PACIFIC SEASON PREVIEW
Roster Analysis
August 13, 2014
OFFENSE
Pacific's offense was almost perfectly balanced in terms of play selection between the run and pass in 2013. John Fassel and the rest of the coaching staff have indicated that they hope to maintain that balance and get more production from the running game this season.
Quarterbacks
Myles Carr, Ty Francis Jr, D'Arnel Lee, Jonathan Williams
-Myles Carr started the 2013 season as a backup but quickly took the starting job. He had an up and down season and finished with 2,114 yards with 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He appeared to have turned a corner toward the end of the season, throwing for 632 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception in the final two games. The coaching staff has said they are pleased with where Carr is at and are excited for his second season in the system and for him to be the starter from day one. Three star true freshman D'Arnel Lee has earned the primary backup job. Lee is more mobile than Carr but lacks the arm strength and accuracy. Ty Francis Jr will be in a similar role to last season where he subbed in to provide a dual threat. Two star freshman Jonathan Williams will redshirt this season.
Runningbacks
Cody Barnett(FB), Wallace Dean(FB), Rashad Hall, Royale Jamison III, Mathias Jones, Khalfani Muhammad, Jomal Sampson
-Khalfani Muhammad accounted for 1,223 total yards and seven touchdowns in 2013. Between rushes and receptions he averaged about 19 touches a game. The coaching staff would like to get the explosive back a few more touches in 2013 but have also filled in behind him to ensure good depth. Muhammad has bulked up in the offseason in anticipation of a bigger workload. Rashad Hall had 117 touches for a combined 484 yards and five scores last season. Hall is more of a between the tackles runner than Muhammad. The coaching staff is also hopeful that Hall's numbers will improve. Behind them are newcomers Royale Jamison III, Mathias Jones and Jomal Sampson. Jones will redshirt this season but the team is hopeful that Jamison III and Sampson will earn touches and provide a different look for the offense at times. Barnett returns as the starting fullback and the coaches intend to have him on the field more in 2014 as they try to improve their running game. Dean will redshirt.
Wide Receivers
Cortez Bean, Braden Bishop, William Bradley, Darrin Duncan, DeAndre James, Lukaz Richardson, Christian Tober
-The WR position looks much different in 2014 with four new players on board. Tober, Bishop and Duncan led the position in 2013 and weren't overly impressive, lacking size and speed as a group. Tober had 30 receptions, third on the team behind Muhammad and TE Billy Freeman. He was also third in yards. Duncan led the team with four touchdowns. Four star freshman DeAndre James has exploded on the scene and could very well be Carr's top target in 2014. His combination of hands, size and speed makes him the most talented receiver on the roster. If he can get up to speed quickly he could do some damage. William Bradley will redshirt but the rest of the group should have opportunities to get on the field.
Tight Ends
Trey Buchanan, Billy Freeman, Mitch McNeil, AJ Olson
-Billy Freeman led the team in receiving yards with 581 and was second with 46 receptions but he only scored twice. AJ Olson added two scores and 156 yards on just 11 receptions. Buchanan split time at tight end and wide receiver last season but joins the TE group full time this season. McNeil did not record a statistic in 2013 but is expected to figure into the rotation as well, giving them another big target.
Offensive Line
Tackles: Nick Allen, Tre'Von Bellamy, Kurtis Lovelace, Chad Specht
Guards: Victor Bowen, Damian Campbell, Adrian Molina, Francis Summers Jr
Centers: Dane Crane, Avon Herron, Randell Johnson
-The offensive line looks much different in 2014 with new starters at four positions likely. The coaching staff is hopeful that this group will develop into a strength this season, providing push in the running game and protection for Carr. Dan Crane has transferred in and will redshirt this season. Bellamy, Johnson and Summers Jr should all see the field as true freshmen. Chad Specht has moved to left tackle and his transition will be key in how the line develops and gels.
DEFENSE
The defense was inconsistent in 2013, shutting down Oregon then getting beat up by BYU later in the season. One thing that hurt them badly was the lack of takeaways, something they're hoping to improve on drastically in 2014. They should be able to get some pressure in the pass rush and the secondary is somewhat more talented.
Defensive Ends
Terrence Daniel, Todd Hunt, KJ Nichols, Wilton Smith V, Siuea Vaesau, Artavis Walker
-Defensive end is one of the strongest positions on the roster. Daniel and Hunt combined for 18 sacks in 2013. Freshmen Nichols, Smith V and Walker boost the depth at the position. Vaesau brings a different skill set and lot's of experience to the group. Expect to see a lot of substitution along the defensive line.
Defensive tackles
MJ Burrell, Grady Lopez, Austin Rawls, Annikin Robinson, Cody Temple
-Pacific's best position group is for sure defensive tackle. Temple, a transfer from USC, is probably the best player on the team. Lopez is an experienced player who has developed nicely and there isn't much drop off to Burrell and Rawls, allowing the team to rotate at the position frequently. Robinson will redshirt.
Outside Linebackers
Rodney Butler, Laurence McClelland, Marc Millan, Arvis Price III, Brenton Rooney, Shaq Sargent
-Price III led the team in tackles in 2013, Millan wasn't far behind. Both players are solid but there is basically no depth behind them. Butler, McClelland and Rooney will spell them from time to time but won't likely see significant playing time. Sargent is a senior walk on who should only play special teams.
Middle Linebackers
Joel Foy, Christian Frost, Isaac Savaiinaea, Devron Veney
-MLB is one of the weaker positions on the team, Savaiinaea is a welcome addition but he can't play until 2015. Foy is a decent tackler with some pop but he struggles with movement. The move of Frost from safety helps depth significantly, he will probably spell Foy in passing situations and the team will most likely use a 4-2-5 in nickel situations with OLBs Price III and Millan on the field.
Cornerbacks
Brandon Chin, Willie Fletcher, Benjamin Gibbs Green, Mykell Martin, Jay'Onn Myles, Phillip Nelson V
-Pacific had three CBs leave after last season including top CB Nick Gathrie. Fortunately they were able to land JUCO transfer Mykell Martin who is probably the best defensive back on the team. Myles had a solid campaign in 2013 and should be the #2. Willie Fletcher moves over from safety and may replace Chin as the third corner. WR Christian Tober will be in the mix again. The team intends to redshirt freshmen Nelson V and Gibbs Green but may have to break the glass in case of injury.
Safeties
Donta Clanton, D'eriq Davis Jones, Andrew Miller, Tim Ratliff
-Freshman Tim Ratliff has impressed and looks to be a lock for the starting deep safety position. He can cover a lot of ground and is good in man coverage. He primarily played corner in high school. Clanton will be the starting strong safety again and brings some experience to the unit. Miller and Davis Jones are good for depth and could get on the field in some nickel looks. Tober is also in the rotation here.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kris Gudmundsson(K), Lionel Mata(P)
-Gudmundsson only connected on 8 of his 14 field goal attempts. Pacific didn't pursue a replacement.
Mata surprisingly didn't punt a ton in 2013 and was fine. He averaged 42.7 yards and even completed a couple passes and ran for a first down.
Pacific will try to replace 2013 KR Stringer Fenton, who won the returner of the year award in 2013. They have used Brandon Chin, Cortez Bean and Braden Bishop primarily to this point.