Alright, I've had enough grieving/reflection time from the last season, with my inherent guesses on who leaves and who stays, in order as listed. Here is my vintage RBOSU07 Wayyyy Too Early Lineup Prediction (trademark pending):
QB: Stroud, J Miller, McCord (I think this will be a legit 3-way battle, these are all very talented QBs...but word is Stroud pulled ahead during the season and I see him being our guy next year to start)
RB: Henderson, Teague, Pryor (this is a bold prediction and Teague might get the ceremonial "start" in most games, but Henderson is an elite talent that is going to get the ball a lot right out of the gate...Teague is a serviceable back that will get plenty of carries and grind out tough yards...then you have another true frosh in Pryor that in my view is every bit as talented as Henderson and a little better receiver, so he gets carries...Crowley and Chambers seem to be injured a lot, but hopefully they contribute)
WR: G Wilson, Fleming, Gee Scott, Marvin Harrison Jr. (this is assuming Olave goes pro but beyond Wilson who is our obvious go-to guy, playing time is wide open although I expect Williams grabs a starting spot...I think all of Fleming, JSN and Scott make a big jump and become major contributors...I put Egbuka on this list because he is absurdly talented, but also listed Harrison Jr. because I have a strong suspicion he will play plenty, he is way advanced in his game
WR: Jameson Williams, JSN, Egbuka
TE: Ruckert, Royer, Stover (this assumes both of Farrell and Hausmann leave, but I'm not so sure one of them come back...Ruckert should be a star on our offense next year, then Royer and Stover both are super athletic and should be chomping at the bit for auction)
LT: Munford, D Jones (obviously Munford starts coming back, but Dawand is amazing depth and can move inside for depth as needed)
LG: P Johnson, Vimahi (just basing this on who came in at guard when we had injuries...I highly suspect Johnson wins here, but Vimahi is highly thought of and will give him a run, and at the very least provide depth...notice a theme on depth? we have it droves on the OL)
C: H Miller, Wypler (Miller should be a stud here and carry on the torch, when he was forced into action here against MSU he just wasn't ready to play the position...he'll be a stud and if Wypler develops physically, he should be great depth and hopefully develop into our next great center)
RG: M Jones, Fryar, Donovan Jackson (Jones is a sure-fire starter but that last spot could be any number of guys...Fryar lost his black stripe early and the coaches seem to think highly of him, so that's my pick...look for 5* Donovan Jackson to also make some noise right away on the interior)
RT: NFP, Wray (NPF hasn't confirmed his intentions on the Draft but I think he is coming back, and he was amazing this year and is an obvious starter...Wray is my obvious backup and the kid in my eyes is maybe our 6th best OL, meaning he might be the first one in...if NPF goes pro, I really think we're in good hands with Wray, he is a stud)
DE: Ty Smith, Friday, JBB (Smith was coming on strong and I could see a huge season for him...Friday has flashed at times but needs to bring more consistency...JBB is a physical freak but I don't know that I trust him much unless he makes a big jump)
DE: Harrison, Sawyer, Potter (I honestly could see Harrison losing a lot of snaps to Sawyer, Sawyer is going to be the real deal and right away, he is a Bosa-level talent...that said, hopefully Harrison puts it together next year, sometimes guys take longer and we all knew Harrison needed some time to develop...I also hope Potter comes to fruition...could have easily put Hamilton in for Potter)
DT: Garrett, Vincent, Hall (I think Garrett is back and man do we need him, hopefully he does come back...Vincent showed some moments but isn't the 5* we thought he would be, but injuries have been an issue...Hall is a very talented freshman that has the size and technique to contribute right away)
DT: Togiai, Cage, Hamilton (assuming Togiai is back and I hear he will be, which to me is the biggest get in terms of guys coming back that we can get...Cage really didn't impress me and Hamilton is an unknown...maybe Tyleik Williams can break through if we have issues here)
OLB: Pope, Simon (very confident both of these guys can play at a high level, nice that they both have some experience...but they have to prove it)
OLB: Gant, Melton, Carrico (love Gant, but then we've got some real depth issues even if Eichenberg and Carrico can step it up...we HAVE to stay healthy at this position...that is assuming all of Werner, Browning, Hilliard and Borland are gone...would be huge to have just one of them come back)
MLB: T Mitchell, Eichenberg (it is Mitchell's time to shine and I really think he will, he will be the next McMillan imo...Eichenberg is my best guess at backup here)
CB: Banks, Hancock, Cavazos (assuming Williamson isn't back, he might want to be but maybe we don't bring him back...Banks will start and I think he is a talent that just needed to get some experience, I like him next year...Hancock is my favorite DB recruit in the 2021 class and I think pushes for immediate PT no matter what...Cavazos had some injury issues and could easily get a spot locked down)
CB: Brown, Tyreke Johnson, Watts (hopefully Brown comes bac healthy and Tyreke Johnson has some sort of magical breakthrough...Watts showed flashes and hopefully he makes the leap...Jakailin Johnson from the 2021 class is our highest rated DB and has unreal potential, I just think he needs a year with Coach Mick before he's ready to play...plenty of talent here but lots of question marks)
S: Proctor, Kourt Williams, Dunn (I like Proctor and think he was a victim of a confusing scheme, I like him just fine...Williams was a guy that I think might have started without his injury, coaches seem to love him...Dunn is a freshman I am super high on, I see freakish athleticism and instincts, I think he screams Malik Hooker on film)
S: Ransom, Hickman, Martinez, Hooker (Ransom is a guy I think will be a star, to me he will be a clear starter...Hickman is an athlete that is learning the position and could be good, same goes for Martinez...as for Hooker, I don't see him getting any meaningful PT, he just blew too many coverages and doesn't seem to have any feel out there unfortunately)
K: Seibert (obvious unless Haubeil comes back)
P: Mirco (unless Chrisman comes back, which would be amazing)
