Conference USA Players to Watch

There is lots of talent all over the board in Conference USA this year with some of the craziest offensive numbers as well as some of the better defensive players in the nation. Unsure of who to watch for in the conference this season, let's take a look and find out who should be noticed among CUSA this season.

Charlotte:

• Matt Johnson, QB: 1,941 yards passing and 13 touchdowns in 2014. 
• Kalif Phillips, RB: 1,436 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns with a 6.3 yards per carry average in 2014.
• Austin Duke, WR: 79 catches for 1,373 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2014. 
• Jamal Covington, Casey Perry, Danny Book, OL: All three made 10+ starts on the offensive line in 2014.
• Branden Dozier, S: 86 tackles, 1 interception, 11 pbu, 12 pd in 2014. 
• Larry Ogunjobi, NT: 48 tackles, 11.5 tfl, 5 sacks, 1 fr in 2014.
• Karrington King, LB: 79 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 3 sacks in 2014.
• Greg Cunningham Jr., CB: 45 tackles, 2 tfl, 3 interceptions, 5 pbu, 8 pd in 2014.

Florida International: 

• Alex McGough, QB: 138-274 passing, 1,680 yards, 14 TD in 2014.
• Jonnu Smith, TE: 61 catches, 710 yards, 8 TD. 1st team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Aaron Nielsen, Jordan Budwig, Dieugot Joseph, OL: All made 10+ starts in 2014.
• Michael Wakefield, DE: 38 tkl, 14.5 tfl, 8 sacks, 3 pbu, 3 pd, 3 fr, 4 ff, 1 blocked kick. 2nd team All-CUSA
• Denzell Perine, DL: 40 tkl, 9.5 tfl, 6.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr, 1 ff. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014
• Davison Colimon, LB: 46 tkl, 8 tfl, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 3 fr. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Anthony Wint, LB: 48 tkl, 0.5 tfl, 1 fr, 1 ff. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• CB Richard Leonard, CB: 13 pr, 23.8 avg., 1 TD. 24 kr, 25.7 avg. 3 defensive TD. 40 tkl, 1 tfl, 5 INT, 7 pbu, 12 pd, 4 fr, 2 ff. 1st team All-CUSA DB and Returner in 2014.

Florida Atlantic: 

• Jaquez Johnson, QB: 120 carries, 513 yards, 7 TD. 182-315 passing, 2,215 yards, 17 TD in 2014.
• Jenson Stoshak, WR: 37 catches, 508 yards, 2 TD in 2014.
• Reggie Bain, Mikingson Marsaille, Dillon DeBoer, OL: All three made all 12 starts in 2014.
• Trevon Coley, DT: 53 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 pbu, 2 pd, 1 fr. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• LB Robert Relf, LB: 65 tkl, 1.5 tfl in 2014.
• Cre’Von LeBlanc, CB: 71 tkl, 1 tfl, 2 INT, 6 pbu, 8 pd. 3 pr, 2.7 avg., 1 defensive TD. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Dalton Schomp, P: 45.4 yards per punt, 8 inside the 20, 13 over 50 yards, 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.

Louisiana Tech:

• Kenneth Dixon, RB: 253 carries, 1,299 yards, 22 TD. 30 catches, 385 yards, 6 TD. 1 tkl, 1 ff. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Trent Taylor, WR:64 catches, 834 yards, 9 TD. 22 pr, 7.6 avg. 1 tkl. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Kirby Watson, C: 14 games played, 12 starts. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Jeff Driskell, QB: Transfer from Florida. Projected starter at quarterback.
• Vernon Butler, DT: 56 tkl, 13.5 tfl, 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr, 1 ff. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Adarius Barnes, CB: 46 tkl, 4 tfl, 5 INT, 9 pbu, 14 pd. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Kentrell Brice, S: 86 tkl, 4 tfl, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 5 pbu, 7 pd, 4 ff. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Xavier Woods, S: 71 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 1 sack, 6 INT, 7 pbu, 13 pd, 3 ff, 1 blocked kick. 2 defensive TD. 1st team All-CUSA in 2014.

