I promised that I would come back after signing day, and give a better idea of what Texas States team will look like. I know it is a little long, but below is a rundown of Texas States offense. Feel free to ask questions that you have as well.
Texas State will be running a spread offense this year, with former Middle Tennessee State OC Mike Schultz calling the plays. Texas States current signing class consists of 16 freshman, 5 junior college signees, and 3 transfers. Including 6 offensive linemen, 2 RB’s, 2 TE’s, and 4 WR’s.
QB – Tyler Arndt and Tim Hawkins – If he is fully recovered from his torn ACL part way threw the season, Tyler Arndt will no doubt be the starting QB. While he struggled at times, due to an overly vanilla offense, part due to coaching and part due to the fact that he was a true freshman forced into the starting role. When he was given time in the pocket, another issue that the team had last year. He also showed the ability to take over a game, and make every throw in the book. How good this years team is, will largely depend on how far he can take them.
RB – Marcus Curry, Dexter Imade, Terrance Franks, and Frank Reddic – Texas State has a 4 headed monster at RB even without Tim Gay and Chris Nutall who signed as true freshman this year, and will most likely redshirt. Curry is a junior who transferred from Navy after the 2009 season. But had to sit out last year because of an Achilles injury. Dexter Imade is a sophomore who split time last year in the backfield with star RB Karrington Bush. Expect Curry to be the homerun threat and a guy they try and involve in the passing game as well as the running game. Dexter Imade will be the sustaining runner along with junior RB Frank Reddic. There is also Terrance Franks a freshman who brings sprinter speed to the RB position, and a guy they will likely try and get the ball to in space several times a game.
WR – Darren Dillard, Darius Bolden, Justin Bean, Deche Milburn, Michael Gilmore, Corey Scott, Marquis Walker, Shaun Rutherford, Alvaro Garcia, and Brad Miller – This may be the deepest position on the team and that is not even counting the addition of 3 star WR Jafus Gaines who will likely redshirt. However, this is also the group with one of the biggest question marks, who takes over the #1 spot vacated by DeMarcus Griggs. Shaun Rutherford will likely be the starting slot WR with Michael Gilmore and Alvaro Garcia backing him up. The two outside slots is a bigger question. Darren Dillard and Darius Bolden were starters last year, but will likely be challenged by Junior College transfer and former Kentucky commit Justin Bean, as well as by former University of New Mexico signee Brad Miller. Plus there is Deche Milburn a 3 star recruit who red shirted last year in the mix as well. Who ever the starters end up being, I expect there to be 6 or 8 guys all with about the same number of receptions.
TE – Chase Harper, Kyle Doll, David Lewis, Colby Goodwin, Devin Baker and Trent Guiberteau – This in a position that provided almost no production last year (2 catches for the season). But will no doubt play a much bigger roll this year. Chase Harper former Iowa State commit, Nebraska commit and Miami Hurricane commit will no doubt be the starter if his grades are in order. Kyle Doll a Sophomore transfer from Blinn Junior College will also see playing time as will last years co starter at TE David Lewis. Lewis is a big strong kid that can stretch the field, but is still raw and learning the position. Last years lack of production is partly on the players, but also partly on the offense. Under previous coach Brad Wright, the TE was never greatly involved in the passing offense. But that is likely to change with Dennis Franchione now as the HC.
OL – Michael Chambers, Jason Hannan, Steven Kenney, and DJ Hall return as starters. And when healthy are a pretty good group. The question is behind them. Last year, a big part of the struggles was because of OL play, but that was mostly later in the season when guys were required to play hurt because we had no one to back them up. Expect Jon Vernon and a Junior college transfer from last year that red shirted Thaddeus Watkins, as well as this years Junior college transfer Mike Yoder to all compete for the last starting spot. Plus, because of lack of depth Texas State will no doubt be forced to have a few of the true freshman OL to get immediately step into the two deep as well. The offensive line will no doubt still be a work in progress this year with a few freshman being required to step into the two deep right away. But, we did get a few kids that are physically mature enough to make the step up.
