QB - Steve Day, despite a subpar senior season, leaves as the all-time Bulldog leader in passing yards and TDs. Day's backup, Houston Johnson, threw five passes last year. No proven experience at the position.
RB - SWO averaged 42.9 yards per game rushing, and just 1.6 per carry. The top backs all return, but the team needs to drastically improve the run game.
WR - Not only does SWO lose its all-time leading passer, but with Johnathan Haggerty moving on, they need to replace their all-time leading receiver (173 receptions for 2,726 yards and 23 career TDs). Cody Gragg, the leading returning receiver, had 17 receptions for 164 yards and no TDs.
Offensive Line - The Bulldogs didn't lose anyone here, but there needs to be improvement. They gave up an LSC high 46 sacks, and the running game averaged a league worst 1.6 yards per carry. Stephen Speer was a 2nd LSC North selection last year, and Jordan Pettitt was in 2008.
Defensive Line - Nick Walker garnered honorable mention honors last season and had 62 tackles, with 10.5 for losses and 5 sacks. Tim Stephenson and Curry Read combined for another 46 tackles, but just 4 for losses. Teams averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 191 per game last year, while generating just 15 sacks as a team.
Need Depth:
Linebacker - Fred Lead was named first team All-LSC North in 2009, and Jaron Burgess was in 2008. They combined for 165 tackles last year, with 12.5 for losses.
Secondary - Shane Scott had 100 tackles last year, Jesse Wright had 66 and Iziah Perry had 49. As a group, the returning players had 1 interception total.
Good Quality/Depth:
Josh Dorman threw for more than 7,500 yards the past two seasons, with 82 TD passes and just 12 interceptions, earning honorable mention All-State honors both seasons. Mike Van Deripe transferred from Golden West College and could provide immediate help after throwing for more than 5,000 yards the past two seasons. At running back, Isaac Tucker looks to make an impact - he rushed for 790 yards while at Citrus College, leading the team both seasons. Dexter Braziel and Trevion Miller are also players to watch for in the future. Cory Hines, who had 138 receptions for almost 2,100 yds and 23 touchdowns the past two seasons, was ESPN's #224 WR prospect, while Jordan Davis, Kevin Roberts (OCA Class 3A East All State team) and Tommy Cogburn were highly rated as well. Carlos Cuevas is the top newcomer on the offensive line. He was the #78 guard prospect in the nation in 2007. He is transferring in from Utah State. On the defensive line, Chase Neumann was an OCA All-State selection. At linebacker, transfers Preston Margain and Bronze Withem and high schooler Ryan Feller are players to watch. Jonathan Darby and Marvin Tribble are another pair of California junior college players who will help out in the fall.
LSC Ranking - 11
Overall Grade- B
The Bulldogs need help in a lot of areas and signed 50 recruits. They have decided the high school only approach was not going to yield positive results quickly enough. A dozen junior college transfers bring depth and will compete for playing time at just about every position. The high schools were not overlooked, and the DFW area has provided SWO with some good future prospects. A solid class overall.
