Sanchez has shown enough to assume there is promise of developing a competitive team.
I would like to see a stronger passing game. The losses at receiver were huge but in two seasons the team has a 50.6% completion rate and the current quarterbacks have a combined completion rate of 47.7%.
Only Keyes & Boyd have significant experience among returning pass catchers heading in to next season. The rest of the guys have more promise than on the field results.
Both starting safeties, the top two linbackers, only consistent corner and the only pass rushing threats are gone for next season.
The offensive line is great and the talent at running back is as well but its hard to pinpoint areas that are likely to be improved next season. This team needs to get over the hump but it may be a step back next season with an eye for 2018.
Boyd & Keyes are back. Woods should be back in the fall. Woods had already surpassed Keyes as the #2 heading into this year. Presely returns, so this year could almost be considered his red shirt year. Stevenson showed some flashes but played like a true freshman. Trosclair also received some snaps. WR is the least of my concerns next year. This group will be deep next year.
O-Line will be solid again. Kreitler is a big loss but we return 4 starters and Caldwell who saw significant snaps this year.
Running back is loaded, but I wouldn't be surprised if we lose a guy because how crowded it is at that position. Williams and Thomas are similar backs, Thomas may be a little faster, Williams a tad more physical. We lose Greene our 'power' back. That leaves X. Campbell and JUCO transfer Owens. I could see Campbell leaving as odd man out. Owens was a monster during fall practice..
QB..Stanton, Palandech, Sneed & Rogers. I think Stanton heads into Spring as 'the guy, but Rogers will be given every chance to win the job. Sneed or Palandech could be asked to switch positions. On here and on Twitter people are proclaiming Rogers as the savior despite never seeing the kid in practice or a live game. People should slow down with that a bit.
Defense we lose a lot of bodies but how much real production? Obviously Tau is a huge loss. McTyer was a steady performer and will be missed. Besides that MacAleenan? Steady guy but zero sacks and I think 3 tackles for loss this year. I am still wondering why Brian Keys rarely saw the field this year. During Spring he was as explosive and disruptive a player as we had. We lose Vaolaga, who can best be described as an enigma. Seemingly endless talent, but production never seemed to match. One game its a sack, 2 tackles for loss and a batted pass, next game nothing. Also, maybe losing a guy who was involved in enough dumbassery to get booted from team with two weeks left isn't a bad thing. We lose Dominic Baldwin?..Iggy, who's next sack or tackle for loss will be his first. Keyes, solid in run support, limited in coverage. Same with Hawthorne. Miles? Injured to much rarely saw the field.
Again outside of Tau & McTyer, possibly MacAleenan there isn't anybody we are losing I don't feel we can't replace.
Typically I would agree, losing that many starters should be worrisome. In this case maybe not..