Traveling back towards the right coast we now discuss the Big East, a conference that will look to replace some serious running back star power.
Note: These look aheads are intended to whet the appetite of the fantasy owner certain to suffer college football withdrawal. A great deal can change between now and next week, let alone months down the road.
I’ll admit it…even though I love both college football and college fantasy football I often have a hard time getting fired up about the Big East. Maybe it’s because I don’t like games on Friday night, an evening that should be reserved for watching high school football and packing the car for the Saturday tailgating extravaganza. Maybe part of it stems from the uninspired offensive play calling that afflicts many teams from this conference. I don’t know. I do know that the football fan in me has a great deal of respect for the likes of Kelly, Schiano, Leavitt and Edsall, gentlemen who have energized programs and taken them to surprising heights. But the fantasy dweeb in me just wishes the majority of teams would open things up a little bit. Yes, they’ll be some legitimate fantasy talent in the Big East in 2009, but on draft day the fantasy owner will want to treat the Big East like Tijuana: it’s okay to visit but live there and you’ll likely be dead in the water.
2008 All-Big East Fantasy Team * returning for 2009
QB: Pat White
RB: Donald Brown
RB: LeSean McCoy
WR: Kenny Britt
WR: Marshwan Gilyard*
TE: Shamar Graves*
K: Conor Lee
D: West Virgnia Mountaneers
Cincinnati 11-3
Fantasy starters lost: WR Dominick Goodman, QB Dustin Grutza
Returning: WR Marshwan Gilyard, WR Marcus Barnett, QB Tony Pike, QB Chazz Anderson, RB John Goebel, K Jake Rogers
Looking to Emerge: RB Isaiah Pead
O-line outlook: Canfield and El-Amin move on. Three other starters return.
D Returners: 4
Look Back
The ascension continues. Brian Kelly has this program moving forward, and as more Kelly recruits arrive in the Queen City the Bearcats will remain a top fantasy locale. Double-digit wins and championships were pipe dreams years ago. Now Cincinnati is actually going head-to-head with the mighty Buckeyes for in-state recruits.
Dustin Grutza, Tony Pike or Chazz Anderson…it didn’t matter. The offense continued to pile up yards and points. When Pike did return it became clear that we not only had a potential NFL quarterback on our hands, we had a potential fantasy superstar. The running game needs work, and this poor ground attack was highlighted in the blowout loss to Connecticut and the Orange Bowl defeat to Beamer’s boys.
Brian Kelly has big plans for his program, and we expect to see an improved ground game to go along with all of the other upgrades taking place at Cincinnati.
Will be missed next season
Dominick Goodman will move on following a senior season that saw the former high school quarterback catch 84 balls for 1028 yards and seven scores. Joining Goodman out the door will be Dustin Grutza, whom it often appeared Brian Kelly held in the same esteem as an ex-con interested in dating his daughter. Grutza is a good Bearcat for who things never really worked out.
And we can also confirm that Ben Mauk will not be back next year.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Tony Pike and Marshwan Gilyard may emerge as one of 2009’s top passing duos…in the country. Pike’s impressive play, coupled with the way he came back from a fractured left foreman, is the stuff that makes one the top quarterback in the Big East. He’s a big, strapping lad with a very good arm, and he’s playing for one of the country’s more creative, pass-happy head coaches.
Gilyard‘s 1276 yards and 13 total touchdowns set the pace not only for the Bearcats but for all Big East receivers. He’ll see more double teams thanks to Goodman’s departure, but if Marcus Barnett can return to 2007 form, this won’t last long. Gilyard will get his, and I would have no problem listing Cincy’s #1 as my #1 fantasy wide receiver.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Someone has to step in for Dominick Goodman, and we’re giving Marcus Barnett another chance to assume a key role in this offense. After breaking his leg in the 2007 PapaJohns.com Bowl game Barnett was never the same and was quickly passed by Goodman and Gilyard. If Barnett can put it back together, it’s easy to foresee him going from his 30-277-1 in 2008 to 60-850-8 in 2009.
Last year Isaiah Pead was one of my running back freshman sleeper specials. My colleagues pointed and mocked as they always do, claiming there was no reason to put faith in a Brian Kelly running back…and again the bastards were proven correct. However Pead did make a positive impression, and if this is indeed the year that a Cincy back breaks out then we (I) like it to be the talented sophomore.
