“Certainly, without a doubt,” Cristobal replied. “We’ve done an excellent job of continuing to improve the calibre of players, characters, and talent on the roster. And this will not cease since we are still not where we want to be. However, there is a great deal of enthusiasm since we have made significant progress.

“Spring football – let’s see who can and cannot play and then make our judgments… NIL, if they are very good, they will make money.”

Twenty-six new players have arrived, with 10 more signing and enrolling in the coming months.

Cristobal addressed Rose’s concerns, stating that freshmen receivers JoJo Trader and Ny Carr had demonstrated their potential. “They’re both really explosive and have excellent body control. When the ball is in the air, they can contort themselves and figure out how to catch it. They understand leverage and releases.

“They’ve been playing in 7-on-7 leagues forever, so they do the things you see on Sunday [in the NFL. But] those bodies have to develop.”

▪ Safety players James Williams and Kam Kinchens have to be replaced.

“Went into the portal, and both [Vanderbilt’s] Savion Riley and [Washington’s] Meesh Powell have been outstanding since they arrived. They figured out the system quite soon. Both of those individuals played in complex systems.”

Beyond rookie Zaquan Patterson, the young safeties include Jaden Harris, who has been with the team for a number of years. It’s his turn now. He’s a great athlete, very smart, and tough. Markeith Williams has been here, and Kaleb Spencer has been here for a year. We are quite satisfied with the competition and level of play there.”