Arkansas State Indians
2000 overall record: 1-10
Returning starters:
Offense: 5
Defense: 4
Kickers: 0
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Jonathan Adams* (1,004 yds)
Passing: Cleo Lemon (1,964 yds)
Receiving: Robert Kilow (1,002 yds)
Tackles: Charles Mabry (96)
Sacks: Corey Williams* (2.5)
Interceptions: Three players with 2 each
What's new
After having Cleo Lemon for the last four seasons and 41 starts, ASU will have a quarterback taking his first Division I-A snap this fall. Lemon's backup, Andy Shatley, also graduated from school, leaving the current void behind center.
Battling it out
Four quarterbacks began spring drills, and two were moved to wide receiver at the conclusion of the practices. Tommy Miller, originally a walkon, takes the No. 1 spot into the fall with Bryan Gauthreaux right behind him. But that order could change when JC transfer Michael Clark arrives on campus in August. He threw for over 2,000 yards with 16 touchdowns in only eight games last season.
Eye catcher: LB Les Echols
As a true freshman last season, he started three games at strong safety, making 26 tackles. He gained about 15 pounds and was moved to inside linebacker this spring to add solid depth at that spot. The coaches got more than they asked for when Echols immediately clicked at his new position and made plays all over the field. He is listed as a starter coming out of the spring.
Budding star: DE Corey Williams
Williams broke his jaw in the summer of 2000 and lost 20 pounds, which prompted the coaches to put him at outside linebacker to begin last season. After four games, he was moved to defensive end, where he started the final six games. He led the team in sacks and then looked even more dominant this spring. He has continued to add size and strength and should have a breakout year in 2001.
Idaho Vandals
2000 overall record: 5-6
Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 5
Kickers: 1
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Willie Alderson (1,195 yds)
Passing: John Welsh* (3,171 yds)
Receiving: Chris Lacy* (776 yds)
Tackles: Chris Nofoaiga (111)
Sacks: Ryan Knowles* (6)
Interceptions: Cleavon Bradshaw (3)
What's new
Because Idaho and Boise State are both in a new conference, the schedule will prevent them from closing the regular season against each other for the first time since 1982. The rivals will instead meet on Sept. 29.
Battling it out
The competition for the starting running back spot should be interesting between last year's backup and the starter from two years ago. Zach Gerstner was the No. 2 tailback behind Willie Alderson last season and rushed for 304 yds and 4 TD as a redshirt freshman. Anthony Tenner started in 1999 but broke his hand last August and sat out the season. They are listed together at No. 1 entering the fall.
Eye catcher: LB Brad Rice
Rice started at strong safety last year and made 92 tackles but moved to linebacker in the spring because there was better depth in the secondary. He looked really good at his new position, using his defensive back speed as an outside linebacker. It didn't take him long to earn the starting spot either. He enters the fall listed at No. 1 on the depth chart.
Budding star: OT Jake Scott
After starting every game last year as a redshirt freshman last year, Scott is now the only experienced player on the offensive line. He is the lone returning starter from last year and will be counted on for leadership of the new group. He had a really strong spring and looks ready to carry that load.
Louisiana-Monroe Indians
2000 overall record: 1-10
Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 8
Kickers: 2
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Mark Henderson (436 yds)
Passing: Andy Chance* (1,149 yds)
Receiving: Kevin Stevenson (432 yds)
Tackles: Dedrick Buckles* and Cedric Robinson (103 each)
Sacks: Brennan Bertrand* (3)
Interceptions: Karlton Washington* (3)
What's new
Former NFL QB Stan Humphries takes over as offensive coordinator after serving as quarterbacks coach the previous two seasons. He is trying to revamp an offense that ranked dead last in the nation with fewer than nine points per game last season. He has dumped the four-wideout look and will add a tight end to the attack and always keep a running back in the backfield.
Battling it out
Donald Malveaux started seven games at defensive tackle last year, while Corey Conde started 10 at defensive end. With better depth at end, Conde was moved inside to compete with Malveuax at tackle this spring. Conde has the lead in this race coming out of spring workouts, and the line seems to be in much better shape than it was a year ago.
Eye catcher: DE John Thompson
Thompson sat out last season after transferring from South Carolina. This spring, he made an immediate impact and took over the spot vacated by Conde at left end. He brought a lot more speed to the position and passed by several veterans on the depth chart.
Budding star: WR John Floyd
Floyd was an impact performer in the 1999 Liberty Bowl while playing for Southern Miss and sat out last season after transferring. He was ULM's leading receiver in the spring with two TD in three spring scrimmages. He brings a new dimension to the passing attack with his size (6-4) and could immediately become the go-to guy in the new offense.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
2000 overall record: 1-10
Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 10
Kickers: 1
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Darren Brister (512 yds)
Passing: Lance Domec (806 yds)
Receiving: Marcus Wilridge (524 yds)
Tackles: Kyries Hebert* (88)
Sacks: Derrick Marshall* and Walter Sampson* (7 each)
Interceptions: Charles Tillman* (6)
What's new
The Ragin' Cajuns will be playing in a conference for the first time since 1995 when they were a member of the Big West. The new Sun Belt arrangement is particularly attractive to UL Lafayette because it offers a possible bowl appearance in nearby New Orleans.
Battling it out
John Van Cleave played at quarterback in seven games as a true freshman, while Matt Lane redshirted a year ago. Van Cleave is currently listed at the top of the depth chart and has the advantage of experience. He is a big, athletic quarterback with a strong arm. Lane has shown a good understanding of the game during his development this spring.
