SMU sleepers: 2006
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:35 amOK, we all know what to expect from our best players. DeMyron Martin, Justin Rogers, Joe Sturdivant, Bobby Chase, Adrian Haywood, etc. -- each of us is hoping for a huge season from guys like that. With that said, who are the lesser-known Mustangs who will break out with a big season?
My nominees:
1. Cory Muse: opponents will load up (position their blocking tight end) on the other side of the line to try to contain All-America nominee Justin Rogers and Adrian Haywood, meaning Muse will face a lot of single blockers. He's another year removed from his knee injury, and last year started to show the pre-surgery speed and athleticism.
Prediction: 6-8 sacks.
2. Vincent Chase: even coming off his knee injury, Ryan Kennedy is the tight end opponents will fear as the Ponies' top pass-catching tight end. The report on Chase is that he's huge (260? 270?) and a punishing blocker, but he has very good hands and ran better after the catch in the spring than I thought he could. He's not going to hit a bunch of 70-yarders, but he could be a terrific third-down and red zone receiver.
Prediction: 25 receptions, 6 touchdowns.
3. James Mapps: DeMyron Martin is the man, and Johnnie Fitzgerald might be the best athlete in a talented Mustang backfield. But Mapps has elusiveness not seen at SMU since ShanDerrick Charles. His ability to wiggle his way out of traffic is going to leave a lot of defenders wondering where he went.
Prediction: 550 rushing yards, 20 receptions.
4. Reggie Carrington: the defensive line has gotten some much-deserved attention last season and over the offseason. When Carrington was a true freshman, Coach Bennett said he had all-conference talent. With Brandon Bonds and Adrian Haywood tying up blockers in front of him, Carrington will be free to run to the ball and make plays.
Prediction: 80 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries.
5. Jay'Mond Cleveland: Remember him? Cleveland is another guy who will benefit from the attention paid to others at his position, in this case Bobby Chase and lightning-fast Columbus Givens. But Cleveland runs excellent routes and has reliable hands. He had an excellent spring last year and then got lost in the shuffle in 2005. This year, he breaks out.
Prediction: 45 receptions, 5 touchdowns.
My nominees:
1. Cory Muse: opponents will load up (position their blocking tight end) on the other side of the line to try to contain All-America nominee Justin Rogers and Adrian Haywood, meaning Muse will face a lot of single blockers. He's another year removed from his knee injury, and last year started to show the pre-surgery speed and athleticism.
Prediction: 6-8 sacks.
2. Vincent Chase: even coming off his knee injury, Ryan Kennedy is the tight end opponents will fear as the Ponies' top pass-catching tight end. The report on Chase is that he's huge (260? 270?) and a punishing blocker, but he has very good hands and ran better after the catch in the spring than I thought he could. He's not going to hit a bunch of 70-yarders, but he could be a terrific third-down and red zone receiver.
Prediction: 25 receptions, 6 touchdowns.
3. James Mapps: DeMyron Martin is the man, and Johnnie Fitzgerald might be the best athlete in a talented Mustang backfield. But Mapps has elusiveness not seen at SMU since ShanDerrick Charles. His ability to wiggle his way out of traffic is going to leave a lot of defenders wondering where he went.
Prediction: 550 rushing yards, 20 receptions.
4. Reggie Carrington: the defensive line has gotten some much-deserved attention last season and over the offseason. When Carrington was a true freshman, Coach Bennett said he had all-conference talent. With Brandon Bonds and Adrian Haywood tying up blockers in front of him, Carrington will be free to run to the ball and make plays.
Prediction: 80 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries.
5. Jay'Mond Cleveland: Remember him? Cleveland is another guy who will benefit from the attention paid to others at his position, in this case Bobby Chase and lightning-fast Columbus Givens. But Cleveland runs excellent routes and has reliable hands. He had an excellent spring last year and then got lost in the shuffle in 2005. This year, he breaks out.
Prediction: 45 receptions, 5 touchdowns.
