3 Stories to Watch During JMU Preseason Camp
The JMU football program kicked off practice for the 2014 season this week. The Dukes will have about a month of preseason camp before facing Maryland in College Park on August 30. After fifteen years of the Mickey Matthews’ regime, it’s now Everetty Withers time. With the change in coaches, there are a lot of questions heading into the season. There is also a lot of excitement. Here are three of the stories we’ll be watching closely during camp.
1. The Transfers
Former Georgia Tech QB Vad Lee might be the most prominent FBS transfer on the roster, but he’s definitely not the only one. Withers and his staff have brought in FBS talent in to compete for spots all over the field. Alden Hill, a former Tennessee Volunteer, will line up behind Lee at running back. And Sean Tapley from UNC will join a receiving corps anchored by Daniel Brown that should provide Lee with plenty of options. But it’s not just skill guys. Co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Brad Davis will have some new blood to work with on the line. Nick Appel, another former Tar Heel, and former Toledo Mudhen A.J. Bolden are expected to compete for spots on a rebuilt offensive line that will feature only 2 returning starters from 2013.
Not every FBS player can walk into an FCS camp and immediately dominate, yet along earn a starting spot. The influx of FBS talent will probably increase the competition at certain spots though. And that seems to be a key piece of the Everett Withers plan, pushing the players to compete and be held accountable at all times. That’s great and something that is needed after the program essentially plateauing during Matthews’ last few years.
2. The Switch to a 3-4 Defense
I’m not going to pretend to be some film junkie who can break down the Xs and Os for you. I’m not Jaws. I’m sure that’s pretty obvious to any of you who are familiar with the blog. But I am curious to see how the Dukes’ defense responds to a shift to a 3-4 system.
Mickey Matthews’ teams were known for strong defense. He coached some truly great defensive squads over the years that were capable of shutting down opponents. With a new coaching staff comes a new philosophy however and JMU is now moving to a 3-4. The Dukes now not only need to replace Stephon Robertson, one of the program’s top linebackers in history, and Jordan Stanton, a guy who could get to the QB, they need to learn a completely new system. Personally, I think things will work out just fine. Gage Steele impressed me greatly last season and I think the young linebacker has the talent to make the leap to an All CAA type of player this year. Provided the Dukes can shore up some of the holes in the secondary and pressure the QB, the defense should be fine.
3. Vad Lee
We mentioned Vad as the most prominent of the transfers, but he really deserves his own spot on this list. In addition to installing a completely new defensive system in less than 30 days, the Dukes are switching offensive philosophies as well. They’ll be playing an uptempo system based on the read option. It’s a system that depends on the QB making the right reads and decisions. To say that much of the offense’s success will come down to Lee’s play is not just simple, it’s accurate.
Lee was very impressive in the spring and the clear frontrunner for the QB1 spot prior to Michael Birdsong transferring. As soon Birdsong left, it cleared the way for Lee to take the helm and make the Dukes his team. According to reports, he’s done just that. Lee has impressed teammates with his work ethic and attitude and seems like the sort of leader the offense needs. He’s got some serious weapons at his disposal. If he makes the right reads and gets the ball to some of the Dukes playmakers, this offense could be very exciting.
Great Blog Post!!!!
The 3-4 will be the most interesting part of this season to watch. We have players that were brought into the program to go up-field and rush the passer (Sage Harold and Brandon Lee) now being asked to take on 2 gaps and stuff the run. I understand Lee is up 15 lbs. from last season making him a solid 265 for that position. I was a bit surprised seeing Sage Harold put his hand on the ground in this front since he is super athletic and I can imagine him rushing the passer in a Demarcus Ware, James Harrison, Sean Merriman type of role. Just watching him in that Richmond game a few years where he had 3 sacks just makes me excited thinking about him rushing the QB in the 3-4. I am curious to see how they stack up against power running teams like Stony Brook, Villanova and dare I say it, North Dakota State.
I have heard good things about KJ Ford so far (along with Xavier Gates) – they both bring 2 huge bodies to our front that we have not seen. They are the type of gap plugging D-Linemen we need and you can see our recruiting has gone that direction with the commitments of Dexter Brown, Andre Booker, Jordan Brooks and Trevor Brown. I would not be surprised to see KJ get playing time as a true freshman especially on 1st and 2nd down where he’d be asked to annihilate the center and both A gaps. Who knows, maybe he’s good enough to play the DE position in the 3-4 with Mosley at the Nose and Lee/Harold on the other side.
Personally, I believe Ascene Jacques will thrive in the new scheme where his main role is to literally set the edge on D, go after the QB (on most downs) and hit the TE on passing routes. He is a good athlete that is up to 255 since last year and he showed signs of a player that can put pressure on the QB. He is the type of long armed athlete that can run that EW mentioned he is coveting during the media day press conference.
Unfortunately, the odd man out has to be Titus Till. He is the hybrid S/LB type that MM loves and he just seems out of place in this scheme. From what I heard from camp, it seems that Urquhart and Ankrah are fighting for the other OLB position (massive LBs in the FCS level) and seeing Till in the middle of a 3-4 doesn’t look right. On top of that, I am sure Rhakeem Stalling is starting to make his strides as a prominent player at the LB position. Personally, I believe he has the most potential on the roster. I will not be surprised to see him man the middle with Steele or play the pass rushing OLB role like he did at Oscar Smith. He is the type of player that wows you with his athletic ability and once he puts it all together, he will definitely be exciting to watch.
Phew… hope that was not too long-winded. Just my two cents.
I don’t wanna be “that UNC guy” but Tar Heel is two words haha. Hope to see you guys at some games this year
Vey excited about the offense!! An athletic, former FBS starting QB at the helm. A big transfer tailback that ran an 11.00 100 meters in HS. That is VERY fast for a big guy. Tapley and Brown at wideouts. Mix in a little 10.5 Dejour Simmons speed and a couple other decent backs and wideouts. Key will be how the line performs.
FIFY @Sean.
@JMUPinoy2K12 Great comment and insight. I agree that Titus Till doesn’t really come across like a typical MLB in a 3-4 scheme. I still don’t think he’s going to be left off the field. He’s got enough experience and talent that I expect the coaches will find a way to work him into the rotation. He doesn’t strike me as a guy you’d put on the outside strictly to rush the passer, but I think he could be effective in pass coverage and against the run. And I’m also really excited to see Stalling get some run this year. He was a huge get coming out of high school.
Is “Everetty” a nickname? 😉
Toledo’s team name is the rockets. Unless that was a joke, in which case, it was funny! I hope our admins don’t call them that when the Mac expansion committee comes to tour jmu.