gschwendt
03-21-2016, 09:28 AM
Quarterbacks
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Comp
Att
Yds
TD
INT
Comp%
YPA
QB
Greg Childress
Fr
2016
79
6-0, 199
:4star:
#52
QB
DJ Pearson
SrRS
Orig
95
6-3, 196
:3star:
#981
1
1
13
1
0
100.00%
13.00
QB
Bob Lawson
JrRS
2013
90
6-4, 222
:3star:
14
21
164
2
0
66.67%
7.81
QB
Bryan Reed
FrRS
2015
80
6-1, 230
:3star:
#340
RS
HB
Drew Fernandez
Jr
2014
84
6-2, 230
:3star:
#514
231
329
2933
19
16
70.21%
8.91
Arkansas State coaches made a surprising move this offseason in shifting former starting QB, Drew Fernandez, over to HB. The purpose behind that was a very good one... incoming Freshman Greg Childress. Childress has all of the gifts to be a top-tier QB for the future. He has top-rated speed (4 points higher than the fastest QB in 2016) and also a very strong arm. He will still need to work on his accuracy but coaches feel as though he'll be able to overcome any issues. Behind him returns the best clipboard holder in the country in senior DJ Pearson; Pearson may be used in a leadership role when needed, particularly when traveling to hostile stadiums. Statuesque QB Bob Lawson may also find himself in the mix if a true passer is needed to sling the ball around from time to time. All in all, Red Wolves fans have something to be very excited about at the QB position despite their former starter being demoted.
Runningbacks
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Rushes
Yards
TD
YPC
FUM
Long
HB
Terrance Hollingsworth
Grad
Orig
1
-1
0
-1.00
0
0
HB
Chris Ferwerda
Cut
2015
RS
WR
Trey Quinn
Grad
Orig
4
31
1
7.75
0
11
HB
Alex Turner
Sr
2013
90
6-2, 217
:3star:
211
1132
15
5.36
1
38
HB
Andrew Hunter
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 202
:3star:
#501
51
251
5
4.92
1
43
HB
Kevin Simmons
FrRS
2015
77
5-11, 202
:4star:
#166
RS
HB
Earl Harrison
SrRS
Orig
86
5-10, 179
:3star:
0
0
0
0
0
HB
Drew Fernandez
Jr
2014
84
6-2, 230
:3star:
#514
143
559
13
3.91
2
73
HB
Louis Rawls
Fr
2016
76
6-1, 196
:4star:
#56
FB
Danny Harrison
JrRS
2013
79
6-5, 265
:3star:
10
23
0
2.30
0
9
FB
Pierre Hughes
JrRS
2013
76
6-5, 278
:3star:
0
0
0
0
0
WR
Jake Davis
So
2015
78
6-3, 216
:3star:
11
26
0
2.36
1
13
At Runningback, bruiser HB Alex Turner returns for his senior season and will help relieve some of the role off of the true Freshman QB. Behind him will be two change-of-pace HBs in Hunter & Simmons; Simmons looks to be flashier but Hunter looks to be more reliable overall... the competition to see who is first off the bench will be interesting to watch. Also interesting will be to see how well Drew Fernandez transitions from QB to HB; he's a bruiser like Turner but he'll redshirt a year to become more familiar with the position.
