|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Joe Tiller
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Drew Brees-QB,
Ian Allen-OG, Brandon Gorin-OT, Matt Light-OT, Chukky Okobi-C, Vinny
Sutherland-WR, Donald Winston-WR
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Chris Clopton-CB, Brian Dinkins-DE, Warren
Moore-DE |
|
Is
redshirt freshman Brandon Hance capable of filling in for long time
starter Drew Brees at quarterback? Guess that would be the first
and main question on everybody's mind. Hance, a California high
school QB, managed to solidify his starting position by taking alot
of reps this past spring and went 9 of 23 for 142 yards in the spring
Black & Gold game while playing for both squads. Brees favorite
target over the years, Vinny Sutherland, has departed, but there
will be plenty of experienced receivers in the Joe Tiller one-back
set, which also includes All-American Tim Stratton at tight end.
Not to mention both leading running backs return in Lowe and Brown.
But this 2001 edition of the Boilermakers will be about defense
as ten out of eleven starters return. What a turn around from the
defensive disappointment of two years ago. Team leading tackler
Stuart Schweigert is starting to evolve into the player fans had
hoped he would be. And there may be no two better defensive ends
than Akin Ayodele and Shaun Phillips in all of the Big Ten. If one
looks at the entire starting roster, it becomes apparent that the
list of All-Star Candidates is long. Repeating as a Conference Champion
will be difficult with the new faces on offense. A new QB is also
going to have to deal with an offensive line that lost some huge
guns from 2000. All-American Gene Mruzckowski is the lone returning
starter and he is a good one, but the rest are taking over for the
first time. A team like this is hard to get a read on. There are
some questions to be answered on the offense and you know Coach
Tiller will win some games. The defense is going to have its say
in just how many. Didn't somebody once say that defense wins championships?
|
PURDUE
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Brandon
Hance-Fr |
Carl
Buergler-Jr |
RB |
Montrell
Lowe-Jr |
Sedrick
Brown-Jr |
WR |
Andre
Henderson-So |
A.T.
Simpson-Sr |
WR |
Seth
Morales-Jr |
Gary
Heaggans-Fr |
WR |
John
Standeford-So |
Taylor
Stubblefield-Fr |
TE |
Tim
Stratton-Sr |
Chris
Randolph-Sr |
OT |
Pete
Kiyggeed-Jr |
Tyler
Moore-Fr |
OG |
Kelly
Kitchel-Jr |
Sean
Rufolo-Sr |
C |
Gene
Mruczkowski-Jr |
Nick
Pilipauskis-So |
OG |
Rob
Turner-Jr |
Max
Miller-Jr |
OT |
Kelly
Butler-Fr |
Dave
Owen-Fr |
K |
Travis
Dorsch-Sr |
Quinton
Owens-Fr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Akin
Ayodele-Sr |
Vedran
Dzolovic-So |
DT |
Craig
Terrill-So |
Luke
Burroughs-So |
DT |
Matt
Mitrione-Sr |
Mike
Lawrence-Fr |
DE |
Shaun
Phillips-So |
Kevin
Nesfield-So |
SLB |
Gilbert
Gardner-So |
Niko
Koutouvides-So |
MLB |
Joe
Odom-Jr |
Alex
Tone-Jr |
WLB |
Landon
Johnson-So |
Jason
Loerzel-Sr |
CB |
Ashante
Woodyard-Sr |
Jacques
Reeves-So |
CB |
Antwaun
Rogers-Fr |
Deaunte
Ferrell-So |
SS |
Ralph
Turner-Jr |
Ben
Smith-Sr |
FS |
Stuart
Schweigert-So |
Brady
Doe-Sr |
P |
Scott
Kurz-Sr |
Aaron
Levin-Fr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Dennis Franchione
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Shawn Draper-TE,
Griff Redmill-OG, Paul Hogan-C, Will Cuthbert-OT, Dustin McClintock-FB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Kenny Smith-DT, Milo Lewis-CB, Marcus
Spencer-SS, Tony Dixon-FS, Albert Means-DT |
|
How
can the Crimson Tide be ranked so high after what happened to start
the 2000 season? Simple, they have talent and depth out the wazoo
and they got themselves a proven coach in Dennis Francione. This
site pointed out back in August of 2000 that the Tide was still
one year away from reaching its peak and not much has changed. Coach
Francione is probably wondering why this Tide team could only manage
three wins last year. The QB combo of Tyler Watts and Andrew Zow
is still here, even though better things were projected of them
a year ago, and it will be important for Coach Francione to pick
one or the other. This isn't a Steve Spurrier offense. All-American
Freddie Milons is back along with receiving leader Antonio Carter
and so are the top two rushing leaders. On defense, the loss of
both safeties Spencer and Dixon is about all that will be missed
as both were leaders. Even though the defense was mediocre at best
in 2000, there will be a ton of juniors and seniors still on the
group to help aid a comeback. The Tide doesn't have to cross over
to play Florida or Georgia of the SEC East, and gets Tennessee at
home. With 13 talented starters returning overall, look for Alabama
to be favored heavily to compete for the SEC West and make a huge
turnaround from the debacle of 2000. That is, if the Tide can put
aside their off the field issues.
