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Old 01-20-2020, 12:05 AM   #4
joshuahuskers
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Re: Wisconsin State Porcupine Football (NCAA 14)

Wisconsin State Porcupines 2042 Football Preview


Coach James Brutus may have the most talent he's had during his time in Kenosha on this roster, which is saying quite a bit considering all he's done is go 46-10 in his four years with the Porcupines, including winning the College Football Playoff National championship two years ago in 2040. There are question marks, yes, including the quarterback room where the starter projects to be a guy who has thrown one career college pass - but the talent around him should provide for a smooth transition to starter.

Quarterback
As eluded to above, fourth-year Junior Michael Hyatt (95) has thrown all of one pass and projects to be the starter. It's rare this day and age to see a quarterback as highly regarded as Hyatt was coming out of high school (a four-star product out of Michigan) stick around this long without winning a starting job, but Hyatt will finally get his day after Chris Ryan declared for the NFL draft with a year of eligibility left and was taken in the third round.

Sophomore Calvin Upshaw (89) is another example of a highly rated prospect. Upshaw carried a five-star rating coming out of Louisiana and is projected to serve as the backup. Redshirt Fresman Marquez Glover (80) will add depth. The departure of freshman Christian Daniels to transfer opened up a spot in the quarterback room. Daniels' transfer seemed to catch the porcupine staff off guard, as Brendon Lewis (76) signed in the late signing period and was not on the recruiting radar until after Daniels announced his transfer.


Running Back
Wisconsin State produced two 1,000 yard rushers as part of last year's 11-3 team that won the Rose Bowl. One of those was departed senior Kyle Paris. The other, rising senior Brandon Calhoun (94) returns and figures to have the "thunder" role in the backfield once again. The "lightning" part will be played by Sophomore Eric Capps (92). Redshirt Freshman TJ Pledger (80) will be the third running back, although word around the campfire is he isn't progressing as well as the coaches had hoped - though it likely won't be enough for either of true freshmen Tank Bigsby (77) or CJ Beasley (75) to have their redshirts pulled, barring injury


Receiver
The Porcs lost their top two receivers off last year's team in Todd Ballew (Senior) and Bo Morse (Junior, NFL draft). That opened up a spot for Junior Mike O'Neal (86) to potentially become the #1 receiver for 2042. Although he's the fastest receiver in the group, he seems to have been passed up on the depth chart by Seniors Ron Bonds (91) and Cole Newell (87). O'Neal will likely play the third receiver fiddle similar to 2041, which is a little disappointing considering the high hopes that many had for him to be a true deep threat.

Sophomores Nick Marder (83) and Kam'Ron Mays-Hunt (79) will see the filed in four- and five-receiver sets. Redshirt Freshmen Wooby Theork (77) and Josh Fleeks (76) provide the depth here while true freshman Kieron Reynolds (77) will likely redshirt.

The missing piece in this group is the true blow the top off the defense deep threat, which Wisconsin State does not have. Look for that to be addressed in recruiting this year, especially with two seniors at the top of the depth chart.

Tight End
Returning starter Junior William Johnson (80) seems to have lost his spot here. The fall could be for multiple reasons - Sophomore Darrell Fields (84) may be developed enough to overcome him, or perhaps the whispers we've heard about using the tight ends more in the passing game are more than just a rumor - Fields is a much better receiver than Johnson. Regardless of the reasoning, Sophomore Chase Brown (84) appears to have also passed up Johnson and will slot in as the #2 tight end.

Offensive Line
This may be one of the strongest O-Line units in the country. Senior Kyle Carlson (99) anchors this unit from the center spot. He is probably the best Center in the country, and should be the favorite to win the Rimington this year. As crazy as it sounds, two players who entered the program as centers (and could one very well move back to center next year upon Carlson's departure) will start at the two tackle spots: Junior Kenny Bryant (90) and Senior Derek Jones (90). It's not uncommon for a center to flex out to a guard, but playing tackle is a whole different animal - it really goes to show you just how athletic the offensive linemen that James Brutus recruits are. The guard spots will be filled by Junior Kyle Montgomery (89) and Senior Toby Moore (94).

The backups across the line provide very quality depth as well. Senior Clay Carter (87) and Junior Greg Smins (89) would start at tackle for most programs in the Big Ten. The same could be said for Seniors Terrell Paxton (88) and Xavier Powell (86) at guard. It really is an embarrassment of riches.

Sophomore Josh Headlee (82) and Redshirt Freshman Michael Remondet (80) provide depth at tackle, along with senior Isaiah Scott (85). True freshman Everett Johnson (60) will redshirt as a huge development project and likely won't see the field any time soon. Sophomore Thomas Davis (75) is a reserve at guard, and true freshman Austin Collins (75), while loaded with upside, will redshirt due to the great depth in front of him.

Defensive End
The graduation of all-time school sack leader Jordan Buckley and the early entry into the NFL draft of his counterpart Ted Bryant has paved the way for Sophomore Tommy Johnson (90) and Junior Terrell Richardson (88) to step into starting roles. They will be back up by a lot of promising youth, including Sophomore Shannon Carswell (81), Redshirt Freshmen Brandon Nettles (78) and David Nwaogwugwu (76) and true freshman Robert Wooten (77), though Wooten will likely take a redshirt.


