- November 18th, 2007, 5:45 pm
#129939
Offensive Line
Returning starters: Mike Godsil (C) and Britt Stone (G)
Starters lost: Stephen Sene (T), Eddie Pinigis (T), Marshall Ausberry (G), Chris Luck (TE)
Likely starters: Bryan Mosier (G), Zach Davis (T), Josh Weaver (T), Corey Rasberry (TE)
Other returners: Mario Cosby, Tim Hartman, Chase Harrington, Spencer Hodges, Antonio Tassara, Toney White, Justin Vargas, Orlando Perez, Ricky Jenkins, Will Quarles, Thomas Shaver
Recap: We lose three pieces of what was our strongest unit on the field. However, we bring back Mike Godsil, who could very well be a captain on next year's squad. The line will be younger, but not necessarily inexperienced. Davis and Mosier have both gotten playing time in the past, along with Rasberry at tight end. Spencer Hodges has a chance to step in and start next year as a redshirt freshman if he continues to mature and get better on and off the field (off field meaning weight room, meetings, etc). He has the physical skills, just has to bring everything together. While we won't be as strong at the O-line as we are this year, this will not be a weak spot for us. We won't be quite as big, but we're not small either (average size of 6'3 285). These guys could take some time to gel, but we'll still be able to run behind them effectively.
Receivers
Returning starters: None
Starters lost: Wynton Jackson, Brandon Turner
Likely starters: Dominic Bolden, Jonathan Crawford, Chris Summers
Others returning: Jason Myers, James Forystek, Eugene Rogers, Tavarus Dove, Matt Lambros, Cedric Sanderson
Recap: While we lose two quality receivers in Wynton Jackson and Brandon Turner, we're not left with an empty cupboard. Dominic Bolden and Jonathan Crawford have received a large amount of playing time this year in the three and four-wide sets, and Bolden stepped up huge in Jackson's absence the last two game. Add to that redshirt-freshman Chris Summers, and we have another group of speedy receivers. Bolden will
likely step into the Wynton Jackson role in the screen and end-around game. Crawford has the best set of hands on the team, and is a sure thing over the middle. Summers is tall and athletic, and could pose a true deep threat down the field. Other likely contributors as wide receivers are Eugene Rogers and Ced Sanderson.
Running Backs
Returning starter: Rashad Jennings
Starters lost: Chris Stokes (FB)
Likely starter: Rashad Jennings
Others returning: Shay Nicholson, Osita Ofuani, BJ Hayes, Terron Lawrence, Wes Cheek, Terry Williams, Derek Bishop, Joey Sandvig,
Recap: Rashad Jennings could very well go down as one of the best running backs in the history of the Big South. A healthy year could turn into a record-breaking year. His main backups will likely be Terry Williams and Wes Cheek. Shay Nicholson is very talented, but is probably a year away from significant game action.
A-back
Returning starter: Zach Terrell
Starter lost: None
Likely starter: Zach Terrell
Other returning: Danny Broggin
Recap: Zach Terrell will be the other player in the backfield along with Rashad Jennings. Coach Rocco describes his position as an "A-back" because it's a combo running back and receiver. Terrell can do both, as well as be a threat to throw the ball. Danny Broggin is his backup, and this year was used more as a receiver than running back, but can and will run the ball if needed.
Quarterback
Returning starter: Brock Smith
Starter lost: None
Likely starter: Brock Smith
Others returning: Mike Brown, Spencer Landis, Kyle DeArmon
Recap: Brock Smith is coming off an All-Conference breakout year. He started out slow, but was a very good quarterback over the last half of the season. He was a captain this year, and very well could be again next year. The team has confidence in him, and his skills progressed as the season went on. In terms of backup quarterback, redshirt freshman Mike Brown will likely surpass Spencer Landis at that spot. After a year of spying Brock and learning from him, he will be in position to be a quality backup in case something should happen to Brock. We could see Brown on the field some in situations just to throw a wrench in the game, using him for option plays or plays like we use Zach now.
Overview
We lose some very key factors going into next year, mainly three members of the offensive line. Because of this, and because of our talent at the skill positions, I would not be surprised to see us run more of the spread offense next year. Brock has proven he can be successful in that style of offense, and it was run very effective this year as a compliment to our power run game. Next year may see that combination flipped, with a spread offense to set up the running backs. Jennings could, and would, run all over defenses that put six men in the box, which is what opposing teams would have to do if we went four-wide. This takes some of the pressure off of the offensive line which could take some time to gel. It's likely
that I'm completely wrong in this guess and we stay with the power running game to set up the passing game. We return five starters, and even more with significant game experience.
