College Football Preview 2022: 19. Tennessee Volunteers

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

19. Tennessee Volunteers

A dark horse Heisman candidate at QB and improved defense should steer Tennessee into SEC East contention

2021 Review

Following a disappointing 2020 campaign and brutal offseason that led to the dismissal of Jeremy Pruitt, not much was expected of Tennessee heading into 2021. We knew Josh Heupel's team would put up points, but would they have any shot at a bowl? It turned out they would, as the Vols were a pleasant surprise, despite an average record. They did suffer a non-conference defeat at the hands of Pittsburgh and were no match against Florida to begin the season, but the quarterback change seemed to light a fire under the entire team. Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker acclimated quickly and Tennessee was no easy out, even if they would fall to Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia to cap off the regular season. A Music City Bowl matchup against Purdue seemed like the perfect opportunity to gain some momentum for next season in their own backyard, but the Volunteer defense struggled mightily, resulting in a thrilling 48-45 defeat. The final result of 7-6 wasn't something to ride home about in Knoxville, but considering many of the questions the team entered the year with, it was a good start for Heupel and the new staff. With plenty of pieces back and renewed confidence around the program, expectations should be quickly back on the rise in one of college football's most intense environments.

2022 Outlook

Offense: Huepel and his offensive staff didn't disappoint offensively during their debut seasons in Knoxville. Tennessee ranked second in the SEC in scoring and finished with the ninth overall offense in the entire nation. They did so despite a midseason quarterback change, as Michigan transfer Joe Milton was benched in favor of another transfer, Hooker.

Hooker had flashed his immense playmaking potential and impressive arm before during his time at Virginia Tech, but it was still fairly surprising to see just how impressive he played in 2021. He threw for 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns, while adding 616 and five more on the ground. Despite throwing the ball all over the field (303 attempts) he took care of it, with just three interceptions to his credit. Now, with a full offseason with Heupel and the entire staff, big things are expected of Hooker. He's one of the most talented signal-callers in the country and in an offense that always puts up huge quarterback numbers? I don't think it's crazy to include Hooker in the Heisman conversation.

Hooker and junior Jabari Small fueled a rushing attack that finished second in the SEC and 11th nationally. Expect Small to play an even larger role in this backfield, as the player he split carries with, Tiyon Evans, transferred to Louisville. After notching 796 yards in 2021, I suspect he will come close to, or surpass, 1,000 this year. Sophomore Jaylen Wright offers a capable backup, as he ran for 409 yards as the third-stringer last season.

The receiver corps is an interesting mix of pieces, headlined by senior Cedric Tillman. Tillman became the first Tennessee receiver to surpass the 1,000-yard threshold since Justin Hunter all the way back in 2012. He's a physical, well-built receiver who should be the focal point on the perimeter once again. However, Tillman and this entire offense will need others to step up and take some of the focus off him. With the ultra-versatile Velus Jones gone, junior Jalin Hyatt and sophomores Jimmy Calloway and Walker Merrill will get an increase in targets. Hyatt was third on the team in receiving last fall, but flashed significant potential. In addition, there are several true freshmen who may be able to come in and make an immediate impact, including Kaleb Webb and Cameron Miller.

Don't expect tight end to be a position that features heavily in this offense, but the Volunteers have two capable options in Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren. Fant is the better blocker, while Warren is a decent red zone target, hauling in three touchdown receptions in limited work last fall.

The optimism around this offense can be traced not only to Hooker and some of the other weapons, but the offensive line. Injuries and the rapid shift in offensive scheme contributed to major struggles for this unit, but now four starters return. The Volunteers should be especially strong on the interior, with Cooper Mays, Jerome Carvin, and Javontez Spraggins, while senior Darnell Wright mans left tackle. Right tackle is the only position with serious questions going into fall camp.

Although a few supporting pieces may be gone, Tennessee's offensive core remains intact. That's bad news for the SEC, particularly now that Hooker is entrenched as the unquestioned starter. If the offensive line can become even just passable, Tennessee should lock in one of the Top 10-15 offenses in the nation this fall.

Defense: Tennessee doesn't need an elite defensive performance to assure themselves SEC East contention, but they do need improvement. The Vols finished near the bottom of the conference in just about every major defensive category and were particularly vulnerable against the pass, ranking 122nd in the nation in pass defense.

The key for coordinator Tim Banks will be getting more consistency and playing better on pivotal downs, as Tennessee was among the worst teams in the country on third down. They were excellent at causing chaos in the backfield and with plenty of familiar faces back in the front seven, they should be strong up front once more.

The Volunteer defensive line is led by their two edge rushers, senior Byron Young and junior Tyler Baron. Young is a former junior college transfer who came into his own last fall, tying for the team lead with 5.5 sacks. He played particularly well down the stretch and enters this year as one of the top pass rushers in the SEC. Baron briefly entered the transfer portal over the offseason before deciding to stick around in Knoxville. He's flashed his potential at multiple points during his UT career, but has to become more consistent.

On the interior defensive line, Tennessee loses a big name in defensive tackle Matthew Butler, one of the major reasons UT's rush defense was the strength of the unit as a whole. Juniors Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons are considered the favorites to man the two tackle spots in this 4-2-5 look, but it will be an open competition likely to drag into the regular season. Simmons is not going to get after the quarterback, but the 350-pounder clogs rushing lanes and should see plenty of playing time in 2022.

Linebacker could be the strength of the unit, as the Volunteers return their top two tacklers from a year ago, Aaron Beasley and Jeremy Banks. Banks is the top playmaker on the defense, a fierce tackler who is fearless as an edge rusher. In addition to notching 128 tackles, he tied Young for the team's sack lead and was a constant pest in opposing backfields. Beasley is your prototypical SEC middle linebacker, a well-built defender who played well in 2021, but leaves you wondering if there's another gear. One other name to monitor is former Texas transfer Juwan Mitchell. Mitchell was one of the Longhorns' top defenders in 2020, totaling 62 tackles during the COVID-shortened campaign. He was projected to play an important role for UT last year but missed essentially the whole season. If he's back and healthy, the Volunteers have a trio of proven, capable linebackers here.

Losing Theo Jackson and Alontae Taylor add more concern to a secondary that was already a major weakness, but Tennessee did receive good news when safeties Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCullough opted to return. The pair are experienced defensive backs who have played a bunch of snaps and understand this program. McCullough is also one of their top playmakers defensively, leading the team with three interceptions.

At corner, senior Warren Burrell will take on a leadership role after starting all 12 games for Tennessee last fall. He played his best ball down the stretch, including a strong showing in the bowl game. The other corner spot is the question, now that Taylor departs. JUCO transfer Desmond Williams and junior Kamal Hadden are considered the two favorites to take over the starting job, but neither bring much proven SEC experience to the table. At the "Star" position, the Volunteers are also hoping somebody steps and replaces Jackson. That could be former Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage, who appeared in nine games and made one start after coming over from the Tide. His lone start last fall saw him earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors, so he should be ready for a larger role.

Playing on the other side of this high-powered, up-temp offense, Tennessee's defense is unlikely to put up particularly strong numbers no matter how they're playing. With that being said, more consistency and better play on major downs would go a long way in securing an improved season. It's not unreasonable to think that can happen; even with some major names gone, there's enough pieces at every level for the Volunteers to be improved on this side of the ball.

Special Teams: Special teams is in good hands, as Tennessee returns two proven specialists in kicker Chase McGrath and punter Paxton Brooks, both seniors. McGrath, a former USC transfer, went 12-16 on field goals in 2021, while Brooks averaged 44 yards per punt. The return game will sorely miss Velus Jones, who handled both kick and punt returns, but there are a plethora of options waiting in the wings.

Bottom Line: There is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Tennessee's football program, an impressive turnaround when you consider the questions the Volunteers faced heading into 2021. There's a real belief that Heupel is the right man to bring the program back to prominence, and Hooker is the best quarterback to play at Tennessee in a long, long time. However, that doesn't mean this team won't face challenges in Year Two of the Heupel era. For one, the SEC is as unforgiving as any conference in college football and the Volunteers go on the road to LSU and welcome Alabama on the crossover. Even more important, the program has a strange history of killing their momentum every year they seem to take a step forward. It's been a strange trend, but one that has persisted through various coaching tenures; end a season strong, gain loads of preseason hype, then flame out a year later. Is this the team that can end that tradition? That doesn't mean they have to win the SEC East or contend for a CFB Playoff for this to be a successful campaign. Instead, winning 8-9 games and performing better against the program's chief rivals seems like an attainable and realistic goal on Rocky Top this fall.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

A former National Champion with the Oklahoma Sooners, Josh Heupel got his start in coaching with the Sooners, serving as a grad assistant in 2004. He bounced around at several different outposts before his big break happened as Missouri offensive coordinator, where his work with Drew Lock helped him secure the UCF head coaching job. After three years in Orlando, he accepted the Tennessee job and led them to a 7-6 debut season. His offensive coordinator is Alex Golesh, who also serves as the team's TE coach. Golesh got his start as a student assistant at his alma mater, Ohio State, and has worked his way around the coaching ranks before his work with Iowa State from 2016-2019 earned him a spot on UCF's spot. At defensive coordinator, Tim Banks enters his second season on the staff. He spent several years on James Franklin's staff at Penn State and before that, time with Illinois, Cincinnati and Central Michigan.

