Fall Previews 12 of 63: Navy

Navy:

Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo (57-35)
2014 Record: (8-5)
Basic Offense: Option
Basic Defense: 3-4

Offense: 

Keenan Reynolds

The Naval Academy has a history of excellent quarterbacks throughout the years but current signal caller Keenan Reynolds (3,186 career rushing yards, 64 touchdowns, 2798 career passing yards, 23 touchdowns) is one of the very few that can be placed on the Roger Staubach level. The senior is the leader of the program and is regularly mentioned as one of the toughest and smartest players in all of college football. The Midshipmen are in great shape as long as Reynolds stays healthy. He should easily break the all time rushing touchdowns record of 77 and has 14 career 100+ yard rushing games. Junior Tago Smith (38/118/3TD rushing, 10-14/215/3TD passing should be a very capable but not as explosive option if needed behind center. Smith dad a very capable just stepping in for the injured Reynolds in 2014.

Chris Swain

For a team with a run/pass ratio so weighted in the rushing attack, it is essential for the Midshipmen to have several players willing to carry the ball this fall. Senior slot backs Demond Brown (15/113/1TD) and DeBrandon Sanders (29/231/3TD) will be needed to step up this fall in extended roles after limited carries in 2014. Both are explosive backs that can take any carry to the house and will need to be solid for Navy this fall. A pair of juniors will back up the slot back duo in Kentucky native Dishan Romine (13/123/0TD) and Wisconsin native Toneo Gulley (11/77/1TD). Romine in particular was electric with the football in his limited carries capped by a long run of 47 yards last fall. Gully is not guaranteed the backup role as fellow junior Calvin Cass Jr. (10/50/0TD) is looking to find more playing time in 2015 for the Midshipmen. Fullback and third leading rusher in 2014 Chris Swain (104/693/4TD) is back for his senior season after putting up a ridiculous 6-7 yards per carry last fall at fullback. Swain is a load to bring down and is the key to keeping defenses honest in the option attack. Senior Quinton Ezell (6/29/0TD) is the backup and will see some playing time this fall.

The Midshipmen do not throw the ball very often in their offense with only 130 total pass attempts last fall but do return 2014's leading receiver in Z-receiver Jamir Tillman (20/386/3TD). The junior had an ability to stretch the field with a 19.3 yards per catch average He will be needed to make some big plays in the passing game for Navy this fall. Sophomore Brandon Colon (3/39/0TD) saw some playing time as a freshman and is expected to play a bigger role for the Midshipmen as a reserve this fall. On the other side of the formation is X-receiver Thomas Wilson (2/48/1TD). Despite only catching two passes last fall, Wilson will need to settle in quickly as a starter and contribute to the passing and rushing attacks. The backup role should be a position to watch in fall camp as senior Marc Meier and sophomore Craig Scott fight for the position. Neither made a catch in 2014 but will need to step up this fall with significant playing time on offense.

On the offensive line, experience may be lacking for an undersized front line but they should be able to hold their own this fall. At left tackle, junior Blake Copeland (1 career start) looks to take over the starting job after playing in three games last fall that included a start versus VMI. Sophomore Seth White, at 6-3, 265 pounds, will back up Copeland. Moving inside, left guard E.K. Binns (22 career starts) is an elder statesman with 22 career starts that included 12 starts in 2014. Junior Adam West (13 games played) will be the backup that is looking to step in and see some playing time on offense after playing primarily on special teams last fall. In the middle is the most entertaining position battle with senior Blaze Ryder (2 career starts) and junior Maurice Morris (3 games played) even heading into the fall. Ryder is much more experienced but Morris has shown the ability to be more physical at the line with his 6-3, 294 pound frame. It could last until week one before a starter is announced.
In another position of very little experience, right guard Ben Tamburello (1 career start) looks to start this fall after making a start in Navy's demolition of Georgia Southern last fall. The Alabama native is physical and talented but should watch out for sophomore backup Evan Martin. The 6-3, 294 pound guard saw action in all 13 games for the Midshipmen as a freshman and should make quite a few starts in his Navy career. At right tackle, Tennessee native Joey Gaston (16 career starts) looks to gain all conference honors this fall and maybe even a look at the NFL with an excellent senior season. The 6-5, 281 pound tackle has the size and build to possibly play at the next level. Sophomore  Robert Lindsey will be the backup.

