2006 Statistics

Goodbye Jimbo Fisher, hello Gary Crowton…the latest architect of the powerful Tiger offense. It seems appropriate that a new coordinator would get a new starting quarterback to shape as needed so that the offensive vision can be realized. But Crowton is more likely to shape his offense around the strengths of Matt Flynn, seeing how the senior has both speed (4.53 sec. in the 40) and solid throwing mechanics. Flynn will operate out of both a traditional I formation and a multiple-receiver spread look. Listed as the backup, former-top dual-threat prospect Ryan Perrilloux has yet to look close to as good as many Tiger fans hoped, leaving room for incoming frosh Jarrett Lee to find possible playing time. The receivers are there, but they need seasoning to find which new faces are most worthy. Flynn and classmate Early Doucet have been working together since January, and their chemistry is sure to pay off in the form of serious production. LaFell could be huge, but a less-than-spectacular spring (too many drops) means the ex-point guard isn’t solid at No.2 yet. Landing the nation’s second-best WR prospect in 6’5 Terrance Toliver, the No.7 guy in DeAngelo Benton and speedy four-star JUCO-transfer Demetrius Byrd has Crowton’s work cut out as he sorts through the raw talent to find the corps’ future. Watch for the TEs to be used in the slot when they go to the spread – that position should see more use downfield under Crowton. Running back-by-committee may have produced the 31st-rated rushing attack, but look for a few chosen backs to emerge and get the bulk of the work there. Again, Crowton’s job is tough with so many great runners – Shreveport senior and top returning rusher Jacob Hester is almost as dangerous in the flat; sophomores Keiland Williams and Charles Scott both pounded defenses for almost six yards per carry as froshes; and four-star Richard Murphy has quietly impressed and could even start. Did we mention there are fullbacks, too? What was, in ’06, a bunch of first-time starters on the left side of the Tiger line now form a strong set of gelled veterans, and they go three deep there. Carnell Stewart is ready at right tackle, but whether former-Freshman All-American Will Arnold recovers (ankle, knee) to hold down the start at right guard remains unknown until game day. No less than six four-star linemen have been procured in the last two classes. Last year, only one returning starter up front equaled the No.11 total offense, so three (four with Arnold) starters back this time will surely help to establish the new schemes. With a new QB, it will be run to set up the pass until the Tiger aerial circus is flying high again under Crowton.

**Backup QB Ryan Perrilloux has been suspended from the team indefinitely as of late April. He was caught trying to use his older brother’s ID to get onto a riverboat casino in Louisiana. Perrilloux is 20 and the minimum age to board a gambling boat is 21 in that state.

Already used to each other’s tendencies, this defense only needs to find two starting safeties from a deep pool of DB candidates to assure it improves from its 2006 rankings of 3rd in total effort and pass defense, and 4th for scoring. Defensive end is the other area that has to find a new face or two to complete the two-deep there. Junior Tyson Jackson led the team in TFLs and sacks last year as a starting soph, and coupled with Ricky Jean-Francois’ production as a freshman reserve, there is no need to panic about the DL. All-SEC first-team DT Glenn Dorsey was third on the team in tackles, a rarity from his inside slot. Alexander and Favorite guarantee injuries cannot hurt the Tigers here, as does landing last year’s second-best defensive tackle recruit in Elton-native Al Woods and this year’s No.6 guy in Joseph Barksdale (just to name a few of the many recent prospects up front). The linebacking crew returns to enforce both effective run stuffing and strong (underneath) coverage. Juniors Beckwith and Sanders seem interchangeable on the weakside and in the middle, though local product Beckwith will be the starter at MLB come September due to his speed (with hungry sophomore backup Jacob Cutrera behind him). After Ali Highsmith at BUCK, there seems to be a drop off in development, so injuries here would likely impact defensive results. Senior corners Zenon and Jackson will be OK on the outside alone, but depth issues here cry out for more development amongst the newbies (true frosh Phelon Jones was the Gatorade Player of the Year for Alabama). Liberal rotations and creative dime packages enabled the newly-promoted safeties to see extensive time as reserves last campaign, making the drop off here seem less exaggerated. The weapons coordinator Bo Pelini has here include Chad Jones, the top safety prospect for ’07, and the No.6 prospect in Reserve-native Stefoin Francois. Once the learning curve kicks in, this secondary will be as good as it has ever been. Moreover, once the new faces along the two-deep settle in, this defense can get back to dictating results to opposing offenses.