|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: R.C. Slocum
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Chris Taylor-WR, Robert Ferguson-WR, Chris
Valletta-OG, Tango McCauley-OT, RoDerrick Broughton-TE, Ja'Mar Toombs-FB,
Terence Kitchens-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Ronald Flemons-DE, Ron Edwards-NT, Jason
Glenn-OLB, Cornelius Anthony-ILB, Roylin Bradley-OLB, Michael Jameson-FS |
|
The
Aggies lost a few bullets from last year and are going to need to
reload the empty chambers. Two of those chambers were shot out early
as big running back Ja'Mar Toombs and clutch wide receiver Robert
Ferguson split town and declared for the NFL. The passing game for
A&M really started to get going last year, as quarterback Mark
Farris came in and set a school record by throwing for 2551 yards.
Now the top two receivers are gone and so it will be crucial to
find full-timers to run routes. Farris can rest comfortably knowing
the man in front of him, senior Seth McKinney, is the best center
in all of college football. The defense will also be in a reloading
phase. The linebackers and front wall were hit hard by departures.
Brian Gamble is back as the teams leading tackler from 2000 to help
aid in the leadership department. The cover men are another story
as three of the regulars are back. They will be relied upon heavily
to pull out some defensive victories. In summation, Coach Slocum
has his hands full locating some wide receivers, a big running back
that can spell Toombs, finding a replacement for one of the most
accurate kickers, and getting the defense ready up front. The Big
12 schedule won't be kind in 2001. If the Aggies are to get a top
3 finish in the South Division, they need Mark Farris to continue
to put up big numbers. This is a young group with only five seniors
listed in the early starting lineup. A good solid finish this year
could spell a great outlook for 2002. The future does look bright,
but the present looks a little rough on paper. Then again, that's
why they play the games.
|
TEXAS
A&M 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Mark
Farris-Jr |
Vance
Smith-Jr |
FB |
Joe
Weber-Jr |
Stacy
Jones-Jr |
TB |
Richard
Whitaker-So |
Keith
Joseph-Fr |
WR |
Bethel
Johnson-Sr |
Ellison
Collins-So |
WR |
Dwain
Goynes-Jr |
Mickey
Jones-Sr |
TE |
Michael
de la Torre-Jr |
Lonnie
Madison-Sr |
OT |
Michael
Mahan-Jr |
Kasey
Cheshier-Fr |
OG |
Billy
Yates-Jr |
John
Kirk-So |
C |
Seth
McKinney-Sr |
Geoff
Hangartner-Fr |
OG |
Taylor
Whitley-Jr |
Britt
Lively-So |
OT |
Andre
Brooks-So |
Alan
Reuber-So |
K |
Chris
Sims-Fr |
Cody
Scates-So |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Evan
Perroni-Sr |
Rocky
Bernard-Sr |
NT |
Ty
Warren-Jr |
Marcus
Jasmin-Fr |
RE |
Linnis
Smith-So |
Rocky
Bernard-Sr |
OLB |
Jarrod
Penright-So |
Everett
Smith-So |
ILB |
Jared
Morris-So |
Harold
Robertson-Sr |
ILB |
Brian
Gamble-Jr |
Amon
Simon-Sr |
OLB |
Christian
Rodriguez-Sr |
Jesse
Hunnicutt-Jr |
CB |
Sean
Weston-So |
Adam
Black-So |
CB |
Sammy
Davis-Jr |
Jonte
Buhl-So |
SS |
Terrence
Kiel-Jr |
Wes
Bautovich-Sr |
FS |
Jay
Brooks-Sr |
Dawon
Gentry-So |
P |
Cody
Scates-So |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: John Robinson
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Nate Turner-WR,
John Greer-RT, James Wofford-FB, Jeremi Rudolph-TB, Kevin Brown-TB,
Jason Vaughan-QB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Anthony Suggs-NG, Tyler Brickell-SLB,
Randy Black-SS, Amar Brisco-CB, Shariff Hamilton-SS, Ray Cheetany-P |
|
From
zero wins to eight in two years. That's remarkable! Last season
the Rebels finished undefeated at Sam Boyd Stadium, and climaxed
the season with a solid bowl win over an SEC foe in Arkansas. Now
things are really going to get interesting as former College and
NFL coaching great John Robinson has agreed to terms on a new five-year
contract extension. Plus, many prognosticators have already labeled
this 2001 UNLV team as a preseason Top 25 team. Why is that? Well,
the quarterback position is more than set with Jason Thomas, a transfer
from USC, who Coach Robinson claims may be the best athlete he ever
coached. Now that's saying something. Thomas went down with a foot
injury in the sixth game of last season, but is said to be 100%
healthy after coming back to win MVP honors in the Las Vegas Bowl
with a dazzling performance. There is quality depth on the offensive
line and in the receiving corps and the defensive front could be
one of the nation's best. All-American defensive end Anton Palepoi
harasses QB's all day. There are two quality post-season award candidates
in the defensive backfield in Thomas and Brandon. If the Rebels
are going to succeed as expected though, replacements must be found
for three departed running backs that rushed for a combined 2000
yards last season, and also the MWC's top ball catcher, Nate Turner,
is gone. All eyes will be on Las Vegas when the season gets underway.