The safe pick at running back? John Goebel ran for 607 yards and seven scores as a sophomore. He’s a hard-nosed running back with the same last name as a classic beer. Good enough for us.
Freshman Flyer
The Bearcats’ stock has never been higher and it is paying off in recruiting. Naturally we’ll look to the passing game when it comes to pinpointing potential incoming impact players. In this case we have our eye on JUCO transfer wide receiver Jamar Howard. The former Minnesota recruit has an impressive list of offers and if Barnett doesn’t find a way to work his way back into the mix, the 6-4 Howard will get his shot.
Pittsburgh 9-2
Fantasy starters lost: RB LeSean McCoy, RB Larod Stephens-Howling, WR Derek Kinder, K Conor Lee
Returning: QB Bill Stull, WR Jonathan Baldwin, TE Nate Byham
Looking to Emerge: RB Chris Burns, RB Shariff Harris
O-line outlook: Offensive line is in excellent shape.
D Returners: 7
Look Back
After Pitt lost to Bowling Green in the opener the season could have gone into the crapper rather quickly, but the Panthers were able to rebound in style. And by counting Iowa, Notre Dame and West Virginia among its nine victims the season became an unquestioned success. Sure I wish I had the three hours I spent watching the Sun Bowl back, but such is life. This season was LeSean McCoy, LeSean McCoy and more LeSean McCoy and it worked very well.
Sandwiched in between two ugly losses the Panthers made real progress. Most important to fantasy owners 2008 also provided a glimpse of what wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin will become.
Will be missed next season
I paraphrase Smokey Robinson when I say there ain't too much sadder than the tears of a man with a mustache. Thankfully Dave Wannstedt has been in hiding since LeSean McCoy announced he was staying, leaving, staying, thinking about it, and then leaving. Pitt’s dependence on LeSean McCoy made Javon Ringer appear expendable.
584 carries in two seasons is a heavy workload, and realizing his stock will never be higher the dynamic running back will take his act to Sundays; and Pitt has no one that can come close to replacing McCoy. He scored a touchdown or ran for 100 yards in every game but that thrilling Sun Bowl, and his 21 touchdowns led many owners to fantasy glory. Now I’ll have to use all my “Real” McCoy witticisms on Texas' Colt McCoy.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Jonathan Baldwin is going to be a superstar at some point; it’s just a matter of when. 18-404-3 is just the tip of the iceberg as this youngster is eerily reminiscent of Calvin Johnson. If Pitt is smart they’ll throw the ball up to him on every single play and take their chances. The ONLY thing holding Baldwin back from becoming one of the top fantasy wide receivers is the likelihood of subpar quarterback play. Bill Stull doesn’t appear the answer even though he’ll likely enter spring football as the guy. Pat Bostick appears a solid bet to unseat Stull.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Running backs Shariff Harris or Chris Burns will likely be the beneficiary of McCoy’s carries, although three or four backs will be afforded the opportunity to seize the starting running job. A Wannstedt team will run the ball, and this is especially the case when he has a solid offensive line and very good defense returning. Whether it’s Harris, Burns or someone else that sees the majority of carries he’ll be asked to step into shoes that cannot be filled.
Freshman Flyer
With McCoy out of the picture, we are sticking with the running back theme. Add incoming freshman Raymond Graham to the list of potential replacements for McCoy. We’d consider putting tight end Brock DeCicco or wide receiver Todd Thomas on the list, but we have little faith in Pitt’s passing game.
West Virginia 9-4
Fantasy starters lost: QB Pat White, K Pat McAfee
Returning: RB Noel Devine, WR Jock Sanders, WR Alric Arnett
Looking to Emerge: QB Jarrett Brown
O-line outlook: One loss: Mike Isdaner. Two big losses: G Jake Finger and C Mike Dent, and a really big loss, Ryan Sancheck. This O-line turnover has us very concerned about the fantasy potential of WVU’s skill players.
D Returners: 8
Look Back
The thrilling win over North Carolina in the bowl game allowed for the 2008 season to end on a high note, but there were some troubling signs throughout the campaign. Even with one of most dynamic quarterbacks in NCAA history the Mountaineers’ offense often looked unimaginative and stale. There was a concerted effort made to see Pat White run less and throw more. And at times this made as much sense as using Barry Sanders as a blocking back.
