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Looking ahead to 2023 (too soon?)

I just did a review of who Boise State MIGHT have back for defense for the 2023 season and the area of greatest concern IMO is very clearly at the Safety spots (FS/SS/NB).

We lose J. L. Skinner (to the N.F.L. very likely).  We may or may not lose Jared Reed (who would have to apply to the NCAA for additional / medical RS eligibility) and we lose Tyreque Jones as the NB.  The leading tacklers on this year's team who played at any of the Safety spots are:

Rodney Robinson - 2023 RS JR

Seyi Oladipo - 2023 True JR

Alexander Teubner - 2023 RS SR

Zion Washington - 2023 RS SO

The only other safeties who have seen any playing time this fall are Jared Reed (2 games before being injured badly enough to miss the rest of the season) and Bryce Cleave (1 game).   That's four experienced Safeties (with varying degrees of experience) for three Safety positions.

Here is the breakdown for the other defensive positions for 2023:

DE - Demitri Washington (if he returns as a 6th yr SR) - Cortez Hogans (if he returns as a 6th yr SR) - Gabe Hunter - Deven Wright and possibly Ahmed Hassanein (DT who is playing DE now)

DT/NT - Herbert Gums - Jackson Cravens (If he returns as a 6th yr SR) - Ahmed Hassanein - Michael Callahan - Braxton Fely

LB - D. J. Schramm (if he returns as a 6th yr SR) - Andrew Simpson - Brandon Hawkins (if he returns for a 6th yr) - Ty Tanner

CB - Kaonohi Kaniho - Markel Reed (if he returns from injury) - Tyric LeBeauf - Jaylen Clark

BSUaddict has reacted to this post.
BSUaddict

Defensively we may see some regression right off the bat to start next season but the talent is there. We just have a very tough schedule next season so a lot of guys will have to be thrown right into the fire. It'll be fascinating how we approach the transfer portal as well. Could definitely see us trying to grab an EDGE and CB for immediate depth reasons. I think we will actually be solid at Nickel and Safety. Oladipo is a ballhawk and Rodney Robinson has gotten better the more reps he gets. Teubner may not have the same skillset as Skinner but he  strikes me as a guy who isn't going to make a lot of mistakes either.

BroncoChief has reacted to this post.
BroncoChief

My initial thought is that the area that I would be most concerned about is cornerback.

Wonder what Schram will do.  The guy has been a backup for years, then finally gets to start.  Would he pass up an opportunity to be a starter for one more year?  Feels like he would be one that would want to come back.

Hogans was hurt so much this year, feel like he would not want to end his career that way.  Try to come back healthy in 2023 for big year.

 

Quote from tim5544 on November 27, 2022, 8:47 am

My initial thought is that the area that I would be most concerned about is cornerback.

Wonder what Schram will do.  The guy has been a backup for years, then finally gets to start.  Would he pass up an opportunity to be a starter for one more year?  Feels like he would be one that would want to come back.

Hogans was hurt so much this year, feel like he would not want to end his career that way.  Try to come back healthy in 2023 for big year.

 

I am of the opposite opinion regarding CB's.  I think that will be an area of strength for 2023.  Here's how I see it:

Markel Reed - Started 5 games in 2021 and 1 game in 2022 before being injured in both seasons.  Assuming he returns for 2023.

Kahiho - Yes, he lets receivers get by him (quite often) but he always seems to get to the ball/receiver when he needs to be there.

LeBeauf - Solid player who will almost certainly start if Reed doesn't return for 2023.  He has played in all 12 games this fall.

Clark - Another solid CB who is underrated IMO.  He's played in all 12 games this fall.

Chip Mitchell - A former track guy for BSU who is now a football walk-on and has seen lots of playing time (5 games so far) this fall.  Provided he returns for 2023.

Neal - 2022 J.C. transfer who saw playing time (3 games so far) this season

Dionte Thornton - Redshirted this season as a True FR

Justus Del Rio - Walk-on local player who will be a RS SO next fall.

In addition to all of those CB's there are a slew of commits who are likely to play CB at Boise State (after they sign next month).  Nick Hawthorne is the only one who is currently listed as a CB but there are several others who are listed as Athletes who could also be utilized as a CB.

As to Schramm my guess is he will want to come back for 2023.  He waited till his FIFTH YEAR here at Boise State before he FINALLY got the opportunity to start and he has excelled this season at both WLB and MLB.  My GUESS is he wants more of that (after waiting more than 4 years to get that opportunity).  Seeing as Zeke is out of eligibility after this season Schramm would almost certainly be the starting MLB (just as he has been since Zeke got injured) for 2023.