CollegeFootballNews.com 2008 Preview - Utah State Aggie Offense
Utah State
Aggies
Preview 2008 - Offense
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2008 CFN Utah State Preview
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2008 Utah State
Offense
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2008 Utah State
Defense
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2008 Utah State
Depth Chart
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2007 Utah State Preview
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2006 CFN Utah
State Preview
What you need to know: The offense
improved last season, but that's not saying much after doing
nothing in 2006. Last year, the rushing attack was abysmal, the
passing attack didn't generate any yards, and there was nothing
to count on game in and game out. Offensive coordinator Darrell
Dickey, the former North Texas head coach who led the way to
four Sun Belt titles, knows how to get a running game going, and
he needs the zone-blocking scheme to start generating some
yards. The line is big but in need of time to get comfortable,
especially in the interior, but all it'll have to do is open a
little bit of a hole and the quick running backs will produce.
There isn't a sure-thing No. 1 receiver, but the tight ends are
good and WR Stanley Morrison is a rising star. The big question
is at quarterback where Sean Setzer and Jase McCormick have to
replace Leon Jackson and do more to get the offense moving.
Basically, the offense needs playmakers, consistency and
production.
Star of the offense: Senior TE Rob Myers Player who has to step up and become a star: Senior QB
Sean Setzer Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman WR Stanley
Morrison Best pro prospect: Hoke Top three all-star candidates: 1) Myers, 2) C Ryan
Tonnemacher, 3) OT Spencer Johnson Strength of the offense: Quick running backs, tight end Weakness of the offense:
Production, passing
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter: Former JUCO transfer Sean Setzer threw
for 2,034 yards and 13 touchdowns for Garden City JC, but he
wasn't able to see too much action completing his only pass in
limited duty. The 6-2, 227-pounder was far more efficient in
practices this off-season and showed the passing skills that
made him such a good prospect. Despite being inconsistent and
having issues with an arm injury, he's the team's best
passing option. He's not a runner, but he's mobile enough to
move around and buy himself some time. Even with his upside, the
senior will have to fight to hold on to the job.
Projected Top Reserves: Junior Jase McCormick
spent last season as the main backup behind Leon Jackson and
is now neck-and-neck with Sean Setzer for the starting job. Not
as big as Setzer, the 6-1, 190-pound McCormick is a far better
runner with more experience after completing 25 of 40 passes for
258 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions, to go
along with 66 rushing yards, in his limited work.
Sophomore Diondre Borel is the smallest, but most
athletic option of the three quarterbacks. The 6-0, 185-pounder
is the No. 3 option, but he could add even more of a rushing
element than Jase McCormick and isn't a bad passer. He saw a wee
bit of mop-up work last year and didn't complete a pass.
Watch Out For ... the issue to never quite be
settled. If Setzer is the number one, it's by the slimmest of
margins. McCormick will see his share of action throughout the
year. Strength: Options. Setzer and McCormick are each
decent enough to start and Borel has a wee bit of experience.
The coaching staff can play around with the different options
depending on the situation. Weakness: Proven production. The Aggies were 116th
in America in passing offense averaging just 153 yards per game.
If Setzer or McCormick could've provided any sort of a spark,
they would've seen more time. Outlook: The offense is returning plenty of
experience with several decent prospects waiting to shine, but
who's going to run the attack? The passing game will likely be
efficient, but hardly special, and the offense desperately needs
someone to take the job by the horns. It'll likely be Setzer when
all is said and done, but McCormick will see plenty of action. Rating: 4.5
Running Backs
Projected Starters: Sophomore Curtis Marsh finished last
year third on the team in rushing with 302 yards and two
touchdowns, was fourth in receiving with 16 catches for 96
yards, and now he's primed and ready to do far more. While he's
not a pounder at 5-11 and 194 pounds, he's one of the team's
faster players with the ability to hit the home run if he gets a
little room. He didn't do much breaking away last season, but
he's too athletic with too much pop to not be more dangerous now
that he knows what he's doing.
Trying to pave the way will once again be 226-pound sophomore Jacob Actkinson, one of the faster
fullbacks in America. He might not be a blasting blocker, he was
a high school track star who could be used in a variety of ways
running for 86 yards and a touchdown last season and caught 12
passes for 167 yards with an 82-yard touchdown play against
Louisiana Tech. Now he needs the ball in his hands more.