Receivers
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Catches
Yards
% of Team
TD
YPC
Drops
Long
WR
Trey Quinn
Grad
Orig
57
810
26.13%
1
14.21
3
55
WR
Blake Mack
Grad
Orig
39
600
19.35%
5
15.38
7
41
WR
Kyle Campbell
Cut
2015
RS
0.00%
WR
Allen Hendrix
SrRS
2014
87
6-2, 206
:3star:
#1073
16
166
5.35%
3
10.38
0
24
WR
Brad Wright
FrRS
2015
83
6-7, 230
:3star:
#940
RS
0.00%
WR
Jake Davis
So
2015
78
6-3, 216
:3star:
51
771
24.87%
7
15.12
9
66
WR
Thurman Goins
FrRS
2015
79
6-1, 225
:4star:
#79
RS
0.00%
WR
Michael Dykes
SoRS
2014
75
6-0, 188
:3star:
#304
14
153
4.94%
2
0
28
WR
Michael Porter
Sr
2013
82
6-0, 196
:3star:
3
38
1.23%
0
12.67
0
19
WR
Joe Hines
FrRS
2015
71
5-11, 186
:3star:
#413
RS
0.00%
WR
David Stewart
Fr
2016
72
6-2, 192
:3star:
#460
HB
Alex Turner
Sr
2013
90
6-2, 217
:3star:
7
9
0.29%
0
1.29
0
8
HB
Andrew Hunter
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 202
:3star:
#501
14
107
3.45%
1
7.64
0
17
FB
Danny Harrison
JrRS
2013
79
6-5, 265
:3star:
4
18
0.58%
0
4.50
2
9
At the WR position is where ASU takes it's biggest hit on the offensive side. Quinn & Mack both proved very reliable over their career and will be missed. Replacing them will be Hendrix who has been used sparingly but does appear ready to step up into a larger role and also the big target in 6'7 WR Brad Wright. Wright didn't work out at TE like coaches had hoped but he's still more than capable to be a steady receiver outside. In the slot will be Sophomore Jake Davis who proved to coaches why they had a need for a deep threat. Behind the starting three, coaches aren't sure who will step up most... Goins will be a good target with decent speed but Dykes & Hines may prove more reliable in a gotta-have-a-catch role.
Tight Ends
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Catches
Yards
% of Team
TD
YPC
Drops
Long
TE
Brad Williams
Fr
2016
78
6-5, 232
:4star:
#76
TE
Jeff Rutledge
SoRS
2014
78
6-5, 252
:3star:
#1128
36
386
12.45%
3
10.72
2
23
TE
Christian Scott
So
2015
75
6-5, 257
:3star:
#550
4
42
1.35%
0
10.50
1
23
At the Tight End position. coaches are very excited to welcome Freshman Brad Williams. He's an excellent blocking TE but also has surprising hands that will get plenty of use. Behind him returns Rutledge who had an exceptional 2016 season and Scott who will likely redshirt to give him an extra year with the team.
Offensive Lineman
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
2016 Starts
PCake
Sacks
LT
Keith Glover
Grad
2014
13
C
Jhamal Bell
Grad
Orig
13
LT
Brad Sharpe
JrRS
2013
84
6-5, 293
:3star:
0
LG
Quintin Vincent
So
2015
84
6-3, 294
:3star:
#444
13
C
Cameron Davis
SrRS
Orig
87
6-4, 264
:3star:
#1425
0
RG
Jared McCoy
JrRS
2013
86
6-2, 301
:3star:
13
RT
James Moore
So
2015
83
6-4, 296
:4star:
#187
13
C
Chris Anderson
SoRS
2014
82
6-7, 320
:3star:
#1499
0
LG
John Landry
JrRS
2013
82
6-1, 282
:3star:
0
RG
Mike Thompson
SoRS
2014
81
6-5, 278
:3star:
#750
0
RT
Justin Hoffman
JrRS
2013
81
6-3, 254
0
LT
Marcus Fisher
SoRS
2014
78
6-6, 309
:3star:
#1100
0
LT
Dan Williams
Fr
2016
75
6-2, 261
:3star:
#1143
Despite losing starters Glover & Bell on the OL, coaches are still very excited for the group that returns. Cameron Davis slides over to C after only seeing sparse time behind McCoy and Brad Sharpe is set to take over at LT and possibly will be better than Glover was. Vincent and Moore return after a very good Freshman year and will only improve with a year under their belts. Coaches also feel good about the players available to come off the bench... all appear to be just as good (if not better) than the starting line was a year ago.
