Love seeing Donovan back. I bet he has a big year. JJ leaving makes me lean towards Harbaugh leaving. Although, JJ's decision had to be in before Jim's so maybe Jim's isn't definitely, but he passed along that he's likely leaving or very interested in the NFL. Personally, I thought JJ needed another year. This year he really struggled with what to do in the pocket with pressure, had a lot of plays he stared at only one option to throw when he had better options and many times lacked an understanding of what kind of touch to put on the ball. Great kid.. has a high ceiling, but he's still very young and at least a year away if not a couple.
I definitely think that JJ needs another year to improve across the board, but it doesn't matter if he's a 1st rd pick. Even the last pick in the 1st rd is going to get a $12 mil/4-year deal with around $6 mil up front for signing the deal. No way he'd make more money with NIL and he'd only risk himself to injury.
Definitely think Jeem is gone. And when he is I also think that Moore will be named the HC within like 24 hrs. Key to the program having a big year in '24 will be keeping Jesse Minter at DC somehow some way and finding a serviceable QB. Alex Orji could be that guy. They won't need him to do much as a passer- just convert crucial throws that are there when needed a few times a game, use his legs to make plays, and not turn it over. Have to also rebuild the OL, but Sherone Moore has proven he can do that- he's proven himself to be maybe the best OL coach in the game.
Defense should be really good again. Kris Jenkins is gone at DT, but Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Rayshaun Benny are all back. Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell are gone at EDGE, but Josiah Stewart and Derrick Moore are back. Mike Barrett and Junior Colson are gone at ILB, but Ernest Hausmann is back and they were able to get the transfer Jaishawn Barham from Maryland. In the secondary they lose nickel Mike Sainistril and CB2 Josh Wallace, but they return Will Johnson at CB1 and both their starting safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige and their #3 S Keon Sabb - who had a breakout RS Frosh year this year.
Losing some depth and experience for sure on the defense- not sure how they'll replace Mikey Sainistril- yes he got put in the blender from time to time in man- but he was a ferocious open field tackler, good blitzer, and he had serious ball skills and made awesome plays on the ball for PBU's and INT's. Mikey S probably the biggest loss on that defense, Kris Jenkins the second biggest loss, and Junior Colson third. Going to see what else they do in the portal and what true frosh/rs frosh/rs soph's breakout in spring/fall camp. Still think the guts of an excellent D are there- especially if they keep the DC running the show in place.
