2015 Spring Prospectus
Since the football staff is off their game, it once again falls to us to generate some (any) info on what the hell is going on at spring ball. Here is something to chew on as the spring game inches closer. I have not made it to any practices or scrimmages since they are being played out of town (which is a good move imo). All I have to go off of is the outdated roster on Hornetsports and last season’s game notes. The projected starters are based on last season’s depth chart, redshirts are based on a player not having an appearance in a game (per the NCAA stats page). Class listed is for the upcoming 2015 season.
Offense
With Coach Peterson returning as OC don’t expect much change in offensive philosophy. If anything the play calling will be more conservative as a new QB is worked into the starting role. Fortunately there will be plenty of weapons returning so the QB position is the top story to watch in spring camp.
Quarterback
With the graduation of Garrett Safron, a new quarterback will need to step in and lead this offense. As of now it sounds like Daniel Kniffin leads the pack as has already notched 2 seasons as a Hornet. Nolan Merker also returns after having served on the scout teams last season. Two transfers were brought in mid year and are at camp; Kolney Cassel from SMU and Alexis Robinson from Baylor. Cassel saw limited action at SMU and is the most likely candidate to challenge Kniffin for the starting role.
Starter:
- • (#16) Daniel Kniffin, RSO (12 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#14) Kolney Cassel, T-RSO (5 appearances, 1 start @ SMU)
• (#12) Nolan Merker, RFR
• (#6) Alexis Robinson, T-RFR
Wide Receivers
With the graduation of leading receiver and human highlight reel DeAndre Carter, a lot of unproven talent returns. Nnamdi Agude is coming off of a breakout season in which he tallied over 1,100 receiving yards and will likely be the main receiving target. The remaining starting spots are wide open as a lot of returning receivers that saw some playing time look to step up. Dominic Coulter saw significant time last season, as did Justin Cox and those two will battle it out for the spot opposite Agude. Then there is the speedy and dangerous Isaiah Hennie who I think will provide a spark from the slot. Shane Harrison returns after being academically ineligible last season so he is could be in the mix as well.
Starters:
- • (#86) Nnamdi Agude, RSR (26 appearances, 11 starts)
• (#8) Dominic Coulter, RSR (12 appearances, 7 starts)
• (#5) Isaiah Hennie, SO (11 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#87) Justin Cox, RSR (20 appearances, 3 starts)
• (#15) Shane Harrison, RJR (22 appearances, 6 starts)
• (#88) Bakari Smith, RSO (11 appearances)
• (#81) Jabarri Johnson, (#38) Damon Jackson,(#83) Jaelin Ratliff, (#85) Trevor Wright, (#88) Stewart Riding, (#34) Dre Terrell, all RFR
Tight Ends
The tight end position looks thin with the graduation of Chris Broadnax. Stone Sander has showed promise but has battled injuries for much of his Hornet career. Jonathan Bade returns and will likely split time with Sander. John Cortez and Austin Hopkins return as well. The starting role is completely up for grabs so this is something to keep an eye on.
Starter:
- • (#41) Stone Sander, RSO (12 appearances, 4 starts)
Bench:
- • (#47) Jonathan Bade, RSO (13 appearances, 2 starts)
• (#89) John Cortez, RSO
• (#82) Aaron Maher, RSO (7 appearances)
• (#49) John Guffie, RSO
Running Backs
The Hornets return a full stable of running backs and should pick up where they left off last season. Jordan Robinson led the way with over 800 rushing yards, Demetrius Warren also returns but De’Jon Coleman is no longer with the team. Expect a steady rotation of running backs during the season, however the coaches may look to get looks at some of the other RBs on the roster this spring.
Starter:
- • (#25) Jordan Robinson, JR (19 appearances, 12 starts)
Bench:
- • (#4) Demetrius Warren, RJR (16 appearances, 1 start)
• (#32) Garrett Steele, SR (11 appearances, 1 start @ TE)
• (#30) Hunter Rockwell, RJR
• (#22) Jeremiah Reddick, RFR
Offensive Line
The offensive line graduated some key pieces in the interior with John Wallace and Derek Nielsen, but a good amount of quality players return. Lars Hanson and Aleks Milanovic return to bookend the line, and Casey Dakin returns at right guard. All three started all of last season (and beyond). What to watch will be who fills in the starting roles on the interior. Last seasons depth chart lists Pailake Aiono and Anthony Viveiros as the next men up.
Starters:
- • LT: (#76) Lars Hanson, RSR (31 starts, 34 appearances)
• LG: (#65) Pailake Aiono, RSO (3 appearances)
• C: (#78) Anthony Viveiros, SR (4 appearances)
• RG: (#72) Casey Dakin, RJR (16 starts, 24 appearances)
• RT: (#61) Aleksandar Milanovic, RSR (33 starts, 34 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#62) David Villanueva, RSR (2 appearances)
• (#67) Rajaee Jordan, (#71) Pu’e Togia, both RSO (2 appearances each)
• (#53) Ivan Espiritu, (#59) Wyatt Ming, (#55) Taylor Tappin, (#75) Ruben Meza, all RFR
Defense
Head Coach Sears will look to bring some improvement during his second season overseeing the defensive side of the ball. There are some question marks at every level of the defense, but there is some experience that returns. There is a lot to watch for during spring camp on this side of the ball.
