|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Jim Tressel
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Reggie Germany-WR,
Mike Gurr-OG, Tam Hopkins-OG, Henry Fleming-OT, Derek Combs-TB, Ken-Yon
Rambo-WR, Dan Stultz-K, Vanness Provitt-WR, Chad Cacchio-WR
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Rodney Bailey-DE, Ryan Pickett-DT, Brent
Johnson-DE, Nate Clements-CB, David Mitchell-CB |
|
It
took 15 days to name a coaching replacement for John Cooper, who
was dismissed as head coach for the Buckeyes. In stepped Jim Tressel
from Division I-AA Youngstown State. The murmurs in Columbus lately
have stemmed from a perceived waste of talented athletes on both
sides of the ball. NFL talent shouldn't equate into so-so seasons.
Leading the offense will be three-year starter Steve Bellisari.
That might give him enough experience to no longer be referred to
by OSU's coaching staff as a young quarterback. Losing wide receivers
Reggie Germany and Ken-Yon Rambo should cause Bellisari some go
to problems. They were huge. It will be imperative that the offense
finds some steady replacements at receiver. The offensive line should
be a positive as LeCharles Bentley is the glue stud holding everything
together. Both tackles could take on anyone. The additional returnee
is offensive tackle Tyson Walter, a three-starter who sat out all
of last season with a lower-back infection. On defense, the fact
that Pickett and Clements skipped early for the NFL doesn't bode
well. However, the linebackers may be the best around. All three
starters return as well as the backups. All Big Ten player Joe Cooper
was granted and extra year of eligibility and that spells trouble
for opponents. Joining him will be All-American safety Mike Doss.
The key will be up front as Mike Collins is the sole returning starter.
Who knows what 2001 will bring for the Buckeyes. Many OSU fans will
tell you they deserve to be a Top rated team. Considering last year
didn't spell a ranking, you would figure this position would be
a fair assessment. But it is true, there is a ton of talent, and
it wouldn't be surprising to see this team be the one that makes
the most noise in the Big Ten. Beating Michigan would do a lot for
Coach Tressel's security. Time will tell, but rest assured the Buckeyes
have the talent and coaching to beat anyone.
|
OHIO
STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Steve
Bellisari-Sr |
Scott
McMullen-So |
FB |
Jamar
Martin-Sr |
Jesse
Kline-So |
TB |
Jonathan
Wells-Sr |
Sammy
Maldonado-So |
SE |
Drew
Carter-So |
Michael
Jenkins-So |
FL |
Ricky
Bryant-So |
Chris
Vance-Jr |
TE |
Darnell
Sanders-Jr |
Ben
Hartsock-So |
OT |
Adrien
Clarke-So |
Ivan
Douglas-So |
OG |
Alex
Stepanovich-So |
Scott
Kuhnhein-Jr |
C |
LeCharles
Bentley-Sr |
Mike
Jacobs-Sr |
OG |
Jim
Massey-Sr |
Bryce
Bishop-So |
OT |
Tyson
Walter-Sr |
Shane
Olivea-So |
K |
Josh
Huston-Fr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Darrion
Scott-So |
Kenny
Peterson-Jr |
DT |
Tim
Anderson-So |
David
Thompson-Jr |
DT |
Mike
Collins-Sr |
Fred
Sturrup-So |
DE |
Will
Smith-So |
Tim
Cheatwood-Sr |
OLB |
Joe
Cooper-Sr |
Cie
Grant-Jr |
MLB |
Matt
Wilhelm-Jr |
Fred
Pagac-So |
OLB |
Courtland
Bullard-Sr |
Robert
Reynolds-So |
CB |
Derek
Ross-Jr |
Bobby
Britton-Fr |
CB |
Brandon
Childress-Fr |
Harlen
Jacobs-Fr |
SS |
Mike
Doss-Jr |
Arthur
Allen-So |
FS |
Donnie
Nickey-Jr |
B.J.
Barre-So |
P |
B.J.
Sander-So |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Walt Harris
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Latef Grim-WR,
Tim Stein-WR, Mark Browne-OT, Jeff McCurley-C, John Turman-QB, Kevan
Barlow-TB, Nick Goings-TB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Mike White-DT |
|
Last
season the Pittsburgh Panthers had their most successful campaign
in more than a decade, finishing with a 7-4 record, the best since
1989. Things are looking even brighter for the 2001 season as Pittsburgh
returns 53 lettermen and 19 starters, which includes both punter
and kicker. The strength of the team will begin with a nationally
ranked defense that boasts the return of ten starters. Whether you
may know it or not, the Panthers led the Big East in sacks last
year with 35 of them. So it all has to start with NationalChamps.net
All-American, Brian Knight from his defensive end position. Brian
began opening eyes towards the end of 2000 as he finished with 11.5
sacks and 74 tackles. Another leader will come from phenom hitter
Ramon Walker at free safety. The linebackers were the heart of the
unit last season and coaches claim they wouldn't trade them in for
anybodies as all of them return, including the backups. The key
to success in Steel Town U. undoubtedly will be on the offensive
side as senior quarterback John Turman was lost to graduation, as
were both of the top two tailbacks. Two players do return at QB
with experience in senior David Priestley and sophmore Rod Rutherford.
