Preview 2008

Projected Mountain West

Starting Lineups

Who has the edge on a starting job going into the summer? What's the key position to watch out for and what needs to be addressed before the season starts? Here are the prjected starting lineups for every team.

Projected Starting Lineups
ACC | Big East | Big 12 | M-West
Coming Tuesday: Big Ten, C-USA, MAC, SEC

Air Force

QB 7 Eric Herbort, 5-1, 185, Jr.
Position Spotlight: Replacing four-year starter Shaun Carney will be tougher than it appears. While the possibility exists of going to a two-quarterback rotation, Herbort has the bigger upside. Also in the mix is Shea Smith, the mian man going into spring ball. The two are dead even going into the fall.
RB 28 Kyle Lumpkin, 5-11, 180, So.
FB 25 Todd Newell, 5-10, 210, Sr.
Z 19 Ty Paffett, 5-11, 180, Sr.
WR 26 Spencer Armstrong, 6-1, 195, Sr.
TE 88 Travis Dekker, 6-4, 235, Sr.
OT 79 Keith Williams, 6-6, 275, Sr.
OG 57 Nick Charles, 6-4, 285, Jr.
C 63 Andrew Pipes, 6-1, 265, Sr.
OG 62 Peter Lusk, 6-3, 275, Jr.
OT 60 Chris Campbell, 6-3, 270, Jr.
PK 13 Ryan Harrison, 6-1, 180, Sr.

DE 95 Jake Paulson, 6-5, 265, Sr.
NG 93 Ben Garland, 6-5, 270, Jr.
DE 91 Ryan Kemp, 6-5, 255, Sr.
LB 36 Andre Morris Jr., 6-3, 230, So.
LB 45 John Falgout, 6-0, 225, Jr.
LB 47 Ken Lamendola, 6-2, 230, So.
LB 32 Hunter Altman, 6-0, 215, Sr.
CB 22 Brenton Byrd, 5-10, 190, Jr.
SS 24 Chris Thomas, 5-11, 205, Jr.
FS 23 Aaron Kirchoff, 6-1, 2-5, Sr.
CB 8 Reggie Rembert, 5-7, 175, So.
P 13 Ryan Harrison, 6-1, 180, Sr.

BYU

QB 15 Max Hall, 6-1, 201, Jr.
RB 45 Harvey Unga, 6-0, 243, So.
FB 1 Fui Vakapuna, 6-1, 245, Sr.
WR 9 Austin Collie, 6-2, 206, Jr.
WR 3 Michael Reed, 6-1, 202, Sr.
TE 32 Dennis Pitta, 6-5, 250, Jr.
OT 65 Dallas Reynolds, 6-5, 332, Sr.
OG 76 Ray Feinga, 6-5, 331, Sr.
C 53 Tom Sorensen, 6-5, 306, Jr.
OG 74 Travis Bright, 6-5, 329, Sr.
OT 68 David Oswald, 6-8, 330, Sr.
PK 38 Mitch Payne, 6-2, 207, So.

DE 99 Ian Dulan, 6-1, 252, Jr.
NT 52 Russell Tialavea, 6-3, 320, Jr.
DE 84 Jan Jorgensen, 6-3, 256, Jr.
LB 43 David Nixon, 6-3, 223, Sr.
LB 37 Vic So’oto, 6-3, 249, Jr.
LB 42 Shawn Doman, 6-2, 224, Jr.
LB 35 Matt Bauman, 6-1, 226, Jr.
CB 21 Scott Johnson, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Position Spotlight: The corner play could be the difference between a good year and a possible BCS season. While the entire safety needs help, the safeties should turn out to be fine. The Cougars desperately need to find a lock-down corner, and Johnson has the size and potential to be one.
SS 23 David Tafuna, 6-1, 216, Sr.
FS 16 Kellen Fowler, 5-11, 187, Sr.
CB 4 Brandon Howard, 5-9, 164, Jr.
P -- Justin Sorensen, 6-2, 220, Fr.

