#ALLIN | Cathedral Football : Part IV

[moose141]

Love the offensive previews! Seems like this season might be a work in progress for you based on the previews of the offense, definitely a lot of newcomers on that side of the ball. That said, really enjoyed your recaps previously and looking forward to the season!

[beast10]

testing....

[beast10]

2041 SEASON PREVIEW: DEFENSIVE LINE

Cathedral D-Line Depth
#	OFFENSE	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
55	Daniel Brinkley (91)	LE	6'2"	308	R-Sr.	Haltom City, TX
99	Dashonte Howard (72)	LE	6'8"	265	So.	Garland, TX
92	Bryan Montegomery (78)	RE	6'5"	282	R-Jr.	Clemson, SC
89	Zuberi Vincent (75)	RE	6'3"	295	Fr.	DeLand, FL
48	Shaq Joyner (81)	DT	5'11"	301	Jr.	West Point, NY
90	Ramon Taillefer (80)	DT	6'6"	293	Fr.	East Point, GA
91	Evan Wiggins (74)	DT	6'4"	316	R-So.	Douglas, GA

Notable departures: Craig Grayson, LaVell Roland

You should already know: Daniel Brinkley, Shaq Joyner

Get to know: Bryan Montgomery, Zuberi Vincent, Ramon Taillefer

Analysis: After fielding a defensive line featuring all NFL talent, the unit transitions to being one of Cathedral's many question marks in 2041.

Daniel Brinkley, coming off consecutive 12-sack seasons, is the last man standing amongst that NFL talent, and as a result, will see an added workload as opponents scheme solely around the fifth-year senior.

The surrounding starting roles remain up for grabs. Shaq Joyner and Bryan Montgomery, eligible after transferring from Clemson, have been engaged in competitive battles with true freshmen Zuberi Vincent and Ramon Taillefer, who is an interesting 6-foot-6, 295 pound nose tackle.

Key question: Can Brinkley continue to produce despite decrease of surrounding talent?

Bottom line: This is the year for Brinkley to prove his NFL draft stock, and Cathedral's 3-4 defense needs every lick of the production.

Next up: Linebackers

[beast10]

2041 SEASON PREVIEW: LINEBACKERS

Cathedral Linebackers Depth
#	OFFENSE	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
6	Jumon Holland (83)	LOLB	6'5"	224	Jr.	State College, PA
44	Keon Roberts (82)	LOLB	6'3"	222	Sr.	Boca Grande, FL
17	Davarius Gay (77)	LOLB	6'3"	239	R-Fr.	Columbia, MO
47	Jevonne Booker (70)	LOLB	6'0"	211	R-So.	Bristol, VA
9	Ahmaad Vincent (91)	ILB	6'1"	227	Sr.	Fort Morgan, CO
35	Brandon Gamble (81)	ILB	6'0"	230	R-Jr.	Camp Verde, AZ
51	Garrett Kendall (77)	ILB	6'1"	227	R-Sr.	Latimer, MS
40	Howard Townsend Jr. (75)	ILB	6'0"	247	R-So.	Thomasville, NC
24	Dallevante Ferguson (69)	ILB	6'1"	225	Fr.	Stockton, CA
33	Noah Valencia (84)	ROLB	6'1"	239	Jr.	Honover Park, IL
8	Lahmaad Vincent (84)	ROLB	6'3"	226	Sr.	Groves, TX
52	Voshon Leak-Grant (78)	ROLB	6'0"	247	R-Jr.	Norfolk, VA

Notable departures: Johnathan Smart

You should already know: Ahmaad Vincent, Lahmaad Vincent, Keon Roberts, Jumon Holland

Get to know: Davarius Gay, Dallevante Ferguson

Analysis: Cathedral's linebacker core remain intact, minus Johnathan Smart, who took an early exit to the NFL.

A lead candidate to replace Smart was five-star recruit Dallevante Ferguson prior to a training camp injury. With Ferguson now likely to redshirt, the starting role remains up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Ahmaad Vincent reoccupies the Will, while to his outside shoulder, twin brother Lahmaad looks to build on his second and final season with UC after joining the program from Tyler C.C … A fellow JUCO transfer, Keon Roberts hopes his eight sack junior campaign was enough to disengage from the week-to-week battle that took place between him and Jumon Holland last season.

Key question: Who wins out the Mike position.

Bottom line: With the defensive line facing turnover, it could be on the linebackers to step up, particularly with run support.

