Kent State Preview:
QB
#3 Spencer Keith QB 6-3 221 Sr. Little Rock,
Ark./Pulaski Academy--12 games played, 12 starts in 2011. 3 rushing touchdowns.
166-325 passing for 1682 yards and 11 TD.
#7 David Fisher QB 6-1 215 R-Jr.
Oceanside, Calif./Vista (Palomar C.C.)--Incoming Juco transfer.
#11 Evan Shimensky QB 5-10 175 R-Fr. Kent, Ohio/Roosevelt--Redshirted
in 2011.
#12 Luke Smurthwaite QB 6-1 194 R-Fr. Grove City, Ohio/Grove
City--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Colin Reardon QB Fr. Poland, OH Poland Seminary 6'1"
195--Incoming freshman.
Senior quarterback Spencer Keith
returns as the penciled in starter after starting all 12 games in 2011. Keith
does have some competition with Palomar CC transfer David Fisher who will push
Keith for the starting job. Redshirt freshmen Shimensky and Smurthwaite should
compete for the #3 spot unless one shows that he has improved enough to get
some backup reps. Colin Reardon should be redshirted as a freshman this fall.
RB
#34 Trayion Durham RB 6-0 260
So. Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain--12 games played, 8 starts in 2011. 186 carries
for 630 yards and 4 TD. 2 catches for 14
yards.
#1 Dri Archer RB 5-8 164 R-Jr.
Laurel, Fla./Venice--No stats in 2011.
#28 Anthony Meray RB 5-7 191 So. Spanaway, Wash./Bethel (Air Force
Academy Prep)--10 games played, 1 start. 66 carries for 244 yards and 2 TD. 3
catches for -1 yard.
#20 Larry Dawson RB 6-0 199 R-Sr. Akron, Ohio/North High (Akron)--10
games played in 2011. 2 carries for -2 yards.
#36 David Coleman RB 5-10 210 Jr. Groveport, Ohio/Groveport Madison--No
stats in 2011.
#33 Tristin Boykin RB 6-0 192 R-Fr. Centerville,
Ohio/Centerville--Redshirted in 2011.
#29 Joe Rogers Jr. RB 5-9 210 R-Fr. Barberton,
Ohio/Barberton--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? C.J. Brathwaite RB Fr. West Bloomfield, MI West Bloomfield
5'7" 175--Incoming freshman.
#?? Julian Durden RB Fr. McKees Rocks, PA Montour 5'8"
165--Incoming freshman.
Trayion Durham should be the
returning starter this fall after starting 8 games and playing in all 12 in
2011. Fellow sophomore Anthony Meray should split carries with Durham after
getting 66 carries last season. Dri Archer has a very good spring and ended the
spring at #2 on the depth chart. Redshirt senior Larry Dawson should not expect
to see the ball much at all unless there is a blowout although he should be
used on special teams. Coleman does not expect to compete for too much playing
time this fall. This is the deepest position for Kent State and with Redshirt
freshmen Boykin and Rogers looking for playing time, this should be an
interesting competition this fall.
TE
#42 Tim Erjavec TE/FB 6-1 232
R-Jr. Willowick, Ohio/Lake Catholic--12 games played, 8 starts in 2011. 10
catches for 82 yards and 1 TD. 1 tackle.
#88 Casey Pierce TE 6-4 220 R-So. Parma, Ohio/Normandy--10 games played
in 2011. 3 catches for 25 yards. 2 tackles.
#84 Kyle Payton TE 6-3 245 So. Dublin, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson--6 games
played in 2011. No stats.
#90 Xavier Douglas TE 6-2 220 R-So. Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley
Christian Academy--No stats in 2011.
#?? Kyle Crum TE Fr. Minerva, OH Minerva 6'5" 210--Incoming
freshman.
Starting 8 games in 2011,
Redshirt junior Tim Erjavec should return as the starter in a hybrid tight end/
fullback position used primarily as an extra blocker. Erjavec only had 10
catches in 12 games. Redshirt sophomore Casey Pierce will get some playing time
spelling Erjavec as the replacement.
