I have been looking at the prospects for next year considering the recruiting of players. We should be better in 2004 player wise, except at a few positions.
On defense, we appear to be stronger next year, except at linebacker. We have three verbals already and could move Anoai and Wilkinson back to linebacker if needed. Other than linebacker, we appear to be stronger than this year, especially at the DT position.
On offense, we start out the year with an experienced quarterback which is a huge plus. We should have excellent back-up in Carter if he is as good as advertised. PJ will have another year of experience under his belt, and Rashaun Grant should add speed and versatility in the backfield.
The fullbacks are experienced, so no problem there. We should be stronger and more versatile in the backfield, however, it would be nice to add a great back to the mix.
Personally, I still think Cooper could become one of the best receiving tight ends at Tech. He appears to be very fliud. I expect great things from him next year. Tight end should again be good next year.
We will miss Smith at WR, but we still have Nate Curry. Sometimes others step up to fill a void. It is possible McGuire, Thomas, and Logan are ready to take on that responsibility. Bilbo has just started at the position. He may suddenly catch on next year. We are not in bad shape, but could use a burner if we can recruit one.
The offensive line should again be strong. Even if we lose Dorsey, Kenton Johnson has shown a lot of promise. Reilly will be gone at center, but the back-up is good and adds more heft to the line. We appear to have good reserves on the offensive line for next year.
Overall, the offense should be much better next year with an experienced quarterback, experienced line, halfback, fullback, and most of the receivers returning.
The offense will not have to start from scratch next year learning the plays. We should be able to start the year off with a lot of precision. The offense should be better next year.
Jordan was supposed to be great at placing the kick-offs in the end zone. Surely this next year will see him at the kick-off position. My hunch is Jordan will handle this duty and we will be stronger here. We have recruited a highly rated place kicker, which should make this position secure. We have experienced a lot of problems with the punting. We really need to find a good punter in our recruiting efforts.
Since we had a lot of freshmen on kick-off coverage, we should be better in this area next year. It appears, we will be some better in the special teams area next year.
Our greatest needs in recruiting for next year are linebackers, a punter, one burner at wide receiver, one great running back, and a couple of defensive ends.
Of course we need recruits at most positions for the years after that.
Overall, as a team, we should be stronger next year, but wil be playing some of our key games away from BDS.
THE DEFENSE FOR 2004
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (Should be a strong position for next year)
Mansfield Wrotto 6-4 310 Sophomore
LeShawn Newberry 6-0 310 RS Freshman
Travis Parker 6-5 275 RS Junior
Brad Brezina 6-2 275 RS Sophomore
Omar Billy 6-2 270 RS Junior
Elris Anyaibe 6-2 275 Incoming Freshman
DEFENSIVE END (Strong position for next year)
Eric Henderson 6-3 265 RS Junior
Joe Anoai 6-3 235 Sophomore
Chirod Williams 6-4 235 RS Senior
Adamm Oliver 6-4 250 RS Freshman
Marcus Harris 6-1 265 RS Freshman
Travis Rogers 6-2 230 RS Freshman
Arthur Rozier 6-3 200 RS Freshman
Josh Tittle 6-2 240 RS Freshman
David Brown 6-3 255 Inc. Freshman
A.J. Smith 6-7 225 Inc. Freshman
LINEBACKER (The numbers are fine, but experience is short. Could pull Gerris Wilkinson and Joe Anoai to linbacker)
