Elite tailback Love helps lead Cardinal
Stanford returns one of the most exciting players in college football in Bryce Love.
The talented running back became an indispensable piece of the Cardinal offense last season with his elusive runs and ability to make defenders grab nothing but air.
“This year’s about him getting bigger, stronger, being more versatile, different things, adding to his game. We’re not going to do the Bryce Love stat watch,” Stanford coach David Shaw said during Pac-12 Media Days.
Stanford is No. 16 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Stanford David Shaw (49-14, entering eighth season; 73-22 overall)
9-5, 7-2 in Pac-12 Conference, tied for first in North Division
Stanford opened the 2017 season about as far away as one can possibly imagine in Sydney, Australia. The Cardinal easily dominated Rice in the opener, but the team struggled in back-to-back losses to USC and San Diego State. Stanford would bounce back to win five straight before dropping a hard-fought game against Washington State. Yet again, the Cardinal would bounce back to win their next three, including victories over top-10 opponents Washington and Notre Dame. The victory over the Huskies secured the program’s fourth division title in the past six seasons. 2 6
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FB Daniel Marx, OL David Bright, TE Dalton Schultz, DT Harrison Phillips, DE Eric Cotton, LB Peter Kalambayi, LB Mike Tyler, DB Quenton Meeks, DB Justin Reid
QB K.J. Costello, RB Bryce Love, WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, OL Walker Little, OL Jesse Burkett, OL Nate Herbig, OL A.T. Hall, WR Trenton Irwin, DE Dylan Jackson, LB Bobby Okereke, LB Jordan Perez, DB Alameen Murphy, DB Frank Buncom
Love finished second in last season’s Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for 2,118 yards with an incredible 8.1 yards per carry.
Stanford’s offensive line allowed a league-best 17 sacks in 2017, led by a group of all-conference selections including center Jesse Burkett, tackle A.T. Hall and guard Nate Herbig. The trio returns in 2018 providing the Cardinal with one of the most robust and experienced fronts in the Pac-12.
The receivers group returns virtually intact led by JJ Arcega-Whiteside (781 yards, nine touchdowns), Trenton Irwin (461 yards) and Kaden Smith (414 yards).
Stanford saw four players selected in the 2018 NFL draft, including defensive back Justin Reid and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips. That’s left the defense looking for a new group of potential contributors.
Stanford faces uncertainty on the defensive side of the football. However, there is enough overall talent on both sides to overcome some early growing pains.