Southern Illinois: Clock ticking down to start of Saluki Football training camp

[News from the FCS]

Saluki Football training camp starts a week from Sunday and here are a few story lines to follow in the weeks ahead.Quarterback battleJunior Kory Faulkner pulled ahead with a solid spring and is the clear favorite to start the season. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he has the prototype size and athleticism you look for in a QB, and it's his fourth year in the program. Last year, he completed 59 percent of his passes. He had more touchdowns on the ground (7) than through the air (5) though, and needs to reverse that ratio and break out as a thrower.Faulkner's backup on the depth chart is senior Paul McIntosh, but his recovery from last year's shoulder injury has been slow. When McIntosh is healthy, he's an elusive runner and good short-to-intermediate passer. Also in the mix is A.J. Hill, younger brother of former Saluki great Nick Hill. A.J. is a gunslinger and he should have a better grip on the offense in his second year at SIU after transferring from Northern Illinois.Tailback UThe Salukis have had a parade of backfield talent during the past decade -- Tom Koutsos, Muhammad Abdulqaadir, Brandon Jacobs, Arkee Whitlock, John Randle, Larry Warner, Deji Karim and Jewel Hampton.Senior Steve Strother is the incumbent starter, but at 5-foot-8 and 173 pounds, he's not an every down back. The next great Saluki tailback might be Iowa transfer Mika'il McCall. He was the top rusher for Iowa as a freshman in 2011 before breaking an ankle. Though not at full speed during the spring, he flashed big-play ability.Secondary overhaulThe only returning starter in SIU's secondary is junior cornerback Terrell Wilson. Safety Boo Rodgers, who started nine games last year, is expected to redshirt in 2012.The coaches feel they have bolstered the defensive backfield with a trio of FBS transfers in CB Emmanuel Souarin (Florida International), S Carlton Lewis (Clemson) and S Anthony Thompson (UCLA).Souarin is a fifth-year senior who already has his undergraduate degree. He played in all 37 games during his three-year career at FIU and was a part-time starter. Souarin begins camp as the No. 2 CB behind Courtney Richmond. Lewis also has his undergraduate degree and was a back-up safety at Clemson last year. He had some injury problems early in his career. I met him yesterday, and at 6-foot-2 and 210, he brings a physical presence to the secondary.Thompson is a unique story in that he's a 22-year-old redshirt freshman. A native of Montreal, he played in the Canadian school system until he was discovered by UCLA at the age of 21. He didn't play for the Bruins last year.The coaches are also optimistic that some of the younger talent in the secondary will emerge as impact players, such as redshirt freshman D.J. Cameron, who begins camp as the starting free safety.New offensive lineThe Salukis return LT Richard Wilson, who has started 17-straight games, and RG Jessy McMullin. After that, there are more questions than answers.Tanner Crum played on both the offensive and defensive lines last year as a true freshman, and he will get the first crack at replacing Rimington Award-winning C Bryan Boemer. Victor Craven is listed as the starting RT. He was a late addition to the roster last year and redshirted. He played two seasons at Northeast Oklahoma A&M and went through spring ball with Oklahoma in 2011.A couple of JUCO transfers (Nate Haremza and Josh Tinajero) are battling for the left guard spot. The Salukis need depth at tackle and will hope sophomores Corey Boemer and Clayton Melville can handle the job.Passing game improved?The Salukis ranked last in the MVFC in pass efficiency last season. For SIU to contend for the conference title, the passing game has to improve. Offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer told me during the spring that they encouraged the quarterbacks to take more shots downfield. Fifty percent of the completions last year went to the tight ends or running backs.Southern has a budding star in TE MyCole P

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