Gerris Wilkinson 6-3 230 RS Junior
Nick Moore 6-1 225 RS Freshman
Tabugbo Anyansi 6-1 220 Senior
KaMichael Hall 6-1 205 RS Freshman
Phillip Wheeler 6-2 215 RS Freshman
David Sanborn 6-1 205 RS Freshman
Justin Guadagni 6-1 225 Inc. Freshman
Gary Guyton 6-4 215 Inc. Freshman
Travis Chambers 5-11 225 Inc. Freshman
CORNER BACK (Strong position for next year)
Dennis Davis 6-0 185 Senior
Reuben Houston 6-0 195 RS Junior
Kenny Scott 6-1 180 Sophomore
I-Perfection Harris 5-10 175 RS Sophomore
Brian Fleuridor 5-11 180 RS Freshman
Venice Gilliam 5-10 195 Junior
Sam Williams 5-11 170 RS Freshman
Jamal Lewis 6-0 167
FREE SAFETY (Strong position for next year)
James Butler 6-3 210 Senior
Nathan Burton 6-2 200 RS Senior
Avery Robinson 6-2 190 RS Freshman
Eric Williams 6-3 190 Inc. Freshman
STRONG SAFETY (Strong position for next year)
Dawan Landry 6-2 215 RS Junior
Chris Reis 6-0 210 Junior
Joe Gaston 6-0 200 RS Freshman
THE OFFENSE FOR 2004
QUARTERBACK (Strong position for next year)
Reggie Ball 6-0 180 Sophomore
Patrick Carter 6-3 185 RS Freshman
Kyle Manley 6-3 185 Inc. Freshman
Robby Brown 6-1 180 RS Senior
Taylor Bennett 6-3 201 Inc. Freshman
RUNNING BACK (Still not strong, but addition of Grant adds strenth and versatility for next year)
P. J. Daniels 5-10 205 RS Junior
Ajenavi Eziemefe 6-1 225 Junior
Rashaun Grant 5-11 190 RS Freshman
Jesse Hundley 5-9 179 RS Junior
Chris Woods 5-10 190 Junior
Mike Cox 6-2 250 Inc. Freshman
Justin Guadagni 6-1 228 Inc. Freshman
FULLBACK (Strong position for next year)
Jimmy Dixon 6-1 220 RS Senior
Jonathan Jackson 6-2 225 RS Senior
Brian Johnson 6-3 240 RS Junior
Michael Matthews 6-4 260 RS Sophomore
Alex Johnson 5-11 235 RS Freshman
Kyle Pupello 6-1 230 RS Freshman
Jay Reid 6-1 260 RS Junior
TIGHT END (Personal Opinion-I believe Cooper will become best receiving TE in a long time)
George Cooper 6-5 255 RS Sophomore
Michael Matthews 6-4 260 RS Sophomore
Gavin Tarquinio 6-3 250 RS Junior
Darius Williams 6-6 260 RS Senior
Travis Kelly 6-0 264 RS Sophomore
GUARD (Strong position next year)
Leon Robinson 6-4 330 RS Senior
Brad Honeycutt 6-4 305 RS Junior
Salih Besirevic 6-7 290 RS Junior
Matt Rhodes 6-4 275 RS Freshman
Jacob Lonowski 6-5 275 Inc. Freshman
CENTER (Losing best linemen here, but more heft at position next year)
Andy Tidwell-Neal 6-4 310 Senior
Kevin Tuminello 6-4 285 RS Freshman
TACKLE (Even if Dorsey leaves, it will still be a strong position)
Nat Dorsey 6-6 330 Senior
Kenton Johnsom 6-6 305 RS Junior
Kyle Wallace 6-6 290 Senior
Eddy Parker 6-5 280 RS Freshman
WIDE RECEIVER (Will miss Smith, but others could step up their game, McGuire, Thomas, Logan, Bilbo)
Nate Curry 5-10 RS Senior
Xavier McGuire 6-3 205 RS Sophomore
Lavon Thomas 6-0 195 Senior
Mark Logan 5-11 200 RS Senior
Damarius Bilbo 6-3 225 RS Junior
Chris Dunlap 6-0 185 RS Freshman
Karl Graves 5-9 170 RS Sophomore
Eddie Ivery 5-10 165 RS Sophomore
Robbie Rollins 6-2 192 RS Junior
Finesse Usher 5-11 190 RS Freshman
James Johnson 6-0 180 Inc. Freshman
PLACE KICKER (Should be improved with Cismesia)
Travis Bell 6-1 192 RS Freshman
David Jordan 6-4 205 RS Sophomore
Gary Cismesia 5-11 205
SNAPPER (Have had no problems here, appears to be in good hands)
Adam Blizzard 5-11 210 RS Senior
Andrew Economos 6-1 RS Senior
Cory Hixson 6-0 260 RS Freshman
Kyle Rossi 6-1 200 RS Freshman
PUNTER (Has to get stronger just with practice)
Eric Griswold 6-1 195 RS Sophomore
David Smith 6-4 210 RS Senior
Andy Thomson 5-11 RS Senior
Father Time
On defense, we appear to be stronger next year, except at linebacker. We have three verbals already and could move Anoai and Wilkinson back to linebacker if needed. Other than linebacker, we appear to be stronger than this year, especially at the DT position.
