Fall Preview: Buffalo

Fall Preview for the Buffalo Bulls

QB

#15 Alex Zordich QB Jr. 6-2 224 Youngstown, OH/Cardinal Mooney--Projected starter. 4 games played. 5-12 passing for 41 yards. 3 carries for 3 yards.

#16 Joe Licata QB R-Fr. 6-2 217 Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South--Redshirted in 2011.

#04 Jerry Davis QB Sr. 6-2 215 Fresno, CA/Edison--No stats in 2011.

#17 Tony Daniel QB R-Fr. 6-5 205 Hiram, GA/South Paulding--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Jordan Johnson QB Fr. 6-1 185 Amherst, NY/Sweet Home HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Collin Michael QB Fr. 6-5 220 Lexington, OH/Lexington HS--Incoming Freshman.

With no one else having any game experience, the 2012 starting job looks to be junior Alex Zordich's to lose after playing in 4 games and attempting 12 passes as a sophomore. Redshirt freshman Joe Licata looks to be the best bet to challenge Zordich after practicing with the team but redshirting in 2011. Senior Jerry Davis and Redshirt freshman Tony Daniel look to fight for mop up duties. Incoming freshmen Jordan Johnson and Collin Michael will also get a look but the more likely scenario is for both to be redshirted in 2012.

RB

#32 Branden Oliver RB Jr. 5-8 204 Miami, FL/Miami Southridge--Projected starter. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts. 306 carries for 1395 yards and 13 TD. 12 catches for 38 yards. 3 tackles.

#11 Brandon Murie RB Jr. 5-9 188 Elma, NY/Iroquois--11 games played. 2 kickoff returns for 14.5 yard average. 1 punt return for 8 yards. 8 tackles. 1 fumble recovery.

#01 James Potts RB So. 6-0 197 Boynton Beach, FL/American Heritage--No stats in 2011.

#14 Anthone Taylor RB So. 5-10 202 Huber Heights, OH/Wayne--7 games played. 4 carries for 20 yards. 2 catches for 13 yards. 1 kickoff return for 9 yards.

#?? Devin Campbell RB Fr. 6-0 200 Youngstown, OH/Boardman HS--Incoming Freshman.

After a sophomore season that saw him gain nearly 1400 yards and 13 touchdowns, Branden Oliver is the unquestioned starter going into the fall. Junior Brandon Murie looks to get some carries as well after only seeing time on special teams in 2011. Sophomores James Potts and Anthone Taylor look to enter the mix as well and Taylor has experience with 4 carries and 2 catches in 7 games last season. Incoming freshman Devin Campbell looks to be redshirted with so many options ahead of him on the depth chart.

FB

#98 Rashad Jean FB/DL Sr. 6-0 252 Spring Valley, NY/Spring Valley--Projected starter. 3 games played. No stats in 2011.

#49 Boomer Brock FB Jr. 5-9 259 Elma, NY/Iroquois--No stats in 2011.

After moving from the defensive line to fullback, senior Rashad Jean could be a very effective lead blocker for Oliver and help the running game maintain the momentum of last season. Junior Boomer Brock is an interesting player that while short does have the bulk to take on linebackers and defensive ends on running plays. Brock should be able to work himself on the field in some situations.

TE

#81 Jimmy Gordon TE Jr. 6-4 260 Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford--Projected starter. 12 games played, 5 starts. 5 catches for 44 yards. 1 kickoff return for 15 yards. 5 tackles, 1 forced fumble.

#12 Alex Dennison TE Jr. 6-2 249 Irwin, PA/Norwin--Returning starter. 12 games played, 5 starts. 3 tackles. 5 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD.

#88 Jake Reeder TE Jr. 6-4 250 State College, PA/State College--3 games played. No stats in 2011.

#89 Matt Weiser TE R-Fr. 6-5 244 Womelsdorf, PA/Conrad Weiser--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Mason Schrek TE Fr. 6-5 225 Medina, OH/Medina HS--Incoming Freshman.

Having 2 tight ends that both started 5 games in 2011, the Bulls look to be in good shape going into the fall. Juniors Jimmy Gordon and Alex Dennison both started 5 as mentioned before and both ended the season with 5 catches a piece although Dennison was more explosive and better candidate for big plays. Both should get plenty of playing time this fall in rotation. Junior Jake Reeder and redshirt freshman Matt Weiser should contribute on special teams. It will be difficult for freshman Mason Schrek to earn playing time in the fall.

WR

#19 Alex Neutz WR Jr. 6-4 209 Grand Island, NY/Grand Island--Projected starter. Returning starter. 9 games played, 8 starts. 43 catches for 641 yards and 4 TD.

#85 Cordero Dixon WR So. 6-0 189 Suwanee, GA/North Gwinnett--Projected starter. 3 games played. No stats in 2011.

