|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Watson Brown
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Percy Coleman-RB,
Carl Fair-RB, Undrae Crosby-TE, Kevin Ford-OG, Phillip Gambrell-OT,
Kevin Grace-OT, Tim Medders-OG
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Otis Leverette-DE |
|
Keep
an eye out for UAB this fall. The hype is already building for this
team that went 7-4 last season but were deprived of a bowl bid.
Coach Watson Brown begins his seventh season at UAB with as many
as 16 starters back, including 10 on the defensive unit that finished
the 2000 season ranked 11th in total defense (allowing opponents
290.91 yards per game). The "Steel Shield" defensive front
wall will be one of the best. Leading the charge will be junior
defensive end and All-American Candidate, Bryan Thomas. He terrorized
opposing offenses, leading the team in sacks, tackles for a loss,
quarterback hurries, forced fumbles, and blocked kicks, and there
is a steady group of veterans running around in the defensive backfield.
The Blazers also have plenty of offensive experience as well, with
starting quarterback Jeff Aaron and 2000 leading rusher Jegil Dugger
returning (both seniors), as well as big-play receiver Willie Quinnie,
a junior who missed much of the 2000 season with a knee injury.
QB Aaron came in and took over the job after the fifth game of the
season and went on to finish as some expert's C-USA Offensive Player
of The Year. The key to the season may be how fast the inexperienced
offensive line gels. Last season the Blazers went into Baton Rouge
and beat a solid LSU team on their homecoming game. Upon looking
at next fall's schedule, the second game of the year shows a bout
with FSU in Tallahassee. It is highly recommended the Seminoles
don't look past this bunch. Conference USA will be a tougher conference
than people realize, and UAB is one of the main ingredients to that
formula. This is one of the surprise teams for 2001...Watson Brown
and the Blazers.
|
UAB
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Jeff
Aaron-Sr |
Thomas
Cox-Jr |
RB |
Jegil
Dugger-Sr |
Bernard
Anderson-Jr |
WR |
Willie
Quinnie-Jr |
Charles
Griffin-So |
WR |
Leron
Little-Jr |
Travis
Johnson-Sr |
WR |
Kenny
Borders-Jr |
Andre
Ollie-So |
TE |
Jeff
Tippetts-So |
Shane
Pearson-So |
OT |
Wilbert
Hamilton-So |
Brad
Spencer-Sr |
OG |
Preston
Fray-Sr |
Allen
Branch-So |
C |
Kirk
Tuck-Jr |
Jimmy
Joynt-Fr |
OG |
Larry
Coachman-Jr |
Eddie
LaFavour-So |
OT |
Andy
Galloway-Fr |
Artavious
Williams-So |
K |
Rhett
Gallego-Sr |
Nick
Hayes-Fr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Marlon
Bush-Sr |
Hassan
McKeithan-Jr |
DT |
Eddie
Freeman-Sr |
James
Malone-Jr |
NG |
Rodney
Jones-Sr |
Shamar
Abrams-Fr |
DE |
Bryan
Thomas-Sr |
Ryan
Meeks-Sr |
MLB |
Rod
Taylor-Sr |
John
Humphries-Sr |
LB |
Nick
Stewart-Sr |
Adrian
Abrams-Sr |
CB |
Patrick
Burchfield-Sr |
Dio
Hill-So |
CB |
Chris
Brown-Jr |
Mario
Stanley-So |
SS |
Torrey
Hale-Sr |
Andrew
Kopecky-Sr |
FS |
Adrian
Singleton-Sr |
Sentell
Winston-Jr |
WS |
Avery
Warner-Sr |
Wes
Foss-Sr |
P |
Ross
Stewart-Jr |
B.J.
King-Fr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Glen Mason
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Ryan Keller-WR,
Adam Haayer-OL, Ben Hamilton-OL
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Karon Riley-DL, John Schlecht-DL, Maurice
White-DL, Curtese Poole-LB, Sean Hoffman-LB, Ben Mezera-LB, Trevis
Graham-DB, Clorenzo Griffin-DB, Delvin Jones-DB, Willie Middlebrooks-DB |
|
The
Golden Gopher football team enters the 2001 season with a chance
to achieve something that no other team in the school's history
has ever done, earn the school's third consecutive bowl appearance.
