[EKUAlum05]

Starter's Leaving

Offense:
QB Keaton Taylor
FB Austin Hatfield
C Mackey Francis
RG Drew Mullins

Defense:
LB Dakota Stanley
LB Austin Hatfield
CB Keaton Taylor
SS Kaleb Edwards

Obviously you can't replace Austin Hatfield. He is a special player and the best FB for my money to suit up as a Pirate. Fletcher and Wellman both have a lot of potential, but Austin Hatfield is a once every 25-50 years type of player.

- Losing Taylor on offense is a big loss, but I honestly think Belfry could potentially be more dangerous at the QB position with Corbett and his skill set. With that said, big time work for Corbett to learn the offense, get stronger, work on his passing, and most importantly master his ball handling and reads in game situations. I could see Corbett being a special player, but his work has to begin right now. Lose two great linemen in Mullins and Francis with LOTS of starting experience. I swear Mackey Francis has been there 6 years. The Preece kid is a good looking linemen and will be solid at Center...need t find someone ready to be the next in line at Guard.

- Defensively Belfry will be nasty. That Front 5 is loaded with multi-year starters and unbelievable talent. Secondary will be fine. Losing Taylor and Edwards hurts, but with Belfry's injury issues in the secondary this year the silver lining is guys who stepped up (Varney) and guys who played valuable reps in big games (Woolum, Willis, Corbett). Replacing those LB's is the big question... probably the biggest question beside how to cope with losing Hatfield at FB.

What I think is the best case scenario...

It begins with Noah Corbett. If Corbett can bust his tail from December until the start of next season Belfry has potential to be very good and dangerous offensively. Catron and Willis will improve at HB and become assets in the run game. Either Fletcher or Woolum step up as a serviceable and consistent FB who always protects the ball. One or more of Belfry's freakish Freshman athletes turn into receiving threats and form a chemistry with Corbett along with Woolum/Wellman. Hunter and Adkins either could fill that role and give Belfry a deep threat. Hunter especially is a kind I could see growing into a big time playmaker.

Defensively Sanger and Wellman assume the roles of LB'ers and don't skip a beat. The Webb kid develops into a solid Noseguard to allow Sanger's move. In the secondary Varney pushes himself to be the shutdown CB that Keaton was.

Special Teams HAS to improve. Kicking is good but can be better.... but a longsnapper needs to emerge and the Punt Return team has to become night and day better. Had Belfry lost yesterday Punt Return would be a large reason why giving up 75-80 yards of field position by not fielding punts.