|
ALABAMA
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Andrew
Zow-Sr |
Tyler
Watts-Jr |
FB |
Donnie
Lowe-So |
Nick
Signaigo-Fr |
TB |
Ahmaad
Galloway-Jr |
Brandon
Miree-So |
SE |
Antonio
Carter-Jr |
Jason
McAddley-Sr |
FL |
Freddie
Milons-Sr |
Sam
Collins-Jr |
TE |
Terry
Jones Jr.-Sr |
David
Cavan-So |
OT |
Dante
Ellington-Jr |
Lannis
Baxley-Jr |
OG |
Dennis
Alexander-So |
Danny
Martz-Fr |
C |
Alonzo
Ephraim-Jr |
Evan
Mathis-Fr |
OG |
Marico
Portis-Jr |
Justin
Smiley-Fr |
OT |
Wesley
Britt-So |
Atlas
Herrion-Jr |
K |
Neal
Thomas-Sr |
Danny
Haynes-So |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Aries
Monroe-Sr |
Antwan
Odom-So |
DT |
Jarret
Johnson-Jr |
Derek
Sanders-Jr |
NT |
David
Daniel-Sr |
Anthony
Bryant-So |
DE |
Kindal
Moorehead-Jr |
Nautyn
McKay-Loescher-So |
MLB |
Saleem
Rasheed-Jr |
Darius
Gilbert-Sr |
SLB |
Victor
Ellis-Sr |
Cornelius
Wortham-So |
ROV |
Brooks
Daniels-So |
Jason
Rawls-Fr |
CB |
Hirchel
Bolden-Jr |
Carlos
Andrews-So |
CB |
Gerald
Dixon-Jr |
Thurman
Ward-Fr |
SS |
Shontua
Ray-Sr |
Waine
Bacon-Jr |
FS |
Charles
Jones-So |
Reggie
Myles-Sr |
P |
Lane
Bearden-Jr |
Matthew
Sanders-Fr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Barry Alvarez
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Michael Bennett-TB,
Chris Chambers-FL, Bill Ferrario-OG, Brian Lamont-OT, Casey Rabach-OG,
John Sigmund-TE, Vitaly Pisetsky-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jason Doering-FS, John Favret-DE, Jamar
Fletcher-CB, Roger Knight-OLB, Ross Kolodziej-DT, Eric Mahlik-NG,
Kevin Stemke-P |
|
The
Badgers have had some great success over the last few years exemplified
by the fact that only six other teams in Division I-A have won at
least 30 games in the last three years. To top it off, Wisconsin
is the only school to have won two BCS Bowl Games. But 2001 will
definitely require fans attending Camp Randall Stadium to buy program
guides to become familiar with the new faces. Coaches must replace
seven linemen that started a staggering 275 games; two of the biggest
playmakers on the squad; both kicking specialists; and two three-year
starters in the secondary. Yet, Coach Alvarez claims he is very
excited about the potential of his very young club. Even with the
loses, there are still some big names back in 2001 starting with
All-American defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, who was a Lombardi
Award semi-finalist last year. Another All-American on the roster
will be linebacker Nick Greisen, who led the Big Ten in tackles
last season. Most important may be the fact two experienced quarterbacks
return, the main one being Brooks Bollinger, who is 17-3 as a starter.
The Big Ten is going to be a very interesting race next fall. To
place Wisconsin at such a low ranking to start the season just doesn't
seem right. Everyone will just have to wait and see what the new
names bring to the table, and they won't have to wait long as Virginia
makes a preseason classic call to Madison followed by a huge trip
to Eugene where the Ducks hold a 20 game win streak. Make no mistake,
as usual the Badgers will have a big say in who wins the conference
crown.
