2023 Preview Part 4: (UPDATED) Ranking the Position Groups
Back in early April, I attempted to rank the position groups based on overall talent, incoming recruiting class additions, and returning production. Little did I know that from April to June there would be such a shocking amount of roster movement, both in and out of the program. That list is completely out of date, but you can find it here.
Now that things have (probably) settled down for the summer, I’d give another shot at reranking these groups. I am going to do something different this time around because most of the last breakdown is still accurate. I’m just going to highlight a few key points for each position group: where they were previously ranked, who are the top players, any notable changes in personnel, two strengths and one weakness, and finally pose one question that remains for each group.
1) Linebacker
Previous Rank: 1
Top Players: Will Breland, Willie Jordan
Notable Additions: N/A
Notable Losses: Rayne Tenega-Doster
Strengths: Continuity, Playmaking
Weaknesses: N/A
Question: Not a lot of concern or change with this group, despite losing one contributor to the portal. The top four of Breland, Jordan, Lowe, and Laurent should be a formidable group, because they were last year. With another season under their belts, will the Linebacking corps be the best in school history?
2) Wide Receiver
Previous Rank: 4
Top Players: Caden Leggett, KJ Jefferson, Jared Smith
Notable Additions: KJ Jefferson-Nicholls State, John Jiles-Virginia Union
Notable Losses: N/A
Strengths: Experience, Size
Weaknesses: Chemistry
Question: Post spring I figured the top 4 at WR were Caden Leggett, Jared Smith, Jakobe Quillen, and Mystikal McGhee. Then the Argos added two huge one year transfers, Jefferson and Jiles, who will be looking to make the most of their final seasons. You can never have too many playmakers, but how does the catch distribution work out with at least five “primary” targets?
3) Quarterback
Previous Rank: 2
Top Players: Peewee Jarrett
Notable Additions: Tierra Wilson-Pine Forest HS
Notable Losses: N/A
Strengths: Arm talent, Athleticism
Weaknesses: Experience past Peewee
Question: Jarrett had a fantastic season in 2022 and fully expect he’s going to take it to the next level this fall. He was a major asset in the running game with his ability to scramble, play the option games, and on designed QB runs, but it also meant a lot of hits on the star QB. What kind of role will Peewee play in the running attack of 2023?
4) Running Back
Previous Rank: 3
Top Players: CJ Wilson, Jalen Bussey
Notable Additions: Jalen Bussey-NDSU, Jamontez Woods-Troy
Notable Losses: Shomari Mason
Strengths: Physical running, Talented trio
Weaknesses: Starting experience
Question: Losing Shomari means the Argos are in desperate need of some more juice in the run game. Replacing his explosiveness is going to be a big task, but transfer Jalen Bussey was a high school track stat with a 10.67 100M PR. Will the speedy NDSU transfer emerge as UWF’s home run hitter in 2023?
5) Defensive End
Previous Rank: 7 (as Defensive Line)
Top Players: Aiden Swett, John McMullen, Jake Dorn
Notable Additions: John McMullen-Northern Michigan, Byron Puryear-College of DuPage
Notable Losses: Jason Romero Jr.
Strengths: Strength, Experience
Weaknesses: New system
Question: The staff has a ton of options with Swett, Dorn, McMullen, Puryear, and Georell Kidd being the most likely contributors. McMullen was crazy productive (over 20 TFL) and took snaps at multiple spots last season for NMU, but he isn’t your typical DE at 5’11” 225. How will the coaches utilize the undersized dynamo?
6) Offensive Line
Previous Rank: 6
Top Players: Jacob Bruce, Oak Stipe, Nymonta Doucure
Notable Additions: Ryan Young-Campbell, Ben Freeman-NW Missouri State
Notable Losses: N/A
Strengths: Three returning starters, Run blocking
Weaknesses: Depth
Question: This group is the group I feel like I’ll look back and say I slept on, once all the pieces are in place. The LT, RG, and RT spots should be locked down by returning quality starters, but the middle of the OL suffered losses from two All-GSC players. UWF added two transfers with starting experience, who will jump into the mix with about four returning players for that starting spot. Who are the starting five OL by the end of camp?
7) Cornerback
Previous Rank: 5
Top Players: Virgil Lemons
Notable Additions: Virgil Lemons-UNC Pembroke, Quincy Milhomme-Snow College
Notable Losses: Anthony Johnson Jr.
Strengths: Varied skill sets, disruptive
Weaknesses: Experience
Question: Anthony Johnson Jr was among the defenses’ brightest stars, and the only returning DB starter, now he is at Western Kentucky and UWF is faced with replacing all four starters and most of the 2022 depth. Lemons is a proven D2 starting caliber player, but who else will emerge from the roster to fill in for all the lost production at Corner?
8) Tight End
Previous Rank: N/A
Top Players: N/A
Notable Additions: Jackson Blalock-Troy, Carson Powers-McNeese State
Notable Losses: N/A
Strengths: Blocking, Physicality
Weaknesses: (Previously) Underutilized
Question: The Argos have never been known for TE usage, even when they’ve had some good players at the spot. Some late portal activity may have indicated they’re trying something different with that group, on top of the three returning blocking specialists. Do the newcomers, Blalock and Powers, bring a pass catching element to the TE room this fall?
9) Defensive Tackle
Previous Rank: 7 (as Defensive Line)
Top Players: Trequan McNair, Justice “Juice” Williams
Notable Additions: N/A
Notable Losses: Michael Police
Strengths: Size, Numbers
Weaknesses: Clear cut starters
Question: The quality of this position group is going to come down to whether or not two or more GSC level Tackles rise from the mix. McNair seemed to have a good spring and Williams probably has the highest upside of the group. Who else will emerge in the DT rotation this fall?
10) Safety
Previous Rank: 8
Top Players: Amari Mitchell, McGrew Fortune
Notable Additions: N/A
Notable Losses: N/A
Strengths: Athleticism, Numbers
Weaknesses: Game experience
Question: Safety is my biggest unknown right now, with the huge turnover and lack of retuning contributors. I think there is talent in that room but only a little experience, so it’s hard to know if anyone is poised to takeover. How does the new staff replace almost all of the Safety production from last season?
