Saw this article in one of the Charleston Papers:
Here is a part of it: Here is an analysis of what to expect during Spring Drills:
QUARTERBACK:
This always is the Herd glory position and this spring is no different. With starting quarterback STAN HILL limited to non-contact work while his surgically repaired knee heals completely, the door swings open for prodigy BERNARD MORRIS to get major repititions.
The redshirt freshman will be groomed to become Hill's backup for next season and the Herd's starting quarterback in 2005.
HOT SEAT:
JIMMY SKINNER. He has to show whether he belongs in Division I-A or Division II.
EXPERIMENT:
TIM BESSOLO. He was put on scholarship despite being removed from the scout squad last season.
NOTE, not from the article: Adam Black will have surgery to repair an inner ear problem that has plagued him since coming to Marshall. He will likely miss the season, or a big part of it from what I've been told.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - -
WIDE RECEIVER:
JOSH DAVIS will replace Darius Watts as the "X" receiver. Otherwise, it will be an open audition for the other three spots. The contestants are HIRAM MOORE, WILBUR HARGROVE, BRAD BATES, TREMEL GUILLORY and CLARENCE STANFIELD.
HOT SEAT:
WILBUR HARGROVE. He has the speed, but still hasn't proven he can play the position. It's now or never.
EXPERIMENT:
KYLE ECHOLS. The redshirt freshman with 10.3 100-meter speed has been moved from cornerback.
NOTE, #84 SHAWN LAUZON, 6-6 195 So., from Virginia Beach, VA has looked really good in practice and will push for playing time IMO.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OFFENSIVE LINE:
MU has three positions to fill. Transfer ZAC ELCESS steps into the lineup at center, redshirt freshman JOHN INMAN takes over at right guard and sophomore SETH COOK gets the nod at left tackle. With depth already a problem, the loss of left tackle JOSH BLAKEY to academic woes is a blow. He is expected to return in August, however.
HOT SEAT:
SETH COOK. With Blakey gone, he has to get the job done. There isn't anybody else.
EXPERIMENT:
NATE HOWARD. Allowing the talented redshirt freshman to shift to defensive tackle for the spring probably is a move that won't last long.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TIGHT END:
JEFF MULLINS takes over for Jason Rader, but the No. 2 job is wide-open. The candidates are JOE DEIFEL, BRIAN SHOPE and MATT MORRIS.
HOT SEAT:
JOE DEIFEL. He has to prove he'll be physical enough to play.
EXPERIMENT:
That will happen in August when highly-regarded recruit MATT PARKHURST arrives in preseason camp.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RUNNING BACK:
Marshall is seeking a No. 2 running back to get 10-12 carries a game behind starter EARL CHARLES. The candidatesare TANK TUNSTALLE, true freshman MARCUS FITZGERALD and former outside linebacker DONTE NEWSOME. If you're wagering on this race, FITZGERALD is the odds-on favorite.
HOT SEAT:
TANK TUNSTALLE. He must show he's more than a third-and-short specialist.
EXPERIMENT:
DONTE NEWSOME. The junior hasn't played running back since he was a senior at Deep Creek High (Chesapeake, Va.) in 2001, but he was very good back then, rushing for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns. He possesses exceptional speed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DEFENSIVE LINE:
MU needs a starter at tackle and a second-team end. JAMAAL WHYCE, ROGER GARRETT, ADRIAN DAVIS (he has been moved inside from end) and NATE HOWARD will battle for playing time at tackle. A pair of former inside linebackers - DAMARCUS THOMAS and GAVIN HERSCHER - along with rapidly-improving redshirt freshman BYRON TINKER, who is up to 250 pounds, will fight for the end spot.
HOT SEAT:
JAMAAL WHYCE. The junior-college transfer is a senior, so there's no tomorrow.
EXPERIMENT:
DAMARCUS THOMAS & GAVIN HERSCHER. Thomas has a pit bull mentality and could be another JONATHAN GODDARD. Herscher has battled to keep his weight down to 245 pounds. Now he can become a 270-pounder with superb quickness.
NOTE: Herscher looked really strong and very quick in spring drills. I will be surprised if he doesn't make some kind of an impact this year. I think the N. Howard experiment is over. Look for him to switch over to offense full time, unless the D gets devastated with injuries.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
STRONG SAFETY:
Switching schemes from a 4-4 to a 4-3 has re-created this position. The candidates are CHRIS ROYAL, LONNIE MCCOWAN and GEREMY RODAMER. Don't forget the Herd signed three safeties in the 2004 recruiting class.
HOT SEAT:
LONNIE MCCOWAN. He has to show he's more than just a special teams player.
EXPERIMENT:
GEREMY RODAMER. This is the redshirt freshman's third position since last August.
|
