New Additions = Improved Depth

[Manfred_Cane]

Over at InsideTheU, David Lake wrote a nice breakdown of the new additions UM added this offseason, and which ones will play a bigger role this year. He has stated on the Cover 3 pod, that UM ideally wants to rotate 2.5. So essentially starters, immediate backups, and guys who are green but can be reliable in small sample sizes.

Only 5 teams were able to pull in a top 10 recruiting class along with a top 10 portal class. Those teams were LSU, USC, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Miami.

Looking at the new transfer portal additions, along with the strong freshman class, I believe that our 2 Deep is better than it was last year.

The new additions that will find themselves starting are:
Javion Cohen (upgrade)
Matt Lee (upgrade)
Francis Mauigoa (upgrade)
Francisco Mauigoa (upgrade)
Davonte Brown (TBD)

In addition to the newcomers finding themselves in the starting roles, here are the others that I believe raise our teams' floor:
Ajay Allen
Mark Fletcher
Tyler Harrell
Shemar Kirk
Nathaniel 'Ray Ray' Joseph

Reuben Bain
Anthony Campbell
Branson Deen
KJ Cloyd (potential starter per ITU)
Bobby Washington Jr.
Raul 'Papo' Aguirre
Marcellius Pulliam
Jaden Davis
Jadais Richard
Damari Brown
Demetrius Freeney

The one position group that has a true issue of depth is the Safety position. If Kam were to go down, that's the biggest dropoff from an All-American to Markeith Williams or Brian Balom. Also, I am high on the freshman LBs cause I think their physical traits fit what Guidry's defense likes to do.

All in all, with the new coordinators and improved depth, I believe the 2023 season will be a more positive season and we'll like what we see out of this team.

I will add the 2023 UM Depth Chart below as it stands.

 

[Manfred_Cane]

Position	Player
QB	Tyler Van Dyke	Jacurri Brown	Emory Williams
RB	Henry Parrish	Don Chaney	Ajay Allen
	Mark Fletcher	Christopher Johnson Jr.	Tre'vonte Citizen
TE	Elijah Arroyo	Jaleel Skinner	Dam Mammerelli
	Cam McCormick	Riley Williams	Jackson Carver
WR - X	Colbie Young	Tyler Harrell	Isaiah Horton	Frank Ladson Jr.
WR - Z	Jacolby George	Shemar Kirk	Robby Washington	Michael Redding III
WR - F	Xavier Restrepo	Nathaniel 'Ray Ray' Joseph	Brashard Smith
LT	Zion Nelson (?)	Samson Okunola	Jalen Rivers
LG	Javion Cohen	Tommy Kinsler	Lauranec Seymore	Lou Cristobal
C	Matt Lee	Jonathan Denis	Ryan Rodriguez	Lou Cristobal
RG	Anez Cooper	Jalen Rivers	Logan Sagapolu	Antonio Tripp
RT	Francis Mauigoa	Matthew McCoy	Michael McLaughlin
LDE	Jafari Harvey	Nyjalik Kelly	Cyrus Moss	Collins Acheampong
LDT	Leonard Taylor	Branson Deen	Thomas Gore	Joshua Horton
RDT	Jared Harrison-Hunte	Anthony Campbell	Ahmad Moten	Jacob Lichtenstein
RDE	Akheem Mesidor	Rueben Bain Jr.	Chantz Williams	Jayden Wayne
DE/LB	Malik Bryant	Cyrus Moss
WLB	Wesley Bissainthe	Keontra Smith	Chase Smith	Raul Aguirre
MLB	Francisco Mauigoa	Corey Flagg Jr	Bobby Washington Jr.	Marcellius Pulliam
NB/Striker	Te'Cory Couch	Jaden Davis	Jaden harris	Kaleb Spencer
LCB	Davonte Brown	Damari Brown	Demetrius Freeney	Chris Graves Jr.
SS	James Williams	Markeith Williams
FS	Kamren Kitchens	Brian Balom
RCB	Daryl Porter. Jr.	Jadais Richard	Malik Curtis	Robert Stafford

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

Good post and 100% true. Might be the kool aid talking but I think Deen starts inside alongside Taylor and forms a very formidable 1-2 interior combo. On obvious rushing downs, we bring in JHH. Solid interior play allows for our DE’s to get some clean looks off the edge…and then when tackles start to cheat way out wide after our ends are feasting…that’s when Guidry sends a blitz through that gap and the havoc begins. It’s why I think Moss can contribute purely as a speed rusher on the outside and his bend can cause those tackles to be wary of being beat.

