College Football Preview 2023: 5. Ohio State Buckeyes

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

It's only a matter of time before Ryan Day wins a National Title, but as the Buckeyes break in a new quarterback this fall, 2024 should be the goal

2022 Review

For the sixth straight year, Ohio State entered 2022 as a preseason Top 5 team and got an opportunity to bolster their CFB Playoff resume quickly, welcoming Notre Dame to Columbus in the opener. Although the Buckeyes didn't blow out the Irish, they still left with a 21-10 victory that seemed to set the stage for a successful campaign. Over the next month-and-half, Ohio State breezed through a weak remainder of their non-conference and early Big Ten slate. In fact, it wasn't until they traveled to Happy Valley to face off with Penn State that they faced another ranked foe. The Nittany Lions did give them some difficulties but Ohio State found a way to outlast their East rival, and then proceeded to pound Northwestern, Indiana, and Maryland in succession. The Buckeyes entered the final week of the regular locked in at No. 2 in the nation, with a chance to avenge their loss to arch-rival Michigan from 2021. Instead, they didn't seem ready to handle the physical nature of the Wolverines and a pair of long runs from Michigan sealed their second consecutive win in the series. Fortunately, Ohio State watched USC come up short in the Pac-12 Championship Game, allowing them to back into their third Playoff in four years. To Ohio State's credit, they proved they belonged, jumping out to a lead against Georgia and outplaying the eventual National Champion nearly the whole game. With the game on the line, kicker Noah Ruggles went wide left with just seconds left on the clock, a deflating loss just after midnight on New Year's. Although the season ultimately ended in disappointment, Ohio State should feel good about what they accomplished in 2022 and the fact that they gave Georgia such a scare. As Ryan Day prepares for his sixth season, the goal remains the same, a National Title, but feels as close as ever before.

2023 Outlook

Offense: There are some notable offensive changes for Ohio State heading into 2023, but there's little doubt this group will remain a potent one. First off, Kevin Wilson's departure to take the Tulsa head coaching job means that Brian Hartline will take over as offensive coordinator. Hartline, a Buckeye alum who has been on staff since 2017, has proven himself as an elite recruiter and should be ready to handle a larger role. It helps that this offense is blessed with a staggering amount of skill position talent, including arguably the nation's best receiver corps.

That receiver corps is led by Marvin Harrison Jr., the top wide receiver in college football and a likely Top 5 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The son of an NFL great, Harrison Jr. has been as good as advertised after coming to Ohio State, including a 2023 in which he went for 77 receptions, 1,263 yards, and 14 touchdowns. It's rare to see a player with his skill set at this age; from route running, to footwork, to his vertical speed, he is the total package. Yet, he shouldn't completely overshadow all the other talent back in the receiver room, including slot receiver Emeka Egbuka, junior Julian Fleming, and a pair of highly touted newcomers, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. This pass-catchers group even boasts a John Mackey Award candidate at tight end, as Cade Stover is back after earning All-Big Ten recognition a season ago.

Yet, that receiver corps will have to make do with a new quarterback getting them the ball, as the other significant change to this offense over the offseason was the departure of C.J. Stroud. There's no sugarcoating it, he is a major loss, finishing his Ohio State career as the program's No. 2 all-time passer. That's particularly impressive when you consider that he was really only starter for two seasons, and yet still rewrote record books.

With Stroud gone, Ryan Day and Hartline will oversee a two-man quarterback competition between sophomore Kyle McCord and redshirt frosh Devin Brown. McCord seems to be on the inside track, as he's been in the program for multiple years now and was even considered a potential starting candidate before Stroud took the job prior to 2021. With that being said, Brown is an interesting piece, a dual-threat who seems to have a bright future ahead of him in Columbus. It wouldn't be a shock if see some playing time for him in unique packages. 

Although the quarterback position is still up in the air as we stand today, the backfield is bolstered by a dominant 1-2 punch in TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. I'm picking Henderson to have a huge bounce-back year and see him winning the Doak Walker; he just wasn't 100 percent throughout 2022 but is much better than what we saw. Williams could start on about 100 different FBS programs nationally and should play a large role and even the depth behind the pair is impressive. Third-stringer Dallan Hayden made the most of his opportunities a year ago and has the chance to continue progressing.

Losing three starters to the NFL along the offensive line is a concern, although this is a program that reloads rather than rebuilds up front. Veterans Matthew Jones and Donovan Jackson should keep the run game chugging along on the interior, and there's potential at tackle. San Diego State transfer Josh Simmons should start right away, while junior Josh Fryer looks to be the leader at one of the starting spots.

Even with several major changes, it's hard to imagine this offense not remaining one of the best anywhere in the country. McCord is supremely talented and has loads to work with, and I think this ground game should rebound after a down 2022. Match last year's 44.2 points per game is a tall order, but completely within the realm of possibility.

Defense: Veteran defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was brought on prior to turn around a group that struggled in 2021, and he did just that. The Buckeyes' numbers improved across the board and beyond that, they just looked more prepared and competent. Now that he's had another full offseason in charge, I suspect there will be continued improvement.

The biggest change we saw last season from Ohio State was an improved pass rush, after a couple of down years. As we prepare for 2023, this has a chance to be a truly special unit, as defensive ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer could be the nation's top combo. Tuimoloau in particular is a superstar; he earned All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and was the best player on the field in the Penn State win. He should have another big season before becoming a first-rounder in the NFL Draft next spring.

The interior D-Line doesn't have the star-power of the outside, but Michael Hall was impressive as a freshman last season and should be even better, while Ty Hamilton has seen a healthy amount of action over his first two seasons on campus. There's also Ole Miss transfer Tywone Malone, who wasn't able to quite break through in Oxford, but brings plenty of upside.

Just as important as the improved pass rush was a linebacker corps that improved by leaps and bounds from 2021 to 2022. Central to their success was Tommy Eichenberg, the latest in a long line of elite Buckeye inside linebackers. Eichenberg notched 120 tackles last fall and should be all over the field once again. He looks to be a frontrunner for the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.

Converted running back Steele Chambers will reprise his role alongside Eichenberg after making a major leap last year, and the depth behind those two is impressive. C.J. Hicks and Cody Simon may still be rotational pieces in 2023, but are two proven commodities who should keep this position group fresh deep into the fall.

Rounding out the defense will be a secondary that returns nearly all its big names, with the notable exception being safety Ronnie Hickman. Although, the safety spots should remain a strength, as Lathan Ransom, Josh Proctor, and rising sophomore Sonny Styles are back. Styles is a player I'm watching with a very close eye; he's going to make plays all over the field and the 6'4", 215-pounder has the build to impact the game in a variety of ways.

At cornerback, look for Denzel Burke to be the top player at the position after making 24 starts in the last two years. He's not known for his playmaking ability, but the veteran is the type of sturdy defender that every secondary needs. Alongside him, Ole Miss transfer Davison Igbinosun could come in and start right away after an impressive true freshman campaign, although junior Jordan Hancock will also vie for a starting job.

Ohio State's defense is never short on talent, but Knowles did a superb job getting this unit to play to its potential in 2022. Now the Buckeyes return every major piece, including several players who could be in the mix for national awards and All-American honors. This is going to be a Top 10 unit nationally and the depth throughout it will be huge in keeping Ohio State in the Playoff mix throughout the entire fall.

Special Teams: Although the lasting memory of Noah Ruggles will unfortunately be a negative one for his missed field goal in the Playoff semifinal, the reality is that he was a highly productive kicker for years. Luckily, Ohio State appears to have identified his replacement in USC transfer Parker Lewis, who hit 26 of 35 during his two seasons in Southern Cal. Punter also is in good hands, as Jesse Mirco is back after a solid campaign, while the return game will once more feature Emeka Egbuka and Xavier Johnson.

Bottom Line

Lofty expectations are nothing new in Columbus, but there seems to be an extra sense of pressure as the Buckeyes gear up for 2023. Losing two in a row to Michigan will do that, and despite all of Ohio State's success, a decade gap for a National Title is adding a feeling of urgency. It seems like only a matter of time before Ryan Day gets one, and there's no question this team has the talent. The offense has its usual collection of studs, but the improvement on defense is what makes the Buckeyes particularly interesting this fall. I truly believe they are 1A and 1B with Michigan in the Big Ten and both will be in the thick of the National Title hunt all season long, but the deciding factor? The Buckeyes have to travel to The Big House on the final day of the regular season, enough for me to count on the Wolverines to repeat as the league champions. Ohio State could still sneak in the CFB Playoff if things go right, much like 2022, but the margin for error feels particularly small this year. They may have to settle for a New Year's Six Bowl this year and turn to 2024 as the year for their National Title run, with the hopes some of their draft eligible pieces return for one more season.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Ryan Day had never been a head coach at any level of football prior to taking over for Urban Meyer, but has proceeded to go an astounding 45-6 as the man in charge at Ohio State. He's gone to the College Football Playoff three times in four seasons, but does enter 2023 under a bit of pressure after consecutive losses to Michigan. His new offensive coordinator will be Brian Hartline, who has promoted from WR coach over the offseason after Kevin Wilson took the Tulsa head coaching job. Hartline has already asserted himself as one of the most dominant recruiters in the game and could have a future as a head coach if he wants it, but the Buckeye alum seems pretty content in Columbus for now. Defensively, Jim Knowles did an excellent job rebuilding the Ohio State defense in 2022 and returns for Year Two. He's been around the college football scene since the 1980's and served as head coach of Cornell from 2004-2009, although his specialty remains DC. Prior to Ohio State, he held the same role under Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and spent the better part of the 2010s on staff at Duke under David Cutcliffe.

