New Player Stock Report

Following the first full week of fall camp, we now a better idea how Skip Holtz’s 2016 recruiting class will contribute to this season’s team. The graduate transfers (Dalton Santos, Jordan Harris and Prince Sam) all come in with the intent to immediately contribute. The other newcomers, junior college transfers and incoming freshman, have to prove what they can do to the coaching staff if they plan on avoiding a redshirt and being instant contributors.

Arguably Tech’s most prized recruit, Baker is projected to play some part in the upcoming season on the defensive line. The Livonia, Louisiana native has a chance to back up Jaylon Ferguson on the defensive line but will have to fight with Matthew Ydarraga to earn the two spot on the depth chart. Either way, expect to see Baker on the field in some capacity come Sept. 3.

A massive transfer from Texas Tech by way of Tyler JC, Outlaw joins a stacked offensive line that is the deepest in recent memory. The tackle has taken most of the first team snaps in fall camp at right tackle. Outlaw should seamlessly fit right into the starting lineup and play a major role in the upcoming season.

Some outside the program see Hardy as another instant impact player that could make a quick difference. The former Oklahoma signee is too good to redshirt but, as a new player, will still have to fight off competition from others in the receiver position to get decent playing time. One spot Hardy could quickly make an impression is in the return game at the very least. Still, expect to see the talented former Sooner on the field one way or another.

Garner, a junior college transfer from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, was present for spring practice. Based on fall camp thus far, the Jackson, Mississippi native could immediately jump into a backup role on Tech’s defensive line behind redshirt senior Aaron Brown.

The freshman is one of the surprises of fall camp. Based on the little we’ve seen so far, Kendzior will most likely be playing the viper position (a hybrid between outside linebacker and defensive lineman) that former Bulldog and current NFL player Houston Bates held in 2014. The Texas native could play a decent bit this season when the formation calls for him.

Stallworth, a junior college transfer from Navarro College, has had a good fall camp thus far. It is possible that Stallworth and/or Outlaw could both start over a veteran on the team.

Fleming, a walk-on freshman from Natchez, Mississippi, has made enough of an impact to survive the first round of redshirt cuts. The Catholic High School graduate broke off a 60-yard run in the scrimmage last Saturday. If he avoids the redshirt for the second round of cuts, Fleming will be sitting behind three other backs in Boston Scott, Jared Craft and Jaqwis Dancy. It is possible we see Fleming play a role this season but only if the running backs catch the injury bug.

The junior college transfer from Allan Hancock Community College can immediately jump in and back up starting free safety Xavier Woods. King comes from Allan Hancock where he earned all-conference honors and instantly adds to an already deep secondary.

The McComb HS product has impressed in fall camp thus far and has even garnered comparisons to former Bulldog and current first-round pick Vernon Butler. The defensive lineman is too big to play on the end but could see the field this season at tackle.

Hannibal, the freshman out of Ouachita High School in Monroe has seemingly found a place to fit into the defense after only being around the team for a short time. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker is already impressed and thinks his confidence could go up with learning the playbook. Hannibal could avoid the redshirt and play a role off the bench in a stacked position.

The freshman running back out of Archbishop Rummel tore his ACL in the first day of fall camp and will be getting a redshirt.

The most sought after quarterback in this season’s class will get redshirted. Abraham will return next season with a chance to fight for the starting job with J’mar Smith and Price Wilson following the departure of Ryan Higgins.

The West Monroe product entered his freshman year with question marks following a injury laden high school career which included two ACL injuries. There was speculation that Belton could move positions but as of now he will be staying where he is with a redshirt.

The offensive lineman from Burleson, Texas gets a redshirt because of the depth that is on the offensive line.

Sneed, a signee out of Minden, Louisiana, played both sides of the ball in high school. He comes to Tech as a safety and joins an already strong position so it looks likely he will be redshirted.

Like Russey, Melancon joins one of the best and deepest offensive lines in recent memory, so he will take a redshirt.

The number one tight end in the state of Mississippi coming out of high school, Cousar has redshirt sophomores Alex Woodall and Peyton Braswell ahead of him. The Oxford High product will redshirt this year to bulk up.

See the notes on Russey and Melancon. It cannot be repeated enough that this year’s offensive line is a good one, so it only makes sense the freshman gets the redshirt.

Another freshman joining strong position finds himself with a redshirt.

The cornerback from Baton Rouge is greyshirting, meaning he is not yet with the team and will enroll in 2017.

A two-star recruit out of high school joins a group of linebackers that sports two graduate transfers in Santos and Harris. Despite losing a lot of production in that position, the freshman gets a redshirt until there is more room.