College Football Preview 2015-2016: 14. Arizona State Sun Devils

D.J. Foster

14. Arizona State Sun Devils

2014-2015 Record: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)
Coach: Todd Graham, fourth year (28-12 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: WR Jaelen Strong, S Damarious Randall
Heisman Hopeful: RB/WR D.J. Foster
Breakout Player: LB D.J. Calhoun

How did the Arizona State Sun Devils follow up a breakthrough 2013 that saw them win the Pac-12 South and win ten games? With another 10-win season, and a near Pac-12 South title repeat, before a heart aching loss to archrival Arizona. 2014 was a clear statement to the rest of the Pac-12 and the college football nation that the Sun Devils had turned into legit players under Todd Graham. Entering Graham's fourth season in Tempe, it is reasonable to assume even bigger things will be expected of these Sun Devils after two straight ten-win campaigns. While the offense will be up to it's usual tricks, it is the defense that has most Sun Devils fans excited. Nine starters return to a solid group a year ago, and Graham has always been known as a defensive-minded head coach. With that stingy defense and plenty of experience offensively, big things could be in store in the Desert in 2015-2016.

Backfield: Mike Bercovici has seen plenty of adversity in his long career at ASU. First, he was passed on in 2012, losing the job to future NFL quarterback Brock Osweiler. And, then prior to 2013, he was once more benched in favor of Taylor Kelly this time. Bercovici decided not to transfer and stick it out with Graham and the Sun Devils, and he was rewarded with one of the greatest moments in college football last year, a late "Hail Mary" stunner to beat USC. Now, Bercovici takes over full time at the quarterback position for Arizona State (he saw action last season when Kelly was injured). Bercovici is a very similar player to Taylor Kelly, who led the ASU offense to enormous heights over the past two seasons. He has a great arm that can connect with Arizona State's multiple down-the-field threats, and he is a great athlete. Don't be surprised to see Bercovici make a lot of plays with his legs this season. Arizona State is likely to use the read-option a lot with an athletic quarterback and a number of playmakers surrounding him in the backfield. D.J. Foster, the former feature back for ASU, decided his NFL future would take a better turn with a move to slot receiver, opening up the running back position. The favorite has to sophomore Demario Richard, though Foster should still be carries; Graham and offensive coordinator Mike Norvell will be creative in getting him opportunities. Richard ran for 478 yards and four touchdowns last season and showed a clear ability to make plays. He isn't quite as quick or agile as Foster but he is slightly more powerful and a much more versatile back, giving Arizona State more options. Sophomore Kalen Ballage is sure to get plenty of carries as well this season after showing flashes of stardom a year ago. Ballage ran for 126 yards and three scores last year and is a short-yardage runner. ASU will use him in those short yardage situations and utilize him in the red zone. He will be a perfect change-of-pace to power, contrasting Arizona State's more speed and quickness style of offense. Joining those two will be De'Chavon Hayes, a junior college transfer who sat out last season. Hayes is as explosive as anyone, and the Sun Devils will also be sure to get him plenty of chances, after he sat out all of last year.

Receivers: Jaelen Strong's drop to the third round of this year's NFL Draft certainly shouldn't diminish at all just how dominant he was in a Sun Devil uniform. The All-Conference performer recorded 82 receptions for 1,165, along with ten touchdowns. Strong was the perfect blend of size (6'3") and speed and he will get an opportunity to shine at the next level with the Houston Texans. His departure leaves a big void in Arizona State's receiver corps, one that Graham hopes will be assuaged by the arrival of Foster to the unit. Foster is as quick as they come, and ASU will give him plenty of screens and short passes and just see what he does in the open field. Expect to see plenty of defenders receive broken ankles, from Foster's quick and effective jukes. Foster is already a proven playmaking receiver, as he picked up 688 yards on 62 catches last season, in addition to his 1,000-plus yards rushing. On the outside, Arizona State will most likely turn to senior Gary Chambers to take over as their primary deep threat. Chambers certainly showed he had the potential to be just that in 2014. Despite only reeling in 10 catches, Chambers picked up 204 yards, an average of 20.4 yards every time he touched the ball (he also had two touchdowns.) Chambers height, at 6'4", allows him to make tough catches that few receivers can make, and that size also enables him to power through weaker defenders. Joining Chambers will be junior Eric Lauderdale, who is a possible breakout candidate. Lauderdale was a prized JUCO recruit for Graham last season, but never got to see any chances on the field, as he did not clear academically. He has fixed his academic issues, and has made it clear that he is ready to contribute. Lauderdale made a living in junior college with his speed, and that should certainly transfer to ASU, though he will have to be smarter and more deceptive with how and when he uses that speed. Sophomore Ellis Jefferson is a solid weapon who showed real potential last season, with 11 catches for 144 yards; he should get even more targets this season. Senior tight end Kody Kohl hopes to make his claim as one of the best tight ends in the Pac-12 this season, after a very good 2014. Kohl had 16 catches for 167 yards last season, and displayed a real presence in the red zone, with four touchdowns. He has continued to work on his hands and route running ability this spring, and he could become a very formidable target. Reinforcements arrive for the receiver corps, with the arrival of UCLA transfer Devin Lucien and a couple talented prospects. Lucien is a proven big-play threat who also offers something in special teams, while guys like Terrell Chatman, out of Baton Rouge, along with three-star tight end Tommy Hudson offer real potential for down the road.