Eye catcher: LB Antonio Floyd
Starting middle linebacker Marrious Berry missed spring drills with leg injuries, and Floyd was given a shot to play with the first team. Despite his inexperience, he was very impressive in the workouts and is now listed at No. 1 on the depth chart. He should give Berry a good run for his spot this August.
Budding star: WR Frederick Stamps
Stamps played in nine games as a true freshman and made 21 catches. He is very athletic with good speed and good hands. He is still learning the intricacies of the position on the field but is definitely a player who should make some noise as he continues to improve.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
2000 overall record: 6-5
Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 6
Kickers: 2
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Dwone Hicks* (1,277 yds)
Passing: Wes Counts* (1,536 yds)
Receiving: Kendall Newson* (945 yds)
Tackles: Jermaine Francis (90)
Sacks: Tanaka Scott* (5)
Interceptions: Jykine Bradley* (3)
What's new
The Blue Raiders added three new assistants, including defensive coordinator Steve Davis. He has changed the defensive alignment from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and gotten good response from the players in the new scheme. It allows them more freedom to make plays with their athleticism and concentrates less on assignments for each situation.
Battling it out
Wes Counts started nine games at quarterback last year, while Jason Johnson started two. Both took a lot of snaps, and each threw for more than 1,000 yards. The battle is still going on for that spot with the pair listed as Co-No. 1 on the depth chart entering the fall. If nobody separates himself, the coaches will likely platoon them again and go with the hot hand.
Eye Catcher: LB Michael Woods
Woods played mostly on special teams as a true freshman and saw limited time at defensive back. He was moved to outside linebacker in the spring, and the switch is already paying dividends. He has added speed and toughness to a position that was vulnerable a year ago and capped off his display with six tackles (two for loss) and an interception in the spring game.
Budding star: DE Tanaka Scott
Scott came on strong at the end of 2000 and was a disruptive force in the opposing backfield. He had 44 tackles on the season and led the team with five sacks - four coming in the last half of the season. The new defensive scheme seems to complement his talents very well, which gives him a good shot at the school record for sacks in a season (currently seven).
New Mexico State Aggies
2000 overall record: 3-8
Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 5
Kickers: 1
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Chris Barnes (1,131 yds)
Passing: K.C. Enzminger* (1,454 yds)
Receiving: P.J. Winston* (553 yds)
Tackles: D'Wayne Taylor* (87)
Sacks: Joe Olivo* (6)
Interceptions: Jascon Willis (3)
What's new
This year, the Aggies will play 12 games in a year for the first time in school history. The extra game comes at Louisville in the opener of the college season on August 23. The change from the Big West to the Sun Belt will also increase their number of conference games from five to six.
Battling it out
The graduation of Matt Hancock, who had started 44 straight games at center, opens the door for a new starter. The top two candidates, however, are both learning the position. Chadd Kahlsdorf played in four games as a backup at guard and tackle last year, while Andy Dale also appeared as a reserve in nine games. Dale got a majority of reps with the first team after Kahlsdorf was injured early in spring, but the battle will be decided in the fall when both are healthy.
Eye catcher: QB Buck Pierce
The redshirt freshman took most of the snaps with the first team during the spring after K.C. Enzminger was injured. Pierce had a 50-yard TD run in the first spring scrimmage and then rushed and threw for a TD in the spring game. His pass tied the game in the final seconds. Even if Enzminger is healthy this fall, Pierce could see some time as the backup.
Budding star: G Tony Wragge
Wragge came to NMSU after being invited to walk on at Nebraska. He has started for the last two years, in which the Aggies have led the Big West in rushing both times. At 318 pounds, he is a powerful anchor for the offensive line and a senior leader for this year's group.
North Texas Eagles
2000 overall record: 3-8
Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Ja'Quay Wilburn (756 yds)
Passing: Scott Hall* (937 yds)
Receiving: Byron Curtis (336 yds)
Tackles: Brad Kassell* (115)
Sacks: Kassell* and Corry Pertile (3 each)
Interceptions: Kassell* and Don McGee* (4 each)
What's new
Look for the Mean Green to throw the ball more this season. The quarterback position is finally solidified, plus tight ends Jeff Muenchow and Randy Gardner are two of the better players on the team and need to get more involved in the offense. Because there is no proven fullback and 1,000-yard rusher Ja'Quay Wilburn is gone, there will also be less I-formation than in recent years.
Battling it out
Leading returning rusher Michael Hickmon quit the team but decided after spring practice that he wanted to come back. Needless to say, he is very much in the doghouse. The leader of the tailback race is Kevin Galbreath, a JC transfer who enrolled in January and had a solid spring. Three other 2001 signees - incoming freshmen Roy Bishop, Patrick Cobbs and Ja'Mel Branch - will also jump into the mix this August.
Eye catcher: LB Cody Spencer
UNT lost three seniors who were in the linebacker rotation last year and needed immediate help at the position. Spencer saw limited time there as a true freshman last year, and the coaches thought he would have a chance to start in 2001. He turned out to be even more than they were expecting. He has a lot of speed, and having Brad Kassell inside allows him more freedom to attack.
Budding star: S Jonas Buckles
The big-hitting safety was highly recruited out of high school, but big colleges backed off at the end because of his academic uncertainty. He sat out last season as a partial qualifier and is ready to go this fall. He has been a force on the practice field for the past year and is expected to be an immediate impact player.