Colorado State

QB 15 Billy Farris, 6-3, 220, Sr.
RB 5 Gartrell Johnson 6-0 227 Sr.
FB 36 Zac Pauga, 6-0, 243, So.
WR 84 Rashaun Greer, 6-1, 198, Jr.
WR 31 Dion Morton, 5-10, 162, Jr.
TE 80 Kory Sperry, 6-6, 254, Sr.
OT 78 Mark Starr, 6-5, 285, So.
OG 74 Shelley Smith, 6-4 298, Jr.
C 57 Tim Walter, 6-6, 289, Jr.
OG 60 Adrian Martinez, 6-4, 302, Jr.
OT 53 Cole Pemberton, 6-7, 327, Jr.
PK 37 Jason Smith, 6-2, 201, Sr.

DE 93 Wade Landers, 6-6, 254, Sr.
DT 45 Matt Rupp, 6-3, 284, Sr.
NG 62 James Morehead, 6-6, 290, Jr.
DE 91 Tommie Hill, 6-6, 242, Sr.
Position Spotlight: The line has been a rough spot, to put it kindly, over the last few seasons. With little pass rush and no production against the run, the call has gone out from new head coach Steve Fairchild to get far more production up front. Hill is the only returning starter, and while he doesn't have to be the leader, he has to be consistent.
LB 56 Ricky Brewer, 6-2, 210, So.
LB 51 Jeff Horinek, 6-3, 234, Sr.
LB 55 Curtis Cornelson, 6-1, 229, Sr.
CB 35 Ivory Herd, 5-11, 184, RFr.
SS 13 Mike Pagnotta 6-0, 204, Sr.
FS 20 Klint Kubiak, 6-0, 197, Jr.
CB 4 Brandon Owens, 6-0, 168, RFr.
P 37 Jason Smith, 6-2, 201, Sr.

New Mexico

QB 15 Donovan Porterie, 6-3, 208, Jr.
TB 21 Rodney Ferguson, 6-0, 234, Sr.
WR 18 Chris Hernandez, 6-3, 191, So.
WR 8 Roland Bruno, 5-10, 166, Jr.
WR 3 Jermaine McQueen, 6-1, 175, Sr.
TE 85 Chris Mark, 6-6, 257, Sr.
LT 64 Sylvester Hatten, 6-3, 299, Sr.
LG 56 Mike Cannon, 6-3, 302, So.
C 69 Erik Cook, 6-6, 315, Jr.
RG 66 Joshua Taufalele, 6-2, 320, Jr.
RT 74 Byron Bell, 6-5, 315, RFr.
PK -- James Aho, 5-9, 175, Fr.
Position Spotlight: The Lobos should relatively solid in all phases, but with a team that'll rely on the running game and tough defense, and with a rough schedule to deal with, the kicking game will likely be the difference in several games. John Sullivan was a special placekicker, and no one has stepped up to replace him. Drew Zamora, along with a few newcomers, will push Aho all summer.

LE 93 Kevin Balogun, 6-4, 281, Sr.
NT 92 Wesley Beck, 6-1, 285, Sr.
RE 62 Phillip Harrison, 6-3, 265, Jr.
LB 50 Herbert Felder, 6-1, 240, Sr.
LB 49 Zach Arnett, 5-10, 205, Sr.
LB 45 Terel Anyaibe, 6-1, 221, So.
Lobo 11 Clint McPeek, 6-2, 227, Jr.
CB 2 DeAndre Wright, 5-11, 193, Sr.
LS 96 Frankie Solomon, 5-10, 180, Jr.
RS 29 Blake Ligon, 6-1, 187, Sr.
CB 19 Glover Quin, 6-0, 200, Sr.
P 48 Adam Miller, 6-2, 235, Jr.

San Diego State

QB 14 Ryan Lindley, 6-3, 205, RFr.
Position Spotlight: Kevin O'Connell was the one sure-thing producer on the 2007 Aztecs. Lindley didn't show much in the way of accuracy or consistency this spring, but he was still the best option. Drew Westling, a transfer from Tulsa, and Kelsey Sokoloski could still be in the running by going lights-out this summer.
TB 24 Brandon Sullivan, 5-11, 220, So.
WR 80 Vincent Brown, 6-0, 175, So.
WR 4 Darren Mougey, 6-6, 225, Sr.
WR 6 Mekell Wesley, 5-10, 175, Jr.
TE 88 Matthew Kawulok, 6-2, 235, Jr.
LT 74 Mike Matamua, 6-4, 280, RFr.
LG 77 Mike Schmidt, 6-2, 310, Sr.
C 60 Tommie Draheim, 6-4, 275, RFr.
RG 67 Ikaika Aken-Moleta, 6-2, 325, Jr.
RT 79 Kurtis Gunther, 6-8, 270, RFr.
PK 27 Bryan Shields, 6-1, 180, So.

