I do know that we will struggle next year. Hell Saban went 7-6 and lost to ULM his first season. Stoops went .500 his first year at OU.
I don't know that it's going to take 3-5 years with the right guy, but I'm going to wait and see who the guy is first before trying to predict the future. As has been talked about already, the biggest question moving forward is the QB position, but that can be remedied very quickly with the right transfer.
Let's look position by position:
QB - Total crap shoot to say the least. Need some kind of transfer here without a doubt. It can be a JUCO or a graduate, but something needs to be done.
RB - Very strong. Gray and Brown are a solid 1-2 punch and Johnson as a scat back are a solid group to build around
WR - Lose Davis, but return Shipley, Johnson and Sanders. Definitely an above average group
TE - LOL
OL - Lose best two in Hopkins and Hawkins. Need young guys like Perkins, Kennedy, Riser and Flowers to take the next step and Harrison to turn it up. Actually think this group has done well this season and think they could be in for the biggest improvement with a better S&C Program. Question mark, but solid talent to build around
DE - Lose Jeffcoat and I think Reed turns pro. Liked what I saw from Davis and Blueitt in spurts, but can they do it full time? Gonna need other guys to step up. If Reed returns I will feel a LOT better about this group
DT - Malcom Brown and Desmond Jackson return, but the depth is slim to none. Very worried here, especially if one of those top two get hurt.
LB - Jinkens, Santos and Edmond return. Robinson really coached these guys up. Thompson and Cole provide depth. Average group when they are playing their best. Need strong coaching
DB - Lose Phillips and Byndom. Return a lot of guys who have played. Talent will be there, but some of it is unproven. Will be interesting to see what happens without Akina.
K/P - Going to miss Fera. He was great this year. No idea who replaces him at either spot. I guess Jordan will kick and Russ will punt, but who knows.
I don't think this team is THAT far away. I do believe that whoever the new coach is going to come in and have to clear out some spots and bring in more talent than Mack has over the last couple of years, but if we can find a QB and have a DC who can work miracles like Robinson did we could make it happen.