Defensive Lineman
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
INT
FF
FR
DT
Courtney Garnett
Grad
Orig
27
5.81%
13
11
0
1
1
DT
Eugene Sutton
Grad
Orig
8
1.72%
4
1
0
0
0
LE
Caleb Caston
Grad
Orig
2
0.43%
2
2
0
0
0
LE
Erik Franklin
SoRS
2014
84
6-4, 257
:3star:
19
4.09%
6
5
0
1
1
DT
Manny Drew
JrRS
2013
83
6-3, 285
:3star:
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
DT
Andrew Wright
SrRS
2014
82
6-3, 264
:3star:
#1346
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
RE
Nick Jones
JrRS
2013
74
6-3, 213
:3star:
12
2.58%
6
5
0
0
0
RE
Kevin Jackson
FrRS
2015
78
6-1, 257
:3star:
#656
RS
DT
Joey Marshall
FrRS
2015
77
6-4, 270
:3star:
#786
RS
DT
Eddie Nobles
JrRS
2014
76
6-2, 269
:2star:
#1649
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
LE
Jonathon Jones
Fr
2016
71
6-4, 252
:4star:
#111
RE
Troy Patterson
Jr
2016
80
6-5, 244
:3star:
#846
DT
Sean Foster
Fr
2016
76
6-6, 297
:4star:
#102
On Defense, without question the biggest loss will be at DT in Courtney Garnett. Garnett was a monster in the middle racking up 11 sacks on the season and leading all DLs in all stat categories. Replacing him will be very difficult; coaches will slot weight-room stud Manny Drew and Andrew Wright to try to fill up the middle of the line but it will remain to be seen whether they can come even near the production of last season. At the DEs returns Franklin & Jones who performed solidlly in 2016 but will need to be even better this season to make up for the loss of Garnett. Behind them, coaches are excited about Jackson coming off a redshirt but also expect to see incoming true Freshman Jonathon Jones find playing time with his top-end speed for a DE.
Linebackers
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Tackles
% ofTeam
TFL
Sacks
INT
FF
FR
ROLB
Khari Lain
Grad
Orig
6
1.29%
2
1
0
0
0
MLB
Jacob Robbins
So
2015
85
6-1, 220
:4star:
#61
61
13.12%
9
4
0
0
0
ROLB
Justin Holmes
SoRS
2014
83
6-1, 227
:3star:
#326
46
9.89%
14
3
1
2
1
MLB
Brian Horner
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 213
:3star:
3
0.65%
2
2
0
0
0
MLB
Ryan Denman
FrRS
2015
78
5-9, 229
:3star:
#311
RS
ROLB
Matthew Butler
SoRS
2014
77
6-3, 222
:3star:
#590
7
1.51%
3
3
0
0
0
MLB
Kirk Louis Jr
SrRS
Orig
79
6-2, 238
:2star:
#2152
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
LOLB
Xavier Reed
SrRS
2014
75
6-2, 225
:2star:
#1959
RS
LOLB
Daniel Wheeler
SoRS
2014
74
6-1, 222
:2star:
#1556
15
3.23%
8
7
0
0
1
ROLB
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Fr
2016
77
6-2, 220
:4star:
#208
At Linebacker, MLB Jacob Robbins had a very exciting Freshman season coming in second on the team in tackles with 61; he'll need to continue to be a dominant force in the middle of the defense. Alongside him is Justin Holmes who lived in the offense's backfield recording 14 TFLs. Coaches expect the two will be starting together for four years and will only get better and better. Behind them, specialist LBs Reed & Wheeler have been causing chaos in the backfield during the two years they've been with the team and that will only improve with the two of them being able to split time. Horner and Denman also look to be primed to be good, they'll just struggle to find time on the field with Robbins & Holmes in front of them; things won't be much better next year with Fitzpatrick looking amped to get playing time.
