Next Years Team

[bigcat75]

linebackers

Linebackers...there seems to be some young talent, but I would like to see some immediate help added.

Think Garrett will move back to linebacker? What of the returning players? Any thoughts on this years back-ups?

[Panthers to the Bone]

I honestly don't know about Garrett. When he moved to FB, UNI didn't lose until the national championship.

The returning players:
OLB:
David Schratz (Senior)...should be a starting OLB, unless he takes over at MLB...played more minutes at LB than anyone not named Koebcke and Heideman.
Brannon Carter (Junior)...should improve...was the early favorite this past year, but got edged out as the season went on...should hold down one OLB spot.
Nick Davis (Senior)...we haven't seen much of him, but as a senior, his role should improve. Has played on special teams...his size is not huge, but holds his own.
Osayi Ehigiamusoe (Redshirt Freshman)...Has a good frame at 6'2"/225lbs, but he has yet to play a minute of football at UNI...Can he step in and play?
Araf Evans-Sykes (Junior)...Great athlete, and has game experience, but has yet to play a significant role on defense...He should push for an OLB starting spot.
Brian Jordan (Sophomore)...Hasn't played much...I believe he was more of a DB before switching to LB...So, he must have some speed, which is needed at the OLB spot...Was injured for all of the playoffs and a part of the season.
MLB:
Justin Kirk (Sophomore)...Played key minutes in games down the playoff stretch for the Panthers at MLB...Should be the next in line to take over at one starting MLB.
Andrew Williams (Senior)...Hasn't played much meaningful minutes at LB, but maybe Andrew will become that steady senior leader that takes over the reigns at MLB.
Nate Lane (Sophomore)...Again, inexperienced, but have heard good things about Nate..Has pretty good size at plugging up the middle. Will be interesting to see where he fits this upcoming season.
James Ruffin (Redshirt Freshman)...No college experience, but at 6'4"/235lbs he has a great frame to stop runs up the middle. James had offers to go 1-A, but chose UNI, so hopefully his ability catches up to his potential.

Another few names to keep an eye on is Josh Mahoney from South Dakota. He was named Gatorade POY last year in SD, but he might also play FB. Another name is Josh Briggs, a junior from Waukee. Not much experience, but another name on the depth chart.

I have never heard of this, but another thing to maybe think about is moving Grant Zielenski from FB to MLB. He is a former QB, so he has to have the intelligence to recognize schemes, and he has a good physique...so, what do you think?

My thoughts are that I would like to see at least one immediate impact player added at LB. Whether Juco or 1-A. Another thing is that the state of Iowa is flat out LOADED at LB this year for the senior class of high schoolers. Iowa and ISU continue to look elsewhere for their LB talent (from the commitments I have seen), and thus, UNI should be able to get some high talent LB's.

Remember, Juco signing days are this week, so if there are any Juco signings, we should know about them soon (if the papers investigate).

[Chitown Panther]

I think we have a ton of young LB/DL talent.....hopefully they mature fast....

[Pantherpower]

I would like to see Dexter Hill get involved with the offense somehow. No, I don't mean in place of Eric, more like what ISU did with Flynn. Dexter has good quicks and would add a nice wrinkle to the O. This is just an off the cuff observation/thought. Not that anybody is going to care or listen to what I think anyway!!

[Pantherpower]

I have a good friend who coaches hs (now college) fb in South Dakota and said that Mahoney is the real deal as I believe PTTB indicated. No question we will be a little green on D next year but it seems like the program always reloads pretty well.

[panther2317]

I noticed that TSU had their 2nd string QB in some formations as a WR. Remember he threw a pass to Nealy in a formation? Also he caught a couple of passes and ran for a good chunk of yeards too...I might add a nice little wrinkle to the offense.

[Panthers to the Bone]

http://netsports.footballworld.com/default.asp?c=footballworld&page=cfoot2/news/AGN3995182.htm

Basically gives out many honors to Eric Sanders, David Horne, and the UNI team. Also makes mention of his poor choices in picking against the Panthers so many weeks! Also names his top 10 for next season.