It is pretty fun to think about all of the discussions on this board when the Griz were leading up to this season. There were a lot of question marks on a variety of things. I think we have enough sample size/proof to address some of those:
How well will Brady play?
I think he is answering the call. He has improved his yardage, completions, TDs, interceptions, and pretty much everything else compared to last year. His completion % alone is like 12% points higher. He is ranking statistically among the top in the league and FCS
Can we really expect to reload our LB corps....again?
Yes. At linebacker U this is easily possible. We have seen this now a few times. First with Tripp, Coyle, and Kanagata. Replaced them with Gamboa, Van Ackern, and Kose. Now replaced them with Banks, Straham, and Buss. This years LB corps is incredible. And they'll all be back next year. We have a lot of promising depth behind them, too, in Fatuiesse, Sirmon, Olson, etc
How big of a drop off will we have in our receivers?
We had an incredible trio in Jones, Henderson, and Roberts. I must admit I was very worried about the drop off myself going into the year. Now we have a very young and very capable and very deep receiver corps who are all getting on the same page with Brady and looking really strong. Homan, JLM, Calhoun, Lyons, Curran, Horner, Bingham, Taylor, Eaton. These guys are only going to get better and will be around for a long time in this system. We have some future all conference studs in Akem, Corbin, Nagler, Nash, and Toure coming up too. Stitt has proven he can recruit the receivers he wants in his system.
Will the defensive front suffer by losing Holmes?
Holmes was one of the most dominant players I've seen in FCS. He was an absolute menace and created issues for any lineman he faced. It's crazy to think that our defensive front in my opinion has improved greatly. Picking up Davidson was one of the best moves this staff made. That kid plugs up the middle extremely well. Then when you see what Johnston, Kidder, Schye are doing with Semore's guidance, it's a thing of beauty. Add in the high level of play from Sims in Peevey and this outfit looks really good.
How can we possibly improve our secondary only having one starter back?
By getting in Justin Strong, the other best move this staff has made. That kid is the best transfer in all of the Big Sky in my opinion. Then McKinley and Markell have been playing well and have risen to the challenge of playing a lot of man coverage. All of them will be back next year. Now we get JR back and things should only get better, which is scary. Reynard has also been a great pick up. Sandry looking like a future stud too. If Yamen can up his game just a little big this is an incredible secondary.
Will the offensive line get any better or is it all talk?
I think there has been very noticeable difference in the play of our offensive line. Brady is getting way more time and the lanes are opening up really well for the running game. Brady is at his best when he can go through some reads and that is exactly what they are allowing him to do. We have some guys back next year and a lot of young studs in the wings. This line should only get better and better.
Are we screwed with our kicking game?
It sounded like in spring and even in fall there were a lot of questions around our kicking game. Semenza has stepped up and has kicked a very high percentage of field goals and is in the upper tier of points per game in the big sky. Would like to see him get more consistent with these PAT's however. But as long as he keeps kicking field goals well he is only a red shirt freshman. Williams has really done well punting. He averages right around 40 yards a punt but they have nice hang time and a good spiral to them which allow the coverage teams to get down there. Also only a sophomore.
What has stood out to me the most is how young this team is and how many of these guys will be back. Also, the staff has hit an absolute homerun with the transfers they brought in this year. So many transfers don't seem to work out, but this crew was exactly what the Griz needed. Very excited about the product on the field and for what the future has in store for these young kids. Go Griz!
How well will Brady play?
I think he is answering the call. He has improved his yardage, completions, TDs, interceptions, and pretty much everything else compared to last year. His completion % alone is like 12% points higher. He is ranking statistically among the top in the league and FCS
Can we really expect to reload our LB corps....again?
Yes. At linebacker U this is easily possible. We have seen this now a few times. First with Tripp, Coyle, and Kanagata. Replaced them with Gamboa, Van Ackern, and Kose. Now replaced them with Banks, Straham, and Buss. This years LB corps is incredible. And they'll all be back next year. We have a lot of promising depth behind them, too, in Fatuiesse, Sirmon, Olson, etc
How big of a drop off will we have in our receivers?
We had an incredible trio in Jones, Henderson, and Roberts. I must admit I was very worried about the drop off myself going into the year. Now we have a very young and very capable and very deep receiver corps who are all getting on the same page with Brady and looking really strong. Homan, JLM, Calhoun, Lyons, Curran, Horner, Bingham, Taylor, Eaton. These guys are only going to get better and will be around for a long time in this system. We have some future all conference studs in Akem, Corbin, Nagler, Nash, and Toure coming up too. Stitt has proven he can recruit the receivers he wants in his system.
Will the defensive front suffer by losing Holmes?
Holmes was one of the most dominant players I've seen in FCS. He was an absolute menace and created issues for any lineman he faced. It's crazy to think that our defensive front in my opinion has improved greatly. Picking up Davidson was one of the best moves this staff made. That kid plugs up the middle extremely well. Then when you see what Johnston, Kidder, Schye are doing with Semore's guidance, it's a thing of beauty. Add in the high level of play from Sims in Peevey and this outfit looks really good.
How can we possibly improve our secondary only having one starter back?
By getting in Justin Strong, the other best move this staff has made. That kid is the best transfer in all of the Big Sky in my opinion. Then McKinley and Markell have been playing well and have risen to the challenge of playing a lot of man coverage. All of them will be back next year. Now we get JR back and things should only get better, which is scary. Reynard has also been a great pick up. Sandry looking like a future stud too. If Yamen can up his game just a little big this is an incredible secondary.
Will the offensive line get any better or is it all talk?
I think there has been very noticeable difference in the play of our offensive line. Brady is getting way more time and the lanes are opening up really well for the running game. Brady is at his best when he can go through some reads and that is exactly what they are allowing him to do. We have some guys back next year and a lot of young studs in the wings. This line should only get better and better.
Are we screwed with our kicking game?
It sounded like in spring and even in fall there were a lot of questions around our kicking game. Semenza has stepped up and has kicked a very high percentage of field goals and is in the upper tier of points per game in the big sky. Would like to see him get more consistent with these PAT's however. But as long as he keeps kicking field goals well he is only a red shirt freshman. Williams has really done well punting. He averages right around 40 yards a punt but they have nice hang time and a good spiral to them which allow the coverage teams to get down there. Also only a sophomore.
What has stood out to me the most is how young this team is and how many of these guys will be back. Also, the staff has hit an absolute homerun with the transfers they brought in this year. So many transfers don't seem to work out, but this crew was exactly what the Griz needed. Very excited about the product on the field and for what the future has in store for these young kids. Go Griz!
