5 Burning Questions

Camp starts on August 2nd so we are just two and a half weeks away from football FINALLY returning.  The Jacks enter the season with 6 returning starters on offense and 8 on defense.  In addition to 14 starters returning, the Jacks bring back many role players who contributed greatly in 2017.  The special teams units also return their leaders.  At face value, this sounds good.  However, analyzing who the departures were and their statistics naturally leads to some questions.

1. The obvious first question is who replaces the production of Jake Wieneke and Dallas Goedert?
Last year alone these two accounted for 56% of the receptions (160 of 285), 68% of the receiving yardage (2609 of 3803), and 82% of the receiving touchdown (27 of 33).  This is astounding production from these two.  Maybe a bigger thing to consider is who makes the timely impact plays?

I think most Jackrabbit fans will be paying attention to this but 2017 showed the emergence of Jacob Brown, Cade Johnson, and Marquise Lewis.  These three all made big plays throughout the season.  It is highly unlikely that one or two players will be able to replicate the statistical dominance that Wieneke and Goedert had in 2016 and 2017.  However, the depth at the position with the three aforementioned players and Adam Anderson, Deyon Campbell, Alex Wilde, Keenan Orr, and Isaiah Hill may make this a more well rounded group. Skyler Cavanaugh and Kal Hart played a lot last season at tight end and will use that experience to springboard into more prominent roles in 2018. 



2. Maybe a less obvious question is who replaces left tackle Charlie Harmon?
Harmon started for the Jacks for the last three years at left tackle.  Overall, he did a great job of protecting Taryn's blindside and keeping him off the turf.  Coach Eck has been adamant that he will play the best five offensive lineman.  Last season when Harmon moved to guard (due to injuries) his position was filled by Evan Greeneway.  This seems like the natural succession but Eagan Lickiss performed well as a true freshman.   Also in the mix is The Mountain Jon Gruetzmacher.  In a room full of big people, he still stands out.  He spent his red-shirt season getting stronger and has to be in the mix.



3. Who lines up opposite All-American cornerback Jordan Brown?
Brown experienced a breakout 2017 and locked-up some of the best receivers in the country.  Zy Mosley and Marshon Harris combined to start the last handful of games.  They are very different corners but have both made big plays and experienced struggles.  The Jacks also brought in NC State transfer, Bryce Banks to compete to start.  Donald Gardner is back on the field after a leg injury ended his 2017 campaign early and he will also be in the mix for significant playing time.  I'll have a full breakdown of the cornerback room in my position preview but this is certainly a position battle to watch this fall.  


4.  What freshmen are candidates to contribute this season?   
This was another big recruiting class for the Jackrabbits.  For the most part, the Jackrabbits have excellent depth across the board and return 14 starters and many other significant contributors.  The NCAA is implementing new rules that will allow freshmen to play in up to four games per season and not lose a year of eligibility.  This could be big when injuries strike and also in certain situations in the playoffs.

I'm speculating that we won't see as many freshmen play in game one as we did last year (pending potential injuries suffered in training camp).  The names that jump out to me are Ryan Van Marel and Caleb Sanders.  Both are defensive tackles from northwest Iowa.  Both have been on campus this summer working out with the team and helping out with the various camps on campus.  They each have the frame and build to contribute but it will all depend on how the upper-classmen ahead of them perform this season. Ti'Jaih Davis, J'Bore Gibbs and Mason McCormick are other players that I could see contributing this season and look to be physically ready if injuries occur at their respective positions.  This doesn't mean that other freshmen won't play or contribute throughout the season.  Last year Skyler Cavanaugh was on no-ones radar until he blew the doors off in fall camp and earned his way onto the field.       


5. Can the Jacks take another step forward and reach the National Championship game? 
There has been a lot of speculation in the national media that the Jacks will be "down" this season.  Those of us who follow the program closely realize that the team and the offense will be different but saying that the Jacks will be "down" seems to sell the level of talent on the team short.

One thing to consider is the schedule that the Jacks will be facing.  There are no easy weeks in the MVFC and SDSU will be on the road facing NDSU, UNI, Illinois State, and Southern Illinois.  These are all difficult places to play.  On top of that the Jacks take on FBS "most-improved" darling, Iowa State.  This certainly is not an easy schedule.

However, you can look up and down the roster and find players who have played significant snaps and who have a proven track record.  You will also see playmakers like Taryn Christion, Christian Rozeboom, Mikey Daniel, Ryan Earith, and all of the rest of the players I have mentioned in this post.  The Jacks roster is deeper and more talented than it has ever been.  I believe that depth will create competition that will translate to greater success.  But if players don't step up and meet the challenge, then yes it will be a down season.  However, I don't see the team leadership and the coaches allowing that to happen.