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I know everyone is a lil down on the loss of our two biggest impact guys on D in the recruiting class. Money talks and everything else is an afterthought.

Don't see either one coming back to AZ, but stranger things have happened. I am looking at next years roster based on what we currently have in place and who is returning plus incoming players just to kinda forcast the D for next year a little. There will be needs that will have to be addressed in the transfer portal. Might be some coaching changes at the end of the year that could impact a few players that could effect our incoming class as well. Here is what we have for now.

Returning on the DL in no order of rotation or position specifics.
Russell Davis II
Tiaoalii Savea
Tristan Davis
Nick Fernandez
Keanu Mailoto
Jacob Kongaika
Isaiah Johnson
Isaiah Ward
Chase Randall who is a walk-on, but a pretty good player.
Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei
Dominic Lolesio
Julian Savaiinaea
Also
Sterling Lane II because he has seen limited time as an edge even though he is still listed with the LBs.

Incoming players IF they stay committed
Eduwa Okundaye
Jaedon Langley
Kaho Tuihalamaka

What is missing is the size of Manoa, Norton, Upshaw, Nofoagatoto's. All those guys are 300lbs with experience. I am not worried about the outside of the DL next year so much as the inside lack of size and depth. Tuihalamaka is the only big of the three coming in and that was the case before the two kids from Salpointe dropping us. I know one of the bigs actually has another year to play IF he chooses to do so, but I cannot remember who it is. It could be Norton, and that would be the biggest haul for us if it were to be for our DL next year.

Either way we will need a little more beef up front on the DL.
Being as neither of the two guys were interior DL guys it will impact us less immediately.

LB there is only one senior in Mercier. He has rotated some and played well when he was in as an experienced guy we would expect that. The depth and growth at the LB position is leaps and bounds better than it was last year and still getting better.

Leviticus Su'a has been a little slower at picking up the system. Delayed much like Flowe was. As you can see Flowe is adjusting nicely now and should be a strength for us next year. I expect Su'a to show similar results.
Justin Flowe
Jacob Manu
Taye Brown
Daniel Heimuli
Kamuela Ka'aihue
Ammon Allen

Incoming players:
Stacy Bey can play multiple positions but was recruited as a LB.

We have had three LB's decommit from us already in the 23 class so I would expect we will be looking to add one more somewhere if possible, but the scholies will be limited. At this point, who knows?