#18 Fred Lee WR Jr. 6-2 204 Chester, SC/Chester--Projected starter. Returning starter. 11 games played, 3 starts. 1 carry for 18 yards. 20 catches for 139 yards and 2 TD. 1 tackle.

#08 Rudy Johnson WR So. 5-11 198 Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh--2 games played. No stats in 2011.

#86 Ron Willoughby WR R-Fr. 6-4 204 Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake--Redshirted in 2011.

#87 Devon Hughes WR So. 6-1 191 Tyrone, GA/Sandy Creek--10 games played, 1 start. 18 catches for 123 yards and 1 TD.

#06 Saron Hood WR Sr. 6-0 188 San Diego, CA/The Bishop's School--9 games played. No stats in 2011.

#25 John Dunmore WR So. 6-1 193 Syracuse, NY/Christian Brothers Academy--No stats in 2011.

#?? Malcolm Robinson WR Fr. 6-1 185 Canton, OH/McKinley HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Marcus McGill WR Fr. 6-2 215 Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili HS--Incoming Freshman.

Two of the three projected starters at wide receiver are returning starters with a combined 11 starts in 2011. Junior Alex Neutz leads the receiving corps with 43 catches and 4 touchdowns in 2011. Junior Fred Lee added 20 catches and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore Cordero Dixon is the other projected starter who played in 3 games in 2011. Expect sophomore Devon Hughes to be in the mix this fall after making 18 catches in 2011 as a true freshman. Rudy Johnson and Saron Hood were special teams players in 2011 but Johnson looks to make the jump into the rotation and make some catches this fall. Freshmen Malcolm Robinson and Marcus McGill will both struggle to make their way up the depth chart this fall.

OL

#50 Andre Davis LT So. 6-4 305 Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale--Projected starter at left tackle. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts.

#56 Jasen Carlson LG Jr. 6-3 307 Jamestown, NY/Southwestern--Projected starter at left guard. Returning starter. 7 games played, 6 starts.

#71 Trevor Sales C So. 6-1 314 La Porte, IN/La Porte/Delaware State--Projected starter at center. No stats in 2011. 0 games played.

#55 Graham Whinery RG Sr. 6-4 297 Arlington, TX/Martin--Projected starter at right guard. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts.

#79 Gokhan Ozkan RT Sr. 6-7 330 Staten Island, NY/Bishop Ford--Projected starter at right tackle. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts.

#70 Pat Wilson LT Jr. 6-5 290 East Aurora, NY/Canisius--0 games played in 2011.

#61 John Kling LT R-Fr. 6-7 315 Cheektowaga, NY/Depew--Redshirted in 2011.

#74 Robert Blodgett LG R-Fr. 6-5 315 Lima, NY/Honeoye Falls-Lima--Redshirted in 2011.

#73 Jesse Back LG R-Fr. 6-3 305 Cincinnati, OH/La Salle--Redshirted in 2011.

#77 Gabriel Barbe C So. 6-6 300 Montreal, Quebec/CEGEP Du Vieux--10 games played in 2011.

#76 Anthony Bartholomew C Jr. 6-6 307 Fredonia, NY/St. Francis--2 games played.

#65 Dillon Guy RG So. 6-4 317 Hamilton, Ontario/Waterdown District--11 games played, 6 starts.

#67 Jake Silas RT So. 6-6 323 Portland, MI/Portland--1 game played.

#60 Jake Pickett OL R-Fr. 6-0 273 Owego, NY/Owego Free Academy--Redshirted in 2011.

#68 Jake Summers OL R-Fr. 5-11 274 Lockport, NY/Newfane--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Dan Collura OT Fr. 6-6 260 Elkridge, MD/Dematha Catholic--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Jaden Cotton OT Fr. 6-5 300 Depew, NY/Depew HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Robert Riche OT Fr. 6-6 270 Canton, MI/Plymouth HS--Incoming Freshman.

Three of the five starters on offensive line started all 12 games for the Bulls in 2011 (sophomore Andre Davis, senior Graham Whinery, and senior Gokhan Ozkan). Left guard Jasen Carlson made 6 starts for the Bulls in 2011. the only projected starter with no experience is center Trevor Sales who made no appearances in 2011. Expect sophomore Dillon Guy and sophomore Gabriel Barbe to also get some playing time this fall.

DL

#40 Steven Means DE Sr. 6-3 260 Buffalo, NY/Grover Cleveland--Projected starter. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts. 33 tackles. 3.5 for loss. 2.5 sacks. 3 pbu, 2 pd, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery. 1 defensive touchdown.

#97 Wyatt Cahill NT Sr. 6-4 285 Tempe, AZ/Corona Del Sol--Projected starter. 12 games played. 14 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.

