Everyone seems to be on the same page here and I tend to agree. Tyler Morris as #3 with Preston/Bond/Chandler battling for 4/5/6. The far more uncertain depth chart is at tight end. How much will that group factor into the passing game? Will there be a true TE1 or will it be matchup dependent? How many targets will the running backs take? No one knows those answers and I think they are way more "up in the air" than what happens at WR. It's a fun group to think about, that's for sure!
@tjinman1987 I've said it all along, but I have so much faith in our coaching staff, that the only thing that makes sense to me, is they were happy with the returning TE's from last year and adding Schott, that they are confident they have a starter and backup in that group. I tried researching and it looks like TE is probably one of the cheaper positions to add in the portal with NIL, and as important as TE has been for us the last 2 years, I just don't believe they'd not have signed an experienced guy if they had any doubts at all. Just don't see that happening. Obviously I can't point to stats for any returning or incoming TE's, but I don't expect a let down from that position because of that. With our receiver room, I'd guess the focus for TE is on blocking, and that's supposed to be Barker's strength from what I've read.
@kkott Agree with this. And that they've shown that they're adaptable, as a staff, to utilize that big blocking, passing matchup against linebackers, position in different ways. Nowakowski assumed that role last year, as a full back. Horton the year before was more of a traditional TE. Neither were targeted a ton, but both made big impacts. And then unless Cig/Shanahan completely change their philosophy, they really don't throw the ball a ton, and when they do, they spread the ball around to a number of different guys. Marsh and Becker will lead in targets. Morris will get a bunch as well. We'll have some one that fills that relief valve role with targets against opposing linebackers... maybe its a running back this year? Maybe its Schott? Barker will play a lot because of his blocking abilities. Maybe he becomes a viable occasional target too? Definitely not worried about the TE position, as we've seen ultimate successes already without really having a true TE, and/or targeting him much when we do. But I think obviously it'd be great if a true TE emerged. IU's ability to create linebacker mismatches, and use that in key moments the last couple years has been a huge part of their success. If a guy like Schott can develop and emerge, that makes it easier to do, and probably gives Shanahan more options to open up the offense a little more.
@d-b-cooper I don't get what you mean by ratio being 44 or 72 from last year? The 2 metrics I've seen is just straight up # of 4/5 * commits, or their percentage across the entire roster. Believe we had 7 last year (maybe all 4* and no 5*s?), and guessing we're just a bit higher, but that doesn't compute into the numbers you listed. Can you clarify?
The starting three will be Marsh, Becker and Morris. I expect Shazz Preston, Lebron Bond and Davion Chandler to be the next guys behind them. I won't put a number because it's position-dependent.
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With the talent we have in the WR room, if I were Schott I’d be licking my chops at the opportunities he will have this season. You can’t cover everyone, and I expect he’ll have big moments à la Nowakowski when his number is called - especially as the season progresses.
@the-watson While I'd expect the starter will be Schott, I don't think it's set in stone. Remember last year, Holden Staes, who came from TN, was expected to be the starter and former WI walkon Nowakowski the backup. Didn't work out that way. I've always said, this staff saw something in one or more of the TEs on the roster last year (Thiry & Barker) that they believed by adding Schott they had a legit starter and backup. It's the only thing that makes sense to me with this staff not having an experienced portal transfer at TE. But, I agree, a pass catching TE and RB could make a lot of hay with this receiver room.
@thehoosierhuddle speaking of receivers, don't we still have a freshmen joining this year's roster? Lavar Keys? Don't think he came in early, but I think he was pretty highly thought of. Might've been a PSU commit who reopened after Franklin was fired?
Another discussion point we've not touched on, but who do you expect to be returning kicks and punts? Seems like that often used to be the same guy, but now is often 2 different returners.
I think we're loaded at TE too. Expect growing pains, but a lot of talent.
It is unusual for this staff to have guys learn on the job though, you're right.