Priestley boasts the most experience, having logged significant
time each of the last two seasons. A major void needs filled with
the loss of Latef Grim, the school's all-time pass catcher. No problem,
as last year's Biletnikoff Award winner Antonio Bryant returns.
Bryant was only the second sophmore to ever win the award as the
nation's best receiver (Randy Moss was the first). Seemingly, Coach
Harris and his team are ready to take Pittsburgh to the next level
with all of the talent returning, a brand new indoor/outdoor practice
facility, and a brand new stadium downtown. It's none too soon for
local fans and alumni who crave the success of glory days. Miami,
Syracuse, and Virginia Tech come to town in 2001, with the Canes
on an ESPN Thursday nighter. The difference between good and great
for 2001 will be filling voids at QB and RB. But INSIDE99 is telling
these big time programs coming into Western PA and the new stadium,
"Yenz better beware"!
|
PITTSBURGH
2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
David
Priestley-Sr |
Rod
Rutherford-So |
FB |
Lousaka
Polite-So |
Dustin
Picciotti-So |
TB |
Malcolm
Postell-Fr |
Mike
Jemison-Fr |
WR |
Antonio
Bryant-Jr |
Darcey
Levy-Sr |
WR |
R.J.
English-Sr |
Lamar
Slade-Jr |
TE |
Mike
Bosnic-Sr |
Kris
Wilson-So |
OT |
Matt
Morgan-So |
Joe
Manganello-Jr |
OG |
Jon
Schall-So |
Jon
Pressnell-So |
C |
Chad
Reed-Jr |
Justin
Belarski-Fr |
OG |
Bryan
Anderson-Jr |
Rob
Petitti-Fr |
OT |
Khiawatha
Downey-Jr |
Saul
Freund-Fr |
K |
Nick
Lotz-Jr |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Ryan
Smith-Jr |
Brian
Guzek-Jr |
NT |
Penny
Semaia-So |
Darrell
McMurray-So |
DT |
Joe
Conlin-Sr |
Vince
Crochunis-Fr |
DE |
Bryan
Knight-Sr |
Claude
Harriott-So |
SLB |
Gerald
Hayes-Jr |
Lewis
Moore-So |
MLB |
Amir
Purifoy-Sr |
Ryan
Gonsales-Sr |
WLB |
Brandon
Williams-Sr |
Brian
Beinecke-Jr |
CB |
Shawntae
Spencer-So |
Torrie
Cox-Jr |
CB |
Shawn
Robinson-Jr |
Tyrone
Gilliard-Fr |
SS |
Mark
Ponko-Sr |
David
Routt-Jr |
FS |
Ramon
Walker-Jr |
Corey
Humphries-So |
P |
Andy
Lee-So |
Jay
Junko-Jr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Jeff Bower
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Shawn Mills-FL,
Billy Clay-C, Kelby Nancy-RB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Cedric Scott-DE, DeQuincy Scott-NT, Gerald
Mumford-NT, John Nix-DT, Daleroy Stewart-DT, Deric Scott-BAN, Zaid
Houston-WLB, Keon Moore-CB, Raymond Walls-CB, Leo Barnes-ROV |
|
Could
there be a more underrated team in the country? Every season Coach
Jeff Bower puts together an unbelievable group of tough kids in
Hattiesburg and that trend is likely to continue. An unbelievable
amount of starters return to the offense. Senior Jeff Kelly leads
the Golden Eagles once again at QB and has accumulated over 4000
career passing yards, which is good enough to place him third on
USM's all time passing list. Running back Derrick Nix was a 1000
yard rusher in 1999 but left after the fourth game of the season
with medical problems. No matter, in steps Dawayne Woods at running
back, as he will return for his senior season, hopefully as well
as Nix. The strongest unit on the field for the Eagles may be the
receiving corps. Even with the big loss of Shawn Mills, three of
the top four pass catchers return. However, it will be like night
and day when speaking of the defense as some huge names have departed.
Most missed will be All-American Cedric Scott at DE as well as the
whole front line. The defensive backfield will be missing quite
a few players, but safety Chad Williams, the team's leading tackler
from last season, will help aid the transition for some of the new
faces. With only four starters back, the rebuilding of the defense
will be the key. Another favorite to win the Conf USA crown is likely.