Recruiting Breakdown

Ryan Day and staff brought in the nation's fourth-ranked recruiting class, led by one of the most impressive receiver hauls in recent college football history. The trio of Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate, and Noah Rogers should ensure there's no long-term step-back out wide, even with Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming all likely off to the NFL next spring. Tate is the headliner, a five-star prospect from IMG Academy who has the build to be an instant-impact piece on the perimeter. In addition, the Buckeyes did a great job continuing to load up along both lines of scrimmage, with defenders Jason Moore and Kayden McDonald, along with interior offensive linemen Luke Montgomery. Montgomery isn't your typical guard at the collegiate level; he started his high school football career at tight end and also played basketball. He's going to bring immediate athleticism to the position, but may be heading towards a redshirt year in 2023 due to the depth in front of him.

2023 Schedule Analysis

Ohio State will once again begin their season with a foe from the state of Indiana, although it will be a Big Ten East opponent on the road in the Indiana Hoosiers. Bloomington should be rocking, but the Buckeyes will be heavy favorites, and follow up that game with a pair of breezy non-conference matchups (Youngstown State and Western Kentucky). Then, it's back on the road with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a team who they beat in 2022 but still gave their offense some fits. There's then a bye before the bulk of their Big Ten slate, which begins with Maryland in early October. In fact, the month of October isn't an easy one; the Terrapins, road against Purdue, then Penn State and Wisconsin to round things out. Purdue has been a thorn in the side of Ohio State the last few years and could be an upset opportunity, and despite OSU's long-running win steaks over Penn State and Wisconsin, they are always a challenge. November is quite a bit easier, with three games where the Buckeyes will be comfortable favorites before what is arguably the most important game in college football this fall: Ohio State at Michigan. The Wolverines have flipped the script by winning the last two, the first time they've gone back-to-back since 1999-2000, but the Buckeyes will be back and ready for vengeance in the regular season finale.

2023 X-Factor: TreVeyon Henderson, RB

One would assume that the biggest X-factor in Ohio State's backfield this fall is the ongoing quarterback competition. But, I have little doubt that, whether it's Kyle McCord or Devin Brown, they're going to have a huge year throwing to this loaded receivers corps. No, the player in the backfield I'm watching with a particularly close eye in 2023 is tailback TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson came in during 2021 and quickly proved that he was well worth the hype coming out of high school, with 1,248 rushing yards. It felt like he was poised for a huge encore in 2022, but never quite got rolling. Henderson tweaked his ankle in the win over Toledo and wasn't 100 percent at any point last fall, limiting him to just eight appearances. Needless to say, his numbers took a plunge and the Buckeye ground game felt a bit flat, even with three different players crossing the 500-yard threshold. Rumor has it that Henderson is back and ready to go for 2023, and I truly believe this guy is the nation's best running back when healthy. If he can regain his 201 form, this offense is absolutely terrifying and I'm not sure there is an offense in the nation that can contain it. If it's another injury-plagued fall, Ohio State will still be scary on offense, but it feels like their ceiling as a team takes a significant dip. His health should be one of the most important storylines to watch this fall not only for Ohio State, but for the Big Ten as a whole.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)

Offensive MVP: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Defensive MVP: LB Tommy Eichenberg

Impact Freshman: WR Carnell Tate

Impact Transfer: OL Josh Simmons

Breakout Player of the Year: S Sonny Styles

Five-Year Trend

College Football Preview 2023: 6. Clemson Tigers

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

6. Clemson Tigers

Even with FSU on the rise, the hiring of Garrett Riley should help Clemson maintain their hold on the ACC

2022 Review

Clemson kicked off their 2022 by running past Georgia Tech on Labor Day, setting the stage for what they hoped would be a resurgent campaign after a "down" 2021. They ripped off two straight victories against soft non-conference competition, before what appeared to be their toughest stretch of the schedule: a road contest against Wake Forest and home meeting with NC State. The Tigers got a battle from both, but managed to overcome Wake in double OT and beat NC State. They then overcame a road trip to Boston College and Florida State, and after beating Syracuse, an undefeated regular season didn't seem out of the question. Notre Dame spoiled those hopes in short order, handing Clemson one of their most lopsided defeats of Swinney's tenure, 35-14. It seemed to give the program a wake-up call, but after beating Louisville and Miami to wrap up their ACC slate, they were shocked by rival South Carolina, 31-30. It was South Carolina's first win in the series since 2013 and effectively ended Clemson's CFB Playoff hopes, even though they were able to blow out North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game. Heading into the Orange Bowl against a Hendon Hooker-less Tennessee, the Tigers were touchdown favorites, but watched Joe Milton throw all over them in a surprising 31-14 loss. All in all, the 11-3 record felt a bit flat, even with a conference title on top of it. It's clear Clemson remains the program to beat in the league, even if Florida State may have something to say about that, but the three defeats showed there was work to be done. Dabo was more aggressive this offseason in his changes to the program, which he hopes will set them up for a big 2023.

2023 Outlook

Offense: Clemson will be breaking in their third offensive coordinator in as many years, as Dabo replaced Brandon Streeter with TCU's Garrett Riley. It was a statement hire by Dabo, who has been notoriously loyal to his assistants, but felt the offense underachieved in 2022. Riley, who played a key role in leading TCU all the way to a National Championship, should bring a fresh perspective and has plenty to work with.

Riley will be working with a new quarterback, as it's officially Cade Klubnik time. Klubnik arrived on campus with plenty of fanfare and looked to unseat reigning starter D.J. Uiagalelei, but made just one start. With Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State, Klubnik is now clearly the guy, and will hope to energize a lethargic passing attack. 

The sophomore quarterback is exceptionally talented and seems to pair well with Riley, but any hopes of a Clemson offensive renaissance hinges on more consistency from this receiver corps. This position group has long been the strength of Swinney-coached teams, but has been underwhelming in recent years. Fortunately, two proven playmakers return in Beaux Collins and Antonio Williams, and there are several breakout candidates farther down the depth chart. Williams in particular has a chance to be a special player; he led the Tigers in receiving as a freshman and has the physical tools to be a potent deep threat.

Along with those two, Brannon Spector has proven to be a reliable piece, and big things are expected from rising sophomore Adam Randall. The big-bodied receiver might not look like it, but he's the fastest player on the team and should be able to hurt defenses over the top. Redshirt frosh Cole Turner is another youngster to watch who played in three games last fall.

Tight end is a position of strength, even with Davis Allen moving on the NFL. Jake Briningstool emerged as a legitimate receiving threat in 2022, and offers more athleticism than Allen. With even more opportunities, he should be among the best in the ACC.

Despite the emphasis that will be placed on the passing game this fall, the star of the show offensively for Clemson will remain tailback Will Shipley. After making five starts as a true freshman, Shipley was a workhorse for the Tigers in 2022, notching 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has a chance to take the next step on a national level after earning All-ACC honors a season ago. Junior Phil Mafah offers a nice complement, earning 515 yards himself last fall. At 230 pounds, he's a powerful rusher who should continue to be of service on third downs and short yardage situations.

Clemson's offensive line tends to get overlooked in the grand scheme of things, but the reality is that it's been a consistent, productive group throughout the Swinney era. That should remain the case once more, as four starters return, with Jordan McFadden being the only departure. Senior center Will Putnam anchors things in the middle, but Walker Parks, Blake Miller, and Marcus Tate all offer plenty of help. Left guard is the one spot that could be a concern, although junior Mitchell Mayes has seen plenty of action throughout his Clemson career and should be able to slide into a starting spot.

A fresh perspective is exactly what this offense needs after two underwhelming campaigns, and Riley is considered one of the fastest rising names in college coaching. There's sure to be some growing pains early as Klubnik settles into the starting role, but Shipley should be able to carry the load, ensuring this offense has a chance to be one of the best in the ACC.

Defense: It was understandable that Clemson's defense took a slight step back in 2022, as they were replacing longtime coordinator Brent Venables. Even so, they remained a stingy group that allowed just 21 points per game and sent several players off to the NFL.

It all begins up front for the Tigers, as they've sent a slew of linemen to the pros over the last decade. That was the case again over the offseason, with Myles Murphy and Byran Bresee moving on, but this should remain an elite group. Veterans Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro are gap-eaters on the interior who have proven themselves as one of the top combos in the nation. Davis earned All-American recognition last year and could have left, but now gives Clemson a force to be reckoned with for another year. Off the edge, Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll have been around the program for a long time and are looking to conclude their collegiate careers with a bang. Thomas in particular is fascinating to me; he looked like he was going to be absolutely dominant after his freshman campaign, but just hasn't built on it the way Clemson would have hoped. Is this the year it finally all comes together over the course of an entire season?

It's a similar story in the linebacker corps, where there's a notable loss (Trenton Simpson), but still loads of talent to go around. Sophomore middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter led the team in tackles a season ago and seems to be getting even better, while outside linebacker Barrett Carter has received high praise from Swinney and the entire Clemson staff. Really the only question mark is at the other outside linebacker spot but again, there appears to be a piece ready step in. Sophomore Wade Woodaz made one start as a true freshman and seemed to be up for the challenge. He should be able to step up, particularly with Trotter and Carter helping him clean up.

