Agree with you about the return game/special teams. We were talking in the stands at the UCF game about when the last time we returned the ball past the 25 was when Isaiah broke one to the 35, lol. But really, we suck at kick returns and punt returns since Harris left.

I think the O-Line will be better next year though.

(12-09-2014 11:39 AM)Chappy Wrote:  Agree with you about the return game/special teams. We were talking in the stands at the UCF game about when the last time we returned the ball past the 25 was when Isaiah broke one to the 35, lol. But really, we suck at kick returns and punt returns since Harris left.

I think the O-Line will be better next year though.

I think it's more about safety. They put guys like Hardy and Jones back there because of their hands not their legs. They know they will catch it and 98% of the time not fumble. When you got an offense that moves the ball with ease and don't need the big returns or soul crushing fumbles giving them redzone opportunities.

(12-09-2014 11:55 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 11:39 AM)Chappy Wrote:  Agree with you about the return game/special teams. We were talking in the stands at the UCF game about when the last time we returned the ball past the 25 was when Isaiah broke one to the 35, lol. But really, we suck at kick returns and punt returns since Harris left.

I think the O-Line will be better next year though.

I think it's more about safety. They put guys like Hardy and Jones back there because of their hands not their legs. They know they will catch it and 98% of the time not fumble. When you got an offense that moves the ball with ease and don't need the big returns or soul crushing fumbles giving them redzone opportunities.

While I do think we need to improve some in the return game, that's actually not my biggest issue with our special teams. I don't think our kick/punt coverages are that great. We've gotten several kicks and a punt blocked, our field goal unit is wildly inconsistent. Just in general I think it is by far the weakest aspect of our team.

(12-05-2014 06:03 PM)pesik Wrote:  pre recruiting class/coaching carousel stock for teams next year

Cincy- UP
lose 5 on D including best 2 players but they weren't exactly a defensive team, gunner kiel now with a full year under his belt, 95% of his recievers returning they probably come in preseason favorites, atleast top 3

On offense UC not only returns Kiel and the receivers, but we will return RB's Hosey Williams (starting RB from 2013 and went down to injury early in 2014), Mike Boone (Freshman phenom who rushed for 9 TDs in 7 games) and Tion Green (#2 back from 2013 and to start this year). The biggest concern is depth on the OL next year. For the past couple years UC has been playing 9-10 guys up front but next year there is not a lot of quality after the first five. We always have a bunch of lineman get injured and have to rely on somebody to step it up but next year the replacements will be unproven.

I expect the defense to much improved overall. UC's secondary was extremely young this year. We lose Corner Howard Wilder but pretty much everyone else in the secondary was either a freshman or sophomore and getting acclimated to playing at this level. As everyone saw they improved a lot in the later half of the year. Big losses on defense will be linebackers Jeff Luc and Nick Temple and DE Terrelle Hartsfield. There are some guys who could possibly fill the shoes of Luc and Temple (former Army All-American Kevin Mohoun, Northwestern transfer Eric Wilson who starred on special teams this year) but we are going to have to go JUCO to get someone to fill the void of Hartsfield.

Here's my very unedumacated guess at an offensive two-deep for spring ball.

I have included no transfers or early enrolling freshmen (or freshmen who were redshirted this year, I just don't know enough about them), and it's possible I've overlooked an injured player or two (although I think I got them all)... just people who are active on the team right now.

OR (X)
Jimmy Williams (JR) 19 rec - 230 yds - 0 TD
Trevon Brown (SO) 14 rec - 264 yds - 4 TD
IR (H)
Isaiah Jones (JR) 75 rec - 766 yds - 5 TD
Quay Johnson (SO) 8 rec - 52 yds - 0 TD
LT
Ike Harris (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Stewart Hinson (SR) Played in 9 games in 2014
LG
Quincy McKinney (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Larry Williams (SO) Played in 12 games
C
JT Boyd (JR) Played in 12 games, started 10
CJ Struyk (SR) Played in 4 games in 2014
RG
Brandon Smith (SO) Played in 5 games… supposedly going to be a stud
Will Foxx (SR) Played in 8 games
RT
Tre Roberston (SR) Played in 10 games, started 4
Dontae Levingston (SR) Played in 11 games, started 10
QB
Kurt Benkert (SO) 8/10 - 58 yds - 0 TD - 1 INT
Cody Keith (SR)
RB
Chris Hairston (SR) 466 yds - 7.3 ypc - 2 TD
Marquez Grayson (SO) 300 yds - 6.1 ypc - 5 TD
IR (Y)
Bryce Williams (SR) 17 rec - 232 yds - 4 TD
Cedric Thompson (SR) 2 rec - 10 yds - 0 TD
OR (Z)
Davon Grayson (JR) 23 rec - 221 yds - 0 TD
Brandon Bishop (JR) 1 rec - 19 yds - 1 TD

We are going to be losing a TON of offensive linemen after the 2015 season!