#34 Colby Way DE Jr. 6-4 270 State College, PA/State College--Projected starter. 12 games played, 5 starts. 49 tackles, 7.5 for loss. 3 sacks. 1 blocked kick. 2 kickoff returns for 10.5 yard average.

#57 Kendall Patterson DE R-Fr. 6-1 271 Abingdon, MD/DeMatha Catholic--Redshirted in 2011.

#91 Dalton Barksdale NT So. 6-4 301 Detroit, MI/Cass Technical--5 games played. 1 tackle.

#90 Kristjan Sokoli DE So. 6-6 293 Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield--10 games played. 14 tackles, 4 for loss. 1 forced fumble.

#53 Joe Felicia DL R-Fr. 6-3 253 Marcellus, NY/Marcellus--Redshirted in 2011.

#94 Todd Therrien DL R-Fr. 6-0 298 Williamsville, NY/Williamsville East--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Beau Bachtelle DE Jr. 6-5 250 Tuolumne, CA-/Summerville HS/Modesto, JC--JUCO Transfer.

#?? Corey Madlock NT Fr. 6-4 260 Buffalo, NY/Cleveland Hill HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Albert McCoy NT Fr. 6-4 265 St. Petersburg, FL/Gibbs HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Max Perisse DE Fr. 6-4 250 Downingtown, PA/B. Reed Henderson HS--Incoming Freshman.

Senior defensive end Steven Means is the leader of the defensive line after making all 12 starts in 2011 with 33 tackles and a defensive touchdown. Senior Wyatt Cahill looks to start in the middle after making 14 tackles in 2011. Junior Colby Way only started 5 games in 2011 but had an impressive 49 tackles and a blocked kick in 2011. Expect Patterson, Barksdale, Sokoli, Felicia, and Bachtelle to all have a chance to play as well this fall.

LB

#36 Lee Skinner ILB So. 6-2 237 Dayton, OH/Fairborn--Projected starter. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts. 80 tackles, 5 for loss. 2 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.

#44 Jaleel Verser ILB Sr. 6-6 239 Lansing, MI/Everett--Projected starter. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts. 49 tackles, 6 for loss. 1 sack. 1 pbu, 1 blocked kick.

#46 Khalil Mack OLB Jr. 6-3 244 Fort Pierce, FL/Westwood--Projected starter. Returning starter.  12 games played, 12 starts. 65 tackles, 20.5 for loss. 5.5 sacks. 1 interception, 2 pbu, 5 forced fumbles, 1 blocked kick.

#47 Imani Chatman OLB Sr. 6-3 222 Frederick, MD/Urbana--Projected starter. 6 games played. 2 tackles.

#24 Dalonte Wallace OLB Sr. 6-2 218 Temple Hills, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt--12 games played. 12 tackles. 1 pbu.

#43 Wonderful Monds II OLB So. 6-0 227 Fort Pierce, FL/Westwood--11 games played. 6 tackles.

#48 Willie Moseley OLB Sr. 6-5 251 Richmond, VA/Varina--9 games played. 9 tackles.

#37 Khari Brown ILB So. 6-0 234 Upper Marlboro, MD/Bishop McNamara--11 games played. 8 tackles.

#33 Scott Pettigrew ILB Sr. 6-1 227 Thompson's Station, TN/Independence--12 games played. 32 tackles. 1 forced fumble.

#52 Jake Stockman ILB So. 6-2 240 Joliet, IL/Joliet Catholic--10 games played. 9 tackles.

#42 Ryan Paxson LB So. 6-6 237 Brighton, MI/Brighton/Cincinnati--No stats in 2011.

#59 Shaquille Dudley LB Jr. 6-2 220 Buffalo, NY/Cardinal-O'Hara--5 games played. 1 tackle. 1 fumble recovery.

#92 Kendall Roberson LB So. 6-1 231 Decatur, GA/Avondale--2 games played. 5 tackles.

#51 Brandon Tammaro LB R-Fr. 6-2 227 Plymouth, MI/Detroit Central Catholic--Redshirted in 2011.

#?? Waylon Fink LB Fr. 6-5 225 Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem HS--Incoming Freshman.

The Bulls have a linebacker corps that may be one of the most underrated in the country led by junior Khalil Mack who started all 12 games and had 65 tackles with a staggering 20.5 for loss to go along with 5.5 sacks, an interception, and a blocked kick Sophomore Lee Skinner and senior Jaleel Verser man the middle with both starting all 12 games in 2011 with a combined 129 tackles. Wallace, Pettigrew, Monds, and Stockman could all easily get some playing time as well in 2012.

DB

#04 Cortney Lester CB So. 6-0 184 Miramar, FL/Everglades--Projected starter. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts. 54 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack. 4 pbu, 2 interceptions.

#22 Najja Johnson CB Jr. 6-0 194 Atlanta, GA/Marietta--Projected starter. Returning starter. 12 games played, 12 starts. 39 tackles, 1 for loss. 15 pbu, 1 interception.

