Needs - OL, DL, RB (OL loses two first team All-LSC, DL loses two second teamers, RB just needs help)
Depth - QB, WR, DB (Day only QB with experience, Haggerty only WR w/more than 20 catches)
Okay - LB, Special Teams (McCoy and Franklin return at LB)
SWO needs to replenish the lines and add some playmakers on offense.
SWO's primary goal was to upgrade its athleticism especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs 24 offensive touchdowns ranked them 10th in the LSC and they had only three plays last season that went for 50+ yards. RB Luke Lundy led all Nebraska high schoolers in rushing with 2,441 yards in 2006. He ended his career at Auburn NB with 5,022 yards. Junior college signee (1 star) Ovie Esalomi, 5-9, 175, WR/RB, averaged 8.8 yards on 68 carries at New Mexico Military and should give the Bulldogs a needed game-breaker. WR Brandon Dixon (Highland Community) is 6-3 207 and runs a 4.47 forty, was a second-team Kansas Jayhawk Community College pick after catching 30 balls for 506 yards and five touchdowns became available when TCU backed off him late.
Defensively, SWO will overhaul a secondary that finished tied for last in interceptions with nine. The Bulldogs will have 3/4th's of the College of DuPage's starting secondary joining them this spring. Cornerback Carlos Bates and Jeff Lemon had initial interest from some Big XII North schools and along with teammate and safety Sam Nwafor should make the Bulldogs better. The starting lineup could also include Shane Scott a hard-hitting safety from American River who has looked good in off-season drills. John Kaye and Iziah Perry are two high school signees that add depth. Lorenzo Martinez and Chris Lyon will bolster the defensive line, and Ethan Davis joins a LB crew that returns largely intact.
Overall Grade - B
Overall: SWO didn't add any experienced offensive linemen, so they will need the young offensive line returnees to develop quickly and provide protection for junior-to-be quarterback Steve Day who will take over full time as the signal caller. Depth at QB could be an issue throught the season as well. It appears that WR Johnathan Haggerty, an all-conference pick as a freshman and sophomore, got some help as playmakers were added at the RB and WR positions. Defensively, SWO will again be solid but they are hoping for specactular with a new secondary being put in place. Starting linebackers Greg Franklin and Ruzell McCoy are back and the defensive line should get a boost from former starter Cory Summers who sit out 2007 with a shoulder injury.
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