Slightly concerned with LB. Mauigoa looks like the goods, but behind that…I can see why Cloyd is getting some buzz. Wes doesn’t need to ball out per say…but he’s got to show us something that says “hey, I’m gonna be all good. I belong here.” Lots of talk about him struggling in the spring, and I hope the light turns on either in fall camp or within those first four games.

I actually loved what I saw out of Markeith Williams in limited reps, especially against GT. He’s a headhunter and has some really good traits/displayed decent closing speed. I think he could surprise some people in the back end. Really wish we closed on Andre Sam though.

 

[Manfred_Cane]

Good post and 100% true. Might be the kool aid talking but I think Deen starts inside alongside Taylor and forms a very formidable 1-2 interior combo. On obvious rushing downs, we bring in JHH. Solid interior play allows for our DE’s to get some clean looks off the edge…and then when tackles start to cheat way out wide after our ends are feasting…that’s when Guidry sends a blitz and the havoc begins.

Slightly concerned with LB. Mauigoa looks like the goods, but behind that…I can see why Cloyd is getting some buzz. Wes doesn’t need to ball out per say…but he’s got to show us something that says “hey, I’m gonna be all good. I belong here.” Lots of talk about him struggling in the spring, and I hope the light turns on either in fall camp or within those first four games.

I actually loved what I saw out of Markeith Williams in limited reps, especially against GT. He’s a headhunter and has some really good traits/displayed decent closing speed. I think he could surprise some people in the back end. Really wish we closed on Andre Sam though.

I've seen a lot of Anthony Campbell as a DE but if he's really 6-7 285lbs, I'd like to see him kick inside. The floor of the DT room that's LT, JHH, Deen, Campbell, Moten, Horton, Gore, isn't terrible, I think the bigger question is 'what's their ceiling?' and it's probably dependent on LT and JHH tbh. On paper, we're not sure who will be the fun stuffer but I don't think Guidry really had that at Marshall, and he just relied on his scheme and players instinct to snuff out the run. Also, I think our DTs will benefit from how Guidry uses his LBs to create pressure and shoot the gaps, which is why I'm sold on the size and speed of the LBs outside of Smith and Flagg.

Markeith will get a lot of playing time this year IMO. Guidry will slide James to the box and it'll be Kam and Markeith up top. He'll benefit from playing alongside Kam.

I rewatched Marshall vs James Madison and Notre Dame over the weekend, and Andre Sam was everywhere lol. I'm not really sure who could fill that role on this team. Couch? DPJ at Nickel? Jaden Davis? I'm not sure.

 

[canes1996]

OL and DE starting to look realllll good from a depth and talent standpoint.

 

[LoungeLord]

I've seen a lot of Anthony Campbell as a DE but if he's really 6-7 285lbs, I'd like to see him kick inside. The floor of the DT room that's LT, JHH, Deen, Campbell, Moten, Horton, Gore, isn't terrible, I think the bigger question is 'what's their ceiling?' and it's probably dependent on LT and JHH tbh. On paper, we're not sure who will be the fun stuffer but I don't think Guidry really had that at Marshall, and he just relied on his scheme and players instinct to snuff out the run. Also, I think our DTs will benefit from how Guidry uses his LBs to create pressure and shoot the gaps, which is why I'm sold on the size and speed of the LBs outside of Smith and Flagg.

Markeith will get a lot of playing time this year IMO. Guidry will slide James to the box and it'll be Kam and Markeith up top. He'll benefit from playing alongside Kam.

I rewatched Marshall vs James Madison and Notre Dame over the weekend, and Andre Sam was everywhere lol. I'm not really sure who could fill that role on this team. Couch? DPJ at Nickel? Jaden Davis? I'm not sure.

Anthony is not a kicker.

 

[TRick72]

I agree with your assessment but replacing last year’s DT’s of Jackson/Miller/Moutrie/Roberts with Deen/Campbell/Gore is at best a push. I know Campbell is a big dude but I’m not as high as him as most with him coming from being a veteran backup at a bad G5 program.

