The Future Is So Bright.........

[mtgrizrule]

I gotta wear shades.

Seriously, the majority of this year's team is very young. I believe between the SR and JR classes, there are only 23 players (15 SR/SR RS, 8 JR/JR RS). Normally teams dominated by so many under classmen struggle. Meanwhile, this year's GRIZ appear to be 1 or 2 years ahead of schedule. Also many of the young players are rotational contributors. Here is a breakdown of the FR to RS SO's.

Defense:
CB- Cowans, Nash, Egbo, Crow (FR RS), Holmes (FR)- The 4 FR RS are all contributing at 2 deep and/or special teams.
Safety- Sandry (SO RS starter), Banks and McGinnis (FR redshirting this year)

LBS- Dante Olson, Vika Fa'atuiese , Andrew Harris (all RS SO's) 2 of the 3 are in the 2 deep and contributing a lot.
La Texier, Lewis (RS FR)- both have been or were contributing to Defense and/or Special teams.
Sweet, Matthews, Key, Welnel (all redshirting as Freshmen)

DE- Sirmon (rotational player), Favoroso (rotating starter) (RS SO's)
Rosling, Maua (RS FR)- I'm not sure of their roles, maybe someone can add information for them.
Deming, Nelson (each redshirting as FR).

DT- Sims (RS SO, Starter)
Rodriguez (RS FR listed as DT, but plays DE too, rotational contributor), Longoria (RS FR, rotational contributor).

Offense:
QB- Jensen (RS FR, Starter)
Wilson, Dick (each redshirting as FR) one for both may change positions.

RB- McCombs (RS SO), Green (RS FR)- likely to be the starter in 2019.
Moses (Redshirting as FR).

WR- Too many to list, only 4 upper classmen, 16 SO's and FR. This unit is loaded with under classmen

OL- only 3 SR's, 11 under classmen. Also a very loaded group.

K/P- Semenza and Purdy (RS SO's).

Athletes- Deshner and Holt (Redshirting as Freshmen).

That is a lot of youth on this roster. Good thing, these guys are maturing at a good pace, and the growing pains have been minimized. I honestly believe, Stitt is on the verge of having a very special team. Question is, can it be this year, or more realistically, next season?

 

[Copper Griz]

I gotta wear shades.

Seriously, the majority of this year's team is very young. I believe between the SR and JR classes, there are only 23 players (15 SR/SR RS, 8 JR/JR RS). Normally teams dominated by so many under classmen struggle. Meanwhile, this year's GRIZ appear to be 1 or 2 years ahead of schedule. Also many of the young players are rotational contributors. Here is a breakdown of the FR to RS SO's.

Defense:
CB- Cowans, Nash, Egbo, Crow (FR RS), Holmes (FR)- The 4 FR RS are all contributing at 2 deep and/or special teams.
Safety- Sandry (SO RS starter), Banks and McGinnis (FR redshirting this year)

LBS- Dante Olson, Vika Fa'atuiese , Andrew Harris (all RS SO's) 2 of the 3 are in the 2 deep and contributing a lot.
La Texier, Lewis (RS FR)- both have been or were contributing to Defense and/or Special teams.
Sweet, Matthews, Key, Welnel (all redshirting as Freshmen)

DE- Sirmon (rotational player), Favoroso (rotating starter) (RS SO's)
Rosling, Maua (RS FR)- I'm not sure of their roles, maybe someone can add information for them.
Deming, Nelson (each redshirting as FR).

DT- Sims (RS SO, Starter)
Rodriguez (RS FR listed as DT, but plays DE too, rotational contributor), Longoria (RS FR, rotational contributor).

Offense:
QB- Jensen (RS FR, Starter)
Wilson, Dick (each redshirting as FR) one for both may change positions.

RB- McCombs (RS SO), Green (RS FR)- likely to be the starter in 2019.
Moses (Redshirting as FR).

WR- Too many to list, only 4 upper classmen, 16 SO's and FR. This unit is loaded with under classmen

OL- only 3 SR's, 11 under classmen. Also a very loaded group.

K/P- Semenza and Purdy (RS SO's).

Athletes- Deshner and Holt (Redshirting as Freshmen).

That is a lot of youth on this roster. Good thing, these guys are maturing at a good pace, and the growing pains have been minimized. I honestly believe, Stitt is on the verge of having a very special team. Question is, can it be this year, or more realistically, next season?

Interesting. Given the rosters make up - next year could be good. The year after that could be very good. Depends on drop downs, health and consistency with the coaching staff. I am hopeful for the future. There are glimpses of greatness this year. Last year I thought Bozo's team was headed in the right direction - this year I have confidence the Griz are headed in the right direction. Especially with the field general.

 

[MTGRZ]

Must improve defense. Starting with recruiting, then coaching, then play on the field. But I have faith we will get there! Go Griz!

 

[GRIZFAN20]

I feel like in the 3 years since Stitt has been here, the overall talent & depth on the offense side of the ball is fantastic. We are seeing his offense take shape and (so far) be able to consistently produce points. From that prospective, we are doing great.

On defense, it remains to be seen which direction the team is headed. Most agree that this year the defense has taken a decline, whether that be coaching, talent or a combo of the two. Obviously there is talent coming through the pipeline on defense, but it remains to be seen if enough talent is being recruited for an elite defense. This is where I think could hold the Griz back moving forward.

With that said, I am very excited about the overall talent coming in. I feel this team is heading in the right direction & you hope the coaching staff has a plan to improve the defense in the years to come. As the topic suggests, the future is very bright.