Greg Ward Jr. will be the catalyst on offense for the Cougars next year, but who will be the offensive weapons around him? | File photo/The Cougar
Our sports staff is an opinionated bunch, so we decided to harness those opinions into something Cougars might enjoy. This week, we introduce the first in a new series of round-table discussion articles.
What offensive player do you see stepping up for football this year?
Assistant sports editor Efren Diosdado: Sophomore wide-receiver Donald Gage. He was a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports, and he was ranked 25th in the state and 77th nationally by ESPN. Unfortunately he suffered a torn ACL in the spring of 2014, which sidelined him last year. I believe he will step up this season to make up for lost time. Who doesn’t enjoy a good comeback story?
Staff writer JD Smith: With the departure of Deontay Greenberry to the Cowboys, I think Demarcus Ayers builds on his successful 2014 campaign and becomes Ward’s leading target. I also see the RB combo of Farrow and Jackson to have larger roles in the new offense.
Staff writer Michael Calderon: I believe that Demarcus Ayers steps up in the gap left at the receiving position for the Coogs in 2015. Ayers is the top target left from last season, so his experience puts him at the head of the class for now.
Which defensive player do you think has a breakout year?
ED: Khalil Williams, he was removed from redshirt midway through, last year, after injuries happened in the secondary. He’s already showed what he’s capable of doing and I think he’s used the off season to improve on his game. He has his breakout season this Fall.
JS: The secondary combination of Stewart, Wilson, and Jackson could be one of the best in the country if they get some help from the front seven. As the defense transitions from a 4-3 to a 3-4, junior line-backer Steven Taylor will be relied on to lead the younger and more inexperienced pieces of the new front after losing the starting line and the two linebackers from 2014.
MC: I think that Steven Taylor is in position to break out in the new-look defense under coordinator Todd Orlando. The junior linebacker has already done some good things in his career, leading the team in tackles for a loss last season, but his skills should shine in the blitz-heavy scheme Orlando looks to implement.
What do you project the Cougars record to be at the end of the year, and what kind of bowl do you think they go to?
ED: I think we do see an improvement this year. The Cougars finish with a 10-3 record and make an appearance at the Hyundai Sun Bowl with a more dominant showing than last year’s bowl game.
JS: A tough out-of-conference game against Louisville could set the tone for this season, but I see good things. The Cougars will finish 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the AAC with losses to Louisville, SMU and Cincinnati. They will however win the AAC West, but fall to Cincinnati in the AAC championship and end up playing in the Hawaii Bowl, in what proves to be a successful start to the Herman Era.
MC: The Cougars will finish at the top of the AAC, with something like 11-2 as their overall record and 7-1 in the conference. With the high profile additions to the coaching staff, I expect this team to draw a lot of national attention, landing them in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl or the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.