DE 56 Jonathan Soto, 6-3, 265, Jr.
DT 92 Siaosi Fifita, 6-4, 250, Sr.
DT 66 Ernie Lawson, 6-3, 300, So.
DE 94 B.J. Williams, 6-3, 230, So.
LB 32 Andrew Preston, 6-1, 220, So.
LB 35 Luke Laolagi, 6-1, 230, Jr.
LB 46 Russell Allen, 6-3, 235, Sr.
CB 43 Aaron Moore, 6-0, 190, Jr..
FS 40 Corey Boudreaux, 6-1, 220, Sr.
SS 11 Martrell Fantroy, 6-1, 215, So.
CB 6 Vonnie Holmes, 6-0, 170, Sr.
P 17 Brooks Beckman, 5-11, 205, So.

TCU

QB 14 Andy Dalton, 6-3, 210, So.
TB 23 Aaron Brown, 6-1, 196, Sr.
FB 32 Justin Watts, 5-10, 195, Sr.
WR 1 Walter Bryant, 6-4, 206, Sr.
WR 88 Jimmy Young, 6-1, 200, So.
WR 26 Bart Johnson, 6-1, 190, So.
TE 86 Marshall Newhouse, 6-3, 317, Jr.
LG 60 Preston Phillips, 6-6, 293, Sr.
C 75 Blake Schlueter, 6-3, 272, Sr.
RG 65 Giles Montgomery, 6-5, 295, Sr.
RT 79 Nic Richmond, 6-8, 298, Jr.
PK -- Ross Evans, 5-11, 180, Fr.

DE 98 Jerry Hughes, 6-2, 248, Jr.
NT 56 Cody Moore, 6-1, 292, Sr.
DT 55 James Vess, 6-3, 290, Sr.
Position Spotlight: Much will be made about the new ends needing to replace Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake, but flying under the radar is the return of James Vess on the inside. Able to play on the nose or at tackle, he's a versatile interior pass rusher who's back after being suspended. Very quickly, he could become the defense's unsung hero.
DE 42 Matt Panfil, 6-2, 232, Sr.
LB 51 Robert Henson, 6-1, 228, Sr.
LB 39 Jason Phillips, 6-1, 234, Sr.
CB 20 Nick Sanders, 5-10, 174, Jr.
SS 29 Stephen Hodge, 6-0, 212, Sr.
FS 4 Steven Coleman, 6-3, 204, Sr.
WS 19 Corderra Hunter, 6-2, 202, Jr.
CB 10 Rafael Priest, 5-10, 163, Jr.
P 38 Anson Kelton, 6-4, 260, RFr.

UNLV

QB 2 Omar Clayton, 6-1, 200 So.
Position Spotlight: The coaching staff has to settle on a quarterback, and it knows it. Travis Dixon saw plenty of time last year and is neck-and-neck in the race for the job, but Clayton might have the slight edge. Don't expect a rotation; the winner of the job will be the No. 1through thick and thin.
TB 4 Frank Summers, 5-10, 240 Sr.
WR 88 Ryan Wolfe, 6-1, 205 Jr.
WR 84 Rodelin Anthony, 6-5, 220 Jr.
WR 80 Casey Flair, 6-1, 195 Sr.
TE 46 Ryan Worthen, 5-11, 255 Sr.
LT 75 Matt Murphy, 6-4, 300 So.
LG 78 Johan Asiata, 6-4, 315 Sr.
C 66 John Gianninoto, 6-3, 285 So.
RG 59 Joe Hawley, 6-3, 295 Jr.
RT 73 Evan Marchal, 6-6, 295 So.
PK 37 Kyle Watson, 5-9, 200 Jr.