WR
#5 Tyshon Goode WR 6-1 185 Sr. Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham
(Hargrave Academy)--12 games played, 5 starts in 2012. 24 catches for 216 yards
and 2 TD. 2 carries for 10 yards. 1 tackle.
#8 Matthew Hurdle WR 6-3 185 R-Sr. Richmond,
Va./Highland Springs--12 games played, 7 starts in 2011. 20 catches for 251
yards and 1 TD. 1 tackle.
#4 Eric Adeyemi WR 6-0 182 R-Sr.
Miami, Fla./Southridge (Kentucky)--8 games played, 6 starts in 2012. 5 catches
for 42 yards. 10 punt returns for 6.2 yard average. 21 kickoff returns for 19.3
yard average.
#12 Chris Humphrey WR 6-1 179 So. Solon, Ohio/Solon--9 games played in
2011. 1 tackle.
#82 Chris Gordon WR 5-10 170 R-Sr. Miami, Fla./Coral Gables--No stats
in 2011.
#19 Josh Boyle WR 5-10 155 Fr. Venice, Fla./Venice--Incoming freshman.
#23 Jeremy McCoy WR 6-1 191 R-Fr. Columbus,
Ohio/Marion-Franklin--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? James Brooks WR Fr. Groveland, FL South Lake 5'10"
196--Incoming freshman.
#?? Charles Chandler WR Fr. Columbus, OH St. Francis DeSales 6'3"
185--Incoming freshman.
#?? Anthony Melchiori WR Fr. Aurora, OH Aurora 5'11" 185--Incoming
freshman.
#?? William Woods WR Fr. Cleveland, OH Shaw 5'9" 180--Incoming
freshman.
With only 3 returning players
making any catches in 2011, the wide receiver position should be open for
anyone this fall. Senior Tyshon Goode is the leading returner with 24 catches
in 12 games. Redshirt seniors Hurdle and Adeyemi made a combined 13 starts in
2011 and should provide stability this fall. Expect 1-2 of the incoming
freshmen to come in and get playing time immediately.
OL
#66 Brian Winters LT 6-6 294 Sr.
Hudson, Ohio/Hudson--12 games played, 12 starts in 2011.
#61 Josh Kline LG 6-3 304 R-Sr.
Mason, Ohio/Mason--12 games played, 12 starts in 2011.
#75 Phil Huff C 6-3 290 Jr. Hilliard,
Ohio/Hilliard Davidson--4 games played, 2 starts in 2011.
#76 Robert Kearney RG 6-5 282
R-So. Durham, N.C./Northern (Hargrave Academy)--No stats in 2011.
#65 Kent Cleveland RT 6-4 300
R-Sr. Atlanta, Ga./St. Pius X--12 games played, 9 starts in 2011.
#67 Terrell Johnson LT 6-4 299 R-So. Pasadena, Md./Archbishop
Spalding--8 games played, 5 starts in 2011.
#71 Johnny Simon LG 6-4 250 R-Fr. Stow, Ohio/Stow-Munroe
Falls--Redshirted in 2011.
#74 Tom Pizzurro C 6-3 300 R-So. Armonk, N.Y./St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
(Hargrave Academy)--5 games played, 3 starts in 2011.
#68 Jason Bitsko RG 6-2 264 R-Fr. Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne--Redshirted
in 2011.
#77 Max Plunkett RT 6-7 309 R-Jr. Dayton, Ohio/Archbishop Alter--6
games played in 2011.
#70 Tyler Arend OL 6-5 295 R-Jr. Paulding, Ohio/Paulding--11 games
played, 5 starts in 2011.
#72 Vince Boden OL 6-10 330 R-So. Seven Hills, Ohio/Normandy
(Lackawanna)--4 games played in 2011.
#78 Shawn Wheeler OL 6-3 285 R-So. Brazil, Ind./Northview--1 game
played in 2011.
