College Football: 10 schools likely to bounce back in 2022

6. Arkansas State Red Wolves

2021 Record: (2-10, 1-7 Sun Belt)

Key Departures: Dahu Green (wide receiver), Ivory Scott (guard), Cory Rucker (transfer, wide receiver)

Returning Starters: Te’Valiance Hunt (wide receiver), Jeff Foreman (wide receiver), Kivon Bennett (Defensive End), Joe Ozougwu (defensive end)

Key Newcomers: King Mwikuta (Transfer), Sadiou Ba (Offensive Tackle), Melvin Priestly (interior offensive line)

Why the  Red Wolves bounce back: It can’t frankly get any worse than last season. The Red Wolves could not run the football or stop anyone from running the football on them. The pass defense was not awful, but they could not stop the run.

The high number of transfers could be addition by subtraction. Wide receiver Cory Rucker is a massive loss, but other receivers can replace his production. Te’Valiance Hunt and Jeff Foreman combined for over 1,300 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season.

Defensively, the Red Wolves had one of the most dominant pass rushes in the Sun Belt. Kivon Bennett and Joe Ozougwu combined for 14.5 sacks last season and returned this fall. The rush defense needs a lot of help, however.

Alabama transfer linebacker King Mwikuta and Houston transfer Jordan Carmouche will help with this. Vanderbilt transfer Terion Sugick gives the Wolves needed size on the interior of their defense. In addition, the Red Wolves had the highest-rated recruiting class in the Sun Belt in 2022.

Look for Arkansas State to compete for a bowl game this fall.