For a little insight, we have two very talented safeties Shamarko and Phillip Thomas (no relation) that are very quick. Phillip is lead tackler of the players returning, and Shamarko is another athletic freak who has really taken a leadership role on the team, and has had to grow up quickly after the loss of his mother this past summer. Has turned into a really positive, motivated player and leader and I'm sure that heartbreaking experience is part of his transformation. Shamarko runs in the 4.3 range, Phillip a slight bit slower, but we have a lot of speed from our outside backers and really our back 7.
As to regards to someone saying Ameen-Moore will be carrying the load as a freshman is way off. Antwon Bailey will get a lot of touches. Great receiver, great runner. Has a knack of making cuts in traffic and really is a mini-Delone Carter. He's 200+ lbs on a 5-8 frame, but is very quick, but thickly built. Ameen-Moore may get a touch or two, but I doubt he'll see much of the field against BCS schools. He's very tough to bring down, but needs to drop some weight to really max out his ability.
Alot of athletes on the defense will cover for our lack of real "bulk", but there is a ton of speed on the defensive side. Will throw a ton of blitz packages coming from all directions through Scott Shafer's schemes.
Offensively, our QB Nassib will have a lot of experienced receivers to throw to, and will have more of an opportunity to go vertical with those guys and a veteran line. Line will bulldoze in the run game, and has improved tremendously in pass protection as compared to last year.
Wideouts you'll see are Chew, who is tall, lanky, fast, but more importantly has good hands. Was slowed down last year by a groin injury, and it really showed in the last half of the season. Lemon is a sturdy guy at 6-2, 200+ and runs well and blocks well. A possession type that can get open. Dorian Graham is the X-Factor. Tons of speed, was outlined as an ESPN "Weight Room Freak". Will probably break out this year at WR, and has had a great camp catching the ball, something he has struggled with.
Our TE Nick Provo is very good and has a knack for finding seams about 10-15 yards out. Not the best blocker but serviceable. Has good hands and great chemistry with Nassib.
The Offense will open up more this season, but OC Nathaniel Hackett wants to run the football. He called it a lost art in modern CFB in a recent interview. Look for alot of Bailey and play-action, but don't be surprised to see a 4-wide or 5-wide set a couple times per game.
Let me know if you have any questions here, or even send me a message!
Looking forward to the game. Finally set up my ESPN3 app on my Xbox to stream the game in HD to the TV. I probably won't sleep much this week, but it's going to be a hell of a season. Hope you're staying dry.