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I just took a look through the updated 2015 roster and here's a list of names that were missing from guys who were slated to either return or expected join the team this year. A few are guys we know got into trouble but there are also others that were surprising to see. Anyone have any further info on these guys? I can adjust the list accordingly.

DE Bryan Thomas - Suspended and I assume dismissed
CB Nick Johnson - Suspended and dismissed
CB Will Watson - Suspended and I assume dismissed since he was still on the last roster before update
DL Jhalil-Nashid Croley - Dismissed
QB Clayton Nicholas - Transferred
RB Andre Givens - Decided not to return
QB Cody Callaway - If he's gone that leaves us with just 3 QB's with Nicholas transferring
CB Travahn Beery - Article said he is transferring to D-II Malone.
OT Corey Matlock - Was the #2 RT on spring depth chart
LB Jalen Dingle - Was the #2 MLB on spring depth chart
DB Marcus Boomer - Depth at DB
TE/DL Jake Nachtrab - Moved between DL & TE
OL Zack Sharp - Incoming frosh
WR Ryon Lucas - Heard he was a preferred walk-on
DL Shemar Moss - Heard he was a preferred walk-on
K Michael DuVernois - Heard he was a preferred walk-on
RB Brandon English - Not on roster in spring
OL Isiah Moore - Not on roster in spring
WR Pete Norris - Not on roster in spring
WR John Klingerman - Not on roster in spring
LB Monti Phillips - Not on roster in spring
DB Brian Douglas - Transferred to BG, not on roster in spring

In some cases, these guys see handwriting on wall ... In terms of limited. (Or no) playing time.
Others decide its just not worth the pounding etc. I could be wrong on this but thought the kid from Fla. was not going to be here right away. Had something to do w/ lack of funds to pay his own way for awhile, or something similar.

It would appear that Callaway is focused on baseball only...but time will tell I guess.

Worst ones are the dismissals...based upon STUPID behavior. These guys were being counted on to play a LOT... Hurt themselves and the team.

The losses of Johnson and Thomas are huge. They were both starters and All-MAC players returning to a defense that already lost a lot of players from last year and was ripped apart at times last season. Yeah I know, next guy up, but there's no sugarcoating it, these two would have helped us and now leave two more holes to fill (especially Johnson as he had three years left and Thomas was awarded an additional year).

I wondered if Callaway was considering redshirting this year, as it would make sense, but if he was doing that you'd expect to still see him on the roster. But the fact that he's not listed any longer makes me think he's probably gone from the football team, which would suck.

Corner depth looks like a huge problem. Hopefully like two years ago players step up into leadership roles. And also hopefully the front seven is disruptive enough to help the corners out.

BTW ... if I had to take a guess right now at the starting corners, it would be Hunter and Stephens.

MarkL wrote:Corner depth looks like a huge problem. Hopefully like two years ago players step up into leadership roles. And also hopefully the front seven is disruptive enough to help the corners out.

BTW ... if I had to take a guess right now at the starting corners, it would be Hunter and Stephens.

I agree. The big question is, who else is competing there that is ready to contribute if needed? Remember, Hunter is back this year because he missed the season two years ago or we could be in a real world of hurt their (and we're an injury away from that). And Stephens was moved to CB last season. I'm curious to see what Marcus Milton can do. I don't heard good things about him and if that's the case he's gonna be pressed into duty this year. The thing I loved about Johnson was he had the size of a safety (6-2) and the cover skills of a CB and made some ridiculous plays on the play with his range. That INT he had last year (I think vs UMass) where he stuck the one-footed landing while tight-roping the sideline was awesome!

The secondary is going to rely heavily on Hunter, Stephens, Hardy, Ballew and Gourdine this year. Milton should have an impact but I don't really recall anyone else who might stand out. Perhaps these questions will be addressed when camp opens this week.

I think we'll have a solid two deep at corner between Stephens and Hunter, Delk and Turner. We also have some talented youngsters. Talent is not a problem but experience may be.

jpfalcon09 wrote:The secondary is going to rely heavily on Hunter, Stephens, Hardy, Ballew and Gourdine this year. Milton should have an impact but I don't really recall anyone else who might stand out. Perhaps these questions will be addressed when camp opens this week.

Ballew was moved to LB in the spring, looked to be playing Rover in the spring game. Not sure if that's still the plan with the losses of Johnson and Watson now or not.

D Hunter and Clint Stephens are talented corners with experience though one has had some injuries and one is true soph. Behind them look for Isaiah Gourdine and A Mack- two entirely different body types but with athleticism. Gourdine has played safety spots but has corner skills. Mack is a leader in many ways who can help when in a rotation etc.

At safeties you have experience and pure football skills in Dernard Turner and a guy who has made plays in big games in big stadiums in E Hardy to start. You have Ben Hale and J Walz and I would say watch Jamari Bozeman. That true frosh may be a factor.

Go Falcons!

Delk was moved to WR in the spring but with the losses at DB, he might be back in the mix there. The roster never reflected the spring move and still has him as a DB.

Similarly with Nolan Dieter, he was move to safety in the spring but with the losses (Stephens & Calloway), he might be back at QB. Again, the roster never reflected the spring move.

The beauty of college football is there are young guys eager to fill in any gaps. I look forward to seeing the guys who step up this year.

Siborg wrote:Similarly with Nolan Dieter, he was move to safety in the spring but with the losses (Stephens & Calloway), he might be back at QB.

Stephens? Did you mean Nicholas?

Recruit, retain and develop...have to do all three to have a chance to be great.

BGSU33 wrote:

Siborg wrote:Similarly with Nolan Dieter, he was move to safety in the spring but with the losses (Stephens & Calloway), he might be back at QB.

Stephens? Did you mean Nicholas?

Oops, yes, Nicholas.

Any word as to why Dingle is gone? I was high on him as a recruit.

vannzee wrote:Any word as to why Dingle is gone? I was high on him as a recruit.

I have no idea. I believe Dingle was one of our top five guys from last year's class too. I remember about this time last year Coy Brown seemed to vanish from the team also. I thought he was gonna be a solid LB for us and he was pretty highly rated from what I remember.