Originally Posted by
Rixen
Looking at snap counts to see who was actually getting noticeable play time in 2013 would be the most fair assessment since we can't predict the future value of 2018 underclassmen depth. That being said here are my thoughts.
OL: 2013 - Turner, Haeg, Gimmestad, Zack Johnson, Colville, Jeremy Kelly. 2013 had maybe 2 of the best OTs the Bison have had in their history with quite a few other very good players.
FB: 2013 - Grothmann and Bonnett? Easy answer
TE: 2018 - I will succumb to the kool aid. Vaadeland and Albers Were a very good duo. I think Ellefson, Jenson, Gindorff, and Babicz will all get legit snaps and will be very fun to watch.
WR: 2013 - Not even close. Vraa, Smith, and Gebhardt in a heartbeat. The only way I imagine we top that is if we have 2 out of the blue prodigies that make Darius our #3.
RB: 2018 - Crockett and Ojuri were excellent but this class has unheard of active depth as well as top end talent. Bruce and Lance match Crockett and Ojuri or close, and then toss in 2-3 more studs.
QB: 2018 - Brock is a legend but his best quality was that he was a leader, tough, and a winner. Easton is all those things as well along with a better athlete and arm. We are so spoiled.
DE: Push - Emmanuel, Jirik, Hardie, and Ambrosius = Menard, Tuszka, Butler, and Jones. The 3 deep for DE does look better for 2018 but won't count them in.
DT: 2013 - Perry, Drevlow, and Schaetz seems better then Steidl, Williams, Karcz, and Darnell.
LB: 2013 - Cox might end up a legend but 2013 already had multiple. Olson, Beck, Littlejohn, Thornton and a young Deluca. Not even close imo.
CB: Push - Marcus, CJ, Shep, Champion, and Colvin seems just as talented as Allison, Bridges, Hayes, Davis, and Wimbush. Actually leaning 2013 but Bridges and Hayes are getting the benefit of development.
S: 2013 - Once again not close. Heagle and Dudzik are a legendary duo and Liekhus was a solid backup. I do think Grimsley and Dempsey were right there with them but Dempsey is gone. Question mark at FS.
K: 2013 - Keller
P: 2013 - LeCompte
Overall I think, on paper, that 2013 is better. Their OL and DL were both marginally better which is key. Their special teams looks vastly superior. I also think their LBs and WRs were noticeably better. 2013 didn't have a weakness or question mark. 2018 does. Still a great team this year and worth discussing.
Caveat that this analysis is pretty unfair to 2018 because some of the value and talent we are attributing to 2013 is tied with how many of those players finished their careers in 2014 and 2015 as studs but were partially unknowns leading into 2013.