SEASON OUTLOOK: Breakout players Players to watch in 2010 Posted on 08/30/2010 by PonyFans.com Preseason predictions are, by definition, guesswork — that’s the reason arguments arise, talkshows heat up and bets are placed (although not for money, of course). Every conference has a preseason all-conference team, but any number of factors — health, weather on game days, disciplinary or academic issues, even bad luck — can make the postseason version of those lists differ greatly from the preseason teams. With that said, PonyFans.com has watched the SMU Mustangs ever since they returned from their dominant win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl. We have watched them in the weight room and running on their own. We have seen them go through spring drills and voluntary summer conditioning workouts. We have studied them in preseason camp, and talked to coaches and players alike to choose players who either didn’t play at all for SMU in 2009, or players who contributed last season but should take on much larger roles in 2010. Richard Crawford DB Richard Crawford (photo by SMU Athletics). The Mustangs are hoping they have mined another California gem in Crawford, a JUCO transfer from Saddleback Community College. In 2009, the SMU coaches found Sterling Moore in California and hit the proverbial home run, as Moore turned out to be one of the team’s best defensive players (not to mention a key special teamer who blocked a pair of field goals). Crawford will replace graduated senior Bryan McCann at the cornerback spot across from Moore, and possibly on special teams, where he has gotten a lot of reps with the field goal blocking team. The 5-foot-11 Crawford is not quite as thick as Moore, but he is strong enough and a very smart player whose speed allows him to stay with just about any receiver he’ll see. In practice, he has showed good instincts, breaking early on passes after they are thrown, and good hands when making interceptions. Keenan Holman WR Keenan Holman (photo by SMU Athletics). When high school players signed with their schools of choice in February, Keenan Holman’s name was not the first mentioned when discussing SMU signees who might make an immediate impact. Holman, critics suggested, was unquestionably athletic, but thin and raw, having not refined his route-running while playing in the Wishbone offense utilized by Central High School in Beaumont, Texas. Fast-forward six months, and Holman is one of those newcomers about whom his teammates and coaches can’t stop talking. He’s still thin — he has grown an inch or two since signing day, and now is closer to 6-2 — but he is getting stronger. He has excellent speed, and while his route-running will improve a lot, he showed in preseason camp that he has a knack for getting open deep. More importantly, he doesn’t appear to be one of those experiments in which a coach grabs the fastest guy off a track team and tries to make him into a receiver. Holman has repeatedly gotten behind defenders in camp, and when the ball gets there, he makes the reception. Ryan Smith DB Ryan Smith (photo by SMU Athletics). The sophomore from Houston has spent most of preseason camp as the strong safety in the Mustangs’ first-string defense. Including his redshirt season in 2008, Smith is entering his third season in the SMU defense and working with secondary coach Derrick Odum. In addition to his understanding of the defense and specifically the secondary, Smith also has the advantage of having started his college career as a cornerback, allowing him to excel in coverage. He isn’t the biggest safety alive — SMU lists him at 5-10 and he now is in the neighborhood of 200 pounds — but he’s extremely strong, and is becoming a well-rounded safety who can play the run and the pass. He won’t have to play every play, as backups Jay Scott, Randy McKinnon and Justin Sorrell all are expected to play, so he should be able to stay fresh. Kelly Turner OL Kelly Turner (photo by SMU Athletics). The newest member of the starting offensive line, Kelly Turner takes over at right guard this year. Turner is one of five juniors who will protect quarterback Kyle Padron and lead the way for the Mustangs’ rushing attack. Turner is the newest regular in the line, but it’s not as if the 2010 season will be his first action at the college level. After redshirting in 2007, he played in nine games (mostly on special teams) in 2008, and played in all 13 games, including three games in which he started at right guard. Turneris tough and durable, and is almost universally regarded as the strongest player on the SMU roster. He plays with power and a nasty edge, and seems to really enjoy the mayhem that takes place in the trenches, and should fit in well with the unified, veteran offensive line.