2015 Spring Football Preview
3/18/2015 4:12:00 PM | Football
Toledo, OH - If how you finish a season makes any difference, then the Toledo Rockets should be ready to roll in 2015.
The Rockets ended their 2014 campaign with three consecutive victories, including a 63-44 win over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl. The Rockets finished with a 9-4 record, their third nine-win season in the past five years.
"The crowning moment for the 2014 season was the bowl victory, but I think it also made a statement about where we are headed in 2015," said Matt Campbell, now entering his fourth season as Toledo's head coach. "The momentum from that victory only carries over if we put in the work this off-season and raise the level of excellence in 2015."
Toledo certainly has the potential to match or exceed last year's success. The Rockets return 15 starters and 47 letterwinners from last season's squad. The offense is led by junior running back Kareem Hunt, a first-team All-MAC selection who rushed for 1,631 yards, including 271 markers and five TDs in an MVP-performance in the GoDaddy Bowl. Junior quarterback Logan Woodside (2,263 yards passing, 19 TDs) returns, along with a pair of All-MAC receivers, junior Corey Jones (68 receptions, five TDs) and senior Alonzo Russell (51 receptions, eight TDs). Eight starters return to the defense, including senior defensive end Trent Voss (GoDaddy Bowl Defensive MVP) and two All-MAC defensive tackles, senior Orion Jones and junior Treyvon Hester.
Toledo's biggest challenge will be replacing five starters on the offensive line, as well as finding the right combinations on a fast-improving defense that returns 26 letterwinners.
The following is an overview of the Rockets by position heading into 2015 spring practice:
Quarterback
The Rockets had a spirited and closely fought battle for the quarterback position in 2014. Don't be surprised to see a sequel in 2015, with a very similar cast.
Senior Phillip Ely, junior Logan Woodside and sophomore Michael Julian all started at least one game last year, thanks to an injury bug that hit all three players at one point. Nevertheless, Toledo still maintained excellent production from the quarterback position.
Ely, who won the starting position in the preseason, played well in a home-opening victory before suffering a season-ending knee injury vs. Missouri on Sept. 6. Woodside took over for Ely and started the next seven games. However, he injured his ankle late in the Kent State game on Nov. 4 and was replaced by Julian.
Julian started vs. Northern Illinois on Nov. 11 but came out of the game after suffering a concussion. That put Toledo down to its fourth-string quarterback, Dwight Macon, who stepped in and completed 8-of-11 passes for 140 yards and one score.
Fortunately, Woodside was able to return, and guided Toledo to three consecutive victories to end the season. He finished the season with very solid numbers, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 2,263 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Woodside will be limited during spring practice as his ankle heals, and Ely is seeing limited action as he continues his recovery from last fall's knee surgery. Campbell is confident both players will be ready to go by August when they will be competing with Julian and perhaps redshirt freshman Quentin Gibson, who has been impressive so far this spring.
"I would characterize (the quarterback position) as undecided right now," said Campbell. "We need to see how everybody is from a health standpoint before we can really evaluate that. But we are comfortable with where we are at. We think highly of Logan and Phillip. They have both shown they can win football games. They've proven that. We feel like we can win with either guy behind center."
Running Back
Toledo fans have high expectations for the 2015 season, and junior running back Kareem Hunt has a lot to do with that.
Hunt had a monster year in 2014, rushing for 1,631 yards while averaging an eye-popping 8.0 yards per carry. Down the stretch he gained 265 yards in a 27-20 win over Bowling Green and 271 yards vs. Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl. He ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per game (163.1) and second in yards per carry.
"I think Kareem's best is still to come," said Campbell. "He would be the first one to tell you there are a lot of areas he can improve upon. He needs to get bigger and stronger, and keep striving to get better every day in the off-season. What I like is that it is important for Kareem to be successful. He takes this very seriously. We will need his leadership next year, which will be a new dynamic for him. He's been surrounded by leaders in the past. Now he has to be the leader."
In addition to having a genuine superstar, Toledo is blessed with tremendous depth at running back. Sophomore Terry Swanson stepped in when Hunt was injured last season, rushing for 732 yards and six TDs, including 172 yards in a 20-19 victory at Western Michigan. Swanson, in turn, was injured for the GoDaddy Bowl, so in stepped junior Damion Jones-Moore, who rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns, earning Offensive MVP honors for the game. Jones-Moore finished the season with 460 yards and six scores. Another junior, Marc Remy, rushed for 219 yards in 2014. Remy once rushed for over 100 yards in a contest as a freshman.