The Tiger secondary has been their weak spot in recent years, particularly last fall, but it's important to note that this entire unit suffered through injuries. It should be healthier in 2023 and looks to be their deepest unit on the defense.

Cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and Sheridan Jones might not have All-American talent, but are extremely capable, reliable defenders. There's also better depth at the position after going through last season, with Toriado Pride likely to play a role. He proved to be a real factor in run support, contributing 23 tackles to the cause a season ago.

Safety is a real strength, as the Tigers return three players who could start on just about any defense in the country. Andrew Mukuba built on an impressive freshman campaign and should lock down the strong safety spot, while Jayln Phillips handles free safety duties. R.J. Mickens is also in the mix, a junior who has made eight starts during his time at Clemson. Add in Tyler Venables, the son of Brent who stuck around, this is probably the best safety group in the ACC.

Considering the injuries Clemson dealt with last season, it was actually a stellar debut for coordinator Wes Goodwin. His second group has a chance to be even better, thanks to one of the nation's top linebacker corps and a deep secondary. This is one of the best defenses anywhere in the country, an elite group that will be the back-bone of the team once again.

Special Teams: B.T. Potter left town over the offseason after a long, highly productive Clemson career. He hit 20-26 field goals his final year on campus and won't be easily replaced. Although, sophomore Robert Gunn at least has some experience and is on the inside track to be his long-term replacement. Fortunately, punter Aidan Swanson returns after securing a 42.3 average last season.

Bottom Line

It was only natural Clemson was going to take a slight step back after winning National Titles in 2016 and 2018 and playing for another in 2019. But, Dabo Swinney showed a real willingness to evolve his unique coaching style over the offseason, clearly looking for ways to get Clemson back on a National Championship track. This 2023 team has the pieces in place to reverse the misfortune of the last two seasons, but they are also breaking in a brand new quarterback and replacing some key pieces. They are also facing an improved ACC which now includes a Florida State program that will field their best team in a decade in 2023. Even so, I think Clemson should be the league favorite until someone proves otherwise and even with all the attention surrounding the 'Noles, the Tigers remain the safe bet. Even the last two "down" years, they've won 10 and 11 games and been in the thick of the Playoff race. That's the worst case scenario for this year's team and if things come together, a third National Title for Dabo isn't completely out of the question.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Dabo Swinney enters Year 16 at the helm at Clemson, looking to return the Tigers to the College Football Playoff after a two-year hiatus. Swinney has been built an extraordinary resume over his tenure, with eight conference titles, six Playoff appearances, and two National Titles to his credit. But, he's hoping to still prove he has his fastball after two "down" seasons that have seen the Tigers go a combined 21-6. Dabo made a statement over the offseason by firing OC Brandon Streeter after one season and replacing him with Garret Riley, who played a major role in TCU's National Championship run. Riley, the younger brother of USC head man Lincoln, is considered one of the fastest rising names in coaching and was potentially the most important coordinator hire of the offseason. On the other side of the ball, Wes Goodwin will run it back as the second-year coordinator. He was tasked with the unenviable job of replacing Brent Venables, but did a solid job during his debut campaign. Goodwin knows the program inside and out, coaching with the Tigers since 2009, and has steadily worked his way up the ladder.

Recruiting Breakdown

Dabo Swinney notoriously doesn't lean on the transfer portal the way other coaches or programs do, which means high school recruiting is particularly crucial. Despite that, the 2023 Class is good, but pales in comparison to some of the past groups that Swinney and staff have brought in. That's not to say there isn't loads of talent arriving, led by three future star defensive linemen, Vic Burley, Tomarrion Parker, and Peter Woods. Woods in particular has been receiving ample hype over the offseason and looks like he could be an instant contributor. On the offensive side of the ball, tackle Zach Owens is a behemoth who should upgrade an O-Line that has at times been inconsistent throughout the last several years. Already 365 pounds, Owens should overpower future defenders, but will his conditioning be up to par? Quarterback Christopher Vizzina is another name to watch, a four-star quarterback who the Tigers brought in from the state of Alabama. He's not the most talented QB Clemson has brought on, but Vizzina is a well-rounded prospect with plenty of upside.

2023 Schedule Analysis

For the second straight year, Clemson will kick off their fall with a Labor Day battle with a conference foe. This time it's at Duke, a team that could be a challenge considering they have a dynamic quarterback in Riley Leonard. The Tigers should roll through their next two weeks against Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic before arguably the biggest game of the year. Florida State comes to town looking for their first win against the Tigers since 2014 in what could be a preview of the ACC Championship Game. After going on the road to Syracuse, Clemson should enjoy a fairly easy October, with a bye coming before their most important game of the month, a road trip to Miami. November gives them an opportunity for revenge, multiple times. They welcome Notre Dame to Death Valley this year after the debacle last fall and also go on the road to South Carolina in the regular season finale. The Tigers have won the last four in Columbia, but expect this one to be rocking.

2023 X-Factor: Cade Klubnik, QB

In the last decade, Clemson has had a truly amazing track record with quarterbacks. Trevor Lawrence and Deshaun Watson are two legends of the game, Tajh Boyd is their all-time leading passer, and Kelly Bryant was effective. But, the last two years the position has been a source for disappointment, as D.J. Uiagalelei wasn't able to develop the way Clemson had hoped after flashing star potential during the 2020 season. He did make progress last fall but by the season's end, it was clear that it was Cade Klubnik time. The top quarterback in his class coming out of college, Klubnik has impressive natural arm talent and can make things happen with his legs. It's hard to glean too much from his performance last season and Clemson did lose in his one start, but pairing up with Garrett Riley should be a perfect opportunity for the sophomore. If he can acclimate quickly, Clemson has the pieces around him to contend for a National Title. That's not to say there won't be growing pains, but how Klubnik handles them determines just how high the ceiling is for the Tigers in 2023.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 12-1 (8-1 ACC, Win ACC Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: RB Will Shipley

Defensive MVP: LB Jeremiah Trotter

Impact Freshman: DL Peter Woods

Impact Transfer: N/A

Breakout Player of the Year: LB Wade Woodaz

Five-Year Trend

College Football Preview 2023: 7. Penn State Nittany Lions

Theo Johnson, Penn State

 

7. Penn State Nittany Lions

Are the Nittany Lions good enough to overtake OSU and Michigan in the East? How fast the young talent grows up will determine the ceiling in Happy Valley

2022 Review

Penn State opened 2022 with slightly lower expectations than in previous years, as they were coming off an underwhelming 7-6 campaign, punctuated by an Outback Bowl loss to Arkansas. The lowered expectations seemed to be a good thing for the Nittany Lions, who reeled off five straight victories to begin the year, before running into an absolute buzzsaw in Ann Arbor with Michigan. They responded by splattering Minnesota in their annual "Whiteout" game, but couldn't keep the momentum going a week later by falling short to Ohio State. While the loss effectively knocked them out of any Big Ten Title conversations, it seemed to give them an extra bit of motivation for the end of the regular season. They played their best football over the final month of the year, granted against several of their easier opponents, winning their final four of the regular season. Playing in their first Rose Bowl since they won the Big Ten Title in 2017, Penn State outplayed Utah and took advantage of an injury to Ute QB Cam Rising, helping them secure an 11-2 season. It was an impressive bounce-back campaign from James Franklin and the entire program, but continued what has been a consistent theme for Penn State since that dream 2017 year. The Nittany Lions have been one of the country's best teams, but have been unable to overcome the other true great powers inside their division. That makes the goal once again clear as they gear up for 2023, but also adds an extra layer of pressure as Franklin begins his tenth year with the program. 

2023 Outlook

Offense: Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich enters Year Three calling plays in Happy Valley, but will do so without the quarterback that has guided his offense his entire tenure. Sean Clifford took plenty of criticism during an up-and-down career at Penn State, but leaves the school as their all-time leading passer. 2022 was was his best season of his long career, as he took care of the ball and finished with 29 total touchdowns. 

There will be an obvious transition as Penn State moves on from a player that has defined their program for many years. Yet, the hope around the team is that sophomore Drew Allar, a prized recruit who played in ten games as a true freshman, can end up elevating their ceiling. The 6'5", 230-pounder already looks like a seasoned veteran and has the type of arm talent that PSU has not seen in a long time, but he will be entering his first season as starter. For all the talent, there's sure to be some growing pains, particularly with some losses in the receiver corps.

In fact, the receiver corps is without arguably their three best players, as Parker Washington, Mitchell Tinsley, and Brenton Strange all move on. Washington and Tinsley were the consistent pieces on the outside, both putting up similar numbers, but I wouldn't discount the absence of Strange, either. The burly tight end was their top red zone target and a more important part of this offense than many realize.

With Washington and Tinsley gone, expect KeAndre Lambert-Smith to take over as the top weapon at receiver. He finished with 24 receptions for 389 yards and was their most dangerous deep threat, but developing reliability will be the next step in his progression. Harrison Wallace is another holdover with loads of potential who could breakthrough with more opportunity, although a pair of transfers could steal his shine. Dante Cephas had a highly productive career at Kent State and was a nice get, while Malik McClain never quite caught on at Florida State despite being a fairly high-profile recruit. You always wonder if a change of scenery is just what they need to finally take that next step. 