Defensive Tackle
Senior Ted Bryant (93) and Junior Terrance Stephens (91) return as veteran starters for this unit. Top Reserve from 2041 Derrick O'Brien (who famously secured the Rose Bowl winning sack against Washington back in January) has decided to grad transfer in hopes of a starting role for his final year of eligibility. This means Senior Mike Jones (83) will finally see significant playing time. Redshirt Fresman Emeka Jilliani (77) is the depth and true freshman Michael Reese (76) will redshirt.


Linebacker
Wisconsin State returns - count them - zero natural inside linebackers after the graduation of Richie Thornton and Brian Heinz and Elijah Shelton's decision to transfer out of the program. The Porcupines did sign four true-freshman middle linebackers in Tirek Austin-Cave (80), Devonte Smith (76) , Alec Mock (74), and Stefon Thompson (61). Mock and Thompson will almost certainly redshirt. I know the coaches are extremely high on Austin-Cave and Smith, and those two will certainly play - at least on special teams - but the decision was made to slide Senior outside linebacker Kyle McCauley (83) into the starting spot in the middle for one season to give those young guns time to grow into the role.

Sohpmore Jeremy Brown (83) will start at one outside spot while fellow sophomore Xavier Small (91) anchors the other. True freshman Jacob Mitchell (82) is an extremely talented player and may see playing time at all three linebacker positions this year. Redshirt Freshman Evan Tattersall (68) does not appear to be progressing as hoped thus far and true freshamn Damien Sellers (65) will redshirt.


Cornerback
Draft eligible sophomore Mike Thompson opted to forego two years of eligibility and enter the NFL draft, and with senior Adam Fisher graduating, Junior Mario Chambers (93) will move outside from his Nickel spot and be the #1 corner this year. He will be joined in the starting lineup by fellow junior Imani Partlow (92) while the more physical Senior Justin Burke (92) will man the Nickel spot.

Burke's older brother, fifth-year senior Cole Burke (88) figures to be the dime back. Junior Chris Merriman (85) provides depth, and the staff hopes to redshirt true freshmen Jaden Williams (77) and Dabari Hawkins (67)


Safety
Consensus All-American Junior Kyle Carlson (96) returns to anchor the secondary, while Sophomore Clint Outlaw (81) will step into the other role. Sophomore Tyreke Johnson (78) will back up both spots, and the plan (as of right now) is to redshirt True Freshman Keshawn Lawrence (68). The lack of depth here is certainly an issue, and it wouldn't surprise me for one of the cornerbacks to reprise a role as a safety should injury strike.


Specialists
Groza winner Jonathan Luke (98) returns for his senior season and is about the best there is. Redshirt Freshman Jarrod Graham (82) will do the punting.


Schedule
Sept. 5 - Kent State
Sept 12 - @Florida State
Sept. 19 - San Diego State
Sept. 26 - @Penn State
Oct. 3 - @Northwestern
Oct. 10 - Ohio State
Oct. 17 - Indiana
Oct. 24 - @Purdue
Oct. 31 - Illinois
Nov. 7 @Wisconsin
Nov. 17 - Iowa
Nov. 21 - Minnesota

The Porcs open up with a traditional "paycheck game" as Kent State (81), picked to finish last in the MAC East comes to town. It's a good thing Wisconsin State starts with an easy one, because the next one is a Doozy. Wisconsin State famously beat Florida State at Doak Campbell in 2017 as a signature victory that seemed to cement the arrival of the program. The Noles won a rematch in the Orange Bowl. The rubber match comes 25 years later - these two haven't met since - and this year's Florida State (99) team is one of their best in recent memory - including the squad that made the College Football Playoff in 2040. Wisconsin State better not be hung over after that one, because San Diego State (86) is one of the best teams in the Mountain West.

Conference play doesn't exactly start off easy as Wisconsin State has to travel to Happy Valley to face Penn State (93), who is picked to finish second on the East. That's followed up by a roadtrip to west division second choice (behind Wisconsin State) Northwestern (90) before the conference home opener against defending conference champion and National Title game participant Ohio State (99). If Wisconsin State walks away from that stretch 2-1, they should be pleased.

Things lighten up a bit after that with games against Indiana (86) and at Purdue (86) before returning home to face an Illinois (90) team that should be much improved from a year ago.

Wisconsin State goes to Madison this year for the Cheese State Showdown against Wisconsin (91) in a throw-out-the-records game before a deceptively tough finish at home against Iowa (91) and Minnesota (88).

There are no free lunches in the Big Ten, but even if Florida State gets a win in Tallahassee, the Porcupines have no reason to not be in Indianapolis for playing in their fifth big ten title game in six years. Having said that, if they get off to a slow start in conference play due to a very tough three game stretch at the beginning, all bets are off especially with the Cheese State Showdown being in Madison, where the Porcupines have lost two of the last three (and the one win was in overtime).

Last edited by joshuahuskers; 01-20-2020 at 12:24 AM.
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