QB - Three year starter Scott Grantham announced after the 2009 season, that he would not retrurn for his final year of eligibility. Grantham had thrown for 7,860 yards and 57 TDs in his career. No other returning collegiate experience returning.
WR - Devin Guinn (1st LSC South) and Jahmeel Hobson (2nd LSC South) combined for 127 receptions, 2,065 yards and 15 TDs last year. The leading returning receivers are Devon Gray and Arthur Buckingham (combined 30-423 with 0 TDs).
DL - Lost a ton here, including Alonzo Horton (2nd LSC South), Ben Taifane (2nd LSC South), Jamaal Steamer (HM LSC South), and Bryant Bray. Those four combined for 172 tackles, 34.5 for losses and 9 sacks. Jacob Rowe is the only returning player with experience.
LB - Starters Marcus Phillips (1st LSC South) and Emeri Spence have moved on, taking 139 tackles, 17 for losses and 3 interceptions with them. Matt Knicky (HM LSC South) was the leading tackler for the Texans last year. He and Corey White are the lone experienced players returning.
K - Garrett Lindholm takes his cannon leg to the Atlanta Falcons, leaving a huge hole here. Punter Kyle Hopf is also gone. Both were 1st LSC South performers.
Need Depth:
RB - Roderick Smith leaves Tarleton with more than 3,000 yards rushing and 37 TDs. Evan Robertson (HM LSC South) and Kenneth Travis return, but no proven depth behind them.
DB - McNeal Uwajeh (2nd LSC South) is gone, but Lonnie Buchanan (1st LSC South) and Brandon Johnson (2nd LSC South) return. The two combined for 88 tackles and 6 interceptions in 2009. If Jeremy Sifford and Jamarcus Ballard return (they are not on the spring roster), this would be a good quality/depth position.
Good Quality/Depth:
OL - Dustin Washburn (HM LSC South) was the only senior on last year's line. Bubba Wagner (2nd LSC South) leads the returnees, but three starters from 2009 will be seniors this fall.
No other LSC team lost as much leadership as the Texans, and with the possible exception of Midwestern State, as much talent. Immediate help was needed in most positions. Tennessee transfer, Nick Stephens, should step right into the QB spot. Coming out of HS, he was a top 15 QB in several of the ratings services. Sam Robinson looks to fill one of the WR spots. The DL was reloaded with transfers Michael Washington, Logan Johnson, Brian Ford and Herman Marshall. Dan Jackson should bolster the LB corps, while Terrance Henry does the same for the secondary. Longer term, look for prospects such as RB Brandon Lowery and Mitch Villemez, OL Blake Jordan, O'Chea Thomas and Ryan Martin. Defensively, the Texans brought in DL Justin Grisham, LBs Chris Greene and Shaquille Ross, and DBs Devin Figures and Garrett Hughes.
LSC Ranking - 3
Overall Grade- A+
The Texans might be even better offensively next year, but the defense will be challenged to duplicate the success of the predecessors.
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