Toledo Preview 2006 - Offense

Toledo Rockets Preview 2006 - Toledo Offense

- Toledo Preview | Offense | Defense | Depth Chart | Further Analysis

What you need to know ... Expect more of the same from an offense that led the MAC in just about everything except passing offense, but it was the league's second most efficient attack. The ground game should be just as dominant as long as backs Jalen Parmele and Scooter McDougle can get and stay healthy. Four starters return to the league's best offensive line and should have few problems opening up huge holes. The big question is at quarterback where Clint Cochran replaces Bruce Gradkowski, but he appears to have the offense down. The passing game will be more than fine with three fantastic tight ends and a number one receiver in Steve Odom to carry a young corps.

Returning Leaders
Passing: Clint Cochran
32-43, 262 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jalen Parmele
64 carries, 294 yds, 3 TD
Receiving: Steve Odom
55 catches, 690 yds, 6 TD

Star of the offense: Junior OT John Greco
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore QB Clint Cochran
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore WR Trumaine Smith
Best pro prospect: Greco
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Greco, 2) TE Chris Hopkins, 3) WR Steve Odom
Strength of the offense: Offensive line, running back
Weakness of the offense: Quarterback experience

Quarterbacks
Bruce Gradkowski was a three year starter. who amassed 10,243 yards or total offense with 85 touchdown passes and only 27 interceptions. He's not going to be easily replaced. Clint Cochran isn't going to run the ball as much as the spread offense might like, but he's an effective passer and should grow into a solid leader. Brandon Summers might be the best overall fit for the attack because of his running skills. At the moment, he's the number two man with big passer John Goolsby the third option. True freshman Aaron Opelt will get a shot to see playing time when he gets on campus.
The key to the unit: Clint Cochran has to be efficient and can't make mistakes. As long as he doesn't throw interceptions and is effective on third downs, everything else should fall into place.
Quarterback Rating: 6

Projected Starter
- Clint Cochran, Soph. - 32-43, 74%, 262 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 rushing touchdown
Cochran isn't nearly the runner Bruce Gradkowski was, but he's a bigger passer with a live arm and a solid knowledge of the offense. He saw a little bit of time last season starting in the blowout loss against Fresno State with 163 passing yards and a touchdown with an interception. He's a very smart, very tough player who should do more than fine in the starting role.

Top Backups
- Brandon Summers, RFr.
Summers got enough work in during the bowl practices to give a little bit of hope that he can step in and be a starter if needed. He's the best runner of the quarterback options, but he's not all that big at 6-0 and 187 pounds.

- John Goolsby, Soph.
The clear number three man in the quarterback mix, Goolsby needs more time to learn what he's doing. He's a pre passer with great size at 6-5 and 215 pounds with a live arm.

Running Backs
The Rockets lost their top two runners in 1,294-yard back Trinity Dawson and 7.2-yard-per-carry back Quinton Broussard, but they'll be more than fine with the return of Scooter McDougle from a major knee injury and junior Jalen Parmele after an injury-plagued 2005. Richard Davis and DaJuane Collins would start for most MAC teams.
The key to the unit: Jalen Parmele and Scooter McDougle have to get healthy and stay 100% while Richard Davis and DaJuane Collins need to be worked into the mix.
Running Back Rating: 7

Projected Starters
- Jalen Parmele, Jr. - 65 carries, 294 yds, 4.6 ypc, 3 TD, 4 catches, 41 yds
Parmele is a big, 220-pound back with speed. He appeared to be all set to start at the beginning of last year, or at least be a major factor, but he was never healthy and finished third on the team in rushing after being used as a complementary back. While he won't have to be a workhorse, he needs to be the first option and a steady producer until new starting quarterback Clint Cochran gets his feet wet.

Top Backups
- Scooter McDougle, Jr.
McDougle is a 245-pound cannonball who led the team in rushing in 2004 before suffering a major knee injury that cost him all of last season. While he's known for being a between-the-tackles runner, he's also a fantastic receiver. He appears to be healthy, but he has to get his wind back. Expect him to ease into the season slowly and then soon take over the starting job.
- Richard Davis, Soph. - 36 carries, 256 yds, 7.1 ypc, 2 TD, 6 catches 57 yds
Davis has the potential to be a special back once he gets a little more work. He didn't see much action in the offense after the first two games of last year when he rushed for 111 yards against Western Illinois and 69 yards against Western Michigan, but he saw plenty of work as a kickoff returner. He's a fast back with good power.
- DaJuane Collins, RFr.
A star high school defensive back as well as a runner, Collins is tremendously quick and physical at 200 pounds. He'll see a few carries here and there even though he could be the odd man out with a logjam of runner.

