Offense
Gone (Seniors):
C Reese Dismukes
RG Chad Slade
TE CJ Uzomah, Brandon Fulse
RB Cameron Artis-Payne, Corey Grant
QB Nick Marshall
WR Quan Bray
Possibly Gone (Juniors to NFL):
WR Sammie Coates, Duke Williams
Defense
Gone (Seniors):
DT Angelo Blackson, Ben Bradley
DE Ladarius Owens
DB Jonathan Mincy, Trovon Reed, Robenson Therezie
and lest we forget:
Long Snapper Forrest Hill
Most concerning in terms of losing is all the experience in the backfield and the possible losses at WR with Coates and Williams. There's little experience on the d-line coming back as well.
Yeah this is when Malzahn really proves his worth as a head coach. Can he cobble a winner with so many key loses?
Duke and Sammy are almost certain to leave so they can get paid. We will lack their downfield blocking, toughness on the limited crosses we threw along with the double deep threat they posed to defenses.
Dismukes is a tough one to replace.
Our outside run game was dependent on the Fulse and Uzomah sealing the edges. Without them and or a true fullback we will really be set up like a finesse team.
I don't see Thomas carrying the mail anywhere near the level of Mason or like CAP has this season. Roc is a talent but maybe Jovan Robinson gets the bulk of the work.
Slade will get drafted and Bray has a chance because he is a PR that can play special teams and learn as a receiver.
I have a great deal of confidence in JJ as a QB over any other guy we have had in the past with so few pieces returning.
Blackson might actually catch on as a free agent IMO-but like so many current and those before him his problem is that he takes too many plays off. Therezie is a good hitter that lacks coverage skills but then there are a shocking few that at least find their way on a team and somehow play a couple of years.