Recruiting Breakdown

Heupel and this staff did a solid job in Year One on the recruiting trail, as they landed the 18th class on the 247Sports composite. There are no five stars in this group, but plenty of quality prospects who should contribute to this new era of Vol football. Defensive linemen Tyre West originally signed with his home state school, Georgia, before flipped to Tennessee. He'll probably play on the inside in the collegiate ranks, but has more than enough juice and athleticism to be a fearsome pass rusher. Joining him on the defensive line is James Pearce, a big get from the Charlotte area who was one of the highest-rated recruits in the talent-rich state of North Carolina. On offense, the two big-name freshmen receivers both have a chance to play right away in this wide-open offense. Kaleb Webb out of Georgia is the higher-ranked player, but Cameron Miller is also likely to see early playing time. Quarterback Tayven Jackson is another name to watch; Tennessee went into the state of Indiana to land the four-star, who looks the part at 6'4", 195 pounds. Jackson is the younger brother of star Indiana Hoosier basketball player Trayce Jackson-Davis.

2022 X-Factor: Walter Burrell, CB

If Tennessee has any hopes of contending for an SEC East Title this fall, they absolutely need better production from their pass defense. That could be made more difficult by the departures of Theo Jackson and Alontae Taylor, but there are still returning pieces. The most important of them has to be Walter Burrell, who is set to take over as Tennessee's No. 1 corner. He started 12 games for the Volunteers a year ago and proved to be a capable, steady defender on the perimeter. Can he be even more and grow into a legit shutdown corner? The Volunteers don't need a Jim Thorpe Award winner to have an improved secondary, but if Burrell is able to take the next step, it bodes well for this team's 2022 hopes.

Five-Year Trend

2022 Projections

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)

Offensive MVP: QB Hendon Hooker

Defensive ,MVP: DE Byron Young

Breakout Player of the Year: CB Brandon Turnage

Impact Freshman: WR Kaleb Webb

College Football Preview 2022: 20. Michigan State Spartans

Payton Thorne, Michigan State

20. Michigan State Spartans

Repeating 2021's magic will be difficult, but the Spartans have enough back to remain in the Big Ten East hunt

2021 Review

Michigan State entered 2021 with modest expectations, with their Las Vegas preseason win total set at just four. Mel Tucker's team quickly proved detractors wrong, beginning the year with a blowout win over reigning Big Ten West Champion Northwestern, then jumping to an 8-0 start. That streak included a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Michigan, the only conference team the Wolverines lost to on the season. Going into chilly West Lafayette in early November, the Spartans' luck ran out, as they were one of a number of Top 25 teams to fall to Purdue in 2021. They responded by beating Maryland before Ohio State dropped 56 on them in Columbus in an uncompetitive, 49-point throttling. However, Michigan State deserves all the credit in the world for responding following the blowout loss, as they squeaked by Penn State to end the regular season than defeated a Kenny Pickett-less Pittsburgh team in the Peach Bowl. All in all, an 11-2 season and New Year's Six Bowl victory? A smashing success for Tucker and the staff, enough to earn them plenty of money and potentially set the stage for even greater things moving forward.

2022 Outlook

Offense: Junior quarterback Payton Thorne beat out Temple transfer Anthony Russo for the starting job last fall and led a strong Spartan offensive attack. Thorne finished with 3,233 yards and 27 touchdowns, while guiding the offense to nearly 32 points per game, was third in the Big Ten.

Thorne is now unquestionably the guy entering 2022 and should be considered one of the top signal-callers in the league. He doesn't jump out at you with his physical tools, but he made some really impressive throws last season and is the type of steady, winning QB any program would want. Thorne may be asked to do even more this year, as he loses his star backfield mate, Kenneth Walker III.

Few players were as surprising in 2021 as Walker III, a transfer from Wake Forest. Walker had proven to be a solid, productive back while in Winston-Salem, but he turned it to a whole different level last year. He was the most consistent tailback in the nation with 1,636 yards and 18 scores, earning a Doak Walker Award for his play. The numbers only tell part of the story; MSU turned to him every time they needed a spark or on a crucial play. His jump to the NFL was expected, but leaves Michigan State turning to a pair of new transfers in Jarek Broussard and Jalen Berger.

Broussard, who comes over from Colorado, is likely to get the first opportunity to show what he can do as the feature back in this offense. He was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year during the shortened 2020 season, but was a major disappointment in 2021, totaling just 661 yards. It's hard to know which was more indicative of his skills; 2020 was such a weird year it's hard to take anything from it, especially in the Pac-12, but Broussard was also banged up and didn't have much help in 2021. Either way, Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger should still get his carries; he flashed loads of upside in 2020 but didn't win the job out of fall camp last year and never got going. There's a bunch of talent between the two of them, but is it enough to replicate Walker III?

Thorne's weapons on the perimeter took a slight hit when Jalen Nailor left for the NFL, but Jayden Reed and Tre Mosley provide more than enough firepower. Reed has been incredibly reliable since arriving from Western Michigan several years ago and led the team in receiving. Mosley isn't quite as explosive as either Reed or Nailor, but he's a sturdy, physical target who should be a focal point of the attack once more. Behind those two, the receiver corps is untested, but that doesn't mean it's short on potential. Sophomore Keon Coleman in particular has been getting plenty of buzz, a former high-profile, two-sport star who had seven catches in 2021 but should be in line for even more. True freshman Germie Bernard could also see early playing time as one of the gems of the 2022 Class.

There's even more transfers at tight end, with former Illinois transplant Daniel Barker and former Purdue Boilermaker Maliq Carr. Both are strong blockers and proven threats in the red zone, but don't expect either to be near the top of the team in receptions. However, Barker has proven to be a reliable presence in the conference and offers a security blanket in the passing game.

While Walker III did a lot on his own, the offensive line deserves plenty of credit for delivering him holes on the ground. This is a unit that should be okay in 2022, with seniors Jarrett Horst and J.D. Duplain being the anchors. They'll man the left side of the line, but the right side isn't quite as experienced or deep. 

Losing a game-changer like Walker will always create some level of worry and concern heading into fall, but the Spartans should still have a strong offense. Thorne is back under center with several proven weapons on the outside and the backfield has two intriguing options in Broussard and Berger. Perhaps there will be growing pains as players adjust to new roles, but I still have a feeling this should be in the better-half of Big Ten offenses.

Defense: It's actually pretty amazing Michigan State managed to win 11 games and take down several big time foes with how historically inept their pass defense was in 2021. The unit ranked dead last in FBS football, allowing nearly 325 yards per game. It was so ineffective that, despite having a Top 15 rush defense, Michigan State's defense as a whole finished dead last in the Big Ten.

Fortunately, the Spartans return their entire back-end and added a host of transfers in their front seven, giving defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton plenty to work with. The fact of the matter is, the pass defense truly can't get any worse, and there is enough in the front seven for the rush defense to remain stingy.

The defensive line should be a strength, even if there isn't necessarily a star in this group. Jacub Panasiuk may be gone, but senior Jacob Slade and sophomore Simeon Barrow return at defensive tackle, while Jeff Pietrowski is back at end after notching 5.5 sacks. There are newcomers that should also help out, including Florida transfer Khris Bogle, Minnesota transfer Itayvion Brown, and true freshman Alex VanSumeren. Bogle and Brown didn't see a ton of playing time at their former schools but both come in with an important physique, while VanSumeren was the gem of this year's recruiting class. He follows his older brother, Ben, who originally went to Michigan after high school but ended up transferring to East Lansing to conclude his career.

Michigan State is going to run a 4-2-5 look most of the time this fall and there's no shortage of options at linebacker. Sophomore Caleb Haladay is the most proven defender, at least for players who have been on the roster, coming off a 2021 in which he was an All-Big Ten honorable mention. He led the team with 96 tackles last season and seems like a good bet to man the middle linebacker spot once again. In many ways, Haladay is a prototypical Michigan State linebacker; he's not the most fluid, athletically gifted linebacker in the world, but he's a physical, hard-worker who fits the program very well.

Transfers Jacoby Windmon and Aaron Brule bring plenty of defensive prowess to the table after coming over from UNLV and Mississippi State, respectively. The pair were both some of the better defenders on their team in 2021 and will vie for snaps; Windmon's an explosive pass rusher, which should help shore up a pass rush that finished first in the league last year, while Brule is a huge help in run support. He had a bit of a down season in 2021 after a huge campaign during the COVID year, so the hope is new scenery gets him back on track.