Marshall:

• Hyleck Foster, WR: 18 catches, 254 yards, 3 TD in 2014.
• Clint Van Horn, RT: 14 games played, 14 starts. 1st team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Devon Johnson, RB: 206 carries, 1,767 yards, 17 TD. 6 catches, 121 yards, 2 TD. 1st team All-CUSA in 2014. 
• D.J. Hunter, LB: 80 tkl, 10 tfl, 5.5 sacks. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• A.J. Leggett, FS: 63 tkl, 1 tfl, 8 pd, 1 ff, 4 INT in 2014. 
• Taj Letman, SS: 94 tkl, 0.5 tfl, 8 pd, 4 INT in 2014.
• Corey Tindal, CB: 73 tkl, 2 tfl, 0.5 sacks, 13 pd, 1 fr, 1 defensive TD. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Tyler Williams, P: 42 punts, 44.1 avg., long of 64. 1st team All-CUSA in 2014.

MTSU:

• Austin Grammer, QB: 221-338 passing, 2,557 yards, 17 TD. 124 carries, 442 yards, 6 TD in 2014.
• Jordan Parker, RB: 128 carries, 546 yards, 2 TD. 11 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD in 2014.
• Ed Batties, WR: 45 catches, 474 yards, 3 TD in 2014.
• Darius Johnson, LT: 12 games played, 12 starts. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Patrick McNeil, DT: 15 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014. 
• T.T. Barber, LB: 72 tkl, 7.5 tfl, 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 pbu, 2 ff. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Xavier Walker, FS: 67 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 INT, 4 pbu, 1 ff in 2014.
• Kevin Byard, SS: 66 tkl, 3 tfl, 6 INT, 2 ff, 1 blocked kick. 1 pr, 76 yards, 1 TD. 2 kr, 4.0 avg. 1st team All-CUSA in 2014.

North Texas:

• Andrew McNulty, QB: 110-202 passing, 1,295 yards, 6 TD. 42 carries, 54 yards, 2 TD in 2014.
• Kaydon Kirby, C: 12 games played, 12 starts in 2014.
• Carlos Harris, WR: 70 catches, 863 yards, 3 TD. 9 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD in 2014.
• Chad Polk, DE: 25 tkl. 8.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 3 pd, 1 ff. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014. 
• Fred Scott, LB: 54 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 1 pbu, 1 pd in 2014.
• Kenny Buyers, CB: 55 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 INT, 2 pbu, 5 pd in 2014. 
• Trevor Moore, K: 15-17 FG, long of 47. 37-37 XP. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.

Old Dominion:

• Ray Lawry, RB: 134 carries, 947 yards, 16 TD. 17 catches, 155 yards in 2014.
• Zach Pascal, WR: 59 catches, 743 yards, 7 TD. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• David Washington, WR: 47 catches, 599 yards, 4 TD in 2014.
• Tyler Fisher, LG: 11 games played, 11 starts. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Poncho Barnwell, DE: 1 defensive touchdown. 34 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks, 1 fr, 1 ff in 2014
• TJ Ricks, LB: 80 tkl, 7 tfl, 2.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr, 4 ff in 2014. 
• Fellonte Misher, S: 79 tkl. 2 tfl, 2 INT, 1 pbu, 3 pd, 2 fr, 1 ff in 2014.

Rice:

• Driphus Jackson, QB: 191-331 passing, 2,842 yards, 24 TD. 121 carries, 401 yards, 1 TD in 2014.
• Jowan Davis, RB: 245 carries, 956 yards, 6 TD. 13 catches, 108 yards. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Dennis Parks, WR: 29 catches, 389 yards, 1 TD in 2014.
• Andrew Reue, OG: 13 games played, 13 starts. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Alex Lyons, LB: 71 tkl, 5 tfl, 3 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 2 fr. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Nick Elder, LB: 40 tkl, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr in 2014. 
• Ryan Pollard, CB: 27 tkl, 1 tfl, 2 INT, 8 pbu, 10 pd. 1 defensive TD in 2014.
• James Farrimond, P/K: 8-11 FG, long of 40. 25-25 XP. 68 punts, 42.0 avg., long of 67, 14 inside the 20, 13 over 50 yards in 2014.