Minnesota returns nine starters from its record-setting offense
which set a school record for yards per game, churning out a 429.1
yards per game clip. One of the nation's best receivers and NationalChamps.net
All-American is back in senior Ron Johnson, who broke several school
records last year. Getting the ball to Johnson will be a pair of
talented quarterbacks who both earned letters last season. Travis
Cole established himself as the starter in the fifth game, but pushing
him for time will again be Asad Abdul-Khaliq, who also can run with
the ball. Running back Tellis Redmon had a huge sophmore year, rushing
for 1,368 yards. There will be some experience up front also as
the line averages 6'5 and 300 pounds per man. Another Gopher strength
will be the kicking game with Nystrom and Gruening. There may not
be a better tandem in the nation. The biggest holes are on the defensive
side of the ball where the numbers are extremely thin. If there
is to be another bowl appearance, some hard questions need answered
on the defense come Big Ten test time. But if you enjoy watching
high scoring games, there is no better fit on paper than what Minnesota
has to offer.
|
MINNESOTA
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Travis
Cole-Sr |
Asad
Abdul-Khaliq-So |
TB |
Tellis
Redmon-Jr |
Thomas
Tapeh-So |
WR |
Antoine
Henderson-Sr |
Tony
Patterson-So |
WR |
Ron
Johnson-Sr |
Keith
Matthews-So |
WR |
Elvin
Jones-Sr |
Jermaine
Mays-Sr |
TE |
Ben
Utecht-So |
Scooter
Baugus-Jr |
OT |
Jake
Kuppe-Jr |
Jeremiah
Carter-Jr |
OG |
Derek
Burns-Sr |
Dan
Gitlewski-So |
C |
Akeem
Akinwale-Sr |
Mark
McElroy-Fr |
OG |
Ryan
Roth-Sr |
Joseph
Quinn-So |
OT |
Arthur
Smith-So |
Matt
Anderle-Sr |
K |
Dan
Nystrom-Jr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Greg
White-Sr |
Drew
Dehnicke-Sr |
DT |
Dan
Kwapinski-So |
Timothy
Ward-Fr |
DT |
Dave
Sykora-Jr |
Brandon
Harston-Fr |
DE |
Tony
Dupree-Fr |
Zach
Vevea-Sr |
SLB |
Phil
Archer-So |
Darrell
Reid-Fr |
WLB |
Jimmy
Henry-Sr |
Paul
Nixon-So |
DLB |
Astein
Osei-Sr |
Steven
Watson-Fr |
CB |
Mike
Lehan-Jr |
Justin
Fraley-Fr |
CB |
Mackenzy
Toussaint-So |
Ukee
Dozier-Fr |
SS |
Eli
Ward-So |
Renato
Fitzpatrick-Jr |
FS |
Jack
Brewer-Sr |
Eric
Lee-Jr |
P |
Preston
Gruening-Jr |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Rich Rodriguez
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Khori Ivy-WR,
Wes Ours-FB, Tanner Russell-OT, Matt Wilson-OT, Rick Gilliam-C, Terry
Dixon-OG, Sean Berton-TE, Jon Ohliger-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Chris Edmonds-RLB, David Carter-LB |
|
WVU
went out and found themselves a former player and graduate as the
new head coach. Not only that but Rich Rodriguez comes from a Clemson
program where he was the offensive coordinator of a system that
broke over 35 offensive school records. Morgantown shows all the
promises of a fireworks display come fall Saturdays. The only problem
in that equation for this fall is that the entire front wall has
disappeared completely. The mammoth offensive line that led the
Mountaineers to a Music City Bowl victory last season must be rebuilt
with totally new faces. That is the big question mark. The only
returning starter is big senior Brad Knell, who will be called upon
big time to help move some people off the ball so a steady bevy
of running backs can drive through. On the other side of the scale
are the skill positions which are stacked. Running back Avon Cobourne
is a stud who by season's end should find himself in contention
for the Doak Walker Award if he can stay healthy. At quarterback
is bowl game MVP, senior Brad Lewis, who has the passing ability
and experience to lead WVU back to the post-season. But there is
no doubt; all the talk in Mountaineer Country is about defense.
This will be WVU's best unit in quite some time as only two starters
depart. The top four tacklers from 2000 are back in Hackett, Kayden,
Sherrod, and Wiley as they all combined for 422 total tackles last
season. The Mountaineers also return two-year all-BIG EAST punter
Mark Fazzolari. It certainly won't be easy for Coach Rodriguez this
year. Any shot at the Top 25 will only come if the offensive line
exceeds expectations and Brad Lewis continues to improve as a QB.
Either way, the defense alone is going to win some ballgames.
|
WEST
VIRGINIA 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Brad
Lewis-Sr |
Scott
McBrien-So |
RB |
Avon
Cobourne-Jr |
Cooper
Rego-Sr |
WR |
Antonio
Brown-Sr |
Shawn
Swindall-Sr |
WR |
Phil
Braxton-Jr |
Mike
Page-Fr |
WR |
Shawn
Terry-Sr |
A.J.