Next up: Defensive backs

[beast10]

2041 SEASON PREVIEW: DEFENSIVE BACKS

Cathedral Defensive Backs Depth
#	OFFENSE	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
3	Ashton Toney-Baxter (96)	CB	6'2"	179	R-Sr.	Wrightsville, GA
2	J.D. McClendon III (93)	CB	6'1"	175	Jr.	Hoffman Estate, IL
20	Makai Thomas (92)	CB	6'1"	189	R-Jr.	Bradenton, FL
12	Avery Poindexter (76)	CB	6'0"	170	Fr.	McLean, VA
30	Jay Allison (90)	FS	5'11"	178	Sr.	Huntsville, TX
16	Blake Cobb (79)	FS	5'10"	179	R-Fr.	Dublin, GA
25	L'Shawn Bolen (79)	FS	5'10"	204	So.	Fort Bliss, TX
21	Casiah Hopkin (96)	SS	5'11"	184	Sr.	Battle Creek, MI
22	Josh Watson (78)	SS	5'10"	181	Fr.	Dunwoody, GA
10	Harley Cody (76)	SS	6'3"	216	So.	Noble, OK

Notable departures: Tyree Stringer

You should already know: Casiah Hopkins, Ashton Toney-Baxter, J.D. McClendon III, Makai Thomas, Jay Allison

Get to know: Blake Cobb

Analysis: This might just be the best position group in the country *checks Texas' roster* … Correction: it is. The depth isn't quite there, but when it comes down to the starters, this UC secondary will cause havok to any opposing quarterback.

Ashton Toney-Baxter has proven t be a factor as both a ball hawking corner as well as a presence against the run, while J.D. McClendon and Makai Thomas alternated series last season for the sole sake of staying fresh -- knowing either could hang with the country's top receivers.

At safety, Casiah Hopkins enjoyed a breakout junior year where he recorded 72 tackles, three interceptions and six breakups. He will look to expand on that, as will free safety Jay Allison who set a school record three interceptions, his lone of the season, against Florida State.

Coming off a redshirt, Blake Cobb will be a serviceable backup at safety.

Key question: Will depth be an issue?

Bottom line: Cathedral is fielding tons of talent in its forefront, but the backend features young talent that, while good to a standard, aren't nearly up to par with Cathedral's stars of the secondary.

Next up: Specialist

[beast10]

2041 SEASON PREVIEW: SPECIALISTS

Cathedral Specialist Depth
#	OFFENSE	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
39	J.R. Rankin (78)	K	6'0"	181	So.	Gainesville, GA
36	Robin Lanner (87)	P	6'5"	216	Jr.	Moody, AL
1	Corey Beasley	KR	6'4"	191	So.	Blacksburg, VA
30	Jay Allison	KR	5'11"	178	Sr.	Huntsville, TX
18	Von Jeffries	PR	5'11"	205	Jr.	Gaffney, SC
36	Robin Lanner (87)	KO	6'5"	216	Jr.	Moody, AL
27	Terrance Stewart	LS	6'6"	286	R-Jr.	Moab, UT

Notable departures: Taj Pryor, Amarion Salas Jr.

You should already know: J.R. Rankin, Robin Lannen, Von Jeffries

Get to know: Corey Beasley, Jay Allison

Analysis: Not once was J.R. Rankin called upon on a FG attempt past 40 yards last season, and as a result, kicked 11-of-11 in tune to a freshman All-American season. He returns, along with punter Robin Lanner, who was only needed for country-low 24 punts in 2040.

Corey Beasley and Jay Allison double as return men, filling in for the graduated duo of Taj Pryor and Amarion Salas Jr., while Von Jeffries retains his role at punt returner.

Key question: N/A

Bottom line: The specialist had the easiest job in 2040, but their work could pick up with a less experienced roster this year.

[beast10]

PREVIEW: OHIO STATE

#11 OHIO STATE 0-0, 0-0 B10 SATURDAY, AUG. 24 NEUTRAL SITE Lots of history lies between No. 4 Cathedral and its upcoming opponent, Ohio State, who the Spartans will meet Saturday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Cathedral's first meeting with the Buckeyes came in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, where now-head coach Jeremy Johnson led the Spartans to the program's first ever bowl victory. Eight seasons later, coming off three consecutive losing seasons, Cathedral fought its way back to another post-season appearance against Ohio State -- same Fiesta Bowl setting -- and came away with its second feat over the Buckeyes, capping a 10-win season, which has since been ensued with only a single losing season. Subtract those monumental wins and you could only wonder where Cathedral's football program would be. Storylines: Both schools won their respective conferences last year. Cathedral's last lost in a season opener came in 2034: a 52-13 defeat against Auburn in the Texas Kickoff. Coach Jeremy Johnson has confirmed both quarterbacks Quincy Williams and Ernest Herman will play, who starts is a gametime decision. Matchup to watch: Cathedral's quarterbacks vs. OSU's secondary Ernest Herman and Quincy Williams will see their first collegiate action against Christian Cody and a highly athletic Ohio State secondary that returns all its starters. Players to watch: For Cathedral: All eyes are on true freshman quarterback Quincy Williams. For Ohio State: As a sophomore, inside linebacker Willie Harrison was a play stopper, posting 92 tackles with 13 coming behind scrimmage, along with six pass breakups.

[beast10]

Apologies for the delay , was hoping to have the Ohio state game posted the same day as I wrote the preview.

I’ll try to get to it this weekend. Was a good one


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