You're the GM - 2026 Roster Edition

NCHawker

NCHawker

Well-Known Member
OK folx, after watching the news about the annual crop of QBs in the portal, I asked myself, "self, would you go to the portal to get a new QB?" My answer is no. This year we have a reasonably talented QB room, who knows the system. Our OC / Assist OC hand picked these guys. They don't have huge price tags. So lets use our resources elsewhere. Namely O-Line and D-line.

QB - stand pat
RB - Stand pat
WR - maybe 1
TE - stand pat
OL - supplement with experience as needed

DL - find 1 or 2 major dudes
LB - maybe 1 experienced guy
CB - not sure
Safety - not sure

What say you?
 


NCHawker said:
OK folx, after watching the news about the annual crop of QBs in the portal, I asked myself, "self, would you go to the portal to get a new QB?" My answer is no. This year we have a reasonably talented QB room, who knows the system. Our OC / Assist OC hand picked these guys. They don't have huge price tags. So lets use our resources elsewhere. Namely O-Line and D-line.

QB - stand pat
RB - Stand pat
WR - maybe 1
TE - stand pat
OL - supplement with experience as needed

DL - find 1 or 2 major dudes
LB - maybe 1 experienced guy
CB - not sure
Safety - not sure

What say you?
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Too early to say without knowing who is staying or going. It could all change in a few weeks and could be more drastic needs based on who is leaving. As of now I don't think QB is a need but you still shop. If for instance Brown decides to enter the portal then that changes things dramatically and will tie up a bigger chunk of money and limit other positions.
 




Fryowa said:
In 2025 you need to look at every single position no matter what.

Personally, I think LB and DB are the biggest needs.
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if things stay the way they are I would look for interior DL I think we need depth and a big body guy. Secondary depth and a WR with return experience would be my priority. I think you look at all positions but only add those if it is a good fit. I also think you need an experienced kicker for competition and depth.
 


NCHawker said:
OK folx, after watching the news about the annual crop of QBs in the portal, I asked myself, "self, would you go to the portal to get a new QB?" My answer is no. This year we have a reasonably talented QB room, who knows the system. Our OC / Assist OC hand picked these guys. They don't have huge price tags. So lets use our resources elsewhere. Namely O-Line and D-line.

QB - stand pat
RB - Stand pat
WR - maybe 1
TE - stand pat
OL - supplement with experience as needed

DL - find 1 or 2 major dudes
LB - maybe 1 experienced guy
CB - not sure
Safety - not sure

What say you?
Click to expand...
If we don't lose a QB I'm good with who we have and may the best man win in spring. I'd like to have a clear #1 going into fall camp but that may not happen

Rb some may disagree with but I'd definitely be looking for an upgrade there if we can get one. To me we were just ok at that spot. Being ok behind the Oline we had this yr doesn't cut it. We should look for a difference maker. I don't think Moulton showed that he was that. And Paterson he outta go south closer to home. He's the definition of a mediocre RB. Williams could still become something I kinda like him and Doll I'd really like to see pop this spring. I'd look at what's out there though cause I think we'll lose at least 1 rb (in fact Washington is rumored to be leaving)

WR we need a couple at least maybe more. We're losing Phillips, Gill, Anderson and Wetjen... Hopefully RVZ can stay healthy and be a clear WR1 but beyond that we need some dudes to step up and or transfer in.

TE I agree I love that room it's stacked with underclassmen

Ol I'm not as up on but I know we're graduating 3 studs so if obvious upgrades are available gotta look.

DL yes 1 or 2 at least

LB I actually think we are good there they have stacked that position with young talent the last 2 yrs so let em battle it out. I think there's like 5 guys battling for 2 spots essentially we don't need to splurge the portal for those spots

CB yeah gotta look around I'd say. I do like Watson though I think he has upside but Lee he's just all over the place. Never sure game to game how well he's going to play.
 


Fryowa said:
In 2025 you need to look at every single position no matter what.

Personally, I think LB and DB are the biggest needs.
Click to expand...

If we trotted out our young, inexperienced DBs and LBs next year, we would take some lumps early, but they would be fine as the season moves along. There is a lot of talent in both of those rooms that the coaches are high on.

If we go to battle with this DL all season, we will be eaten alive. I like the future potential, but DL develops more slowly, these guys have less experience than their similar aged counterparts at LB and DB, and there is a serious lack of beef:

1766157096072.png
 




CP87 said:
Also, you need 6-8 good DE/DL, you only need 3-4 good LBs.
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The LB room for next year is extremely athletic and skilled yet so inexperienced. They chose veteran inexperience over talent in 2025 and it showed.

Are they better off bringing in an upperclass LB or running with the yutes (sorry... yyyyooouuuuttthhhhssss)?
 






I agree with most that there is enough talent at LB to let it shake out. Buffington has All B1G written all over him, and Weisskopf and Ries are uber athletic.

I've already predicted it, but Hecklinski will endear himself to the fanbase real fast.

At DB, don't be surprised if Darion Jones starts as a true frosh. Watson will be a solid player, and Godfrey will be in the mix. All three will battle to be opposite of Lee.

DL is by far the biggest portal need, IMO. Unless more than a couple of the younger guys make big off-season leaps, we will need at least three quality impactful additions there.

WR is second behind DL, but I'd target one real talented prospect over 2-3 so-so additions.
 
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SCHawkeye2 said:
Phil's defense needs shutdown corners - which was a weak spot this year.
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I agree but it all starts upfront as well. If we can't get pressure with the 4 then we are screwed and that hurt us a lot this year as opposed to years in the past where we could get pressure rushing just the front 4. Our run defense was not as strong as in the past as well.