Defense:

Will Anthony

On the defensive line, the Midshipmen will trot out three seniors to start the season opener with defensive end Will Anthony (67 tkl, 11 tfl, 2.5 sacks) leading the way. Anthony led the team in tackles for loss and sacks while finishing in the top five on the team in total tackles. He is the most important contributor to the Midshipmen defense and must be accounted for on every play by the opposing offense. Junior Amos Mason (2 tkl, 1 tfl) is the projected backup and will need to be prepared for extended playing time this fall after playing a light reserve role in 2014. In the middle is 6-1, 197 pound nose guard Bernard Sarra (38 tkl, 1.5 tfl, 0.5 sacks). The Pennsylvania native was a staple on the defensive line and made all 13 starts last fall, 22 career starts. Junior Patrick Forrestal (9 tkl) will see playing time as a backup in the middle. At the other defensive end slot, Sean Reaver (2 tkl) looks to make a start after playing as a reserve in 2014. Fellow senior A.K. Akpunku (4 tkl) made an impact in six games played and should push Reaver for playing time all season long. Fellow junior

Daniel Gonzales

The Navy linebacker corps is led into 2015 by junior Daniel Gonzales (86 tkl, 1 tfl, 3 INT) at the SAM position. Gonzalez is the team's leading returning tackler with 86 and made all 13 starts last fall, the only returning linebacker to do so. Fellow junior Ryan Harris (15 tkl) should be able to step in if needed and help out at all linebacker spots after seeing action in all 13 games last fall. Senior Myer Krah (25 tkl, 0.5 tfl) will also be a starter after seeing action in all 13 games in 2014. The linebacker has participated in 30 total games for the Midshipmen with two career starts. Junior Josiah Powell (4 tkl) will be needed to step up this fall after seeing limited duties in his first two seasons for Navy. The Mike linebacker spot is up for grabs heading into the fall with sophomore Micah Thomas (2 tkl) heading up the depth chart heading to fall practice. Senior Tyler Goble (11 tkl) is looking to make his first start after participating in 18 career games for Navy. At the final linebacker spot, another sophomore heads the depth chart in D.J. Palmore (7 tkl). He is not alone on top as junior Ted Colburn (3 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack) is listed at the top of the depth chart as well. This could be a heated battle heading well into fall camp. Sophomore Kevin McCoy is looking to find playing time whereever he can after only playing in two games in 2014.

Quincy Adams

Cornerback is the position that the Midshipmen should feel most comfortable about in the secondary. Junior Brendon Clements (58 tkl, 2 tfl) and senior Quincy Adams (75 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 INT) both made all 13 starts on the outside and should be good solid players this fall. Sophomore Elijah Merchant (3 tkl, 0.5 tfl) saw limited action in 2014 but should be a good backup for Clements at one cornerback spot. Juniors Cameron Bryant and Kyle Battle will fight out a strong positional battle for the spot behind Adams. Roverback Kwazel Bertrand (53 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 INT) has made 17 career starts and could break the 30 start mark if he stays healthy this fall. Daiquan Thomasson (2 tkl) and Brandon Jones (9 tkl) will both be good backups while also helping the Midshipmen on special teams. At free safety, Kentucky native Lorentez Barbour (4 tkl) is looking to take a step forward this fall after playing in all 13 games but making no starts in 2014. His play will be crucial in how this secondary plays versus a series of talented passing offenses this fall. Sophomores Randy Beggs and Justin Norton will be making their debuts on the field for Navy this fall.

Special Teams: 

The Midshipmen have a pair of senior kickers that are capable of doing well but  Austin Grebe was the better of the bunch in 2014, going 6-6 on field goal attempts with a long of 45 while also playing as the kickoff specialist (71 kickoffs, 20 touchbacks). Nick Sloan (3-8 FG, long of 35) will also get a few field goal attempts while Gavin Jernigan (2 KO, 0 TB) may occasionally kickoff. Jernigan is also expected to take over the punting duties for Navy this fall with junior Alex Barta backing him up.

Overall: 

2015 will be an interesting season for the Midshipmen as they make way into conference play as a member of the American Athletic Conference. Will Reynolds under center and running the vaunted option attack, it should be interesting to see how they stand up against competition in the AAC.

The Midshipmen open the season hosting FCS foe Colgate in what is nothing more than a dress rehearsal for the upcoming season and should run circles around the Colgate offense in going 1-0. Navy smartly scheduled a bye week before hosting East Carolina in their first game as a member of the AAC. Under Ruffin McNeil, the Pirates have struggled to slow down the Navy offense and should still struggle despite having several very good defensive players. A close but slightly high scoring game puts Navy at 2-0. After an easy win over cellar dwelling Connecticut, the Midshipmen get Air Force at home and get revenge for a disappointing loss on the road last fall.

With a 4-0 record on the line, Navy finally falls for the first time in a close than expected game versus Notre Dame in South Bend. Another smartly placed bye gives them two weeks to recover from the Notre Dame game in time to win two straight games, versus Tulane and South Florida, to move to 6-1 with a trip to Memphis in November. The Tigers are a very well coached team and will take every punch from Navy and give a few of their own. I give the edge to Navy with this being the only game of Reynolds' career within the confines of his home state of Tennessee.

Wins over SMU and Tulsa will get the Midshipmen to nine wins with another tough conference game on the road, this time at Houston. The Cougars should not be able to stop the Navy offense but the Midshipmen do not match up well versus the Houston offense either. Houston pulls out the win over Navy. Despite it being a hard fought game, the Midshipmen will again defeat Army and head to the bowl season at 10-2. Prediction: 10-3.