2003 FB Guide.P65
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2003 Blue Raider Football 37 GoBlueRaiders.com comments from andy mccollum 2003 preview The Strength of the OFFENSE: The Blue Raiders return six starters from a team that has averaged over 200 Blue Raiders yards rushing two years in a row. “We had a lot of young guys last year who DEFENSE: Eight starters return, including all-star candidates Jerry Vanderpool, Randy saw a great deal of playing time, which should Arnold, and Brandon Lynch. make us stronger and deeper this year. Last SPECIALISTS: With all-SBC punter Robert Billings, all-SBC placekicker Brian Kelly, year’s team also went through a lot of adver- and kickoff specialist Paul Wheeler, MT may have the top group in league. sity and had to deal with a number of injuries, which meant some younger players stepped ers who are very unselfish and I expect a lot State, Idaho, and North Texas in our first three in and competed probably before they were out of them in 2003.” league games and those are all teams that ready. Defensively, I really like our defensive defeated us a year ago, so we definitely front because we have some guys with a lot of The Sun Belt have our work cut out for us. We just ability, and I also like the experience we have Conference have to take one game at a time, stay in the secondary. Our special teams is solid focused, and pray we avoid inju- with two all-conference kickers returning.” “The league took a major step from year one to year ries. Usually, the team that is the healthiest will be the one with Leadership two. The SBC went down and won the New Orleans the most success.” “Leadership will play a major role this year Bowl against the cham- like it does with every team every year. When pion of Conference USA, Staff you look at the off-season, I believe this team which was a big statement Changes/ has grown to be extremely close through Sil- for our league. There are ver Sunrise, Blue Dawn, Spring Drills, etc… Additions some excellent coaches When you lose guys like Dwone Hicks, “I am excited that we have from top to bottom and any- Tyrone Calico, ReShard Lee, David Youell, hired some people who will help body can beat the other on a and Glen Elarbee, then you have some very the overall program move forward. given day. There is a lot of parity large shoes to fill when it comes to leadership, Bradley Dale Peveto brings great in our league. Every team in our but we have some guys this year who have experience as a secondary coach conference from 2002 to 2003 been here a long time. On offense we have and also as a former defensive showed great improvement, Andrico Hines, who has turned out to be one coordinator. Carey Bailey adds which is a big reason we of our true leaders on and off the field, along maturity and intensity to the defen- have to continue to work with Don Calloway, Brandon Westbrook, sive front, which I believe under- hard and improve in all ar- Wardell Alsup, and Josh Willoughby. De- achieved last season. In Ronnie eas if we are to have a fensively, Jerry Vanderpool, Thomas Vinklarek you get a guy with expe- chance at a champion- Johnson, Demetrios Walker, Randy Arnold, rience at all levels and has been ship.” Michael Woods, Chris Johnson, and involved with some Muhammad Rashada have played a lot of great offenses. games for us and know what it takes to win at 2003 His leadership this level. We have a real solid group of lead- Schedule will be invaluable Andrico Hines as he tries to gel “I know it sounds like will lead the a broken record, but it Blue Raider an offensive line looks to be one of the offense with that did not live up his mobility to capabilities in OFFENSIVE BACKS toughest in school and strong Quarterback history again. Af- arm in 2003. 