Offensive Line: Playing in an up-tempo system like that of Arizona State's is never easy on the big guys in the trenches, but this offensive line has worked hard to become faster and have more stamina. Though, they still have quite a lot of bulk on the unit, and they can bulldoze anyone. The star of the unit has to be senior Nick Kelly, an All-Pac-12 talent in 2014. The senior center is as good as you can find at the position; a strong, vocal leader with a great football IQ, Kelly will once more be leaned on to teach the young guys and keep others in check. Joining Kelly on the interior of the offensive line will be another strong, vocal veteran in senior Christian Westerman. Westerman is the slated starter at the left guard position, and is known for his great run blocking abilities. He also has the athleticism to get down the field and make key blocks, which helps make this Sun Devils' offense so much more dangerous. Fellow senior Vi Teofilo is the other returning starter on Arizona State's offensive line, and the likely starter at right guard. Teofilo is also a very athlete for an offensive linemen and a very versatile linemen. Having those three and a number of backs that can do damage between the tackles means ASU may look to become a little bit more powerful and more effective in short-yardage situations, adding a whole element to the offense. The tackle positions are the questions in the unit, though there appears to be a number of players ready to step up. At left tackle, junior Evan Goodman is the favorite to be the starter. Goodman has seen action in his ASU career and will adjust quickly into ASU's offensive line. He will certainly play an important role on this offensive line, having to protect Bercovici's blindside. At right tackle, expect senior William McGehee to take over full time. McGehee has fantastic size but will have to quickly work on recognizing blitzes and different defensive packages. If he does, he could grow into a very formidable presence on the right side of this offensive line. Junior Stephon McCray offers depth to the middle of the unit, as he can see action at either guard positions or perhaps even center if needed. That depth at guard and in the interior of this unit means that highly touted offensive line newcomer, Zach Robertson, likely won't see much action this season. A four-star prospect by most recruiting services, Robertson should use this time to add even more muscle to his 315-pound frame and become an even more powerful presence at either guard spot.

Defensive Line: This Arizona State defense lost just two starters, but unfortunately they were both pretty important contributors. That includes defensive end Marcus Hardison, who quietly put together a very good 2014, racking up 15 tackles for loss and ten sacks. His absence means someone else on this line will have to pick up main pass rushing duties. Perhaps the most likely candidate to take over will be sophomore Tashon Smallwood. Smallwood was more of a rotational end than anything else last season, but showed significant promise in that action. He recorded 5.5 TFL and two sacks, and will continue to work on his finesse moves. He already is powerful and has enough strength to throw protectors of the QB off of him. The defensive end position opposite of Smallwood is more of a question mark. Junior Edmond Boateng is a good-sized defensive linemen who could certainly work his way to plenty of snaps after solid action in 2014; he recorded 2.5 sacks over last year's campaign. Senior Demetrius Cherry is another interesting defensive linemen, as he has the versatility and frame to play either on the inside or at end. He is more natural at defensive linemen, considering his 6'5", 300-pound frame but he does have some decent pass rushing abilities. He can use those to beat slower offensive linemen. Big things are expected of sophomore Alani Latu, who certainly has a chance to see starts at defensive end. The end has a very bright future, and has showed real promise in the spring, despite just nine tackles in all of last season. He is a very intriguing player to watch during fall camp and on into the early portion of this season. The defensive tackle position is an interesting slot. Cherry should most likely fill in one spot, though the other one is a little bit more of a question. Senior Jaxon Hood has experience and talent, while junior Villami Latu has the potential to grow into a dominant run stopper. Another player that should push for a lot of snaps, all across the defensive line is Joseph Wicker. Wicker is rated as a four-star linemen by ESPN, 247 Sports and much more, and he was a pretty big pickup for Graham and staff. He has the size and quickness to play either at defensive end or tackle. It will be interesting to see where defensive coordinators Keith Patterson and Chris Ball give him the most opportunities. Another newcomer that should push for snaps from the get-go is none other than DeOnte Reynolds. The JUCO transfer is seen as a three-star find by most, and he proved to be very productive at Contra Costa College right in the Bay Area.

Salamo Fiso

Linebackers: Graham and his staff have quickly built a linebacker corps full of talent and playmakers, and a ton of different weapons will vie for increased snaps. The star of the unit has to be junior Salamo Fiso. Fiso showed that he could make plays all over the field in 2014, picking up 83 tackles with 11 of them coming for a loss. Blessed with a great football mind and now comfortable in the ASU system, Fiso is sure to continue to be a tackling machine for the Sun Devils this season. He has the versatility to play a number of different roles for this Arizona State team. Also back is another player who prides themselves on tackling, in senior Antonio Longino. Longino, the rare Sun Devil from the Midwest (East Cleveland), showed his playmaking ability throughout his junior campaign. He had 94 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble that he would return all the way to the house. He should once more a very important role for the ASU defense, and he could also play a variety of different positions and roles. The most likely breakout player on this team and defense has to be sophomore D.J. Calhoun. Calhoun showed some real potential last season as a backup, with 35 tackles, with 6.5 of them going for a loss. Calhoun is a wonderful athlete who is gifted as a coverage 'backer and also blessed with excellent versatility. He has some real talent, and he could even usurp either Fiso or Longino from their starting gigs. Fellow sophomore Christian Sam is another guy that impressed in a reserve role last season, and should compete for important snaps. Sam is a gifted pass rusher with explosiveness who also recorded an interception a season ago. Junior Villami Moeakiola is a well-rounded linebacker with a great feel for the game who could also see starting snaps. Arizona State's linebacker corps did take a hit this spring, when highly regarded junior college transfer Davon Durant was arrested for domestic violence. Durant is rated by most as a four-star talent, and is rated as the top outside linebacker coming out of the JUCO ranks by ESPN. He was almost certain to add even more pass rushing potential and explosiveness to the unit. His future with the team is now in question, but there is still some hope he might suit up this season for Arizona State. Even with all the talent and potential in the unit, perhaps the most intriguing player in it this season will be none other than Kalen Ballage, who will also spend time at linebacker as well as running back, as earlier mentioned. Ballage will most likely see some serious action as a hybrid end-rush linebacker and he will find ways to change games.

Secondary: While the loss of Marcus Hardison severely hurt Arizona State's defensive line, the loss of Damarious Randall may hurt the defensive backfield even more. Randall did it all for the Sun Devils a season ago, recording 106 tackles, 9.5 TFL, three interceptions and nine pass deflections in 2014. Now, he is off to the NFL, where he hopes to make an impact in the Green Bay Packers' secondary. His departure leaves a major void in the Arizona State secondary, but luckily there is still plenty of talent and experience at other places in it. Senior Lloyd Carrington is a proven shutdown cornerback, who picked up 59 tackles, along with five pass deflections. Carrington also showed his ability to get after the quarterback and make big plays in the backfield. He had three sacks last season, pretty impressive for a corner. Also back in the secondary is going to be senior Jordan Simone, who is ASU's leading returning tackler. Simone had 100 tackles last year, with 74 of them coming solo, showing his great form in tackling in the open field. Having great tacklers in open space is a major plus for the Sun Devils, considering the vast amount of spread offenses and speed inside the Pac-12. Simone also added two interceptions and a forced fumble. Simone is slated to start at the free safety position. Don't be surprised to see him making big plays and big hits all over the field this season. Senior cornerback Kweishi Brown also returns alongside Carrington. Brown is a great athlete with the strength to hang with some of the conference's bigger receivers. He was prone to mistakes at times last season, but another year under his belt will help, and he is a proven interception magnet, with three last season. The big question comes at Randall's former position, the strong safety spot. Sophomores James Johnson and Marcus Ball are two of the names that are most likely to replace Randall. Both are great athletes and offer real potential, but don't be surprised at all to see some growing pains early in this secondary. Beyond Brown and Carrington, who could form one of the conference's best cornerback duos, a number of freshman are waiting in the wings. These include four-star prospect Stanley Norman, a versatile playmaker. The former U.S. Army All-American should see opportunities this season. Three-star gem Kareem Orr is a gifted safety who was a steal from SEC country and could offer something down the line.

