F
Fighting_Irish9
Guest
Here is an overview from Day one of Spring Football
Players Not Returning
Some of these guys it was questioned if they would be returning looks as they won't be given a 5th year.
RB Jeff Jenkins
LB Nate Schiccatano
OL James Bonelli
OL Scott Raridon
FS Jake Carney
(its unknown if they applied and were turned down or just didn't apply)
3 Players will no longer be with the team that have eligibility.
RB/CB Junior Jabbie has decided to focus on his studies and left the football team
CB Labrose Hedgemon will be transfering to Jackson State.
TE Joey Hiben has decided to focus on his studies as well (incase you life in a box and didn't know)
***Will Yeatman signed a Football Scholarship so he will be eligible his Freshman year now.
Unanswered Personel Questions
DE Travis Leitko
DB Freddie Parrish
There is still no news on the possibility of their return, like Julius Jones a few years ago, this probably won't be cleared up until the Summer
No Defensive Position Moves
Seems Minter has come out and said they don't plan on moving any of the defensive players around so the much rumored Ndukwe to LB seems pretty Unlikely at this point.
Injuries and what they mean
Chris Frome IS OUT, Coupled with Abiamira being around 75% this will free up a lot of time for players like Talley, Brown and Stephenson Jr to get in some reps
LB Abdel Banda IS OUT This very athletic kid needed as much playing time as possible. His football experience is limited and the lack of spring will be disapointing
DJ Hord IS OUT, With Hord out, West and Grimes will get a lot more touches and Grimes could solidfy the #3 spot this spring.
OL John Sullivan BASICLY OUT, won't see much contact with recovering shoulder but will practice
RB Justin Hoskins Will play but, Had Shoulder surgery in the Off-season and this could hinder his chances of breaking out this year
OL Brian Mattes A bad foot could slow him, giving the incoming freshman next year a bit more of a shot at taking the open Tackle spot.
LB Joe Brockington a Bad back will limit his time, this is bad as we need as many LB's on the field gaining experience as we can get.
LB Maurice Crum Also a bad back, was going to be the cornerstone of our LB's. Expect to see a lot of Vernaglia with all these injuries.
*****WR Jeff Samardzija Jeff is not injured but will miss over half of Spring Ball due to Baseball commitments.
Weis's Focus
--Working on the DB's communication. Seems the communication of the DB's last year was a major problem
--Find 2 LB's to Start
--Get Duncan and Turkovich A lot of time on the Line
--To Work less with the offense and focus on D and Special teams, but doesn't plan on being more involved with the D come next season
Interesting Side Note
TE Marcus Freeman garnered MAJOR praise for his improvment in the offseason, possibly giving him the upper hand for the starting job
Players Not Returning
Some of these guys it was questioned if they would be returning looks as they won't be given a 5th year.
RB Jeff Jenkins
LB Nate Schiccatano
OL James Bonelli
OL Scott Raridon
FS Jake Carney
(its unknown if they applied and were turned down or just didn't apply)
3 Players will no longer be with the team that have eligibility.
RB/CB Junior Jabbie has decided to focus on his studies and left the football team
CB Labrose Hedgemon will be transfering to Jackson State.
TE Joey Hiben has decided to focus on his studies as well (incase you life in a box and didn't know)
***Will Yeatman signed a Football Scholarship so he will be eligible his Freshman year now.
Unanswered Personel Questions
DE Travis Leitko
DB Freddie Parrish
There is still no news on the possibility of their return, like Julius Jones a few years ago, this probably won't be cleared up until the Summer
No Defensive Position Moves
Seems Minter has come out and said they don't plan on moving any of the defensive players around so the much rumored Ndukwe to LB seems pretty Unlikely at this point.
Injuries and what they mean
Chris Frome IS OUT, Coupled with Abiamira being around 75% this will free up a lot of time for players like Talley, Brown and Stephenson Jr to get in some reps
LB Abdel Banda IS OUT This very athletic kid needed as much playing time as possible. His football experience is limited and the lack of spring will be disapointing
DJ Hord IS OUT, With Hord out, West and Grimes will get a lot more touches and Grimes could solidfy the #3 spot this spring.
OL John Sullivan BASICLY OUT, won't see much contact with recovering shoulder but will practice
RB Justin Hoskins Will play but, Had Shoulder surgery in the Off-season and this could hinder his chances of breaking out this year
OL Brian Mattes A bad foot could slow him, giving the incoming freshman next year a bit more of a shot at taking the open Tackle spot.
LB Joe Brockington a Bad back will limit his time, this is bad as we need as many LB's on the field gaining experience as we can get.
LB Maurice Crum Also a bad back, was going to be the cornerstone of our LB's. Expect to see a lot of Vernaglia with all these injuries.
*****WR Jeff Samardzija Jeff is not injured but will miss over half of Spring Ball due to Baseball commitments.
Weis's Focus
--Working on the DB's communication. Seems the communication of the DB's last year was a major problem
--Find 2 LB's to Start
--Get Duncan and Turkovich A lot of time on the Line
--To Work less with the offense and focus on D and Special teams, but doesn't plan on being more involved with the D come next season
Interesting Side Note
TE Marcus Freeman garnered MAJOR praise for his improvment in the offseason, possibly giving him the upper hand for the starting job