Projected Top Reserves: While Marsh might be
listed as the starting tailback, it was sophomore Derrvin
Speight who led the team with 504 rushing yards and three
touchdowns, to go along with 13 catches for 57 yards. While not
a big back at just 5-9 and 207 pounds, he's a speedster who
proved he could carry the workload from time to time.
5-10, 210-pound redshirt freshman Robert Turbin is right
on the heels of Marsh and Speight for the No. 1 job. A nice
recruit for the program last year, Turbin has the quickness to
cut through the hole on a dime. Even though he was banged up
this spring and didn't have a chance to compete for the
starter's role, he's a talent who'll get every shot this fall to
make an impact.
Is Derrick Cumbee going to end up being the main man? The
converted linebacker looked the part with a stunning blend of
speed and power at the end of spring ball, and at the very
least, showed he'll deserve a long look come fall. He made 13
tackles as a reserve linebacker last season, but the 6-1,
214-pound senior might end up taking over the workload at some
point this year.
Watch Out For ... more of the workload going to the
running backs. Former QB Leon Jackson led the team with 142
rushing attempts last season. There quarterbacks won't run as
much meaning Marsh and Speight will have to do
more. Strength: Quickness. There might not be a thumper
in the group unless Cumbee really does turn into a major
factor, but there's a whole lot of quickness. As long as the
main guys can figure out while hole to cut back through, they'll
be effective. Weakness: Scoring. The Aggies got 14 rushing
touchdowns last year and six were from Leon Jackson and one
was from tight end Jimmy Bohm. There isn't a workhorse to count
on week in and week out, and there's definitely not anyone who
can hammer out short yards around the goal line. Outlook: The backfield is in better shame than
it's been in years with a few good options and a few interesting
but untested prospects waiting in the wings for a chance. The
key will be to find a back who can get into a groove the
fastest. With the offense's zone blocking scheme, it's all about
finding the back who can find the right hole and make something
happen. Speight, Marsh and Turbin should be able to all do that
from time to time. Getting Actkinson more involved is a must. Rating: 5
Receivers
Projected Starters: Finding a number one target to replace Kevin
Robinson is job one, and the Aggies might have found him in
spring ball. Redshirt freshman Stanley Morrison is only
5-8 and 156 pounds, but he's a slippery playmaker who showed in
practices that he could hit the home run and eventually become a
big-play target. A good runner as well as a receiver in high
school, he could see the ball in a variety of ways.
Senior Otis Nelson didn't take advantage of all the
attention paid to Robinson last season making 20 catches for 189
yards and a touchdown. While the former defensive back was third
on the team in receiving, and was steady throughout the year, he
didn't do much to scare anyone. At 6-4 and 214 pounds, he's a
big, tough target who needs to use his frame to be more
physical.
Senior tight end Rob Myers has been a key receiver for
the last few years, but staying healthy has been an issue. He
struggled with a leg injury, among other issues, to only see
time in nine games, but he was second on the team with 21
catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 15.3
yards per catch. The former wide receiver bulked up well over
the last few years and is a strong 6-4 and 240 pounds. He's not
going to be a big blocker, but he'll stretch the field.
Projected Top Reserves: Adding more size behind
the diminutive Stanley Morrison will be the 6-1, 203-pound
Xavier Bowman after making seven catches for 34 yards and a
touchdown. He's a speedster who has the wheels to get deep, but
he averaged a mere 4.9 yards per catch. The junior has the
athleticism to do a lot more.
Working behind Otis Nelson is 5-11, 176-pound redshirt freshman
Austin Alder, a star high school defensive back and kick
returner who the coaches hope can turn into a Kevin Robinson
clone. That might be too much to ask for early on, but he's a
good prospect who'll be in the rotation early on.
In the hunt for playing time will be Nnamdi Gwacham, but
he has to get over a shoulder injury that cost him this spring.
The junior 6-3, 203 pounds, and is one of the team's best
athletes. Unfortunately, he hasn't turned into much on the field
yet catching just one pass for five yards. At least he looks the
part.
