[EKUAlum05]

Hayden Hatfield and Sani are the guys that are creating the most issue to replace.

Belfry clearly has options at QB including Keaton who would actually give you a bit of an improvement with his running ability... but no matter what you do you will have a substantial drop off in passing aptitude as well as ball handling.

When it comes to Keaton the questions that have to be addressed:
- How important is a big play receiver if you will struggle to pass any way?
- Is the drop off to a second string WR a bigger impact than the dropoff having Keaton play QB over someone else?

Personally, I think you have to go with Keaton at QB (barring someone elevates their game).. he is clearly one of Belfry's most dynamic threats and best runners.. he also has the height to at least give your passing game a chance as well as he already has varsity and big game experience at QB.

Moreso than that, from a distance it appears as though Belfry's single greatest question mark next year will be who will tote the rock for the explosive plays and where will the offense come outside of riding your FB.. having Keaton touch the ball every play certainly improves your chance for big plays.

X Willis is definitely the key. If X can rehab and get back in time and be 100% then you solve two very big issues immediately. You get your feature HB with big play ability to replace Johnson,,, you also get a very good CB.. thus helping offset the loss of Sani on Defense.

Cameron Johnson to Catron is almost a no brainer. Catron should step into that role in a seemless transition.

Replacing Noseguard doesn't scare me too much... Belfry has nice options there.

But Hayden Hatfield is the single spot on Defense where Belfry is about to take a major, major blow. He was simply awesome this year and even when the Belfry defense was floundering you could count on Hayden to always be electric. Haywood has been able to dial up that "Quick" DT that is ever so vital to his defense for years now beginning with Michael Hackney and Phillip Varney... but there is not a name jumping out yet as the heir apparent. My first instinct is to say TJ Dotson who really grew as a player at DE... move him down and play Bentley at DE. Bentley has got to get leaner and quicker and improve his ability to disengage blockers though, especially against the spread.. I love the idea of him and Hall (the opposite of Bentley.. he has the quickness but needs to get bigger, stronger and better against the run) being bookend DE's with their height and age.

The Defense appears to have the making of a truly special unit. Though Belfry technically only returns 7 Starters I really only see it as truly needing to replace Hatfield to regain their form.

Offensively Belfry is going to need to figure things out, especially at the skill positions. Luckily the nucleus of that line will certainly give them the chance to have a bit of trial and error with some cushion.