The pass defense struggles have been well-documented, but there's reason to believe this unit could be much improved. Just about every key piece is returning, and the Spartans add yet another impact transfer here in Ameer Speed, who began his career at Georgia. Speed spent five years at UGA, but was consistently buried on the depth chart. He started three for the Bulldogs in 2021 and should have a chance to compete for a starting gig at corner right away.

In addition to the addition of Speed, Michigan State brings back five contributors who played major snaps last fall in Ronald Williams, Chester Kimbrough, Xavier Henderson, Angelo Grose, and Darius Snow. Henderson is the most important returnee; the senior finished second on the team in tackles, added ten tackles for loss, and had three sacks. He'll play the leading role on the back-end, with Grose set to man the other starting safety spot. Keep an eye on Snow; he played safety last fall, but could be used at nickelback or even linebacker this season. Either way, his incredible range and closing speed will be an important asset to this defense.

With so much returning at every level, plus the additions of impact transfers, Michigan State's defense has a chance to be very improved in 2021. They'll also be helped by the fact they don't have to face a collection of elite pass offenses this year, as they squared off against five of the top 13 pass offenses in the country a season ago. I don't suspect a Top 25 unit, but if the pass defense takes enough of a step forward, Top 50 is more than a reasonable goal.

Special Teams: After a legendary career in East Lansing, placekicker Matt Coghlin has moved on. He finishes as the school's all-time record holder in points scored and field goals made. It's an open competition to replace him, without a clear frontrunner heading into fall camp. Luckily, punter is in a good spot with the return of senior Bryce Baringer, who led the Big Ten in punting last year.

Bottom Line: The Spartans arrived well ahead of schedule under Tucker last season, which can occasionally lead to regression a year later. Losing Walker certainly increases the chance of a step-back, but Michigan State returns enough pieces to remain a factor in the Big Ten East race. They should have a capable passing attack, a decent ground game, and a defense that isn't quite as prone to the big pass play this time around. Of course, playing in the Big Ten East, the schedule is unforgiving. The Spartans go on the road to Michigan and Penn State, get Minnesota and Wisconsin on the crossover, and play Washington in the non-conference. Those ingredients alone make replicating 11 victories likely unachievable, but 8-9 wins seems like a reasonable goal for Tucker's team. A second straight New Year's Six Bowl might be out of reach, but settling in to a solid bowl and remaining in the East Title hunt represents a good encore for one of the sport's breakout 2021 teams.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Mel Tucker enters the pivotal Year Three as head coach at Michigan State, with a new contract extension secured. Previously, he served one season as head man at Colorado and before that, had a lengthy career in both the NFL and college. Tucker has plenty of knowledge with the Big Ten, playing at Wisconsin during playing career and getting his start as a grad assistant at Michigan State all the way back in 1997-98. Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has made his rounds as an assistant throughout the country; he was on staff at Georgia with Tucker and followed him to Colorado before the trek to East Lansing. On defense, coordinator Scottie Hazelton has held the same role at a number of different outposts including Nevada, Wyoming, and most recently, Kansas State.

Recruiting Breakdown

Michigan State's success on the field correlated to a strong showing on the recruiting trail, with the Spartans finishing inside the Top 25. The biggest name is Alex VanSumeren, a behemoth who should one day anchor the defensive line. At 6'3", 300 pounds, he already looks the part and could play snaps right away in 2022. As big as landing VanSumeren was, the more important work Michigan State did was offensively, where they landed a quarterback of the future in Katin Houser and several intriguing playmakers at receiver. Houser was a huge get from the state of California who is the most talented signal-caller the Spartans have had in some time and at a position where they lagged in recruiting during the twilight years of the Mark Dantonio era. At receiver, Germie Bernard and Antonio Gates Jr. were important additions. The staff went out west again to land Bernard, a one-time Washington commit, while Gates Jr. comes from inside the state and the son of NFL legend Antonio Gates. One other name to highlight that isn't as highly touted is safety Quavian Carter, a three-star prospect who MSU went into SEC country to land. At 6'4", Carter is long and athletic, the type of defensive back the Spartans need to develop to shore up their dismal pass defense.

2022 X-Factor: Jarek Broussard, RB

Expecting anybody to match what Kenneth Walker III did in 2021 is a near impossible task, but the Spartans still need production from the position if they want to contend in the Big Ten. Jarek Broussard seems like a safer bet to start than the other big-name tailback transfer, Jalen Berger, simply because we've seen more of him. His performance and accolades in 2020 were likely more an aberration than the norm, but he's still a talented runner who seems like a fine fit in this offense. Broussard should benefit from playing in a more open offense than the one-dimensional system he was in at Colorado and a resurgent campaign would be a huge addition for the Spartans.

Five-Year Trend

2022 Projections

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)

Offensive MVP: WR Jayden Reed

Defensive MVP: LB Cal Haladay

Breakout Player of the Year: WR Keon Coleman

Impact Freshman: DL Alex VanSumeren

NBA Mock Draft 2022: Edition 2 (Final Edition)

Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga to Oklahoma City

 1. Orlando Magic

Jabari Smith, F, Auburn

None of the top trio in this Draft have really separated themselves from the pack, which should lead to a fascinating Thursday night. My guess is Orlando will roll with Jabari Smith at No. 1, who seems to be the player most heavily rumored to go first off the board. The Auburn product brings immense versatility and a skilled offensive game to a Magic roster with a real shortage of playmakers.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet Holmgren, F/C, Gonzaga

Although I'm not as high on Chet Holmgren as I am on Smith or Paolo Banchero, there's no denying his "unicorn" potential. Despite being a legit seven-footer, Holmgren moves incredibly well and has a polished jump shot, the perfect type of big for the modern NBA. The question is, how will he react to the physicality of the NBA? With all due respect to the West Coast Conference, he's going to be battling different bigs than he was in Spokane.

3. Houston Rockets

Paolo Banchero, F, Duke

A frontcourt spot opened up in Houston recently, as the Rockets dealt away Christian Wood to Dallas. The move almost certainly predates them drafting one of the top three forwards in this Draft, and Paolo Banchero is quite the consolation prize at third overall. He's a tough, physical specimen who can get to the rim, but his jump shot doesn't receive the respect it deserves.

4. Sacramento Kings

Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue

While the top three could shuffle a bit, pick No. 4 is where the 2022 NBA Draft gets going. I have absolutely no idea what Sacramento's long-term plan is, and I get the sense the rest of the NBA doesn't know either. They could trade this selection, but if not, Jaden Ivey seems like a logical direction to go with. He's already an explosive scorer at age 20 and could add a nice spark next to De'Aaron Fox in the backcourt.

5. Detroit Pistons

Keegan Murray, F, Iowa

Detroit added a former Iowa Hawkeye last offseason in Luka Garza and they go back to the well here by taking his former teammate, Keegan Murray. Murray's breakout this past season wasn't a complete shock, but it was surprising just how quickly he developed in Iowa City. He has a well-rounded offensive game and is a much better rebounder than you'd assume given his stature. 

6. Indiana Pacers

Dyson Daniels, G, Australia

Dyson Daniels is having a moment at the right time, as the G League product looks to have cemented himself as a Top 10 selection come Thursday night. Casual basketball viewers may not know much about the Australian combo guard, but should quickly be impressed by his smooth offensive game and superb playmaking ability. Pairing him with Tyrese Haliburton gives Indiana a long, athletic backcourt for years to come.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Bennedict Mathurin, G/F, Arizona

Portland has reportedly been fielding offers for this selection, likely looking for a package they can use to immediately get back into the playoff mix with Damian Lillard at the helm. If they don't trade it, I like the idea of them selecting Bennedict Mathurin out of Arizona. Unlike some of the other high-risk, high-reward options available here, Mathurin provides Day One scoring on the wing.

8. New Orleans Pelicans

A.J. Griffin, G/F, Duke

Concerns surrounding A.J. Griffin's injury history threaten to drop him outside the Top 10, but I love the fit of Griffin in New Orleans. He's an excellent decision-maker for his age and deadeye shooter who should open up lanes for Brandon Ingram and Zion. If not for the potential medical concerns, Griffin would be one of the safest options available in the lottery.

9. San Antonio Spurs

Ousmane Dieng, G/F, France

In addition to Dyson Daniels, Ousmane Dieng is the other international prospect getting a lot buzz and rising up draft boards. At a lengthy 6'9", Dieng is not your prototypical wing, with the athleticism and raw physical tools to be something special. There's a lot of work to be done to round out his overall game, but landing in San Antonio would give him a great opportunity to do just that.

10. Washington Wizards

Shaedon Sharpe, G/F, Kentucky

It's incredibly hard to get an accurate read on Shaedon Sharpe, even this team in the pre-Draft process. He was a blue chip recruit who reclassified and enrolled at Kentucky prior to this season, but he didn't play a single minute for John Calipari's team. He opted to go pro, but hasn't exactly strengthened his stock in the months leading up to the Draft. Teams may be scared away, but his potential is too great to ignore, somebody will take a chance on him inside the Top 10.

