We've reached the start of summer school and summer workouts! Over the next few days, our roster will be updated with the 7 recruits (8 if you count CB D'Mario Gunn who enrolled in January) and numerous new names and faces.
Here's a list as it sits today and my thoughts on each player:
Freshman DE McClain Head - February Signee, has increase his weight to 255lbs.
Freshman S Nick Henderson - February Signee - Likely to take a RS but will likely fight for a spot on special teams.
Freshman OL David Huey - February Signee - Needs to RS, IMO.
Freshman QB Ben McClane - February Signee - Needs to RS, IMO but may not be an option because he'll serve as the primary back up for KH4 during the first four games.
Freshman DE Roderick Thompson - February Signee - Needs a RS but we are thin at DE, IMO.
Junior LB Qwontez Mallory - February Signee - Arrived at 215lbs (not 235lbs as some speculated) and will immediately contribute. Would like to see a 5-8lbs weight increase this summer and come to Fall camp at 220+.
Junior S Demazio Skelton - February Signee - Arrived at 190lbs and I expect him to fight for immediate laying time at Free Safety. Really high on this kid.
RS Jr. TE Kyle Irby - Transfer from Brevard College - Walk On and could contribute on special teams.
Junior S Rashad Stewart - Transfer from Louisville - Immediate impact player on special teams and within the Safety rotation. This kid made plays for Drake in 2009. Was on Louisville's roster in 2010.
Freshman OL Tyler Ferguson - Flint River Academy - Griffin, GA - Impressive looking kid. Will likely RS this Fall. Could be play either tackle spots and will likely be cross trained.
Freshman S Nathaniel Minor - Brookwood HS - Another impressive kid with good size. Will likely RS this Fall.
RS Sr. WR Cordero Ivory - Transfer from Ventura College - Walk-On with great size (6'5, 200lbs). Interesting to see how we utilize Ivory and see how he grasps the offensive playbook. Former DE prospect who has grown 4 inches since HS. Was a track guy as well, once high jumped 5'10 feet. Goal line jump balls should be fun to watch.
Also said to be enrolled or will enroll:
Junior DE AJ Portee - Transfer from UCONN - Rumored to be attending. May have some academic hurdles but would be an immediate impact player.
RS Sophomore LB Dexter Moody - Former UGA signee out of ECI. Tremendous player with a ton of upside. 3 years of remaining eligibility and would be an immediate impact player at LB.
No longer with the program:
Sr. NG Dion Peary - Was sliding down the depth chart and hopefully will stay in school and graduate.
RS Soph. DE Demetreious Shorter - Sliding down the depth chart, battled weight issues and was rumored to possibly change positions to try to maintain a spot.
What plays did Rashad Stewart make for Louisville in 2010?
ReplyDeleteI corrected it. He was with Louisville in 2010 but had a very good freshman season at Drake and piled up 31 tackles (24 solo) and one fumble recovery.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the K from Florida?
ReplyDeleteChristian Benevenuto is expected on campus in August. He participated in several kicking camps in South Florida this summer. Really looking forward to the battle between he and preferred walk on Matt Ehasz in Fall practice.
ReplyDeleteLooks like there will be depth at S and LB. Who are your projected starters at these positions respectively? Or is it too early to tell?
ReplyDeleteI do believe we have more quality depth at the safety and linebacker positions (which is criticaly in a 3-4).
ReplyDeleteIMO, the starting LBs will likely be Jake Muasau and Evan Bostic at OLB, Dexter Moody and Qwontez Mallory at ILB. Louie Muasau will battle for serious playing time. I really like Mike Hall and Akeen Felder for depth guys.
I believe Brandon Jones has a lock on the Strong Safety (Rover) position and Demazio Skelton will man the Free Safety position. Jocquez Fears and Rashad Stewart will push for playing time as well.
Both units look very strong entering Fall.
Any word on A.J. Portee?
ReplyDeleteHave heard that Portee may have some academic issues to overcome but I'd be mildly suprised if he wasn't on campus in August.
ReplyDeleteFemi is on the roster once again. Do you have any inside information on his return? I was highly surprised to see his name. Thanks for continuing to answer my questions.
ReplyDeleteFemi is back on the team. From what I understand, he worked extremely hard to build back the trust that was violated that forced him off the team.
ReplyDeleteCoach Curry's team rules are very different form other college coaches (and for that matter, HS/JUCO coaches). This is why I also believe this led to a higher attrition rate within the first 24 months of the program.
He's paid the price for his actions and it truly seems he's rectified his violation of team rules.
Absolutely! Keep them coming and thanks for reading!
Hey Ben, How about those big time transfers from Kentucky. Are they confirmed? Any word on QB tranfer or ist it out of the question?
ReplyDeleteYes they are confirmed. As of right now, Freshman Ben McLane and RS Soph. Bo Schlechter are the QBs for the first four games. I would not be suprised if we have some "preferred walk ons" that will be on the roster come August 4th.
ReplyDelete