The season was salvaged even after losses to East Carolina and Colorado, but as we look back at WVU’s 9-4 season there is cause for concern about the future.
Will be missed next season
Pat McAfee is an excellent kicker and it will be a chore to find a replacement close to this top fantasy performer. But with all due respect to McAfee, his loss pales in comparison to that of #5.
Pat White cannot be replaced. There may be other field generals at West Virginia, but like Dan Marino at Pitt or Donovan McNabb at Syracuse, White is the one that will always set his school’s standard for quarterback play. It would be silly to restate all of his records or to rehash some of his greatest moments. He did all the right things on and off the field, and he’s a college football legend.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
There is an interesting triumvirate of skill talent returning but each brings considerable risk. Jarrett Brown is a big, tough dual-threat quarterback that will finally get his turn. Running back Noel Devine is a little back that we’re always worried will blow his chance, and Jock Sanders is an excellent wide receiver with a knack for finding the end zone; but he's working in an offense that has not traditionally yielded big receiving numbers.
Excitement over Devine’s nearly-1500 yards from scrimmage is tempered with his inability to score touchdowns. We see a very good chance that Devine says goodbye to Morgantown within the next year; we just hope it’s after a big season.
Sanders followed up Darius Reynaud’s 2007 with an excellent season of his own. It would behoove Bill Stewart to get the ball in Sanders’ hands as often as possible.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
There is concern that Jarrett Brown will spend his season begging his offensive line to block those guys trying to kill him. If the line is able to gel, then he’ll be a very viable fantasy quarterback with the potential to emerge as the number two Big East quarterback to Tony Pike.
Brown has the size to withstand the pounding, a breakaway back behind him and a talented wide receiver with which to work. Give him protection and a big season could be the result.
Freshman Flyer
With renewed emphasis on the passing game this fall, wide receiver Logan Heastie has the best shot at seeing the field early. Heastie could provide a deep ball threat for Brown and the passing game.
Running back Tavon Austin also has an outside shot at seeing early playing time.
Rutgers 8-5
Fantasy starters lost: QB Mike Teel, WR Kenny Britt, WR Tiquan Underwood,
Returning: RB Kordell Young, RB Jourdan Brooks, RB Joe Martinek, WR Tim Brown
Looking to Emerge: QB Jabu Lovelace, Domenic Natale or D.C. Jefferson
O-line outlook: They’re all back and still very young.
D Returners: 5
Look Back
Through five games Rutgers had beaten Morgan State and no one else. Greg Schiano had suddenly become an idiot, and it was just about time to pat Mike Teel on the behind and hand him a clipboard. Then suddenly and out of nowhere the offense that had transformed itself from a run-first scheme to a pass-happy one began to click. Teel caught fire, Britt and Underwood met expectations, and a three-headed running back monster provided balance.
When Rutgers and N.C. State met in the Papajohns.com Bowl the game pitted two of the nation’s hottest teams, and the Scarlet Knights emerged with a nice win. Having shown the ability to win with more than just Ray Rice, the expectations will be high heading into 2009.
Will be missed next season
The major players in the Rutgers’ renaissance: Ray Rice, Mike Teel and Kenny Britt are all gone now, and it’ll be up to some young whippersnappers to pick up where these three left off. Rutgers is bringing in a different caliber of football player nowadays, and it’s the hope that there is ample talent to cushion the blow from the loss of such talent.
Mike Teel’s experience cannot be replaced. Only a tough-minded senior quarterback could overcome such a rough start to catch absolute fire down the stretch. 23 touchdowns in his final six games made Teel one of the nation’s hottest quarterbacks. And it helped that he was slinging the pigskin out to Kenny Britt, who parlayed his big junior season (87-1371 with eight total scores) into a likely nice draft position.
Factor in Tiquan Underwood’s departure and Rutgers has some definite holes to fill.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
There is a very good chance that the Big East may have some top-flight wide receivers in 2009. We already know a bit about Jonathan Baldwin and Jock Sanders, and you can add Rutgers’ Tim Brown to that list. Brown has operated in the shadows of Britt and Underwood, and now he’ll get his chance to emerge as the go-to guy in the passing game. 27 catches for 565 yards display the speed to get deep, and his seven scores highlight an ability to go for six.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
The starting running back spot will be up for grabs in the off-season, and now that a talented senior quarterback is moving on we can expect a little more emphasis on the ground game. It appears to be a two-horse battle between Kordell Young and Jourdan Brooks, but Joe Martinek will play enough to drive us crazy.