Special Teams: ASU's special teams could be a considerable strength this season, especially with kicker Zane Gonzalez returning. Gonzalez earned All-Conference honors last year, after knocking down 22 of 27 last season. Punter Matt Haack is back for his junior campaign as well, after a productive 2014.

It is a serious testament to how quickly ASU has risen under Graham that some very high profile NFL prospects (Randall, Strong) can leave and the Sun Devils aren't expected to miss a beat, even with a technically new quarterback. Though, Bercovici is no usual first-year starter. He has played in big moments and he knows how to get the job done. Playmakers like Foster, Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage will only help Bercovici. The defense is full of veterans and full of talent, and could turn into one of the conference's most stout units. An interesting season opener against Texas A&M could give ASU a nice, quality opening victory. The start of the conference schedule, though is pretty brutal and it will test the gifted Sun Devils. Though, Arizona State has proven they are a mainstay in the Pac-12 South title race and they should once more be a serious challenge for a conference championship and possibly a trendy dark horse Playoff contender.

College Football 2015-2016: 15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Malik Zaire

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2014-2015 Record: 8-5 (0-0 Conference Record, Independent)
Coach: Brian Kelly, sixth year (45-20 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: TE Ben Koyack, QB Everett Golson
Heisman Hopeful: QB Malik Zaire
Breakout Player: WR Corey Robinson

It was perhaps the most questionable and scrutinized call of the 2014-2015 season: a late penalty on Notre Dame took away one of the team's touchdowns in a hard-fought battle against Florida State. In the end, it would be the deciding factor, and would drop Notre Dame to a 5-1 mark. The loss not only seemed to diminish the Irish's Playoff chances, it took away any confidence for the team. They would lose four of five following the heartbreaker, including a loss to lowly Northwestern and a blowout loss against archrival USC. A bowl victory against LSU gave ND fans something to cheer about, but in the end, the season was a downer. The impressive show put on by Malik Zaire, the backup QB, in that bowl game helped Everett Golson make the decision his time in South Bend had come to a close. And, while that will shake things up, it could improve the offense, which has a ton of playmakers. 10 starters on defense also are important, and the program looks primed to approve last year's eight wins.

Backfield: Golson's turnover problems became a death sentence to Notre Dame in the second half of the 2014 campaign. He finished with 14 interceptions and eight fumbles and just seemed to lose his confidence. He decided to head south to Tallahassee where he will compete for the void left by Jameis Winston. That opened the door completely to junior Malik Zaire, a dual threat who impressed in short action behind Golson. Zaire was very good in the Music City Bowl victory against a good LSU defense, and fans are excited to see what the gunslinger can do fulltime. The lefty will have some growing pains, but he has the arm strength and playmaking ability to be something very special. Tarean Folston returns as Notre Dame's feature back after a solid 2014 campaign, in which he ran for 889 yards and six touchdowns. The explosive junior is always a threat for a big run, but has to prove himself as a more worthy every-down running back. Unfortunately for the Irish, Greg Bryant, sure to fill in as Folston's backup in 2015, earned himself a four-game suspension to open the year due to violating team rules. Seen as a heralded recruit coming out of high school, Bryant has shown flashes of stardom in his time in South Bend, but has yet to truly deliver. He will be amped and ready to go when his suspension draws to an ending. Cam McDaniel was never a big-play back but he was a productive, efficient runner and his departure hurts, much like Bryant's suspension. Head coach Brian Kelly and staff did a great job finding players in this year's recruiting class that will be future stars for the Irish (which granted, isn't very hard at a program like ND). New Jersey prospect Brandon Wimbush is seen as a four-star recruit by nearly every recruiting service, and he could be the future at the quarterback position for the Irish. Dexter Williams is ranked as a Top-5 back by ESPN in the 2015 Class, and he could see action right away, without a ton of depth in the backfield. Three-star talent Josh Adams isn't as hyped as Williams or others, but he could be a solid contributor to the Notre Dame offense in a few years.

Will Fuller

Receivers: Making life easier for Zaire will be a stocked receivers corps, which all begins with junior
Will Fuller. Entering 2014, Fuller was seen as a rather one-dimensional receiver with one strength; his deep threat ability. But, Fuller quickly emerged as Golson's favorite and most reliable weapon and it helped him record 76 receptions, 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns. Fuller is an established route runner with great hands and is as speedy as you'll find. Perhaps what makes him dangerous the most is his burst in the open field, which enables him to make plays after the catch. While Fuller is clearly Notre Dame's top target, expect big things from Corey Robinson, entering his junior season. The son of NBA great David Robinson, Corey emerged as a legit weapon against Florida State a year ago and continues to improve each and every day. The 6'5" playmaker is fabulous in the red zone with his terrific size and uses that frame to make tough jump ball catches. Robinson had 40 catches, 539 yards and five touchdowns a season ago, all numbers that could absolutely explode this season. Senior Chris Brown is another established receiver who should put together a very good season. Brown has a lethal mix of speed and explosiveness, and he could take over as ND's top deep threat. He certainly showed he had big play potential, averaging over 14 yards per reception last season. Former USC transfer Amir Carlisle has grown into a productive receiver as well, in more of a slot receiver role. A small but shifty playmaker, Carlisle picked up 23 catches for 309 yards last season. Expect offensive coordinator Mike Sanford to utilize Carlisle as much as possible in screens and short yardage passing situations. Also returning is big-play C.J. Prosise, who returns for his final year in South Bend. Prosise averaged 17.8 yards per reception a season ago, and will continue to move the ball in big chunks of yardage for the Irish. Although he will drop the ball often and isn't a great route runner, there isn't any denying Prosise's importance to the Notre Dame offense. Sophomore Corey Holmes is in line for a breakthrough campaign. Holmes has been buried on the ND depth chart early in his career but he is another receiver with tremendous speed and big-play potential, and he could certainly become a valuable asset. The tight end position has been a strength at Notre Dame for years with players coming through like John Carlson, Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph and more recently, Ben Koyack, who was solid last season (30 receptions, 317 yards). Now, the position falls to junior Durham Smythe or true freshman Alize Jones, with Koyack graduating. Smythe had just one catch a year ago and is more of a blocker than a receiver, but Jones is a very dangerous weapon who is a prospect from Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman. Not only is he a unanimous All-Name Team First-Teamer but Equanimeous St. Brown has some game, as well. The four-star prospect from Anaheim is an explosive playmaker who has all the talent to grow into a very, very good receiver for ND for years to come.
 