The road doesn't get any easier with visits to Alabama and Penn
State. However, there is enough talent that it could be likely that
Jeff Bower's Golden Eagle team will be favorites heading into those
games. Underrate them all you want, but this team and coaching staff
isn't going to disappear.
|
SOUTHERN
MISS 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Jeff
Kelly-Sr |
Zac
White-So |
RB |
Dawayne
Woods-Sr |
Derrick
Nix-Sr |
WR |
Kenneth
Johnson-So |
Greg
James-Sr |
WR |
Dannye
Fowler-Sr |
Kwantrell
Green-Jr |
WR |
LeRoy
Handy-Jr |
Rocky
Harrison-Fr |
TE |
Bobby
Garner-Jr |
Terrell
Browden-So |
OT |
Jeremy
Bridges-Sr |
Myron
Powe-Fr |
OG |
Buck
Miciotto-Jr |
Jeremy
Parquet-Fr |
C |
Kendrick
Key-Sr |
Isah
Winborne-So |
OG |
Torrin
Tucker-Jr |
Nathan
Grace-Sr |
OT |
Jason
Jimenez-Jr |
Bradley
Worthington-Fr |
K |
Brant
Hanna-Sr |
Curtis
Jones-Jr |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Marchene
Hatchett-Sr |
Brian
Evans-So |
NT |
Rayshun
Jones-Sr |
Skylor
Magee-So |
DT |
Carlos
Crusoe-Jr |
Chad
Ruffin-Fr |
BAN |
Terrell
Paul-So |
LeVon
Pears-Fr |
SLB |
Joe
Henley-Jr |
Terry
Anderson-Fr |
MLB |
Rod
Davis-So |
Chris
Vaughn-Jr |
WLB |
Roy
Magee-Sr |
Chris
Langston-Jr |
CB |
Carmus
Haynes-Jr |
Daryon
Brutley-Sr |
CB |
Corey
Yates-Jr |
Pierre
Hutchins-Fr |
ROV |
Chad
Williams-Sr |
Alex
Ray-So |
FS |
Etric
Pruitt-So |
Corey
Hosey-So |
P |
Mark
Haulman-Jr |
Brant
Hanna-Sr |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Chuck Amato
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Koren Robinson-WR,
Derek Roberts-FB, Tramayne Simmons-FB, Eric Leak-WR, Jarvis Borum-OT,
Kent Passingham-K
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Jeff Fisher-DT, Clayton White-SLB, Adrian
Wilson-SS |
|
NC
State found a new coach, and Chuck Amato wasn't fooling around.
This team believes in itself. Not only that but the Wolfpack brings
back just about everybody from an intense, scrappy bunch of players.
Frosh sensation Philip Rivers enters his second season at the quarterback
helm and will get a lot of attention in the preseason for sure.
The only bad is that possibly one of the top receivers in all of
2001 would have been Koren Robinson. He left early to play on Sundays.
Also departing is Rivers other favorite target Eric Leak. So it
will not be such an easy chore finding receivers making great catches
as they did last fall. At halfback is a promising player in senior
Ray Robinson. Aiding the offense will be the fact that five players
return up front. The defense never really overwhelmed opponents
in 2000, but 7 plus starters are coming back with experience. The
linebackers are by far the deepest unit on the field. ACC Defensive
Player of The Year, linebacker Levar Fisher is back and the DB's
return three starters. Kicker Kent Passingham, possibly the best
in the ACC last year, will be missed. This Wolfpack team is going
to push a few of the top conference regulars for bowl slot position
without a doubt. The whole key revolves around QB Rivers continuing
to progress and surpass last year's superb freshman numbers and
finding him some good hands people. The defense must improve up
front if the Wolfpack are to win the big ones.
|
NORTH
CAROLINA STATE 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Staters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Philip
Rivers-So |
Olin
Hannum-Sr |
FB |
Chance
Moyer-Fr |
Cotra
Jackson-Jr |
TB |
Ray
Robinson-Sr |
K.J.
Stone-Jr |
WR |
Andy
Bertrand-So |
Tramain
Hall-Fr |
WR |
Bryan
Peterson-Jr |
Jerricho
Cotchery-So |
TE |
Willie
Wright-Sr |
Andy
Vanderveer-Sr |
OT |
Chris
Colmer-So |
Matt
Broel-Sr |
OG |
William
Brown-Sr |
Joe
Lardino-Jr |
C |
Derek
Green-Jr |
Keegan
Weir-Sr |
OG |
Reggie
Poole-Sr |
Travis
Brinson-So |
OT |
Scott
Kooistra-Jr |
Tim
Turner-Jr |
K |
Austin
Herbert-So |
.. |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Brian
Jamison-Sr |
George
Anderson-Jr |
DT |
Sean
Locklear-So |
Ricky
Fowler-Jr |
NT |
Darius
Bryant-Sr |
.. |
DE |
Corey
Smith-Sr |
.. |
SLB |
Corey
Lyons-Sr |
Roger
Pollard-So |
MLB |
Dantonio
Burnette-Jr |
.. |
WLB |
Levar
Fisher-Sr |
.. |
CB |
Brian
Williams-Sr |
.. |
CB |
J.J.
