By Cole Mantell (@LightningDragon)
Many longtime readers consider this one of my best series. What does each team need in recruiting? In addition to it being one of my longest-running series, it’s a great snapshot of where each team is and what they need moving forward. Season 23 celebrates 10 seasons of my writing content, including this series. So to celebrate that, let’s start the offseason by once again, figuring out each CFSL team’s most significant need in recruiting.
For new readers, these are the rules. We are only looking at graduates from the roster. We don’t know everything about transfers yet, so they are not included, and we are assuming everyone on the current rosters will stay at their schools, including 3 stars. That isn’t true, but for this article that is the easiest way to analyze each team. And while we welcome Iowa and Nebraska back to the CFSL, since they are expansion teams, they need everything, and we will thus not include them in the article. With all of that said, that leaves us 22 teams to discuss. Let’s get into it.
Alabama Crimson Tide – Wide Receiver/Tight End
It was a banner season for Alabama, even if their undefeated regular season ended once again in heartbreak. They can ask rival Auburn how that feels. Still, now Alabama has one season left with maybe the best QB in the SEC in Johnny Ray Davis. Crimson Tide AD David Ware now will need to replace eight seniors, and four of them are at either wide receiver or tight end.
Right now, the only guys Davis has to throw to are 4-star Denver Anthony and 3-star Kolby Coffey. Both WRs are good, but Alabama will be hungry for the next game-changers. This is going to be the story of Alabama’s offseason, and the key to continuing the machine that Alabama has become.
Auburn Tigers – Quarterback
Eight QBs graduate this season, and Jay Duke argues for maybe being the best of them. Whatever your opinion, Auburn’s stability at QB will now have to change as the Tigers reload. Whoever comes in, will be large shoes to fill. Needless to say, Auburn AD Jay Duke has been the most successful AD at Auburn since the days of Matt Pack winning Auburn’s only National Championship.
For Auburn to get back to those days of glory, it all starts with the guy behind center. While Auburn has a prestigious history at the position, the Tigers have multiple offensive stars graduating as well, namely 5-star WRs Lance Lyde and Josh Mizikar. Needless to say, Auburn will look very different next season, especially on offense.
Clemson Tigers – Defensive Line
Clemson was maybe the youngest team in the CFSL in Season 22. 5 star CB Percy King is the only senior on the roster graduating, and that means that there will be a lot of recruiting depth this offseason for AD Logan Wetzel.
So where does Clemson need the most help this offseason? The position group that jumps out is the defensive line. Always a tough position to recruit, Clemson only has three scholarship players at the defensive line, and 5-star DT Levi Smallwood is the star most casual CFSL viewers know. Behind him, however, is only a 4 and 3 star right now. Even if Clemson runs the 3-4 defense next season, I’d argue that getting depth here is the biggest priority for the Tigers heading into Season 23.
Colorado Buffaloes – Quarterback
Remember how I talked about Auburn and their need to replace a QB, maybe the best QB graduating? Well, Colorado probably has an identical argument as well, and Sky Sanders certainly was an electric talent for Colorado. Except for one game from Barrett Steele, Sanders is the only QB Colorado has ever known in the CFSL. With him gone, he joins a senior class of eleven departing players from the Colorado Buffaloes.
While there are multiple positions to recruit for AD Skyler Shearer and his staff, QB openings are always the talk of the CFSL. With one as high profile as this, along with HB Taylor James entering his senior season, the time is now to find the next generation of stars to play for Colorado.
Florida Gators – Cornerback
Besides being one of the CFSL surprise contenders in Season 22, Florida was one of the younger teams in the SEC. That’s a good sign for building progress in Gainesville. So with only four graduations, the chance is there for Florida to try once again to win their first-ever conference championship in team history.
Right now, the position with the least amount of depth is probably CB. While there are three roster guys at the position, CB Shelly Menchaca is the only returning 5-star at the position. Not to mention 4-star CB AJ Van Gurp is a rising senior too.
