I thought I would start a thread where we could post updates on preseason camp and roster moves. To kick things off, it looks like we have a number two QB:

According to Matt Jones (@MattJones36): "Sounds like Bryan Schor will be the No. 2 QB behind Vad Lee. Schor is a 6-2, 210-pound former Miami (Ohio) commit."

http://www.bryanschor.com/

what? no hoddie !

https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1660991

Here is matt jones full interview with Withers.
You can't tell me this is a huge upgrade from Stoss's reporting. Jones is already a major upgrade and it is showing with Withers willingness to give him so much time.
https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1660991

+1

Matt, if you read these boards (which seems very possible given your thoroughness thus far), keep up the good work!

The true test of his reporting will be when something goes bad. My inner voice is telling me that the new football administration will be generous with time and stories as long as the DNR "plays ball". I do like what I've read so far though.

(07-21-2014 02:34 PM)jmu-fan-1981 Wrote:  https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1660991

Here is matt jones full interview with Withers.
You can't tell me this is a huge upgrade from Stoss's reporting. Jones is already a major upgrade and it is showing with Withers willingness to give him so much time.
https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1660991

That team update was more extensive than anything written since Barber.

Complete update from Jones's interview with Withers. Some good stuff in there: https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661226

Matt Jones covered VT Football for their student newspaper so he's knows the questions to ask and more importantly, knows the game pretty thoroughly, which is translating to well written articles.

(07-21-2014 05:23 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Complete update from Jones's interview with Withers. Some good stuff in there: https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661226

Damn good reporting and writing.

(07-21-2014 07:30 PM)HotHamandCheese84 Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 05:23 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Complete update from Jones's interview with Withers. Some good stuff in there: https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661226

Damn good reporting and writing.

Agree. Most comprehensive piece I've seen done for JMU sports in a long time. Well done sir.

Extremely impressed with the article. Major kudos to Matt Jones.
Content was full of good stuff I didn't know.
-Definitely appreciated the honesty from Withers in admitting the weak spots such as secondary and special teams(which we already knew). It does sound like we're in better shape than a year ago. At least there is competition there.
-Was pleased to hear his confidence in the O-line, especially the depth at each spot. I think the big thing is keeping the same 5 together and healthy.
-Looking forward to seeing the transfers, specifically Lee and Hill.
-A little concerned that so many freshmen may be key players. As Withers said, it's to be expected with the beginning of a new staff/program. At least those players will get experience and put us in great shape in the coming years.

Interesting article, I would say that Schor as the #2 QB is not a surprise.To mention Simmons at WR with DeAndre Smith , Andre Coble and Ravenel ahead of him in my opinion, is a surprise.I guess I should not read too much into that. Maybe Smith should be moved back to corner.Withers mentioned being more aggressive on defense. The spring practices had lots of blitzing and press coverage. Will anybody challenge Reynolds and Williams at the corner positions? Bangura or incoming freshmen Moreland and Peak? The kicking game flat out scares me.Arnone has too much on him.Someone needs to step up.

Great start by Matt Jones. The best work since Barber was covering JMU. Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!!

Let me sum this article up in one word: "Guy."

I really don't see where Withers comes up with that many freshman being key players. It won't be at QB, RB, OL, TE, or WR (we have about 40 of those). So, that's nothing on offense. Assuming the LBs are Steele, Till, and maybe Stallings but there might be one opportunity there. Marlowe is locked in at one safety and I'm expecting Williams or Greene to be the other (Williams played decently there before getting hurt). Expect Reynolds, Williams, Greene, and Smith to battle for the corner spots. Mosely, Lee, Jacques, and Harold are going to be your primary front with maybe K.J. Ford getting some time. So, unless we incur a lot injuries, I just don't see where he sees all these freshman getting significant time. The D-line will probably rotate quite a bit so maybe there but any other spots I'm just not sure who is expected to come out of that. I know they liked the recruiting class but I just don't see many, if any, of those guys getting beat out by freshman.

I imagine we might see freshman used throughout the defense, particularly in the 2nd seats for the two-deep. Do we have four starting-caliber upperclassman LBs?

(07-22-2014 08:42 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  I imagine we might see freshman used throughout the defense, particularly in the 2nd seats for the two-deep. Do we have four starting-caliber upperclassman LBs?

Well, I'm not even really sure what scheme we're going to play. Unless I missed it, nobody including Withers has given specifics so that's a tough one to answer. I imagine Till will play closer to the LOS the majority of the time. He's a pretty versatile player so hopefully they can use him to mix things up.

Special teams is where we will see Freshman and in the two deep. You can't go with starters all game long. There will be injuries too during the season. Freshman will play a key role. We just don't know where yet until the season unfolds.

(07-22-2014 09:29 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(07-22-2014 08:42 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  I imagine we might see freshman used throughout the defense, particularly in the 2nd seats for the two-deep. Do we have four starting-caliber upperclassman LBs?

Well, I'm not even really sure what scheme we're going to play. Unless I missed it, nobody including Withers has given specifics so that's a tough one to answer. I imagine Till will play closer to the LOS the majority of the time. He's a pretty versatile player so hopefully they can use him to mix things up.

I'll have to dig around, but I thought he was implementing a 3-4 as the base defense right away. Could be mistaken.

I thought I saw something about a hybrid where sometimes they'll line up in different formations depending on opponent/matchup/situation. Honestly, nobody every runs a true 4-3 or 3-4 like a video game so I don't think that's really such a big deal. It varies from player to player, but although Withers said he didn't plan on redshirting any of the freshman, I'd hate to burn a year on a talented kid to cover punts. Not that that's not important, but it seems kind of wasteful. If he's talking about them being on the 2 deep, then I can totally see that but at the FCS level, I'm just generally not in favor of burning a year for minimal contribution unless you really have to.