11. New York Knicks

Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

If Jalen Duren were to enter the Draft 10-15 years ago, he likely would have been a Top 3 lock. He still has a chance to land somewhere in the lottery, albeit not as high. Duren is 6'11" with a 7'5" wingspan; he's a high motor, physical big on the low block who can finish above the rim. Plus, due to the fact he reclassified, he's going to be 18 for a few more months. Duren makes a bunch of sense for a Knicks team that could lose Mitchell Robinson in free agency this offseason.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder

Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor

Jeremy Sochan took advantage of a beat-up Baylor frontline to play important minutes for the Bears. He's an irritant on the defensive end who can play and defend multiple positions at a high level. His offensive game is still rather limited at this point in his career, but he's a stellar athlete and he can finish at the rim. Sochan would be a nice complement to Holmgren in the frontcourt and the Thunder can afford to be patient with the youngster.

13. Charlotte Hornets

Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin

There seems to be a good chance Johnny Davis could land in the Top 10 but even if he doesn't, it would be shocking if he were to fall out of the lottery. The former Wisconsin Badger had a huge 2021-22 and is the model size for an NBA two-guard. You would like to see him shoot the ball better than he did in Madison, but still offers plenty of scoring punch to pair with La'Melo Ball.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers

Malaki Branham, G/F, Ohio State

Cleveland is overloaded with bigs on their current roster, now it's time to add some scoring on the wing. I love the idea of the Cavaliers staying inside the state and selecting Malaki Branham, an Ohio native. Branham was one of the most surprising freshman in the country this past season and has immense 3-and-D potential.

15. Charlotte Hornets

Mark Williams, C, Duke

Much like Jalen Duren, Mark Williams is a bit of an old-school, back-to-the-basket big man, although he doesn't have the ceiling of Duren. Even so, he offers plenty of value to NBA teams as an elite rim protector who can run the floor. If Williams could grow his offensive game even a bit he could be a steal in this Draft but if not, he's still got a future in the league somewhere.

16. Atlanta Hawks

Tari Eason, F, LSU

I'm interested in what Atlanta does over the offseason after a disappointing 2021-22. John Collins and Clint Capela are both potential trade bait, and the Hawks are looking to surround Trae Young with better fits. I like the idea of Atlanta adding a versatile option like Tari Eason, a player who can play multiple positions and has a lot to like about his offensive game.

17. Houston Rockets

TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky

After snagging Banchero third overall, Houston goes to another blue blood and selects TyTy Washington out of Kentucky. Washington was banged up to end the season, a major reason for Kentucky's struggles late in the year, but he still put together a fabulous freshman campaign. He reminds me of Jamal Murray coming out of Lexington, although Washington isn't that type of shooter, at least not yet.

18. Chicago Bulls

Ochai Agbaji, G/F, Kansas

Players with long, successful college careers are oftentimes ignored in the NBA Draft due to ageism and scouts falling in love with younger, less-proven talent. That could threaten to drop Ochai Agbaji to the late first round, but somebody is bound to take the Kansas product before that. He had an impressive career in Kansas and is a dominant iso scorer, fresh off a Big 12 Player of the Year season.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves

Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame

Minnesota could use a big to pair with Karl Anthony-Towns up front, but with D'Angelo Russell openly being shopped around, a guard may make more sense. Enter Blake Wesley, an under-the-radar combo guard out of Notre Dame who score in a variety of ways. His three-point shot is a notable weakness right now, but his mechanics are okay and the NBA has a way of developing capable scorers into shooters.

20. San Antonio Spurs

Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara

One of the big winners of the pre-Draft process has been Santa Clara's Jalen Williams, who has impressed scouts with his versatility and well-rounded game. He played mainly forward in college but is probably a wing in the NBA. He can score, defend, and crash the boards extremely well. Probably not a guy with superstar potential, but I have a feeling he'll have a long NBA career.

21. Denver Nuggets

Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga

I've always been a fan of Andrew Nembhard, going back to the beginnings of his college career at Florida. It's not often we see college guards with his savviness, smooth playmaking, and polished jump shot. Nembhard doesn't have the ceiling of other guards in this class, but is a perfect fit for Denver's offense and culture.

22. Memphis Grizzlies

Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee

Capable backup Tyus Jones is a free agent this summer and seems likely to leave Memphis, opening the door for playing time behind Ja Morant. Enter Kennedy Chandler, a former high-profile recruit who had a strong freshman season in Knoxville. He's a bit undersized to play the two guard at the next level, but as a capable ball-handler with elite end-to-end speed, he should find a role in the league.

23. Philadelphia Sixers

MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G League

Another potential trade spot here, as Philadelphia could package this pick to add a piece that could help them win right away. If not, it makes sense for them to add a versatile wing like MarJon Beauchamp, who has had a unique journey to this point. He played college basketball at Yakima College before breaking out in the G League; with a seven-foot wingspan and elite athleticism, there's a lot of upside here.

24. Milwaukee Bucks

Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

Milwaukee's frontcourt could be in store for some major changes, as both Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton are free agents, while Brook Lopez is 34. They add a rim protector here in Walker Kessler, who has a wide range. Scouts love his shot-blocking ability, but he's been a passive offensive player during his time in the collegiate ranks.

25. San Antonio Spurs

Nikola Jovic, F, Serbia

With their third first-round selection, San Antonio again adds versatility to a roster that has been lacking it in the post-Tim Duncan era. Serbia's Nikola Jovic may be 6'10" but he handles the ball like a guard and can really shoot it. Not only does his skill set fit the Spurs, this is an organization never shy to go the international route.

26. Houston Rockets

E.J. Liddell, F, Ohio State

Drafting an older player such as E.J. Liddell might not make a ton of sense considering Houston's timeline, but the former Buckeye is way too good to slide much beyond this point. Liddell plays much larger than his 6'7" frame may suggest, but he's also a capable shooter who can space the floor.

27. Miami Heat

Jake LaRavia, F, Wake Forest

Few organizations in basketball find draft gems quite as well as Miami, who could add another one here in Wake Forest product Jake LaRavia. The combo forward is a more skilled version of Jake Layman, a 6'8" specimen who can shoot the ball and is more athletic than you may think. He's been rising as of late and looks to have secured a first-round spot.

28. Golden State Warriors

Christian Koloko, C, Arizona

Considering they just took home their fourth NBA Title in a decade, it's easy to forget Golden State still has a relatively untested former No. 2 overall pick in James Wiseman. Wiseman has plenty of upside, but the sluggish start to his career could leave the Warriors looking elsewhere to bolster their frontcourt. Enter Christian Koloko, a seven-foot stopper who is very mobile for his size and quite versatile.

29. Memphis Grizzlies

Kendall Brown, G/F, Baylor

You can never have too many capable wings in the modern NBA, particularly those that fit the "3-and-D" archetype. Memphis adds another in the form of Kendall Brown, who played well in his lone season in Waco. He has traits that every NBA team covets; he can defend and play multiple positions, he's good size and an impressive athlete, and has shooting upside.

30. Denver Nuggets

Jaden Hardy, G/F, G League

Denver went with a safer selection at 21 in the form of Andrew Nembhard, now they swing for the fences at the bottom of the first round with Jaden Hardy. The 19-year old jumps out of the gym with his athleticism, but his play in the G League this past year was underwhelming. He was known as a strong shooter in high school, but it hasn't translated to the next level, which may make teams wary. The Nuggets may be in win-now mode, but there's not much downside to taking a guy like this at pick 30.

College Football Preview 2022: 21. Minnesota Golden Gophers

 

Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

21. Minnesota Golden Gophers

After coming up just short in both 2019 and 2021, a veteran offense helps Minnesota claim a Big Ten West Title this year

2021 Review

There isn't a lot tougher foes to open a season against than the Ohio State Buckeyes, who the Gophers square off against to begin 2021. Although they fought valiantly, Minnesota couldn't match Ohio State's talent over four quarters, resulting in a 45-31 defeat. Even more disappointing than the defeat, however, was the loss of reigning Big Ten RB of the Year Mohamed Ibrahim, who tore his Achilles mere hours into the season. Even without Ibrahim, the Gophers won their next two before a baffling, humiliating loss during Homecoming to Bowling Green. They recovered to win their next four Big Ten games before the offense sputtered against Illinois and Iowa, two losses that cost the team a shot at the Big Ten Championship Game. A resounding victory over Wisconsin to win back Paul Bunyan's Axe put a nice cap on the regular season before the Gophers ran past West Virginia in the GuaranteedRate Bowl. A 9-4 record was a nice way to respond after a frustrating, COVID-shortened 2020, but also left you wanting a bit more. If not for the shocking losses to Bowling Green and Illinois, Minnesota would have gone 10-2 in the regular season and played for a league title. That should provide an extra bit of motivation for the program as they head into 2022.

