Need Help:
Defensive Secondary - the Riverhawks lose Broderick Mondy (two-time LSC North defensive back of the year), Curtis Mayfield (LSC North 1st team), three year starter Colby Onic and LaTaras Sykes. Those four accounted for 219 tackles, 14.5 for losses, 8 Ints and 25 passes broken up. Several younger players got valuable experience last fall, including Ryan Keenom, Howard Crawford and Donald Daingerfield.
Defensive Line - First team LSC North T J Raymond, Nick Jones and Brad Jones were seniors in 2008. They take a combined 145 tackles, 37.5 for losses, and 14 sacks with them. Only McCoy Campbell and Phillip Boyd return, but combined for just 12 tackles last fall.
Wide Receiver - All-time leading receiver, Jarret Byers (LSC North 1st team) and Damien Henderson (LSC North 2nd team) are gone. They combined for 90 receptions, 1,254 yds and 12 TDs last year. Byers also returned 9 kicks for 338 yards and 2 TDs. Tray McVay led the returnees with 26 catches for 253 yds but no TDs.
Quarterback - The Riverhawks QBs combined for an efficiency rating of just 108.3 and threw as many INTs as TDs (13). All three QBs that played last year are scheduled to return, with Kaelin Woods the only senior.
Need Depth:
Offensive Line - Dana Albert was the only senior on last year's roster (no juniors listed either). Still the team could only muster 1.9 yds per rushing attempt, allowed 33 sacks and 118 tackles for losses and had no player receive post-season LSC honors.
Running Back - Two of the team's top four rushers will be seniors (Prince McKinney and Josh Lewis) and two will be juniors (John Kelly and Tyrese Flagg).
Good Quality/Depth:
Linebackers - No seniors on last year's roster. Returnees Terrence Gaston (2nd LSC North) and Jon Evans (HM LSC North) highlight the returnees. They combined for 156 tackles, 19 for losses.
The Riverhawks lost several of their best players last year and the coaching staff brought in transfers to try and fill those holes. WR's John Turner and Edward Victorian, TE's Chris Johnson and Logan Cawyer should contribute right away. QB Pat Cook, RB LaRon Elmer and OLDelvin Herndon should compete for playing time as well. On the defensive side of the ball Baylor transfer LeQUantum McDonald and Caom Hansen will help stem some of the line's losses. The secondary will benefit from Arkansas transfer Rashaad Johnson, and JUCO transfers Nick Dobler, Steven Alexander, Brian Johnson, and Darryl Byrd. NSU didn't forgo high school recruits either. OL Michael Yoder, DL Ed Coleman, LB Cody Hammer and LB/FB John Stelly are recruits to keep an eye in the future.
LSC Ranking - 9
Overall Grade: B-
Coach Evans addressed most of the Riverhawks losses with transfers, several of who should be able to step in and play right away. At the same time, he did a nice job building for the future with some talented high school players.
No comments:
Post a Comment