DE 42 Heivaha Mafi, 6-1, 255 Jr.
DT 93 Malo Taumua, 6-0, 275 So.
DT 92 Jacob Hales, 6-5, 290 Sr.
DE 94 Thor Pili, 6-3, 275 Sr.
WLB 33 Jason Beauchamp, 6-3, 215 Jr.
MLB 51 Jimmy Miller, 5-11, 230 Jr.
SLB 14 Starr Fuimaono, 5-11, 215 Jr.
CB 7 Geoffery Howard, 5-10, 195 Sr.
S 26 Rico Thomas, 5-11, 180 So.
S 8 Daryl Forte, 5-11, 185 Jr.
CB 10 Quinton Pointer, 5-9, 185 So.
P 37 Kyle Watson, 5-9, 200 Jr.

Utah

QB 3 Brian Johnson 6-1, 200, Sr.
RB 6 Darrell Mack 6-0, 220, Sr.
WR 81 Bradon Godfrey 6-3, 197, Sr.
WR 88 Freddie Brown 6-4, 215, Sr.
WR 5 Brent Casteel 5-10, 198, Sr.
TE 84 Brad Clifford 6-4, 250, So.
OT 68 Zane Beadles 6-4, 305, Jr.
OG 74 Corey Seiuli 6-3, 315, Sr.
C 77 Zane Taylor 6-2, 305, So.
OG 66 Robert Conley 6-1, 310, Sr.
OT 65 Dustin Hensel 6-7, 307, Sr.
PK 35 Louie Sakoda 5-9, 178, Sr.

DE 41 Koa Misi 6-3, 263, Jr.
DT 43 Lei Talamaivao 6-2, 285, So.
NT 92 Kenape Eliapo 6-0, 303, Jr.
Position Spotlight: The offense should have few problems producing, but the defense appears to have work to do to get to last year's level. It all starts in the middle where the tackles have to be stronger against the run than they were this spring. The big Eliapo needs to be the anchor along with Isley Filiaga in the middle.
DE 11 Paul Kruger 6-5, 265, So.
LB 10 Stevenson Sylvester 6-2, 224, Jr.
LB 20 Mike Wright 6-2, 230, Jr.
LB 42 Nai Fotu 6-1, 235, So.
CB 1 Brice McCain 5-9, 182, Sr.
SS 12 Joe Dale 5-11, 197, Jr.
FS 17 Robert Johnson 6-2, 195, Jr.
CB 4 Sean Smith 6-3, 214 Jr.
P 35 Louie Sakoda 5-9, 178, Sr.

Wyoming

QB 16 Karsten Sween, 6-2, 222, Jr.
Position Spotlight: Two years ago it seemed like Sween was going to become a major prospect to build around. He couldn't stop giving the ball away last season, and now it's an open battle for the starting job. Dax Crum is making the biggest push for the job, but Ian Hetrick, Chris Stutzriem, and freshman Adam Berry will all get an equal shot.
RB 5 Devin Moore, 5-10, 191, Sr.
WR 3 Travis Burkhalter, 6-1, 185, So.
WR 13 Chris Johnson, 5-10, 175, Sr.
WR 22 Brandon Stewart, 5-11, 185, RFr.
TE 85 Jesson Salyards, 6-5, 236, Jr.
OT 71 Ryan Otterson, 6-5, 289, Jr.
OG 75 Sam Sterner, 6-4, 297, So.
C 74 Tim Bond, 6-4, 300, Sr.
OG 70 Russ Arnold, 6-4, 290, Jr.
OT 76 Kyle Howard, 6-7, 312, Sr.
PK 21 Jake Scott, 5-8, 158, Jr.

DE 98 Mitch Unrein, 6-4, 270, Jr.
NG 90 Fred Givens, 6-0, 301, Jr.
DT 91 John Fletcher, 6-6, 280. Jr.
LB 55 Mike Juergens, 6-4, 230, Sr.
LB 36 Weston Johnson, 6-3, 226, Jr.
LB 52 Gabe Knapton, 6-3, 227, RFr.
LB 29 Ward Dobbs, 6-0, 230, Sr.
CB 2 Marcell Gipson, 5-10, 172, So.
SS 27 Michael Ray, 6-1, 210, Sr.
FS 1 Quincy Rogers, 6-1, 211, Sr.
CB 9 T.J. Atwater, 5-9, 185, Jr.
P 40 Nick Landess, 6-3, 197, So.