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 16. Georgia Bulldogs

Nick Chubb

16. Georgia Bulldogs

2014-2015 Record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Coach: Mark Richt, 15th year (136-48 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: RB Todd Gurley, LB Amarlo Herrera
Heisman Hopeful: RB Nick Chubb
Breakout Player: DE/LB Lorenzo Carter

Following week one, just about everybody was hopping on to the Georgia bandwagon. The Bulldogs were coming off a dominant victory against Clemson, and outside of next week's battle with South Carolina, their schedule was favorable enough to make a Playoff run. Though, a suspension then ACL injury to Heisman hopeful Todd Gurley hurt Georgia severely, and the passing game was truly never able to hit it's stride. In all, the Bulldogs ended up 10-3, not a bad mark by any means, but leaving them wanting more entering 2015. As usual, Mark Richt and the 'Dawgs lose their fair share of quality pro talent, but as usual, enough is waiting in the wings. That talent, that includes the return of sophomore tailback Nick Chubb, who starred in Gurley's absence, has Georgia looking once more like the top dog in the SEC East, especially if someone steps in and takes over at quarterback.

Backfield: For Georgia fans who saw the same guy (Aaron Murray) handle the offense for four straight seasons, it may weird that they enter their second consecutive fall with a new quarterback. Hutson Mason was solid in replacing Murray, throwing for 2,168 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 68% of his passes and not turning the ball over much. Though, he graduated, leaving the door open for a number of different options. Sophomore Brice Ramsey backed up Mason last year, passing the ball 39 times. He looked pretty good, showing a bigger arm than Mason and the ability to move the ball down the field quicker. Also competing with Ramsey will be junior Faton Bauta, and perhaps the new favorite, Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert. Bauta has dual threat ability and the potential to really grow into something. Though, Lambert beats both out in experience and he showed signs of something with the Cavaliers. Lambert has two years of eligibility remaining and can start from the beginning. He isn't the strongest-armed quarterback on the roster, but he doesn't make many mistakes and has a high football IQ. Whoever starts for Georgia will get the pleasure of having one of the nation's best ball carriers with him in the backfield, helping to take some of the pressure off of them. Only at Georgia, who has had a long line of impact backs now, could they lose someone as talented as Gurley, and just fill the hole with Nick Chubb. Chubb ran for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging over seven yards a carry. He capped it all off with a 266 yard day against Louisville in Georgia's Belk Bowl victory, which awakened everybody's eyes (if they hadn't seen him already). A powerful runner who can't just be taken down with arm tackles, Chubb has a workhorse frame. Though, he can still beat out a ton of defenders in a foot race, and his vision resembles a professional back. Perhaps just as scary as Chubb is to opposing coordinators and defenses, is the fact that Georgia has reinforcements behind him. Keith Marshall was superb in his first year with Georgia in 2013, and was supposed to form a scary 1-2 punch with Gurley last season. But, Marshall also struggled with injury after injury and it is hard to know how often he will actually see the field this season. When he is healthy, few can match his versatility and elusiveness. If Marshall once more has an injury prone campaign, expect Richt and new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to look at sophomore Sony Michel as a backup. In just 64 carries last year, Michel showed flashes of stardom, compiling 410 yards along with five touchdowns. Michel is a much more explosive back than Chubb and will provide a much needed change of pace from time to time. The fullback position should also be in very good hands, with senior Quayvon Hicks back. Hicks is a hard-nosed blocker with decent playmaking ability, combining for 116 all-purpose yards in 2014-2015.

Receivers: Perhaps a little bit later than expected, it is Malcolm Mitchell's time to shine in Athens. Injuries have also derailed the promising career of Mitchell, but when healthy, he is among the best receivers in the SEC and the nation. The departures of fellow receivers Chris Conley and reliable Michael Bennett, leave Mitchell as the clear No. 1 option for whoever takes over at quarterback. Mitchell missed Georgia's first four games recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in 2013, but still showed plenty of playmaking ability, finishing with 31 receptions and 248 yards. He will continue to be a dangerous deep threat with his speed, but it remains to be seen if anyone can get him the ball. Joining Mitchell will be junior Reggie Davis, another big play threat who showed real upside last year despite not see a lot of opportunities. Davis is not as sure handed as Mitchell but is just as explosive. Fellow junior Blake Tibbs could also be in store for a much larger role after being buried on the depth chart throughout 2014. Richt and Schottenheimer are also hinging on the return of Justin Scott-Wesley, who also saw his 2013 and 2014 campaigns come to a close early due to injury. Scott-Wesley had knee surgery just weeks ago, but according to multiple news outlets, there is still optimism he could be ready for fall camp and the beginning of the regular season. Scott-Wesley has great size and is gifted with excellent balance, allowing him to make tough catches on sidelines. His return would certainly add another element to Georgia's passing game. The tight end position is bound to be a strength this year for the Bulldogs. Sophomore Jeb Blazevich and senior Jay Rome both return to give Georgia vertical passing threats. Blazevich is likely to be the starter, after recording 18 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Though, Schottenheimer will find creative ways to let both impact the game. Incoming freshman Jackson Harris is a four-star recruit who will also fight to see snaps at the position.
 