#?? Tad France OL Fr. Elyria, OH Elyria 6'4" 265--Incoming
freshman.
#?? Alex Nielsen OL Fr. Amherst, OH Elyria Catholic 6'4"
260--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jake Witucki OL Fr. Natrona Heights, PA Highlands 6'5"
283--Incoming freshman.
The offensive line for Kent State
looks to be very experienced especiallyon the left side with Winters and Kline
both making all 12 starts in 2011. Phil Huff, Robert Kearney, and Kent
Cleveland round out the starters for the fall with Cleveland making 9 starts in
2011 as well. The backup look to be good as well with 2 of the 5 having
starting experience and 3 of the 5 getting playing time in general. Look for
many of the linemen to get some playing time due to inevitable injuries along
the line.
DB
#11 Norman Wolfe Jr. CB 5-8 163
R-Sr. Akron, Ohio/Buchtel--8 games played, 5 starts in 2011. 20 tackles. 3
interceptions, 1 pbu.
#39 Luke Wollet SS 6-1 193 Jr.
Poland, Ohio/Poland Seminary--12 games played, 12 starts in 2011. 5 punt
returns for 8.0 yard average. 65 tackles, 4 for loss. 4 interceptions, 2 fumble
recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
#8 Calvin Tiggle FS 5-10 195 R-So. Ellenwood, Ga./Woodland
(Hargrave Academy)--10 games played, 10 starts in 2011. 66 tackles, 2 for loss.
3 pbu, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
#21 Sidney Saulter CB 6-0 178
R-Sr. Miami, Fla./North Miami--12 games played, 7 starts in 2011. 43 tackles,
3.5 for loss. 3 interceptions, 3 pbu.
#1 Darius Polk CB 6-0 183 R-Jr.
Lynchburg, Va./Virginia Episcopal (Hargrave Academy)--10 games played, 4 starts
in 2011. 34 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 sack. 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 forced
fumbles.
#3 Leon Green S 5-11 204 R-Sr.
Monroeville, Pa./Gateway--10 games played, 2 starts in 2011. 28 tackles, 1 for
loss. 1 interception, 1 pbu.
#18 Chevin Meadows CB 5-11 188 So. Akron, Ohio/Buchtel--11 games played
in 2011. 14 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 sack.
#31 Devante' Strickland SS 6-1 217 So. Columbus,
Ohio/Marion-Franklin--9 games played in 2011. 8 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 forced
fumble.
#14 Dylan Farrington DB 6-1 184 R-So. Chapel Hill, N.C./Chapel Hill
(Hargrave Academy)--11 games played in 2011. 8 tackles.
#7 Fabrice Pratt DB 6-2 184
R-Jr. Miami, Fla./Sunset--3 games played in 2011. 4 tackles.
#20 Malcom Pannell CB 5-11 163 Jr. Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington
Central--1 game played in 2011. 1 tackle.
#16 Sam Miller CB/WR 6-0 184 R-So. Orrville, Ohio/Orrville--No stats in
2011.
#2 Sal Battles S 5-11 218 R-Sr.
Youngstown, Ohio/East--No stats in 2011.
#17 Josh Winland S 6-1 195 R-Sr. Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton--No stats
in 2011.
#32 Jeff Yates S 5-9 190 R-Fr. Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing--Redshirted
in 2011.
#25 J.J. Sanders DB 5-10 209 R-Fr. Columbus, Ohio/Northland--Redshirted
in 2011.
#?? Jordan Italiano DB Canfield, OH Canfield 5'10" 198--Incoming
freshman.
#?? Adam Maxie DB Fr. Colleyville, TX Covenant Christian Academy
6'1" 172--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jason O'Bryan DB Fr. Madison, OH Madison 6'3" 192--Incoming
freshman.
#?? Kerrick Rhone DB Fr. Pflugerville, TX Hendrickson 5'11"
175--Incoming freshman.
