{"id":6848,"date":"2014-08-06T06:30:25","date_gmt":"2014-08-06T10:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6848"},"modified":"2014-08-06T17:52:00","modified_gmt":"2014-08-06T21:52:00","slug":"3-stories-to-watch-during-preseason-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6848","title":{"rendered":"3 Stories to Watch During JMU Preseason Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"EverettWithersJMU\"<\/a>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.\u00a0After 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.<\/p>\n

1. The Transfers<\/strong><\/p>\n

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,\u00a0and 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2. The Switch to a 3-4 Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

3. Vad Lee<\/strong><\/p>\n

We mentioned Vad as the most prominent of the transfers, but he really deserves his own spot on this list.\u00a0In 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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