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— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) February 26, 2020
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.
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