Florida State Seminoles – Tight End
I was tempted to say defensive end or cornerback here, especially with four guys on Florida State at those positions graduating. However, Florida State AD Tom Pence’s reputation precedes him. Pence has guys on the roster already capable of filling starting spots at both places.
Meanwhile, at tight end, only 3 stars Barry Whelan and Paulie Boomer remain on the roster. Tom Pence is famous for his 3-Tight End preference and will be looking for that game-changer at the position. Considering ACC rival UNC’s recent performance in the position, there is a need as well for FSU to respond.
Georgia Bulldogs – Cornerback
I had a few options here, including the need for Georgia to replace QB Brandon Petty. However, while that will be important, I’d argue losing two 5-star CBs will make a bigger impact on Georgia’s defense. With Deshaun Catchings and Jay Henry graduating, that leaves just a 4 and 3 star currently on Georgia’s roster.
That will be a much tougher spot to replace as well. Finding quality defensive talent in general is tough. Now, Georgia will need to not only do it at CB, but replace graduating DT Lacrisa Pettijohn, MLB Jad McPherson, and SS Tyrell Trust too. In all, Georgia will have seven seniors to replace this offseason.
LSU Tigers – Defensive Depth
LSU moves to the SEC in Season 23, and they’ll have to replace 5 defensive seniors graduating as they move. All of DE Maria Sebastiano, DR Vladimir Luca, CB Jace Carter, CB Tyr Gunderson, and FS Demontrey Bones were 5 stars who are now moving on.
LSU AD Josh Claydon is a legend of an athletic director and a veteran defensive mind. With all but two offensive players returning, this offseason will be all about defense for LSU’s move back to the SEC. Considering each level of the defense has starters to replace, I went with the overarching option when choosing a group instead of focusing on one specific position.
Miami Hurricanes – Quarterback/Halfback
Congratulations to the Miami Hurricanes and AD George Yost. After his first National Championship as an AD, Yost has some big tasks this offseason ahead of him. He will lose seven seniors, headlined by his two stars on offense in QB Leisa Pink and HB Bo Yost. Bo’s final touchdown will live in CFSL lore forever.
Now the Miami roster needs a new QB, and likely another HB. 4-star Donovan Walls is a good RB, but he is also a rising senior and has never started long-term in his CFSL career. Miami will need a QB, and almost certainly bring in a HB as well. Another under-the-radar need will be DE, where Miami loses both 5-star Heath Moorman and Bubba Wadsworth.
Michigan Wolverines – Defensive Line
It was a bounce-back season for the Wolverines, who now will lose eight seniors to graduation. That includes QB Windham Carter, who was one of the best QBs in the CFSL this season and leaves a huge hole on the Michigan roster. However, Michigan AD Aaron Ike’s biggest need this offseason likely lies on the defensive line.
Michigan loses 5 stars JJ Hutchinson and Hayes Adams to graduation. That leaves 5-stars Brooks Ike and Vinny Jackson on the roster, but both are rising seniors. That means Michigan needs guys now and for the future on the Defensive Line. It’s maybe the toughest position group in the CFSL to replace well and will be the main focus of the Michigan staff on defense this offseason.
North Carolina Tar Heels – Safety
North Carolina is another team losing a team legend at QB in Kevin Price. Similar to Michigan, while that may be the main story people follow with this team, UNC loses seven total seniors from their first roster in team history to win a playoff game. That includes the safety position, where UNC loses 5-star FS John Brooks to graduation.
That leaves 5-star Ava Navarro, a rising senior, and 3-star Shawn Carter on the roster. I just talked about the difficulty of replacing quality defensive line talent in the CFSL, and safety is arguably just as hard to find quality guys as well. While replacing Kevin Price might be the biggest question for UNC AD Daniel Gunn, replacing safety talent will be the biggest key to success for Season 23 for UNC.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Defensive Depth
Notre Dame was another of the CFSL’s youngest teams this season, with just two graduating seniors at the end of Season 22. Notre Dame has refilled the roster well after they lost so many guys to graduation in Season 19, but many of those guys were 3-star recruits.