Strange is a notable loss at tight end, but Penn State does bring back a solid weapon in Theo Johnson, a former five-star prospect who has flashed during his time with the Nittany Lions. Without Strange stealing targets, this could be the year he really takes off, although this offense is still likely to lean on two tight-end sets. Junior Tyler Warren isn't as naturally talented as Johnson, bus is the type of steady veteran that should carve out some role in this offense.

For all the focus that the passing game will get through fall camp and into the season, the real star of the show offensively is actually going to be the backfield. Sophomores Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are one of my favorite combos anywhere in the country, two players on the cusp of superstardom. Singleton in particular is a special player, a guy who ran for over 1,000 yards as a true freshman and is only scratching the surface. Simply look at this run; his ability to get to the second level and find additional burst is something special. Allen is more than just a complementary piece, as he had 867 and 10 touchdowns himself in 2022, while Minnesota transfer Treyson Potts brings additional experience into the position room.

Up front, Franklin and this entire staff got quite the gift when tackle Olu Fashanu decided to hold off on the NFL Draft for one more year and anchor this unit. Fashanu would have gone in the first round, but instead gives this team an All-American candidate to block Allar's blind side. He's joined by two other returning starters and a healthy Landon Tengwall and Caedan Wallace, who both missed significant time. 

Losing such a long-time staple like Clifford is just a reality of college football, but the crazy thing? Penn State's offense has potential to be better in 2023, particularly much better. That's plenty of pressure on Allar, but the sophomore has all the tools, and is blessed with a lot of talent around him. If the passing game can find some rhythm and the O-Line stays healthy, this should be one of the Big Ten's best.

Defense: After a long-winded dismissal at Miami, Manny Diaz seemed to regain his swagger during his first season as Penn State defensive coordinator. The same aggressive, relentless nature that has personified Diaz-coached defenses his entire career was on full display, leading to some of the best numbers of the Franklin era. With a bunch back for 2023, this has a chance to be a special defense in Happy Valley.

It all begins up front, where the Nittany Lions boast a fearsome pass rushing combo in Demeioun "Chop" Robinson and Adisa Isaac, two players who could both end up being first round NFL Draft selections. Robinson in particular seems to have an incredibly high ceiling; he was a big name coming out of high school who originally went to Maryland, but has found his own with the Nittany Lions. 

With Robinson and Isaac creating pressure off the edge, the interior could have additional opportunities. Sophomore Zane Durant played in all 13 games last fall and could be in line for a major step forward, while slithery nose guard Coziah Izzard is also back in town. 

Penn State has been an absolute factory when it comes to producing quality linebackers and they have an excellent trio back this fall. Abdul Carter was a revelation as a true freshman, despite not arriving with significant fanfare. He finished second on the team in tackles, with 56, and was one of their most consistent pass rushers, with 6.5 sacks. With a full offseason in the program, he could emerge as one of the Big Ten's premier defenders, regardless of position. Junior Curtis Jacobs and sophomore Kobe King will join him in the linebacker corps, two proven pieces who should help create a stifling rush defense. King is the X-Factor of the group; he emerged last fall, but whether he can reach another level at middle linebacker could be a huge factor for this defense.

What's interesting about this PSU defense is that the secondary suffered the most losses over the offseason, and yet could be their greatest strength on either side of the ball. Joey Porter and Ji'Ayir Brown went in the second and third rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, but this pass defense should remain stingy. That's in large part due to the continued progression of Kalen King, who broke out last season after making one start as a true freshman. He picked off three passes and had a staggering 18 pass deflections in 2022; quarterbacks will be terrified of throwing his direction. Yet, senior Johnny Dixon is a rock-solid piece on the other side who made six starts a season ago.

Brown cleaned up a lot as a roaming safety, but the new projected starting combo, Keaton Ellis and Jaylen Reed, are unlikely to be as active in run support. That doesn't mean they won't play an important role, as Ellis has elite closing speed, and Reed has seen plenty of snaps himself. Diaz isn't afraid to blitz his safeties, so these two could be active in exotic packages; Brown certainly was.

What I love about this Nittany Lion defense is that they were young in plenty of spots last fall, and still one of the best in the Big Ten. With another full offseason under Diaz, this defense has the chance to be a truly dominant unit. I actually think it may have a chance to be the best in the East Division, although that assumes continued growth by the youngsters.

Special Teams: Jake Pinegar wrapped up a long Penn State career over the offseason, leaving Penn State in search of a new placekicker. Columbia transfer Alex Felkins looks like the likely replacement, a senior who went 36-54 during his time in the Ivy League. There could be a fresh face at punter, too, with FAU transfer Riley Thompson the leading candidate, and the return game is also looking for players to emerge. That's a lot of questions for STC Stacy Collins, who was blessed with loads of experience during his first year on campus.

Bottom Line

No team is going to benefit from the new Big Ten scheduling model quite like Penn State. Even though we don't know exactly who their permanent rivals will be after the additions of Oregon and Washington, getting out of the brutal East Division will be exactly what this program needs. They've been consistently nationally relevant, but the machines at Michigan and Ohio State have held them back from reaching their full potential. This 2023 team feels like it has a chance to be the best of the entire Franklin era, and might even be strong enough to take down Ohio State and Michigan, even though those two have legitimate National Title aspirations of their own. The offense is young but undeniably talented and defensively, Diaz has an abundance of weapons at his disposal at every level. Yet, it does feel like this is team is maybe one year away from reaching their full potential; consider that Allar, Singleton, Allen, Carter and potentially even more are about guaranteed to be back on the roster next fall. This year will be more of the appetizer for the big 2024 that could define Franklin's entire tenure. That appetizer still has a chance to be awfully special, with a likely New Year's Six bowl set to cap it all off.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

It's crazy to think that James Franklin has already reached Year Ten in Happy Valley. The Pennsylvania native has done a superb job with the program, with a 78-36 overall record and conference title to his credit. 2022 was a big year for him to prove that the Nittany Lions were still among the conference's elite, after two down campaigns in which they went a combined 11-11. At offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich coached for years under Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and has brought many of those same concepts to Penn State. He took pit stops at Ohio State and Texas before arriving in Happy Valley, and has put together a pair of explosive offenses. Defensively, Manny Diaz seems to be on a redemption arc after flaming out in three seasons at Miami. Prior to Miami, Diaz bounced around the coaching world as a coordinator but has long been considered a big name, going back to his time as DC under Mack Brown at Texas from 2011-2013. 

Recruiting Breakdown

James Franklin and staff don't get enough credit for the work they do on the recruiting trail year-in, year-out, and the 2023 group is another strong one. Building up along the trenches was a clear point of emphasis, as the Nittany Lions brought in three Top 150 offensive linemen in J'Ven Williams, Alex Birchmeier, and Chimdy Onoh. It's unlikely of that trio will see significant playing time in 2023, but it's clear the program is trying to upgrade their physicality to go head-to-head with Michigan and Ohio State. Two names who could make an instant impact would be linebacker Tony Rojas and safety King Mack, as Penn State went into competitive areas to land both. Rojas was in for the spring, and the hard-nosed defender from Virginia could see snaps at outside linebacker.

2023 Schedule Analysis

There are plenty of landmines on the PSU schedule in 2023, but it still sets up nicely for a team with serious aspirations. Before the bye, things aren't exactly easy, but Penn State should get off to a 5-0 start without significantly difficulty. A road test at Illinois will be a physical early brawl, but getting Iowa at home is huge. After the October 7th bye, Penn State gets a nice warm up with UMass before the season is deciding over the next four weeks. They travel to Ohio State, get Indiana at home, go back on the road with Maryland, and then get Michigan. Ohio State and Maryland are two tough road games, and PSU hasn't won in Columbus in over a decade. The regular season concludes with Rutgers and a Black Friday neutral site battle with Michigan State. Things set up nicely for this team to hover around ten wins once again, but the season is all on the line with Ohio State and Michigan.

2023 X-Factor: Drew Allar, QB

It's not often you see a program lose their all-time leading passer and feel they have a chance to upgrade at the quarterback position. But, Penn State is just that high on Drew Allar, the top quarterback in the Class of 2022. Allar flashed in mop-up duty last fall, but still saw action in ten games, which should give him a nice foundation to build off of. It will be an adjustment becoming the "guy" with expectations so high, but Allar seems to have a good head on his shoulders and has been receiving rave reviews throughout spring and into fall camp. If he comes in and is as good as advertised, Penn State has a National Title roster. If not, it's likely the Nittany Lions ceiling is once again around 9-10 victories, and fans are circling 2024 as a make-or-break campaign.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)

Offensive MVP: RB Nicholas Singleton

Defensive MVP: CB Kalen King

Impact Freshman: LB Tony Rojas

Impact Transfer: WR Dante Cephas

Breakout Player of the Year: DT Zane Durant

Five-Year Trend

College Football Preview 2023: 8. LSU Tigers

Jayden Daniels, LSU

8. LSU Tigers

Brian Kelly has rapidly built LSU back into a program to be reckoned with, but will they hold off Alabama for the division?

