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This is really weird: the season ended just a few days ago, and already I can't wait for spring ball.

First things first: thank you to the seniors for your years of effort and service to SMU. You are a major part of why SMU has been to back-to-back bowls, and the foundation appears to be in place for more.

With that said, here are my guesses for 2010 redshirts (or little-used backups) who could play more significant roles in 2011:

> Larry Centers, Jr. ... the more I hear about the guy, the more of a playmaker he sounds like. His teammates talk about him all the time. One player (I forget who) called him "slippery" for his ability to slide away from would-be tacklers. Word is he's just one of those guys who makes plays every day. Hope they can bulk him up so he doesn't get killed out there.

> Uchenna Nwabuike ... raw, from what I hear, but the coaches supposedly think his ceiling is extremely high.

> Der'Rikk Thompson ... I just remember Aldrick Robinson saying Thompson could be as fast as Al. If so, throw deep!

> Lincoln Schick ... dude just looks like an LB. A big LB.

> Ben Gottschalk ... I don't know that he cracks the starting lineup on a team with six experienced senior offensive linemen, but he's supposed to be very strong and athletic, and supposedly has a little bit of a mean streak. Love that in an OL.

> Randall Joyner ... recruited as a safety who was thought to be marginal on the speed department, he's now a fast ILB, and word is he likes to hit.

> Jeremy Johnson ... the trendy pick before the season, Johnson had a quiet debut season, but it's not like his talent went away. He'll play a lot more in 2011.

we saw a little at the end of the season, but i thinkk keenan holman is going to be a great contributor the next three years.

Will the Barnes kid from Friendswood, walk on defensive end, be in the mix for any playing time?

I'll second the vote for Joyner. I think he could be the type of player we see at tcu who comes in as a stud RB in high school to be converted to a stud defensive player. Would rather see him at safety than LB with his size.

I went to a handful of Spring practices and Larry Centers Jr. looked like the best WR on the team every time I was there. He didn't 'look' that small compared to our other WR's, but he's listed at 160 and that won't do in the slot against LB's and Safeties.

Higher Authority wrote:This is really weird: the season ended just a few days ago, and already I can't wait for spring ball.

First things first: thank you to the seniors for your years of effort and service to SMU. You are a major part of why SMU has been to back-to-back bowls, and the foundation appears to be in place for more.

With that said, here are my guesses for 2010 redshirts (or little-used backups) who could play more significant roles in 2011:

> Larry Centers, Jr. ... the more I hear about the guy, the more of a playmaker he sounds like. His teammates talk about him all the time. One player (I forget who) called him "slippery" for his ability to slide away from would-be tacklers. Word is he's just one of those guys who makes plays every day. Hope they can bulk him up so he doesn't get killed out there.

> Uchenna Nwabuike ... raw, from what I hear, but the coaches supposedly think his ceiling is extremely high.

> Der'Rikk Thompson ... I just remember Aldrick Robinson saying Thompson could be as fast as Al. If so, throw deep!

> Lincoln Schick ... dude just looks like an LB. A big LB.

> Ben Gottschalk ... I don't know that he cracks the starting lineup on a team with six experienced senior offensive linemen, but he's supposed to be very strong and athletic, and supposedly has a little bit of a mean streak. Love that in an OL.

> Randall Joyner ... recruited as a safety who was thought to be marginal on the speed department, he's now a fast ILB, and word is he likes to hit.

> Jeremy Johnson ... the trendy pick before the season, Johnson had a quiet debut season, but it's not like his talent went away. He'll play a lot more in 2011.

Good comments and observations about the players and Schick is a walk on too.

Ucheena missed most of the practices during the season to focus on school, word is that he impressed during bowl workouts.

Unless the NCAA has changed the rules Gottschalk and Johnson are NOT redshirts because they saw the field this year.

We are definately going to need some of the young guys to step up at WR. I hope Centers is as good as you say (or was reported). I expect Derrick Thompson to try and fill in as best he can as the speed guy for AR. Maybe Jeremy Johnson will fill in too although I expect the biggest year out of Keenan Holeman who got the most reps of the young guys this year.

Schick has definately earned a 'ship for next year and Im sure he gets one. I like him competing for the starting inside spot next year after performing nicely on special teams.

Somehow I think Gotschalk finds his way onto the field as a guard next year. The interrior line did not play well in the bowl game at all.

SMU 86 wrote:Unless the NCAA has changed the rules Gottschalk and Johnson are NOT redshirts because they saw the field this year.

I think the setup was Red shirt OR little used freshmen.

Der'Rikk Thompson. Remember that name. Kid has insane speed.

StallionsModelT wrote:Der'Rikk Thompson. Remember that name. Kid has insane speed.

4.37 according to this


http://www.couchscout.com/smu.htm

friend10 wrote:Will the Barnes kid from Friendswood, walk on defensive end, be in the mix for any playing time?

I would think so, although who knows about whether it will be in 2011 or 2012. He has a good frame, but he has to add a lot of bulk and strength, but I gather they really like his ability and work ethic.

If Thompson ran that 4.37 after his knee surgery, that's incredible. That's amazingly fast for someone before/without knee surgery, but if he can do that afterward - wow.

Fresh wrote:

friend10 wrote:
If Thompson ran that 4.37 after his knee surgery, that's incredible. That's amazingly fast for someone before/without knee surgery, but if he can do that afterward - wow.

What's terrifying (for opposing teams) is that it usually takes 2 years to fully recover from an ACL tear[ I've torn both of mine], so he might get even faster. Talk about an absolute blazer.

The drawback is making those quick cuts/shifts in directions. It's not that you can't physically do it, it's mentally you're scared you will get hurt again.

Still, you can't teach speed.