AUwent

This has been a burning question on my mind for the last month, so lettuce discuss... A lot of us seem to have the consensus that 2025 will be our leap forward, some even saying we shouldn't realistically expect any better than 2023 for 2024 (note that I'm not talking about people who inherently believe CHF will fail, I'm talking about those who think that 2024 will be just like 2023 and then 2025 will be where we start seeing the rebuild bear fruit--the War Rapprt guys for example). Here's the problem: it's very possible this will be a heavily senior laden team, which inevitably means we'd be young in 2025. We could have as few as eight returning starters next year. I know it's extremely early but that's what spec threads are for. But if we're starting as many seniors as we could, that does increase the pressure on the staff to win two more games than 2023 rather than just one more as is my goal. I get that the days of having >15 returning starters is probably over for everyone (most of the time at least) thanks to the TP, but if we're not going to go 9-4-ish, and CERTAINLY if we don't actually win any more games, then we'd better be playing a lot of guys who will be back in 2025 to get the most out of it. Here are my way-too-early guess at the starting lineup: QB--? RB--Jarquez Hunter, Sr WR--Robert Lewis, Sr. WR--Cam Coleman, Fr WR--? TE--Rivaldo Fairweather, Sr OT--Percy Lewis, Sr OT--Izavion Miller, Sr OG--Dillon Wade, Sr OG--Jeremiah Wright, Sr C--Connor Lew, So DE--Keldric Faulk, So NT--Trill Carter, Sr DT--Gage Keys, Jr* Jack--Jalen McLeod, Sr MLB--Austin Keys, Sr WLB--Eugene Asante, Sr CB--Kayin Lee, So CB--Antonio Kite, So S--Jerrin Thompson, Sr S--Caleb Wooden, Jr Star--Keionte Scott, Sr K Alex McPherson, So* P--? *RS

He's clearly an elite talent, but after we got CC I've viewed him purely as icing. Sounds like Sayin, Downs et al. leaving cleared up a lot of $ for them. So, hopefully this clears us some cheddar for us come May to fill some TP needs (looking at tOSU's QB room, one of them has to transfer right...)

Maybe, but keep in mind that this is the final year of Gus's contract period. Two years after that and we'll be free of Potato Man's. In other words, it's very possible we'll have a lot more $ to spend. 🤷‍♂️

Impressive then, that we've gotten the recruiting results we've had.

seems like a decent team, idk

Austin Mack was a top 100 QB but I'd rather be facing him for the next few years than Sayin, that's for damn sure.

The problem is that we might actually be a pretty senior heavy starting lineup again this year--certainly on the OL. So, my below goals could end up reversing; regardless, at least seven reg season wins both the next two years and one eight win reg season between the two shouldn't be too much to ask.

The speculation on Auburn Rant is that Salter might still transfer after he graduates this spring. Who knows if that's true but very risky if that's why we're not pursuing McCloud.

I think it was one of the Auburn Live guys who pointed out that there was no overlap in top 10 HS recruiting teams and top 10 TP recruiting teams. 🤷‍♂️

So...what happened this time? At least on most other fronts things are going our way.

Unf Jake Crain says its isn't happening, ugh.

Phew, glad to get this done with. Seems like a big upgrade. Combine with getting Kite and it's been a damn good week!

This should be our best OL since 2017...I realize that's not saying much but I'll take it lol.

Just wait til Florida hires him next year. 😆

Rock and a hard place…we’re not exactly in prime position to spend big on coaching hires.

I thought it was a given that KA would become QB coach?

Aggies beat Kentucky yay

I *would* prefer we focus our effort$ on a transfer QB but if he wants to come here, awesome!

Speaking of which, can we get an update on who we're going after if Nix did turn us down?

I think most of us are just expecting and/or hoping for Stallings level. Which is still really really good but not immortal.

I hope that last part means he won't be able to keep that same level.

Yeah, I desperately HOPE he turns out to be another Scott Frost. But these things are impossible to tell without hindsight (I'm specifically talking about people arguing that Nebraska should've seen that Frost actually walked into a great situation at UCF).

Yeah, but then how did Meyer recruit so well? UAT has all the same recruiting advantages that UF does.

Um, that's precisely why I asked--who are we targeting instead? Glad we at least got Kelly and McGriff officially in, but we may need strong coordinator hires here.

I'll take Stallings-era level.