#?? Keenan Stalls DB Fr. Tampa, FL Plant 6'0" 175--Incoming
freshman.
Junior Luke Wollet returns after
starting all 12 games in 2011 and making 65 tackles to go along with 4
interceptions. Redshirt sophomore Calvin Tiggle made 10 starts with 66 tackles
averaging 6.6 tackles per game. Redshirt senior Sidney Saulter made 7 starts
and had 3 interceptions. Polk, Green, and Wolfe all made starts as well in 2011
will all three making 20+ tackles last season. There is a host of players that
will compete for playing time With two redshirt freshmen and 5 incoming
freshmen in 2012.
DL
#51 Jake Dooley DE 6-3 238 Sr.
Mason, Ohio/Mason--12 games played, 11 starts in 2011. 45 tackles, 10.5 for
loss. 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles.
#5 Roosevelt Nix DT 6-0 244 Jr. Reynoldsburg,
Ohio/Reynoldsburg--12 games played, 12 starts in 2011. 39 tackles, 17 for loss.
4.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles.
#6 Dana Brown Jr. NT 6-0 281 Sr. McKeesport,
Pa./McKeesport Area--12 games played, 6 starts in 2011. 26 tackles, 4.5 for
loss. 1.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
#47 Mark Fackler DE 6-3 244 Jr.
Kenton, Ohio/Kenton--12 games played in 2011. 21 tackles, 5.5 for loss. 3
sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
#34 Richard Gray NT 6-2 277 Jr. Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills--11
games played in 2011. 10 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 blocked kick.
#72 Anthony Pruitt DE 6-2 299 So. Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison--8
games played in 2011. 4 tackles.
#53 Carlows Brown DT 6-0 264 R-So. McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport Area--8
games played in 2011. 4 tackles.
#80 Andrew Christopher DE 6-4 245 R-Jr. Chardon, Ohio/Chardon (Lakeland
C.C.)--4 games played in 2011. 4 tackles.
#95 Nate Terhune DE 6-3 251 R-Fr. Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Orange--1 game
played in 2011. No stats.
#48 Nate Vance DE/LS 6-1 228 R-So. Stow, Ohio/Stow-Munroe Falls--1 game
played in 2011. No stats.
#55 Elias Sayre DL 6-4 232 R-So. Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon--No stats in
2011.
#97 Clay Miller DL 6-3 231 R-Fr. Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple
Heights--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Colton Kmetz DE Fr. Ijamsville, MD Urbana 6'5" 220--Incoming
freshman.
#?? Reno Reda DE Fr. Pataskala, OH Watkins Memorial 6'5"
250--Incoming freshman.
#?? Chris Fairchild DT Fr. Oak Hill, OH Oak Hill 6'2"
300--Incoming freshman.
The Golden Flashes have 4
defensive linemen returning with at least 20 tackles last season. Senior Jake
Dooley and junior Rooseelt Nix combined to have 27.5 tackles for loss and 9.5
sacks leading the defense. Gray, Pruitt, Brown and Christopher all got some
playing time in 2011 and could work themselves into the mix this fall. Redshirt
freshman Clay Miller is the wildcard and could come in and get playing time
immediately although breaking into the starting lineup is a tall task.
LB
#30 Luke Batton MLB 6-0 224 Sr.
Macedonia, Ohio/Nordonia--12 games played, 12 starts in 2011. 102 tackles, 7
for loss. 3 pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked kick.
#43 C.J. Malauulu WLB 6-1 235
Sr. Oceanside, Calif./El Camino (Palomar C.C.)--12 games played, 11 starts in
2011. 83 tackles, 9.5 for loss. 3.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced
fumble.
#10 Andre Parker SLB 6-1 215 So.
Ruckersville, Va./Fork Union--9 games played in 2011. 8 tackles. 2 fumble
recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
#41 Zack Hitchens LB/DE 6-2 237 Jr. Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal
Winchester--12 games played, 1 start in 2011. 21 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 2
sacks, 1 forced fumble.