2022 Review

The Brian Kelly era in Baton Rouge got off to a heartbreaking start as a missed extra point was the difference in a Labor Day weekend loss to Florida State. Yet, Kelly and company quickly regrouped and the Tigers would win their next four games before a blowout loss at home to Tennessee. Again, the Tigers responded by beating Florida on the road and Ole Miss at home, setting up a matchup with Alabama that was a de-facto SEC West Championship Game. Entering the game as a two touchdown underdog at home, LSU looked like the better team throughout nearly the entire sixty minutes and into overtime. After scoring to make it a 31-30 game, Kelly made the gutsy decision to go for it and Jayden Daniels found Mason Taylor in the back of the end zone for the thrilling win. After beating Arkansas and UAB afterwards, a rough showing against Texas A&M put a damper on an otherwise highly successful season and robbed LSU of momentum going into the SEC Championship Game. They couldn't keep up with the eventual National Champion Georgia Bulldogs, which put them in the Citrus Bowl against a Purdue program that knew they were losing head coach Jeff Brohm. Needless to say, the Boilermakers didn't appear very focused and LSU had no issues running up the score, 63-7. Finishing with a 10-4 record and SEC West Title exceeded expectations for Brian Kelly in Year One, but now raises the stakes in 2023 as the Tigers look to defend their crown in one of college football's top divisions.

2023 Outlook

Offense: Jayden Daniels emerged from a crowded LSU quarterback room and was a revelation for LSU in 2022. His passing numbers were solid, as he completed 69% of his throws for 2,913 yards, but it was his dynamic running ability that really made the Tiger offense go. He opted to return this year, giving LSU a proven signal-caller who has shown he can break open games. Daniels will enter 2023 as one of the SEC's best and gives this team a significant advantage over some of the other top dogs in the conference.

It's important to note that Daniels is the clear-cut starter now, but backup Garrett Nussmeier has earned rave reviews from those around the program and looks like the quarterback of the future here. The son of former Alabama, Michigan, and Florida OC Doug, Garrett has been so impressive that former five-star prospect Walker Howard transferred out after just one season on campus.

At running back, expect the Tigers to lean on a committee approach, much the way they did in 2022. Although Daniels technically lead the team in rushing, junior Josh Williams was their most consistent weapon on the ground, with 532 yards on the year. He'll combine with two holdovers, Noah Cain and Armoni Goodwin, as well as newcomer Logan Diggs, who rejoins Kelly after several years at Notre Dame.

Also returning to the backfield is John Emery, who remains one of the most fascinating tailbacks in the SEC to me. Emery was a superstar recruit coming out of high school who looked ready to flourish in the collegiate ranks, but he simply has not lived up to expectations during his time in Baton Rouge. As he enters his senior season, Emery was away from the team throughout the spring and is a complete question mark. I still think he could contribute more than he has, but finding consistent carries in this offense remains the challenge.

Kayshon Boutte entered 2022 as the alpha in LSU's receiver room, but was quickly overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Malik Nabers. Nabers began his season with a pair of muffed punts in the FSU opener, but was an absolute weapon in their other 13 games, totaling 72 catches for 1,017 yards. He enters 2023 as the clear No. 1 for the Tigers and a potential Biletnikoff Award candidate, particularly now that Boutte has moved on. 

Alongside Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Kyren Lacy have both proven to be solid complementary pieces and should give this team plenty of sizzle on the outside. Thomas in particular is a tough cover, a 6'4", 200-pounder with an insane catch radius. Add in talented newcomers Aaron Anderson, an Alabama transfer, and true freshman Shelton Sampson, the Tigers should have ample weapons for Daniels to toy around with.

Mason Taylor, the son of former Miami Dolphins legend Jason, forever etched himself in LSU glory with that two-point conversion last fall and the sophomore has a bright future ahead of him. He looked like a savvy veteran throughout his true freshman campaign and was a consistent weapon in the passing game who should only become more potent with snaps under his belt. Taylor will an outsized role at the position in 2023, as the Tigers lack any proven experience behind him.

After winning the Joe Moore Award as the nation's best offensive line during the history-defining 2019 campaign, it's been three shaky seasons for the Tiger O-Line. However, they seemed to find their rhythm down the stretch in 2022 and should be considered a strength this fall. Tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones made history as the first true freshman to start at LT and RT in the same game in LSU history and both lock down starting spots in 2023. On the interior, center Charles Turner and guard Miles Frazier are proven commodities, while junior Garrett Dellinger should also factor into the rotation somewhere.

The LSU offense was a pleasant surprise a season ago and all indicators are pointing up this season. Daniels now has a year of SEC ball under his belt, the running back room is incredibly deep, Nabers and Taylor are back as pass-catchers, and the O-Line is strong. This should be one of the SEC's best this fall.

Defense: LSU sent a healthy collection of defenders to the NFL this spring, four in total, and yet it feels like this unit may end up improving in 2023. Why? Harold Perkins is one of the brightest young stars in college football, tackle Maason Smith is back from injury, and the Tigers added one of the top defensive transfers of the offseason in Oregon State's Omar Speights.

Smith bolsters an already impressive defensive line, as he was expected to play a leading role last season before a season-ending injury in the opener. The 6'6", 310-pounder has the looks of an NFL veteran, but seems to be just scratching the surface of what he can be as a defender. He'll form a terrifying combo with Mekhi Wingo, a reigning All-American on the interior, while senior Ovie Oghoufo arrives from Texas to strengthen the edges. Oghoufo started 20 games over his Texas career and flashed plenty of upside. He joined the program in the spring and should see starting snaps from the get-go.

Harold Perkins has the chance to finish his LSU career as one of the best linebackers in program history, a program that has produced a lot of great ones. As a freshman, he earned All-American honors after making 72 tackles in eight starts, along with 7.5 sacks. Even greater things are expected for his encore season, as he's been receiving rave reviews throughout most of the offseason.

Perkins will be joined by junior Greg Penn and Speights at linebacker, with Speights likely to come in and start right away at middle linebacker. The former Beaver left Corvallis as the program's all-time leading tackler after 308 tackles in 39 starts and should be able to adjust rather quickly to the physical nature of the SEC. Penn shouldn't be overshadowed, a player who has improved rapidly over the last two seasons and could breakout as a junior.

The LSU pass defense made major strides throughout 2022, but could be in store for a bit of a rebuilding campaign, as they were hit hard by losses over the offseason. Cornerback in particular feels like a concern after Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Mekhi Garner move on, with the Tigers likely to lean on a slew of transfers. Darian Chestnut comes over from Syracuse and is a proven piece at the Power Five level, while Southeastern Louisiana transfer Zy Alexander was an FCS All-American. There's also Texas A&M transplant Denver Harris, an extremely talented defender with off-the-field question marks. He was worth the risk for the Tigers, but it's anybody's guess what he'll be able to do this season.

Getting back Greg Brooks at strong safety is huge, a capable, reliable defender who had 66 tackles and two interceptions a year ago. He's likely to pair with Major Burns, who has seen a healthy dosage of action as a backup but should start now that Joe Foucha has graduated. Burns is a well-built defensive back and should be considered a breakout candidate.

Defensive coordinator Matt House should have been a Broyles Award finalist for his work with his LSU defense last fall. It was not simply not as talented as past Tiger teams we've seen over the last decade and yet was consistently strong, with the two notable exceptions being the Tennessee and Georgia games. After adding Speights and numerous corner transfers, there's reason to believe it will be even better this fall, with House likely to become a major name to watch in college football and NFL coaching circles.

Special Teams: Aside from a horrific opener, LSU got good special teams production throughout most of last season and the prognosis appears good once again in 2023. Kicker Damian Ramos looks to be growing into his own and punter Jay Bramblett, who followed Kelly and STC Brian Polian south, is a potential Ray Guy candidate. It will be interesting to see whether anyone emerges in the return game, as nobody was all that remarkable on either kick or punt returns last year.

Bottom Line

I've said for years that Brian Kelly's work with Notre Dame from 2017 on deserves significantly more national attention, but even I wasn't expecting him to have such an impressive debut last season. It wasn't just the wins, but the overall look and feel of the program, which had fallen into complete disarray in the later years of Ed Orgeron. Yet, for all the success, there is still plenty LSU has to work on and defending the SEC West is one of the toughest goals in college football. Returning so much star power on both sides of the ball helps, but LSU has to play Florida State once again in a neutral site contest, along with a brutal SEC West slate. That slate includes traveling to Tuscaloosa to match up with the Crimson Tide in a game that Nick Saban will have his team hungry for. I still believe this LSU program is good enough to be firmly entrenched in the College Football Playoff conversation, but there's so little room for error. Finding a way to only lose one game on the schedule feels like too much of an ask considering the circumstances. Yet, it never pays to count out Kelly or the "Bayou Bengals", who have their most complete roster since that dream 2019 campaign.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

After a decade-plus at Notre Dame, Brian Kelly enters Year Two in Baton Rouge intent on leading the Tigers back to the College Football Playoff. Since a 4-8 2016 in South Bend, Kelly has been a model of consistency, winning at least ten games in each season since, including his debut campaign with LSU. He enters 2023 as the fourth winningest active FBS head coach, behind Nick Saban, Mack Brown, and Kirk Ferentz. At offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock retains his role after a surprisingly strong first season with the Tigers. He worked under Kelly for years at Notre Dame, including a short stint in 2014 as OC, before spending 2017-2021 with Cincinnati. On the other side of the ball, Matt House is a rising name to watch in the football world who seems to have limitless potential. He's bounced between the NFL and collegiate ranks on countless occasions and is fresh off a stint as linebackers coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, it feels like his future lies in the college landscape and another impressive season should put him in line for potential head coaching vacancies.