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 17. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Justin Thomas

17. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2014-2015 Record: 11-3 (6-2 ACC)
Coach: Paul Johnson, eighth year (59-35 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: RB Synjyn Days, OG Shaq Mason
Heisman Hopeful: QB Justin Thomas
Breakout Player: RB C.J. Leggett

Heading into his seventh year in Atlanta, there was a sense of urgency for the Georgia Tech program and head coach Paul Johnson. Many ACC programs had seemingly figured out Johnson's patented triple-option offense and the team had been an average 28-25 over the past four seasons. Though, last season, Johnson finally found the QB (Justin Thomas) to run his triple-option attack and the results speak for themselves. A flaming 5-0 start was something but how GT ended the year was much more impressive. They won six of their last seven, including a dominant Orange Bowl victory over Mississippi State, and went down to the wire in the ACC Championship against Florida State, their only loss in that span. Now, instead of pressure on Johnson to merely see improvement, there is pressure on him to win the ACC. With Thomas returning at quarterback and a very underrated defense, it could be a real possibility, with Florida State in a sort of retooling phase. Last year's Orange Bowl victory was the Yellow Jackets' first victory in a New Year's Six Bowl in over 60 years. Though, the talent remaining this year could make it two straight big-time bowls for an unorthodox program.

Backfield: It had been the same saying for years around Johnson's triple-option "If he finds a quarterback to run it..." And, last season Johnson certainly found his guy in Justin Thomas. The 5'11" junior is as quick as they come and makes excellent reads on the triple-option. Thomas' stats show just how dominant the relatively unknown QB was in 2014-2015; 1,719 passing yards, 1,086 rushing and 26 total touchdowns. Just as impressive is the fact that the young quarterback did not make many mistakes. He made the right, correct throws and was smart in the running game. If the junior once more can lead the way like he did last season, the Yellow Jackets' offense will have some serious bite to it once more. The question is going to be at the other slots in the flexbone backfield. B-Backs Synjyn Days and Zach Laskey were key components to the option attack. Days ran for 924 yards and nine touchdowns, showing impressive versatility. Laskey, meanwhile, ran for 851 yards and nine scores himself. Only adding to the questions beyond Days and Laskey is the fact that in all, five of Georgia Tech's top six backs were seniors last season. Clearly, that is a serious worry for an offense that is predicated around the ground game. One player Paul Johnson is hoping is going to step up in a big way is redshirt freshman C.J. Leggett. Leggett showed enough dazzle in the spring before his freshman year that Johnson considered giving him carries, but there was just too much experience in front of them, contributing to his redshirt. Now, Leggett could really show off his blend of speed and shiftiness in 2015. More experienced options include senior Broderick Snoddy and junior Dennis Andrews. Snoddy ran for 283 yards last season along with three scores, though a gruesome broken leg against Clemson ended his season. Snoddy hopes to be fully healthy and ready to contribute to the option attack once more. The track star certainly has the speed and explosiveness to constantly pick up big yards for Johnson and Tech. Andrews is a well-rounded back who boosted 106 yards on just 16 carries last season. Junior Isiah Willis along with redshirt freshman Clinton Lynch will be other options in a system that uses as much runningbacks as it can get it's hands on.

Receivers: Clearly, Georgia Tech will not pass the ball very much, but even so, losing two impact receivers in Darren Waller and DeAndre Smelter will hurt. Waller was a physical receiver who was great at making plays in traffic, while Smelter was an explosive athlete. The graduation of the pair will push names like Ricky Jeune and Michael Summers to expanded roles. That may actually be a lot to ask, considering Summers recorded just seven receptions for 45 yards a year ago while Jeune did not record a single catch last season. Jeune certainly has all the tools to be a very good receiver though. He doesn't have breakneck speed, but is strong and has reliable hands. Johnson will almost definitely rely on a number of incoming freshman to also step up in the passing game and make plays. That includes Harland Howell, Christian Philpott and Brad Stewart. Stewart and Howell are both local Georgia prospects who Johnson managed to keep away from other ACC/SEC schools. Howell is a solid, three-star with good size and a great feel for the game. Stewart is seen as a mere one or two-star recruit by most, but he could turn into a steal for the Yellow Jackets. Philpott is the highest-rated recruit of the incoming trio, seen as a three-star by 24/7 Sports and a four-star by ESPN. Philpott is a dangerous playmaker out of Tallahassee, Florida, with considerable upside. With so much losses in the receivers corps and so much experience, Johnson will lean heavily on the veterans and weapons in the backfield to help make plays with Thomas through the air.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 18. UCLA Bruins

Ishmael Adams

18. UCLA Bruins

2014-2015 Record: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)
Coach: Jim Mora, 4th year (29-11 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: QB Brett Hundley, LB Eric Kendricks
Heisman Hopeful: RB Paul Perkins
Breakout Player: DL Eddie Vanderdoes

2014-2015 was supposed to be the year that UCLA returned to national prominence. Entering Jim Mora's third year in Los Angeles, UCLA had a legit Heisman candidate in Brett Hundley, a veteran offensive line and talented playmakers all around the defense. In the end, UCLA would finish 10-3, certainly a strong performance that saw them in the Playoff mix for much of the year. Though, the Bruins were unable to win the Pac-12 South and were never truly able to prove themselves as a serious national title threat. While the loss of Hundley to the NFL will not make things easier, expectations should still be high in Los Angeles. 18 starters return to the ten-win team, and Mora brought in yet another fantastic recruiting class. Perhaps a year later than expected, UCLA could truly take off and prove themselves as a serious player on the national stage by winning the Pac-12.