Secondary
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
INT
FF
FR
SS
Charles Grant
Grad
Orig
62
13.33%
14
3
0
0
0
FS
Marques Whitehead
Cut
2013
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
CB
Donte Jackson
SrRS
Orig
96
5-11, 176
:4star:
#56
55
11.83%
6
0
3
0
2
CB
Jacob Gray
So
2015
86
6-0, 191
:4star:
#180
31
6.67%
1
0
2
0
1
CB
Caleb Roberson
JrRS
2015
84
6-1, 181
:2star:
#1685
RS
FS
Brandon Young
Sr
2013
87
6-0, 179
:3star:
53
11.40%
8
0
1
0
0
SS
Justin Clifton
SrRS
Orig
87
6-0, 209
:2star:
#2346
11
2.37%
4
0
1
0
0
SS
Samson Cox
SoRS
2015
82
6-0, 197
:3star:
#801
RS
CB
Terrance White
SoRS
2014
83
6-0, 178
:3star:
31
6.67%
2
2
5
1
0
SS
Bubba Martin
JrRS
2014
83
6-2, 194
:2star:
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
CB
Paul Stephens
SrRS
2013
82
5-10, 174
:2star:
16
3.44%
1
1
1
0
0
CB
Ron Vaughn
FrRS
2015
77
6-0, 173
:3star:
#449
RS
FS
Brandon Scroeder
JrRS
2015
77
6-2, 177
:1star:
#2262
RS
FS
Nate Gilmore
Fr
2016
78
5-11, 171
:3star:
#331
CB
Tyler Young
Fr
2016
77
6-1, 204
:4star:
#131
CB
George Harris
Fr
2016
72
6-2, 184
:3star:
#730
At DB, the loss of SS Grant will surely be felt but as always in the Red Wolfes' defense, it's next man up. Aside from Grant, all other DBs return for 2017 including blue-chipper Donte Jackson who played a Nickel role last season and will likely do much of the same this season to help cause chaos in the box. Helping Jackson will be burner Jacob Gray who played well for his first college season. Also spending time at CB will be both Caleb Roberson who looks the part of a lock-down corner and Terrance White who surprised everyone last season by leading the team in interceptions. Returning at FS for his fourth straight season starting is Brandon Young who has been exceptional throughout his career, though last year there was a slight drop-off in tackles recorded. At SS, coaches currently have Justin Clifton tabbed to replace Grant, however coaches aren't certain he's suited for a starting role at this point and may look to backups Cox and Martin.
Kickers
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
FGM
FGA
FG%
LONG
XPM
PTS
K
Andy Foster
Fr
2016
84
5-10, 178
:3star:
#593
Punters
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Punts
Yards
AVG
Net
Inside 20
Long
P
Michael Lott
Jr
2014
86
6-0, 200
:2star:
#1602
At kicker, replacing Groza winner Davis will be difficult but when you sign incoming Freshman Foster, the #1 kicker in the country, he'll at least be up to the challenge. With a very strong and good Accuracy, Foster may or may not win the Groza his first year but you can bet he at least is in the running his second year.
Lott returns at punter after a mediocre 2016 season saw him failing to drop kicks inside the 20 as often as coaches would have liked. However, that mostly is due to Lott's strong leg leading to the ball traveling more than coaches are used to. Look for his stats to improve in 2017 if coaches can reign him in like they want.
Returners
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
PR
YDS
AVG
HB
Kevin Simmons
FrRS
2015
77
5-11, 202
:4star:
#166
RS
WR
Jake Davis
So
2015
78
6-3, 216
:3star:
43
1666
38.74
6
28
297
10.61
HB
Andrew Hunter
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 202
:3star:
#501
When a player wins the award for best player at his position, you don't typically make a change. Davis won for best returner in 2016, particularly due to his 6 kicks returned for touchdown. However, coaches would like to provide him some relief so that he can stay on the field with the offense more often. That passes the torch to speedster HB Kevin Simmons who is just as fast as and will not have quite as big of a role in the offense as Davis. Look for little or no fall-off this season.