Defensive Line
The defensive line lost a lot key players, especially at defensive end with the graduation of starters Jaycee Totty and Ben Cowger. Ben Sorensen is the only returning end that saw significant playing time last season. However look for PJ Johnson and George Obinna to challenge for some time this camp.
The interior tackles graduated Nathan Castro but returns everyone else, including JJ Castillo who was granted a medical redshirt. Nicolas Mazza and Peter Nonu are listed as the starters. As of now it looks like there is plenty of depth on the interior.
Starters:
- • DE: (#52) PJ Johnson, RFR
• DT: (#93) Peter Nonu, SR (12 appearances, 6 starts)
• DT: (#91) Nicholas Mazza, RSR (31 appearances, 19 starts)
• DE: (#98) Ben Sorensen, RSO (11 appearances, 1 start)
Bench:
- • (#99) JJ Castillo, RSR (13 appearances, DT)
• (#92) Antonio Hayes, SR (20 appearances, 2 starts, DT)
• (#77) Kyle Evanski, RSO (5 appearances @ OL)
• (#96) Lennard Cowens, RSO (DT)
• (#95) George Obinna, RFR (DE)
• (#79) Justin Tucker, RFR (DE)
Linebackers
The linebackers graduated Henry Fernandez (who is now an assistant coach) and it looks like Russell Smith is gone, but Buchanon Award nominee and human wrecking ball Darnell Sankey returns to lead the defense. He’s coming off of an injury but should be ready to go; I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaches hold him out of the scrimmages and spring game since we already know the havoc he causes opposing offenses. Who steps up along side Sankey will be what to watch. Tyler Meeter and Jacob Bowman saw significant action so they should be the favorites to start alongside Sankey.
Starters:
- • WLB: (#39) Jacob Bowman, RJR (16 appearances)
• MLB: (#44) Darnell Sankey, SR (30 appearances, 29 starts)
Bench:
- • (#54) Tyler Meeter, SO (9 appearances)
• (#37) John Wagstaff, RFR
• (#45) Manoah Pearson, FR
Defensive Backs
The secondary struggled last season but seemed to play a little better down the final stretch of the season. The secondary graduated Robbie Kendall, Dexter Alcala, and Mike Sellers but return everyone else. Both starters at the corners return with Anthony Payne and Joshua Armstrong. Crouch is also a returning starter at free safety. Marcus Green is listed behind Alcala in the rover spot on last seasons depth chart and I randomly selected one of the returning players with a lot of experience for strong safety.
Starters:
- • CB: (#24) Anthony Payne, RJR (23 appearances, 19 starts)
• NB: (#21) Marcus Green, RSO (15 appearances)
• SS: (#10) Austin Clark, SO (12 appearances)
• FS: (#33) Nick Crouch, JR (24 appearances, 12 starts)
• CB: (#7) Joshua Armstrong, RSR (14 starts, 19 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#20) Nicholas Payne, RSR (13 appearances , 4 starts)
• (#26) Ernest Jenkins, SO (8 appearances)
• (#1) Joey Banks, RFR (4 appearances)
• (#36) Nick Melchor, RSO
• (#31) Tamas Stewart, RFR (1 appearance)
• (#13) James Ferraro, RJR
• (#46) Myles Saunders, (#27) Elijah Wallace, (#29) Aaron Hayes, (#33) Jason Williams, all RFR
Special Teams
The Hornets return everything in the kicking game so that should turn out to be another solid component of the team once again. Not a whole lot to see aside from how some of the backups are coming along and who will get time returning kicks.
Kickers
Kicker Brad Cornish looks to continue his stellar and consistent kicking game and Smith Heath will look to follow up a solid year in the punting game.
Starters:
- • K: (#58) Brad Cornish, SR (28 appearances)
• P: (#57) Smith Heath, SR (18 appearances)
Bench:
- • K: (#63) Devon Medeiros, RFR
• P/QB: (#12) Nolan Merker, RFR
Long Snapper
The snapping duties will be handled by returner Josh Latham. Tim Hernandez is still on the roster and John Wagstaff will hopefully be developed into the snapper of the future.
Starter:
- • (#42) Josh Latham, RSR (24 appearances)
Bench:
- • (#70) Tim Hernandez, RSR
• (#37) John Wagstaff, RFR
Punt/Kick Return
I’m not sure how much return game will be practiced in spring camp but Isaiah Hennie proved to be the go to guy for kick returns. The question is who will return punts and who is also put back to return kickoffs. Hennie was listed alongside Carter as a punt returner on last seasons depth chart.
Returners
- • PR/KR: (#5) Isaiah Hennie, SO
• KR: (#83) Jaelin Ratliff, RFR
I hope this synopsis quells the mob at hand. See you all at the spring game. Can’t think of a better excuse to get out of Saturday morning yard work AND to crack open a beer before 10 AM…it’ll be like college all over again…
Go Hornets!!!
Abbreviations:
- • T – Incoming Transfer
• R – Redshirt Already Used
• G – Grayshirt
• SR – Senior
• JR – Junior
• SO – Sophomore
• FR - Freshman
• UNK - Unknown