Backfield: There was very little chance Hundley was going to use up his final year of eligibility with UCLA, and as many expected he left to the NFL and is now with Green Bay. The loss of the dynamic playmaker, who started the last three years for the Bruins, puts some pressure on the offense. Though, few teams have the luxury of having a first-year talent like Josh Rosen. The five-star recruit (by 24/7 Sports), earned the nickname of "Chosen Rosen" and he arrives in Westwood with huge expectations. The true freshman has maturity well beyond his years and he will certainly be the favorite to take over for Hundley from the get-go. His only competition comes in the form of junior Jerry Neuheisel, the son of former coach Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel saw action last year for UCLA, and even led the Bruins to a victory over Texas when Hundley was injured. Neuheisel doesn't have the arm strength of Rosen, but he is a well-rounded veteran who has the genes to be a very good quarterback. No matter what happens between the quarterback competition, Mora and fourth-year offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone will lean heavily on the ground game. And, it is certainly huge for the offense to have junior Paul Perkins back in a Bruins uniform. Perkins ran for 1,575 yards last season, but still wasn't chosen as an All-Pac-12 running back. That will only serve as extra motivation for the dangerous back. Perkins has great burst and wonderful vision; he finds holes as good as anyone in the nation. With the offense relying even more on him, Perkins could quite honestly challenge the upper 1,000s and possibly even 2,000 in 2015. That would certainly give him some Heisman consideration, especially if UCLA finds themselves in Playoff contention near the end of the year. Backing up Perkins will most likely be sophomore Nate Starks, who is a very similar runner to Perkins. Starks is shifty and a smooth runner who managed 141 yards and two touchdowns in very limited action a season ago. UCLA also has two wild cards in the backfield, who have all the talent to turn into real talents. Five-star recruit Soso Jamabo was yet another huge recruit for Mora who absolutely dominated while at Plano West in Texas. But, he was arrested in his home state just weeks after signing day and his future with the team is somewhat murky. When he does get on the field, there are few that can match his mix of size, speed and explosiveness. Steven Manfro is the other wild card; the dangerous back has good hands and can break open games but he may not be fully recovered from a torn ACL. Don't be surprised to see Mazzone and Mora use linebacker Myles Jack as a fullback this season. He saw a lot of action at back his first two seasons in Los Angeles, including 28 attempts last year, where he recorded three touchdowns.

Receivers: Well losing Hundley will certainly negatively hurt UCLA's aerial attack (at least to begin the year), nearly everyone is back at receiver. That includes reliable Jordan Payton, who proved to be Hundley's favorite target last season. Payton hauled in 67 catches, with 954 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014-2015. Payton proved to be able to make some truly acrobatic catches last season, and if a ball is anywhere in his vicinity, he'll get his hand on it. While Payton is certainly the most reliable of the bunch returning, perhaps Eldridge Massington is the most likely candidate to explode for huge numbers. Massington tore his ACL his senior year of high school football and redshirted his first year with the Bruins. But, fully healthy last year he showed some real upside, bringing in 25 receptions for 367 yards. Massington's ACL certainly didn't seem to bother him last season. He showed exceptional quickness and unreal athleticism. He is certainly a serious dark threat and him and Rosen, who has the huge arm needed, could become a lethal combination for opposing Pac-12 secondaries. Also returning is junior Thomas Duarte and senior Devin Fuller, who both proved to be very productive last year. Duarte is a well-built receiver, at 6'3", who uses his large frame to make plays on jump balls and also help as a run blocker. Fuller is a versatile veteran who was the team's second leading receiver, behind Payton, as he brought in 59 balls for 447 yards. Depth should not be a concern in the unit, as a number of playmakers will fight for more chances, including guys like sophomore Alex Van Dyke and senior Tyler Scott, who has great size. Incoming freshman Cordell Broadus' main claim to fame is his dad (Snoop Dogg, an infamous USC fan, is his father) but he has real talent, as well. Broadus is gifted with top-flight speed, and he could become quite the deep threat himself, much like Massington. Also joining Broadus in this year's recruiting class will be four-star tight end Chris Clark, a large, 6'6" imposing target with solid hands along with well-rounded three-star Octavius Spencer.
 

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 19. Oklahoma Sooners

Samaje Perine

19. Oklahoma Sooners 


2014-2015 Record: 8-5 (5-4 Big 12)
Coach: Bob Stoops, 17th year (168-44 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: DT Jordan Phillips, OT Tyrus Thompson
Heisman Hopeful: RB Samaje Perine
Breakout Player: QB Baker Mayfield

A flaming end to the 2013-2014 season left many Oklahoma fans and college football experts (including me) thinking big entering 2015. Many saw Bob Stoops' program as a College Football Playoff favorite and the clear-cut team to beat in the Big 12 beginning last year. But, things unraveled and while there were some highlights, an extremely poor defense and inconsistent QB play left the Sooners at a mediocre 8-5. After last season's disappointment, expectations will be tampered in Norman this year, but championships are still regular goals in Oklahoma. Perhaps lessened expectations, the addition of an impact transfer, along with new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, could mean the Sooners take major steps this year and give Baylor and TCU a run for their money in the Big 12.

Backfield: A breakout 2014 Sugar Bowl saw Trevor Knight on many Heisman watch lists entering 2015 despite a rather pedestrian regular season. Though, as some expected, the quarterback was never able to meet those expectations. He wasn't terrible; the redshirt sophomore still managed to throw for 2,300 yards and 14 touchdowns throughout the year. Interceptions and poor decision-making was a serious problem (12 interceptions a year ago) and he never showed the confidence or "swagger" he showed against that star-studded Alabama defense in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. Entering 2015, that leaves the quarterback situation in an interesting place. Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield is now fully eligible and he has the chance to push Knight for the starting gig. In Kliff Kingsbury's first year as head coach at TTU, Mayfield dazzled at times, using his big arm and exciting playmaking to push the Red Raiders off to a hot 7-0 start. An impressive spring game only further pointed to the fact that Mayfield may be ready to push Knight off the starting gig. In first-year offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's system, Mayfield could truly shine. Riley is bringing back Oklahoma's "Air Raid" attack that produced Heisman Trophy winners like Sam Bradford and Jason White. Mayfield has the big arm and awareness to be able to get the ball down the field to Oklahoma's big play receivers constantly. Sophomore Cody Thomas is the other option in the quarterback competition, but he is definitely seen as the long shot. While the quarterback situation is talented and interesting but murky, the tailback position is certainly a strength. Since Demarco Murray and Adrian Peterson years ago, the Sooners have been searching for a true game-changing back. They certainly have found one in sophomore Samaje Perine, who earned All-American honors in 2014-2015. Perine would finish with 1,713 yards on the year, including breaking the NCAA single game rushing record against Kansas after Melvin Gordon had broken it a week earlier. Perine is the perfect mix of speed and strength and he has excellent vision. It is truly amazing that he managed to put together such an impressive first year with Oklahoma, he will only grow and improve with the Sooners. That is a scary, scary thought for the rest of the Big 12. Perine is very much a serious Heisman candidate, especially in a conference not known at all for having suffocating defenses. Oklahoma's leading returning rusher beyond Perine is going to be redshirt junior Alex Ross, who managed 595 yards last year on nearly seven yards per carry. Ross is also an extremely explosive athlete who is always ready to bust open up huge runs. Before last season, Joe Mixon's college football career was in a terrible place, before it had even begun. A big-time recruit for Stoops and the Sooners, Mixon was accused of punching a woman in the face at a bar and many called for his dismissal from the program. Mixon ended up being suspended for the entirety of 2014, but now has an opportunity to put his career in Norman on the right track. He will be an intriguing change-of-pace to Perine and Ross.