2002. Darin 9 Andrico Hines (6-2, 214, r-Sr.) ter opening with Hinshaw and Blake 17 Clint Marks (6-2, 181, r-Fr.) Howard Schnellenberg’s Florida Atlantic team, Anderson will serve 16 Josh Harris (6-3, 174, So.) we face Georgia, Clemson, Missouri, and as co-offensive coordinators. They both know Running Back Temple all in a row. Those are five quality the system and know what we want and bring 28 Don Calloway (5-6, 186, Sr.) teams, and Georgia may be the No. 1 ranked great knowledge to our offensive game plan. 27 Kelvin German (5-11, 194, So.) OR team in the country when we play them. It’s a When you add Ronnie Vinklarek’s experience 32 Kevin Davis (5-9, 216, r-Fr.) tough stretch, and I hope we handle it better and knowledge on that side of the ball then Fullback this year than we did last season. But let’s not you have a very strong group of coaches. I 31 Nick McAfee (6-0, 232, Jr.) forget about our league games. The Sun Belt am very pleased with both sides of the ball Matt Little (6-0, 225, r-Fr.) is a very surprising league that continues to right now.” Ralph Gunter (6-0, 265, Fr.) get better and better. We play New Mexico 2003 Blue Raider Football 38 GoBlueRaiders.com ing for a starting spot. We have some holes to fill at guard and RECEIVERS center, but we believe those guys “X” are here and will be ready to step 11 Pedro Holiday (6-1, 175, Jr.) up on August 28. The center has 83 Pierre Ingram (6-4, 200, r-Fr.) a lot of responsibility and if we “H” have to move guys around to 12 Wardell Alsup (5-9, 152, Sr.) handle that spot we will.” 85 Chris Henry (5-8, 163, r-So.) “Y” Quarterback 88 Sam Williams (6-1, 180, r-Fr.) “I am really excited about the 8 Hashem Joyner (5-9, 160, r-Jr.) four veterans we have right now, “Z” and the two who will be coming in 1 Kerry Wright (5-9, 177, r-So.) the fall. Andrico (Hines) is hav- 86 Michael Watkins (6-1, 170, r-Fr.) ing a great offseason and enjoyed TIGHT END a solid spring. He is the leader of 84 Chris Sapp (6-5, 262, r-Fr.) this football team and is very well 80 Tommy Manus (6-4, 214, Jr.) liked and respected among his teammates. After going through Offensive Line last season and the people he “We have three outstanding players back faced and learning from his mis- who have seen a lot of action and are as good takes, I expect Andrico to have a Wardell Alsup, who switched to No. 12 for his senior year, is arguably the Blue Raid- as any in the league. Brandon Westbrook is strong year. Josh (Harris) earned ers’ most sure-handed receiver. a two-time first team all-SBC player, and Julius a little playing time last year and Gant and Josh Willoughby are returning showed some very encouraging flashes until body. We have some good numbers and the starters who have really grown over the past he suffered the collarbone injury. The competition might be better than we have ever few years. Brandon Parker is another guy who offseason has been very good to Josh, espe- had here, but we have to find the guys who started some games for us last year, but was cially the physical end of it. Redshirt freshman will make plays and come through during criti- injured halfway through the season and did Clint Marks has added 15 pounds, which cal stages of a football game. Our receivers not return. We expect a lot out of him, espe- should help him. Clint has made a great deal have to be physical down field blocking and cially since this is his senior year. Germayle of progress and I expect him to be a major make things happen with the football.” Franklin and Willie Hall are some young guys contributor in the future. There will be some with great size and ability but not a lot of expe- good competition under center. Andrico will go Running Back rience, and Shavaskey Brown has made in number one with a year under his belt and “We lost some great players who will be great progress and I expect to see him push- knowing the offense, but Josh and Clint ap- hard to replace in Dwone Hicks, ReShard pear to be very capable of getting Lee, and Avery Hatten. Don Calloway, who the job done.” has played in a lot of games and made a lot of plays for us, will go into the season as our Wide starter, but Kelvin German and Kevin Davis Receivers will push hard for playing time. German played “I like our numbers right now. We have some guys who played a lot last year, and some offensive line young guys who have shown a lot LEFT TACKLE of potential. Kerry Wright, Wardell 59 Brandon Westbrook (6-6, 301, r-Sr.) Alsup, and Chris Henry have the 69 Brett Trott (6-4, 290, r-So.) experience and will be expected to LEFT GUARD take their game to another level in 61 Germayle Franklin (6-4, 320, r-Fr.) 2003. Young players like Pierre 50 Paul Cantrell (6-4, 322, r-Fr.) Ingram, Sam Williams, and CENTER Hashem Joyner are ready to make 55 Josh Willoughby (6-4, 335, r-Sr.) a move and should push for play- 76 Shavaskey Brown (6-1, 335, r-So.) ing time.