Spring battles

[ccballer]

What position battles are we most looking forward to heating up this spring? Who has made the biggest strides in the weight room?

Any thoughts...

And I understand that with a new coach all positions are up for grabs, so the responses of "all spots" can be withheld.

[Scoops]

Quarterback - with Coach Jones implementing his new offense, no position is more important. I get the impression everyone who plays the position will get at least a crack at it, and that no matter who comes out of spring "in the lead," everyone - including Braden Smith and Bo Levi Mitchell - will get to show their stuff in August.

Running back - I can't wait to see Andrew McKinney back there with the ball in his hands, and the look on the face of any defensive player under 250 pounds who has to try to stop the big guy. Also very eager to see how Martin, Butler and Shankel run, especially Shankel.

Wide receiver - We haven't had a chance to see Bradley Haynes, and if nothing else, he looks the part of a prototype WR. Aldrick Robinson and Emmanuel Sanders should thrive in this offense because of their speed.

Offensive line - anyone want to take a swing at who the starting tackles will be? Vincent Chase? Ross Nigh? Kelly Turner? Kelvin Beachum looks a lot bigger than he was last year, and I know teammates and coaches raved about his feet and his athleticism last year - is he in the mix? Chase Smith is still hurting in the shoulders, so he's not it. These are crucial battles, to say the least, if we want our QBs to live through the season.

Defensive line - hard to say what's doing here, although if the rumor of moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 proves to be true, you've got at least a viable option in the middle with Elizee and Parham as the first two big guys, with Patrick Handy (who might be better-suited to play DE in the 3-4 ... again, if it happens) and ... Jordan Johnson (?) on the other end? Josh Robinson? Anthony Sowe?

Linebacker - Will Bonilla stepped up huge (no, that's not a height joke) last year, but now has to impress a new coaching staff all over again. In the middle, most people I talk to seem to think Alex Odiari starts from the day he walks on campus, but there also are those out there saying Youri Yenga and/or Justin Smart are now linebackers. Another source says De'Von Bailey is moving up to OLB. If that's the case, a graduation-depleted weakness appears to be far less weak than we thought. Not a strength yet, but not a glaring weakness anymore.

Secondary - Hang on to your lugnuts, it's ... tiiiiiiime for an overhaul! Bryan McCann and Derrius Bell seem as close as anyone to being a "sure thing" in the secondary, but if there's one thing we've learned, it's that we're sure there's no such thing as a sure thing as the roster gets made over. Rock Dennis is healthy, I think, and needs to be as good as advertised.

Return specialists: Jessie Henderson, Aldrick Robinson in the spring. In August, add BJ Lee and either Lunday or Beasley in the mix, too.

Dammit, football season is a long way off.

[MustangFan]

Defensive line - hard to say what's doing here, although if the rumor of moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 proves to be true...

Am I the only one surprised by this suggestion?

...but there also are those out there saying Youri Yenga and/or Justin Smart are now linebackers.

Won't ask you to reveal your source, since yours seem to be better than most people on here and it would suck if that source dried up, but how confident are you about that? Would love to see Smart at LB.

[PonyPatrol]

The idea of lining up yenga, smart, bailey and odiari at LB could be pretty interesting. From a sheer size and athleticism standpoint, that group might be as impressive as anything we've had here in awhile....course, they would probably have to be to hide the undersized dline..

[OC Mustang]

Defensive line - hard to say what's doing here, although if the rumor of moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 proves to be true...

Am I the only one surprised by this suggestion?

...but there also are those out there saying Youri Yenga and/or Justin Smart are now linebackers.

Won't ask you to reveal your source, since yours seem to be better than most people on here and it would suck if that source dried up, but how confident are you about that? Would love to see Smart at LB.

Smart's natural position is LB. Spending a year getting outweighed probably served him well, but as a OLB in a 3-4 or 3-3-5 he is a monster.

[J.T.supporta]

ive always wanted to see this D in a 3-3-5. I feel that with a 5th DB, the linemen we have now and the talent that we could have at LB would drastically change how we play, especially in CUSA play.

but ill be watching to see what the battles are at RB and if JW has gotten better with his ball handling.

[smu diamond m]

I think QB is hands down the most intriguing situation at this point.


I like the 3-4 or 3-3-5 idea. We'll see.

IJJWT (In JJ we trust)

[superman1]

[I think QB is hands down the most intriguing situation at this point.


I like the 3-4 or 3-3-5 idea. We'll see.

IJJWT (In JJ we trust) ]


Just remember IJJWT when there is a QB change!![/quote]

[SMU 86]

I thought Hawaii ran a 4-3 last year when JJ was there. I also think Victor Jones could be in the mix at LB as well as Deyon McElroy at CB.

[jimmieho]

Hawaii did run a 4-3.
The SMU coaches have said they are looking at running a 3-4 defense that looks alot like what the Cowboys have implemented with stand up DE's (ie. Greg Ellis) as an additional backer.
Spring will give us a picture of what's to come. We'll know then for sure. Can't wait!

I agree that QB will be the most interesting battle to watch. I'm also looking forward to watching the QB drills they use to teach skill work, foot work, open hips, and use of eye's to look off DB's.

Repetion! Repetion! Repetion!

[SMU 86]

If they go to a 3-4 with a stand up DE then that would put Robert Parker in the mix because he played stand up DE at Humble.

[Garret]

I thought Hawaii ran a 4-3 last year when JJ was there. I also think Victor Jones could be in the mix at LB as well as Deyon McElroy at CB.

Hawaii used a 4-3 D last year because that is what McMackin likes to use. The previous 2 seasons Glanville was the DC so UH used a 3-4 D. JJ lets his defensive coordinator use what works for him and the personnel they have...but he picks aggressive DCs. Expect lots of blitz packages and an emphasis on turnovers rather than yards allowed.

[Stallion]

there won't be any surprises at QB and spring will confirm that Willis is MUCH MORE talented than the backups. He will be even better in the Run and Shoot eventually once he learns more discipline. LB is the most interesting position. I can see SMU being absolutely horrible at LB again or I can see some moves being made with quality athletes plus significant personal development by key players and turning a negative to a positive. SMU could roll some aces at LB but we'll see and I'm talking about guys like Yenga, Odiari and even Bailey who have NOT played LB before. I just don't think the kid from Marshall can play LB in the spread age. It will also be interesting to watch the young DEs Josh Robinson and Jordan Johnson who haven't played much but have the athleticism to improve our defense. Also where does Julian Herron play-I've always thought if we aren't playing midget ball-I'd like to see him at SS. How sweet it would be to have a SS with size who can run a reported 4.33. You get some of these athletes on the field and you have significantly upgraded the talent on defense. But that's a whole lot of questionmarks coming through in one season.

[PerunaPunch]

there won't be any surprises at QB and spring will confirm that Willis is MUCH MORE talented than the backups.

Wanna put some money on that Stallion?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

What about Bo Levi Mitchell?

I am very worried about Justin Willis.

Justin hasn't exactly got a resounding vote of confidence from Junebug.

We need Justin's athleticism on the field in some shape or form.

Stallion does Justin have the speed to play receiver in this offense?