There’s nothing wrong with 3-star guys, and many great players start as 3-star recruits. But especially on defense, Notre Dame will need to focus this offseason on building on the roster and churning the inactive guys to build the roster talent. The ACC isn’t getting any easier, and while Notre Dame did get a win in Season 22, they’ll need a few more blue-chip recruits to get a few more in Season 23.
Ohio State Buckeyes – Defensive Back
Ohio State joins a few teams we’ve talked about with multiple graduating 5-star CBs. For the Buckeyes, the two were Garrett Pemberton and Corkey Wilder. Now, Ohio State has three CBs on the roster right now. The difference is, that Ohio State also has two graduating 5-star safeties, Jeremy Schultz and Benjamin Carter. That’s four great players gone and a pass defense that will need dire reinforcements.
Other guys on the Buckeyes’ roster play these positions, but none of them are 5 stars. For Ohio State AD Zach Davis, the BIG 10 isn’t getting any easier. While the Buckeyes won the conference in Season 21, rival USC took it back last season. To get back to the top of the conference, they’ll start on defense, especially at CB and Safety.
Oklahoma Sooners – Halfback/Wide Receiver
Himoteo Del Este might be the most entertaining player in the CSFL, period. However, for every play he makes, he needs guys to help. And Oklahoma will lose a stunning five 5 stars at HB and WR to graduation. They are DJ Yost, William Avery, Elijah Miller, Jacob Archer, and Malachi Cobb. Needless to say, replenishing offensive playmakers is the top priority for Oklahoma AD Dustin Hall and his staff.
Right now, the only offensive players on the Oklahoma roster are Del Este, 5-star WR Houston Begley (a rising senior), 3-star WR Zay Hart, 5-star TE Tommy Neville (also a rising senior), and 3-star TE Charlie Felton. Oklahoma loves the run, so I’d expect at least two HBs to come in. And Begley will need more help at WR, so I’d guess at least two, if not more, starter-quality WRs are going to be recruited to Norman too.
Oregon Ducks – Linebacker
Oregon will lose six seniors to graduation this offseason. However, the balance of those graduations is not even. Five of the six guys leaving are on defense. With the offense remaining mostly intact, Oregon’s focus this offseason surely will be on defense.
With that said, three of the graduates are 5-star linebackers Isaiah Mosley, Connor Burns, and Jackson Rodgers. That leaves Tyrone Evans, a rising senior, as the only 5-star LB left on the roster right now. Both starters and depth will be needed this offseason at the position for the Ducks, and it will be easily the biggest need and focus for AD Gavin Lussier.
Penn State Nittany Lions – Quarterback
The Nittany Lions were another of the CFSL’s youngest teams, with just three graduating seniors this season among sixteen freshmen. However, the three graduations were 5 stars in QB JK Matthews, HB Chase McDougal, and MLB Drew Hardy. Those three you could argue were the three biggest names on the team last season.
It’s a tall order to replace, but Penn State is in a good spot with both HB and LB. While some depth will be needed and some 3 stars will be churned, the big question for Penn State is at QB. With JK Matthews gone, that choice of the next Penn State QB will dominate the offseason cycle for Penn State. Will AD TJ Smith go for another transfer like Matthews? Or will he reset and look for a freshman at the position? That’s the big dilemma for Penn State this offseason.
Tennessee Volunteers – Cornerback
It was a landmark season for Tennessee, even if the second half wasn’t great. Forget getting out of the basement, Tennessee was a legitimate SEC automatic spot candidate at points this offseason. If they had pulled the upset against Florida, a game they lost by less than one score, they would have almost certainly made it into the playoffs. As it stands, Tennessee must wait one more season for their shot to return to Championship glory.
