Lambuth 2010 Recruiting Preview

[Toby]

2010 Recruiting Preview

1/5/2009
By LambuthFootball.com Staff

For many close followers of college football teams, the recruiting season rivals the regular season in terms of importance. After all, recruiting classes produce the future of the team. The recruiting season is now upon us as we countdown the days until National Signing Day on February 3rd, 2010.

It will be interesting to see how the recruiting season unfolds for the Lambuth University Eagles. Coach Hugh Freeze, the Eagles former head coach, has departed for NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision's San Jose State Spartans. Ron Dickerson takes over as the Eagles new head coach and brings a wealth of Division I experience as a head coach (Temple, Alabama State) and defensive coordinator (Clemson). His recruiting experience at the FBS and FCS level should pay high dividends for the Lambuth football team. Even with Coach Dickerson at the helm, the spotlight is now squarely pointed towards LU's recruiting coordinator, Coach Lee Wilbanks. Coach Wilbanks has done a magnificent job in his two years on the Eagles coaching staff and has produced two outstanding recruiting classes. If the last two recruiting classes are a preview of what’s to come, then Eagles fans can expect Lambuth’s winning ways to continue.

Let's take a look at the offense:

Quarterback: At the end of the season, it appeared that this was among the strongest positions on the team. However, rumors persist of a shakeup among LU's field generals which might create a need at the position. As it currently stands, the Eagles have three outstanding options in rising JR Adam Wiese and rising SOs Kelvin Martin and Nathan Jolley. Depending upon what happens, this could be an area that would require immediate attention. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Apparently the rumors were true. It seems multiple signal callers will not return to LU for the 2010 season making the QB position an immediate priority. QBs Nathan Jolley (rising SO) and Paul Harper (rising JR) will be the top QBs returning.

Running Back: Ben Stallings and Victor Robinson will graduate creating an immediate need at the RB position. Marquis Williams appears to be the only rising SR that will return. There are a number of talented underclassmen on the roster, but bolstering RB depth appears to be a priority.

Fullback: Rising JR B.A. Davis is an offensive stalwart on the LU offense, but will need a talented understudy.

Offensive Line: The offensive line almost returns intact. The OL has, however, experienced a great deal of injuries so quality depth is a must. The 2010 offensive line will be senior-laden with Josh Profit, Bobby Ingalls, and Jacob Yandell all being in their last year of eligibility. Getting quality offensive linemen to compete for starting jobs after the season is an absolute must.

Tight End: The only TE on the active roster, Clint Anderson, graduates in the spring. A number of TEs redshirted this year, including transfer Careg Bonner, but the TE position is a big question mark.

Wide Receiver: The WR position experienced significant hits with the losses of Jesse Ferrell, Brandon Okechukwu, and E.J. Adams, but All-MSC First Teamer Rod Jefferson returns. Jefferson emerged as one of the country's elite WRs in 2009 and has All-American potential. Donovan Maxwell has to step up to fill a job and a number of other players on the roster will be leaned upon to replace the production of the graduating seniors. WR depth is a high priority, especially for special teams.

Verdict: The offense looks like it can be even better in 2010, but a lot of that depends on the retention of the current QBs. Finding a game breaking RB, whether he's on the current roster or not, is a must. The OL requires depth past 2010, as does the WR corps.

UPDATE: The QB position now becomes a big position of need and will be among the highest of priorities before signing day.

Now, on to the sharks on defense:

Defensive line: The Eagles sustain big losses at the DE position with the departure of Ben Aigamaua and Jonathan Holston. A number of players, including Victor Pena, however, have shown promise behind those two. As it stands, though, a rush end is a high priority. The DT position loses All-MSC First Teamer Sterling Williams but returns fellow First Teamer Luis Doray. There are also a number of talented DTs on the roster to step in for Williams, but additional players will be sought out to fill in at the DT spot.

Linebackers: The heart of the defense, Jason Ware, graduates in the spring leaving a big hole to fill on the outside, and Lee Yandell graduates leaving MLB depth a question mark. However, Lambuth's Defensive MVP, Jamie Payton, returns along with the Hawaiian Annihilator Adam Hom. David Hawkins and Ethan Cooper will be rising SOs and both flashed impressive potential in their freshmen years. Overall, the LB position is deep but experienced its share of injuries last year that thrust many players into the lineup. Depth is a must.