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Comp
Att
Yds
TD
INT
Comp%
YPA
QB
Greg Childress
Fr
2016
79
6-0, 199
:4star:
#52
QB
DJ Pearson
SrRS
Orig
95
6-3, 196
:3star:
#981
1
1
13
1
0
100.00%
13.00
QB
Bob Lawson
JrRS
2013
90
6-4, 222
:3star:
14
21
164
2
0
66.67%
7.81
QB
Bryan Reed
FrRS
2015
80
6-1, 230
:3star:
#340
RS
HB
Drew Fernandez
Jr
2014
84
6-2, 230
:3star:
#514
231
329
2933
19
16
70.21%
8.91
Arkansas State coaches made a surprising move this offseason in shifting former starting QB, Drew Fernandez, over to HB. The purpose behind that was a very good one... incoming Freshman Greg Childress. Childress has all of the gifts to be a top-tier QB for the future. He has top-rated speed (4 points higher than the fastest QB in 2016) and also a very strong arm. He will still need to work on his accuracy but coaches feel as though he'll be able to overcome any issues. Behind him returns the best clipboard holder in the country in senior DJ Pearson; Pearson may be used in a leadership role when needed, particularly when traveling to hostile stadiums. Statuesque QB Bob Lawson may also find himself in the mix if a true passer is needed to sling the ball around from time to time. All in all, Red Wolves fans have something to be very excited about at the QB position despite their former starter being demoted.
Runningbacks
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Rushes
Yards
TD
YPC
FUM
Long
HB
Terrance Hollingsworth
Grad
Orig
1
-1
0
-1.00
0
0
HB
Chris Ferwerda
Cut
2015
RS
WR
Trey Quinn
Grad
Orig
4
31
1
7.75
0
11
HB
Alex Turner
Sr
2013
90
6-2, 217
:3star:
211
1132
15
5.36
1
38
HB
Andrew Hunter
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 202
:3star:
#501
51
251
5
4.92
1
43
HB
Kevin Simmons
FrRS
2015
77
5-11, 202
:4star:
#166
RS
HB
Earl Harrison
SrRS
Orig
86
5-10, 179
:3star:
0
0
0
0
0
HB
Drew Fernandez
Jr
2014
84
6-2, 230
:3star:
#514
143
559
13
3.91
2
73
HB
Louis Rawls
Fr
2016
76
6-1, 196
:4star:
#56
FB
Danny Harrison
JrRS
2013
79
6-5, 265
:3star:
10
23
0
2.30
0
9
FB
Pierre Hughes
JrRS
2013
76
6-5, 278
:3star:
0
0
0
0
0
WR
Jake Davis
So
2015
78
6-3, 216
:3star:
11
26
0
2.36
1
13
At Runningback, bruiser HB Alex Turner returns for his senior season and will help relieve some of the role off of the true Freshman QB. Behind him will be two change-of-pace HBs in Hunter & Simmons; Simmons looks to be flashier but Hunter looks to be more reliable overall... the competition to see who is first off the bench will be interesting to watch. Also interesting will be to see how well Drew Fernandez transitions from QB to HB; he's a bruiser like Turner but he'll redshirt a year to become more familiar with the position.