Fans aren't going to have to wait long to see if the expectations
are real as the first four games versus Arkansas, Northwestern,
Colorado State, and Arizona are true tests. The Rebels must win
at least two of those for any post-season hype, and that is highly
probable.
|
UNLV
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Jason
Thomas-Jr |
Kurt
Nantkes-Fr |
FB |
Steven
Costa-Jr |
George
Gordon-Jr |
TB |
Jabari
Johnson-Sr |
Joe
Haro-Jr |
WR |
Troy
Mason-Jr |
Michael
Johnson-So |
WR |
Bobby
Nero-Sr |
Charles
James-Sr |
TE |
DeJhown
Mandley-Jr |
Trevan
Sorensen-Jr |
OT |
Bradon
Bair-Sr |
Eddie
Freas-Jr |
OG |
Shane
Wagers-Sr |
Greg
Hulett-Sr |
C |
Peter
Tramontanas-Sr |
Dominic
Furlo-So |
OG |
Tony
Terrell-Jr |
Marcus
Johnson-Fr |
OT |
Matt
Williams-Jr |
Jimy
Zoll-Fr |
K |
Dillon
Pieffer-So |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Anton
Palepoi-Sr |
Steve
Newton-Sr |
DT |
Ahmad
Miller-Sr |
Phil
Reed-Jr |
NG |
Dietrich
Canterberry-So |
Garrett
Brassington-Jr |
DE |
Ahmad
Briggs-Jr |
Adrian
Watson-Sr |
SLB |
Scott
Parkhurst-Sr |
LaMar
Owens-Sr |
MLB |
Ryan
Claridge-So |
Adam
Sweard-Fr |
WLB |
Shanga
Wilson-Sr |
Tosh
Burrus-Jr |
CB |
Jamal
Wynn-Jr |
Joe
Hunter-Fr |
CB |
Kevin
Thomas-Sr |
Ruschard
Dodd-Masters-Fr |
SS |
Ross
Dalton-Jr |
Derek
Olsen-So |
FS |
Sam
Brandon-Sr |
Toby
Smeltzer-Jr |
P |
Ryan
McDonald-So |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Ron Turner
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jameel Cook-FB,
Marques Sullivan-OT, Ray Redziniak-OG, Josh Whitman-TE
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jason Eberhart-DT, Fred Wakefield-DE,
Robert Franklin-LB, Mike Young-LB, Bobie Singleton-CB |
|
Kurt
Kittner had an outrageous spring according to some sources, enough
so to put him back into some Heisman conversations. Seems almost
like yesterday the junior QB and the rest of his Illini team was
set to put the world on fire in 2000. But then, somewhere along
the course of the season, the equation got muddled and a disappointing
5-6 record left many scratching their head. To begin with, starting
receiver Brandon Lloyd went down with a broken leg bone prior to
the opening kickoff, but now he is back to claim his spot. As are
a grand wealth of talented ball catchers. The dual running back
"Thunder and Lightning" combo of Harvey and Harris, that
combined for over 1400 yards last year returns also. Losses were
felt up front on the offensive line by a couple of big departures,
but center Luke Butkus leads a deep and talented group that has
played well together up to this point. Graduation takes its toll
on the defensive side of the ball, though what does that mean for
a unit that was the Big Ten's worst against the run (232.5 yards
per game) and ninth-best overall (412.5 yards per game)? Watch out
for rising star Jerry Schumacher at linebacker, however opponents
will look to double team him as the two other LB spots are vacant.
The defensive backs have two 3-year starters back in Jackson and
Abdullah who have combined for ten int's in their career. The final
analysis for Illinois will once again place high expectations on
a seemingly explosive offense where depth and talent at the skill
positions is remarkable...the most explosive in the conference.