(12-09-2014 12:01 PM)k-vegasbuc Wrote:  While I do think we need to improve some in the return game, that's actually not my biggest issue with our special teams. I don't think our kick/punt coverages are that great. We've gotten several kicks and a punt blocked, our field goal unit is wildly inconsistent. Just in general I think it is by far the weakest aspect of our team.

Oh, I agree... special teams all around have not been very good.

(12-09-2014 12:18 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Here's my very unedumacated guess at an offensive two-deep for spring ball.

I have included no transfers or early enrolling freshmen (or freshmen who were redshirted this year, I just don't know enough about them), and it's possible I've overlooked an injured player or two (although I think I got them all)... just people who are active on the team right now.

OR (X)
Jimmy Williams (JR) 19 rec - 230 yds - 0 TD
Trevon Brown (SO) 14 rec - 264 yds - 4 TD
IR (H)
Isaiah Jones (JR) 75 rec - 766 yds - 5 TD
Quay Johnson (SO) 8 rec - 52 yds - 0 TD
LT
Ike Harris (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Stewart Hinson (SR) Played in 9 games in 2014
LG
Quincy McKinney (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Larry Williams (SO) Played in 12 games
C
JT Boyd (JR) Played in 12 games, started 10
CJ Struyk (SR) Played in 4 games in 2014
RG
Brandon Smith (SO) Played in 5 games… supposedly going to be a stud
Will Foxx (SR) Played in 8 games
RT
Tre Roberston (SR) Played in 10 games, started 4
Dontae Levingston (SR) Played in 11 games, started 10
QB
Kurt Benkert (SO) 8/10 - 58 yds - 0 TD - 1 INT
Cody Keith (SR)
RB
Chris Hairston (SR) 466 yds - 7.3 ypc - 2 TD
Marquez Grayson (SO) 300 yds - 6.1 ypc - 5 TD
IR (Y)
Bryce Williams (SR) 17 rec - 232 yds - 4 TD
Cedric Thompson (SR) 2 rec - 10 yds - 0 TD
OR (Z)
Davon Grayson (JR) 23 rec - 221 yds - 0 TD
Brandon Bishop (JR) 1 rec - 19 yds - 1 TD

We are going to be losing a TON of offensive linemen after the 2015 season!

I think QB will be a legit competition next year.

-Benkert back up this year

-Keith second string 2 years ago before injury, will be 24 years old and has years of experience in this system and was a highly rated prep guy coming in, had his own documentary etc.

-Kemp In JUCO's averaged 370 yards a game on 65% and 8.4 yards and attempt passing and redshirted last year.


Carden was a nothing recruit with maybe one more D1 offer. If our staff saw something in him and Hardy 2 weeks after getting the job and have now had 5 years to prepare I think we'll have something among those guys to work with, and the system makes QB's look good and produces. That's proven even with lesser actual talent.

(12-09-2014 12:18 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Here's my very unedumacated guess at an offensive two-deep for spring ball.

I have included no transfers or early enrolling freshmen (or freshmen who were redshirted this year, I just don't know enough about them), and it's possible I've overlooked an injured player or two (although I think I got them all)... just people who are active on the team right now.