|
WISCONSIN
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Brooks
Bollinger-Jr |
Jim
Sorgi-So |
FB |
Chad
Kuhns-Sr |
Erik
Bickerstaff-Jr |
RB |
Broderick
Williams-So |
Jerone
Pettus-Fr |
SE |
Nick
Davis-Sr |
Byron
Brown-So |
FL |
Lee
Evans-Jr |
David
Braun-Jr |
TE |
Mark
Anelli-Sr |
Mark
Bell-Fr |
OT |
Ben
Johnson-Jr |
Morgan
Davis-Fr |
OG |
Dan
Buenning-Fr |
Jonathan
Clinkscale-Fr |
C |
Al
Johnson-Jr |
Andy
Ulrich-Fr |
OG |
Jeremy
Dox-Sr |
Kalvin
Barrett-Fr |
OT |
Jason
Jowers-Jr |
Mike
Lorenz-Fr |
K |
Mark
Neuser-So |
Adam
Espinoza-Fr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Jake
Sprague-Sr |
Chuck
Smith-Sr |
NG |
Ben
Herbert-Sr |
Traison
Lewis-Fr |
DT |
Wendell
Bryant-Sr |
Jesse
Mayfield-So |
RLB |
Darius
Jones-So |
Delante
McGrew-Sr |
OLB |
Jerron
Smith-Fr |
Ryan
Keepman-Fr |
LB |
Nick
Greisen-Sr |
P.J.
Cannon-Jr |
LB |
Jeff
Mack-So |
Bryson
Thompson-Sr |
CB |
Mike
Echols-Sr |
Michael
Broussard-So |
CB |
B.J.
Tucker-Jr |
Chuckie
Cowans-Fr |
SS |
Joey
Boese-Sr |
Ryan
Simmons-Jr |
FS |
Carlease
Clark-Sr |
Ryan
Aiello-So |
P |
Kirk
Munden-So |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Steve Logan
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Marcellus Harris-SE,
Sherwin Lacewell-C, Samien Jones-OT, Rashon Burns-TE, Keith Stokes-HB,
Jamie Wilson-RB,
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Devone Claybrooks-DT, Mbayo Ahmadu-NG |
|
Anytime
you give ten-year ECU Head Coach Steve Logan defensive personnel
and a superb quarterback like David Garrard, success is bound to
follow. On the defensive side, nine starters return, as do many
of the back-ups. If you venture to see the Pirates defensive stats
from a year ago, you will notice the entire top of the list is loaded
with returning veterans. The only question will be who plays the
middle of the defensive line as both insiders depart. Helping to
fill that void will be a pair of All-Conference ends in John Williamson
and Antwane Yelverton. But the heart of the D is the linebacker
unit. Leading the charge will be linebacker Pernell Griffin, who
has been a fixture on the Pirate defense since his freshman year
and has started in 30 of 33 games during his career. The backfield
will see the return of the Adams twins, Anthony and Antwan, and
every other player from 2000, including some serious veteran cornerbacks.
Switching sides to the offense, it's no secret who holds the golden
sword to success. That would be quarterback David Garrard. The Offensive
MVP of the galleryfurniture.com Bowl last season already holds the
school's career record for total offense and ranks second in yards
passing, touchdowns, and completions. Making matters a little more
difficult however will be the fact the top three receivers from
last year have all graduated. A priority will be to have some new
faces ready. If you had to put your finger on the biggest coaching
concerns for 2001, it would have to be at receiver and getting some
quality time out of a young but experienced offensive line. The
bottom line is that the Pirates are becoming a fixture to bowl games
and have been an unappetizing site to the big named opponents. There
is some serious depth and talent at every position on defense and
Garrard is that good enough to make you pay. Make no mistake, the
Pirates are going to get their share of victories, be one of the
frontrunners for the Conference USA crown, and earn another bowl
bid.