Don't forget this is still Big Ten Country, and if coaches can't
find an answer to stop opponents from running and moving the football,
2001 could be a duplication of 2000. But odds are in favor of a
Champaign celebration this post season.
|
ILLINOIS
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Kurt
Kittner-Sr |
Dustin
Ward-So |
FB |
Carey
Davis-So |
Carlos
Lattimore-Jr |
TB |
Rocky
Harvey-Sr |
Antoineo
Harris-Jr |
SE |
Dwayne
Smith-So |
Walter
Young-Jr |
FL |
Brandon
Lloyd-So |
Greg
Lewis-Jr |
TE |
Brian
Hodges-Sr |
Kenny
Boyle-So |
OT |
Sean
Bubin-So |
David
Diehl-Jr |
OG |
Jay
Kulaga-Sr |
Brian
Koch-Fr |
C |
Luke
Butkus-Sr |
Duke
Preston-Fr |
OG |
Patrick
Babcock-Fr |
Aaron
Hodges-So |
OT |
Tony
Pashos-Jr |
Clark
Collins-Fr |
K |
J.J.
Tubbs-So |
Peter
Christofilakos-So |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Terrell
Washington-Sr |
Derrick
Strong-So |
DT |
Brett
Kautter-Jr |
Charles
Gilstrap-So |
DT |
Brandon
Moore-Sr |
Jeff
Ruffin-So |
DE |
Mike
O'Brien-So |
Robby
Long-Sr |
LB |
Mario
Ivy-Jr |
Lamont
Holden-Fr |
LB |
Jerry
Schumacher-Jr |
Mike
Gawelek-Fr |
LB |
Ty
Myers-So |
Joe
Bevis-So |
CB |
Eugene
Wilson-Jr |
Nana
Agyeman-So |
CB |
Christian
Morton-So |
Jamaal
Clark-So |
SS |
Bobby
Jackson-Sr |
Kevin
Anderson-Fr |
FS |
Muhammad
Abdullah-Sr |
Marc
Jackson-Jr |
P |
Steve
Fitts-Sr |
Matt
Minnes-Fr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Houston Nutt
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Boo Williams-WR,
Michael Snowden-FL, Gary Hobbs-OT, Rod Stinson-FB, Tim Craig-TE
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Randy Garner-DE, J.J. Jones-LB, Quinton
Caver-LB, Jeremiah Harper-BAN, Jim Ed Reed-LB |
|
Will
there be enough balls to go around? Arkansas is quickly coming to
be known as Running Back U. with the wealth of ball carriers dotting
the 2001 roster. Perhaps the best and most talked about is sophmore
Cedric Cobbs, who is returning from a shoulder surgery that ended
his season early in 2000. Replacing him was Fred Talley who also
went down with an injury after turning heads. Due to the circumstances,
Arkansas will return three tailbacks that each earned a 100-yard
rushing game last season. No other SEC school can make that claim.
Cedric Cobbs, Brandon Holmes, and Fred Talley all topped the century
mark in rushing last season. At QB will be a battle between Zak
Clark and Robby Hampton, although Hampton also sat out the spring
due to shoulder surgery. Needless to say the injury bug took its
toll last year big time. The good news is, eight players who missed
the majority of the 2000 season with injuries returned to the practice
field. It might seem a daunting task to replace two standout wide
receivers, but there are numbers with talent at the spot. The key
on defense will be replacing all three departing linebackers, one
being NFL draftee Quinton Caver. After a very disappointing performance
in last winters Las Vegas Bowl loss, the Razorbacks are projecting
a better road ahead. Coaches feel they have enough talent to have
a say in who wins the SEC West next fall. An understatement would
be that the team needs to stay healthy. Possibly look for some star-studded
recruits making noise when fall starts. Coach Nutt needs to find
the groove quickly as the first half of the schedule is brutal.
