OL - Big losses on the line - 4 starters - Lance Calloway (1st LSC South), Matt Hanson (2nd LSC South), Dillon Sullivan (HM LSC South) and Clifton Washington were all seniors last year. Hank Gilley is the lone returning starter, though several players did receive playing time.
DL - Three starters are gone on the other side of the line. Sharon Basey (1st LSC South), Stephen Turner (2nd LSC South) and Austin Shields (HM LSC South) combined for 111 tackles last year and anchored the LSC's #2 defense. There is some experience back - Kevin Birdow, Kennedy Ezimako, K. K. Francis and J. D. Corcoran all reached double digits in tackles.
DB - Three more starters and a key reserve have moved on. Micah Hill, Danny Jackson (both 1st LSC South), Brandon Williams (HM LSC South) and Antoine Cumby combined for 179 tackles, 9 interceptions and 17 passes broken up. Ryan Craven and Austin McDaniel are the most experienced returnees.
Need Depth:
WR - Andy Tanner (75-1,186 and 12 TDs) and J. J. Ford were both 1st team All LSC South selections last year and will be sorely missed. Sheldon Galloway (HM LSC South) will likely become the go-to guy, and be joined by David Little and Tyron Morrison. The trio were a combined 101-1,386 and 9 TDs. Galloway and Morrison will be seniors.
LB - Emmanuel Bagley (HM LSC South) was a senior in 2009, but Matt Ellerbrock, John Fisher, Ty Duncan and Pat Gardner return and none are seniors.
Good Quality/Depth:
QB - Harlon Hill finalist, Zack Eskridge (1st LSC South) returns for his senior season. Eskridge had a great 2009 season, throwing for 3,295 yards, with 29 TDs, just 6 Ints and an efficiency rating of 180.75, which led the nation. No proven backups however, and Eskridge will be a senior.
RB - Although B. J. Mathis and Neal Carr (792 yards and 10 TDs combined) have moved on, there is still a strong stable of running backs returning, led by Marcus Mathis, Lester Bush and Brandon Minor. Mathis and Minor will both be seniors though.
The post Eskridge-era is being planned for, with Jake Glover (3,200 yds and 31 TDs in 2009) and Joe Sanders coming in to be part of the quarterback battle after 2010. Stanley Kurunwune could be one of their top targets, with Tyler Brown the top OL recruit. The Mustangs brought in 7 defenisive linemen, led by Deterries Jackson - the total might be 8 if 6'5" 250 lb TE/DL Mark Strange plays on the defensive side. Demetrich Gilliam and Roland Hannah are the top LB prospects, while the secondary reloaded with Nieko Conway, Cary Love and Anthony Staten among 8 signees. Not to be overlooked, kicker Seth Garza looks to be part of the special teams.
LSC Ranking - 4
Overall Grade- A
Long term, this potentially a very good group, especially on defense. Despite heavy losses, especially on the offensive line and all over the defense, the Mustangs did not bring in immediate help on signing day. We do expect to see a handful of transfers before the fall, which could bump up their grade another notch.
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