There is no clear favorite to start at quarterback. Jabu Lovelace may have an early lead, but Dom Natale and D.C. Jefferson will look to make an impression in the spring. And then Tom Savage will enter the fray when he enrolls in the fall. This is one that we’ll just have to monitor and see how it all plays out.
Due to all of the offensive uncertainty we recommend drafting Rutgers tight end Shamar Graves. A young quarterback often leans on the big guy running down the seam, and Graves appears to have big-time potential.
Freshman Flyer
There may be no more important recruit for the Scarlet Knights than Tom Savage. Normally we don’t look toward the quarterback spot for potential impact recruits. But the time is ripe, and if Lovelace or Natale doesn't step up in spring practice, the 6-4 Savage could steal the job in the fall.
Connecticut 8-5
Fantasy starters lost: QB Tyler Lorenzen, RB Donald Brown, K Tony Ciaravino
Returning: A bunch of wide receivers that will kill fantasy hopes and dreams
Looking to Emerge: QB Zach Frazer, RB Andre Dixon or some other running back
O-line outlook: Losing Will Beatty and Keith Gray hurts but the cupboard is far from bare.
D Returners: 6
Look Back
Will be missed next season
The early departures of Donald Brown and LeSean McCoy mean the loss of the conference’s two biggest workhorses and producers at running back. Brown was the number one BCS running in 2008 as he totaled 255.20 points that were second only to Ball State’s MiQuale Lewis for the top spot nationally. Thanks to the health of Andre Dixon, Brown was able to break free from what had been a two-back system and emerge to the tune of 367 carries for 2083 yards.
Scoring in all but one game Brown provided a consistency that only Shonn Greene could match. Other than a four-score opener and a three-score performance against Virginia, one knew exactly what he’d get with Donald Brown: 150 yards and a touchdown. While the UConn system is conducive to lots of yards on the ground it’s hard to envision a scenario where it’s one back gobbling them all up in 2009.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Andre Dixon…come on down. After a difficult 2008 where he found himself watching Donald Brown run with the football, expect Andre Dixon to get the chance to star in 2009. However he’s far from a lock for 1500 and 15 scores. Young Jordan Todman will have his chance to shine.
From a fantasy perspective we see the Donald Brown Show of 2008 as an anomaly. This team will likely revert back to the split-carry dealio of 2007, but this doesn’t mean that UConn running backs should be avoided like the plague. After all they did throw the ball a whole six times in the bowl win over Buffalo.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Dave Teggart is a very good kicker who will be a very good kicker for the next two years. He nailed 13/15 field goals and was perfect on extra points. For a team that is often content to play field position and not take too many risks there’s a very good chance that Teggart could see 10-15 more attempts in 2009.
The fact that we’ve deemed a kicker as the breakout star shouldn’t be deemed as some sort of condemnation on Randy Edsall’s program. The man clearly knows what he’s doing, and if he hangs around Storrs we may see some real fantasy talent come through. Still the quarterback spot (Zach Frazer or Cody Endres) won’t produce much; nor will the receivers.
UConn grinds out wins. And grind em out wins don’t do much for fantasy owners.
Freshman Flyer
Like the on-the-field product, not a lot of glitz and glamour in UConn’s recruiting class. If Teggart stumbles, kicker Chad Christen is someone that will go from obscurity to a household name for fantasy owners in a heartbeat.
South Florida 8-5
Fantasy starters lost: RB Benjamin Williams, WR Taurus Johnson, WR Jessie Hester, TE Cedric Hill
Returning: QB Matt Grothe, RB Mike Ford, RB Moise Plancher, RB Jamar Taylor, WR A.J. Love
Looking to Emerge: RB Mike Ford of course.
O-line outlook: Four starters (Schmidt, Griffin, Huners and Dile) move on and they leave a gaping hole. The left guard returns, but the line is a major concern heading into 2009.
D Returners: 7 (including George Selvie)
Look Back
8-5, with a 2-5 Big East record is not what many hand in mind for the 2008 South Florida season. With a seasoned quarterback and some decent skill position talent surrounding him it’s safe to say that more was expected. The season’s high point was definitely the primetime win over Kansas, a game that showcased what South Florida had become under Jim Leavitt. The work that is still to be done was apparent once conference play began.