2022 Outlook

Offense: Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. was a questionable hire when P.J. Fleck brought him in following the 2019 campaign, and the results speak for themselves. There was a complete lack of creativity as the offense averaged just 25.5 PPG (7th in the league, 83rd nationally) and just over 360 yards per game (ninth Big Ten, 99th nationally). 

Fleck opted to move on from Sanford over the offseason and instead turn to Kirk Ciarrocca, a former assistant of his who was formerly OC in Minneapolis from 2017-2019. Ciarrocca took the same job at Penn State for 2020 but was fired after just one year, before spending a season on West Virginia's staff. He's a no-brainer hire for Flecl, bringing in a guy who knows the program and most of the personnel.

The No. 1 goal for Ciarrocca will be getting Tanner Morgan back on track after a pair of underwhelming seasons. Morgan totaled 2,044 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air last fall, with rough showings in some of Minnesota's biggest games. Morgan's never going to be an elite, All-Conference QB, but he's better than what we saw last season and should return close to his 2019 form. 

It wasn't just Mohamed Ibrahim who went down at tailback for Minnesota in 2021. His backup, Treyson Potts, suffered a season upper-body injury that cost him the final few months of the year. Then, third-stringer Bryce Williams went down with a season-ending leg injury, costing the Gophers three proven, veteran ball-carriers.

Minnesota was forced to turn to redshirt freshman Ky Thomas and true freshman Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving, and the pair performed tremendously. Thomas finished as the leading rusher, with 824 yards and six scores, while Irving added 699 and four of his own. Unfortunately, the realities of modern college football struck this offseason, with the pair both transferring. Thomas went back home to his native Kansas and has a chance to start for the Kansas Jayhawks, while Irving heads to the West Coast and Oregon.

Losing Thomas and Irving stings, but Minnesota returns the entire trio of Ibrahim, Potts, and Williams. There are obvious injury concerns here, with all three coming back from significant injuries, but it's an incredibly experienced, capable running back room. If Ibrahim can return to his old form, he's one of the nation's best, and Potts is not your average backup. He's shown he can more than handle the load, although the Gophers will be cautious bringing him back up to speed.

The receiver corps may be the strength of the offense. It doesn't have the injury concerns the backfield has and is full of talented weapons. Chief among them is senior Chris Autman-Bell, who wasn't ever 100 percent in 2021 but still managed 506 yards and six touchdowns. Autman-Bell has gotten better each year he's been in the Twin Cities and should be in store for a special grand finale this fall. He's flanked by the trio of Daniel Jackson, Dylan Wright, and Michael Brown-Stephens. Wright, a former Texas A&M transfer, may be the most talented player on the entire offense, but he has to develop more consistency, while Jackson and Brown-Stephens have flashed potential and are awaiting their respective breakthroughs. 

Tight end has not been a position heavily featured in this offense under Fleck but at some point, we are going to see it all come together for senior Brevyn Spann-Ford. Spann-Ford is simply too talented and too dynamic not to be doing more for this offense; I have a feeling Ciarrocca will do more things to get him the ball this season. 

The chief concern on offense comes on the offensive line, where the Gophers said goodbye to four starters and a capable reserve in Curtis Dunlap Jr. The lone returning starter is a good one, as senior center John Michael Schmitz could be a serious candidate for the Rimington Trophy this season. Beyond him, there's loads of questions, although the additions of Michigan transfer Chuck Filiaga and Notre Dame transfer Quinn Carroll were huge. The tackle spots should both see position battles throughout fall camp and will be an X-Factor for this offense in 2022.

I'm confident in a resurgent 2022 for this offense. Morgan, Ibrahim, and Autman-Bell combine to form one of the most experienced QB, RB, WR trios in the entire country and bringing back Ciarrocca is a major improvement over Sanford. Expect growing pains along the O-Line, but there's enough pieces there to keep this unit humming along this fall.

Defense: 2020 was an extremely disappointing year for the Gopher defense. They were prone to the big play and couldn't get any consistent pass rush generated during the COVID-shortened campaign. In response, the Gophers brought in several transfers and juggled up their defensive scheme.

The response proved to be a good one for the defense, which posted Top 10 numbers across the board. The unit allowed just 278.8 yards per game in 2021, which was third in the entire country. Needless to say, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi earned a hefty contract extension for his work, and remains a rising name among coaching circles. 

The primary goal for Rossi and the rest of the defensive staff will be rebuilding a defensive line that was hit hard by departures over the offseason. Defensive ends Boye Mafe and Esezi Otomewo were both drafted, while Micah Dew-Treadaway and Nyles Pinckney are also gone. Expect senior Thomas Rush to take on an expanded role at rush end after notching 5.5 sacks in 2021. Rush isn't the athlete Mafe or Otomewo were, but he's an experienced defender with a proven pedigree. It's unclear who will start opposite of Rush at the other end spot. Sophomore Jah Joyner is a potential breakout candidate but hasn't put it all together yet, meaning Vanderbilt transfer Lorenza Surgers could have the upper hand right now. Surgers played 18 games over four seasons while in Nashville, but wasn't able to find consistent playing time on the Commodores. With how thin the Gophers currently are at defensive end, he is a lock to see plenty of action this fall.

On the interior D-Line, the Gophers are hoping this is the year for DeAngelo "Trill" Carter. The junior has impressed each of the last two seasons, including a 20 tackles, 5 TFL performance in 2021, but even more should be expected. He's the most naturally talented player on the entire defensive line and has demonstrated impressive athleticism for his size. Another player Minnesota is hoping for more from is junior Logan Richter, who has received plenty of hype throughout his time in the Twin Cities but hasn't seen the field much. After playing in four games in 2021, don't be shocked if he's a Day One starter this season. The Gophers had success bringing in Clemson transfer Nyles Pinckney a year ago, so they went down to South Carolina once again and landed defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies. Jefferies isn't quite the player Pinckney was, but played a bunch of football at Clemson and should fit in nicely in the Big Ten.

Even with the departure of Jack Gibbens, the team's leading tackler last year, the linebacker corps should be in a good spot. Senior Mariano Sori-Marin has earned the ire of Gopher fans at times over the years, but played tremendous ball in 2021, finishing second on the team in tackles. He should have no issue taking up a leadership role with Gibbens now gone. Slated to start next to him is Braelen Oliver, another guy who has flashed plenty of potential, but is still waiting to put it all together. He earned "Outstanding Defensive Freshman" back in 2019 but was sidelined in 2020 with an injury and started seven games last fall. 

This secondary could challenge as the best in the Big Ten and a Top 10 unit nationally. They may lose an important piece in longtime corner Coney Durr, but just about every other big name is back in the fold. Sophomore corner Justin Walley is already on his way to superstardom; he earned Freshman All-American honors last season and should be even better with a full offseason under his belt. He'll lock down one corner spot, with senior Terrell Smith and Abilene Christian transfer Ryan Stapp set to battle it out opposite of him. Smith began last year as the starter before giving way to Walley and was limited in the spring, while Stapp is a veteran who follows Gibbens up from Abilene.

The safety spots are in good hands, as the Gophers bring back two veteran defenders in Tyler Nubin and Jordan Howden. Both have been a part of the program for several years at this point and do what's asked of them. Nubin finished third on the team in tackles and also led the team with three interceptions, while Howden finished just behind him with 43 tackles. There's depth behind this pair, even with Calvin Swenson graduating and Solomon Brown transferring. Jalen Glaze has flashed on special teams and is a guy I'm super high on, and we could also see former big-time recruit Steven Ortiz Jr. contribute here. He came into college as a corner, but should see more playing time at safety.

Rounding out the secondary is nickelback, where Justus Harris departs. Fortunately, there's transfer help here in the form of Western Kentucky transfer Beanie Bishop, who earned All-Conference USA honors in 2021. There may be a slight learning curve as he adjusts to the Big Ten, but Minnesota should feel good about him moving forward. One last name to mention in the defensive backfield is Michael Dixon, who should play all over the field. Dixon has played in 17 games during his Gopher career, but most of it has been as a reserve. He dominated during spring and is simply too good to keep off the field; he'll contribute, whether it's at nickel, safety, corner, or even a hybrid linebacker spot.

While the defensive line will have to reload, you have to trust Rossi and the rest of this defensive staff to figure it out. He's engineered a complete turnover of the defense since taking over midseason back in 2018 and the program as a whole has done a much better job recruiting this side of the ball. It will be difficult to replicate last year's success, but I wouldn't be shocked if this remains a Top 25 unit.

Special Teams: Minnesota sports fans don't have to be reminded of the entire state's special teams woes on the gridiron, although placekicker Matthew Trickett was okay in 2021. He went 17 for 25 on field goal attempts, but you'd like to see him get even better. Punter is in a good spot with the return of Mark Crawford, who averaged just under 42 yards per punt last year. The return game is a real mystery, as the team's top returners for both kickoffs and punts are gone. 

