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The quarterback position belongs to Brad Jackson, who is one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the country. He is a great runner and very accurate as a passer. Last season, he threw for 3,224 yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding 744 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.
The running back room is full of homerun hitters. Torrance Burgess Jr. and Jaylen Jenkins return with the most experience. The addition of Taji Atkins (Rice) provides another weapon. Head coach G.J. Kinne has had a 1,000-yard rusher every year he has been a head coach. Any of these backs can keep this streak alive.
The wide receiver room is the only FBS program that had two 1,000-yard receivers last season, and they both return in Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. Kylen Evans and tight ends Blake Smith and Ty Stamey also have experience. The additions of Zeechariah Sample (Arizona State) and multiple true freshmen provide more depth to this unit.
The offensive line room returns experience in Justin DeLeon and Sully Burns. The additions of Rasheed Jackson (TCU), Jaylen Early (Missouri), William Boone (North Carolina), Etueni Ropati (JUCO), and Amari Smith (JUCO) will all see action. Many young players should also contribute.
The defensive line room returns experience in Jo’Laison Landry, Ta’Derius Collins, and Bryce Carter. The additions of Kaleb James (Arkansas), Tae Woody (ULM), Mekhi Buchanan (Virginia), Chancellor Owens (Arizona), Phillip Bradford (McNeese), Jason Patterson (Texas Southern), and Donterry Russell (Mississippi State) add a ton of talent to this unit.
The linebacker room returns production in Ayden Jones, Cole Nilles, and Terrence Cooks II. Jones and Cooks have starting experience. The additions of Jordan Sample (Arkansas State) and Javante Mackey (Arkansas State) provide more depth. Mackey was a multi-year starter for the Red Wolves.
The secondary returns experience in Amarion Atwood, William Mitchell II, Trez Moore, Christopher Jones, Craig Royal Jr., Malik Willis, Ryan Nolan, and Chase Davis. Watch out for redshirt freshmen Jayden Bradley and Cordarian Powell. Several FBS and FCS additions round out the rotation.
Both punting and kicking roles will belong to transfers. Toledo transfer Dylan Cunanan will handle the kicking duties, while Florida Atlantic transfer Tom Flintoff will handle the punting duties. Jaylen Jenkins is a weapon as a kick returner.
G.J. Kinne has had elite offenses in his first three seasons, but without help on defense, the Bobcats have not been a true conference championship contender. New Defensive Coordinator Will Windham has his work cut out for himself, but if the defense improves, watch out for the Bobcats in the new look Pac-12.
