Mailbag Oct. 25: Please Give Me Something To Look Forward To Next Year

Q: Hello.  How’s it going?  I don’t want to give up on this season, but let’s face it, it doesn’t look good.  With the amount of guys we’re losing on the defensive side of the ball, I don’t really love our prospects for next year.  Dez, I was hoping you could offer a glimmer of hope…why will this team be better next year?  Maturation of Whitmer and/or the running backs and/or receivers?  Change in OC?  Some redshirt talent on the horizon?  Heck, I know it’s hard to predict week to week in this game, but please, give me something to look forward to..Rich. West Hartford, CT    

A: Rich you set me up, lol. You do realize everything I will say on this one will be rejected Dikembe Mutombo-style. The way the climate is out there is now? Anyway, here we go, lol…I wouldn’t put an opinion on next year’s prospects today.  The kids who are in the system playing now, for example, Whitmer, Shak Phillips and Geremy Davis, really, new guys to the mix, will have a year under their belts at this this level. A lot of the freshmen in the class right now could have played this year Rich and helped, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He’s been on special teams but I’d expect a  guys RB like Joe Williams, WR Ricky Gutierrez, to be solid next season. I’m not sure if the RB they just got, Josh Marriner, is a guy they’re looking to play next year or not but Max DeLorenzo as well as Martin Hyppolite return with Lyle McCombs. There will be quite a few losses on defense but in terms of the secondary? I think corner and safety will be the strength. Some of those big safeties could have played this year but why? A few of them  could play corner. I don’t think linebacker will be an issue. Remember UConn will have Florida transfer Graham Stewart a part of this bunch but I think, well, to me, the redshirt freshman Marquise Vann, is a frightening prospect. He could be the next great one. Anyway, there will be plenty of depth there. D line? May have to get some outside pass rushers and of course, offensive linemen. I don’t know if there will be changes in the staff in terms of position but I think those struggling with two hats should only wear one. I think DeLeone should either coach the line or call the plays one of the two for now. And get the OLine to work.