Julius Lloyd is among three 2009 starters returning at receiver for MSU
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcats Open Spring Football on Wednesday
3/23/2010 8:53:44 AM | Football
Montana State coach Rob Ash welcomes 16 starters back
Rob Ash isn't worried about Montana State's depth chart as spring drills loom for the Bobcats, because there isn't one.
Yet.
“We'll spread the reps around evenly among the ones, twos and threes during the first few days of practice,” Ash said. “The depth chart is completely meaningless right now. We'll evaluate everyone and then begin structuring things.”
Ash welcomes 87 players to spring drills on Wednesday at 3:30 pm when the Bobcats practice in Bobcat Stadium. MSU dons pads for the first time Saturday, and – pending weather – plans call for a Wednesday-Friday-Saturday weekly practice schedule, with Sunday and Monday available for makeup practices.
Like everyone else monitoring the Bobcat program this spring, Ash will train much of his attention on the offense. New coordinator Brian Wright begins his on-field work with that unit on Wednesday, as does new running backs coach Milo Austin. Ash said he expects a seamless transition, with no drastic structural changes looming.
“From the outside looking in, there will be no difference,” Ash said. “Our formations will look the same. We'll have some tweaks in terminology and some stylistic changes, so internally there will be an adjustment period. But externally, things will look very similar.”
Offensive Line
Returning Starters: LT Conrad Burbank, LG Ben Tauanuu, C Alex Terrien, RT Mike Person
Other Returning Lettermen: OG Matt Bernard, OG Jesse Hoffmann
Returning Squad Member: OT Todd Brandt, C Casey Dennehy, OL Clint Mentzel, OG Shaun Samson, OT Andrew Verlanic
Returning Redshirt: OL David Abercrombie, OT Andy Austin, OT Killian Fitzpatrick,
From Rob Ash: “One of the key personnel areas for us this spring is the offensive line, where Jeff Hansen graduated and both Leo Davis and Conrad Burbank will be out with injuries. We'll have to rely players that are young or inexperienced or both, such as Ben Tauanuu, Matt Bernard, Jesse Hoffmann, and Killian Fitzpatrick. They will get huge opportunities to show what they can do as Coach (Jason) McEndoo looks for his best lineup at left tackle and the two guard positions.”
Quarterback
Returning Starter: Cody Kempt
Other Returning Lettermen: none
Returning Squad Member: none
Returning Redshirt: Denarius McGhee, Cody Davies
From Rob Ash: “The quarterbacks are working hard both physically and mentally to prepare for the spring and the transition to Coach (Brian) Wright's system. They've been throwing a lot and watching tape on their own, so I think they'll be ready for the challenge of implementing Coach Wright's concepts. Cody Kempt and Denarius McGhee are in great shape and will divide reps with the ones and twos, while Cody Davies runs the threes, at least initially.”
Running Back
Returning Starter: none
Other Returning Lettermen: Blayde Becksted, Ricky Evans, CJ Palmer
Returning Squad Member: none
Returning Redshirt: Cody Kirk, Jordan Rohrich
From Rob Ash: “We are thin at running back this spring, and we'll look for either CJ Palmer or Blayde Becksted to step up and become the featured back. Cody Kirk had a phenomenal off-season, and will get a chance to challenge the other two. Ricky Evans is doubtful for a while (knee).”
Receiver
Returning Starter: Elvis Akpla, Everett Gilbert, Julius Lloyd
Other Returning Lettermen: Kruiz Siewing, DeSean Thomas
Returning Squad Member: Michael Chopp, Reil Cornelius
Returning Redshirt: Gianni Carter, Taylor Graham, Eddie Stevenson
From Rob Ash: “DeSean Thomas is looking like the athlete we watched when he was a freshman, and is challenging the returning starters. Redshirts Gianni Carter and Tanner Bleskin are also eager, so this position is deep and strong. That will lead to great competition, and hopefully to improved production.”
Tight End
Returning Starter: none
Other Returning Lettermen: Kyle Begger, Shane Robison
Returning Squad Member: Steven Foster, Rick Haluszka, Kevin Steiner
Returning Redshirt: none
From Rob Ash: “Replacing Joe Schreibeis will be a big issue, but Kyle Begger is next in line and eager to get more playing time. (Shane) Robison and (Steven) Foster are battling hard, and working hard in the weight room. So is Rick Haluszka, who has moved to tight end, and Kevin Steiner, who is gaining weight and strength rapidly.”
Defensive Line
Returning Starters: DE John Laidet, DT Dan Ogden, DT Jason D'Alba
Other Returning Lettermen: DT Zach Minter, DE Dustin O'Connell, DE Caleb Schreibeis, DE Brad Smith
Returning Squad Member: DE Derek DeJong, DL Christian Keli'i, DE Brian Bignell
Returning Redshirt: DL Craig Ashworth, DE Preston Gale
From Rob Ash: “Replacing a player of Dane Fletcher's caliber is never easy, and Brad Smith is still limited with his shoulder (injury). John Laidet is battling a hip injury, but should be able to practice. Dustin O'Connell becomes the leader of that group. This spring will be a defining time for Caleb Schreibeis (at end), to see if they can break into the rotation. Inside, (Zach) Minter and (Christian) Keli'i have to progress from being newcomers to veterans this spring. D'Alba and Ogden are solid seniors, but Coach (Bo) Beck likes to rotate players, so this is an important spring for the young guys.”
Linebacker
Returning Starter: Jody Owens, Clay Bignell
Other Returning Lettermen: Brad Daly, Tanner Ripley
Returning Squad Member: Jared Rohrback, Ryan D'Agostino
Returning Redshirt: Aleksei Grosulak, Chris Music, Michael Vaira
From Rob Ash: “The linebacker corps is really unsettled this spring with the graduation of (Jeff) Price, (Matt) Harris and (Chase) Gazzerro. We'll begin the spring without Clay Bignell, but his prognosis for next fall is decent. Spring ball provides a great opportunity for Jared Rohrback, Aleksei Grosulak, Tanner Ripley and Brad Daly to earn playing time alongside Jody Owens. Shonquille Dorsey moves to Mike linebacker to see how he moves around at that position.”
Secondary
Returning Starter: CB Darius Jones, CB Arnold Briggs ('08), S Jordan Craney, S Michael Rider
Other Returning Lettermen: CB James Andrews, S Anthony Cosme-Peko, Joel Fuller, CB Kazz Siewing
Returning Squad Member: Heath Howard
Returning Redshirt: Dalton Bright, Ian Damon, Allen McCarty, Bryce Stacy, CB Chris Wilson
From Rob Ash: “We enter the spring beat up in the secondary. (Zach) Coleman, (Darius) Jones and (Arnold) Briggs are all limited to start the spring. Chris Wilson had minor knee surgery, but will be able to participate extensively, and how he and James Andrews progress will be important. We're in good hands at safety, with Michael Rider, Jordan Craney, Joel Fuller and Anthony Cosme-Peko all returning.”
Punter & Kicker
Returning Starter - Kicker: Jason Cunningham Returning Starter - Punter: none
Other Returning Lettermen - Kicker: none Other Returning Lettermen - Punter: none
Returning Squad Member - Kicker: none Returning Squad Member - Punter: none
Returning Redshirt - Kicker: none Returning Redshirt - Kicker: Chris Music
From Rob Ash: “With the graduation of Eric Fisher and Mackey Nolan's decision not to return, we'll go through the spring without a true punter. Chris Music, a walk-on, will give punting a try. Jason Cunningham will handle all the placements and kickoffs.”
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