On offense, we start out the year with an experienced quarterback which is a huge plus. We should have excellent back-up in Carter if he is as good as advertised. PJ will have another year of experience under his belt, and Rashaun Grant should add speed and versatility in the backfield.
The fullbacks are experienced, so no problem there. We should be stronger and more versatile in the backfield, however, it would be nice to add a great back to the mix.
Personally, I still think Cooper could become one of the best receiving tight ends at Tech. He appears to be very fliud. I expect great things from him next year. Tight end should again be good next year.
We will miss Smith at WR, but we still have Nate Curry. Sometimes others step up to fill a void. It is possible McGuire, Thomas, and Logan are ready to take on that responsibility. Bilbo has just started at the position. He may suddenly catch on next year. We are not in bad shape, but could use a burner if we can recruit one.
The offensive line should again be strong. Even if we lose Dorsey, Kenton Johnson has shown a lot of promise. Reilly will be gone at center, but the back-up is good and adds more heft to the line. We appear to have good reserves on the offensive line for next year.
Overall, the offense should be much better next year with an experienced quarterback, experienced line, halfback, fullback, and most of the receivers returning.
The offense will not have to start from scratch next year learning the plays. We should be able to start the year off with a lot of precision. The offense should be better next year.
Jordan was supposed to be great at placing the kick-offs in the end zone. Surely this next year will see him at the kick-off position. My hunch is Jordan will handle this duty and we will be stronger here. We have recruited a highly rated place kicker, which should make this position secure. We have experienced a lot of problems with the punting. We really need to find a good punter in our recruiting efforts.
Since we had a lot of freshmen on kick-off coverage, we should be better in this area next year. It appears, we will be some better in the special teams area next year.
Our greatest needs in recruiting for next year are linebackers, a punter, one burner at wide receiver, one great running back, and a couple of defensive ends.
Of course we need recruits at most positions for the years after that.
Overall, as a team, we should be stronger next year, but wil be playing some of our key games away from BDS.
THE DEFENSE FOR 2004
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (Should be a strong position for next year)
Mansfield Wrotto 6-4 310 Sophomore
LeShawn Newberry 6-0 310 RS Freshman
Travis Parker 6-5 275 RS Junior
Brad Brezina 6-2 275 RS Sophomore
Omar Billy 6-2 270 RS Junior
Elris Anyaibe 6-2 275 Incoming Freshman
DEFENSIVE END (Strong position for next year)
Eric Henderson 6-3 265 RS Junior
Joe Anoai 6-3 235 Sophomore
Chirod Williams 6-4 235 RS Senior
Adamm Oliver 6-4 250 RS Freshman
Marcus Harris 6-1 265 RS Freshman
Travis Rogers 6-2 230 RS Freshman
Arthur Rozier 6-3 200 RS Freshman
Josh Tittle 6-2 240 RS Freshman
David Brown 6-3 255 Inc. Freshman
A.J. Smith 6-7 225 Inc. Freshman
LINEBACKER (The numbers are fine, but experience is short. Could pull Gerris Wilkinson and Joe Anoai to linbacker)
Gerris Wilkinson 6-3 230 RS Junior
Nick Moore 6-1 225 RS Freshman