Bottom Line: Love him or hate him, I'm not sure how anyone can deny what a superb job P.J. Fleck has done in the Twin Cities. He's built the program into a consistent Big Ten West frontrunner and beat Wisconsin for the second time in 2021, a school that had absolutely owned the Gophers for decades. As he embarks on Year Six, two notable things remain off his resume: beating the school's other chief rival, Iowa, and a Big Ten West Title. With the Hawkeyes playing in Minneapolis this fall after the Gophers outplayed them essentially the whole way in 2021, I'm picking him to do both this season. Perhaps there is a bit of bias here as a lifelong Gopher fan, but in a division without an overwhelming favorite, I'll go with the team loaded with experience here. After coming so close in both 2019 and 2021, the Gophers represent the Big Ten West in the Championship Game, getting an opportunity to avenge last year's defeat against Ohio State in Indianapolis.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

P.J. Fleck's loud and unique style have a tendency to rub people the wrong way, but he's 35-23 at Minnesota and has delivered three bowl victories, plus a Top 10 finish in 2019. There have been rumors he may be interested in a bigger job at some point, but seems content with his current situation, at least for the time being. He reunites with Kirk Ciarrocca, who has spent most of his time coaching on the East Coast before following Fleck from Western Michigan to the Twin Cities. Defensively, coordinator Joe Rossi should be in line for a promotion soon enough after a tremendous 2021. This isn't his first rodeo in the Big Ten as DC, as he held the same position at Rutgers from 2014-2015. 

Recruiting Breakdown

Fleck and this staff have elevated Minnesota's recruiting, although the 2022 Class is merely okay, ranking 49th in the 247Sports composite. Fortunately, the two highest-rated players come at the biggest need position on the team, defensive line. Trey Bixby is a local kid from in-state powerhouse Eden Prairie who has a bright future and the Gophers also went in to the state of Pennsylvania to land four-star Anthony Smith. Smith is probably a better bet to play right away, as he already looks the part at 6'6", 280 pounds, but I wouldn't be shocked if both see playing time in 2022. On the offensive side, Minnesota landed capable weapons at each of the skill positions. Jacob Knuth was the QB they took this cycle, a three-star prospect out of South Dakota. Tailback Zach Evans was a nice get from Texas who could see some early action with the injury concerns in the backfield, while wide outs Kristen Hoskins and Ike White offer plenty of playmaking potential.

2022 X-Factor: DeAngelo "Trill" Carter, DL

Play along the trenches will likely decide what type of season the Gophers have this fall and just how high their ceiling is. The defensive line in particular enters the fall with some notable questions, with Thomas Rush and DeAngelo Carter the only two regular contributors from last year still on the team. Rush has proven to be capable, but Carter is the player I'm watching. He's had some really impressive moments in a Gopher uniform, but the potential is there for him to get even better. If he can reach that next level, he has the chance to be one of the most impactful defenders of the Fleck era and be the anchor of a capable and high upside D-Line. If he isn't, the defensive line concerns could linger deep into fall and in turn, lead to a step-back for the defense as a whole.

Five-Year Trend

2022 Projections

Projected Record: 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten, Lose Big Ten Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: RB Mohamed Ibrahim

Defensive MVP: CB Justin Walley

Breakout Player of the Year: DE Jah Joyner

Impact Freshman: RB Zach Evans

College Football Preview 2022: 22. UCF Knights

Ryan O'Keefe, UCF

22. UCF Knights

A talented roster dotted with Power Five transfers will propel UCF into the New Year's Six discussion

2021 Review

UCF opened up the 2021 season on the first night of the regular season, with a fun Group of Five matchup with Boise State. After falling behind early, the Knights mounted an epic comeback to win in front of the home folks, 36-31. They beat up on Bethune-Cookman a week later, but ran into road troubles the next two games, losing a shootout to Louisville and a physical contest to Navy. Following a close win over East Carolina in Orlando, the Knights were run out of the stadium by Cincinnati to the tune of 56-21. They finished the year strong, winning six of their final seven and beating Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. They finished 9-4 overall and epitomized the idea of a home-field advantage; they were 7-0 in Orlando and 2-4 away from it. 

2022 Outlook

Offense: A broken clavicle suffered by Dillon Gabriel forced freshman Mikey Keene into a larger role than anyone would have expected, as the youngster started the final ten games of the 2021 campaign. There were some understandable growing pains, but Keene finished with 1,730 yards and 18 total touchdowns, not a bad showing for a first-year QB. With Gabriel moving on to Oklahoma, the offense goes into 2022 in Keene's hands.

Keene will be joined in the quarterback room by a pair of former Power Five transfers, Joey Gatewood and John Rhys Plumlee. Gatewood began his career at Auburn and after a quick pit stop at Kentucky, came to UCF. Plumlee began his career at Ole Miss, where he shattered the QB rushing record, with 1,023 yards in 2019. Neither are your traditional quarterbacks, but instead will be used in certain packages and situations. Gatewood is a beast near the goal-line, while Plumlee is an option magician who also lined up at receiver for Ole Miss.

Head coach Gus Malzahn has never been one to shy away from a committee approach at tailback and I suspect he will do much the same in 2022. Former Northwestern transfer Isaiah Bowser will get the bulk of the carries, coming off a season in which he notched 703 yards and nine scores despite dealing with injuries. He's not only a physical, downhill runner that wears out opposing defenses, his blocking in pass protection is vastly underrated. Alongside Bowser will be a pair of big-play threats in Johnny Richardson and Mark Antony-Richards. Richardson ended up leading the team in rushing last fall and averaged seven yards per carry. His play style is very similar to that of former UCF great Adrian Killins, as he's a lightning bug at 5'7" who can break open games with a single carry. Antony-Richards provides solid support, a former Auburn transfer who followed Malzahn to Orlando.

One of my favorite players in the country is wide out Ryan O'Keefe, who is back for his senior season. Few players anywhere in college football can impact the game quite like O'Keefe, who quite literally does it all. He led UCF in receiving with 812 yards and seven touchdowns, totaled 274 yards rushing, can handle kickoffs and punt returns, and can even throw the ball. Last year, O'Keefe went 3-3 throwing the ball for 66 yards and a touchdown, earning himself a nice little passer rating of 504.8. An ultra-versatile dynamo like this is terrifying in a Malzahn offense, and he should be a frontrunner for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the sport's most versatile player.

In addition to O'Keefe, Keene will lean a pair of former transfers, Auburn transplant Kobe Hudson and former Notre Dame wide out Jordan Johnson. Hudson led Auburn in receiving a year ago and adds instant impact to this Knights offense, while Johnson is a former high-profile recruit who appeared in five games for UCF in 2021. Add in veteran Amari Johnson, who had 23 catches for 138 last year, and the receiver corps is loaded.

Malzahn isn't known as a coach that features his tight ends heavily, typically preferring tight ends that can line up in the backfield and play more like H-backs. That may change this fall, as UCF landed a big name TE transfer in former Florida Gator Kemore Gamble. Even as Florida fell to a sub-.500 record that led to Dan Mullen's firing, Gamble totaled 31 receptions for 414 yards and four scores. It's a different type of offense he'll be joining at UCF, but I expect him to still find ways to contribute. He's a big body, but incredibly athletic for the position and a matchup problem.

The offensive line loses stalwart Cole Schneider, but has a chance to be very solid. They added a big-name transfer over the offseason in Virgnia's Ryan Swoboda, who has a good chance to be the team's starting right tackle. The 6'10", 325-pound behemoth appeared in 43 games over four seasons for UVA and started 25. Junior Matthew Lee centers the unit on the inside, as the center started 12 games for the Knights in 2022 and should be ready to roll once again.

Not a lot of Group of Five schools have the offensive talent UCF does, plus a creative head man in Gus Malzahn to run it. They have some really fascinating pieces, like O'Keefe, Richardson, Plumlee, and Gamble that should make them a pain for opposing defenses. I expect this to be one of the most productive Group of Five offenses in the nation.

Defense: UCF took some lumps defensively last year before finishing strong in the season's second half. They allowed 24.5 PPG, which was 49th nationally and among the better numbers in the conference. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams is back in Orlando to lead the defense and has plenty of talent to work with.

The defensive line loses a key cog in Big Kat Bryant, who was yet another Knight who followed Malzahn from Auburn, but the unit should still be a strength. Veterans Tre'mon Morris Brash and Josh Celiscar are expected to start opposite one another as defensive ends. Morris-Brash notched 10 TFL and five sacks a season ago and could be among the best pass rushers in the American Athletic this fall. The interior should also be set, with junior Ricky Barber anchoring the unit and highly touted transfer Lee Hunter providing much-needed depth.

