Super Seniors
One last season to wear the Bolt
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The calendar has turned to March, and even though Air Force is in the middle of their spring camp, it’s not just the players looking for consistency. The coaching staff has seen quite a bit of turnover this year, but they do have their head coach still intact. That was not a given a short while ago.
As for the folks who are wearing the pads, they are still in Genesis stage as the 2020 Falcons use spring camp to begin sorting out their roster. Air Force has the least returning production in the conference, turning over a lot key contributors from last seasons 11-win squad.
Changing the nameplates is nothing new for the Falcons. Unlike every other non-Military school, they do not have the advantage of conventional redshirting for the purposes of development for an extra season. Even more to their detriment, players at Air Force have always been allowed to transfer without restriction or missing a season, anytime up to their junior year.
So the Falcons are not in uncharted waters here. But it would be foolish to not acknowledge there are a lot of vacancies in key areas of the roster. Last year saw players that weren’t necessarily expected to, not only step in, but in some positions really excel.
So who will be this seasons Ben Waters or Duval Jackson? Lets take a look at the roster, class by class. We are going to look at only members of the Falcons senior class in this edition.
All Conference Potential Players
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Even though Air Force is replacing a lot of talent and experience from last years team, the cupboards are by no means bare. They will enter this season with arguably the most dangerous backfield in the conference, and it all starts at quarterback.
Jordan Love may get drafted in the first round of the NFL draft next month, but he wasn’t even the best quarterback in the Mountain Division in 2019- that would be Donald Hammond. The Falcons signal caller returns as one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the country in 2020.
Hammond will be joined in the backfield by one of the most electric runners in the conference, in fellow senior Kade Remsberg. An honorable mention for the All-Conference team, the 1,000 yard rusher makes the most of every carry. Look for Remsberg to earn more of the always divided carries this year, and cash in as the first back with consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, since Jacobi Owens.
Unlike Hammond and Remsberg, Nolan Laufenberg and Parker Ferguson were recognized as part of the Mountain West’s all conference team in 2019. And rightfully so. The duo was part of one of the best offensive lines in all of college football.
On the defensive side of the ball, Demonte Meeks is the only returner that was all conference last season. I wouldn’t expect that to change this year. Meeks consistent play, and knack for being around the ball was no fluke.
Don’t be surprised if Tre Bugg III earns a spot alongside Meeks in 2020, he drew consideration last year, but didn’t quite make the cut. And I fully expect Jordan Jackson to be a menace on the defensive line, and find his way back to the All-Conference team.
Air Force was well represented on the All- Conference team in 2019, and I would expect much of the same this year.
Climbing the Depth Chart
With attrition comes opportunity. There are quite a few positions that are wide open for a new starter in 2020, and as is the norm with Air Force, you can expect to see many of those spots filled with upperclassmen especially seniors.
If Rhett Harms and Luke Miller can stave off some talented youth, the two of them could occupy the top of the depth chart at tight end. Neither player has started a game, so this is far from a conclusion.
On offensive line, the Falcons need to replace three of last years starters. Thankfully players like Kyle Krepzs and Adam Jewell not only saw regular time as part of a platooning rotations, they actually have started a handful of games.
The defensive side of the ball is where you will see a lot of new faces who will have to make significant contributions if Air Force wants to replicate the success they had last year.
The secondary in particular is replacing all but one starter from last year. Look for Demani Hansford, Colby Raphiel and the Palm brothers, Elijah and Elisha, to earn snaps on the back end of the defense.
The front seven is also going to be looking for people to step up. On the defensive line Michael Purcell, Joey Woodring and Kolby Barker were all reserve players last year. Someone, if not the collective are going to have to be able to chip in if the defense wants to thrive again this year.
Linebacker has a handful of players with game experience returning. Between Lakota Wills and Grant Donaldson, this position group should be sound. Wills has been a starter off and on ever since his freshman year.
Wildcard
With so many position battles, there will inevitably be new faces starting to surface. Some may be contributors of seasons past, while others could enter as surprise candidates.
Two players to keep an eye on in 2020 are Matthew Murla and Lakota Wills. Murla is going to be pushing for carries as part of that ever-critical fullback depth in the Falcon run game. With the depth of the position depleted, he could find himself making significant contributions to the offense.
Maybe less surprising would be Lakota Wills. The reason I submit Wills as a wildcard is I don’t think we have ever seen his potential fulfilled. With the emergence of competition, and more so due to injury, I don’t feel like we have really seen what he can do.
Starting as a freshman, and playing regularly ever since, Lakota Wills clearly has the skill and experience. What remains to be seen is if he can put it all together for a full season. With a full and healthy season, it shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched him play to see Wills gain some All-Conference recognition if things go well.