Returning starters: Mike Godsil (C) and Britt Stone (G)
Starters lost: Stephen Sene (T), Eddie Pinigis (T), Marshall Ausberry (G), Chris Luck (TE)
Likely starters: Bryan Mosier (G), Zach Davis (T), Josh Weaver (T), Corey Rasberry (TE)
Other returners: Mario Cosby, Tim Hartman, Chase Harrington, Spencer Hodges, Antonio Tassara, Toney White, Justin Vargas, Orlando Perez, Ricky Jenkins, Will Quarles, Thomas Shaver
Recap: We lose three pieces of what was our strongest unit on the field. However, we bring back Mike Godsil, who could very well be a captain on next year's squad. The line will be younger, but not necessarily inexperienced. Davis and Mosier have both gotten playing time in the past, along with Rasberry at tight end. Spencer Hodges has a chance to step in and start next year as a redshirt freshman if he continues to mature and get better on and off the field (off field meaning weight room, meetings, etc). He has the physical skills, just has to bring everything together. While we won't be as strong at the O-line as we are this year, this will not be a weak spot for us. We won't be quite as big, but we're not small either (average size of 6'3 285). These guys could take some time to gel, but we'll still be able to run behind them effectively.
Receivers
Returning starters: None
Starters lost: Wynton Jackson, Brandon Turner
Likely starters: Dominic Bolden, Jonathan Crawford, Chris Summers
Others returning: Jason Myers, James Forystek, Eugene Rogers, Tavarus Dove, Matt Lambros, Cedric Sanderson
Recap: While we lose two quality receivers in Wynton Jackson and Brandon Turner, we're not left with an empty cupboard. Dominic Bolden and Jonathan Crawford have received a large amount of playing time this year in the three and four-wide sets, and Bolden stepped up huge in Jackson's absence the last two game. Add to that redshirt-freshman Chris Summers, and we have another group of speedy receivers. Bolden will
likely step into the Wynton Jackson role in the screen and end-around game. Crawford has the best set of hands on the team, and is a sure thing over the middle. Summers is tall and athletic, and could pose a true deep threat down the field. Other likely contributors as wide receivers are Eugene Rogers and Ced Sanderson.
Running Backs
Returning starter: Rashad Jennings
Starters lost: Chris Stokes (FB)
Likely starter: Rashad Jennings
Others returning: Shay Nicholson, Osita Ofuani, BJ Hayes, Terron Lawrence, Wes Cheek, Terry Williams, Derek Bishop, Joey Sandvig,
Recap: Rashad Jennings could very well go down as one of the best running backs in the history of the Big South. A healthy year could turn into a record-breaking year. His main backups will likely be Terry Williams and Wes Cheek. Shay Nicholson is very talented, but is probably a year away from significant game action.
A-back
Returning starter: Zach Terrell
Starter lost: None
Likely starter: Zach Terrell
Other returning: Danny Broggin
Recap: Zach Terrell will be the other player in the backfield along with Rashad Jennings. Coach Rocco describes his position as an "A-back" because it's a combo running back and receiver. Terrell can do both, as well as be a threat to throw the ball. Danny Broggin is his backup, and this year was used more as a receiver than running back, but can and will run the ball if needed.
Quarterback
Returning starter: Brock Smith
Starter lost: None
Likely starter: Brock Smith
Others returning: Mike Brown, Spencer Landis, Kyle DeArmon
Recap: Brock Smith is coming off an All-Conference breakout year. He started out slow, but was a very good quarterback over the last half of the season. He was a captain this year, and very well could be again next year. The team has confidence in him, and his skills progressed as the season went on. In terms of backup quarterback, redshirt freshman Mike Brown will likely surpass Spencer Landis at that spot. After a year of spying Brock and learning from him, he will be in position to be a quality backup in case something should happen to Brock. We could see Brown on the field some in situations just to throw a wrench in the game, using him for option plays or plays like we use Zach now.
Overview
We lose some very key factors going into next year, mainly three members of the offensive line. Because of this, and because of our talent at the skill positions, I would not be surprised to see us run more of the spread offense next year. Brock has proven he can be successful in that style of offense, and it was run very effective this year as a compliment to our power run game. Next year may see that combination flipped, with a spread offense to set up the running backs. Jennings could, and would, run all over defenses that put six men in the box, which is what opposing teams would have to do if we went four-wide. This takes some of the pressure off of the offensive line which could take some time to gel. It's likely
that I'm completely wrong in this guess and we stay with the power running game to set up the passing game. We return five starters, and even more with significant game experience.
completely kidding by the way....
--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP
- By LU Armchair coach