my joking comment about Kennedy, I am with you on Stokes. I think he has the potential to bust out.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
I think he would bust out if he didn't have to sit behind Hemmingway, Stonum, Roundtree, and Odoms. We have a very solid receiving corps, and the guys we had this past year were quite good.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^
I agree but if injuries do occur, he can step up and contribute.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
Just like Hemingway did when Odoms went down.
Stokes will be very important in 2012 when we lose three of our top four receivers.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
I'm also expecting Pamela Anderson to bust out just due to the effects of gravity over time.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
Second that, and I hope to god that Jones and Wolfolk recover and are big time players next year. They were set-up for big seasons this year.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^
I personally think someone like Fitz Toussaint (provided he stays healthy) would fit what Hoke wants to do more so than Hopkins.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
Watch our for a healthy Fitz. He's gonna tear it up.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:20 PM ^
Fitzgerald might be even better in a pro style. You wanna talk about a H-W-S speciman, he is it. I would use Hopkins and Toussiant as the two feature backs. I don't know what you do with Shaw, and Smith. I think you could put Shaw at the slot every once in a while. Smith might be the one that gets left in the dust. I like the kid a lot (its hard not to), but never had the physical tools.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:16 PM ^
"He's going to excel" or "Fitz is in for an amazing year" etc..
January 16th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
Jeremy Ross, Phil Monolo and Dyson Blades
January 16th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
... If will could get in shape. I can understand his freshman year, but it's unacceptable that he comes back to AA out of shape his sophmore year.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:59 PM ^
Brady Hoke is not going to run things the "old way." If you've watched any SDSU tape, you'd know that he is capable of utilizing the small quick types. As far as big Will, he has to show more than he has....
January 16th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
Vincent Smith between the tackles!
January 16th, 2011 at 11:12 PM ^
My 3 Impact players are je'ron stokes, Courtney Avery, and Josh Firman
January 16th, 2011 at 11:14 PM ^
is the best thing to happen to Will Campbell's collegiate career. UM hired a d-line coach... if anyone can get WC's best performance, it's him.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^
It wasn't exactly subtle. I gotta believe it drove Bruce Tall nuts.
Maybe Big Will will listen to Hoke.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:23 PM ^
lets just hope the whole team raises there game
January 17th, 2011 at 1:04 AM ^
Hopkins is a huge back and is perfect for a prostyle offense with running between the tackles. I can't wait to see him on the field. He just needs to hold onto the ball though. A underrated 3star recruit in my eyes.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:01 AM ^
I am going to say John McColgan should see a huge jump in playing time... if he is back with the team. I would think Hoke would use the fullback more than RR did, and not just for goal-line or short-yardage situations.
January 17th, 2011 at 8:17 AM ^
January 17th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
With Schilling out and our team likely to play more 4-3 (if not as our base then at least we will see it more often) I think Campbell and Washington will get more time either on offense or defense.
But Hopkins won't see much more time, I don't think. Despite his size, I still think he is the 4th best back on the team behind Shaw, Smith, Toussaint and Cox. We'll see.