OR (X)
Jimmy Williams (JR) 19 rec - 230 yds - 0 TD
Trevon Brown (SO) 14 rec - 264 yds - 4 TD
IR (H)
Isaiah Jones (JR) 75 rec - 766 yds - 5 TD
Quay Johnson (SO) 8 rec - 52 yds - 0 TD
LT
Ike Harris (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Stewart Hinson (SR) Played in 9 games in 2014
LG
Quincy McKinney (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Larry Williams (SO) Played in 12 games
C
JT Boyd (JR) Played in 12 games, started 10
CJ Struyk (SR) Played in 4 games in 2014
RG
Brandon Smith (SO) Played in 5 games… supposedly going to be a stud
Will Foxx (SR) Played in 8 games
RT
Tre Roberston (SR) Played in 10 games, started 4
Dontae Levingston (SR) Played in 11 games, started 10
QB
Kurt Benkert (SO) 8/10 - 58 yds - 0 TD - 1 INT
Cody Keith (SR)
RB
Chris Hairston (SR) 466 yds - 7.3 ypc - 2 TD
Marquez Grayson (SO) 300 yds - 6.1 ypc - 5 TD
IR (Y)
Bryce Williams (SR) 17 rec - 232 yds - 4 TD
Cedric Thompson (SR) 2 rec - 10 yds - 0 TD
OR (Z)
Davon Grayson (JR) 23 rec - 221 yds - 0 TD
Brandon Bishop (JR) 1 rec - 19 yds - 1 TD

We are going to be losing a TON of offensive linemen after the 2015 season!

Trevon Brown will be above Jimmy. I think Jimmy moves back inside, and would be behind Isaiah. Curtis Burston behind Brown. Really no way to tell at RB. Levingston looked much better than Robinson. Everything else looks about right. RG will be interesting.

(12-09-2014 12:50 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 12:18 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Here's my very unedumacated guess at an offensive two-deep for spring ball.

I have included no transfers or early enrolling freshmen (or freshmen who were redshirted this year, I just don't know enough about them), and it's possible I've overlooked an injured player or two (although I think I got them all)... just people who are active on the team right now.

OR (X)
Jimmy Williams (JR) 19 rec - 230 yds - 0 TD
Trevon Brown (SO) 14 rec - 264 yds - 4 TD
IR (H)
Isaiah Jones (JR) 75 rec - 766 yds - 5 TD
Quay Johnson (SO) 8 rec - 52 yds - 0 TD
LT
Ike Harris (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Stewart Hinson (SR) Played in 9 games in 2014
LG
Quincy McKinney (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Larry Williams (SO) Played in 12 games
C
JT Boyd (JR) Played in 12 games, started 10
CJ Struyk (SR) Played in 4 games in 2014
RG
Brandon Smith (SO) Played in 5 games… supposedly going to be a stud
Will Foxx (SR) Played in 8 games
RT
Tre Roberston (SR) Played in 10 games, started 4
Dontae Levingston (SR) Played in 11 games, started 10
QB
Kurt Benkert (SO) 8/10 - 58 yds - 0 TD - 1 INT
Cody Keith (SR)
RB
Chris Hairston (SR) 466 yds - 7.3 ypc - 2 TD
Marquez Grayson (SO) 300 yds - 6.1 ypc - 5 TD
IR (Y)
Bryce Williams (SR) 17 rec - 232 yds - 4 TD
Cedric Thompson (SR) 2 rec - 10 yds - 0 TD
OR (Z)
Davon Grayson (JR) 23 rec - 221 yds - 0 TD
Brandon Bishop (JR) 1 rec - 19 yds - 1 TD

We are going to be losing a TON of offensive linemen after the 2015 season!

I think QB will be a legit competition next year.

-Benkert back up this year

-Keith second string 2 years ago before injury, will be 24 years old and has years of experience in this system and was a highly rated prep guy coming in, had his own documentary etc.

-Kemp In JUCO's averaged 370 yards a game on 65% and 8.4 yards and attempt passing and redshirted last year.


Carden was a nothing recruit with maybe one more D1 offer. If our staff saw something in him and Hardy 2 weeks after getting the job and have now had 5 years to prepare I think we'll have something among those guys to work with, and the system makes QB's look good and produces. That's proven even with lesser actual talent.

My friend was telling me an interview when RIley was talking about Blake Kemp you if you read between the lines, he thought he was going to be special.