Texas State will be running a spread offense this year, with former Middle Tennessee State OC Mike Schultz calling the plays. Texas States current signing class consists of 16 freshman, 5 junior college signees, and 3 transfers. Including 6 offensive linemen, 2 RB’s, 2 TE’s, and 4 WR’s.
QB – Tyler Arndt and Tim Hawkins – If he is fully recovered from his torn ACL part way threw the season, Tyler Arndt will no doubt be the starting QB. While he struggled at times, due to an overly vanilla offense, part due to coaching and part due to the fact that he was a true freshman forced into the starting role. When he was given time in the pocket, another issue that the team had last year. He also showed the ability to take over a game, and make every throw in the book. How good this years team is, will largely depend on how far he can take them.
RB – Marcus Curry, Dexter Imade, Terrance Franks, and Frank Reddic – Texas State has a 4 headed monster at RB even without Tim Gay and Chris Nutall who signed as true freshman this year, and will most likely redshirt. Curry is a junior who transferred from Navy after the 2009 season. But had to sit out last year because of an Achilles injury. Dexter Imade is a sophomore who split time last year in the backfield with star RB Karrington Bush. Expect Curry to be the homerun threat and a guy they try and involve in the passing game as well as the running game. Dexter Imade will be the sustaining runner along with junior RB Frank Reddic. There is also Terrance Franks a freshman who brings sprinter speed to the RB position, and a guy they will likely try and get the ball to in space several times a game.
WR – Darren Dillard, Darius Bolden, Justin Bean, Deche Milburn, Michael Gilmore, Corey Scott, Marquis Walker, Shaun Rutherford, Alvaro Garcia, and Brad Miller – This may be the deepest position on the team and that is not even counting the addition of 3 star WR Jafus Gaines who will likely redshirt. However, this is also the group with one of the biggest question marks, who takes over the #1 spot vacated by DeMarcus Griggs. Shaun Rutherford will likely be the starting slot WR with Michael Gilmore and Alvaro Garcia backing him up. The two outside slots is a bigger question. Darren Dillard and Darius Bolden were starters last year, but will likely be challenged by Junior College transfer and former Kentucky commit Justin Bean, as well as by former University of New Mexico signee Brad Miller. Plus there is Deche Milburn a 3 star recruit who red shirted last year in the mix as well. Who ever the starters end up being, I expect there to be 6 or 8 guys all with about the same number of receptions.
TE – Chase Harper, Kyle Doll, David Lewis, Colby Goodwin, Devin Baker and Trent Guiberteau – This in a position that provided almost no production last year (2 catches for the season). But will no doubt play a much bigger roll this year. Chase Harper former Iowa State commit, Nebraska commit and Miami Hurricane commit will no doubt be the starter if his grades are in order. Kyle Doll a Sophomore transfer from Blinn Junior College will also see playing time as will last years co starter at TE David Lewis. Lewis is a big strong kid that can stretch the field, but is still raw and learning the position. Last years lack of production is partly on the players, but also partly on the offense. Under previous coach Brad Wright, the TE was never greatly involved in the passing offense. But that is likely to change with Dennis Franchione now as the HC.
OL – Michael Chambers, Jason Hannan, Steven Kenney, and DJ Hall return as starters. And when healthy are a pretty good group. The question is behind them. Last year, a big part of the struggles was because of OL play, but that was mostly later in the season when guys were required to play hurt because we had no one to back them up. Expect Jon Vernon and a Junior college transfer from last year that red shirted Thaddeus Watkins, as well as this years Junior college transfer Mike Yoder to all compete for the last starting spot. Plus, because of lack of depth Texas State will no doubt be forced to have a few of the true freshman OL to get immediately step into the two deep as well. The offensive line will no doubt still be a work in progress this year with a few freshman being required to step into the two deep right away. But, we did get a few kids that are physically mature enough to make the step up.
