I'm already really excited and bullish about next year's team. Here's why:
- JG with a full off season as "the guy." He'll be as experienced as just about any returning QB in the SEC with upwards of 20 starts under his belt, and he'll still just be a junior.
- Offensive Line: not only do we return every piece of our current OL, we also bring back Brandon Kennedy, perhaps even (if the good Lord wills it) Trey Smith. All of these guys will a desperately needed full off season in strength program (which many of them did not have last year due to injury), plus spring ball. On top of that, our OL recruiting class with Wanya and potentially Darnell, and some other really nice pieces, is the best in the country. Bottom line: There is no way our OL isn't substantially better next season.
- Secondary: We're returning all the key pieces except Abernathy in Warrior, Thompson, Taylor and Buchanan. We will have added some quality depth at safety through recruiting. I expect Taylor and Thompson to take major steps forward between their Freshman and Sophomore years (as is most often the case).
- Weapons: All of our offensive weapons *should* be back next season: at WR, Jennings and Callaway both have one year of eligibility remaining and should return. Palmer will definitely be back and has emerged as a real deep threat this year averaging 22 yards per catch and has almost 500 yards receiving on the year. Between the three, they have nearly 1500 yards receiving so far this season. That's a lot of production. At Tight End, Eli Wolf will be back, and DWA should be too -- a year in the s&c program and working on blocking technique could really shoot him up the draft board for the 2020 draft. At Running Back, the combo of sophomores Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan have already clawed out a combined 1000 yard season behind what is arguably the worst OL in school history. They'll both be back stronger, faster and smarter next season, and will likely have a talented freshman added to their ranks. S&C and spring practice will be monumental for Jeremy Banks development, as he needs to add more strength and learn how to hold onto the ball so that he can be more of a contributor next season as a our power back.
- Special Teams: We'll be returning all three of our K, P and KOS next year, and all three have performed very well for us this season. We have the potential to have the best kicking trio in the SEC next season.
- Coaching Continuity: While turnover can happen to any staff, I expect the nucleus of our staff to remain in place through next season, which will be a real benefit to all position groups, and to all the players better understanding the system next year. In addition, Coach Pruitt will be much more seasoned as a head coach next year. He's undoubtedly learned many do's and don'ts on the fly this year. Those lessons learned will be huge benefits next year.
- Recruiting: Our class fits our needs like a glove. We are going to add some very nice pieces down the stretch and while it may not be a top 5 class (because it isn't bolstered by taking 4-5 WRs who are historically ranked higher than guys in the trenches), it is anchored with the hog mollies we need on the OL/DL. I would expect at least 75% of this recruiting class to contribute as Freshman. These are "Pruitt's guys" and he's not going to miss nearly as much as our last staff.
- Schedule: We trade neutral vs WVU and @ Auburn for home vs BYU and home vs Miss St. Those are both games that this season we were heavy underdogs in that next season we will likely be favored to win -- BYU has really struggled under the Sitake regime, and Miss St. loses a ton from both their O and D. The SEC slate will still be tough, but I expect Mizzou and Kentucky to take steps back next year after losing key pieces from this years' respective teams. South Carolina and Vandy will have to visit Neyland, and who knows what Florida may look like next September. a 5-3 conference mark isn't an unreasonable goal, and a non-conference sweep will be the expectation. 9-3 is a reasonable prediction.
Regardless of this game against Vandy, which we all desperately want and need and can't imagine not having, we all need to stay calm and think big picture. This program is heading in the right direction and next season we will see a major turn to the good.