(12-05-2014 05:08 PM)Knightsweat Wrote:  

(12-05-2014 04:59 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  I'd never noticed this before, but ESPN's roster for all universities has a sort feature on their columns, so this was easy to obtain:

2 Justin Hardy WR 6-1 188 SR Vanceboro, NC
4 Detric Allen DB 6-1 200 SR Norwood, NC
5 Shane Carden QB 6-2 221 SR Houston, TX
7 Lamar Ivey DB 6-1 196 SR Mebane, NC
9 Cam Worthy WR 6-3 220 SR Blair, SC
14 Warren Harvey PK 5-11 225 SR --
23 Desi Brown LB 6-2 220 SR Webster Groves, MO
24 Brandon WilliamsLB 6-1 230 SR Rock Hill, SC
25 Breon Allen RB 5-8 190 SR Daytona Beach, FL
35 Greg Robinson DB 5-11 202 SR Fayetteville, NC
45 Jake Geary LB 6-3 250 SR Hillsborough, NC
48 Maurice Falls LB 6-3 247 SR Belmont, NC
54 Terry Williams NT 6-1 353 SR Loganville, GA
60 Charlie Coggins LS 6-3 200 SR Albemarle, NC
74 Taylor Hudson OL 6-5 285 SR Greenville, SC
93 Chrishon Rose NT 6-4 303 SR Washington, DC
95 Terry Biles DE 6-2 278 SR High Point, NC

Good info. Thanks. How's Memphis looking for senior turnover?

A couple of these players did not hit the field this season.......Geary, Brown, not sure if there are others.

(12-09-2014 08:01 PM)r2pirate Wrote:  

(12-05-2014 05:08 PM)Knightsweat Wrote:  

(12-05-2014 04:59 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  I'd never noticed this before, but ESPN's roster for all universities has a sort feature on their columns, so this was easy to obtain:

2 Justin Hardy WR 6-1 188 SR Vanceboro, NC
4 Detric Allen DB 6-1 200 SR Norwood, NC
5 Shane Carden QB 6-2 221 SR Houston, TX
7 Lamar Ivey DB 6-1 196 SR Mebane, NC
9 Cam Worthy WR 6-3 220 SR Blair, SC
14 Warren Harvey PK 5-11 225 SR --
23 Desi Brown LB 6-2 220 SR Webster Groves, MO
24 Brandon WilliamsLB 6-1 230 SR Rock Hill, SC
25 Breon Allen RB 5-8 190 SR Daytona Beach, FL
35 Greg Robinson DB 5-11 202 SR Fayetteville, NC
45 Jake Geary LB 6-3 250 SR Hillsborough, NC
48 Maurice Falls LB 6-3 247 SR Belmont, NC
54 Terry Williams NT 6-1 353 SR Loganville, GA
60 Charlie Coggins LS 6-3 200 SR Albemarle, NC
74 Taylor Hudson OL 6-5 285 SR Greenville, SC
93 Chrishon Rose NT 6-4 303 SR Washington, DC
95 Terry Biles DE 6-2 278 SR High Point, NC

Good info. Thanks. How's Memphis looking for senior turnover?

A couple of these players did not hit the field this season.......Geary, Brown, not sure if there are others.

Greg Robinson

(12-09-2014 06:15 PM)oasispirate Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 12:50 PM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 12:18 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Here's my very unedumacated guess at an offensive two-deep for spring ball.

I have included no transfers or early enrolling freshmen (or freshmen who were redshirted this year, I just don't know enough about them), and it's possible I've overlooked an injured player or two (although I think I got them all)... just people who are active on the team right now.

OR (X)
Jimmy Williams (JR) 19 rec - 230 yds - 0 TD
Trevon Brown (SO) 14 rec - 264 yds - 4 TD
IR (H)
Isaiah Jones (JR) 75 rec - 766 yds - 5 TD
Quay Johnson (SO) 8 rec - 52 yds - 0 TD
LT
Ike Harris (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Stewart Hinson (SR) Played in 9 games in 2014
LG
Quincy McKinney (SR) Started 12 games in 2014
Larry Williams (SO) Played in 12 games
C
JT Boyd (JR) Played in 12 games, started 10
CJ Struyk (SR) Played in 4 games in 2014
RG
Brandon Smith (SO) Played in 5 games… supposedly going to be a stud
Will Foxx (SR) Played in 8 games
RT
Tre Roberston (SR) Played in 10 games, started 4
Dontae Levingston (SR) Played in 11 games, started 10
QB
Kurt Benkert (SO) 8/10 - 58 yds - 0 TD - 1 INT
Cody Keith (SR)
RB
Chris Hairston (SR) 466 yds - 7.3 ypc - 2 TD
Marquez Grayson (SO) 300 yds - 6.1 ypc - 5 TD
IR (Y)
Bryce Williams (SR) 17 rec - 232 yds - 4 TD
Cedric Thompson (SR) 2 rec - 10 yds - 0 TD
OR (Z)
Davon Grayson (JR) 23 rec - 221 yds - 0 TD
Brandon Bishop (JR) 1 rec - 19 yds - 1 TD

We are going to be losing a TON of offensive linemen after the 2015 season!