I’m actually higher on CB than most. I know we lost Stevenson and Ivey to the NFL but with the addition of Richard/Freeney and both Brown brothers I think we elevated the floor there as well. At very least a push.

I really like Markeith, think he’s going to be a stud but agree that after him the depth is concerning. Hopefully moving Harris is the solution along with Balom exceeding expectations.

As you mentioned, the coordinators are the wildcard. Even dudes I may not be high on may really surprise in a system that better suits them.

Overall huge improvement to the roster and a lot to be excited about going into next season.

 

[MarshallCane]

Nice write up.

I dont see KJ Cloyd more than a depth piece regardless of what ITU says. I’d also make the prediction that Mauigoa will be our leading tackler this year if healthy. This is Wesley’s year to cement that other spot and I see him doing it.

With Markeith I need him to ball out (pause). My main jersey is my #19 I got back when we had Meriweather. He’s a players favorite too so you know he has something special there. Knowing he’s next off the bench that’s the last position on defense I’m worried about a drop off . I’d say CB, LB, and DT would be bigger drop offs.

Samson isn’t 2nd behind Zion and Id say he could even redshirt with the new rules in place IF (huge if) Zion stays healthy. Also I think other than Davonte Brown we’re going to see alot of rotation at CB this year.

Looking at DL id predict we lose someone to the portal before the season starts just a guess. That 2nd DT spot and the 2nd CB spot will have guys rotated until someone can’t be denied.

 

[Manfred_Cane]

I agree with your assessment but replacing last year’s DT’s of Jackson/Miller/Moutrie/Roberts with Deen/Campbell/Gore is at best a push. I know Campbell is a big dude but I’m not as high as him as most with him coming from being a veteran backup at a bad G5 program.

I’m actually higher on CB than most. I know we lost Stevenson and Ivey to the NFL but with the addition of Richard/Freeney and both Brown brothers I think we elevated the floor there as well. At very least a push.

I really like Markeith, think he’s going to be a stud but agree that after him the depth is concerning. Hopefully moving Harris is the solution along with Balom exceeding expectations.

As you mentioned, the coordinators are the wildcard. Even dudes I may not be high on may really surprise in a system that better suits them.

Overall huge improvement to the roster and a lot to be excited about going into next season.

I'm not as concerned on CBs as well. I think the whole 'Oh Ivey is in the NFL, we'll miss him!' is overblown. He got drafted off physical traits, not off of play. And his play is surely replaceable and can be upgraded. We may not have a CB1 as good as Stevenson but the CB2/CB3/CB4 are better than last year. The floor is higher this year than last year for that CB room. Vandy 247 said that Richard was Vandy's best CB last year, which I know it's Vandy, but he played SEC competition and adds more competition to a room with only 1 for sure starter (Davonte).

Lake mentioned on Cover 3 that Steele wasn't really excited to coach the talent we had, and Guidry is more excited to coach with this talent. Which I think will lead to a much improved defense.

 

[Manfred_Cane]

Nice write up.

I dont see KJ Cloyd more than a depth piece regardless of what ITU says. I’d also make the prediction that Mauigoa will be our leading tackler this year if healthy. This is Wesley’s year to cement that other spot and I see him doing it.

With Markeith I need him to ball out (pause). My main jersey is my #19 I got back when we had Meriweather. He’s a players favorite too so you know he has something special there. Knowing he’s next off the bench that’s the last position on defense I’m worried about a drop off . I’d say CB, LB, and DT would be bigger drop offs.

Samson isn’t 2nd behind Zion and Id say he could even redshirt with the new rules in place IF (huge if) Zion stays healthy. Also I think other than Davonte Brown we’re going to see alot of rotation at CB this year.

Looking at DL id predict we lose someone to the portal before the season starts just a guess. That 2nd DT spot and the 2nd CB spot will have guys rotated until someone can’t be denied.

I think it's kind of obvious that Cloyd was brought in to push Wes, and I think Wes is the type of player that will take the next step there, I agree. And having Cloyd as his backup fits better than having K.Smith as his back up imo. Cloyd has the size and familiarity with Nicholson that makes him a nice backup.

I don't think CB is a big drop off from Davonte to CB2, like i see it with the safety position. I just think Kam is just that ******* good, that his backup can still be avg-good and it's a big drop off lol I don't think Markeith is bad or can't be good, just inexperienced. but i trust Guidry based off what I saw with Marshall and he can really coach up Markeith.

