Week Zero was the appetizer. Week 1 is the entree, and I am already getting the meat sweats from thinking about it. Here is a fresh batch of randomness for this week’s Pulse.
Depth Chart Surprises
- Memphis backfield of Sutton Smith OR Mario Anderson. The talent has always been there for Smith, but the consistency has not. Still lean toward Mario, but a split would be something.
- Kamari Moulton as Iowa RB1. There have been strong camp reports on Moulton, and Leshon Williams has been limited some with a minor injury. But this one opened some eyes, given there is no “OR”
- Kalib Hicks as Oklahoma RB5. Looked to be the clear RB2 in the spring. Is this some kind of punishment for the redshirt freshman?
- Armani Winfield is listed as a starting WR for Colorado State. It appears he beat out Donovan Ollie and others to earn a coveted starting role opposite Horton and a potential leg up as Horton’s replacement in 2025.
For the Record (Speaking of Depth Charts)
Depth charts aren’t a huge deal, but any program that doesn’t release one or releases one riddled with “OR”s (I’m looking at you, Tennessee and BYU) or some BS alphabetical order thing is a coward program. Your staff is full of paranoid freaks who think Connor Stalions lives in their neighborhood. I hope your team loses every game ever.
The Next Percy Harvin?
This is the best comp I could think of for Texas A&M freshman Terry Bussey Jr. Recent practice reports indicate he has been moved from DB to WR/RB, and he has been absolutely dynamic since then. OC Colin Klein has raved about his playmaking ability, and insider reports say he scored “multiple touchdowns” in the scrimmage just days after making the switch to offense.
The 5-star from 2A Texas high school put up video game stats prior to joining the Aggies. He had 7,300 yards passing with 95 TDs, 6,900 yards rushing with 123 TDs, 612 yards receiving with 9 TDs, 8 defensive TDs, and 9 special teams TDs. Holy Mother of God! And, he’s a four-sport athlete with a 10.66 100-meter time to boot.
Harvin’s freshman season resulted in a stat line of 41/428/3 rushing and 34/427/2 receiving. This Aggie offense is looking for playmakers, especially with Owens lost due to injury. Bussey has a creative enough OC to potentially recreate a Percy Harvin scenario for year one in the SEC.
LL COOL J Style – Mama Said Knock You Out
“Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.”
-Zakhari Franklin, Donavon Greene, Justin Lockhart
All three receivers started their careers in 2019 and are still keeping it real in CFB for 2024. I’m fascinated to see what these three do in their return to the field after missing 2023. I am rooting for them to have the ultimate bounce-back seasons. We often forget about them, but each could have a strong year six in their college career.
The Ultimate Injury Risk
I’ve become terrified of Darius Taylor. I think there is a chance we got way out over our collective skis as a community by taking him consistently in round one of drafts. Do I think he is very talented? Yep. Do I love the Fleck system for running backs? Definitely. Do I think he plays the majority of the season? Nope.
Taylor had a soft tissue injury as a freshman, which he reinjured a few weeks later, then an undisclosed injury in the spring, and another soft tissue injury recently in fall camp. Collagen and elastin aren’t distributed equally among humankind. Some people’s tendons are just wound a little tighter than others. I recently picked up Marcus Major as a handcuff for Taylor in a deeper dynasty league, so you know I’m close to “poop my britches in fear” mode over here.
Pace yourselves. It’s only week one. We get fourteen of these bad boys this season. Hell, fifteen if you count week zero.
Cheers!
