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Preseason camp starts Monday (never thought it would arrive), and I'm curious about position battles that could drag on toward the Rice game. With new coaches, of course, ALL positions are up for grabs, to a degree, but some appear to be more up-for-grabs than others. As I see them:

LEFT TACKLE: Vincent Chase is the stronger guy and a fifth-year vet who has buried people on the college level with his blocks. Now he has added a bunch of strength and size (what was it that was reported here, he's up to nearly 280?) Kelvin Beachum, on the other hand, is young (redshirt freshman) but has a world of potential - he's athletic, quick, has the long arms needed in a tackle and apparently works his tail off. Both will play, I'm sure, but I'm guessing that at the start of the season, at least, Chase starts.

FREE SAFETY: De'Von Bailey has the size and speed, but his contribution last year came mostly on special teams, and he did little on defense. Tyler Jones, on the other hand, isn't very big and isn't the fastest guy in the world, but when he got thrown in there last year, the dude was around the football all the time and made a lot of plays. My vote: Jones.

KICKOFF RETURN: Maybe Coach Gansz mixes it up by putting two guys deep on kickoffs, but if he goes with just one guy, it would seem likely that it's a tossup between Jessie Henderson and Aldrick Robinson, with the possibility of Emmanuel Sanders thrown in there. All three have the wheels for the job, but if only because of the roles Sanders and Robinson play in the offense (starting receivers who are expected to be huge in Coach Jones' offense), I would say Henderson gets the nod. He's been very effective at it, when healthy, and there's no reason to change that up now.

I'm with you on Tyler Jones. When injuries forced him into the lineup, I thought (like a lot of others, I assume) "who is that skinny little guy?" But the dude is tough as nails and like you said, he makes a ton of tackles. If he gets stronger, he could end up being really good.

hmm to me he looked like one of many who was physically outmatched down the streatch as SMU gave up 40 to 50 ppg game in games he was playing. Really didn't see much in him at the Division 1A level. Hope he improves. Thought for sure we could find someone to athletically improve that position.

Im with stallion on that one - Jones has tenacity but I think we need more size and speed and head hunting at safety - I would guess Jones does not get the nod.

I am not sure which safety spot he'll play, but does anyone think that Chris Banjo could end up in one of those spots? McCann spoke highly of him in that video and the report has been pretty good on him so far. He definitely fits the part physically, judging from the pictures I've seen

Put Henderson it at kick returner.........let's keep Robinson healthy so he can contribute as a WR.

My bet is that Banjo is one of the 14-15 players that will not redshirt.

I'll be surprised if Chase doesn't end up starting, assuming he's put all the required weight on. Pass protection is all about footwork, and with his athletic ability, his probably stands out among the OL.

KnuckleStang wrote:I'll be surprised if Chase doesn't end up starting, assuming he's put all the required weight on. Pass protection is all about footwork, and with his athletic ability, his probably stands out among the OL.

You may be right but he was VERY undersized (comparably) at the Spring fling. Hopefully the weight is coming.

SMUfiji43 wrote:I am not sure which safety spot he'll play, but does anyone think that Chris Banjo could end up in one of those spots?

You might very well be right, 43. I peeked in at a couple of the conditioning deals when I was in town, and he surely has the size and strength and speed. If he can read offenses, I bet he plays - maybe a lot.

mrydel wrote:

KnuckleStang wrote:I'll be surprised if Chase doesn't end up starting, assuming he's put all the required weight on. Pass protection is all about footwork, and with his athletic ability, his probably stands out among the OL.

You may be right but he was VERY undersized (comparably) at the Spring fling. Hopefully the weight is coming.

How long has he been an OT? 6-7 months? I guess if he worked hard enough he could have put on 3-5 lbs of muscle a month and hit close to 280. Hmm...hope he's adding good weight but I guess that's what the department pays Vic Viloria for. It's interesting to see how a 250 lbs prototypical TE switches to OT 8 months before the season begins...too bad it's his last year of eligibility.

SMUfiji43 wrote:I am not sure which safety spot he'll play, but does anyone think that Chris Banjo could end up in one of those spots? McCann spoke highly of him in that video and the report has been pretty good on him so far. He definitely fits the part physically, judging from the pictures I've seen

Banjo will be in the hunt, no doubt.

QB isn't settled yet...

Good point — far from settled.

Personally, I'm eager to see what happens at strongside linebacker. Everyone I've talked to says Pete Fleps really looked good in spring ball, and supposedly he's a lot stronger, too. Odiari and Victor Jones might get a crack at winning the position, too, but after going through spring ball, Fleps has to have a leg up, right?