UCF was average to below-average at stopping the run in 2021, allowing 159.2 YPG (79th nationally), and now enters the fall with some uncertainty at linebacker. Senior Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste started five games for the Knights in 2021 and will now be expected to play a leading role. The linebacker is a ferocious hitter and intense competitor, but is he ready to take on a leadership position in the heart of this defense? It's unclear who will start alongside Jean-Baptiste, although UCF is likely to decide between a pair of transfers. Terrence Lewis was a five-star recruit for Maryland last year who has all the talent in the world, but plenty of questions. He didn't play at all a season ago after sustaining an ACL injury in the spring and was charged with domestic battery in early May. The charges have since been dropped, but it's fair to wonder whether that may impact his on-field contributions moving forward. The other transfer set to compete for snaps is Jason Johnson, a former FCS All-American at Eastern Illinois. Johnson has a proven pedigree, but the jump to this level is always an adjustment.

There's a lot to like about this secondary. It was the strength of the defense last season and returns most of the key contributors, along with a few interesting transfers. Junior corners Davonte Brown and Corey Thornton are among the most underrated defensive duos in the nation. Brown swatted away 13 pass deflections in 2021, while Thornton had six, despite playing mainly as a reserve. Sophomore Brandon Adams is also likely to play a role after flashing plenty of upside as a true freshman. He's a superb athlete whose length jumps out at you; he's 6'3" and looks even larger.

The rest of the defensive backfield includes juniors Justin Hodges and Quadric Bullard, along with former Georgia transfer Divaad Wilson. Bullard was second on the team in tackles last year and sets the tone on the back-end, while Wilson is a special talent who earned All-AAC consideration last year. This group also adds in a big-name transfer in Koby Perry, who was an FCS All-American at Austin Peay. Perry could play at nickelback, but his most likely spot is one of the safety spots, where his closing speed and instincts will be a major asset.

Defense was a weak spot during much of the Scott Frost and Josh Heupel eras, but this group displayed real growth under Williams and Malzahn last fall. The prognosis for 2022 looks promising, even with some question marks in the linebacker corps. The returns in the secondary will be particularly crucial, as the American has an abundance of talented signal-callers.

Special Teams: Placekicker Daniel Obarski is hoping a better performance in the Gasparilla Bowl can lay the groundwork for an improved 2022 after a shaky campaign a year ago. He went 8-14 in '21 and is 20-31 for his UCF career. Punter is in good hands, as veteran Alex Osteen returns. He got plenty of work a season ago, with 71 punts, averaging just over 41 yards per.

Bottom Line: UCF battled a slew of injuries in 2021 and still finished 9-4 with a bowl victory over the flagship program in the state. That speaks a lot to Malzahn and the staff, but also the program as a whole and the talent that they've collected. Hopefully, the Knights are able to avoid the injury bug this fall, which should set up for an exciting campaign. Both sides of the ball are loaded with proven veterans and an abundance of former Power Five transfers, continuing to elevate the talent in Orlando. Plus, the environment UCF finds themselves in sets up nicely. Cincinnati is almost sure to take a step back inside the AAC and SMU lost their head coach to TCU, meaning two of the top programs inside the league enter 2022 with questions. The Knights also have a favorable schedule; their two Power Five opponents this fall, Louisville and Georgia Tech, have hot seat head coaches and are among the bottom-tier teams in the conference. Plus, UCF gets Cincy, SMU, and both Power Five schools all at home this season. All in all, it sets up perfectly for a potentially special season for Malzahn and company. Maybe not undefeated special, but I envision the Knights in serious contention for the Group of Five's New Year's Six bid.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Gus Malzahn enters his second season as head man at UCF after a long run at Auburn, where he went 68-35 and played for a National Title. Malzahn is a former coaching legend in the Arkansas high school coaching ranks before making the jump to FBS ball in 2006, when he took over as Arkansas OC. The offensive coordinator is Chip Lindsey, who has a long relationship with Malzahn and was former head coach at Troy. Defensively, Travis Williams runs the show as DC; he played at Auburn and coached linebackers there from 2016-2020. 

Recruiting Breakdown

Even though UCF had a big showing in the transfer portal this offseason, they still made waves on the high school recruiting scene, as well. They brought in a class that ranked 52nd in the 247Sports composite, which was third among Group of Five schools, trailing only Houston and Cincinnati. The lone four-star in the class is corner Nikai Martinez, who probably won't play much in 2022 but has a bright future. He chose UCF despite heavy interest from several SEC teams. Other big names include wide out Quan Lee and corner Ja'Cari Henderson, who both hail from inside the state of Florida. Henderson's twin brother, Demari, isn't as highly rated but could be a long-term contributor at safety. 

2022 X-Factor: LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste

Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste was a solid contributor for this defense a year ago, but UCF needs even more from the linebacker this season. Losing Tatum Bethune and Bryson Armstrong seriously cripples a linebacker corps that had some notable issues containing the run in 2021. UCF may have brought in several transfers to bolster this unit, but Jean-Baptiste is the most experienced linebacker on the team and knows this system. He will set the tone for the entire unit, which in turn could decide whether or not the Knights once again have one of the AAC's best defenses.

Five-Year Trend

2022 Projections

Projected Record: 10-3 (7-3 American Athletic, Lose AAC Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: WR Ryan O'Keefe

Defensive MVP: S Quadric Bullard

Breakout Player of the Year: DL Lee Hunter

Impact Freshman: WR Quan Lee

College Football Preview 2022: 23. Wisconsin Badgers

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

23. Wisconsin Badgers

One of the nation's top RB combos will keep Wisconsin in the Big Ten Title race, but significant defensive losses could hold them back

2021 Review

Wisconsin opened up their 2021 campaign with a conference game against Penn State, a low-scoring affair that saw the Nittany Lions win 16-10. The loss opened up a rough first month for the Badgers, who also dropped games to Notre Dame at Soldier Field and Michigan, beginning 1-3. Once Wisconsin was able to hit the bulk of their Big Ten schedule, they took advantage, winning their next seven games to move to 8-3, with a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game in play. The Badgers finished the regular season in Minneapolis, where the offense sputtered in a defeat at the hands of arch-rival Minnesota. They would recover by rolling past Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl, leaving them at 9-4 on the year. Considering the slow start, it was a solid season for the Badgers, but leaves the program hoping for a return to the Big Ten Championship Game after a two-year hiatus.

2022 Outlook

Offense: There are important changes to the Badger offense, beginning with the coaching staff. Paul Chryst took back play-calling duties during the 2021 season but will relinquish them this year, as he brought in Bobby Engram to serve as the team's offensive coordinator. The hope is that Engram will help Wisconsin open up the offense, but it's fair to wonder whether the personnel is in place for him to do so.

Engram will absolutely need more from quarterback Graham Mertz, who enters a make-or-break year in 2022. Mertz was a highly touted recruit who had a smashing debut against Illinois to open up his Badger career, but since then? The results have been... less-than-stellar, to put it nicely. He's got a career 18-15 TD-INT ratio, while completing 60% of his throws. You can occasionally see the arm talent with some of the throws he makes, but the decision-making has been questionable and he seems to have lost confidence in himself. If there isn't growth early on this fall, it isn't crazy to speculate Wisconsin may try out backup Chase Wolf, who has been featured in several unique packages during his time in Madison.

The good news is that, once again, the quarterback is unlikely to be the focal point of the Badger offense. That honor will fall to tailback Braleon Allen, who took over feature back duties midseason and finished with 1,109 yards and 12 scores. He is now unquestionably "the guy" in this offense and will benefit from a full offseason learning the position, as he's a converted linebacker. Allen is also still growing, only 17 years old during his impressive run in 2021 (in case the broadcast didn't inform you enough), meaning there is likely plenty of untapped potential there.

Allen's dominance down the stretch overshadowed just how strong of a season former Clemson transfer Chez Mellusi was having before a season-ending knee injury. Mellusi totaled 815 yards over nine games for the Badgers, but struggled against elite defenses, particularly Notre Dame and Michigan. He's set to be 100 percent for the opener and while he'll be second-fiddle to Allen this year, don't overlook the role he'll play in this offense. There's depth behind Mellusi as well, with Brady Schipper and Isaac Guerendo back in town. Schipper saw an expanded role a season ago due to injury and proved to be at least capable, while Guerendo missed most of 2021 and spring camp. With so many options back at tailback, Wisconsin should be able to keep Allen relatively fresh, which could be a major advantage in 2022's second half.

The biggest question on Wisconsin's entire team, even more than quarterback, is the receiver corps. This wasn't exactly an elite group in 2021, and now loses their top three pass-catchers, including tight end Jake Ferguson. Junior Chimere Dike is set to take over as their top option after flashing the last two seasons. He had 19 receptions for 272 yards a year ago and has proven to be a tough cover, but is he ready to take an even larger load? His play is going to be a major X-factor for this entire offense. Behind him, there's very little, to no, proven commodities. Their top returning pass-catcher that isn't a back or tight end is redshirt freshman Markus Allen, who had three catches for 65 yards. Allen will get an opportunity to show what he can do, but other names to watch include Stephan Bracey Jr., Keontez Lewis, and Dean Engram. 

