Friday, January 22, 2010

Counting on freshmen

With much buzz from the fanbase, and National Signing Day right around the corner, lets discuss true freshmen and how much we can expect out of first-year players.

Lets take a look back at the last handful of years for Aggie football, and which true freshmen made positive impacts on the team.

The biggest, I can recall, was Davon House, who started the second half of the 2007 season at cornerback. He finished the season with 37 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups and a memorable 100-plus yard touchdown return against the University of Idaho.

In 2008, defensive ends Pierre Fils and Dante Savage saw their playing time increase as the season went along.

In 2006, Joseph Palmer received playing time on the offensive line and Tonny Glynn started two games at running back after moving over from DB.

In 2005, wide receiver A.J. Harris made 39 grabs for 448 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensive end/linebacker Michael Brewer made 29 tackles in 2004.

It's not unusual for freshmen to be worked into the lineup slowly, gradually fed the playbook and, over time, grow into their role. Which of the recruiting class this year might be asked to step in and take the field fairly early on?

I think that two linebackers who have verbally committed — Anthony Joyner and Dylan Davis — will get a shot to play right off the bat. The linebacking unit is wide open and I would think fresh recruits would have an opportunity to make an impact.

What about at quarterback? I think this would also be a position with no real frontrunners to win the job and open competition taking place in camp. Jeff Fleming and Trevor Walls both played last year while Tanner Rust redshirted. That, and some first-year players are expected to be at camp as well — namely Andrew Manley. But who knows what new offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar likes in a quarterback? Again, I would expect an open competition at this position.

Pieces are expected to be added along the offensive line and some newcomers could get some looks. I'm not sure if that will include true freshman Davonte Wallace.

In the secondary, I would expect last year's starters to enter camp as the frontrunners, with prospects Charles Garrett and Darien Johnson being groomed for the future. There's depth at this position.

Johnson was a standout kick returner in high school. Special teams is an option for true freshmen to step in right away and flash their ability.

5 comments:

BOSS HOGG said...

Red shirting your freshmen is a way to build true depth and quality within a program. The red shirt should be used as often as your depth at a position allows.

Last season Quiroga contributed on specials but could and maybe should have been shirted.

The 2010 LB's can get playing time if they canprove that they can handle D1. Due to lack of depth.

I like the new corners and would love to see one if not both of them redshirt and come out in 2011 fighting for starting spots as redshirt freshmen. Don't waste a redshirt year on special teams if a kid has real talent....be patient!!

At QB I'd rather go with Fleming over a true freshman. Something new is not always something better.

On the DL there will be a true freshman that contributes in a major way!! I mentioned him last week Teddy. He just may start by season's end (in the mold of House in 2007)

IC said...

Teddy, can you give us a run down of how many guys have given verbals and who they are? The two main sites Rivals shows 14, ESPN shows 15. ESPN has Randy Richards and David Grant, and Rivals doesn't. Rivals has Dylan Lusk but ESPN doesn't. Lusk is one of those 3 star kids that has everyone on here excited. What's the deal? Please shed some light for us.

Anonymous said...

Understand top ranked JC QB Matt Christian has enrolled.

Anonymous said...

You forget about David Niaumatalolo starting as a true freshman.

If true freshamn gets playing time. it means we got a good one in our hands.

Anonymous said...

I like Lusk and Charles Garrett both have been tops on my list. Throw in Manely and things are looking good for the aggies.