#58 Danny Gress MLB 6-0 230 R-Jr. Englewood, Ohio/Northmont--12 games
played in 2011. 9 tackles.
#46 Nick Conrad WLB 6-0 222 So. Stow, Ohio/Stow-Munroe Falls--11 games
played in 2011. 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble.
#27 Derek Jones LB 6-3 235 R-So. Grove City, Ohio/Westerville South--2
games played in 2011. No stats.
#49 Darius Petraitis LB 6-1 213 R-Sr. Cleveland, Ohio/Villa Angela-St.
Joseph--No stats in 2011.
#4 C.J. Steward SLB 6-1 224
R-Jr. Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson (Hargrave Academy)--No stats in 2011.
#38 Dylan Beam LB 6-0 220 R-So. Barberton, Ohio/Barberton (Ashland)--No
stats in 2011.
#?? Denzell Burton LB Fr. Cleveland, OH Glenville Academic Campus
6'1" 205--Incoming freshman.
#?? Matthew Dellinger LB Fr. Clarkston, MI Clarkston 6'2"
210--Incoming freshman.
#?? Jake Kincaid LB Fr. Pickerington, OH Central 6'2"
245--Incoming freshman.
Seniors Luke Batton and CJ
Malauulu combined to make all but one start in 2011 with Batton leading the
team with 102 tackles and Malauulu second with 83. Junior Zack Hitchens played
in all 12 games in 2011 but only ended up with 21 tackles on the season. Expect
to see Conrad, Parker, and Gress to find the field in special teams situations.
With three incoming freshmen that are all talented, the question will be
whether or not the coaching staff will want to save them for future seasons.
LS
#35 Trip Ison LS 6-1 253 R-Sr.
Roanoke, Va./William Byrd--2 games played in 2011. No stats in 2011.
#98 Chad Bushley LS 6-0 219 R-Fr. Berea, Ohio/St. Edward--Redshirted in
2011.
Long snapping could be an issue
in 2012 as neither snapper has much game experience. Ison should be the
favorite although Bushley could push him for the job.
P
#92 Andrew Horning P 6-1 202
R-So. Akron, Ohio/Stow-Munroe Falls--1 game played in 2011. No stats in 2011.
As the only punter on the roster,
Horning must step in an become a weapon rather than a liability for the Golden
Flashes in 2012.
K
#45 Freddy Cortez PK 6-0 200 Sr.
Fort Meade, Fla./Fort Meade--12 games played in 2011. 13-17 field goals. 18-23
PATs. All 4 misses from 40+ yards. 48 kickoffs, 15 touch backs. 2 tackles.
#85 Kadin Kerns PK 5-7 157 R-Fr. Bradenton, Fla./Braden
River--Redshirted in 2011.
Senior Freddy Cortez
was the kicker in 2011 and did a very good job at it. Cortez made 13-17 field
goals with all four misses coming from 40+ yards. If the Golden Flashes can get
the attempts within 40 yards, Cortez is money. The PATs were an adventure in
2011 as Cortez connected for only 78% which is odd considering his 100% rate
from 39 yards in on field goals. Redshirt freshman Kadin Kerns may get the
chance to be a PAT only kicker if he can make them and Cortez continues to
struggle at PATs.
ATH
#?? Brice Fackler ATH Fr. Kenton, OH Kenton 6'4" 215
#?? Jamal Roberts ATH Fr. Zephyrhills, FL Zephyrhills 5'10" 170
Overall, things are
looking up for the Golden Flashes after winning 4 of their final 5 games in
2011 ending the season with a 5-7 record. Kent State has starters returning at
all over the offense and defense and start 2012 with winnable games all over
the schedule. NIU and Toledo are not on the schedule this season giving the
Golden Flashes a chance to get to 6-6 in 2012. Things could break either way in
the fall but expect a slight improvement for the upcoming season for the Golden
Flashes.
Projected starters in bold.
No comments:
Post a Comment