2009 Big South Football Preview: Presbyterian College
The Big South Conference begins its daily previews of its football members, leading up to the 2009 football season opener on Thursday, Sept. 3. Today: Presbyterian College, which will be an official Conference opponent in 2009 and will be listed in the standings, but is not eligible for the regular-season championship until 2011.
Today's preview features new head coach Harold Nichols and his coordinators offering insight and comments on the 2009 Blue Hose squad.
Coach Harold Nichols, on the 2009 Season:
"I really think our spring practice was a success. It was a work in progress. We installed a new offense, defense and kicking game. The student-athletes also had to endure a coaching change. Any time a program changes the staff and head coach, it is a journey and process to get to where the team needs to be.
"You have to give the athletes credit. They are a resilient bunch. They worked hard in the off-season and in winter workouts. I am proud of their effort and energy. They were able to get a lot accomplished.
"I expect our football program to work hard day in and day out in order to represent Presbyterian College to the best of its ability. My expectations are extremely high for our team. I believe they will reach the expectations and surpass them. That's why we keep score."There is a lot of excitement and the energy level is high with the program. We have a chance to win every game and play the way PC should. We plan to embrace the traditions that are here while making new ones.
"This year, we are going to face adversity and see how we overcome it. The team could go a long way and have great success. How we adjust and handle the adversity will determine what kind of success we have."
Offensive Coordinator Doug Malone, on the Offense:
"I am really pleased with how we developed in the spring. We were able to get better at some positions and build depth at others while having young guys that came in and helped us. I am pleased with the basic knowledge of what we are going to do offensively. We made a few moves that bolstered our line-up, including one at tailback. As a whole, we improved in our running game. I felt like the competition between Tim Webb and Brandon Miley was intense. We also have more experience at quarterback than ever before. Right now, we have to fill some holes at receiver, but we are positive our young guys will come in and help out immediately."
Defensive Coordinator Tom Evangelista, on the Defense:
"I think our biggest challenge in the fall will be continuing to adapt to a new system. We made a lot of moves in the spring to get players into positions that are going to help us. We now have a four-man front as opposed to how it's been the past few seasons. In the spring, we worked on getting better with our fundamentals. We have some talent. We just need to play aggressive and run to the football. Our team made a lot of strides in the 15 practices we had."
Below is a position-by-position breakdown of the Blue Hose, and what to look for in 2009...
OFFENSIVE LINE
LEFT TACKLE
NIC LANZO - Returning starter ... Had a very good spring practice ... Made improvements on weaknesses from a season ago ... Looks to be solid contributor.
MICHAEL BUTLER - Will challenge for the starting job ... Injury forced him to miss all but one week of spring practice ... Hard worker who will push for the starting job.
LEFT GUARD
GRAYSON SUMNER - Played in 75 percent of the offensive snaps last year ... Very aggressive off the ball ... Will be the leader of the offensive line.
ANDREW NEWTON - Will push for playing time at multiple positions ... Tremendous upside ... Improved greatly during spring practice to put him in contention for more snaps throughout the season.
EVAN MERRITT - Redshirted last season ... Developing into a solid future offensive lineman.
CENTER
JARED TAVERNIER - Tough, tenacious student-athlete ... Plays a lot bigger than his size ... True competitor who plays virtually every snap ... Go-getter who is able to carry out every assignment.
ANDREW NEWTON - Versatile student-athlete who will also see playing time at center.
RIGHT GUARD
BILLY KAYLOR - Started the spring at right tackle but moved inside to bolster the line ... Has good size and strength ... Is a true asset to the team at the inside position.
STEPHON WILLIAMS - Redshirt-freshman who made improvements last spring ... Has a great upside in front of him.
RIGHT TACKLE
MAX TRAVIS - Moved from right guard to right tackle during spring practice ... Athletic ability and natural athleticism help shore up the line from the outside.
WILL MATHIAS - Redshirt-freshman who has a big future ... Good size and will add strength that will allow him to become a very good offensive lineman.
WIDE RECEIVERS
X
PATRICK MCKOY - Most naturally skilled receiver ... Can be counted on to get open when in need of a play, he has great releases and routes ... Though he suffered an injury at the end of the season that held him back in the off-season, the team will rely on Pat to do a great deal this coming fall.
TYLER ROBBINS - Had an injury at the end of last season that set him back slightly in the off-season ... Speed is an asset for PC and his ability to stretch the field vertically is second to none ... Has an impact on special teams as a return man.
F
JEREMY COLE - Best leader and motivator of the group ... Has tremendous work ethic and pushes the other receivers to be better in everything they do, both on and off the field.
BRUCE SMITH - Hasn't seen as much game experience as our other upperclassmen but PC is expecting big things out of him this fall ... Tough competitor that won't back down from any task ... Very quick and can make a play with the ball in his hands.