Recruiting Breakdown

The Tigers will always be a force to be reckoned with on the recruiting trail, and Kelly and staff did a great job with their first full class, landing at 6 in the 247Sports Composite. Two five-stars and a whopping 16 four-stars dot the group, which is strong in the trenches. Tackles Lance Heard and D.J. Chester immediately bolster the offensive line, even with youngsters Will Campbell and Emery Jones locked in for the foreseeable future. Heard previously starred on the defensive side of the ball but after making the switch to offense, he's continued to grow and earned a five-star billing coming out of Monroe, Louisiana. Da'Shawn Womack and Jaxon Howard lead the Class along the defensive line and both were in during the spring to get acclimated to the program. Howard was also recruited as a tight end coming out of high school, even though his long-term future rests coming off the edge at defensive end. At the skill positions, the pair of receivers, Shelton Sampson and Jalen Brown, should bring plenty of explosiveness to Baton Rouge. Sampson is the big-bodied, traditional boundary receiver, while Brown is the future deep threat whose foot speed off the line is jaw-dropping.

2023 Schedule Analysis

LSU may have come out on top in a hard-fought battle against Florida State last fall, but the Seminoles will be looking for revenge on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. LSU is the slight favorite as of today, but that line could move the closer we get to early September. After a slight reprieve against FCS foe Grambling, LSU goes on the road to Mississippi State to begin SEC play. It begins a difficult stretch that includes two straight road games, against Ole Miss and Missouri, and an Auburn team fresh off a bye. LSU's bye will come on October 28 and the timing sets up perfectly, as they travel to Tuscaloosa a week later. That rivalry remains the most crucial game on the SEC West schedule each year and has been very interesting as of late. After Alabama won every year from 2012-2018, LSU has won two of four and nearly came out on top in 2021, too. Things aren't a ton easier for LSU down the stretch opponent-wise, although they do get their final three all at home. Florida comes to town, then Georgia State, before LSU looks for their own vengeance on the final week of the year against Texas A&M. Overall, the schedule is brutal; Florida State and Alabama are legit National Title contenders, and the road games against both Mississippi schools are sneakily difficult. Yet, Kelly knew this was the case when he signed up, and should have the Tigers ready to go.

2023 X-Factor: Zy Alexander, CB

Despite the improvements LSU made in pass defense a season ago, there's some real concern among the secondary entering 2023. The Tigers lose both starters from last year and while they brought in five transfers as reinforcements, there's some inherent risk in doing so. The five they brought in add up to more talent, but how quickly can they adjust? It's likely the Tigers will lean particularly hard on the two most experienced corners brought in, Zy Alexander from Southeastern Louisiana and Darian "Duce" Chestnut from Syracuse, at least early on. Both are highly accomplished; Alexander made 29 starts with SE Louisiana and was an FCS All-American, while Chestnut made 24 starts and received All-ACC honors in 2021. But, there is a significant step up in competition for both, particularly with some of the passing offenses LSU faces on their schedule. Are they ready for the bright lights of the SEC, and to be leaders on this defense? I'm especially curious about Alexander, who feels like the type of player that will either make SEC schools regret passing on him coming out of high school, or fall down the depth chart behind some of the younger, higher-upside pieces. 

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-1 SEC)

Offensive MVP: QB Jayden Daniels

Defensive MVP: LB Harold Perkins

Impact Freshman: WR Shelton Sampson

Impact Transfer: LB Omar Speights

Breakout Player of the Year: DT Maason Smith

Five-Year Trend

College Football Preview 2023: 9. Florida State Seminoles

Jordan Travis, Florida State

9. Florida State Seminoles

Is FSU ready to take the next step and be College Football Playoff good? How they handle raised expectations will determine the end results in Tallahassee

2022 Review

Mike Norvell made solid progress in Year Two in Tallahassee, and the hope for the ultra-important third year was a bowl game. It quickly became clear the Seminoles were not only good enough to return to the postseason, but even higher honors were in play. They jumped out to a 4-0 start, which included a thrilling 24-23 victory over eventual SEC West Champion LSU, but fell back to Earth during a tough three-game stretch that included losses to Wake Forest, NC State, and Clemson. But with all three losses being close, that stretch seemed to galvanize the Seminoles instead of going the opposite direction and they were the ACC's top team over the final month-and-a-half of the season. They took care of business by beating their final three ACC foes and then beat Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida to wrap up the regular season with a 9-3 record. The Cheez-It Bowl matchup with Oklahoma ended up being a closer contest than it appeared on paper, but Florida State still managed to come out on top and take home their first 10-win campaign since 2016. By doubling their win total in just one season, the program has completely altered the expectations surrounding them. Heading into 2023, they have their eyes on an ACC Title and a College Football Playoff appearance, creating a buzz and energy around Tallahassee that has been sorely missing in recent years.

2023 Outlook

Offense: It took a bit of time for Norvell's offense to catch on here, but by the end of 2022 this was one of the most potent attacks in college football. A large part of that can be credited to quarterback Jordan Travis, who was one of the ACC's breakout stars, throwing for over 3,000 yards and totaling 31 touchdowns.

I'll be the first to admit, I did not see that type of performance coming from Travis. He was always a dynamic runner, but his growth as both a passer and leader has been a joy to watch. If he continues on his upwards trajectory, he's not just the top quarterback in the league, but should be a Heisman Trophy frontrunner.

Joining Travis in the Florida State backfield will be a deep running back room, spearheaded by rising star Trey Benson. Although he split carries last fall, Benson was the most explosive back on the roster and finished with 990 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. With Treshaun Ward transferring to Florida State, he's clearly the feature option in 2023, although Lawrence Toafili and former Penn State transfer Caziah Holmes will also factor in heavily.

There's reason to believe Florida State's receiver corps could be the best in the ACC this fall, as this unit took major steps forward a season ago and added several pieces over the offseason. The growth of former Arizona State transfer Johnny Wilson has been a game-changer for the program; the 6'7", 240-pounder is the type of athlete who can come with any contested ball in his vicinity, and he's quicker than you would assume. He earned All-ACC recognition in 2022 and will enter this year as the guy on the outside, although Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman might have something to say about that. Coleman, who notched 798 yards on a bad Spartans team last season, is one of the most purely talented receivers anywhere in college football. Now that he has the right quarterback getting him the ball, he has a chance to absolutely terrorize opponents.

Coleman and Wilson will lead the way at receiver, but there are other pieces in this room that really intrigue me. Junior Ja'Khi Douglas is the type of versatile, do-it-all slot receiver that is becoming more common around college football. At 5'9", 190 pounds, Douglas is perfect for finding gaps in coverage underneath and with his burst, he can bust games open at any time. However, the player I find most intriguing farther down the depth chart is Destyn Hill. The top recruit in Florida State's 2021 Class, Hill would have his enrollment delayed for two years due to personal reasons. He has been on the field during fall camp and appears ready to go, infusing even more talent into this receiver corps.

Tight end got an upgrade over the offseason, as Norvell and staff brought in one of the top portal names at the position in South Carolina's Jaheim Bell. Bell is one of the most athletic players you'll find at the position and should provide even more playmaking to this offense. Kyle Morlock, a two-time All-American at Division II Shorter University, also comes on but will be used more for his blocking prowess than Bell.

Florida State's improvement along the offensive line has one of the primary reasons for their overall growth, as this unit has evolved into a legitimate strength. They return a pair of players who earned All-ACC honors last fall in center Maurice Smith and left tackle Robert Scott and also did work in the portal, landing Jeremiah Byers from UTEP and Casey Roddick from Colorado. There's a staggering amount of experience throughout the unit, with a jaw-dropping 206 career starts total.

This is the most complete Florida State offense we've seen since they won a National Title in 2013. Jordan Travis is the real deal, and he has loads of weapons joining him at the skill positions, all operating behind one of the nation's top offensive lines. It's hard to imagine any scenario in which is not only one of the best in the ACC, but among the best anywhere in America.

Defense: Even without reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State's defense took steps forward in 2022. They finished allowing just 20.6 points per game, their best numbers since 2015. There's a chance for even better numbers in 2023 as just about big name is back, including star defensive end Jared Verse.

Verse transferred from Albany prior to last season and had no issues adjusting to life in the Power Five. On the contrary, Verse was one of the best anywhere in the nation, finishing with 48 tackles and nine sacks, even though he missed several games due to injury. He would have been a first-round selection this spring most likely, but instead opted for one more go in Tallahassee.

Verse is the name to watch on the defensive line, but multiple starters return alongside him and the Seminoles also brought on Braden Fiske from Western Michigan, an All-MAC honoree. Senior nose tackle Fabien Lovett is the tone-setter in the middle of the unit, a surprisingly athletic player for his size, while Patrick Payton was very impressive last fall and should take advantage of blockers focusing on Verse on the opposite end. Gilber Edmond also arrives from South Carolina after making ten starts for the Gamecocks, providing even more pass rushing ability to this unit. 

The linebacker corps will be a strength in 2023, as just about every key piece is back, including former UCF transfer Tatum Bethune. Bethune finished second on the team with 84 tackles last fall and is a reliable, proven leader in the middle. He'll be flanked by senior Kalen DeLoach and nickelback Jarrian Jones, two other defenders who have see plenty of snaps in Tallahassee. DeLoach is a major help as a coverage linebacker, recording seven pass deflections a season ago.