Rob Myers is the star receiving tight end, but JUCO transfer
Jeremy Mitchell could end up being the team's best
all-around option at the position. At 6-5 and 251 pounds, he's a
big target with nice hands and great athleticism. Unlike Myers,
an average blocker, Mitchell can hit.
Watch Out For ... Myers to be used far more. With
Kevin Robinson gone, Myers, even though he's a tight end, might
be the team's best deep threat. He'll be used like one. Strength: The tight ends. With the addition of
JUCO transfer Mitchell, the Aggies should come up with a
strong formation when both are in the game considering both can
catch and will occupy the attention of the linebackers. Weakness: A number one receiver. Robinson caught
55 passes last year. The number two man, Myers caught 21 and the
second best wide receiver, Nelson, caught just 20. Morrison might be the team's best receiving weapon, but he could
be too small to take a full-season pounding if he's forced to
catch 50 passes. Outlook: The situation might be better than it
appears on paper if Morrison can be the playmaker he was
throughout spring ball. The tight ends are great and Nelson
and Bowman have size, but they have to start producing.
To be fair, the receiving corps hasn't exactly had Peyton
Manning throwing the ball over the last few years, so everyone
could start to shine with more production from the quarterbacks. Rating: 4.5
Offensive Linemen
Projected Starters: Three starters return up front led by
tackles Spencer Johnson and Derek Hoke, who each started
every game last season, struggled a bit, but are expected to be better
after a full season of experience.
Johnson, a 6-5, 292-pound sophomore on the left side, is a terrific
athlete and has the best upside of anyone on the line. The former high
school tennis player has done a great job of adding weight over the last
few seasons and has finally filled out his frame. He's durable and
athletic, but he has to be steadier in pass protection. That should come
with a bit more time.
Hoke is a 6-9, 315-pound monster who say a little bit of time early in
his career before taking over the fill-time job on the right side.
Staying healthy was always an issue for the senior, but he was durable
last season and showed good potential as a run blocker. He has the frame
to be better in pass protection.
The third returning starter is 6-3, 292-pound senior center Ryan
Tonnemacher, a reliable left guard who made the move to the middle
last season and was a durable rock all season long. A knee injury
limited him this off-season, but with is size and experience he's
expected to be the anchor.
Replacing Shawn Murphy at left guard will be 6-3, 300-pound sophomore
Ty Rogers
and taking over for
Pace Jorgensen on the right side will be 6-1, 309-pound redshirt
freshman Phillip Gapelu. While Rogers is more of a slowish tackle
playing guard, Gapelu is a mauler who could work wonders for the running
game. These two will be the keys to the offense; they have to shine to
make the ground game go.
Projected Top Reserves: Junior Brannan
McFadden is the team's most versatile lineman and an indispensable
reserve. The 6-2, 305-pound senior will start out the year playing
behind Ryan Tonnemacher at center, but he can play tackle and got a
start last season at right guard. He's at his best if he can function
like a big blocking tight end.
How quickly can Funaki Asisi become a top guard? The 6-2,
311-pound redshirt freshman was a high school defensive lineman who'll
be better as a big blocker on the inside, and he could grow into a top
player for the running game behind Ty Rogers at left guard.
Watch Out For ... McFadden to see time
everywhere. He might not be the team's best blocker, and is a
jack-of-all-trades, master of none, but he's good enough to possibly
grow into the team's best backup option at all five spots. Strength: Size. It's a big line with several very
big bodies, especially among the starters. There's no reason to
not be able to pound out more for the running game with the girth across
the front wall. Weakness: Production. Last year the line was
supposed to grow into a possible strength with two emerging tackles and
two big, veteran guards with all-star potential. It didn't happen. Now
the line has to rely on the tackles where were still growing into their
jobs, a banged up center, and two new guards. Outlook: It's a young line, for the most part,
with several inexperienced backups about to see plenty of time in the
rotation as the coaching staff searches for just the right combination.
The tackles are set, but Johnson and Hoke have to be consistent rocks;
they weren't last year. Tonnemacher is a good
center, but he has to get past a knee injury. The line can't be too much
worse than it was last year, but there's not a lot of time to jell. The
skill players aren't good enough to produce if the line isn't at least
average. Rating: 4.5