MICHAEL RUFF - Outstanding athlete and an extremely hard worker ... Playmaker ... An injury slowed him down for part of spring practice but he showed flashes of what this local product can do come the fall.
Z
MATT QUINN - Valuable player ... Big target for the quarterbacks and not only that, has some of the best hands in the group ... Can be counted on for a catch be it first and 10 or third and long.
SEAN ADEGBOLA - Big things ahead of him ... Redshirted last year which helped him because he competed against our starting backs everyday ... Had a tremendous spring and is now becoming more comfortable with the position ... Expect him to shine this year.
DERRICK OVERHOLT - Some of the best hands on the team and will catch any ball if he can get his hands on it ... Relatively new to the position and has consistently improved his technique.
TIGHT ENDS
ROBERT BUMGARNER - Most consistent tight end on the team ... Very coachable and eager to learn and improve every time out ... Hard-working student-athlete ... Continues to grow into his frame ... Hopes to build off consistency from a season ago where he had 15 catches the last half of the year ... Could be an all-conference selection ... Rangy student-athlete that runs well ... Intense, self-motivator ... Maximizes potential ... Will provide great leadership.
SAM WILSON - Hard worker who is excited to be splitting time between tight end and his natural position as a fullback ... Will provide more depth and leadership to the tight end position ... Terrific hands ... Extremely strong in the weight room ... Versatile student-athlete who will be utilized in the passing game and on goal-line situations ... Finished strong in spring practice ... Looks to have a good senior season.
QUARTERBACKS
BRANDON MILEY - Good athlete ... Does great things with his feet ... Will make big plays ... Improved greatly over the spring ... Strong understanding of the position ... Has all the tools to do good things.
TIM WEBB - Very consistent ... Provides great stability ... Team leader ... Was injured prior to the spring and started slow ... Came into his own near the end of spring practice ... Experienced ... Will be counted on heavily to get the job done.
PARKER FLEMING - Had a good spring ... Knowledgeable player who will be an asset to the program ... Will provide solid depth.
MYRON GARY - Was the biggest surprise at the position during spring practice ... Put himself in a good position to compete for the job.
RUNNING BACKS
TRANDON DENDY - Very exciting tailback ... Encouraged by his production and potential based off last season ... Strong leader on the team ... Pound for pound the strongest student-athlete on the team ... Will help carry the offense.
TRAVIS CALDWELL - Emotional leader for the team and running backs ... Sets the tone for the squad each and every time on the field ... Full confidence in his abilities ... Will be a tremendous asset to the team.
MARIO CARTER - Young, talented back who has the potential to play a major role this season ... Had a productive spring and did everything that was asked of him ... Should progress nicely and see valuable snaps.
TJ DEVINE - Switched from linebacker in the spring and picked up offensive schemes rather quickly ... Excited to see his role grow ... Will be a contributor.
TERRY BRISCO - Made the change from linebacker to running back during the spring practice ... One of the most competitive individuals on the team ... Has the ability to perform and go hard at all tasks given to him.
DEFENSE
LEFT END
DERREN EVANS - Capable of making the big play ... Saw a lot of playing time as a freshman and will continue to step up and be a solid player on a talented line.
IOULI BURROUGHS - Had a tremendous spring season ... Always consistent and very dependable ... Good work ethic ... Walk-on a season ago and will be a strong contributor this year.
LEWIS COLEMAN - Made the move from linebacker late in spring practice ... Played well in a short period of time ... Will continue to improve with more repetitions ... Has a bright future.
TACKLE
BRIAN DAVIS - Saw a lot of playing time last season ... Returning from a knee injury but will make the return to the starting line-up ... Will play a key role in the defensive scheme among the line.
XAVIER BOATWRIGHT - Continued to work hard throughout the entire off-season ... Made great strides in adding size and strength ... Continually improving and will compete for playing time.
NOSE TACKLE
MATT FREEMAN - Most experienced defensive lineman on the team ... Played extremely well the entire spring practice ... Looks to be a strong leader.
BRYAN MCDANIEL - Very smart student-athlete ... Coming off a solid spring practice ... Should play a key role while playing valuable snaps.
RIGHT END
BRIAN LEONARDI - Made the move from linebacker after last season ... Had a tremendous spring practice ... Has a high motor ... Will be a strong leader for the entire defense from his new position.
CONNOR HAWKINS - One of the most physical defensive linemen on the team ... Most versatile among the linemen ... Can and will play inside as well ... Coming off a good spring practice.
KHIRY BROWN - Very good all-around athlete ... Made the move from linebacker ... Has a ton of upside ... Once adjusted to the new role, will contribute.
