TL, DR: Looking at the 2023 2-deep, my guess is definitely a QB and RB, and then some OL depth, LB, and maybe a CB or IDL depending on what happens with Gabe Summers. Could grab starters at those spots, but don't need huge additions there the way we do RB and QB.
Here's the current (loosely estimated) 2-deep for next year
*Those in this font are the departures/additions that came through portal or early departure
Also, note that some starters/backup are in the air so I didn't get too into who is #1 and #2, just listed them both in whatever order. This is looking more at the big picture so it doesn't matter too much if Fano or John Nelson is the starter or the backup, it's not a position of need either way.
Position |
Starter |
Backup |
Departures |
QB |
Cade Fennegan |
Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters |
Jaren Hall Jacob Conover
|
RB |
Hinckely Ropati |
Miles Davis |
Chris Brooks Lopini Katoa Jackson McChesney
|
WR |
Keanu Hill |
Parker Kingston |
Puka Nacua |
WR |
Kody Epps |
Dom Henry |
Gunner Romney |
WR |
Chase Roberts |
JoJo Phillips |
Brayden Cosper |
TE |
Isaac Rex
|
Jackson Bowers |
Dallin Holker |
LT |
Kingsley Suamataia |
Sione Veikoso |
Blake Freeland |
LG |
Peter Falaniko |
Talin Togiai |
Clark Barrington |
C |
Conner Pay |
? |
Joe Tukuafu |
RG |
Vae Soifua |
? |
Campbell Barrington |
RT |
Brayden Keim |
Lisala Tai |
Harris LaChance |
My takeaways: We're pretty solid on WR and definitely at TE, but QB, RB, and OL need some work. Some studs on OL, but definitely need to add some talent overall. Sliding a few people down a role there would help a lot.
And on defense
Position |
Starter |
Backup |
Departures |
DE |
John Nelson |
Blake Mangelson |
Earl Tuioti-Mariner Logan Fano |
NT |
Caden Haws |
Josh Larsen |
Atunaisa Mahe |
DT |
Bruce Mitchell |
Aisea Moa |
Lorenzo Fauatea Gabe Summers |
DE |
Tyler Batty |
John Henry Daley |
Alden Tofa |
LB |
Ben Bywater |
Bodie Schoonover |
Max Tooley Pepe Tanuvasu |
LB |
Josh Wilson |
Morgan Pyper |
Jackson Kaufusi Tate Romney |
LB |
Micah Wilson |
Michael Daley |
Payton Wilgar Keenan Pili |
CB |
Gabe Jeudy-Lally |
Jacob Boren |
D'Angelo Mandell |
CB |
Korbyn Green |
Ethan Slade |
Kaleb Hayes |
NB |
Jakob Robinson |
Zion Allen |
George Udo |
S |
Micah Harper |
Chaz Ah You (LB/S) |
Matthew Criddle Ammon Hanneman |
S |
Malik Moore |
Talan Alfrey |
Hayden Livingston |
My takeaways: Our defensive end position is actually very strong still - with Nelson, Daley, Batty, Fano, Mangelson all guys who should contribute. The middle of the line is a lot weaker though (especailly if Moa isn't yet big enough to really play the DT role, which is why I have him as the 2nd string).
Linebacker is a smoking crater, with us losing basically everyone besides Bywater, but there's guys who are hopefully ready to step up in Wilson (x2), Daley, and Schoonover (any of whom could be the starters, despite what I put down here mostly for convenience). I'd guess we go to the portal here as well just since there are so many unknowns, but lots of depth.
Similar situation at DB - we've got a few known quality contributors ready to start... and then nearly a dozen freshman CBs (Isaiah Glasker, Dean Jones, Chika Ebunoha, Ethan Slade, Quenton Rice, Nathaniel Gillis, Evan Johnson, Preston Rex, Carter Krupp). I honestly don't know which will be the second string, but just chose mostly at random. I'd expect at least a few will hit, but think this is another spot we'll go for depth and certainty in the portal.
I'm also hoping that I missed someone - especially among returning missionaries or along the lines (where I'm not as aware)