I think QB will be a legit competition next year.

-Benkert back up this year

-Keith second string 2 years ago before injury, will be 24 years old and has years of experience in this system and was a highly rated prep guy coming in, had his own documentary etc.

-Kemp In JUCO's averaged 370 yards a game on 65% and 8.4 yards and attempt passing and redshirted last year.


Carden was a nothing recruit with maybe one more D1 offer. If our staff saw something in him and Hardy 2 weeks after getting the job and have now had 5 years to prepare I think we'll have something among those guys to work with, and the system makes QB's look good and produces. That's proven even with lesser actual talent.

My friend was telling me an interview when RIley was talking about Blake Kemp you if you read between the lines, he thought he was going to be special.

That makes sense. You let Benkert be the back up this year / Emergency back up and save Kemp a year and get him a extra year of experience in the system as long as Shane could stay healthy the whole year. You would think with his JUCO experience he'd be the most game ready to step in.

Regardless I feel pretty good about that position producing numbers. I think it's mostly the system that's maximizing the talent rather than the talent making the system look good.

(12-10-2014 09:30 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Regardless I feel pretty good about that position producing numbers. I think it's mostly the system that's maximizing the talent rather than the talent making the system look good.

It would be wise for all the Pirates pissed at our coaching staff to realize this as well.

Yes, clock management cost us 2 games this year, but Ruff and Riley have done amazing things at ECU and people who want them gone are insane.

When I made that depth chart, I completely forgot about Blake Kemp. What other transfers or RS freshmen could make big impacts? I know about former Broughton HS (Raleigh) RB Chris Mangus who left VT and enrolled at ECU. He'll have to be good to find playing time in at a crowded position.

(12-10-2014 10:17 AM)Chappy Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 09:30 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Regardless I feel pretty good about that position producing numbers. I think it's mostly the system that's maximizing the talent rather than the talent making the system look good.

It would be wise for all the Pirates pissed at our coaching staff to realize this as well.

Yes, clock management cost us 2 games this year, but Ruff and Riley have done amazing things at ECU and people who want them gone are insane.

You are preaching to the choir with me. That loss was tough but I actually can see some merit in playing it the way they did and the odds were still in our favor even the way it played out we should have won with better secondary defense.

Shane ran around and did take some time off the clock even if he went backwards that even if they didn't lose yards and got it back at the 15 with another 5 or 10 seconds the same bad stuff could have happened and I don't think the last sack was planned at all. Had they ran the ball and we fumbled people or anything bad happened whatever we did people would be pissed we were handing it off then.

We are 26-12 with wins over 3 P5 bowl teams in the last 3 years and had a couple wins over teams that finished in the top 25 prior to that and multiple wins over a in state rivals. I'm still very pleased with the state of the program.

(12-10-2014 10:27 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 10:17 AM)Chappy Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 09:30 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  Regardless I feel pretty good about that position producing numbers. I think it's mostly the system that's maximizing the talent rather than the talent making the system look good.

It would be wise for all the Pirates pissed at our coaching staff to realize this as well.

Yes, clock management cost us 2 games this year, but Ruff and Riley have done amazing things at ECU and people who want them gone are insane.

You are preaching to the choir with me. That loss was tough but I actually can see some merit in playing it the way they did and the odds were still in our favor even the way it played out we should have won with better secondary defense.

Shane ran around and did take some time off the clock even if he went backwards that even if they didn't lose yards and got it back at the 15 with another 5 or 10 seconds the same bad stuff could have happened and I don't think the last sack was planned at all. Had they ran the ball and we fumbled people or anything bad happened whatever we did people would be pissed we were handing it off then.

We are 26-12 with wins over 3 P5 bowl teams in the last 3 years and had a couple wins over teams that finished in the top 25 prior to that and multiple wins over a in state rivals. I'm still very pleased with the state of the program.

I'm pleased with the coaching staff as well sans our Special Teams and our O-line. One thing I love is not worrying about Ruff ever leaving us. My hope is with the new exposure that we get in the American our recruiting, esp on defense will pick up and we get to the point where we just reload each year instead of rebuild.