An early look at the WAC-Part Two

An early look at the WAC-Part Two

Jeffrey Gearhart brings us up to date with post-spring thoughts on the WAC with his second installment of the conference. In this installment, he breaks down Idaho, Nevada and Louisiana Tech.

IDAHO- With continuity the word surrounding the team this year, the Vandals return all 11 starters on offense. Despite the return of starting quarterback Nathan Enderle, Quin Ashley will do his best to lock up the starting spot. Looking to improve on his numbers as a freshman, running back Deonte Jackson returns with Princeton McCarty a solid back up. Although Idaho returns its top seven pass catchers, it remains the biggest question on offense with no player averaging more than 41 yards per game. Max Komar is the favorite but will need to emerge as the go-to-guy with the likes of Eric Greenwood, Lee Smith, and Maurice Shaw in the competition. Tight ends Eddie Williams and Peter Bjorvik will be relied upon to become the big playmaker. The entire offensive line returns, anchored by center Adam Korby. Seniors Kris Anderson and Billy Bates return to fill the tackle spots, while the guard positions return Mike Iupati and Adam Juratovac. Looking to fill in as solid back ups will be, Brandon Schulte, Bryce Sinclair, and Irvin Stevens III.
    
The Vandals defense will look for a more productive way to get pressure on the quarterback. With more depth this year, they will switch back to a 4-3 defense led by Taylor Rust. Contributing with some experience will be Aaron Lavarias, Marcus Pedro, and Jonah Sataraka. Idaho will rely on newcomers in the fall for added depth. Linebackers are the biggest question for the Vandals with three new starters. Top candidates Justin Allen, Jonathan Faraimo, and JoJo Dickson must prove they are capable. The secondary is expected to be the strength of the defense, where Shiloh Keo returns at free safety. JUCO transfer Virdell Larkins is the favorite to fill the other safety spot. Eric Hunter, Chris Williams, and T.J. Taylor are expected to compete for cornerback, while Breyon Williams and Cary Jensen-Madison should add depth in the secondary. Special teams stay in tact with placekicker Tino Amancio and punter T.J. Conley, while Dewey Hale and Shiloh Keo will most likely handle the return duties.

LOUISIANA TECH- The Bulldogs will look to ameliorate on the momentum of 2007. The offense loses just three starters from the 2007 squad. The quarterback position is wide open, and will be highly contested by Michael Mosley, Ross Jenkins, and Steven Ensminger. The running backs remain strong with the return of Patrick Jackson. Daniel Porter and William Griffin are substantial back ups and could see more touches this year. Receivers Philip Beck and Phillip Livas return as the leaders, and Brian Jackson along with Shane Womack showed they are capable of making plays. Josh Wheeler could emerge as a starter after returning from an injury. Anthony Harrison is solid at tight end, but has Dustin Mitchell and Dennis Morris to add versatility. David Accardo returns from an injury, and will be joined by Rob McGill, Jared Miles, and Lon Roberts, giving significant starting experience on the offensive line.
    
D'Anthony Smith is the only starter returning on the defensive line. Needing to step in and make an impact, will be Mason Hitt, Randy Grigsby, Breon Jackson, Ramone Randle, and Matt Broha. The biggest hit taken on defense is at linebacker. Quin Harris is the sole returner, and will need to lead replacements Zach Screiber and Brannon Jackson. Waiting to prove they can add to the depth are Nolan Darby and Kiamni Washington. In the secondary, Antonio Baker and Deon Young return in the safety spots, and Weldon Brown should be a lock at corner. Stevon Howze, Tarrence Calais, and Josh Victorian will look to fill the other corner spot. On special teams, Brad Oestricher will be the replacement at kicker, while punter Chris Keagle and long snapper Thomas Graham stay in place.

NEVADA- The Wolf Pack finished last season with three straight loses including the New Mexico Bowl. They will look to start the season on a high note led by returning quarterback Colin Kaepernick, with Nick Graziano as the likely back up. At running back, Luke Lippencott is the favorite, but Brandon Fragger and Vai Taua will try to make a statement for playing time. At receiver, Mike McCoy and Marko Mitchell return, and the depth chart will be filled with Andy McIntosh, Arthur King, Jr., Chris Wellington, and Rocco Bean wanting to contribute. Tight ends Junior Puloka and Virgil Green will battle for the starting spot. Up front, the line will consist of Alonzo Durham, Mike Gallett, Dominic Green, and Greg Hall. Looking for playing time up front will be John Bender and Josh Catapano.
    
For the defense, linebackers remain intact returning Jerome Johnson, Joshua Mauga, and Kevin Porter. Adding to the depth, Ryan Coulson and Jared Silva-Purcell are hoping to make a statement for playing time. Mundrae Clifton is the sole lineman returning, with Erics Clark, Chris Slack, Harry Powell, Nate Agaiava, and Kevin Basped waiting to show their worth to start. With Uche Anyanwu returning at the safety spot, the secondary will have new faces as well. Mike Samples, Kevin Grimes, Adam Liranzo, and Kenny Viser are all viable candidates to start. Place kicker Brett Jaekle and kick returner Dwayne Sanders return for special teams, and could double as the punter and punt returner respectively. Redshirt freshman place kicker Nick Rhodes could step in as punter if Jaekle does not.