The roster is still young, but Tennessee is another team losing two 5-star CBs in Trevon Day II and Trae Gaither. While two 3-star CBs remain in Kentrell Williams and Degan Fry, I’d imagine AD CJ Furman will look for two new guys to help replace that lost production from the two starters. Overall, Tennessee is still a young team, with just five seniors total that needs to be replaced after graduation.
Texas Longhorns – Defensive Line
We talked earlier about teams losing some big guys on the defensive line (pun intended), but how about a team losing every guy on the defensive line? That’s right, all four of the Longhorns at DE or DT are gone to graduation this offseason. That includes three-time All-American Owen Moreland, a huge loss, and maybe the biggest name on the defense last season.
For Texas AD Ryan Moreland, the defense will be his focus this offseason, as six of his eight graduating senior Longhorns are on defense. The only non-defensive losses will be 5-star TE Jaylon Shaikh and kicker Thomas Ohm. Texas will thus return a talented team, and look to continue the chaos in the Big XII. Maybe this time a tiebreaker or close game can go their way, and the Big XII Championship could come home to Austin for the first time since Season 20.
Texas A&M Aggies – Kicker
Chaos shall reign, right? It was another awesome run to the Championship game for Texas A&M, who once again just fell short. This time, it was to the Miami Hurricanes. For Texas A&M, most of the squad is staying together. The only three graduating seniors are WR Buck Stackhouse, CB Marcus Padgett, and K Orion Ironside. Now, Stackhouse and Padgett were both great players and key contributors to the last two seasons of glory for Texas A&M. But the Aggies have guys ready to go at both positions to help fill those gaps in production. Not at kicker.
Ironside was near the top of the CFSL in accuracy in his three career seasons, including mentions for All-American. While he never won that award, he still was a key contributor for Texas A&M and someone who the locker room will miss. Now, it’s back into the recruiting wilds to find the next guy who can step up with a strong leg for Texas A&M. And with so many returning guys, maybe the third time is the charm.
USC Trojans – Safety
It was a disappointing postseason for the #2 seed Trojans. After winning the conference for the first time since Season 10, USC suffered a disaster-upset loss to Ohio State, ending any talk of a three-peat. Ironically, in previous seasons where USC was a much lower seed, their playoffs went much better under AD Jacob Cobb. Now, Cobb has seven seniors to replace.
That includes 5-star safeties in Payson Parker and Mark McNally. Considering star safety Morgan Winters is also a rising senior in Season 23, USC needs talent fast to replace what is and will be lost. Winters is a great talent, but he can’t do it alone. If USC wants revenge and to get back to the glory days, the path this offseason starts at the back of the defense.
Virginia Tech Hokies – Defensive Tackle
What a season for Virginia Tech. The Hokies surprised the CFSL by not just making the playoffs, but winning maybe the toughest conference in the CFSL this season the ACC. While the first conference championship in team history was a success, the Hokies were another team upset in the first round, and the team is still looking for their first-ever playoff win.
For AD Cory Mucci, the good news is that he only needs to replace five seniors this offseason. The biggest need will be at Defensive Tackle. While the ends of the line are better stocked, only 3-star Buddy Oliver remains on the roster as a true DT. The Hokies are another of quite a few teams looking for both depth and starting players at the position group, and the competition will be fierce there as always. That should be the big focus for Virginia Tech’s staff this offseason.
West Virginia Mountaineers – Quarterback
It was a season to forget in Morgantown, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate great talent. Gunnar Rice, no question, graduates as the best QB in West Virginia’s history. The Mountaineers have a few spots to replace, but none will be as important for AD Nathan Murphy as the all-important QB position.
The history for WVU since entering the CFSL in Season 13 has been Kevin Barnes, then Tony Ellis, and then Gunner Rice. For a team entering their 10th CFSL season, that’s a heck of a lot of stability at that position. While the team is still looking for their first playoff win, don’t count these guys out. If they can reload and find a quality starter for next season, the Big XII feels as wide open as ever, especially with a new team in Nebraska coming in and legendary AD leaving the conference with LSU.
