With 2017 being the season we cracked 10 wins (should’ve been 11 if we didn’t cancel Arkt St due to the weather) I decided to compare our Roster/Support between the 2017 Team & the 2023 Team.
Now before y’all tear me to pieces for comparing our best team in the past 10 years to this one this is purely a way to see how we would stack up. And with the addition of: Guidry/Dawson as well as the 42 newcomers we have we may not be that far off…but let’s take a look.
2017 QB:
1. Malik Rosier
2023 QB:
1. TVD
Overview: Give me TVD/Dawson over Rosier/Richt. If we had TVD in 2017 we most likely make the playoffs (definitely wouldn’t have lost to Pitt) although Rosier has a much better running ability TVD beats him in the passing department by a mile.
2023 1
2017 0
2017 RBs:
1. Mark Walton
2. Travis Homer
3. DJ Dallas
2023 RBs:
1. Henry Parrish
2. Don Chaney
3. Ajay Allen
4. Mark Fletcher
Overview: Although I’m going to give this to the 2017 Trio I think 2023 will benefit greatly from having a large variety of Different styled backs. Parrish/Allen are more Receiving/In Space Backs, Chaney is a big play threat with Great size/speed, Fletcher is a pure Bruiser, in between the tackles, kinda of back. Although I think it’s closer then most would think give me 2017.
2023 1
2017 1
2017 TEs
1. Chris Herndon
2. Michael Irvin II
2023 TEs
1.Elijah Arroyo
2. Jaleel Skinner
3A. Cam McCormick
3B. Riley Williams
Overview: Although I love Herndon and he is IMO the most reliable out of every TE listed give me the 2023 Group. Unlike 2017 we have a lot more depth at TE and versatility: McCormick is an experienced Blocking TE, Arroyo will be excellent all round, Skinner will be a great Receiver Type TE as well as Williams.
2023 2
2017 1
2017 WRs Top 6
- Ahhmon Richards
- Braxton berrios
- Jeff Thomas
- Lawrence cager
- Darrel langham
- Mike Harley
2023 WRs Top 6
- Xavier Restrepo
- Colbie Young
- Jacolby George
- Tyler Harrel
- RayRay Joseph
- Breshard Smith
Overview: I view this as a Draw. If you go down the line:
Richards > Restrepo
Berrios > Young
Jeff Thomas = Jacolby George
Lawrence Cager < Tyler Harrel
Darrel Langham < RayRay Joseph
Mike Harley (Freshman Harley) < Breshard Smith
I definitely think 2023 has more Depth than 2017s group and will help keep guys fresher/spread the defense more but the Duo of Berrios/Richards surpasses any duo we have at WR. Give me a Tie.
2023 2:1
2017 1:1
2017 OL
LT: KC McDermott
LG: Trevor Darling
C: Tyler Gauthier
RG: Navaughn Donaldson
RT: Tyree St Louis
Next 2: Corey Gaynor, George Brown
2023 OL:
LT: Zion Nelson/Jalen Rivers
LG: Javion Cohen
C: Matt Lee
RG: Jalen Rivers/Anez Cooper
RT: Francis Maugoa
Next 2: Samson Okulona, Tommy Kinsler
Overview: Ranking Wise, measurement wise and depth wise give me 2023. Overall the top 5 for this years team surpasses 2017 without much Question. Especially at: LG, C & RT. I think this OL will end up being one of the best we’ve had in recent memory.
2023 3:1
2017 1:1
2017 DL
DE: Chad Thomas - Trent Harris
DT: Kendrick Norton - Pat Bethel
DT: RJ McIntosh
DE: joe Jackson - Demetrius Jackson
2023 DL:
DE: Aheem Messidor - Chantz Williams - Reuben Bain
DT: Leonard Taylor - JHH
DT: Branson Deen - J Litchenstein
DE: Nyjalik Kelly - Jahfari Harvey
Overview: as deep as our DEs will be this year depth/talent wise give me 2017 without much question. The biggest difference is DT. Although I’m excited about Taylor/Deen the Duo of Norton/McIntosh was top of the line. Not to mention Thomas/Jackson/Jackson/Harris off the edge. I think our DEs are strong this year and might possibly have more overall depth but that 2017 DL was almost as good as it gets.
2023 3:1
2017 2:1
2017 LBs
WLB: Zack McCloud
MLB: Shaq Quarterman
SLB: Michael Pinckney
Next 2: Bradley Jennings, Darrion Owens
2023 LBs
MLB: Fransisco Maugoa - KJ Cloyd/Corey Flagg
SLB: Wesley Bissainthe - Keontra Smith
Next 2: Chase Smith - Raul Aguirre/Malik Bryant
Overview: This Quite honestly is another tough one. I think 2023 will be better in terms of Speed/Athleticism/Depth but I think 2017s Trio had better instincts and were very consistent throughout. Our 2023 Group has a lot of potential but I find it hard to say I’d start any of them over McCloud, Quarterman & Pinckney
2023 3:1
2017 3:1
2017 DBs
CB: Dee Delaney - Trajan Bandy
S: Jaquan Johnson - Robert Knowles
S: Sheldrick Redwine - Amari Carter
CB: Michael Jackson - Malek Young
2023 DBs
CB: Davonte Brown - Damari Brown
Nickle: Ja’Dais Richards - Tecory Couch
S: James Williams - Jaden Harris
S: Kamren Kinchens - Brian Balom
CB: Daryl Porter - Robert Stafford
Overview: Another Tough one…Both groups are very strong. In my opinion
Davonte Brown > Dee Delaney
Ja’Dais Richards = Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson > Daryl Porter
Jaquan Johnson > James Williams (for now)
Kamren Kinchens > Sheldrick Redwine
In the end both secondaries are Tied. 2017 may have produced great Results from our DBs but with the addition of: Guidry at DC, Richards/Brown/Brown/Stafford at CB I think we match that production/effectiveness
2023 3:2
2017 3:2
ST
2017:
K - Michael Bagdley
P - Zack Feagles
2023:
K - Andres Borregalas
P - Dylan Joyce
Overview: I will admit I know nothing about Dylan Joyce. But I at least know he can’t be worse than Feagles…Give me a Tie on this one.
Final:
2023
Better: QB, TE, OL
Equal: WR, DB, P/K
Worse: RB/DL/LB
Final thoughts: Each Team is stronger in different areas but overall very equal IMO. This years squad seems poised to have a much better Offense than 2017 (not to mention Dawson > Richt) but Diaz had a very Strong, disruptive defense with that 2017 squad that Fed off the Turnover chain and forced both #14 Vtech & #3 ND to 4 turnovers each in back weeks. The progression of:
- James Williams
- Wesley Bissainthe
- Leonard Taylor
- Tyler Harrel
- Colbie Young
Will quite honestly determine our teams ceiling. If those 5 elevate their play the way they have the potential to I believe we see a season similar to 2017 again.