Receivers: Riley's new system could have real success in Oklahoma not just because of Mayfield's big arm, but because of the abundance of playmakers that the Sooners have on their roster. That list begins with senior Sterling Shepard, who earned All-Big 12 honors last season after picking up 51 catches for 970 yards, along with five touchdowns. The veteran clearly proved to be an explosive weapon through the air, averaging 19 yards every catch. Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider Shepard did it with Knight struggling often. Clearly Oklahoma's top receiver, Shepard should do even more damage to opposing defenses in the Sooners' new scheme. Joining Shepard will be fellow senior Durron Neal, who is the Sooners' second returning leading receiver. Neal also proved to be a very explosive weapon last year, showcasing world class speed and tremendous athleticism en route to 513 receiving yards. With defenses focusing more on Shepard most likely, Neal could sneakily put up huge numbers. Big things are expected in 2015 from sophomore Michiah Quick. A pretty big recruit for Stoops and Oklahoma from Fresno, Quick showed some real potential. He recorded 25 receptions for 237 yards in 2014 as a true freshman despite being pretty deep in the depth chart. Quick's name fits very well; the sophomore is extremely quick and explosive. He is still growing as a route runner and has to improve as a run blocker, but he has all the tools to be a breakout candidate for Oklahoma this year. Also returning is going to be sophomore K.J. Young (19 catches, 225 yards in '14) who is joined by JUCO transfer Dede Westbrook. Rated the No. 4 junior college receiver by ESPN, Westbrook has all the talent to immediately make an impact in Norman. He is arriving from Blinn College, the same junior college that produced Cam Newton before Auburn. The tight end position could be a question for the Sooners this year, with the departure of Blake Bell. The former quarterback, who earned the nickname the "Belldozer" for his powerful goal line QB sneaks, was very good in his transition to tight end last season. He caught four touchdown passes and averaged over 13 yards per reception. It will be interesting to see what he tries to do at the next level (he was selected in the fourth round by San Francisco). His departure opens the door for two redshirt freshman to battle for the job, in Carson Meier and Mark Andrews. Both are very similar players; they aren't overwhelmingly dangerous in the passing game but are big, physical weapons in the red zone who are very strong blockers. Meier may have the leg-up in the competition, but Riley will likely try to utilize both in a multitude of ways.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 20. Missouri Tigers

Maty Mauk

20. Missouri Tigers

2014-2015 Record: 11-3 (7-1 SEC)
Coach: Gary Pinkel, 15th year (113-66 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: DE/LB Shane Ray, DE Markus Golden
Heisman Hopeful: QB Maty Mauk
Breakout Player: WR Nate Brown

Once more, many people doubted the Missouri program heading into 2014-2015. Even after a 2013 SEC East Division title and a 12-2 season one year after a rude 5-7 awakening to SEC football, there were so many who saw the team seriously slipping. It was understandable; WR Dorial Green-Beckham was dismissed, the team's leader, QB James Franklin and TB Henry Josey were also gone. Add to that the loss of Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam, and Mizzou appeared poised for a rebuilding season in 2014. An early season loss to Big Ten cellar dweller Indiana seemed only to further many people's beliefs. Instead, Gary Pinkel's program once more proved people wrong, going 11-3 and winning the SEC East, while capping it all off with a Citrus Bowl victory over Minnesota. Heading into 2015 there are losses and doubters, but why bet against the flaming hot Tigers?

Backfield: There were times when Maty Mauk looked like a legitimate elite quarterback for Missouri last year. And, there were also moments when he was brutally bad. Though, as a junior and in his second full season as starter (he saw action as a redshirt freshman when Franklin had injury problems), Mauk should take some major strides. The former prized recruit has started 17 games over the past two seasons and has a proven arm. While decision-making must improve, he does have a rocket that can make nearly any throw. Plus, he adds something dangerous as a runner, as he added 373 yards with his legs. Mauk can throw it down the field with the best of them, but he must become stronger in short throws and improve his accuracy. He completed just over 53 percent of his passes, something that could be a serious problem for a team with high goals. Mauk is almost certain to take steps to cut down turnovers and dumb decisions, and having a reliable back to take some off the target off his back will help. Missouri has that in senior tailback Russell Hansbrough. Hansbrough is not the flashiest runner in the world, but the 5'9", 195-pound back is a workhorse with strong, powerful legs that help in short yardage situations. There is no doubt Hansbrough will enter 2015 as a serious threat for an All-SEC nomination, after picking up 1,084 yards and 10 touchdowns throughout last season. Joining Hansbrough will be explosive Ish Witter, returning for a sophomore season, in which he could be a serious breakout candidate. Witter saw just 27 rushes behind Hansbrough and now departed Marcus Murphy last season, but showed plenty of ability. He is more quick than Hansbrough and has more big play ability than the senior. Pinkel  and third year offensive coordinator Josh Henson could even try a couple of newcomers at the position to mix things up. The most likely would be JUCO transfer Chase Abbington, rated as a four-star prospect by 24/7 Sports. The back from Hutchinson Community College in nearby St. Peters, Missouri, has all the talent to make an impact from the get-go in Columbia. Freshmen Marquise Doherty (three-star, from Kansas City) and Natereace Strong (four-star, East St. Louis in Illinois) will battle to see any opportunities this year but redshirts could be likely.