Receivers
The potential is there for the Rockets to be really, really good here. Steve Odom is a rock-solid number one receiver who'll make all the big catches and be the consistent player the rest of the corps can work around. Nick Moore and David Washington are rising stars, while lightning fast Trumaine Smith and veteran Andrew Hawkins will each see starting time at some point. The tight end situation is even better with Chris Hopkins, John Allen and Josh Powell forming a three-headed monster that'll likely combine for around 70 catches.
The key to the unit: Several good prospects have to step up their games and become threats. Nick Moore, Trumaine Smith and David Washington are too good not to make more of an impact. Steve Odom has to be as good as he was over the last three seasons.
Receiver Rating: 6.5

Projected Starters
- Steve Odom, Sr. - 55 catches, 690 yds, 12.5 ypc, 6 TD
Odom has been one of the team's main targets for the last three seasons upping his game from a number two receiver to the go-to guy. He's not the biggest receiver at 5-10 and 170 pounds, but he has sure hands and is as reliable as they come with a nation-leading 37 straight games with at least one catch.

- Nick Moore, Soph. - 24 catches, 335 yds, 14 ypc, 4 TD
Brother of UT's all-time leading receiver Lance Moore, Nick is a 6-4 athlete who turned into a solid deep threat. He caught nine passes for 101 yards and a touchdown against Central Michigan, but he only made one other grab over the final three games of the regular season. Now he'll be expected to be a reliable number two man taking heat off Steve Odom.

- David Washington, Jr. - 9 catches, 126 yds, 14 ypc, 1 TD
It's time for Washington to become a top playmaker. He's 6-5, 219 pounds, and fast enough to be used on the outside. He started to come on over the second half of last year and now should grow into a deep threat.

- Tight end Chris Hopkins, Sr. - 31 catches, 355 yds, 11.5 ypc, 4 TD
Hopkins turned in a second-team All-MAC season despite only starting in three games and being used as a blocker. He's a great sized 6-5, 255-pound receiver who can stretch the field turning into one of the team's most consistent receivers with two or more grabs in each of the final seven games.

Top Backups
- Trumaine Smith, Soph.
Expect Smith to finally grow into a star. He's 6-4 and 211 pounds with warp 4.3 speed. He was a big recruit for the Rockets and is just now going to get in the mix as the fourth receiver and possible starter on the outside.
- Andrew Hawkins, Jr. - 28 catches, 283 yds, 10.1 ypc, 3 TD
Consider Hawkins a returning starter after he getting the nod in 11 games last season. He relies on his quickness, toughness and hands at only 5-8 and 165 pounds. He can be used as a runner on end arounds and isn't afraid to go inside.
- Andre Redd, Soph. - 8 catches, 83 yds, 10.4 ypc
A quick target behind Nick Moore, he's a little bit bigger than the team's number one receiver and should be a physical presence across the middle and with the ball in his hands.
- Tight end John Allen, Soph. - 20 catches, 209 yds, 10.4 ypc, 5 TD
Allen turned out to be one of the most pleasant surprises of last year turning into a solid receiver finishing sixth on the team in his freshman year. He's only 215 pounds and isn't a big blocker, but he's physical. He's a big target with great hands and a way of making plays around the goal line.
- Tight end Josh Powell, Sr. - 16 catches, 191 yds, 11.9 ypc, 2 TD
While liisted third on the depth chart, Powell is hardly a number three tight end. At 6-5 and 263 pounds he's by far the biggest blocker of the lot with great hands and surprising speed down the middle. He's a fantastic midrange threat.

Offensive Linemen
The line was the best in the MAC last season allowing a mere 13 sacks while paving the way 2,602 rushing yards and a 5.3 yard per carry average. Most of the reason was continuity with all five starters playing in the same spot in every game. Four starters return with the only opening at right guard where Jesse Anderson will fill in for Chris Wakeman. John Greco is an All-MAC performer at left tackle while guard David Perkins isn't far behind. 
The key to the unit: Hope for the same luck with injuries and develop more young players to be ready to roll next year.
Offensive Line Rating: 7.5

Projected Starters
- OT John Greco, Jr.
One of the best blockers in the conference, the All-MAC star made the successful conversion from right tackle to left and should be even better this season. He's 6-5, 318 pounds and very athletic.
- OG David Perkins, Jr.
Perkins has next-level potential at left guard. He's a bruising run blocker and was night-and-day better in pass protection than he was as a freshman. He's a very strong 308 pounds.
- C Hassan Abedesin, Sr.
The 300-pound senior stepped into the starting role and had a solid season in the middle. He's a mauler of a run blocker who could be used at guard if needed.
- OG Jesse Anderson, Sr.
The only question mark on the line, the 300-pound senior is a career reserve at both guard spots and will have to shine right away on the right side. He has seen more than enough time to fit in fine.
- OT Jerry Aguwa, Sr.
Aguwa went from being a decent backup to a strong right tackle who turned out to be solid when John Greco moved over to the left side. He has the talent to be a force, mostly as a pass blocker, after his year of starting experience.

Top Backups
- G Chad Diggs, Sr.
Diggs is a huge option at left guard with a little bit experience. At 313 pounds he has the size to be a solid fill-in for the running game.
- T Greg Luna, Sr.
At 6-8 and 330 pounds, Luna is the biggest lineman on the team with a large frame and good reach for pass blocking. He'll start out on the right side behind Jerry Aguwa.
- G Tyree Pollard, Jr.
The 312-pound defensive lineman will move over to guard after making 11 tackles and three tackles for loss last season. He'll get every shot to start on the right side.