I’ve had my fill of sobering news the last six years. We are past sober and borderline catatonic. Nonetheless, we don’t often get deeply informed national takes on our program so when those come out I think they’re worth sharing:
ESPN: Ranking the offseason for every Power 4 college football team
Key departures: WR Elic Ayomanor, OLB David Bailey, WR Emmett Mosley V
Top incoming recruits: WR JonAnthony Hall, DE Adam Shovlin, DT Kole Briehler
Biggest coaching move: Troy Taylor's firing in late March rocked the Stanford program ahead of his third season as head coach. New general manager Andrew Luck leaned on his own past in hiring Frank Reich, who coached Luck with the Indianapolis Colts and has spent his entire career in the NFL. Reich will coach Stanford for the 2025 season only, working with Taylor's assistants.
What went wrong: Unexpected coaching changes always bring some bumps, and Stanford certainly wasn't spared by Taylor's dismissal. The Cardinal lost some of their best non-seniors this spring, including David Bailey, who led the team in forced fumbles (5), sacks (6), quarterback hurries (8) and tackles for loss (8) last season. He cashed in at Texas Tech, while Emmett Mosley V is headed to Texas after finishing second on the team in receptions (48) and receiving yards (525). Cornerback Julian Neal, a key transfer commit from Fresno State, reentered the portal after Taylor's firing and landed with Arkansas. The roster is certainly in flux for Reich.
What went right: Not much. Stanford already was going through turnover at several key positions in the winter portal, and Taylor's firing set off another personnel frenzy. The good news is Stanford brings back productive defenders like safeties Scotty Edwards and Mitch Leigber, outside linebacker Tevarua Tafiti and tight end Sam Roush. Taylor's assistants are also staying on through the 2025 season, including primary defensive coordinator Bobby April, co-defensive coordinator Andy Thompson and Nate Byham, who was promoted from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator. Significant changes are coming, but not right away, which is good for the returning players.
Connelly's take: Stanford made zero progress in two years under Taylor, so even an awkwardly timed coaching change doesn't have to be a bad thing. But ... it's not automatically good either, and while actually using the portal is good, the Cardinal still lost more than they brought in.
ESPN: Ranking the offseason for every Power 4 college football team
17. Stanford Cardinal
Key additions: WR C.J. Williams, OT Niki Prongos, LB Hunter BarthKey departures: WR Elic Ayomanor, OLB David Bailey, WR Emmett Mosley V
Top incoming recruits: WR JonAnthony Hall, DE Adam Shovlin, DT Kole Briehler
Biggest coaching move: Troy Taylor's firing in late March rocked the Stanford program ahead of his third season as head coach. New general manager Andrew Luck leaned on his own past in hiring Frank Reich, who coached Luck with the Indianapolis Colts and has spent his entire career in the NFL. Reich will coach Stanford for the 2025 season only, working with Taylor's assistants.
What went wrong: Unexpected coaching changes always bring some bumps, and Stanford certainly wasn't spared by Taylor's dismissal. The Cardinal lost some of their best non-seniors this spring, including David Bailey, who led the team in forced fumbles (5), sacks (6), quarterback hurries (8) and tackles for loss (8) last season. He cashed in at Texas Tech, while Emmett Mosley V is headed to Texas after finishing second on the team in receptions (48) and receiving yards (525). Cornerback Julian Neal, a key transfer commit from Fresno State, reentered the portal after Taylor's firing and landed with Arkansas. The roster is certainly in flux for Reich.
What went right: Not much. Stanford already was going through turnover at several key positions in the winter portal, and Taylor's firing set off another personnel frenzy. The good news is Stanford brings back productive defenders like safeties Scotty Edwards and Mitch Leigber, outside linebacker Tevarua Tafiti and tight end Sam Roush. Taylor's assistants are also staying on through the 2025 season, including primary defensive coordinator Bobby April, co-defensive coordinator Andy Thompson and Nate Byham, who was promoted from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator. Significant changes are coming, but not right away, which is good for the returning players.
Connelly's take: Stanford made zero progress in two years under Taylor, so even an awkwardly timed coaching change doesn't have to be a bad thing. But ... it's not automatically good either, and while actually using the portal is good, the Cardinal still lost more than they brought in.