Receivers: With stud wide receiver (and former five-star recruit) Dorial Green-Beckham gone, Bud Sasser emerged as a key playmaker in the Missouri offense. His superb production will not be easily replaced, clearly. He recorded 77 receptions for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014, as Mauk's favorite target. Also leaving Columbia this offseason were fellow playmakers Darius White and Jimmie Hunt, leaving Missouri's receiver corps extremely depleted. While that is a very worrying thought for a team with an inconsistent quarterback, there is enough talent in the unit that someone is certain to step up. Perhaps the top breakout candidate will be sophomore Nate Brown, who had a very modest 5 catches for 45 yards last year. There was worry this spring when Brown had knee problems, but there is a wide belief he will be fully healthy when the season kicks off in early September. Brown won't blow past most defenders, but he has reliable hands and he is an established route runner. Joining Brown will be guys like sophomore J'mon Moore and senior Wesley Leftwich. Combined, Moore and Leftwich had just five catches so clearly there is work to be done there. Moore may be the more lethal weapon through the air. The sophomore is incredibly quick out of the gate, has tremendous athleticism and oozes with potential. A mainstay on the Missouri sideline for years (he is also a native of the college town as well), Leftwich will be eager to show what he can do when he finally gets the chance. Junior Eric Laurent will also fight for more snaps and chances in the crowded group. Missouri fans along with the coaching staff also should be excited about the return of Keyon Dilosa. The redshirt freshman is returning from a pretty serious Achilles injury, but if he gets his explosiveness and burst back, he could be a very, very good in due time. Expect Mississippi product Richaud Floyd and St. Louis talent Cameron Hilton to search for any hints of chances they can get, despite being buried on the depth chart at the moment. Tight end could be a pretty notable strength, as experience returns there. Junior Sean Culkin is actually the team's leading returning pass catcher, picking up 20 receptions for 174 yards. He has really worked hard to grow into a more complete offensive weapon, and his hands and natural play have improved. Sophomore Jason Reese offers a young backup with plenty of upside.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 21. Wisconsin Badgers

Corey Clement

21. Wisconsin Badgers

2014-2015 Record: 11-3 (7-1 Big Ten)
Coach: Paul Chryst, 1st year (0-0 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: RB Melvin Gordon, S Peniel Jean
Heisman Hopeful: RB Corey Clement
Breakout Player: RB Corey Clement

It really wasn't a fun end to 2014 in Madison. Following yet another strong regular season that included a 10-2 record and a 7-1 conference mark, disaster struck in December. First, the Badgers were slaughtered by Ohio State 59-0 in the Big Ten Championship Game and then just mere days later, lost their head coach, Gary Andersen to Oregon State. A season-ending victory in the Outback Bowl made some fans forget, but a new coach will need a transition. Though, Paul Chryst, who arrives from Pittsburgh and is a former assistant, won't change too much. He will keep Wisconsin running the ball, playing efficiently and working hard on defense. Even without record-setting back Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin is extremely talented and yet another young ball carrier is ready to star. It appears Wisconsin is once more ready to return to the Big Ten Championship Game, this time with hopefully a better performance.

Backfield: No program in college football has had the success the Badgers have had with so little at the quarterback position. With the exception of Russell Wilson in 2011, Wisconsin has not had much of a difference maker behind center but still finds ways to make it to Rose Bowls and win double-digit games. Once more, the Badgers won't have too much of a star at quarterback. But, senior Joel Stave at least brings plenty of experience. After losing his job to begin 2014, Stave took back over and was decent. Even so, he completed just over 53 percent of his passes and had 10 interceptions to his nine touchdown passes. Stave will rarely if ever throw the ball down the field but he has a quick release and pretty strong accuracy. He also has decent dual threat ability if needed. Though, as a senior he must cut down on his mistakes. Though, Stave won't have to be Superman for Wisconsin, as Chryst and new offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph will keep the Wisconsin way going: run the ball, run the ball and run the ball some more. Wisconsin has long had a long list of stud backs from Ron Dayne in the 1990's to Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon more recently. The next in the long line of stud backs? Junior Corey Clement, who is ready for an absolute monster season. Even backing up Gordon, Clement rushed for 949 yards and nine scores, averaging 6.5 yards every time he touched the ball. Clement is just as explosive as Gordon and even has a little bit more power and strength. He is clearly ready to be the feature back in Madison and ready to become a household name. Also making his return is Dare Ogunbowale, who made the switch from cornerback to tailback before 2014, and saw success, rushing for 193 yards in just 34 opportunities. Chryst and Rudolph can't use Clement every single rush, so expect Ogunbowale and others to see plenty of chances. True freshmen Bradrick Shaw and Jordan Stevenson were two steals from SEC and Big 12 territory (Shaw from Birmingham, Alabama and Stevenson from Dallas). Both will look to see chances, especially Stevenson who is generally viewed as the higher-rated prospect. Fullback is in good hands with the return of senior Derek Watt, a steady veteran. The younger brother of former Badger and Houston Texan superstar J.J., Watt is a sturdy blocker who will look to add something as a rusher.

Receivers: Wisconsin is never going to be the home of elite receivers, but there is some significant talent in the unit this year, which could help diversify the Badgers' offense. Stave, if he does hold on to the quarterback job, has the services of players like Alex Erickson and Jordan Frederick returning. Erickson quietly had a breakthrough in 2014, reeling in 55 receptions and 772 yards, for an average of 14 yards a reception. Those are strong numbers for any team, but on a power running offense like Wisconsin, it is even more impressive. Erickson and Stave seemed to grow a strong connection throughout last season, and he could be in store for an even bigger 2015, in his senior campaign. Joining Erickson, will be options like Frederick, who was solid last year, along with playmaking junior Reggie Love. Frederick had 13 catches for 126 yards a season ago, but he has all the tools for a stronger year. He has capable hands, deceptive speed and is a strong route runner. Love showed flashes of serious potential last season, but he also was relatively quiet. While Erickson and Frederick are talented, they aren't the deep threats that Love is. He can beat most defenders down the field and has the size and strength to make plays on jump balls. Sophomore George Rushing had as much rushes as receptions a season ago, but he also appears ready to step up. Rushing is a speedy quick target, who is an underrated blocker. Junior Robert Wheelwright is also ready for an expanded role, after recording just one lone catch in the 2014 campaign. Wheelwright has pretty good size at 6'3", but is prone to drops and will need time to develop into a stronger overall receiver. The tight end position could be a strength, with the return of senior Austin Traylor. Wisconsin's tight end position has been downright average since Travis Beckum years ago, but Traylor could change that. He isn't the quickest or smoothest receiver, but he is a big, capable target. Even if Traylor doesn't break out, sophomore Troy Fumagalli or true freshman Kyle Penniston could add some playmaking potential. Penniston, who came over from Mater Dei High in California (where a number of impact college football players have played high school ball) and he has the potential to be a very strong weapon in the passing game or as a blocker.