Washington-So |
James
Walker-So |
SS |
Julius
Patterson-Jr |
.. |
FS |
Terrence
Holt-Jr |
Rod
Johnson-Jr |
P |
Austin
Herbert-So |
.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HEAD
COACH: Pete Carroll
OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Antoine Harris-TE, Eric Denmon-C, Brent
McCaffrey-OT, Matt Nickels-SR, Trevor Roberts-OL, Mike Van Raaphorst-QB,
Petros Papadakis-TB
DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Sultan Abdul-Malik-DE, Matt Childers-DE,
Ennis Davis-DT, Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed-DL, Zeke Moreno-LB, Ifeanyi
Ohalete-S, Markus Steele-LB |
|
Change
is taking place in Trojan Country. A new coach, a new staff, and
hopefully a new attitude after an eighth place finish in the Pac
Ten last season left a bad taste with many long time supporters.
Stepping in as head coach is Pete Carroll who led the New England
Patriots to two playoff births in just the last three years. There
is renewed optimism and things seem to have gotten off on the right
track as USC hauled in a Top 10 recruiting class. The key was getting
Norm Chow as offensive coordinator, who arguable may be one of the
best. The new coaches will welcome back 14 starters and both punters
and kickers, which isn't too bad. On offense, three of the nation's
premier players return in QB Carson Palmer, TB Sultan McCullough,
and WR Kareem Kelly. McCullough is the fastest runner ever at USC
and ran for over 1100 yards last season, the school's most since
1990. Quarterback Carson Palmer is on pace to break several USC
passing records and some experts feel he may be worthy of early
Heisman consideration. Also welcomed back are three holdovers on
the offensive line. Replacing four-year starter Antoine Harris at
tight end was important enough that 2000 starting linebacker, Kori
Dickerson, has been moved to that spot. USC will be hit harder with
losses on defense, in particular the front seven. But the entire
starting secondary returns, including last year's team leading tackler
Troy Polamalu at strong safety. When breaking down Coach Carroll's
first season in a nutshell, strengths will come offensively at quarterback;
speed, depth, and production at running back; and the wide receiver
spots. But the Trojans must improve on last year's turnover margin
as they finished next to last in the nation and there really has
to be some defensive concerns up front on the line and at linebacker
where two USC greats have departed. No reason exists why this team
should not be playing in a post-season game and so in that sense,
the pressure is already on.
|
SOUTHERN
CAL 2001 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Carson
Palmer-Jr |
Matt
Cassel-Fr |
FB |
Charlie
Landrigan-Sr |
Sunny
Byrd-Sr |
TB |
Sultan
McCullough-Jr |
Malaefou
MacKenzie-Sr |
SE |
Kareem
Kelly-Jr |
Keary
Colbert-So |
FL |
Marcell
Allmond-Jr |
Frank
Candela-Fr |
TE |
Kori
Dickerson-Sr |
Doyal
Butler-Jr |
OT |
Eric
Torres-So |
Joe
McGuire-Fr |
OG |
Faaesea
Mailo-Sr |
Derek
Graf-Jr |
C |
Lenny
Vandermade-So |
A.J.
Single-Fr |
OG |
Zach
Wilson-Jr |
Travis
Watkins-Fr |
OT |
Norm
Katnik-So |
Phillip
Eaves-Jr |
K |
David
Newbury-Sr |
John
Wall-So |
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Omar
Nazel-So |
Bobby
DeMars-Sr |
NT |
Bernard
Riley-Jr |
Malcolm
Wooldridge-Fr |
DT |
Ryan
Nielsen-Sr |
Kenechi
Udeze-Fr |
DE |
Lonnie
Ford-Sr |
Anthony
Daye-Jr |
SLB |
Chris
Prosser-So |
John
Cousins-Sr |
MLB |
Aaron
Graham-Jr |
Lee
Webb-Fr |
WLB |
Mike
Pollard-Jr |
Darryl
Knight-Sr |
CB |
Kris
Richard-Sr |
Antuan
Simmons-Sr |
CB |
Chris
Cash-Sr |
Darrell
Rideaux-Jr |
SS |
Troy
Polamalu-Jr |
Matt
Grootegoed-Fr |
FS |
Frank
Strong-Sr |
DeShaun
Hill-Jr |
P |
Mike
MacGillivray-Sr |
Tommy
Huff-So |
|
|
|
|
|
|