|
ARKANSAS
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Zak
Clark-So |
Robby
Hampton-Jr |
FB |
Brandon
Holmes-So |
Sacha
Lancaster-Sr |
RB |
Cedric
Cobbs-So |
Fred
Talley-Jr |
SE |
Sparky
Hamilton-Jr |
Sam
Breeden-Jr |
FL |
George
Wilson-So |
Richard
Smith-So |
TE |
Nathan
Ball-Jr |
Marcellus
Poydras-Jr |
OT |
Shannon
Money-Sr |
Bo
Lacy-So |
OG |
La'Zerius
White-Sr |
Scott
Davenport-So |
C |
Josh
Melton-Jr |
Dan
Doughty-So |
OG |
Kenny
Sandlin-Sr |
Jim
Peters-So |
OT |
Mark
Bokermann-So |
Jerry
Reith-So |
K |
Brennan
O'Donohoe-So |
Thomas
LaToof-Jr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Carlos
Hall-Sr |
Justin
Scott-So |
DT |
Jermaine
Brooks-Jr |
Pervis
Osborne-Jr |
NG |
Curt
Davis-Sr |
Derrick
Anderson-So |
DE |
Raymond
House-Jr |
Jason
Peters-Fr |
SLB |
Caleb
Miller-So |
Gavin
Walls-Jr |
MLB |
Shane
Collins-So |
Jermaine
Petty-Sr |
WLB |
Tony
Bua-So |
Jimmy
Beasley-So |
CB |
Orlando
Green-Sr |
Lawrence
Richardson-So |
CB |
Eddie
Jackson-So |
Harold
Harris-Sr |
SS |
Corey
G. Harris-Sr |
D'Andre
Berry-Sr |
FS |
Ken
Hamlin-So |
Shelton
Parker-So |
P |
Richie
Butler-Jr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Paul Pasqualoni
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Pat Woodcock-WR,
Dee Brown-TB, Vaughn Smith-OG
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Duke Pettijohn-DE, Eric Downing-DT, Rickie
Simpkins-NT, Morlon Greenwood-OLB, Will Allen-CB, Cliff Snell-DE |
|
All
eyes will be on Syracuse this season as rumblings are beginning
to take shape concerning the future of head coach Paul Pasqualoni.
To make life more difficult, the Orangemen have bulked up the schedule
for 2001, which includes Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Auburn, and East
Carolina on the non-conference slate. Not exactly a Frank Beamer
practice of scheduling for success. Looks like there will be a two-headed
quarterback system in place similar to last season with Anderson
and Nunes rotating duties. Nunes has been climbing the school's
statistical charts as of lately, but a lack-luster won-loss season
has forced some changes. The one-two tailback punch has lost departing
senior Dee Brown and now the duties rest solely on James Mungro,
who finished with 827 total yards last year. The strength of the
team may be on the offensive line, as all but one regular returns.
On the defensive side the strength will come at defensive back,
even with the loss of Thorpe Award semi-finalist Will Allen. But
if you talk about 2001 Syracuse football, you have to focus most
of the attention on All-American Dwight Freeney at defensive end.
Last season, Freeney was one of the nation's sack leaders despite
missing four games due to illness and big things are now expected
from the senior. It will be tough for Syracuse to better last season's
6-5 record given the schedule, but that certainly can't be written
off as a lack of talent. Cuse needs to find some consistency for
once week in and week out, get some big games from the quarterback
and running back spot, and replace 3/4 of the defensive line if
there are to be any hopes of making the post-season.
|
SYRACUSE
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
R.J.
Anderson-So |
Troy
Nunes-Jr |
FB |
Kyle
Johnson-Sr |
Chris
Davis-Jr |
TB |
James
Mungro-Sr |
Diamond
Ferri-So |
WR |
Malik
Campbell-Sr |
Johnnie
Morant-So |
WR |
Maurice
Jackson-Sr |
David
Tyree-Jr |
TE |
Graham
Manley-Sr |
Jeremie
Frazier-Sr |
OT |
P.J.
Alexander-Sr |
Adam
Terry-Fr |
OG |
Sean
O'Connor-Sr |
Matt
Tarullo-Fr |
C |
Nick
Romeo-So |
Chris
Buda-So |
OG |
Joe
Burton-Sr |
Erik
Kaloyanides-Jr |
OT |
Giovanni
DeLoatch-Sr |
Kevin
Sampson-So |
K |
Mike
Shafer-Jr |
Collin
Barber-Fr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Mark
Holtzman-Sr |
Josh
Thomas-So |
DT |
Christian
Ferrara-So |
Brian
Hooper-Fr |
NT |
Louis
Gachelin-So |
Charles
Simpson-So |
DE |
Dwight
Freeney-Sr |
Sheldon
King-Sr |
OLB |
Maurice
Minter-Sr |
Jose
Harris-Jr |
MLB |
Clifton
Smith-Jr |
Rodney
Wells-Sr |
OLB |
J.R.
Johnson-Sr |
Rich
Scanlon-So |
CB |
Will
Hunter-Sr |
Latroy
Oliver-Jr |
CB |
Willie
Ford-Sr |
B.J.
Darnell-So |
SS |
Keeon
Walker-Jr |
Charles
Burton-Sr |
FS |
Quentin
Harris-Sr |
Maurice
McClain-Jr |
P |
Malik
Campbell-Sr |
Jamel
Riddle-So |
|
|
|
|
|
|