Tight end has long been a strength in the Badger offense, but losing a program staple like Ferguson stings. Expect the Badgers to lean on a committee approach to replace him, relying on Clay Cundiff and Jack Eschenbach in particular. Neither are the playmakers that Ferguson was, but Cundiff has flashed upside and has some shiftiness in the open field.

The biggest news on the offensive line is the departure of offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, who also served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator. It's a major loss and a surprising one; Rudolph has been with Chryst going back over a decade, serving as TE coach when Chryst was OC here and then following him to Pittsburgh. Rudolph took a similar position on Brent Pry's new staff at Virginia Tech, leaving Chryst without one of his most loyal and trusted assistants.

New O-Line coach Bob Bostad has previously served in the same role and has plenty to work with here. Tyler Beach, Jack Nelson, and Joe Tippmann are proven veterans who should start once again in 2022, although they could shift around on the line based on team need. Don't be surprised if the young guys start to show what they can do, including Logan Brown and redshirt freshman Riley Mahlman. Brown was the second highest-rated recruit in program history but has had an injury-plagued career up to this point, while Mahlman had a dominant spring that's likely to secure his spot on the two-deep.

Even with Engram now in the fold, I don't suspect a major evolution of this Badger offense, at least in 2022. They are going to ground-and-pound behind the 1-2 punch of Allen and Mellusi, who should have plenty of fun running behind this offensive line. That formula has worked for Wisconsin in the past, but if this team wants to win a competitive Big Ten West, they absolutely need more from Mertz. It's his fourth year on campus and third as starter; if it doesn't come together this fall, it never will.

Defense: Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard remains one of the hottest names on the coordinator market, but is back in Madison to run the Badger defense. He ran another dominant group a season ago, but this year's defense may be a challenge. There are significant losses at every level, including a linebacker corps that was among the best in the country last year.

The defensive line may end up being the backbone of the defense, even if it's a group short on star power. Seniors Isaiah Mullens and Keeanu Benton have played a lot of football in their Badger career and will be leaned on not only to help in run support and pass rushing, but leadership. The final starter in this 3-4 look isn't as clear, with several players likely to battle it out for starting snaps. Isaac Townsend, Rodas Johnson, and Gio Paez are the trio set to compete, none of them with extensive experience. 

It's not hyperbolic to say that Wisconsin had one of the best linebacker groups in the country a year ago. Unfortunately, both Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn are off to the NFL after combining for 204 tackles and 34.5 TFL. Their departures open the door for Nick Herbig to take center stage, coming off a 2021 season in which he finished third on the team with 61 tackles. Herbig, a Hawai'i native, is a better athlete than many of the past linebackers we've seen pass through Madison and a proven pass rusher, but he'll be asked to do even more this fall. Don't be surprised if he's a regular on Butkus Award watch lists as he takes on a leadership role.

Behind Herbig there's plenty of potential, but a real shortage of experience. Senior C.J. Goetz is expected to break into a starting role after playing as a reserve for several years, likely to fill in at the outside linebacker spot opposite of Herbig. The two inside linebacker spots are complete mysteries at this point in the offseason; junior Tatum Grass is a good bet to see plenty of snaps, but it's anybody's guess beyond him. Keep an eye on youngsters Kaden Johnson and T.J. Bollers, two guys who had superb springs and should ascend up the depth chart in short order. Johnson was a pretty big get for the Badgers out of the state of Minnesota, but hasn't seen much playing time so far. He saw a bunch of playing time in the spring and could push Goetz out of a starting role.

There's substantial questions in the secondary as well, with the foursome of Caesar Williams, Faion Hicks, Scott Nelson, and Collin Wilder off chasing their NFL dreams. Wisconsin hit the transfer portal hard looking for quick fixes and were able to find several pieces that should contribute right away. Most notable among them is UCLA transfer Jay Shaw, who played 43 games with the Bruins. He's a favorite to start right away, and could be the team's top corner. In addition to Shaw, Cedrick Dort and Justin Clark arrived over the offseason, bringing with them plenty of experience. Dort in particular is a big get, as he notched 25 starts with Kentucky and brings SEC-levels of toughness and ferocity. Expect homegrown defenders like senior Alexander Smith and redshirt freshman Richardo Hallman to also see opportunities at the corner spots. 

The safety spots didn't see a wave of incoming transfers like cornerback, but should be in a fairly okay spot even with Nelson and Wilder gone. Senior free safety John Torchio is a former walk-on who seized on injuries on the back-end last fall, seeing an increase in snaps. He had 35 tackles and three interceptions in 2021, earning the nickname "Jewelry Thief" from his Badger teammates. Expect him to be one of the most important defenders on the team this year. Senior Travian Blaylock is a good bet to join Torchio as a starter, with Blaylock likely to man strong safety. He's a converted corner with elite athleticism who will undoubtedly make some level of impact. However, don't be surprised if sophomore Hunter Wohler pushes him for playing time. I featured Wohler on my "Ten Players Ready For the Sophomore Leap" list and I think he has a good shot to have a big 2022 campaign. 

It's a testament to Leonhard and the entire Wisconsin program that they lost Chenal and Sanborn, plus their entire starting secondary, and you still feel fairly good about this defense. A slight step back should be expected, as well as some initial growing pains, but the Badgers reload as well as anyone defensively. It's a good bet that this will still be at least a Top 25 unit, with the potential to be much better.

Special Teams: At times, placekicker has been a problem for Wisconsin and the absence of steady Collin Larsh throws the special teams into a level of disarray. Arkansas transfer Vito Calvaruso steps in as the early favorite to take over placekicking duties, although he was mainly just a kickoff specialist during his time in the SEC. Jack Van Dyke and Nate Van Zelst will compete with the newcomer, although neither bring much experience to the table. Punter is in good hands with the return of Andy Vujnovich, while Stephan Bracey and Dean Engram should spearhead the return game.

Bottom Line: Even though the coaching staff has been shuffled around, 2022's outlook looks like a prototypical one for Wisconsin. The offense will run the ball behind a strong offensive line and the defense should be stingy, although the new faces will have to acclimate quick. That should be enough to guarantee this team hovers around the 8-9 win territory, but the lack of a passing game remains a persistent problem in Madison. It's not just Mertz and his struggles, but the lack of any game-breakers at receiver, plus the lack of a security blanket at tight end, like Jake Ferguson. Wisconsin also has to deal with a rapidly improving division and a tough schedule. Inside the West, Iowa has held steady, Minnesota & Purdue are on the upswing, and Northwestern should be back. Add in the fact the Badgers have to go to Columbus and East Lansing in crossover games and anything more than replicating last year's eight regular season wins could be a stretch.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Madison native Paul Chryst played for the Badgers in the late 80s and was previously the offensive coordinator here from 2006-2011. After a stint as Pittsburgh head coach, he returned to his roots, where he has been head man since 2015. He's led a stable coaching staff for the most part, with another alum, Jim Leonhard, running the defense since 2017. On offense, Bobby Engram replaces Joe Rudolph as offensive coordinator, fresh off a three-year tenure coaching with the Baltimore Ravens as their TE coach. Engram played in the NFL for a decade-and-a-half before beginning his coaching career in 2011.

Recruiting Breakdown

After landing one of the best recruiting classes in school history in 2021, Wisconsin's 2022 group took a step back, as the staff focused more on filling immediate needs through the transfer portal. The 2022 Class ranks 45th in the 247Sports composite, and per usual, is led by the offensive and defensive linemen. Joe Brunner, a 6'6", 300-pounder from inside the state, is their top-rated recruit, but he'll likely have to redshirt due to the team's depth in front of him. Defensive linemen Curtis Neal and Isaac Hamm highlight the defensive side of things. Neal was a pretty big get from ACC and SEC territory in North Carolina, while Hamm comes from a suburb of Madison. Another name to watch is Vinny Anthony, a three-star wide receiver out of Louisville. Anthony doesn't come in with the most fanfare, but he brings the type of explosiveness on the perimeter that Wisconsin has lacked for years and years.

2022 X-Factor: Chimere Dike, WR

With so much questions at receiver, Wisconsin needs a big season from Chimere Dike if this offense is going to succeed. Dike has flashed plenty of playmaking ability over the last two seasons, but is he ready to be the unquestioned No. 1 guy? I suspect new OC Engram will find every way possible to get Dike the ball, including utilizing screens and sweeps for the junior wide out.

Five-Year Trend

2022 Projections

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)

Offensive MVP: RB Braelon Allen

Defensive MVP: LB Nick Herbig

Breakout Player of the Year: S Hunter Wohler

Impact Freshman: WR Vinny Anthony