Losing Jammie Robinson hurts the back-end, but Norvell and staff responded by landing one of the top names in the portal in Fentrell Cypress from Virginia. Cypress was a four-year contributor at Virginia who has shown an ability to take on top receivers and shut them down. He's likely to slide into a starting spot right away, with senior Renardo Green manning the other one.

There's a quality safety duo also back, as Akeem Dent and Kevin Knowles will handle things once again. Dent is a former high-profile recruit looking to end his FSU career with a bang, while Knowles has gotten each year and should be a playmaker at the free safety spot. Depth is a slight concern behind them, which could be an interesting storyline to watch into the fall.

Coordinator Adam Fuller has done an excellent job rebuilding what was once a proud defense and there's reason to believe the unit could get even better in 2023. With Verse, Bethune, and Cypress, there's plenty of star power, but the unit has proven to be more disciplined under Fuller than previous coaches. That should pave the way for another successful campaign.

Special Teams: There's an interesting position battle unfolding at the kicker position, as East Tennessee State transfer Tyler Keltner is battling holdover Ryan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald struggled early on last season before finding his rhythm late, but he'll be hard-pressed to hold off the highly accomplished Keltner. At punter, Alex Mastromanno is fresh off a quality 2022 in which he averaged 41.8 yards per punt.

Bottom Line

It always felt like only a matter of time before Florida State was back to competing for National Titles, but that shouldn't discredit the work Norvell has done. He's done an excellent job fixing the culture problem left to him by Jimbo Fisher and Willie Taggart, while improving the product on the field. The question is, can he finish the job and bring this program back to a National Championship Game? This group certainly has the tools to do it, with loads of talent and a star quarterback. But, the schedule offers plenty of land mines and taking that final jump is always the hardest. I have them just a step below Clemson in the ACC but it certainly would not shock me if they overtake the mighty Tigers and return to their first College Football Playoff in a decade. 

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Mike Norvell has had an impressive rise in the coaching ranks, going from a grad assistant at Central Arkansas in 2006 to Florida State in a decade-and-a-half. Florida State is just his second head coaching job, as he went 38-15 over four seasons at Memphis. After a 3-6 debut during the weird COVID campaign, he has gone 5-7 and then 10-3 last season. At offensive coordinator, Alex Atkins is a name to watch as a likely future head coach. He joined Florida State in 2020 after serving as OC at Charlotte and after two years as the OL coach here, he was named the offensive coordinator prior to last season. Defensively, Adam Fuller holds the coordinator title, although former Miami head man Randy Shannon is technically the co-DC. Fuller bounced around before joining up with Norvell in 2019, including a stint as head coach at Division II Assumption University. 

Recruiting Breakdown

Norvell and staff have put an extra emphasis on the transfer portal, which has naturally led high school recruiting to take a slight dip. Even so, the Seminoles bring in a Top 20 Class, one punctuated by five-star wide out Hykeem Williams, who they managed to keep in the state. The 6'3", 200-pounder already looks the part and has freakish athleticism, he's going to make a major impact in Tallahassee. The rest of the class is a nice mix of prospects throughout the roster, including a high upside tackle in Austin Simmons and well-built linebacker, Blake Nichelson, who they landed from the West Coast. There's also four-star quarterback Brock Glenn, a former Ohio State commit who has plenty of potential. He's probably heading to a redshirt year, but could be the guy down the line once Travis has moved on.

2023 Schedule Analysis

Florida State's 2023 begins the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, as they will play in a neutral site contest against LSU. The Seminoles overcame LSU last season in a 24-23 thriller, but the Tigers present an awfully stiff challenge, and are favored in the matchup. After a short week game at home against Southern Miss, ACC play kicks off with Boston College on the road. The Seminoles then have to travel to Death Valley to take on Clemson in what could be a preview of the ACC Championship Game. The Seminoles have lost seven straight in the series and overcoming the Tigers has to be one of the top priorities for Norvell and staff. The bye comes right after before things pick up again with Virginia Tech at home. After five more ACC contests, the annual Miami rivalry game will take place on November 11th, the final conference game of Florida State's season. They will get a nice reprieve with North Alabama before they duel with Florida, which is in Gainesville this year. Florida is just another tough road test for a team that has to travel to BC, Clemson, Wake Forest, and Pittsburgh. That's about as difficult of a road slate as you will get in the ACC and will determine whether FSU is truly ready to be mentioned again as one of the sport's elite teams.

2023 X-Factor: Jordan Travis, QB

Jordan Travis is a great example of how young college quarterbacks can grow into their own. During the 2020 season, he made five starts and the results were uneven. He completed 55% of his passes and finished with a 6-6 TD-INT ratio on a bad FSU team. Fast forward to last season, he's one of the best anywhere in the country, earning All-ACC honors after finishing with 31 total touchdowns. Is there another level he can hit this fall? If Travis goes from being All-ACC good to Heisman good, it naturally raises the ceiling for this team. They go from being a National Title contender to a National Title favorite and the clear top dog in the conference. That's a lot to ask from Travis, but he's already the most accomplished FSU signal-caller since Jameis Winston and seems hungry for more. That could make all the difference for the Seminoles in 2023.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-3 (6-2 ACC, Lose ACC Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: QB Jordan Travis

Defensive MVP: DE Jared Verse

Impact Freshman: WR Hykeem Williams

Impact Transfer: CB Fentrell Cypress

Breakout Player of the Year: TE Jaheim Bell

Five-Year Trend

College Football Preview 2023: 10. Oregon Ducks

Bo Nix, Oregon 

10. Oregon Ducks

With arguably the Pac-12's top backfield and an improved defense, the Ducks will firmly in the CFB Playoff hunt once again

2022 Review

Dan Lanning's first ever game as a head football coach? None other than the mighty Georgia Bulldogs, a team he helped lead to a National Title the year prior as defensive coordinator. The Ducks were no match for the 'Dawgs, losing in embarrassing fashion, 49-3. But it quickly became clear that the opener was merely an aberration, as Oregon established themselves as one of the Pac-12's best by ripping off eight straight victories. They entered a matchup with rival Washington as the league's favorite and a serious Playoff contender, ranked No. 6 in the nation. Despite heading into the fourth quarter with a lead, an untimely injury to quarterback Bo Nix sunk the Ducks, as they watched Washington kicker Peyton Henry deliver the game-winning field goal. Oregon recovered by winning a grueling bout with Utah in Eugene a week later, but the brutal end-of-year three-game stretch caught up with them again versus rival Oregon State. Even though they outplayed the Beavers, Oregon State came out on top in the end in a 38-34 victory. The Ducks reversed the script by winning a nail-biter in the bowl, preserving a strong 10-3 debut for Lanning and this new staff. Yet, it felt like the second straight year where Oregon was on an inside track to their second CFB Playoff berth and fell short. That could provide an additional layer of motivation for this program as they embark on the 2023 campaign.

2023 Outlook

Offense: Bo Nix had become somewhat of a "meme" among the college football community during his time at Auburn, struggling to live up to the expectations placed on him coming out of high school. It was clear he needed a change of scenery and reuniting with his older play-caller at Auburn, Kenny Dillingham, proved to be the right move. Nix exploded for over 4,000 yards of total offense and 43 touchdowns, earning legitimate Heisman consideration for his efforts.

The turnaround from Nix was so impressive, Dillingham was able to parlay it into his first head coaching job at Arizona State. That means the veteran quarterback will be working with yet another coordinator, this time being former UTSA OC Will Stein. It will be a transition, but Nix seemed to officially turn a corner last fall and should enter 2023 as one of the best in the country.

Joining Nix in the Duck backfield will be arguably the Pac-12's best running back combo in Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving and Noah Whittington, both former transfers. Irving flashed potential during the 2021 season at Minnesota, but it was still a bit surprising how quickly he took off at Oregon, breaking the 1,000-yard mark and averaging nearly seven yards per carry. Whittington wasn't as much of a game-breaker as Irving, but proved to be a nice change-of-pace, complimenting Irving with 779 yards of his own. Along with the running ability of Nix, opponents are going to be terrified of this Oregon ground game all season long.

There's plenty to like out wide for Oregon, too, as Troy Franklin leads a well-stocked receiver room. Franklin was one of the main benefactors of Nix's breakout, as he finished with 61 receptions for 891 yards and nine touchdowns. His long and slithery frame is a real tough build to defend and he has polished his route running, turning him into one of the best in the conference. Kris Hutson is another holdover who continues to grow as he enters his fourth year in the program.

The newcomers are what really intrigues me about this receiver corps, as three transfers could all make an instant impact. Former Troy wide out Tez Johnson is the most proven of the trio, an ultra-reliable playmaker who should be able to make the jump to the Power Five. Interestingly enough, he's also the adopted brother of Bo Nix. Alongside him, Traeshon Holden also arrives from the state of Alabama, while Gary Bryant did the inter-conference transfer, coming from USC. Bryant is a guy I've long been high on who simply didn't get the opportunities he needed in Southern California; this could be the type of change he needs to succeed.

Tight end is a strength, as Terrance Ferguson has locked down the position, sending a pair of players transferring out over the season. Ferguson is a massive target in the middle-of-the-field with the athleticism to be a real problem, but it will be interesting to see whether he can round out his game this fall.