"We have tremendous depth at running back," said Campbell. "We have four guys who have run for 100 yards in a game at some point in their career. Terry really stepped up when Kareem was hurt last year. Our offense really did not miss a beat when he was in there. Damion has had some big games for us, and Marc Remy has proved he can step up when we need him."
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Senior Alonzo Russell has a chance to become Toledo's first-ever four-time All-MAC player at wide receiver. Despite this, Campbell thinks Russell may be underappreciated.
Russell has caught 166 passes in his three seasons at UT, more than a few of them of the spectacular variety. A big target at 6-foot-4, Russell snagged 51passes and a career-best eight TD passes in 2014. But it is the little things that make Russell so valuable, according to Campbell.
"Sometimes people see the 'wow' moments, see an incredible catch and they think Alonzo should do something like that every play," said Campbell. "But he's added polish to his game every year. He's a very good blocker, for example. He's all about the team. He comes up in the big moments when we need him most. By the end of his career, I think people will say he was one of the best receivers we've ever had at Toledo. I'm proud of Alonzo's growth, both on and off the football field."
Toledo's leading receiver last year was junior Corey Jones, who hauled in 68 passes for 842 yards and five scores. A 5-foot-8 speedster, Jones is the perfect complement to Russell in the slot.
Another diminutive flyer in the lineup is 5-foot-7 senior Kishon Wilcher. Now two years removed from his shift from cornerback to wide receiver, Wilcher caught 19 passes in 2014 and could be poised for a big senior season.
Senior Zach Rogers, along with sophomores Cody Thompson, Jon'Vea Johnson and Zach Yousey, all saw action in 2014 and could become key factors this fall.
The Rockets have two talented tight ends, senior Alex Zmolik, who caught 16 passes in 2014, and junior Michael Roberts, who carried two of his four catches into the end zone last year. Campbell is also looking at junior Adam Kulon, a converted defensive end, and freshman grayshirt Michael Berry as possible candidates for the fullback/tight end position that Zac Rosenbauer played last year.
Offensive Line
Toledo goes from having one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country last year to having one of the least-tested in 2015. But what the Rockets may lack in experience they might make up for in depth and size.
UT lost five seniors starters from a year ago, but Campbell counts as many as 10 players who could be in the regular rotation in 2015, some of whom gained valuable playing time last year.
"We were able to get a lot of playing time for some of our backups," said Campbell. "We also got in a lot of extra practices since we played in such a late bowl game. That allowed the reserves to get in a lot more reps. There was a distinct improvement from the end of the (2014) season to the end of bowl practices. So the challenge begins now until the early part of next season for the offensive line. How fast can they grow as players?"
Junior Storm Norton is the veteran of the group. Norton started in three games at left tackle last year when Greg Mancz got hurt. At 6-foot-8, 310 pounds, Norton will be one of numerous giants patrolling the front line for UT next fall. Toledo's other behemoths include juniors Paul Perschon (6-6, 310) and Mike Ebert (6-6, 285), as well as sophomore Elijah Nkansah (6-6, 295) and redshirt freshman Bill Weber (6-5, 325).
Toledo will be adding some instant experience with senior Ruben Carter (6-4, 306), a transfer from Florida State who will be joining the Rockets following his graduation from FSU this spring, and JUCO transfer Sami Kassem (6-4, 320). Sophomore Nate Jeppesen (6-4, 292) will be back after missing most of the 2014 season due to injury
Defensive Line
Toledo's defensive line is arguably the deepest and most talented position on the squad. The D-line features two players who made All-MAC in 2014 (and another who probably should have been) as well as seven others who have had significant playing time in their careers.
"It's one of those areas we are really excited about," said Campbell. "And we've got some other guys who haven't played yet that we are also excited about. Great competition on the defensive line can only make us better."
Tackles Orion Jones and Treyvon Hester combine to form a formidable inside wall. Jones, a senior, had a team-leading six sacks in 2014, while Hester, a junior, had 49 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and a team-best 10 QB hurries. Both players were rewarded with second-team All-MAC accolades.
Competing with Jones and Hester at tackle will be senior Chris Collins and junior Marquise Moore. Moore returns after missing almost all of 2014 due to an injury. Both Collins and Moore have been starters during their careers.
At defensive end, senior Trent Voss is coming off a superb 2014 campaign. Voss led all MAC lineman in tackles with 77, and finished second in the league with 15.0 tackles for loss. Voss had a huge game in Toledo's bowl victory, racking up 4.0 tackles for loss and earning the Defensive MVP honors. He is joined at defensive end by senior Allen Covington, who started all 13 games in 2014, collecting 29 tackles, 4.0 TFL and eight QB hurries.