Nastasi-Jr |
T |
Tim
Frost-Jr |
Tory
Johnson-So |
OT |
Lance
Nimmo-Jr |
Geoff
Lewis-So |
OG |
Jason
Brooks-Sr |
Greg
Mittleider-So |
C |
Zach
Dillow-Jr |
Josh
Kelly-Jr |
OG |
Brad
Knell-Sr |
Rondrick
Smith-Jr |
OT |
Tim
Brown-So |
Jeff
Berk-Fr |
K |
Todd
James-So |
Brenden
Rauh-Sr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Jason
Davis-Jr |
Cecil
Hagwood-Fr |
DT |
Antwan
Lake-Sr |
Tim
Love-Jr |
DT |
David
Upchurch-Jr |
Sedrick
Lewis-Jr |
DE |
Corey
McIntyre-Sr |
James
Davis-Jr |
LB |
Kyle
Kayden-Sr |
Adam
Lehnortt-Fr |
LB |
Grant
Wiley-So |
Ben
Collins-Jr |
R |
Arthur
Harrison-Jr |
Lewis
Daniels-Jr |
CB |
Richard
Bryant-Sr |
Joe
Scritchfield-Fr |
CB |
Lance
Frazier-So |
Brian
King-So |
SS |
Shawn
Hackett-Sr |
Ben
Meighan-Jr |
FS |
Rick
Sherrod-Sr |
Angel
Estrada-Jr |
P |
Mark
Fazzolari-Jr |
Charlie
MacInnis-Sr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: David Cutcliffe
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Romaro Miller-QB,
Grant Heard-WR, Deuce McAllister-TB, Shane Grice-OG, Keydrick Vincent-OG,
Les Binkley-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Derrick Burgess-DE, Antionne Scott-DT,
Shane Elam-DE, Chad Cooke-LB, Shawn Johnson-LB, Amzie Williams-LB,
Ken Lucas-CB, Kenny Woods-SS, Reagan King-P |
|
Part
of the great Rebel backfield from the past couple of seasons has
finally departed as QB Romaro Miller and NFL 1st rounder Deuce McAllister
have moved on. Hold on, don't look now but in steps some heavy replacements
in Joe Gunn at running back, who led the team in rushing in 1999
with 951 yards when he earned All-SEC first team honors, quarterback
Eli Manning (son of Archie and brother of Peyton) who is expected
to be the next savior to the program, and fullback Charles Stackhouse,
who returns for his senior season. Gone are two solid guards and
great veteran receiver Grant Heard, who broke several school records.
Watch for All-American Terrence Metcalf at the tackle spot to help
aid the offense big time. Defensively, there is only one returning
starter up front in Sims and three main linebackers have departed,
but the Rebels get a major boost in the return of linebacker Eddie
Strong who missed last season with a stress fracture in his foot.
Prior to his injury, Strong was being touted before last season
as a Butkus Award candidate. One of the top losses in the secondary
was All-American cornerback Ken Lucas. There is certainly untested
talent on the field. The key to a great season rests in whether
these new faces can step in and fill some holes, especially up front
on defense. Ole Miss makes a great fit for competition in the SEC
West next fall. They are just as talented as everyone else. The
names may have changed, but the offensive backfield will be as explosive
as it ever was and folks that know the game can assure you that
Eli Manning is an up and coming master of the sport. Enough so that
Ole Miss can beat anybody on any given day.
