2013 Outlook - Stanford

A year after losing a once in a generation QB, as well as 3 other first round talents, one has to wonder if David Shaw and his Stanford Cardinal are in for a let down.  The truth is, that except at QB and possibly the o-line, this team could be as good if not better at every other position on the field in 2013.



As the post Luck era begins at Stanford, SO Brett Nottingham seems poised to be the next starting QB.  Unfortunately for Nottingham, Luck was a once in a generation type, and unless he can duplicate Luck's production, or win a National Championship, he will most likely always be know as the guy who came after Luck.  The thing is, Nottingham is a talent in his own right, and could do very well running this offense.  He will have SR RB Stepfon Taylor lined up in his backfield, and that will most certainly help.  Taylor has not been mentioned in the same breath this year as guys like Lattimore, Davis, Ball, or even Graham, but he most certainly belongs in that category of runner.  He should easily eclipse the 1000 yard barrier again this season and should be a consideration in the first 64 picks in next year's draft.  One of the concerns for Stanford in 2013 may wind up being at receiver though.  Luck had two favorite targets during his time as a Cardinal, WR Chris Owusu and TE Coby Fleener.  Both are now gone, and that leaves the team a bit thin, especially at WR.  JR TEs Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo will likely see most of the passes this year, and both are emerging talents at the TE position, but this team still will need to find someone to stretch the field with.  After last season, Stanford also suffered some losses up front, most notably OG David DeCastro, now of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and OT Johnathan Martin, now playing with the Miami Dolphins.  The guys that remain are fairly young, including three SOs looking to fill starting roles.  One of those youngsters though, OG David Yankey, could be the next stud lineman for this team.  A bit more development from him, and he will be getting some serious looks from the NFL.

Although the offense still has some good talent, it is the defense that is the strength of the 2013 Cardinal.  Setting the edge on this 3 man front will be JR DE Ben Gardner, who was very good last year, and in my opinion, poised for a breakout campaign in 2013.  Aiding him in that cause will be the SR Stanford NT, Terrence Stephens, who although still sub 300 lbs, is one of the strongest players in America.  As good as this front could be, the pride of Stanford will be the linebackers in 2013.  Two SRs, ILB Shayne Skov and OLB Chase Thomas are both currently projecting as first rounders in next April's draft.  Together, they make up half of one of the best linebacking units in the country, and they also will cause nightmares for opposing OCs in 2013.  The secondary is possibly the weakest are of this defense, but that is not to call it bereft of talent.  In fact, rFR CB Wanye Lyons is one of the best young cover men anywhere in the nation, and if he reaches his full potential, he could begin to shrink the field in half for opposing signal callers.  Cover skills like this are rare, and he has them.

When we get to the end of 2013, I am not certain that Stanford will have duplicated their 11-2 record from a year ago, but I certainly don't expect them to be far off that pace at all.  This is still an excellent program, and if their new QB can step in and begin to carve out his own name, then this team could make a serious run this year.