Receivers
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Catches
Yards
% of Team
TD
YPC
Drops
Long
WR
Trey Quinn
Grad
Orig
57
810
26.13%
1
14.21
3
55
WR
Blake Mack
Grad
Orig
39
600
19.35%
5
15.38
7
41
WR
Kyle Campbell
Cut
2015
RS
0.00%
WR
Allen Hendrix
SrRS
2014
87
6-2, 206
:3star:
#1073
16
166
5.35%
3
10.38
0
24
WR
Brad Wright
FrRS
2015
83
6-7, 230
:3star:
#940
RS
0.00%
WR
Jake Davis
So
2015
78
6-3, 216
:3star:
51
771
24.87%
7
15.12
9
66
WR
Thurman Goins
FrRS
2015
79
6-1, 225
:4star:
#79
RS
0.00%
WR
Michael Dykes
SoRS
2014
75
6-0, 188
:3star:
#304
14
153
4.94%
2
0
28
WR
Michael Porter
Sr
2013
82
6-0, 196
:3star:
3
38
1.23%
0
12.67
0
19
WR
Joe Hines
FrRS
2015
71
5-11, 186
:3star:
#413
RS
0.00%
WR
David Stewart
Fr
2016
72
6-2, 192
:3star:
#460
HB
Alex Turner
Sr
2013
90
6-2, 217
:3star:
7
9
0.29%
0
1.29
0
8
HB
Andrew Hunter
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 202
:3star:
#501
14
107
3.45%
1
7.64
0
17
FB
Danny Harrison
JrRS
2013
79
6-5, 265
:3star:
4
18
0.58%
0
4.50
2
9
At the WR position is where ASU takes it's biggest hit on the offensive side. Quinn & Mack both proved very reliable over their career and will be missed. Replacing them will be Hendrix who has been used sparingly but does appear ready to step up into a larger role and also the big target in 6'7 WR Brad Wright. Wright didn't work out at TE like coaches had hoped but he's still more than capable to be a steady receiver outside. In the slot will be Sophomore Jake Davis who proved to coaches why they had a need for a deep threat. Behind the starting three, coaches aren't sure who will step up most... Goins will be a good target with decent speed but Dykes & Hines may prove more reliable in a gotta-have-a-catch role.
Tight Ends
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Catches
Yards
% of Team
TD
YPC
Drops
Long
TE
Brad Williams
Fr
2016
78
6-5, 232
:4star:
#76
TE
Jeff Rutledge
SoRS
2014
78
6-5, 252
:3star:
#1128
36
386
12.45%
3
10.72
2
23
TE
Christian Scott
So
2015
75
6-5, 257
:3star:
#550
4
42
1.35%
0
10.50
1
23
At the Tight End position. coaches are very excited to welcome Freshman Brad Williams. He's an excellent blocking TE but also has surprising hands that will get plenty of use. Behind him returns Rutledge who had an exceptional 2016 season and Scott who will likely redshirt to give him an extra year with the team.
Offensive Lineman
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
2016 Starts
PCake
Sacks
LT
Keith Glover
Grad
2014
13
C
Jhamal Bell
Grad
Orig
13
LT
Brad Sharpe
JrRS
2013
84
6-5, 293
:3star:
0
LG
Quintin Vincent
So
2015
84
6-3, 294
:3star:
#444
13
C
Cameron Davis
SrRS
Orig
87
6-4, 264
:3star:
#1425
0
RG
Jared McCoy
JrRS
2013
86
6-2, 301
:3star:
13
RT
James Moore
So
2015
83
6-4, 296
:4star:
#187
13
C
Chris Anderson
SoRS
2014
82
6-7, 320
:3star:
#1499
0
LG
John Landry
JrRS
2013
82
6-1, 282
:3star:
0
RG
Mike Thompson
SoRS
2014
81
6-5, 278
:3star:
#750
0
RT
Justin Hoffman
JrRS
2013
81
6-3, 254
0
LT
Marcus Fisher
SoRS
2014
78
6-6, 309
:3star:
#1100
0
LT
Dan Williams
Fr
2016
75
6-2, 261
:3star:
#1143
Despite losing starters Glover & Bell on the OL, coaches are still very excited for the group that returns. Cameron Davis slides over to C after only seeing sparse time behind McCoy and Brad Sharpe is set to take over at LT and possibly will be better than Glover was. Vincent and Moore return after a very good Freshman year and will only improve with a year under their belts. Coaches also feel good about the players available to come off the bench... all appear to be just as good (if not better) than the starting line was a year ago.
