Newcomer of the Year?

[Stallion]

Which players will break-out and become solid contributors. My pick is De'von Bailey because I feel SMU's Safeties are questionable and SMU will look for alternatives. May not contribute much until mid-season like McCann last year. Others Mitch Enright in a much less glamorous position, Parham will struggle but come on by season's end. One of the group of Justin Smart, Adrian Dizer and Jordan Johnson.

[giacfsp]

I don't know. I peeked into practice the other day, and you're right, stallion — Bailey looks like a full-grown man. But I disagree that he's the biggest-impact newcomer. From what I've heard, the coaches (and other players) are ecstatic with Bryce Hudman and Rock Dennis at the safety spots, and David Haynes supposedly has come a long way this year, too. Phillip Burley seems to be stuck behind Chase and McKinney at TE, so while he might play (special teams?), I doubt it will be a great amount this year. Dizer and Enright aren't new this year. Enright is taking over at center, but where is Dizer on the DE depth chart? Muse and Handy start, and you've got Dizer in the mix somewhere with Jordan Johnson, Justin Smart and Anthony Sowe. Dizer sure looks the part, but I just don't know where he stands in the pecking order.

My vote for top newcomer is Rock Dennis.

[Stallion]

Not a big fan of the 5-9(Haynes) and 5-10(Dennis) Safeties in Division 1A. Think Bailey has the ability to play early and often. That truly is very rare to find small CBs playing safety.

Jordan Johnson didn't play spring ball because he was injured. Dizer has put on about 50 pounds since arriving at SMU. What is he now? At 6-6, 260 or so and with BB type agility he is the type of sleeper who because of growth and physical development can surprise. He still looks like he needs to develop some strength-might be a year away but he may be one of the more intriquing prospects on the roster.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Handy slide inside eventually if one of those DEs come through. My bet is that he is bigger than the 250 he was listed at in the spring and with a 500 bench press he has the strenth and some experience at the position. Again another position where SMU may have to look for answers.

My big concern is I think SMU is vulnerable at every single position up the gut of the defense from Defensive Tackles, MLB and both safeties. I see this as a BIG BIG problem especially in the first half of the season and I think SMU will look to make adjustments there. Can't imagine all the pieces falling in place at those 5 positions like some on this board hope. We especially need a miracle at MLB.

[RGV Pony]

I agree with your big concern, Stallion. Newcomers at DT and smallish MLB-whomever it is-spell trouble. We'll hear about how the kids are tough and fight etc but four yards a pop or worse against a team with a good north south running game like TCU is alarming. Pound, pound, pound...then the safeties cheat up and over the top they go. Pound some more, then play action...all of a sudden we're being toyed with.

[Cadillac]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Handy slide inside eventually if one of those DEs come through. My bet is that he is bigger than the 250 he was listed at in the spring and with a 500 bench press he has the strenth and some experience at the position. Again another position where SMU may have to look for answers.

I agree with this. I see this as the most likely scenario for the line, which is why I was hopeful when it was mis-reported that Handy was playing DT. My real hope is that one of these players (some folks were talking up Justin Smart) can step in and start at DE opposite Muse, allowing Handy to move back to the middle.

I went ahead and picked Parham. If Handy doesn't move back into the Middle I think it HAS to be Parham if we're going to be successful. Also, (again, assuming that Handy doesn't move inside) Parham will have the most opportunity for playing time right out of the gate. It'll be his honor to lose more or less.

-CoS

[Stallion]

I wish we could get updated rosters with more accurate weights on the players. I think I recall thinking that Handy looked a lot bigger than 250 at the spring game.

[PonyGirl]

Bigger safeties are preferable, but I don't know anything about Rock Dennis. People seem awfully excited about him, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and some small safeties can play. Bob Sanders (Colts) is listed at 5-8, Troy What'shisname (Steelers) is listed at 5-10. Surely it's easier to get away with that in college, if the guys are in the right position. I don't see Dennis and David Haynes as the biggest position of concern. For what it's worth, I voted for Adrian Dizer, although I was tempted to vote for Zac Thomas or Kyle DeGroate (but he's not on the list).

[mavsrage311]

Mitch Enright gets my vote. He was a very polished player coming in to the program from SLC. Only reason he's not playing for a Big 12 team is because he's slightly undersized. I think he's going to be the starter at center from now until he graduates.

I reallly like De'Von Bailey as well, but I'm not sure if he's going to get starting minutes unless Rock Dennis struggles (sounds like he's a pretty solid player), because Bryce Hudman seems to have a spot locked down. I agree with Stallion, he could see a lot of minutes halfway through the year, but I think Enright will be the guy from day 1 this year

[Stallion]

just exactly when did Hudman lock that spot down-it sure wasn't based on his play last year.

[PonyPride]

During spring workouts. The plan all along was to move him to strong safety after Joe Sturdivant graduated.

[Stallion]

and he beat out who?-a walkon? Hudman left a lot to be desired in key games down the stretch. I would not even call his play average-sure are a lot of people building this guy up when he is a questionmark based on his performance last year. I recall a heck of a lot of big plays against our secondary in the East Carolina, Houston and Rice games for example in which he started. I definitely recall him standing still as Anthony Aldridge ran right past him in one of the signature plays in SMU's demise last year. Every starter in our secondary is a questionmark until proven otherwise, I do think that McCann will become an excellent player-and I even feel that Jones will be a solid addition-i'm just not sure any of these guys have proven they can consistently play at a championship level yet

[Argyle Pony]

A shot in the dark is Chris Butler for me....his drive after being hit shows more determination than some of our other backs....I hope Martin shows more drive but I believe Butler has a chance to contribute when we need a few yards....Go Mustangs!!!

[RedRiverPony]

and he beat out who?-a walkon? Hudman left a lot to be desired in key games down the stretch. I would not even call his play average-sure are a lot of people building this guy up when he is a questionmark based on his performance last year. I recall a heck of a lot of big plays against our secondary in the East Carolina, Houston and Rice games for example in which he started. I definitely recall him standing still as Anthony Aldridge ran right past him in one of the signature plays in SMU's demise last year. Every starter in our secondary is a questionmark until proven otherwise, I do think that McCann will become an excellent player-and I even feel that Jones will be a solid addition-i'm just not sure any of these guys have proven they can consistently play at a championship level yet

Good god, it must suck to be you. YOUR OWN question was "just exactly when did Hudman lock that spot down...." PonyPride answered what was asked. If you feel the need to change the question because you didn't like the answer, that's too bad. The fact is Hudman is a very good athlete. There was talk last year that they planned to move him to strong safety once Sturdivant left — that's no secret. Maybe they thought so highly of his prospects at the position that he didn't have to beat out anyone, because they didn't throw anyone in the mix. Maybe there were 12 players who tried out and he beat them all out. Maybe De'Von Bailey — your choice as SMU's next All-America — will beat him out. You asked a question, and it was answered, and you don't like ever being doubted. I'll defer to PonyPride any day, since he actually goes to practice and games and talks to players and coaches. When he quotes Hudman's teammates talking about how good the guy can be, I'll take their word for it. When he quotes the coaches saying how good the guy can be, I'll take their word for it. Doesn't matter what Rivals says — if they think a player can be a stud, they're more of an authority than any of us ever will be.

[PonyKai]

And to be fair, a lot of people looked like they were standing still when Aldridge ran by them. The young man can plain fly.

[RedRiverPony]

Good point, hockeyguy. Not many defenders on any team can run with that guy.