2009 Big South Football Preview: Charleston Southern
The Big South Conference continues its daily previews of its football members, leading up to the 2009 football season opener on Thursday, Sept. 3. Today: Charleston Southern University, which tied for second in the Big South a season ago and opens the campaign at FBS national champion Florida.
Today's preview features a position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 Buccaneers.
Offensive Line
Most experts will tell you that the key to a good offensive unit is the offensive line, which is why CSU's 2009 version has the coaching staff feeling optimistic. After suffering key injuries a year ago, the Buccaneers look to have their most experienced and deepest offensive line under Coach Jay Mills.
"We are really excited about the offensive line this year," said Mills. "We have worked so hard for so long to have depth and we feel like we have done that. We think this line can help us achieve our goal of maintaining a balance between our running and passing games."
Four of last year's starters return, led by senior J.W. Myers. Myers and Levi McFatter (R-So.) who will anchor the edges. James Nicholson (R-Fr.) and Jarrett Johns (R-Sr.) will see significant time at the tackle position and will battle for starting roles. The 2009 Spring Most-Improved Offensive Lineman Jordan Lancaster (R-Jr.) and Nate Kearse (R-Fr.) will spend time at center, while a healthy Zach Mitchell (R-Jr.) and B.J. Baker (R-So.) hold an early edge as the starters at the guard positions.
Throw into the mix Kayson Wharton (R-So.), Terrill Foote (R-Fr.) and newcomer Jeff Hartung (Fr.), all of whom have been on campus working out for the majority of the summer, and there is cause for optimism around CSU.
Quarterback
One thing is for sure; CSU will have a different face under center for the fourth time in as many years. Much like 2008 when senior Tribble Reese transferred in to control the offense, a new face does not mean a rookie. Named the Most-Improved Quarterback for the second spring in a row, A.J. Toscano (R-Jr.) has been named the starter, holding off a charge from transfer Andrew Trudnowski (Jr.), who joined CSU for spring drills after finishing second in the nation in passing last year at LA Harbor College.
Jordan Belser (R-Fr.) and Brad Taylor (Fr.) have seemingly been overlooked, but Mills is pleased with the way they have reported and both will have equal opportunities to get on the field.
Running Back
With as many as five options to give the football to, the running back position has possibly the best depth in school history. Antwan Ivey (So.) and spring most-improved back DeMarcus Moon (Jr.) each provide a different look, with Moon providing more size and strength as opposed to the shiftiness of Ivey. Michael Jefferson (R-Sr.) returns for his senior year and has show he is very capable of carrying the ball. Travis Jefferson (R-Sr.) adds even more size when CSU needs to pound the ball.
Jumping into the mix is John Little (Fr.) who returns to his hometown for the season-opener against Florida, where he was one of the fastest running backs in the state of Florida.
"Antwan (Ivey) and (DeMarcus) Moon are the leaders for playing time coming out of spring ball," said Head Coach Jay Mills. "Each person brings another dimension to our offense though, which makes us very anxious to get them on the field. We may even run some additional two-back sets just to get them on the field at the same time. I believe this group can help us reach our goal of a balanced offense."
Wide Receiver
Now in his seventh year, wide receiver has never seemed to be a concern for Head Coach Jay Mills, and 2009 is no different. Seven of the top eight pass-catchers from last year will return, including preseason All-Big South selection Gerald Stevenson (Jr.).
Tim Jones (Sr.) and David Bowen (R-So.) add size, while Kwame Krakue will add speed and is expected to get additional touches. Alex Neal returns for his second season, and Greg Fiegel, who was named the 2009 Most-Improved Wide Receiver during spring practice, will both see significant playing time.
Newcomers Anthony Chalmers (R-So.), Deon Lee (Jr.) and Frankie Jones (Jr.) have already impressed the coaches and team and will give the Bucs excellent depth once again.
Tight End
CSU is not known for lining up in the jumbo, two-tight end set but with the personnel group that returns for CSU, it is hard not to get them all on the field at the same time. Tyrese Harris (R-Sr.) and Clayton Coffman (R-Sr.), who earned the most-improved tight end award during spring practice, split time for the most part last year, and that trend will likely continue.
Add in Josh Atkinson (R-Jr.) and you have a trio of options who are all excellent blockers and have a knack for getting open as well.
"I think Tyrese can be similar to Bryan Meers, who was an all-conference selection for us on our 2005 Big South Championship team," said Head Coach Jay Mills. "We can move Clayton around from tight end to full back to an h-back position, which really gives us a great one-two punch like never before. They are both an additional cause for optimism in the running and passing games."