Graves did okay but no other guys had any respect from teams so they double Graves and left the others. There were many games that they ran all over us when Graves was out getting a break because no one else was eating the double teams and they were getting to the smaller LBs in the run game.

Against USC we got no pressure and were picked apart. Part of that was we had to respect the QB run and if you watch the second half they brought up LBs to the line and just maintained gaps to stop the scramble with very little rush and he just stood back and threw darts. Maybe that was some poor coaching calls or a little bad play as well but they were by far the best passing team we played in some bad conditions.

Pass defended stats which include batted balls at the LOS are below so it is trending in the wrong direction.
2025 40
2024 43
2023 51
2022 46
 


#1DieHardHawk said:
I agree with most that there is enough talent at LB to let it shake out. Buffington has All B1G written all over him, and Weisskopf and Ries are uber athletic.

I've already predicted it, but Hecklinski will endear himself to the fanbase real fast.

At DB, don't be surprised if Darion Jones starts as a true frosh. Watson will be a solid player, and Godfrey will be in the mix. All three will battle to be opposite of Lee.

DL is by far the biggest portal need, IMO. Unless more than a couple of the younger guys make big off-season leaps, we will need at least three quality impactful additions there.

WR is second behind DL, but I'd target one real talented prospect over 2-3 so-so additions.
Click to expand...
Agree with your post at all of these positions. One name to watch at DB is Jacob Wallace. Got in against Nebraska and played well. Has been gaining a lot of traction during bowl practices. Rashad Godfrey also looked good in the Nebraska game.
 


NCHawker said:
OK folx, after watching the news about the annual crop of QBs in the portal, I asked myself, "self, would you go to the portal to get a new QB?" My answer is no. This year we have a reasonably talented QB room, who knows the system. Our OC / Assist OC hand picked these guys. They don't have huge price tags. So lets use our resources elsewhere. Namely O-Line and D-line.

QB - stand pat
RB - Stand pat
WR - maybe 1
TE - stand pat
OL - supplement with experience as needed

DL - find 1 or 2 major dudes
LB - maybe 1 experienced guy
CB - not sure
Safety - not sure

What say you?
Click to expand...
What say you? I say your analysis is 100% right on!
 


Fryowa said:
Only correct answer in this thread.
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I have, for a long time, been baffled by the treatment of Woods within the current staff. Why has he not been elevated beyond his current position? Why has he not been paid at a much higher level? Is there something holding him back? Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree, but I can’t figure it out. Any thoughts?
 


HuckFinn said:
I have, for a long time, been baffled by the treatment of Woods within the current staff. Why has he not been elevated beyond his current position? Why has he not been paid at a much higher level? Is there something holding him back? Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree, but I can’t figure it out. Any thoughts?
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Because KF favors Wallace for whatever reasons. I don't think it's deeper then that. There's no room for Woods to advance he was never going to be an OC with his backround and as long as Parker is there at DC it is what it is. KF made that known when he gave Wallace that assistant HC title and a raise.
 


kameltoez102 said:
I agree but it all starts upfront as well. If we can't get pressure with the 4 then we are screwed and that hurt us a lot this year as opposed to years in the past where we could get pressure rushing just the front 4. Our run defense was not as strong as in the past as well.

Graves did okay but no other guys had any respect from teams so they double Graves and left the others. There were many games that they ran all over us when Graves was out getting a break because no one else was eating the double teams and they were getting to the smaller LBs in the run game.

Against USC we got no pressure and were picked apart. Part of that was we had to respect the QB run and if you watch the second half they brought up LBs to the line and just maintained gaps to stop the scramble with very little rush and he just stood back and threw darts. Maybe that was some poor coaching calls or a little bad play as well but they were by far the best passing team we played in some bad conditions.

Pass defended stats which include batted balls at the LOS are below so it is trending in the wrong direction.
2025 40
2024 43
2023 51
2022 46
Click to expand...
One of the problems with the whole pass rush world is the RPO. The ball gets out too quickly to provide pressure. Add to that QB’s who are mobile extend plays, while real big D linemen chase them around. Wish I had an answer.
 


HuckFinn said:
I have, for a long time, been baffled by the treatment of Woods within the current staff. Why has he not been elevated beyond his current position? Why has he not been paid at a much higher level? Is there something holding him back? Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree, but I can’t figure it out. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I'm sure that like most organizations the staff has X amount of money to give out each year. How much of that has any leeway on a year to year basis I don't know. I thought most of the caches just got a raise a few years ago but I could be wrong.

Unfortunately like most places the pool of money to pull from is capped at some point so there is probably only so much that can be done from that standpoint without an expanse in his job duties. What other positions Woods could obtain or other responsibilities he could handle I don't know. He is a coordinator and recruiter so how much more responsibility could he handle but also is available. If Wallace is already an assistant or associate head coach is there room for 2?
 


HuckFinn said:
One of the problems with the whole pass rush world is the RPO. The ball gets out too quickly to provide pressure. Add to that QB’s who are mobile extend plays, while real big D linemen chase them around. Wish I had an answer.
Click to expand...
For the most part though RPO is taken out of play on 3rd and long or obvious passing downs and that is where Iowa really didn't perform as well as they have in the past. When they were forced to blitz 1 or more guys to get pressure it is a lot of stress on that back end to cover regardless of how great the CB play is.

Also to be fair a couple of the throws in the Oregon and USC game were undefendable and there is nothing you can do from a defensive standpoint.
 


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