|
EAST
CAROLINA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
David
Garrard-Sr |
Desmond
Robinson-Fr |
FB |
Leonard
Henry-Sr |
Christshawn
Gilliam-Jr |
HB |
Terrance
Cooper-So |
Marcus
White-So |
FL |
Arnie
Powell-Sr |
Aaron
Harris-Sr |
SE |
Derrick
Collier-Sr |
Torey
Morris-Jr |
TE |
Ben
Thomas-Jr |
Seth
Yates-So |
OT |
Brandon
Pope-So |
Phoenix
Evans-Jr |
OG |
Aaron
Walker-Sr |
Charlie
Dempsey-So |
C |
Doug
White-So |
Hagen
Mason-Fr |
OG |
Chris
Nelson-Sr |
Brian
Fox-So |
OT |
Brian
Rimpf-So |
Corey
Schmidt-So |
K |
Kevin
Miller-Jr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
John
Williamson-Jr |
Reggie
Hamphill-Jr |
DT |
Ty
Hunt-Sr |
Damane
Duckett-So |
NG |
Chris
Howell-Sr |
Derek
Helms-So |
DT |
Bernard
Williams-Sr |
Ja'Waren
Blair-Jr |
BDE |
Antwane
Yelverton-Jr |
Kent
Nealy-So |
LB |
Greg
LeFever-Sr |
Vonta
Leach-So |
LB |
Pernell
Griffin-Sr |
Kevin
Ward-Sr |
CB |
Kelly
Hardy-So |
Brandon
Rainer-So |
CB |
Charlie
Robinson-Sr |
Grover
Benton-So |
SS |
Jerome
Steward-Jr |
Anthony
Adams-Jr |
FS |
Antwan
Adams-Jr |
Travis
Heath-So |
P |
Jared
Preston-Jr |
Lee
Hunt-Jr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Sonny Lubick
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Justin Borvansky-OL,
Will Layne-WR, Matt Newton-QB, Frank Rice-WR, Tim Stuber-OL, Cory
Woolstenhulme-HB, C.W. Hurst-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jamie Bennett-DL, Rick Crowell-LB, Terrence
Gibson-CB, John Howell-DB, Mike Mackenzie-DL |
|
The
Rams Conference title in 2000 is the team's 5th in seven seasons.
The school has won or shared 14 titles, five of those under Coach
Sonny Lubick. In other words, don't look for much to change next
fall. The limits of how good Colorado State can be begin at the
quarterback spot, where the departure of senior Matt Newton leaves
a big hole. Newton, in two years, led the Rams to two consecutive
titles and two bowl berths. Coach Lubick said he will wait till
fall to name the starter. That will be decided in a battle between
two sophomores, D.J. Busch and Michigan State transfer Bradlee Van
Pelt. Removing a ton of pressure off of the QB's will be All-Conference
rusher Cecil Sapp, who really came on strong as the 2000 progressed.
Sapp capped the season with a 160-yard tough effort in the Liberty
Bowl. At wide out will be All-American punt returner Pete Rebstock
as well as last year's leading receiver Dallas Davis. The defensive
unit will be harder to repair than the offense, and will need some
new leaders. Looks like that job may need filled by defensive end
Paul Hogan as the entire defensive line must be reconstructed. The
two key losses that stand out will be LB Rick Crowell (the MWC defensive
player of the year) and safety John Howell. Last season the Rams
held opponents under 290 total yards six times. It's safe to say
that Lubick coached teams will find a way to be there once again.
Colorado State has made a name for itself. The Rams are already
scheduled for seven national television appearances. The weird part
of the equation is that only one of them is on a Saturday, with
4 on Thursdays and 2 on Fridays. On paper, this team looks like
typical status quo material. Opponents must be bumming at the thought.
|
COLORADO
STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
D.J.
Busch-So |
Bradlee
Van Pelt-So |
RB |
Cecil
Sapp-Jr |
Rahsaan
Sanders-Jr |
WR |
Dallas
Davis-Sr |
Joey
Cuppari-Jr |
WR |
Pete
Rebstock-Sr |
Eric
Hill-So |
HB |
Brad
Svoboda-Sr |
Matt
Baldischwiler-So |
TE |
Jose
Ochoa-Sr |
James
Sondrup-So |
OT |
David
Shohet-Sr |
Aaron
Green-Jr |
OG |
Morgan
Pears-Jr |
Broderick
Lancaster-Sr |
C |
Mark
Dreyer-So |
Erik
Pears-Fr |
OG |
Broc
Finalyson-Sr |
Broderick
Lancaster-Sr |
OT |
Terrell
Gardner-So |
Kelly
Wall-So |
K |
Kent
Naughton-Sr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Peter
Hogan-Jr |
Wallace
Thomas-Jr |
DT |
Josh
Steward-Jr |
Patrick
Goodpaster-Fr |
DT |
Lucas
Smith-Sr |
Kelesio
Howard-So |
DE |
Chad
McGuckin-Sr |
Geoff
Graue-Sr |
SLB |
Adam
Wade-So |
Rocky
Martin-Sr |
MLB |
David
Vickers-Jr |
Drew
Wood-So |
WLB |
Eric
Pauly-So |
Doug
Heald-Jr |
CB |
Justin
Gallimore-Sr |
Thal
Woods-Sr |
CB |
Rhett
Nelson-Jr |
Dexter
Wynn-So |
SS |
Aaron
Sprague-Sr |
Ameer
Lowe-Sr |
FS |
Jason
Gallimore-Sr |
Guy
Porter-Jr |
P |
Joey
Huber-Jr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|