Defensive Line
Not a lot of starters return on the defensive side, but thankfully for CSU, that doesn't mean the unit will be lacking experience. While the defensive end position is a bright spot, one of the biggest questions going into the season for Coach Jay Mills and his staff is how the middle of the defensive line will react.
"We are very deep at the end position," said Mills. "It is great to have (Ryan) Ard back on the end. The middle of our line is youthful, but they are able to run very well. Right now I would say the defensive tackle position is the number one question we need to answer."
An all-conference selection at tight end, the aforementioned Ard (R-Sr.) seemed to have acclimated well to the defensive line, playing the first three games of the season, including two starts before having a season-ending surgery. Wes Brown (R-Jr.) will also try to make a smooth transition from tight end to defensive line, while 2009 Spring Most Improved Defensive Lineman Matt Woods (R-So.) and B.J. Hackworth (R-So.) will move to the defensive side after contributing on offense in 2008.
Dorein Perkins (Jr.), Chris Parris (R-Sr.) and 2009 Edward A. Gadson Memorial Scholarship recipient Austin Bloedoorn (R-Sr.) have combined to see action in 51 games over their careers, and will look to provide leadership to the new faces, while C.J. Lee moves up from linebacker to provide a sixth option at defensive end. Transfers Joel Walton (Jr.), Brian Thomas (Jr.), and Damon Middleton (Jr.) will all be counted on early and often in 2009. Walton has already garnered some attention, earning preseason all-conference honors from Phil Steele's magazine.
Coril Joseph (Fr.), Sergio Robinson (Fr.), Antonio Brown (R-Jr.) will hope to provide depth as they fight for playing time.
Linebacker
Led by preseason All-Big South selection Andrew McKain (R-Sr.), the linebacking corps is once again considered to be one of the strengths of the defense.
McKain led the team in tackles last year, and will combine with Fred Godfrey (R-Jr.), who played in all 12 games last year, and David Jackson (R-Jr.) to get the bulk of the snaps.
"All three of those guys have all-conference potential," said Coach Jay Mills. "We are really excited about the guys we have at linebacker. Going into the season this is the position we feel most comfortable with, which allows us to build our defense around them."
Chris Patrick (R-Jr.) and Abiyd Coleman (R-So.) each played in the majority of games last year and will add great depth, while sophomore Cornelius Sterling had a tremendous spring, earning the team's most-improved award.
Defensive Back
"This is probably our number two question going into the fall," said Head Coach Jay Mills. "We have a couple of solid leaders in Chris Kuzdale, who will likely earn all-conference consideration, and Matt Bach, who is a great team player and a leader. Even the new faces have been very encouraging early on."
Kuzdale (So.) will anchor the free safety spot, while Bach (Sr.) earned the spring most-improved award and will serve as the starting strong safety. L.B. Cravey (R-Jr.), Anthony Velez and Mike Springer will all look to battle for the starting spot, and at the very least will add depth.
At corner back, Jacques Bazile (Jr.) returns with the most experience, having started 11 of 12 games last year. The speedy Bazile spent his offseason qualifying for the NCAA Regional Track and Field Championships with the CSU 4x100m relay team. Shawn King (R-So.) and Antwain Harvey (R-Fr.) will also see plenty of time, while the coaching staff is expecting great things from newcomers Kenny Johnson (Fr.), Charles James (R-Fr.), Jordan Fulford (Fr.) Joe Robinson (Jr.) and Joel Chin (Fr.)
Special Teams
Special teams are something that Coach Jay Mills has always put an emphasis on, and as usual, it shows. With two preseason All-Big South selections in kick returner Gerald Stevenson (Jr.) and long snapper Andrew McKain (R-Sr.), as well as all key personnel returning, the Bucs will be poised to have a solid year.
"Charleston Southern improved greatly in this phase in 2008, and I anticipate more of the same in 2009," added Mills. "Our goal of excellence in each aspect of the kicking game is both realistic and expected. Players and playmakers provide optimism when these teams enter the field. One of the best things we have done this year is add Coach RaShan Frost to special teams, which has allowed better performances through more individual attention."
Placekicker John Paglia (Jr.) hit 10 of his 14 field goal attempts last year, including a 2-3 mark between 40 and 50 yards, earning second-team all-conference honors. He also averaged 58.0 yards per kickoff with 9 touchbacks.
Punter Andy Brown (So.) will also return after averaging 36.3 yards per punt in his first season. He had 19 punts inside the 20 yardline with only two touchbacks, and four kicks over 50 yards.
Click here for more information on Charleston Southern 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