Will new stars shine?

Submitted by willywill9 on

Sorry if this was already discussed in a thread, (in which case mods please delete.)  But I got to thinking about the depth at RB, and started to wonder, who (if anyone) will emerge as our feature back, particularly in light of the coaching change.  I suppose this question could be asked for any position on either side of the ball, but: 

Will new starters emerge? Will new stars shine? 

RBs
Will we have a feature RB?  Does V. Smith get buried on the depth chart?  Does Stephen Hopkins stay at RB (yes please!), or does he move to FB... (BJ Askew?)  Will Fred Jackson be brought back... should he be brought back?

WR
Am I wrong in thinking Stonum and Hemingway have skill sets to succeed in either offense? Does anyone new (e.g. Ricardo Miller, Jackson) emerge?

What are your thoughts on these two or other positions?

/Procrastinating at work.

Clayzer

January 12th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^

I think Jackson will and should be brought back, he has coached with Hoke before and can really coach RB's in any system. I would guess that Hopkins has a bigger role. The mindset of a fullback is different from a running back, but he appears to have the most potential.

The wr's, I agree that Stonum and Hemingway will work well. My question is what happens to Gallon, Odoms, Dileo, Grady, etc.

seegoblu

January 12th, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^

I'm hoping that this is an opportunity to upgrade the position, perhaps Ty Wheatley is ready to take over. I do hope that we bring back some other former position coaches, Teryl Austin would be nice, as would Lefty, if he learned how to recruit non-QBs as well as QBs.

JDNorway

January 12th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^

I'm sure I'm not the only one thirsty for more video and analysis about SDSU's offense (since Hoke is bringing his OC). Are there "every snap"-type videos available? A quick youtube search wasn't promising. I'm hoping there are torrents of some key games (TCU, Bowl game, Missouri?) from this past season that some people can use to give all of us more of an idea of what we can expect in terms of roles, plays and philosophy.

I didn't want to start a separate thread about this, sorry to derail.

jrt336

January 12th, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^

I think Smith will get some carries, but probably won't be starting. I want to see Hopkins, Fitz, and Cox, and I think we will see a lot more of them. 

BornInAA

January 12th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^

I hope someone else steps up.

The WRs have the potential skills for any system but they need to start to make difficult catches and yards after catches. 

bluebloggin

January 12th, 2011 at 10:06 AM ^

Is not what makes me the most curious. I'm interested to see who makes a name for himself on the defensive side, though I was curious about that when RR was still there.
<br>
<br>Will Marvin Robinson blow up? How about Josh furman, Richard ash?
<br>
<br>Will Cullen step his game up under a 'defensive' coach?
<br>
<br>What about Will Campbell?

severs28

January 12th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^

I want to see if Brady can develop some of these guys (in particular Will Campbell) that were somewhat heralded recruits.  It will be interesting to see how everything works out.  He really needs to focus on closing out the current recruiting class and then looking at development.  If he decides to run a 3-4 or 4-3, we have a lot of hybrid players that he will have to decide where they should play.  WE are probably set up better to run a 3-4 right now, but I am really interested to hear what he has to say about what type of system he may want to run on O and D.

 

FWIW, my brother in law went to Auburn and he hates Al Borges.  So let's root for S. Loeffler.

MGolem

January 12th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^

Absolutely love Denard. Now that I have said that, look out for Devin Gardner. He is big and strong, can run and make all the throws, and can stay in the pocket and actually read the defenses. Could he be a Cam Newton type talent? Not saying a clone, or a twin, just that type of guy who can run away from lineman and shed db's and lb's, keeping plays alive and throwing bombs downfield to our seriously deep WR corps.

Odoms, Stonum, Roundtree and Hemingway are all going to have big years in this system. I also think Shaw (or Hayes or Fitz) could do some damage if we go with what SDSU ran last year (if you haven't already, go to ESPN and check out SDSU offensive stats from this year). Could Gardner put up some Nate Davis numbers very quickly? Davis threw for 3600+ yards, 30 TDs and only 6 ints as a sophomore. As a junior (during Ball State's 12-1) season he threw for 3400+ yards, 26 TDs and 7 ints (he left for the NFL after his junior year).

FreddieMercuryHayes

January 12th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^

For some reason, I think that we'll have a few surprises on defense. I think the way we excecuted the 3-3-5 hampered players from developing. Not sure who it will be, but I'm excited. I also think Cox will get some more chances, and may be very good. Not sure why he was in the doghouse with RR, but he seems to have a good combo of size and speed.

MGOARMY

January 12th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^

I remember from the pre season show where the  BTN  stopped at the Michigan practice Denardo and riffin saying that they thought Cox was the clear starter. I also remember seeing quotes from players saying that Cox was the best athlete of the RB's. I was really confused about not seeing him play all season after his off season hype.

seegoblu

January 12th, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^

To be honest, I hadn't thought about that. BWC might be the #1 beneficiary of the coaching change, not only does he get a clean start, but his new HC is a former DL coach who succeeded by motiviating his men...I know BWC made the move to OL and it could we be permanent, but even if he never moves back across the line, Hoke seems to be the type of guy who could get through to BWC and finally see that 5 Star talent shine.

 

Perhaps BWC will be Hoke's best "recruit" this offseason.