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The quarterback position belongs to LaNorris Sellers. His sophomore season was nowhere near his freshman season. The offensive line struggled and dealt with injuries, and it effected Sellers’ play. Year three of Sellers’ starting tenure will decide whether SEC defensive coordinators learned how to defend him.
The running back room returns experience in Matt Fuller and Jawarn Howell. The additions of Christian Clark (Texas), Jabree Coleman (Penn State), and Sam Dixon (Ohio State) bring a lot to the table. This unit needs to be more productive and should do so with the talent in the room.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Mazeo Bennett Jr., Jayden Sellers, Nyck Harbor, Donovan Murph, and tight end Brady Hunt. The additions of Charly Mullaly (Holy Cross), Nito Tuggle (Purdue), DJ Black (UCF), Jayden Gibson (Oklahoma), and tight end Max Drag (UCF) help make this a very deep unit.
The offensive line room has already lost two players this season due to injury in Josiah Thompson and Jacarrius Peak. Nolan Hay and Shed Sarratt Jr. return. The additions of Armando Nieves (New Mexico State), Seth Smith (Northern Arizona), Dayne Arnett (D2 Ferris State), Emmanuel Poku (East Carolina, All-AAC), Hank Purvis (Purdue), Carter Miller (UCF), and Ebubedike Nnabugwu (Missouri State) will need time to gel.
The defensive line room returns experience in Dylan Stewart, Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, and Troy Pikes. The additions of Kelby Collins (Alabama), Tomiwa Durojaiye (Illinois), Jordan Thomas (Georgia), Drew Collins (Arkansas State), Caleb Herring (Tennessee), and 5-star true freshman Julian Walker will all get reps.
The linebacker room returns production in Justin Okoronkwo, Fred “Jayr” Johnson, and Shawn Murphy. All three have started multiple games and are ready for action. Younger players will need to develop behind them for this unit to fill out.
The secondary returns experience in Gerald Kilgore, Vicari Swain, Judge Collier, Peyton Williams, and David Bucey. The addition of Quay’sheed Scott (Kentucky) provides another weapon who started every game for the Wildcats last season.
Punter Mason Love returns and is one of the best in the SEC. Kicking duties will belong to either Max Kelley or Texas Tech transfer Upton Bellenfant. Vicari Swain may be the best punt returner in college football. He had three punt return TDs last season.
Shane Beamer and company hit a wall last season, going 4-8. There was high, probably, unrealistic expectations last season that went unmet. This year, a winning season may be the ceiling as the schedule is tough and there are questions throughout the roster.
