Two-deep by class

I just went through the two-deep looking at classes. Not surprisingly, we have a whole lot of young guys in the rotation this year. I did not, by the way, include specialists. We know what's up there. So how does it look? Let's just say this is another post saying that this year might show growing pains, but if the team gels, we'll be scary in 2011/12.

There are 24 players listed as starters or co-starters, 11 on offense and 13 on defense (can we actually start 13 on defense? That might help. . . ). By class:

10 seniors (5 offense, 5 defense**)

5 juniors (3 offense, 2 defense)

6 sophomores (1 offense, 5 defense)

3 freshmen (2 offense, 1 defense)

On the second team, we have 24 listed, 13 on offense and 11 on defense. Here's how they shake down: 

2 seniors (0 offense, 2 defense)

4 juniors (1 offense, 3 defense)

6 sophomores (4 offense, 2 defense)

12 freshmen (8 offense, 4 defense)

Overall, we have a top 24 on each side of the ball, containing:

12 seniors (5 offense, 7 defense)

9 juniors (4 offense, 5 defense)

12 sophomores (5 offense, 7 defense)

15 freshmen (10 offense, 5 defense)

So at the end of this year, we'll lose 5 starters on each side of the ball (possibly 4 on defense depending on the co-starter situation at WLB), but only 12 members of the two-deep. Only 12 of our top 48 guys are seniors. I know that's a quarter, but considering the obvious advantages that seniors have over freshmen, it's a bit incredible. Even more so is that we only have 9 juniors on the two-deep. This shows you how bad that 2008 recruiting class really was (especially when you consider that 3 of those juniors are JuCo or transfers. Only 6 in the two-deep remain from our '08 recruiting class). At the same time, we have 27 underclassmen in our top 48. This team is going to stay together for a long time, and should they cohere well with each other, they could be scary good in the next two years. 

Also of note: although the starters on defense are slightly younger than their offensive counterparts, the 2nd team offense is almost all freshman and sophomores. The defense is more balanced. 

Specifics units to watch:

*2nd team pass-catchers. Of the 5 seniors on offense, 3 are Jones, Moore, and Stocker. If Rivera, Rogers (x2), and Hunter can fill their shoes in 2011, we've already replaced all but Cooper and Shaw from the offensive two-deep. Not just from the starting team, from the two-deep. Of course, with Stocker, that's easier said than done, but I do think that any improvement our offense sees this year should continue into 2011 without a hitch if the 2nd teamers at WR and TE show well. 

*Offensive line. Only one senior starter. Nine Fr./So. on the two-deep (three starting). This unit will be together for a long time. Watch how they gel over the course of the year. 

*Secondary. No senior starters, four Fr./So. listed as starters (plus one Junior, as we have a co-starter situation). Like the O-line, this group is incredibly green, but they'll be together for a long, long time***. 

Just thought I'd provide some perspective when the freshmen make freshmen mistakes, and some hope that their flashes of brilliance will have time to gel into consistent brilliance. 

**Of the five senior starters on defense, one only starts because of injury (G. Williams), and one is a co-starter who is actually listed second (Frazier). 

***Barring anyone becoming Eric Berry (and leaving early) or Darren Myles (let's not talk about that).