Rising junior Troy Niklas is next in line at tight end with 2012 Mackey Award winner and projected
first-round pick Tyler Eifert moving on to the NFL.
Photo by Bill panzica
Offense: The Next Wave
Last year���s newcomers onto the scene who either flourished or began to
come into their own included rising junior quarterback Everett Golson, rising junior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and rising senior offensive tackle
Christian Lombard.
Who can or will it be this year?
1. Running Back(s) ��� Junior-to-be George Atkinson III, who rushed for
361 yards last season, is the frontrunner, but he must become more of a thoroughbred than a one-trick pony with his sweeps to be an every-down back,
including catching the ball and pass blocking.
Classmates Cam McDaniel and Amir Carlisle also will vie for time, as will
rising sophomore Will Mahone.
2. Nick Martin ��� He has practiced everywhere along the line his first
two seasons, and head coach Brian Kelly has lauded his versatility, acumen
