When you look at returning letterman, returning starts at QB and the OL and total returning starts along the whole roster, I would guess we are top 5 in the nation and perhaps top 2 in a power 5 conference.
Here's my probable starting lineup vs. UW (P12 opener)
QB - Goff (Jr) 3rd year as a starter
RB - Lasco (Sr) 2nd year as a starter
WR - Treggs (Sr) 3rd year as a starter
WR - Davis (Sr) 2nd year as a starter
WR - Lawler (Jr) 2nd year as a starter
WR - Anderson (Sr) 2nd year as a starter
OT - Stephen Moore (Junior) 3rd year as a starter
OG - Chris Borrayo (Junior) 3rd year as a starter (started halfway through freshman year)
OC - Matt Cochran (Junior) 1st year as a starter yet has started 3 games and played extensively the past two seasons
OG - Jordan Rigsbee (Senior) 3rd year as a starter
OT - TBD (new starter)
That's as veteran an offense as any in the NCAA, especially when you look at experienced depth behind these folks.
Defense:
DE - Kyle Kragen (Senior) Had 5 starts in his junior year with extensive experience (BTW most publications count 5 starts as a returning starter)
DT - Mustafa Jalil (Senior) 2nd year as a starter
DT - James Looney (Sophomore) Played extensively as a true frosh at Wake Forest
DE - TBD but likely Todd Barr (Senior) ; James Johnson (Junior); Westerfield (Sophomore) and Lopa (Senior). Lots of returning starts among that group. Wilson needs to beat that group out (which he failed to do this Spring) but he's a junior with USC experience under his belt
LB - Michael Barton (Junior) 2nd year starter
LB - Hardy Nickerson/Jalen Jefferson (Junior/Senior) - 2nd/3rd year starters
LB - Jake Kearney (Junior); 2nd year starter
S - Stephan McClure (Senior) 3rd year starter
S - TBD - Demairay Drew (Junior); Griffin Piatt (Junior); Derron Brown (Sophomore): All but Brown have starting experience
CB - Darius White (Senior): 2nd year starter
CB - Darius Allensworth (Junior); Extensive experience including multiple starts OR Antoine Albert (Junior); new starter
That's a VERY veteran group. Our 2nd string has also played a lot: Manley, Mekari, Kelly on the DL, Downs, Anoi, Broussard, Tongilava at LB; Coleman, Walker, Dozier, Cheek at DB
Here's my probable starting lineup vs. UW (P12 opener)
QB - Goff (Jr) 3rd year as a starter
RB - Lasco (Sr) 2nd year as a starter
WR - Treggs (Sr) 3rd year as a starter
WR - Davis (Sr) 2nd year as a starter
WR - Lawler (Jr) 2nd year as a starter
WR - Anderson (Sr) 2nd year as a starter
OT - Stephen Moore (Junior) 3rd year as a starter
OG - Chris Borrayo (Junior) 3rd year as a starter (started halfway through freshman year)
OC - Matt Cochran (Junior) 1st year as a starter yet has started 3 games and played extensively the past two seasons
OG - Jordan Rigsbee (Senior) 3rd year as a starter
OT - TBD (new starter)
That's as veteran an offense as any in the NCAA, especially when you look at experienced depth behind these folks.
Defense:
DE - Kyle Kragen (Senior) Had 5 starts in his junior year with extensive experience (BTW most publications count 5 starts as a returning starter)
DT - Mustafa Jalil (Senior) 2nd year as a starter
DT - James Looney (Sophomore) Played extensively as a true frosh at Wake Forest
DE - TBD but likely Todd Barr (Senior) ; James Johnson (Junior); Westerfield (Sophomore) and Lopa (Senior). Lots of returning starts among that group. Wilson needs to beat that group out (which he failed to do this Spring) but he's a junior with USC experience under his belt
LB - Michael Barton (Junior) 2nd year starter
LB - Hardy Nickerson/Jalen Jefferson (Junior/Senior) - 2nd/3rd year starters
LB - Jake Kearney (Junior); 2nd year starter
S - Stephan McClure (Senior) 3rd year starter
S - TBD - Demairay Drew (Junior); Griffin Piatt (Junior); Derron Brown (Sophomore): All but Brown have starting experience
CB - Darius White (Senior): 2nd year starter
CB - Darius Allensworth (Junior); Extensive experience including multiple starts OR Antoine Albert (Junior); new starter
That's a VERY veteran group. Our 2nd string has also played a lot: Manley, Mekari, Kelly on the DL, Downs, Anoi, Broussard, Tongilava at LB; Coleman, Walker, Dozier, Cheek at DB