|
MISSISSIPPI
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Eli
Manning-So |
David
Morris-Jr |
FB |
Charles
Stackhouse-Sr |
Toward
Sanford-Jr |
RB |
Joe
Gunn-Sr |
Robert
Williams-Jr |
WR |
Jamie
Armstrong-Sr |
Ross
Barkley-Jr |
WR |
Omar
Rayford-Sr |
Chris
Collins-So |
TE |
Doug
Zeigler-Jr |
Mitch
Skrmetta-Sr |
OT |
Terrence
Metcalf-Sr |
Cliff
Woodruff-So |
OG |
German
Bello-Jr |
Doug
Buckles-Fr |
C |
Ben
Claxton-Jr |
Justin
Sawyer-Jr |
OG |
Matt
Koon-Sr |
Marcus
Johnson-Fr |
OT |
Belton
Johnson-Jr |
James
Campbell-Fr |
K |
Lee
Rogers-So |
Jonathan
Nichols-Fr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Charlie
Anderson-So |
Brian
Lester-Fr |
DT |
Anthony
Sims-Sr |
Yahrek
Johnson-Jr |
DT |
Kenny
Jackson-Sr |
Jesse
Mitchell-So |
DE |
Josh
Cooper-So |
Justin
Blake-Jr |
SLB |
Eddie
Strong-Jr |
Justin
Wade-So |
MLB |
Lanier
Goethie-Jr |
Kevin
Thomas-Sr |
WLB |
Germain
Landrum-Jr |
Ryan
Hamilton-Jr |
CB |
Desmon
Johnson-Jr |
Wes
Scott-Jr |
CB |
Justin
Coleman-Sr |
Chris
Knight-Jr |
SS |
Syniker
Taylor-Sr |
Marcus
Woodson-So |
FS |
Von
Hutchins-So |
Travis
Blanchard-So |
P |
Cody
Ridgeway-Fr |
Trey
Sandifer-So |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Bobby Williams
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Lavaile Richardson-SE,
Siitupe Peko-OT, Dave Sucura-OG, Shaun Mason-OG, Matt Bonito-OT
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jace Sayler-DT, Drew Young-WLB, Richard
Newsome-FS, Renaldo Hill-CB, Richard Brown-SLB, Jabari Hendricks-DE |
|
2001
looks like an important milestone for coach Bobby Williams. After
an electrifying 10-2 season in 1999, the Spartans found themselves
sitting at home for the 2000 post-season with a sub par 5-6 record
and only two conference wins. What will this fall bring as it may
determine the direction this program is headed? East Lansing conversations
generally will begin with last year's highlight, big 6'1 250 pound
All-American running back T.J. Duckett who rushed for 1,353 yards
and seven touchdowns despite being injured for much of the last
half of the season. The bad news is that the Spartans are unsettled
at quarterback and the offensive line lost four main starters from
tackle to tackle. Critics claim that coaches must pick a starter
at QB and stick with him...either Smoker or Van Dyke to get the
offense some consistency and take some heat off the running game.
Defensively, MSU doesn't seem too far off from having a solid unit.
Last year's injuries reeked havoc, so staying healthy has to be
a major concern. It didn't help that cornerback Renaldo Hill split
early for the pros, but linebacker Josh Thornhill gives the Spartans
their second All-American on the list. Making a bowl appearance
in 2001 seems almost like a must for this coaching staff. Some holes
need filled here and there on defense with a nice list of candidates
to choose from, but offensively the big key will be finding an offensive
line if there is to be any Big Ten success. Or else Duckett will
need to carry MSU by himself.
|
MICHIGAN
STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Jeff
Smoker-So |
Ryan
Van Dyke-Sr |
FB |
Dawan
Moss-Jr |
Bradshaw
Littlejohn-So |
TB |
T.J.
Duckett-Jr |
Little
John Flowers-Sr |
SE |
Marcus
Waters-Jr |
Charles
Rogers-So |
FL |
Herb
Haygood-Sr |
B.J.
Lovett-Jr |
TE |
Chris
Baker-Sr |
Ivory
McCoy-Sr |
OT |
Ulish
Booker-Jr |
Joe
Tate-So |
OG |
Paul
Harker-Jr |
Joe
Patrick-So |
C |
Brian
Ottney-So |
DeMarco
Monroe-So |
OG |
William
Whitticker-Fr |
Joe
Brooks-So |
OT |
Steve
Stewart-So |
Sean
Poole-Fr |
K |
David
Schaefer-Sr |
Michael
Servis-So |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Nick
Myers-Sr |
Clifford
Dukes-Fr |
DT |
Kyle
Rasmussen-So |
Dwight
Whitfield-Fr |
DT |
Josh
Shaw-Sr |
Lonnie
Simmons-Fr |
DE |
Greg
Taplin-So |
Samalj
Gordon-So |
SLB |
Dominick
Brown-So |
Dedrick
Roper-So |
MLB |
Josh
Thornhill-Sr |
Jason
Bradley-Fr |
WLB |
Mark
Goebel-So |
James
Cooper-Fr |
CB |
Cedric
Henry-Sr |
Jason
Harmon-So |
CB |
DeMario
Suggs-Sr |
Shawn
Foster-Sr |
SS |
Thomas
Wright-Jr |
Duron
Bryan-Sr |
FS |
Lorenzo
Guess-Sr |
Jeremy
Fairrow-So |
P |
Craig
Jarrett-Sr |
David
Schaefer-Sr |
|
|
|
|
|
|