Secondary: By far, the biggest losses the Eagles sustained are on defense. Three of four starters and a number of #2s graduated leaving a gaping hole in the defensive secondary. All-MSC First Teamer Rashad Taylor returns and will be an All-American candidate, but the other three starters (Chris Mitchell, Dominique Bowman, Anton Anderson) in the secondary will not return. Rising SR Lamar Alston, a Western Kentucky transfer, will almost certainly man one CB position but who will win the spot opposite Alston is anyone's guess. A number of talented RS freshmen will compete for the opening. The safety spot opposite of Taylor is also open. Rising SOs Jordan Jackson and Zeke Pigg appear to be the most likely candidates for the spot, but there are many, many question marks surrounding who else will compete for the position.

Verdict: The defense will be better up front and could potentially have the most dominant front seven ever, but the back end will need to replace some players. Rashad Taylor will be among the best safeties in the country and Lamar Alston should be a solid starter, but it's safe to say the secondary is the biggest concern. However, last year's recruiting class had some real defensive gems that were redshirted for the season, so help may not be far that away. A rush end, DT, and LB depth will also be a priority.


Special teams: Nathan O'Jibway returns after a strong 2009. The FSU transfer improved as the season progressed and really changed field position with his leg strength. The identification of a returner is a must since Jesse Ferrell, E.J. Adams, and Victor Robinson all graduate. The long snapper position looks to be in good hands with both long snappers (Rogers, Morin) returning.

Overall, a huge overhaul of the team isn't needed. This is a team that has the potential to be stronger on offense and defense considering the number of starters that return. A serious shake up at the QB position will be a cause for concern, but the addition of an impact runner could alleviate those concerns. Certainly, the defensive sharks up front could be special and the offensive line returns. Overall, if a similar talent level can be harvested for this Spring's recruiting class, things look very good for the 2010 Lambuth Eagles.

[dmitchell]

What is going on with the QB's?

[T.C.]

I'm not sure if Adam Wiese will return. He may have come back to school, but I don't know if he did or not. Had a couple of players mention he was thinking about leaving. I hope he'll come back, but at this point, I don't expect him to return. Kyle has heard the same thing.

It's a setback, for sure. However, it's not time to panic or sound the alarm. I'm quite comfortable with what we have on the roster, but if Wiese leaves, we'll definitely have a need at the position again. Martin and Jolley can both be very good, though, so that's why I think we'll be o.k.

[dmitchell]

Originally Posted by T.C.

I'm not sure if Adam Wiese will return. He may have come back to school, but I don't know if he did or not. Had a couple of players mention he was thinking about leaving. I hope he'll come back, but at this point, I don't expect him to return. Kyle has heard the same thing.

It's a setback, for sure. However, it's not time to panic or sound the alarm. I'm quite comfortable with what we have on the roster, but if Wiese leaves, we'll definitely have a need at the position again. Martin and Jolley can both be very good, though, so that's why I think we'll be o.k.

That is too bad. We will pick back up and be fine though.

[T.C.]

Had some great HS seniors on campus on Saturday talking with the coaches. I think, if the caliber of players that were on campus are any indication of what's to come, we're in for another fantastic recruiting class.

The coaching staff is busting their butts and will be bringing in our next batch of Eagles. Signing day is NEXT WEEK.

[No.62 Dad]

Sterling Williams Has Another Year of eligibility and Will Be Back Next Year..

[222-0]

There doesn't seem to be much out there about what I'm reading above in the QB update regarding Wiese. Is he heading westward as well? Cumberland went through this after womens' basketball coach Bud Childers left following the 1983 season, Cumberland's last as a 2-year NJCAA school. He went to then-NAIA school Montevallo (AL), and four of his five starters on his first (and as it turned out, his only) Montevallo team were starters on his Cumberland team from the year before. Is LU on the verge of a similar situation?

[T.C.]

Originally Posted by No.62 Dad

Sterling Williams Has Another Year of eligibility and Will Be Back Next Year..

Yes sir, I heard this excellent piece of news! Our DLine is going to be rock-solid.

Wiese is gone. Adios, amigo.

[T.C.]

One week from tomorrow.

Get ready.

[T.C.]

Two days till signing day, folks. As soon as information starts flowing from LU on Wednesday, we'll start putting together everything we can on our next batch of Eagles. If anyone has info on a signee, feel free to post it or let Toby or I know about him.

E-mail us at tc@lambuthfootball.com and toby@lambuthfootball.com.