2010 Yale Bulldogs Roster and Season Preview
(Number / Name / Rating / Height / Weight / Class)
(Redshirted players are shaded red)
OFFENSE
QB
17 Tyrone Clark (86) 6'1, 209, RJr (Transfer)
14 Jordan Clark (68) 6'5, 205, RJr
13 David Bryant (65) 6'2, 186, Fr
15 Michael Miller (62) 6'3, 223, RJr
HB
29 Adam Session (80) 5'9, 202, Jr (Transfer)
33 Robbie Payne (76) 5'9, 201, Jr (IP)
24 Kenny Nance (65) 6'1, 229, Jr
32 DeShawn Thomas (59) 5'11, 203, RSr
FB
43 Clay Moore (70) 6'4, 224, RSo
44 Josh Walker (65) 6'4, 236, RFr
Backfield Preview: There's a void at quarterback with the departure of Nate Ellerbee. Who will start at the quarterback position in the season-opener is anyone's guess, though true freshman David Bryant seems to have the inside track at this point. Bryant is raw and very much a pocket passer, but he has much better throwing ability compared to Jordan Clark, his main competitor. Clark is an athletic quarterback, though, and will likely see some use in specialized situations regardless of whether he wins the starting job or not. Robbie Payne will return at running back and start, looking to improve on his 2009 season, where he came close to recording 1,000 yards rushing. Clay Moore will start at fullback. The backfield will see improvement next year when transfers Tyrone Clark and Adam Session are available to play.
WR
88 Jeff Smith (80) 6'2, 182, RSo (Transfer)
82 Mason Jones (78) 6'1, 184, Jr (IP)
89 Jordan Bush (74) 6'3, 188, Jr
86 Matt Hughes (70) 6'1, 197, Jr
80 Bryant Payne (62) 6'3, 202, So
83 Joey Williams (62) 6'2, 201, So
TE
84 Erik Lawson (80) 6'5, 266, Jr
87 Tyrell Bryant (59) 6'4, 255, So
Receivers Preview: The Bulldogs return all of their wide receivers from last season, and this unit should be a strong point this season providing the quarterbacks can get them the football. Mason Jones nearly surpassed 1,000 yards receiving last year and will look to improve on that this season. Jeff Smith is a promising transfer, but he will have to sit out this season. Erik Lawson is a start at tight end, though the position doesn't see a lot of use in this offense. Expect to see Yale try to utilize him more this season as he showed a lot of improvement over the offseason and broke out in the spring game.
T
74 Dustin Bryant (84) 6'6, 345, Jr
73 Tim Keller (76) 6'9, 300, Jr
76 Edward Williams (65) 6'6, 294, RSo
71 Jake Clark (59) 6'6, 303, RFr
G
78 Donta McKinney (78) 6'5, 288, Jr
63 Tim Walker (72) 6'7, 303, Jr
64 Mike Johnson (72) 6'6, 300, RFr
72 Andy West (72) 6'6, 324, So
75 Jeffrey Grigsby (62) 6'1, 291, RFr
77 Marcus Lumpkin (56) 6'5, 299, Fr
C
65 Jerald Thomas (74) 6'6, 303, Sr
60 Ricky Lloyd (68) 6'3, 317, RFr
68 Jeremy Freeman (68) 6'3, 301, RFr
Offensive Line Preview: The Bulldogs return all five starters from the 2009 squad's offensive line. This unit looks like the strength of the offense, and perhaps the entire team. Dustin Bryant is a legitimate NFL prospect.
DEFENSE
DE
90 Adam East (70) 6'7, 263, Sr
93 Mark Steele (68) 6'2, 256, Jr
55 Mike Carter (65) 6'1, 223, Fr
52 Chaz Black (65) 6'0, 269, So
DT
92 Jason Hansbro (76) 6'2, 307, Sr
56 Adam Wilson (70) 6'5, 251, Fr
98 Ron Pitts (59) 6'3, 281, So
99 Micah Smith (59) 6'3, 260, Fr
97 Joe Fowler (56) 6'3, 230, Jr
Defensive Line Preview: All starters from last year's defensive line return, though Ron Pitts will be displaced by true freshman Adam Wilson at the second defensive tackle starting position this year. Jason Hansbro will do a good job at clogging up the middle, though the Bulldogs are weaker on the end positions.
OLB
41 Marcus Rust (70) 6'2, 225, Sr
59 Jess Hayward (68) 6'0, 225, Jr
23 Chase Callahan (65) 6'3, 232, Jr
50 Johnny Tate (62) 6'2, 216, RSo
MLB
49 Clayton Ford (90) 6'0, 249, RSr (Transfer)
46 Kelvin Jones (76) 6'2, 247, Jr (IP)
51 Casey Smith (59) 6'1, 235, Fr
47 Erik Brown (56) 6'2, 243, RFr
45 Marcus Vaughn (56) 6'2, 236, RFr
Linebackers Preview: The Bulldogs return all three linebacker starters from last season, though with the massive improvement seen by Jess Hayward over the offseason, Chase Callahan is expected to lose his starting spot. Kelvin Jones is the heart and soul of the defense at middle linebacker and will look to have a great junior season.
CB
3 Will Winston (76) 6'2, 200, Jr
8 Kevin Robinson (72) 5'11, 180, Sr
5 Michael Gray (62) 6'4, 181, Sr
4 Sean Wilson (48) 5'10, 171, RSo
FS
28 Sean Maxey (70) 6'1, 187, Sr
20 Dustin Nichols (62) 6'2, 218, Jr
SS
22 Raymond Russell (78) 6'1, 220, So (Transfer)
26 Joe Boyd (74) 6'2, 199, Sr
10 Johnnie Lester (65) 6'3, 193, Sr
Secondary Preview: The Bulldogs also return every starter from the defensive secondary, though this is a unit that struggled last year, especially after Will Winston went down with a season-ending injury midway through the season. The personnel is much the same for this season, though with another year of experience under their belts, it is hoped they can perform a bit better. Raymond Russell is a transfer and will almost definitely assume the starting strong safety position next season.
SPECIALISTS
K
42 Jerry Dickerson (68) 6'0, 183, So
P
2 David Malone (59) 6'3, 208, RFr
Specialists Preview: Jerry Dickerson had a really good 2009 campaign and the rising sophomore will return for 2010, handling place kicking, punting, and kickoff duties once again. David Malone, who redshirted last season, will be available in case Dickerson is out with injury or suspension.