2013 Olivet College Football Preview

OFFENSE

It is an exciting time not only for the Olivet College football program but for the 2013 offense as well. This year's offense returns a large amount of experience from numerous positions on the field. It is expected to improve tremendously upon the foundation which last year's unit built. Another talented recruiting class is expected to bring great competition at positions and challenge for playing time.

LINEMEN

The offensive line will return three starters from last season, with a handful of other upperclassmen adding some much needed depth up front. Sophomores Jacob Cramer (left tackle) and Jaxon DeHaven (left guard), and junior Kyle Towner (right guard) will be back to anchor the group and provide leadership for the 2013 Comets in the trenches.

The center and right tackle spots will see a pair of returners battling for a spot in the starting lineup. Senior Shawn Cole and sophomore Ty Rozema will be competing for the center position, while junior Alec Slobin and sophomore Cornelius Pettit challenge for the right tackle spot. In addition to the returners, the 2013 Comets will welcome 10 new freshmen offensive linemen, who are talented and will push for playing time this season.

The offensive line showed great improvement through spring ball and also made great strength gains in the weight room. Heading into spring practice the line had an emphasis on improving pass protection and gaining consistency in our zone running game. With a few tweaks to simplify our blocking schemes up front, they were playing much faster and working well as a cohesive unit up front. This group of young men attacks every day with great focus on improving their craft and their group goal of protecting their quarterbacks and opening holes in the run game. With continued improvement during fall camp, this could be an exciting season for the Comet offensive line.

QUARTERBACKS

Three quarterbacks return for the 2013 season, all with playing experience. Sophomore Chance Nightingale, last year's dual threat quarterback led the team in rushing a year ago. Fellow sophomores Braden Black and Brendon Smith also started until bad luck hit them with season-ending injuries. All three had a solid spring and the competition will be tight to see who the starter will be. All three are great leaders and will be expected to fulfill that role in this year's offense.

RUNNING BACKS

The unique offense uses multiple types of running backs, from full backs to zone backs. We look to piece each back into the offense to utilize their individual strengths. Two running backs return this year with experience. Sophomore Javier Lara played in six games, rushing for a personal best 120 yards against Hope College. Sophomore Kevin Fisher started nine games.

Converted from the defensive side last year, junior Kyle Baggerly will be looking to challenge for time as well. A number of talented incoming freshmen will be looking to challenge the returners.

TIGHT ENDS

The tight end position looks to be a program strength heading into this fall.  Returning sophomore Dominik Givens looks to expand on a productive freshman season as both an inline blocker and as a pass catcher. He helped the offense move the chains on multiple occasions and will look to take on larger inline blocking responsibilities this year. Givens was one of many freshmen asked to step into a starting role last year and flashed some dangerous potential which we hope can be displayed this upcoming year.

Also added to the mix at the position is converted sophomore wide receiver Trevor Wyman. Wyman had a good year at wide receiver last fall and was moved to tight end at the end of the year. He added muscle in the offseason, and followed it up with a good showing in the spring game. Wyman brings added athleticism and excellent pass catching skills to the position, which will surely help us stretch the field in the fall. Both tight ends should see plenty of playing time this fall and will be a valuable asset to the offense.

RECEIVERS

The group with the most playing experience is the receiving corps. Three starters return, sophomores Jason Barbosa, Kyle Bryson and Aaron Haynak, all were counted on for their play making ability last year. Bryson led all receivers with 21 catches, followed by Haynak (20) and Barbosa (19). Senior Javier Smith, and sophomores Anthony Skuratovich and Colin Sheehan are coming off a great spring. Once again a talented freshman class will be expected to bring competition, depth and explosiveness to this year's corps.

DEFENSE

The 2013 Comet defense personnel will look very similar to last season, with four returning All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) players, as well as 15 players who started or saw important playing time. The defense plans on building on last season's big plays and becoming a dominant defense in the league. As a unit, the defense had 67 tackles for loss, including 17 quarterback sacks. The experience and depth in the defense is cause for excitement within the players and coaching staff. The defense also has a talented group of freshmen who will push for playing time at all positions.

LINEMEN

Six players are returning who saw extensive playing time in 2012. The top three sackers from 2012, juniors Ryan Armstrong and Drew Miller, and sophomore Quaye Cobbs, are returning. Armstrong was an All-MIAA selection. The skill players will get the spotlight but the defensive line will be the strength of the defense with its depth and experience.

Armstrong, Miller and sophomore Andrew Pabst will anchor the interior, Cobbs, and sophomores Cody Ross and Matthew Zajac will be ends. Sophomores Brandon Blackmon, Tyler Gorby and Justin Madar are newcomers who should be significant contributors in 2013.

LINEBACKERS

Four players including the team's top tackler, sophomore Nate Roberts, as well as sophomore All-Conference Ryheem Bonivel will be coming back in 2013. Roberts had a team-leading 67 tackles, while Bonivel led the team with 12 tackles for loss. Sophomore Trevor Garbow started in every game after being moved to defense in week six. Sophomore Zachary Gropp played in every game and will also be coming back for 2013 season.

Junior Cody Carlisle and sophomore Luke Hetke will also compete for playing time at the linebacker spot.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Five players, including two All-Conference players, Curtis French and Noah Keefer, will be back for the 2013 campaign. All five players were among the top 10 tacklers on the team in 2012. Keefer and French had 61 and 50 total tackles, respectively in 2012.

Sophomore Beau Langs tied for the team lead in interceptions and should continue his success at corner next season. Sophomore Eric Fox and junior Ryan Sersaw each started eight games and will be a big part of the defense.  Sophomore Rayshad Anderson comes over from offense and should push for a spot in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams will be much improved heading into in 2013. Senior punter Anthony Edwards returns to continue to help with field position battles. The remaining kicking duties will be undecided headed into the season with three freshmen kickers competing for that position.

The return game will be experienced with Anderson and Langs returning. Both of these players will also battle for kick return responsibilities as well.

Overall as unit, the special teams will return many starters from the previous year as most of the group was made up of freshmen.  Our aggressive style approach on special teams will be as it always has been. We must take some calculated chances to help our chances of winning.