Defensive Lineman
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
INT
FF
FR
DT
Courtney Garnett
Grad
Orig
27
5.81%
13
11
0
1
1
DT
Eugene Sutton
Grad
Orig
8
1.72%
4
1
0
0
0
LE
Caleb Caston
Grad
Orig
2
0.43%
2
2
0
0
0
LE
Erik Franklin
SoRS
2014
84
6-4, 257
:3star:
19
4.09%
6
5
0
1
1
DT
Manny Drew
JrRS
2013
83
6-3, 285
:3star:
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
DT
Andrew Wright
SrRS
2014
82
6-3, 264
:3star:
#1346
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
RE
Nick Jones
JrRS
2013
74
6-3, 213
:3star:
12
2.58%
6
5
0
0
0
RE
Kevin Jackson
FrRS
2015
78
6-1, 257
:3star:
#656
RS
DT
Joey Marshall
FrRS
2015
77
6-4, 270
:3star:
#786
RS
DT
Eddie Nobles
JrRS
2014
76
6-2, 269
:2star:
#1649
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
LE
Jonathon Jones
Fr
2016
71
6-4, 252
:4star:
#111
RE
Troy Patterson
Jr
2016
80
6-5, 244
:3star:
#846
DT
Sean Foster
Fr
2016
76
6-6, 297
:4star:
#102
On Defense, without question the biggest loss will be at DT in Courtney Garnett. Garnett was a monster in the middle racking up 11 sacks on the season and leading all DLs in all stat categories. Replacing him will be very difficult; coaches will slot weight-room stud Manny Drew and Andrew Wright to try to fill up the middle of the line but it will remain to be seen whether they can come even near the production of last season. At the DEs returns Franklin & Jones who performed solidlly in 2016 but will need to be even better this season to make up for the loss of Garnett. Behind them, coaches are excited about Jackson coming off a redshirt but also expect to see incoming true Freshman Jonathon Jones find playing time with his top-end speed for a DE.
Linebackers
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Tackles
% ofTeam
TFL
Sacks
INT
FF
FR
ROLB
Khari Lain
Grad
Orig
6
1.29%
2
1
0
0
0
MLB
Jacob Robbins
So
2015
85
6-1, 220
:4star:
#61
61
13.12%
9
4
0
0
0
ROLB
Justin Holmes
SoRS
2014
83
6-1, 227
:3star:
#326
46
9.89%
14
3
1
2
1
MLB
Brian Horner
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 213
:3star:
3
0.65%
2
2
0
0
0
MLB
Ryan Denman
FrRS
2015
78
5-9, 229
:3star:
#311
RS
ROLB
Matthew Butler
SoRS
2014
77
6-3, 222
:3star:
#590
7
1.51%
3
3
0
0
0
MLB
Kirk Louis Jr
SrRS
Orig
79
6-2, 238
:2star:
#2152
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
LOLB
Xavier Reed
SrRS
2014
75
6-2, 225
:2star:
#1959
RS
LOLB
Daniel Wheeler
SoRS
2014
74
6-1, 222
:2star:
#1556
15
3.23%
8
7
0
0
1
ROLB
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Fr
2016
77
6-2, 220
:4star:
#208
At Linebacker, MLB Jacob Robbins had a very exciting Freshman season coming in second on the team in tackles with 61; he'll need to continue to be a dominant force in the middle of the defense. Alongside him is Justin Holmes who lived in the offense's backfield recording 14 TFLs. Coaches expect the two will be starting together for four years and will only get better and better. Behind them, specialist LBs Reed & Wheeler have been causing chaos in the backfield during the two years they've been with the team and that will only improve with the two of them being able to split time. Horner and Denman also look to be primed to be good, they'll just struggle to find time on the field with Robbins & Holmes in front of them; things won't be much better next year with Fitzpatrick looking amped to get playing time.