Tabugbo Anyansi 6-1 220 Senior
KaMichael Hall 6-1 205 RS Freshman
Phillip Wheeler 6-2 215 RS Freshman
David Sanborn 6-1 205 RS Freshman
Justin Guadagni 6-1 225 Inc. Freshman
Gary Guyton 6-4 215 Inc. Freshman
Travis Chambers 5-11 225 Inc. Freshman
CORNER BACK (Strong position for next year)
Dennis Davis 6-0 185 Senior
Reuben Houston 6-0 195 RS Junior
Kenny Scott 6-1 180 Sophomore
I-Perfection Harris 5-10 175 RS Sophomore
Brian Fleuridor 5-11 180 RS Freshman
Venice Gilliam 5-10 195 Junior
Sam Williams 5-11 170 RS Freshman
Jamal Lewis 6-0 167
FREE SAFETY (Strong position for next year)
James Butler 6-3 210 Senior
Nathan Burton 6-2 200 RS Senior
Avery Robinson 6-2 190 RS Freshman
Eric Williams 6-3 190 Inc. Freshman
STRONG SAFETY (Strong position for next year)
Dawan Landry 6-2 215 RS Junior
Chris Reis 6-0 210 Junior
Joe Gaston 6-0 200 RS Freshman
THE OFFENSE FOR 2004
QUARTERBACK (Strong position for next year)
Reggie Ball 6-0 180 Sophomore
Patrick Carter 6-3 185 RS Freshman
Kyle Manley 6-3 185 Inc. Freshman
Robby Brown 6-1 180 RS Senior
Taylor Bennett 6-3 201 Inc. Freshman
RUNNING BACK (Still not strong, but addition of Grant adds strenth and versatility for next year)
P. J. Daniels 5-10 205 RS Junior
Ajenavi Eziemefe 6-1 225 Junior
Rashaun Grant 5-11 190 RS Freshman
Jesse Hundley 5-9 179 RS Junior
Chris Woods 5-10 190 Junior
Mike Cox 6-2 250 Inc. Freshman
Justin Guadagni 6-1 228 Inc. Freshman
FULLBACK (Strong position for next year)
Jimmy Dixon 6-1 220 RS Senior
Jonathan Jackson 6-2 225 RS Senior
Brian Johnson 6-3 240 RS Junior
Michael Matthews 6-4 260 RS Sophomore
Alex Johnson 5-11 235 RS Freshman
Kyle Pupello 6-1 230 RS Freshman
Jay Reid 6-1 260 RS Junior
TIGHT END (Personal Opinion-I believe Cooper will become best receiving TE in a long time)
George Cooper 6-5 255 RS Sophomore
Michael Matthews 6-4 260 RS Sophomore
Gavin Tarquinio 6-3 250 RS Junior
Darius Williams 6-6 260 RS Senior
Travis Kelly 6-0 264 RS Sophomore
GUARD (Strong position next year)
Leon Robinson 6-4 330 RS Senior
Brad Honeycutt 6-4 305 RS Junior
Salih Besirevic 6-7 290 RS Junior
Matt Rhodes 6-4 275 RS Freshman
Jacob Lonowski 6-5 275 Inc. Freshman
CENTER (Losing best linemen here, but more heft at position next year)
Andy Tidwell-Neal 6-4 310 Senior
Kevin Tuminello 6-4 285 RS Freshman
TACKLE (Even if Dorsey leaves, it will still be a strong position)
Nat Dorsey 6-6 330 Senior
Kenton Johnsom 6-6 305 RS Junior
Kyle Wallace 6-6 290 Senior
Eddy Parker 6-5 280 RS Freshman
WIDE RECEIVER (Will miss Smith, but others could step up their game, McGuire, Thomas, Logan, Bilbo)
Nate Curry 5-10 RS Senior
Xavier McGuire 6-3 205 RS Sophomore
Lavon Thomas 6-0 195 Senior
Mark Logan 5-11 200 RS Senior
Damarius Bilbo 6-3 225 RS Junior
Chris Dunlap 6-0 185 RS Freshman
Karl Graves 5-9 170 RS Sophomore
Eddie Ivery 5-10 165 RS Sophomore
Robbie Rollins 6-2 192 RS Junior
Finesse Usher 5-11 190 RS Freshman
James Johnson 6-0 180 Inc. Freshman
PLACE KICKER (Should be improved with Cismesia)
Travis Bell 6-1 192 RS Freshman
David Jordan 6-4 205 RS Sophomore
Gary Cismesia 5-11 205
SNAPPER (Have had no problems here, appears to be in good hands)
Adam Blizzard 5-11 210 RS Senior
Andrew Economos 6-1 RS Senior
Cory Hixson 6-0 260 RS Freshman
Kyle Rossi 6-1 200 RS Freshman
PUNTER (Has to get stronger just with practice)
Eric Griswold 6-1 195 RS Sophomore
David Smith 6-4 210 RS Senior
Andy Thomson 5-11 RS Senior
Father Time