Samson could be 2nd behind Zion and still redshirt cause the new rule is only 4 games right? If he isn't 2nd, it's probably Rivers and Cooper slots in at RG.

I agree with rotating DT and CB2. They'll rotate depending on matchups, and giving opportunities for players to take grasp of their role.

 

[nvlahos]

Really need guys like LT, James Williams, Wesley, Harvey/Kelly, etc. to take a leap and play to their star potential

It would totally change the dynamic of our defense if those guys can become consistent playmakers and game changers

On offense Mario has rebuilt the RB and OL room to almost Elite levels in one year

We have an NFL talent QB in TVD and a better fit and scheme at OC this year.

TE room is stacked, the only thing we’re slightly missing is “Miami level” WRs. Restrepo and Young should be high level ACC players. Need someone like George or Harrell to take the next step and give us game changing dynamic and speed

 

[Manfred_Cane]

Really need guys like LT, James Williams, Wesley, Harvey/Kelly, etc. to take a leap and play to their star potential

It would totally change the dynamic of our defense if those guys can become consistent playmakers and game changers

On offense Mario has rebuilt the RB and OL room to almost Elite levels in one year

We have an NFL talent QB in TVD and a better fit and scheme at OC this year.

TE room is stacked, the only thing we’re slightly missing is “Miami level” WRs. Restrepo and Young should be high level ACC players. Need someone like George or Harrell to take the next step and give us game changing dynamic and speed

I think getting James Williams closer to the LOS, will help his game take the next step. Clean up some of the tackling issues (could be cause of the torn labrum). Improving the front 7 should help the back end of the defense. I can really see our defense taking a bigger step forward than most expect.

Agree with RB & OL. Mario keeps bringing up that we lacked explosive plays on offense. Upgrading the OL to block better and hitting on RBs that can produce explosive plays and yards after contact will help the floor of this offense.

If Dawson trusts RayRay, I could see him being the WR3 that steps up. It's a lot to ask for a freshman but he gets open and has playmaking ability that we've been lacking.

Idk if we have a WR1. We may have a bunch of WR2s and WR3s but I think that can work for this season. There's a lot of options in the passing game: Colbie, X, George, Harrell, Ray Ray, Arroyo, Skinner, Riley Williams.

 

[423Hurricane]

Very different roster from last year. I agree safety depth might be a concern and I would also add QB. For the most part, the 2 deep is pretty solid. As many have mentioned, if we can stay relatively healthy, we can have a good season.

 

[dantheman349]

Great Write up. I haven't been following as close due to work so this was a nice little break down for me to see whose where. alot of new names which in my opinion is great! Cant wait for the season to start!

 

[nvlahos]

Depth concerns at QB, S and the CB level of play is an unknown

I do think Brian Balom could be a sneaky surprise as a 3rd safety who rotates in

 

[Canestomp]

Might be the kool aid talking but...

Don't sip the fookin' Kool-Aid.

 

[Empirical Cane]

Remember...Manuela's and Guidry's Ds are the same essentially.

Hopefully he can teach tackling better.

 

[305407cane]

Corner we are better this year even tho tyrique is the best of the bunch if you lined up last year and this years team

 

[Manfred_Cane]

Remember...Manuela's and Guidry's Ds are the same essentially.

Hopefully he can teach tackling better.

Nah I don't think they're the same. I don't think they're even similar.

Manny was bringing pressure just to bring pressure, with no safety net. He couldn't disguise his pressure either. His defenses got burned time and time again once the opposing team figured out his sequences.

Guidry does a great job disguising his pressure and if the pressure doesn't hit home, his defense isn't assed out. there's backup coverage.

I didn't see a tackling issue at Marshall so if he can get some of these players to break bad habits, we should see an approved tackling team.

Also want to add, that Marshall's DL and LBs were very good at using their hands to keep blockers from getting a hold of them, and fighting through the initial contact to get to the ball carrier. Which is something Manny's defense could never really do.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

Remember...Manuela's and Guidry's Ds are the same essentially.

Hopefully he can teach tackling better.

Absolutely not.

Are they both predicated on havoc? Yes. That’s where the comparisons stop.