2012 SEASON OUTLOOK OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The old men of the team reside here as the front five all return and even boast a couple of those elusive seniors. A year after blocking the way for an emerging running attack that produced six 100-yard individual efforts and the best pergame average (164.1) since 2004, this unit could also end up being home to multiple honors candidates. Big Canadian Brett Boyko (6-7, 310, SO1L) started all 12 games at left tackle and earned BOYKO second team Freshman All-America honors while right tackle Yusef Rodgers (6-2, 260, SR-3L) is relatively fleet of foot over on the right side. Returnee Brad Overand (6-6, 280, JR-1L) and redshirt rookie Andrew Oberg (6-7, 280, FR-RS) are the next wave of tackles. Wily veteran Doug Zismann (6-3, 300, SR-3L) is penciled in at right guard while Cameron Jefferson (6-6, 300, SO-1L) emerged as the starter on the left. Redshirt Nick White (6-5, 305, FR-RS) and former JC transfer Allen Carroll (6-4, 320, SR-TR) will push for time in the rotation. Robert Waterman (6-2, 275, SO-1L) took over the center spot and went on to start every game in the middle, not allowing a sack in Mountain West play to cap his impressive freshman campaign. Brian Roth (6-5, 300, SO-1L) is listed at No. 2 in the middle. HAUCK SAYS: “The O-line is the most veteran group on the field for us at any position because we have two senior starters. We expect them to lead the team. Certainly having the three guys who started as freshmen last year being sophomores, gives us experience, which is relative term around here. I like this group and I think that we’ll be able to run the football and thus be a factor in games.”
THE DEFENSE The defensive side will also see some changes on the sidelines as third-year DB coach J.D. Williams was elevated to coordinator while the staff’s only new face, Tim Hundley, came over from UCLA to oversee the Rebel inside linebackers. The maneuvering is part of an on-going process to put a defensive group together that will help keep the team in games every time the Rebels take the field. “What we said from day one here was that we have to develop a defensive mindset in our program,” says Hauck. “We have to be aggressive. We have to tackle well and we have to continue to recruit defensive players. The good news is that we are finally starting to balance out our depth chart in the various positions. Our defense must be physical and play with attitude.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Lots still to be decided here but it seems like there will be a bigger pool of talent this fall. The four defensive ends emerging through spring were Desmond Tautofi (6-3, 300, SO-1L; 11 TT, 2 TFL), converted tight end Jordan Sparkman (6-6, 250, SO-1L; 5 TT), redshirt Samoan Sonny Sanitoa (6-3, 235, FR-RS) and midyear JC signee Parker Holloway (6-4, 240, JR-TR) out of Texas. The middle features some familiar faces as Alex Klorman (62, 270, JR-2L; 21 TT, 1 SCK), Nate Holloway (6-3, 360, JR-2L; 13 TT, 3.5 TFL) and Tyler Gaston (6-3, 290, JR2L; 21 TT; 2 SCK) are joined by senior Trent Allmang-Wilder (6-6, 290, SR-1L; 19 TT, 1.5 TFL). HAUCK SAYS: “Trying to predict how our defensive line will play is N.PAULO HOLLOWAY a big projection. They need to come through and I think they could be a strength. However, there is a lot of work to be done between now and August 30 for them to be ready to match up with a Big Ten football team.”
LINEBACKERS
WATERMAN
The squad’s leading returning tackler could also be its most talented in 2012 as former JC transfer John Lotulelei (6-0, 235, SR-1L) looks for a big senior season after taking over a starting spot late in the year and finishing with 60 total tackles and 3 TFL. He’s listed No. 1 on the weakside while veteran Tani Maka (6-1, 240, JR-2L; 54 TT), who tied for the team lead with two interceptions, is the leader at the middle position. The strongside features a battle between Las Vegas native Tim Hasson (6-2, 215, JR-2L; 46 TT, 1 TFL), who took over as a starter halfway