Re: Go, Vandals, Go - The Idaho Vandals
Vandals Roster Analysis and Projected Starters
by Zach Woosley August 17, 2013, 11:03pm
The Vandals are coming off a terrible 1-11 campaign in 2012 and have high hopes for improvement in 2013 with new head coach Wade Wilkerson Jr. at the helm. Here I'll take a look at the roster, offer some analysis and predictions and project the starters.
Defense
Defensive end Maxx Forde recorded 37 total tackles and three sacks last season. He is the leader amongst current players. Forde is expected to be the team's top defensive player this season and will be a key piece of their defensive line. Expect him, Jesse Davis, Anthony Rice, and Ryan Edwards to be the starters. This group will go as far as Forde carries them. Besides Forde the talent here is below average.
In the linebacking corps expect a big season from senior Matthew Willis and junior Marc Millan. The two should be the teams top tacklers from their spots at outside linebacker. Willis recorded 36 total tackles last season. As far as middle linebacker it appears to be a two way battle between juniors Juan Martinez and James Randall. Expect the two of them to get the bulk of the reps inside with the better performer taking more as the season progresses.
Sophomore cornerback Solomon Dixon led the team with three interceptions in 2012 and he will have to lead a weak, inexperienced group at corner. Junior Delancy Parham has the inside track to the second starting position while sophomore Jayshawn Jordan will get a number of snaps at the nickel. Wilkerson has expressed a desire to run a lot of press man coverage so this group could see themselves isolated in man coverage a lot. That could mean a lot of opponent touchdowns if they don't step up.
At safety we have senior Trey Williams, who recorded 28 total tackles and a pair of deflections last season, and junior Njoku Bradley, who really excited the coaching staff in spring football. Bradley has the speed to cover a large area which will be key in Wilkerson's press cover 1 defensive scheme he hopes to implement. Williams is a great tackler who plays like an extra linebacker against the run.
Specialists
At placekicker and punter Idaho is going to battle with a pair of true freshman. Kicker Trent Cowan has a strong leg, capable of hitting from up to 50 yards out if he can improve his accuracy. Punter Austin Rehkow is essentially the same story, good power with poor accuracy.
Vandals Roster Analysis and Projected Starters
by Zach Woosley August 17, 2013, 11:03pm
The Vandals are coming off a terrible 1-11 campaign in 2012 and have high hopes for improvement in 2013 with new head coach Wade Wilkerson Jr. at the helm. Here I'll take a look at the roster, offer some analysis and predictions and project the starters.
Defense
Defensive end Maxx Forde recorded 37 total tackles and three sacks last season. He is the leader amongst current players. Forde is expected to be the team's top defensive player this season and will be a key piece of their defensive line. Expect him, Jesse Davis, Anthony Rice, and Ryan Edwards to be the starters. This group will go as far as Forde carries them. Besides Forde the talent here is below average.
In the linebacking corps expect a big season from senior Matthew Willis and junior Marc Millan. The two should be the teams top tacklers from their spots at outside linebacker. Willis recorded 36 total tackles last season. As far as middle linebacker it appears to be a two way battle between juniors Juan Martinez and James Randall. Expect the two of them to get the bulk of the reps inside with the better performer taking more as the season progresses.
Sophomore cornerback Solomon Dixon led the team with three interceptions in 2012 and he will have to lead a weak, inexperienced group at corner. Junior Delancy Parham has the inside track to the second starting position while sophomore Jayshawn Jordan will get a number of snaps at the nickel. Wilkerson has expressed a desire to run a lot of press man coverage so this group could see themselves isolated in man coverage a lot. That could mean a lot of opponent touchdowns if they don't step up.
At safety we have senior Trey Williams, who recorded 28 total tackles and a pair of deflections last season, and junior Njoku Bradley, who really excited the coaching staff in spring football. Bradley has the speed to cover a large area which will be key in Wilkerson's press cover 1 defensive scheme he hopes to implement. Williams is a great tackler who plays like an extra linebacker against the run.
Specialists
At placekicker and punter Idaho is going to battle with a pair of true freshman. Kicker Trent Cowan has a strong leg, capable of hitting from up to 50 yards out if he can improve his accuracy. Punter Austin Rehkow is essentially the same story, good power with poor accuracy.
@ 
Comment