Secondary
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
INT
FF
FR
SS
Charles Grant
Grad
Orig
62
13.33%
14
3
0
0
0
FS
Marques Whitehead
Cut
2013
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
CB
Donte Jackson
SrRS
Orig
96
5-11, 176
:4star:
#56
55
11.83%
6
0
3
0
2
CB
Jacob Gray
So
2015
86
6-0, 191
:4star:
#180
31
6.67%
1
0
2
0
1
CB
Caleb Roberson
JrRS
2015
84
6-1, 181
:2star:
#1685
RS
FS
Brandon Young
Sr
2013
87
6-0, 179
:3star:
53
11.40%
8
0
1
0
0
SS
Justin Clifton
SrRS
Orig
87
6-0, 209
:2star:
#2346
11
2.37%
4
0
1
0
0
SS
Samson Cox
SoRS
2015
82
6-0, 197
:3star:
#801
RS
CB
Terrance White
SoRS
2014
83
6-0, 178
:3star:
31
6.67%
2
2
5
1
0
SS
Bubba Martin
JrRS
2014
83
6-2, 194
:2star:
0
0.00%
0
0
0
0
0
CB
Paul Stephens
SrRS
2013
82
5-10, 174
:2star:
16
3.44%
1
1
1
0
0
CB
Ron Vaughn
FrRS
2015
77
6-0, 173
:3star:
#449
RS
FS
Brandon Scroeder
JrRS
2015
77
6-2, 177
:1star:
#2262
RS
FS
Nate Gilmore
Fr
2016
78
5-11, 171
:3star:
#331
CB
Tyler Young
Fr
2016
77
6-1, 204
:4star:
#131
CB
George Harris
Fr
2016
72
6-2, 184
:3star:
#730
At DB, the loss of SS Grant will surely be felt but as always in the Red Wolfes' defense, it's next man up. Aside from Grant, all other DBs return for 2017 including blue-chipper Donte Jackson who played a Nickel role last season and will likely do much of the same this season to help cause chaos in the box. Helping Jackson will be burner Jacob Gray who played well for his first college season. Also spending time at CB will be both Caleb Roberson who looks the part of a lock-down corner and Terrance White who surprised everyone last season by leading the team in interceptions. Returning at FS for his fourth straight season starting is Brandon Young who has been exceptional throughout his career, though last year there was a slight drop-off in tackles recorded. At SS, coaches currently have Justin Clifton tabbed to replace Grant, however coaches aren't certain he's suited for a starting role at this point and may look to backups Cox and Martin.
Kickers
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
FGM
FGA
FG%
LONG
XPM
PTS
K
Andy Foster
Fr
2016
84
5-10, 178
:3star:
#593
Punters
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
Rating
Rank
Punts
Yards
AVG
Net
Inside 20
Long
P
Michael Lott
Jr
2014
86
6-0, 200
:2star:
#1602
At kicker, replacing Groza winner Davis will be difficult but when you sign incoming Freshman Foster, the #1 kicker in the country, he'll at least be up to the challenge. With a very strong and good Accuracy, Foster may or may not win the Groza his first year but you can bet he at least is in the running his second year.
Lott returns at punter after a mediocre 2016 season saw him failing to drop kicks inside the 20 as often as coaches would have liked. However, that mostly is due to Lott's strong leg leading to the ball traveling more than coaches are used to. Look for his stats to improve in 2017 if coaches can reign him in like they want.
Returners
Pos
Name
Year
Class
OVR
Ht, Wt
KR
YDS
AVG
TD
PR
YDS
AVG
HB
Kevin Simmons
FrRS
2015
77
5-11, 202
:4star:
#166
RS
WR
Jake Davis
So
2015
78
6-3, 216
:3star:
43
1666
38.74
6
28
297
10.61
HB
Andrew Hunter
SoRS
2014
78
6-0, 202
:3star:
#501
When a player wins the award for best player at his position, you don't typically make a change. Davis won for best returner in 2016, particularly due to his 6 kicks returned for touchdown. However, coaches would like to provide him some relief so that he can stay on the field with the offense more often. That passes the torch to speedster HB Kevin Simmons who is just as fast as and will not have quite as big of a role in the offense as Davis. Look for little or no fall-off this season.