Southern Miss:

• Nick Mullens/Tyler Matthews, QB: 218-365 passing, 2,470 yards, 12 TD for Mullens. Matthews is a transfer from TCU eligible this season.
• Ito Smith, RB: 136 carries, 536 yards, 2 TD. 8 catches, 76 yards in 2014.
• Casey Martin, WR: 55 catches, 531 yards, 2 TD. 0-1 passing. 15 pr, 8.9 avg. 1 kr, 21 yards. 3 tkl. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Cameron Tom, C: 12 games played, 12 starts. 2 tkl. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Michael Smith, DE: 31 tkl, 0.5 tfl in 2014.
• Brian Anderson, LB: 65 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr in 2014.
• Picasso Nelson, FS: 36 tkl, 2 INT, 7 pbu, 9 pd in 2014.
• Tyler Sarrazin, P: 66 punts, 39.5 avg., long of 57, 17 inside the 20, 9 over 50 yards in 2014.

UTEP:

• RB Aaron Jones, RB: 242 carries, 1,321 yards, 11 TD. 0-1 passing. 30 catches, 293 yards, 3 TD. 2 tkl. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Wil Hernandez, Derek Elmendorf, Jerome Daniels, OL: All made 10+ starts on the offensive line in 2014.
• Eric Lee, C: 13 games played, 13 starts. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Nick Usher, DE: 41 tkl, 5.5 tfl, 3 sacks, 1 ff in 2014.
• Roy Robertson-Harris, DE: 36 tkl, 9.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 1 fr, 4 ff in 2014.
• Alvin Jones, LB: 55 tkl. 9 tfl, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 pbu, 1 fr in 2014
• Jay Mattox, P/K: 13-16 FG, long of 42. 43-44 XP. 41 punts, 41.1 avg., long of 68, 9 inside the 20. 70 kickoffs, 47 touchbacks in 2014.
• Devin Cockrell, SS: 52 tkl, 7 tfl, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 pbu. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.

UTSA:

• William Cavanaugh, RG: 12 games played, 6 starts in 2014.
• David Morgan II, TE: 20 catches, 255 yards, 1 TD. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Aaron Grubb, WR: 23 catches, 202 yards in 2014.
• Austin Robinson, QB: 81-167 passing, 1,083 yards, 4 TD. 66 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD in 2014
• Jason Neill, DL: 29 tkl, 6.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 2 ff in 2014.
• Drew Douglas, LB: 71 tkl, 7 tfl, 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 ff in 2014. 
• Mauricio Sanchez, DB: 46 tkl, 4 tfl, 1 INT, 2 pbu, 3 pd in 2014.
• Bannett Okotcha, DB: 23 tkl, 1 INT, 4 pbu, 5 pd in 2014.

WKU:

• Brandon Doughty, QB: 375-552 passing, 4,830 yards, 49 TD. 39 carries, -52 yards, 2 TD. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Leon Allen, RB: 272 carries, 1,542 yards, 13 TD. 51 catches, 476 yards, 3 TD. 1 tkl. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Taywan Taylor, WR: 45 catches, 767 yards, 7 TD. 1 carry, 11 yards. 6 kr, 13.5 avg. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Jared Dangerfield, WR: 69 catches, 825 yards, 11 TD. 1 tkl. 2nd team All-CUSA in 2014.
• Forrest Lamp, LT: 13 games played, 13 starts. 1 tkl. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Gavin Rocker, 45 tkl, 7.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fr, 1 ff in 2014.
• Nick Holt, 111 tkl, 7 tfl, 1.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 3 pd, 1 fr. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.
• Branden Leston, S: 63 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 sack, 4 INT, 1 pbu, 5 pd, 1 fr in 2014.
• Garrett Schwettman, K: 16-21 FG, long of 42, 1 blocked. 70-71 XP. 9 kickoffs, 1 touchback. Honorable mention All-CUSA in 2014.