Matt Grothe continued to be one of the more overrated college fantasy quarterbacks; again, he’s a gutsy, talented leader. Again, he doesn’t put up the numbers and his touchdown to interception ratio leaves a lot to be desired. Mike Ford’s sophomore campaign came nowhere close to meeting expectations. But the good news regarding both Grothe and Ford is that they’ll have the chance to make amends in 2009. And the feeling here is that both will.
Will be missed next season
Running back Benjamin Williams and wide receiver Taurus Johnson move along and take 11 touchdowns with them. The bad news first: both were very solid players who proved to be consistent, albeit just decent, fantasy performers. The good news: their departures open the door for some top-flight fantasy talent to see a considerable increase in touches.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
We’ll again go all in with Mike Ford. Much was expected of Ford as a freshman, and the one-time Alabama signee delivered with 13 touchdowns in 2007. And then he followed this up by coming to camp overweight and putting up 400 yards and five scores during his sophomore slump that was caused, in part, by lingering ankle issues.
The Sarasota native has the potential to challenge for the top spot among national backs; he’s that good, especially when he’s not putting the ball on the ground. A good season and Ford is a likely early-entry candidate for the 2010 draft. We expect Ford to have a great off-season and then emerge as the heir apparent to the likes of Brown and McCoy; there’s even a chance he’ll become the conference’s top back. But MUCH depends on a rapid maturation from the offensive line.
Once again, Ford is a good late round draft pick because of his potential.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Carlton Mitchell is 6’4” and he can flat out fly. A highly-decorated recruit, Mitchell caught 37 balls for 537 yards and five scores as a freshman, but he could only follow that up with 28 catches for 405 yards and one score this past season. Part of me thinks he’ll continue to struggle in an offense that lacks direction (another offensive coordinator gone this off-season) but a bigger part of me thinks we may be looking at the 2009 version of Hakeem Nicks.
Grab starting receivers and make sure they’ve displayed the ability to produce consistently. And then take a late flyer on Mitchell. It could pay off very handsomely.
Freshman Flyer
Ford better put it together quickly; if not a pair of talented freshmen will be licking their chops at the opportunity to become the lead horse. Adaris Bellamy and Bradley Battles are two hard-nosed, between-the-tackles runners that could fight for carries in 2009. We’ve heard both can pass block…watch out Mike.
Syracuse 3-9
Fantasy starters lost: RB Curtis Brinkley, K Patrick Shadle
Returning: WR Mike Williams, TE Mike Owen
Looking to Emerge: A quarterback to toss it to Williams.
O-line outlook: With a new coach and scheme it’s hard to tell. The right side of the line, Ryan Durand and Corey Chavers, moves on.
D Returners: 8
Look Back
Toledo’s coach Tom Amstutz beat Michigan in Ann Arbor only to be fired at the season’s conclusion. Syracuse coach Greg Robinson won in South Bend, and prominent alums couldn’t wait to ride him out on a rail. Clearly beating the two most winningest programs in the history of the entire universe doesn’t carry the weight it once did.
Good guy Robinson couldn’t get it done, and Syracuse’s season went pretty much as expected…they stunk. The offense wasn’t that bad, but the defense just couldn’t stop anyone and get off the field. And even though they did escape the Big East basement, there is still much work to be done. But this program is not in the horrible shape that it may appear to some.
Will be missed next season
Running back Curtis Brinkley will really be missed. Overshadowed by the number of great tailbacks in the conference, Brinkley ran hard and amassed 1164 yards and seven touchdowns on 237 carries. And he was a Mike Gundy-sized MAN when he ran for 166 yards and a score in the win over Louisville. Brinkley is one of those guys who truly deserved better, but he’ll be fondly remembered among Syracuse faithful.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
Talented wide receiver Mike Williams returns following a little cheating incident that caused him to spend 2008 at a junior college while thinking about what he had done. And this has the potential to be a very nice story. Williams could’ve gone a couple different routes, but he worked his tail off to make amends for his misstep, and he’ll get the opportunity to show new coach Doug Marrone what he can do.
Williams will have two seasons of eligibility left, and IF the new coach can pull a decent quarterback out of his hat then we could have something.