BANDIT
JOSH TAVERNIER - Spent a lot of spring practice running with the first group ... Most experienced student-athlete at this position ... Quick learner ... Good position for him ... Should battle for the starting spot.
J.R. THOMASON - Took reps with the first string during spring practice ... Has a tremendous motor and a great upside ... Has a lot of tools that coaches look for in this position ... Continue learning what to do and will get a lot of playing time this fall.
BRYCE SMILEY - One of the sharper student-athletes in terms of football knowledge ... Had the ability to play multiple positions in the spring, but missed a good bit due to injury ... Should be ready to go into the fall and compete for playing time.
DREW SWICK - A young player with good upside ... Has the ability to play various positions, but is best suited here ... Has a chance to earn playing time with a good summer preparation.
MIKE
DEREK BROWN - Had a really good spring season ... Saw valuable playing time a season ago ... Hard-nosed athlete that is very coachable ... Has the size and body of the kind of athlete that we want at this position.
CHRIS BOWMAN - Arguably the most experienced student-athlete of the group ... Has lots of pure ability ... Split time between two positions in the spring ... Tenacious competitor that will battle for a starting spot.
CHRIS HACKNEY - Really impressive spring practice ... Has plenty of pure instinct ... Very football savvy that allows him to be able to give quality reps during a game ... Very solid at this position.
WILL
JOE WIDEMAN - Redshirted last season ... Will be a very good player for us ... Very athletic ... Is a new wave of linebacker that we are looking for ... Can run well and picks things up fairly well.
CHRISTIAN AYLER - One of the more athletic student-athletes on the team ... Continues to make progress every snap ... Will be a valuable asset on special teams in addition to his linebacking duties ... Continues to improve and make good strides on his fundamentals.
ROVER
BO TRIBBLE - Had a very impressive spring practice ... Has tremendous height and strength that is needed at the position ... Fast learner ... Is the leading candidate for the starting job thanks to a strong spring showing.
JAMES ROBERTS - Moved from corner halfway through spring practice ... Has some tremendous length and is not afraid to hit the opponent ... His move helps the entire team out ... Should he continue to learn all his assignments, PC will have a person who will be able to contribute.
STEPHEN THOMAS - Has a lot of natural ability ... Tore his ACL in the first game of last year and was only able to participate in non-contact drills in the spring ... Will definitely be in the mix here or at another position ... Picks things up pretty quickly.
FREE SAFETY
TORRELL FUNDERBURK - Had a great spring practice ... Showed a little bit of his leadership ability ... Makes the checks and adjustments needed for us to be good ... One of the more savvy players we have.
JARROD WATTS - Moved from corner during the last week of spring practice ... Excited about what he could do for the team ... Showed flashes of really being able to help the defense ... Will battle for the starting job and will be a big factor in the line-up.
BOUNDARY CORNER
JUSTIN BETHEL - Comes off a good freshman season ... Stepped up and became a key player on the defense during the spring ... Will be the go-to-guy on defense ... Has all the ability in the world ... Could realize his potential and stay focused on being the best this year.
FIELD CORNER
BRIAN WILSON - Veteran of an extremely young group ... Stepped up and took the leadership role left vacant after last season ... Has a renewed sense of focus ... Moved into his new role with the team and has done a good job with it.
DAMON LAWRENCE - Challenged during the spring to get bigger and be more physical ... Had a great spring practice ... Came the farthest out of all the student-athletes ... Has the most confidence out of anyone and his game is starting to reflect it ... Will challenge for the starting spot.
PUNTER/PLACE KICKER
CAM MILLER - Returns as the only student-athlete on the roster with game experience at the position ... Made progress in the spring ... Has a strong work ethic ... Will handle all kicking duties but will be in strong competition with newcomers for playing time at all positions.
PUNT RETURN/KICK-OFF RETURN
MICHAEL RUFF - Solid all-around student-athlete ... Dedicated worker ... True playmaker ... Can make things happen.
MARIO CARTER - Will play a major role this season ... Can handle many different positions ... Will be a valuable asset in both punt and kick-off return duties.
JUSTIN BETHEL - Can be a tremendous asset on special teams ... Has the natural ability to make the big play ... Great hands ... Good speed.
TRANDON DENDY - Exciting runner ... Can make the first guy miss and has the ability to make a play in tight quarters ... One of the team's leaders ... Strong student-athlete that will help him break tackles.
PATRICK MCKOY - Tremendous hands ... Can be counted on to make the big play ... Versatile player who can make the big play.
Click here for more information on Presbyterian College football.
2009 Big South Football Previews
Aug. 26 - Presbyterian
Aug. 27 - VMI
Aug. 28 - Charleston Southern
Aug. 31 - Gardner-Webb
Sept. 1 - Coastal Carolina
Sept. 2 - Stony Brook
Sept. 3 - Liberty