There have been numerous reasons for Oregon's success throughout the Mario Cristobal and Lanning years, but the most enduring of them has been their offensive line. They are developing elite line talent at an impressive clip and sending them off to the NFL in the hurry, including several new NFL Draft selections this spring. That should be reason for confidence in this unit, even as they break in several new faces.

Junior guard Marcus Harper is the lone true returnee on the line, but a pair of transfers, Ajani Cornelius and Nishad Strother have both played a bunch of snaps and should adjust quickly. Then there's left tackle Josh Conerly, a former five-star prospect who might end up being an improvement over departed T.J. Bass. Add in names like Steven Jones and Texas transfer Junior Angilau, two guys who may not even start but should factor into the rotation, this unit should remain very strong.

You never like to replace a coordinator after such a successful season, but Will Stein will have plenty of toys to play with in 2023. Nix, Irving, and Franklin are an exceptional QB-RB-WR trio and the Ducks did a good job plugging holes on the O-Line with transfers who have seen ample snaps at the collegiate level. This should once again be one of the most explosive groups on the West Coast.

Defense: Oregon has one of the most talented defenses in the entire country, stocked full of former blue-chip prospects, but the unit experienced some ups-and-downs in 2022. Overall they put up fine numbers, but struggled against some of the top teams on their schedule. As they gear up for 2023, the Ducks are looking for more consistency at every level.

Oregon's anemic pass rush last fall was a major problem, as they averaged just 1.38 sacks per game. It was clear they missed Kayvon Thibodeaux, and just didn't have enough disruptors to change the game on some of their most crucial Saturdays. Fortunately, that has a good chance to change this season. Senior edge Brandon Dorlus has gotten better each year he's been on campus and looks ready for a huge grand finale, and Oregon landed a big name through the portal in South Carolina's Jordan Burch. Burch is a former five-star prospect who finally had his breakthrough last fall, but it still feels like there's another gear he can hit after plenty of time in the SEC. Senior Mase Funa and highly touted true freshman Matayo Uiagalelei will also factor in heavily.

There is turnover among the linebacker corps, most notably the departure of Noah Sewell, but Oregon remains in good shape at this position group heading into 2023. Junior outside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa isn't the flashiest defender on the roster, but is a proven defender who finished second on the team in tackles a season ago. However, he could quickly be overshadowed at the position by Iowa transfer Jestin Jacobs, who is slated to start at middle linebacker. At 6'4", 240 pounds, Jacobs knows how to get downhill rapidly and lay the boom on opponents. He could be one of the top transfers in the Pac-12 this season.

Christian Gonzalez was a tremendous addition by the program from Colorado, a disruptive corner who notched seven pass deflections and four interceptions before heading off to the NFL. Despite his absence, the Ducks have six of their top eight returning, with the other loss being reliable safety Bennett Williams.

Junior Dontae Manning has been a rotational piece at corner the last two seasons, but appears ready to step into a leading role. Manning has always had talent, but has needed some time to acclimate to this scheme and find his fit; 2023 could be the breakout year. With Gonzalez gone, look for Alabama transfer Khyree Jackson to battle for a starting spot. Jackson isn't the most athletic player on the field, but the former JUCO transfer is a well-rounded, proven corner. Colorado transfer Nikko Reed is also going to factor in after making 12 starts last fall, albeit on one of the worst defenses in FBS ball.

Bennett Williams is a notable loss on the back-end, a reliable tackler who could make his presence felt in the passing game. Senior Steve Stephens does return after making nine starts in 2022, but also look for two transfers to factor in, Evan Williams from Fresno State and Tysheem Johnson from Ole Miss. Both have seen significant playing time and will bring limitless range to the position. Add in Bryan Addison, a longtime piece of the program whose older brother, Bralon, starred here and the entire secondary is incredibly deep.

Throughout most of the Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich years, the Duck defense was the weak spot on the team, what held them back from bringing a National Title to Eugene. Under Cristobal and now Lanning, it's been built up quite a bit and now has NFL talent at every position group. If the pass rush can take a much-needed step forward, it could be among the best in the league.

Special Teams: Special teams has been a rollercoaster of a ride for Oregon in recent years, but there's reason to believe in this group this fall. Kicker Camden Lewis is a Lou Groza Award candidate, fresh off a 2022 in which he hit 14 of 16 field goals and didn't miss a single extra point. Punter isn't as proven, with a cast of unproven characters competing for the job, but the return game has potential for plenty of fireworks with Irving and Hutson back.

Bottom Line

Over the last three full college football seasons, Oregon has been the best team in the Pac-12 and a serious College Football Playoff contender. But in each season they've slipped up at the end and in the last two, given up the conference to Utah. There are several reasons to believe that could change in 2023 and the Ducks will be able to finish the job. Dan Lanning is more experienced, having been through the first season here and proving he was the right man for the job. Bo Nix is a proven veteran looking to end his long-winding college football career on top. There's loads of former blue-chip recruits at every position, most of them grown up and ready to help Oregon compete for lofty goals. And then there's the fact there's no Georgia on the schedule this fall, although it's hard to say that this year's slate is a breeze. I'm still leaning USC in the Pac-12 simply because Caleb Williams provides that much of an edge, but the Ducks truly are not far behind. They are going to get back to the National Championship Game at some point, and I feel confident saying Lanning is the one to get them there.

Program Profile

Coaching Staff

Dan Lanning enters Year Two in Eugene, his first head coaching job at any level of college football. Lanning has had a quick ascent, going from a GA at Pittsburgh in 2011 to a major Power Five head coach in just over a decade. His work as Georgia's DC and OLB coach from 2019-2021 is what earned him the gig at Oregon. At offensive coordinator, Will Stein is set to take over for the departed Kenny Dillingham. Stein was playing college football as late as 2012 at Louisville, and after bouncing around, earned national recognition at UTSA as co-OC and quarterbacks coach. Just 33 years of age, Stein should continue climbing up the coaching ladder at an impressive rate. On the defensive side of the ball, Tosh Lupoi retains his role as defensive coordinator, although Oregon did hire Tulane's Chris Hampton as co-DC and safeties coach. Lupoi has prior experience in the Pac-12 as DL coach at both California and Washington, and also served as DC at Alabama. After a stint in the NFL, he returned to the college ranks with Oregon this past fall.

Recruiting Breakdown

Mario Cristobal established himself as one of the game's top recruiters during his time at Oregon, and Dan Lanning appears to be building off it. Lanning and staff brought in the ninth ranked class nationally, a group that came in just behind USC in the Pac-12. The lone five-star prospect in the ranks is athlete Jurrion Dickey, who could contribute at multiple spots with the Ducks. Wide receiver is the most likely fit, but there's also belief he could play defensive back at the next level, and should be able to produce right away on special teams. Despite Dickey's presence, the biggest name in the 2023 Class is defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, the younger brother of new Oregon State quarterback D.J. Matayo is built to play right away, a 6'5", 265-pound menace off the edge who starred at California powerhouse St. John Bosco. He is in line to see immediate snaps, particularly with how underwhelming the Oregon pass rush was throughout much of 2022. Fellow edge rusher Blake Purchase comes in with less fanfare, but offers loads of potential at the position. Purchase has added over 30 pounds in the last year and should continue rounding out in the collegiate ranks; even if he doesn't see much playing time this fall, he has a bright future in Eugene.

2023 Schedule Analysis

Fortunately, there's no Georgia on the schedule in 2023, but that doesn't mean that the Ducks have a favorable slate. The non-conference is easier than it has been in the past, although a road game at Texas Tech on September 9th could be awfully difficult, before things get rolling in Pac-12 play with a home game against Colorado. After traveling to Palo Alto for the Stanford game, Oregon gets a bye before things really get rolling. Their road trip to Seattle is not only a rivalry game, it could be a Pac-12 Championship Game preview. After the Huskies, there's no rest, as the Ducks get Washington State, Utah, California, and then USC after an unforgiving month-long stretch. The conclusion of the campaign isn't much easier, as they get Arizona State on the road then will face arch-rival Oregon State on a short week on Black Friday. It's truly a brutal schedule, but this program has gotten used to it over the years. Will this finally be the year they finish things off strong?

2023 X-Factor: Jordan Burch, DE

Even with one of the Pac-12's premier rushers in Brandon Dorlus, the Ducks inability to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks was one of the enduring storylines of the 2022 campaign. The hope in Eugene is the addition of prized transfer Jordan Burch can help flip the script, a veteran edge rusher from South Carolina. Burch was one of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school and was overall solid in Columbia, but never seemed to reach his ceiling. This past season was his most effective, as he tallied 7.5 tackles for loss, but it has always felt like Burch had even more to offer. Perhaps a change of scenery is just what he needs to unlock that final level and with teams focusing on Dorlus, there should be plenty of opportunities for him to make an impact. That doesn't mean Burch needs to be All-American good, but if he can provide a reliable disruptive force, this Oregon front seven, and in turn entire defense, becomes significantly more dangerous.

Team Projections

Projected Record: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12, Lose Pac-12 Championship Game)

Offensive MVP: QB Bo Nix

Defensive MVP: DE Brandon Dorlus

Impact Freshman: DE Matayo Uiagalelei

Impact Transfer: WR Tez Johnson

Breakout Player of the Year: CB Dontae Manning

Five-Year Trend