Quarterback Cameron Dantley returns, and he did what he could for the Orange last year. But with a new coach we don’t see Dantley (or Andrew Robinson for that matter) having much of a role in 2009, despite some nice moments in 2008. There are about six quarterbacks currently on the roster, but there’s a good chance the quarterback to start next season’s opener will be a surprise, maybe even a true freshie. Of course, Dantley did throw the game-winning touchdown that beat his dad’s (Adrian) alma mater.
Tangent alert: Speaking of Adrian, much of my childhood was spent watching him single-handedly milk the shot clock, only to back down men about five inches taller before scoring a basket and/or getting to the foul line, where he would go through a really cool free throw routine. That Sunday afternoon back in 1987 when he collided with Vinnie Johnson while going after a loose ball, helping the Celtics knock off the Pistons in seven games, is one of my childhood’s low points, right there with having two brand new bikes stolen on back-to-back weekends. Additionally Adrian Dantley was one of the first people to hate Isaiah Thomas. Now everyone does. But I digress…
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
Running back Antwon Bailey seems like an intriguing fella. The true frosh was good (33-231-2) in limited duty (especially in South Bend), and he appears ready to step right in for Mr. Brinkley. Built like a fire hydrant, the expectation is that Bailey will be able to withstand the pounding.
It’s hard to invest a draft pick in a Syracuse player, but the feeling here is that Bailey could be a nice surprise. For as bad as the Robinson era was, the way Cuse performed down the stretch showed a roster full of character guys. Marrone has arrived promising a more regimented and disciplined approach, and this may be exactly what this program needs. It seems like pro coaches that come to the collegiate ranks expect their players to behave like professionals, and this never happens. Then a hard ass is brought in and in addition to some defections, we see improvement.
Williams and Bailey give the offense two very nice building blocks.
Freshman Flyer
Marrone has a long way to go, as does this recruiting class. Look elsewhere for now.
Louisville 5-7
Fantasy starters lost: QB Hunter Cantwell, RB Brock Bolen
Returning: RB Victor Anderson, WR Doug Beaumont, WR Scott Long, WR Trent Guy, WR Josh Chichester
Looking to Emerge: QB Justin Burke
O-line outlook: G George Bussey and C Eric Wood depart.
D Returners: 6
Look Back
This is a program in transition, and it’ll be interesting to see if Steve Kragthorpe will be left standing once Louisville is molded more to his personality. He clearly bought a new philosophy to Louisville two years ago, and there was difficulty with some of Petrino’s holdovers.
2008 began for Louisville with a two-point performance in the loss to Kentucy, and ended with Mike Teel tossing touchdown after touchdown as Rutgers rolled to a blowout win. In between there was a nice win over South Florida but that was followed up by bad loss to Syracuse.
Things can change quickly, but this program is in grave danger (is there another kind?) of continuing its scary slide towards the gasp…Ron Cooper era. Much work was done to make Louisville a national player, and things need to be turned around quickly.
Will be missed next season
After waiting his turn Hunter Cantwell was expected to be a fine replacement for Brian Brohm. But more than 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions was expected; though in all fairness Cantwell wasn’t working with the same offensive skill talent that Brohm had at his disposal. It’s likely that only those in Big East leagues made a heavy investment in Cantwell, but even those dudes probably expected him to throw more than two touchdowns in at least one football game.
Matt Simms was expected to make the seamless transition to starting quarterback, but his transfer has thrown the 2009 gig into a bit of flux. There is no dearth of candidates fighting to start at quarterback, but we like former N.C. State quarterback Justin Burke or former Ohio Dublin Coffman stud Zack (son of Cliff) Stoudt, who redshirted in 2008, to emerge.
Brock Bolen also moves on, meaning they’ll be a few more touchdowns to go around.
Likely Offensive Star in 2009
When freshmen run for 1000 yards we take notice, and Victor Anderson did just that in 2008. Gaining about 1150 yards from scrimmage and scoring nine touchdowns, Anderson emerged as Big East Rookie of the Year. Steve Kragthorpe made a greater commitment to the run in 2008, and if this continues then Anderson may help his coach hang on to his job.
Potential Breakout Star in 2009
WR Josh Chichester struggled a little bit in his freshman year with dropped balls. His tall frame and smooth stride make him a very attractive red-zone target. If he hones his receiving skills (and Louisville finds a QB and can protect him) Chichester has the potential to be a surprise fantasy star in 2009.
Additionally the skilled Scott Long will look to reb