#08 Isaac Baugh SS Sr. 5-11 205 Spring Hill, TN/Independence--Projected starter. Returning starter. 11 games played, 10 starts. 36 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 fumble recovery, 3 pbu.

#38 Witney Sherry FS So. 6-0 195 Miami, FL/Chaminade-Madonna--Projected starter. 7 games played. 3 tackles.

#39 Marqus Baker CB R-Fr. 5-10 180 Tampa, FL/Robinson--Redshirted in 2011. 1 tackle.

#31 Carlos Lammons CB Jr. 5-8 176 Pahokee, FL/Pahokee--10 games played. 7 tackles.

#28 Dwellie Striggles CB So. 5-10 177 Lauderhill, FL/University School--4 games played. 7 tackles, 1 for loss.

#30 Okoye Houston SS Jr. 6-0 202 Greenville, SC/Woodmont--12 games played, 3 starts. 35 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 interception, 2 pbu.

#29 Adam Redden SS Jr. 6-1 199 Amherst, NY/St. Francis--1 game played. No stats in 2011.

#27 Kyndal Minniefield FS R-Fr. 5-11 181 Daphne, AL/Daphne--Redshirted in 2011.

#49 Keith Takeh DB So. 5-10 191 Hollywood, FL/Chaminade-Madonna--3 games played. No stats in 2011.

#15 Derek Brim DB So. 6-0 193 Buffalo, NY/Canisius--10 games played. 9 tackles.

#19 Daniel Gold DB Jr. 5-8 177 Highland Mills, NY/Monroe-Woodbury--2 games played. No stats in 2011.

#20 Matthew Thomas-Quick DB Fr. 5-10 167 Atlanta, Ga/Westlake--Incoming Freshman.

#?? William Rembert CB Fr. 6-1 175 Southfield, MI/Cass Technical HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Brandon Berry S Fr. 6-0 205 Detroit, MI/Cass Technical HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? Okezie Alozie S Fr. 6-0 200 Bethlehem, PA/Freedom HS--Incoming Freshman.

#?? C.J. Stancil CB Fr. 5-11 185 Chesterfield, VA/Cosby HS--Incoming Freshman.

With 3 starters having started 10+  games in 2011, the Bulls look loaded in the secondary in 2012. Sophomore cornerback Cortney Lester picked off 2 passes in 2011 to go along with 54 tackles and 12 starts. Junior cornerback Najja Johnson made 12 starts with 39 tackles and 15 pass break ups last fall. Senior strong safety Isaac Baugh made 10 starts to go along with 36 tackles in 2011. Sophomore free safety Witney Sherry is the wild card with no starts under his belt in 7 games played in 2011. Marqus Baker, Carlos Lammons, Dwellie Striggles, and Okoye Houston all look ready to step in to the rotation and get some time on the field this fall.

K

#45 Patrick Clarke K So. 6-2 205 New Castle, DE/Hargrave Military Academy--12 games played. 6-6 field goals, long of 49 yards. 54 kickoffs, 7 touchbacks. 3 tackles.

Sophomore Patrick Clarke was a perfect 6-6 on field goals with a long of 49 yards after earning the kicking position midway through the 2011 season. Clarke is the only pure kicker on the roster and will be expected to take all the field goals and do all the kickoffs in 2012 as well.

P

#45 Patrick Clarke K So. 6-2 205 New Castle, DE/Hargrave Military Academy--Projected starter at punter. No stats in 2011 at punter.

#?? Tyler Grassman P Fr. 6-1 185 Columbus, OH/Gahanna Lincoln HS--Incoming Freshman.

Kicker Patrick Clarke leaves the spring as #1 on the depth chart although the coaching staff has to hope that incoming freshman Tyler Grassman steps in and takes over the punting duties to give Clarke's leg somewhat of a rest.

LS

#58 Tim Krantz LS Jr. 6-1 235 Bellmore, NY/Bellmore--12 games played. 2 tackles.

#88 Jake Reeder TE Jr. 6-4 250 State College, PA/State College--3 games played. Back long snapper.

Junior long snapper Tim Krantz looks to build upon a 2011 season that saw him play in all 12 games as the long snapper and even make a couple of tackles on the season. Krantz should be even better in 2012 but junior tight end Jake Reeder will be there in case Krantz falters.

With an out of conference schedule that includes Georgia, Morgan State, Connecticut, and Pittsburgh, the Bulls will be lucky to be 2-2 in those four games. The first two weeks of October will tell the story of the 2012 season with back to back trips to Ohio and Northern Illinois to start October. If the Bulls can win 1 of 2 and go 2-2 in the non-conference block, then Buffalo will be bowling this fall. More realistically, the Bulls will win 4 or 5 games and be a respectable MAC team ready to make the next step and go bowling again in 2013.