Toledo has considerable depth on the defensive line, too. Seniors Keenan Gibbs (14 tackles in 2014) and Tre James (eight tackles), along with junior John Stepec (nine tackles) will be pushing for playing time in 2015.
Linebackers
The Rockets will need to replace a pair of outstanding seniors at linebacker, but have plenty of candidates waiting in the wings. Gone are Junior Sylvestre and Ray Bush, who combined for 182 tackles in 2014, leaving a spirited battle for playing time in the aftermath.
"It's going to be a battle at linebacker," said Campbell. "We have a lot of experienced guys who now have the opportunity to step up. They will be pushed by some younger guys who are ready to challenge for playing time."
Leading candidates for the linebacking position are senior Chase Murdock, a starter in 2013 who has had 136 tackles in the past two seasons; junior Jaylen Coleman (23 tackles in 2014), and sophomores Zach Quinn (18 tackles, three starts in 2014) and Ju'Wuan Woodley.
Other possible candidates include redshirt freshmen Bernard Rogers and Devin Alexander.
Secondary
Toledo's secondary features a mix of starters from 2014, former starters who are returning from injury and newcomers who are eager to make an impact. It all adds up for another interesting battle for starting positions and playing time this spring.
Eight defensive backs saw at least some playing time in 2014, and many of them played extensively. Plus, former starting cornerbacks Cheatham Norrils and Cameron Cole are back after missing the 2014 season due to injuries. Add in UAB transfer Rolan Milligan and some talented newcomers and you have the potential for a vastly improved talent pool in the secondary next fall.
The battle at cornerback includes two pairs of starters—one from 2013 and one from 2014. Last year's starters were senior Christian Dukes (62 tackles, two interceptions) and junior Jordan Martin (26 tackles). Seniors Norrils and Cole were the starters in 2013. Norrils has started 24 games as a Rocket, earning third-team All-MAC honors in 2012. He missed the entire 2014 season due to illness but is expected to be ship-shape this spring. Cole was a starter in 2013 but missed last year due to an injury suffered in the season opener.
Others in the battle for the cornerback position are sophomore Trevon Mathis (23 tackles in 2014) and senior Juwan Haynes (15 tackles).
Senior Chaz Whitaker will be battling Milligan at the strong safety position. Whitaker started all 13 games in 2014, racking up 56 tackles and two interceptions. Milligan, a senior, was second on the team in tackles at UAB last year with 54. Junior Connery Swift (16 tackles in 2014) is also in the mix. The leading candidates at free safety are juniors DeJuan Rogers (67 tackles in 2014) and Delando Johnson (22 tackles).
"It's great to have that much competition in our secondary," said Campbell. "We have veteran guys and we have young guys who could develop into elite players. We need to improve in this area and I believe we will. We have as much talent as we've ever had back there."
Special Teams
The Rockets will be looking to replace three-time All-MAC kicker Jeremiah Detmer. The battle to fill that position is wide open, according to Campbell. Sophomore Sam Vucelich is the Rockets' kicker this spring, but he will be challenged for the position.
"We will have some walk-ons competing with Sam this spring and summer. Jameson Vest, a freshman kicker out of Georgia who also played quarterback, will be competing when he gets here this summer," said Campbell.
Junior Nick Ellis returns at punter but he will be challenged by sophomore quarterback Michael Julian, who doubles as a punter. Sophomore Brad Spelman returns as the long snapper.
Junior Corey Jones returns as Toledo's kickoff and punt returner, joined by redshirt freshman Jon'Vea Johnson.
2015 Schedule
The Rockets will play seven home games in 2015. Highlighting the schedule are a home game vs. Iowa State of the Big 12 on Sept. 19 and a rematch with 2015 GoDaddy Bowl opponent Arkansas State on Sept. 26. The Rockets also travel to SEC foe Arkansas on Sept. 12.
"We obviously face another challenging schedule, but it is a big plus for our team and our fans to have seven home games," said Campbell. "We welcome the challenge of matching up with schools from some of the best conferences in the country."
Toledo's national TV schedule will be announced at a later date.
The Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule features home games vs. Kent State (Oct. 10- Homecoming), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 17), Northern Illinois (Tuesday, Nov. 3) and Western Michigan (Friday, Nov. 27). MAC road games will be at Ball State (Oct. 3), UMass (Oct. 24), Central Michigan (Tuesday, Nov. 10) and Bowling Green (Tuesday, Nov. 17).
Toledo opens the season at home on Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. FCS opponent Stony Brook.
