Aug. 1, 2007
First year head coach Reggie Barlow and new offensive coordinator Maurice Harris don't plan on a complete overhaul of the offense they inherited, but there will be significant tweaks. Expect to see lots of screen passes in particular, as Barlow draws on experiences from his NFL playing days.
In terms of talent, the cupboard is far from bare. Still, young players will be counted on in key roles.
One place where there definitely are not any questions is at running back. All-American candidate Jay Peck (Sr., 5-11, 200, Columbus, Ohio) was recently named first team preseason All-SWAC, and heading into 2007, remains the engine of the ASU offensive attack.
Peck, who received his bachelors degree in the spring, established himself as one of the best running backs in the nation a year ago. He had a stretch of five consecutive 100-yard games and gained a total of 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns on a league-leading 249 carries. He also totaled 146 yards on 12 receptions.
Defenses will definitely load up to stop him, which should create opportunities
Rahmond Traylor (So., 5-11, 200, Memphis, Tenn.) and Jerry Severe (So., 5-11, 201, Miami, Fla.) will back up Peck.
Quarterback Alex Engram (Jr., 5-10, 210, Warren, Ohio) is the favorite to earn the starting nod under center. Relying on his legs as much as his arm, Engram amassed 1,186 total yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006. Although Darius Mathis (So., 6'0, 180, Conyers, Ga.) didn't get any game action last year, spending the last year practicing in the system gives him an advantage.
Several newcomers will also compete for playing time at quarterback. Junior college transfer Chris Mitchell (Jr., 6'3, 200, Mobile, Ala.) was the Offensive MVP of the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game in December. Brandon Dowdell (Fr., 6'3, 190, Opelika, Ala.) totaled 20 touchdowns while leading his high school team to the state semifinals. Devin Dominquez (Fr., 6'5, 205, Fort Wayne, Ind.) captured the Indiana state championship last year, and was recruited by several Division I schools as a receiver but came to ASU to play quarterback.
The offensive line that protected the quarterbacks and opened the holes for Peck returns entirely intact. All five starters, plus their five backups, will enter 2007 with plenty of experience. Left guard Ivora Hall (Sr., 6-2, 290, Memphis, Tenn.), preseason first team All-SWAC selection, is the anchor and provides the leadership and toughness needed in the trenches. Kris Myers (Jr., 6-1, 285, Decatur, Ga.), Antonio Hill (Jr., 6-2, 295, Dothan, Ala.), Ernest Myers IV (So., 6-3, 320, Conley, Ga.) and Andrew Showalter (So., 6-3, 285, Opp, Ala.) enter the fall atop the depth chart.
The loss of the top three wide receivers opens the door for Antonio "Tiger" James (Sr., 6-0, 155, Montgomery, Ala.) and a group of newcomers to make their mark. Last year, James had six catches for 80 yards but is expected to have a breakout season this fall. Fellow returnees Marcus McCall (Jr., 6'1, 187, Memphis, Tenn.), Paul Harrell (Jr., 5'7, 159, Lake St. Louis, Mo.) and Steve Briggs (Sr., 5'8, 147, Jacksonville, Fl.) will have the opportunity to seize starting sports.
There is also a huge crop of first year Hornets wideouts with great potential.Ronald Davis (Jr., 6-3, 203, Coffeyville, Okla.), a physical transfer from powerhouse Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College, should have an immediate impact. Marquez Strickland (Fr., 6'2, 205, Opelika, Ala.), Jahan Jones (Jr., 6'1, 185, New Orleans, La.), Montez Davis (Fr., 5'11, 180, Cleveland, Tenn., and Cedric Harris (Jr., 6'2, 200, Hillsoboro, Ala.) combine to create a major infusion of speed and run-after-the-catch ability.
Aaron Wallace (Jr., 6-5, 220, Aurora, Colo.) has the size and speed to create mismatches at the tight end position. Chris Kaufman (Sr., 6'2, 230, Montgomery, Ala.) is a major asset to the Hornets' ground game.
