2021 SoCon Spring FB Preseason items

[kdinva]

All SoCon preseason teams, and season predictions, announced:

https://soconsports.com/news/2021/1/20/football-preseason-all-conference-teams-polls-announced.aspx

2020-21 Preseason Southern Conference Coaches Poll
Team (1st-place votes) Total
1. Wofford (5) 60
2. Furman (3) 56
3. Chattanooga (1) 53
4. The Citadel 39
5. Samford 34
t6. VMI 26
t6. Mercer 26
8. ETSU 20
9. Western Carolina 10

2020-21 Preseason All-Southern Conference Football Teams
Offensive Player of the Year: Reece Udinski, QB, Sr., VMI
Defensive Player of the Year: Willie Eubanks III, LB, Sr., The Citadel

First team offense
QB Reece Udinski, Sr., VMI
RB Quay Holmes, R-Jr., ETSU
RB Devin Wynn, Sr., Furman
OL Haden Haas, R-Jr., The Citadel
OL Tre’mond Shorts, R-Jr., ETSU
OL Mike Williams, Sr., Samford
OL Cole Strange, R-Sr., Chattanooga
OL Nick Hartnett, R-Sr., VMI
TE Nate Adkins, Jr., ETSU
WR Montrell Washington, Sr., Samford
WR Bryce Nunnelly, Sr., Chattanooga

First team defense
DL Blake Bockrath, R-Sr., ETSU
DL Armond Lloyd, Sr., Samford
DL Devonnsha Maxwell, R-Jr., Chattanooga
DL Jordan Ward, Sr., VMI
DL Jayden Pauling, Jr., Western Carolina
DL Michael Mason, So., Wofford
LB Willie Eubanks III, Sr., The Citadel
LB Adrian Hope, R-Jr., Furman
LB Ty Boeck, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Chris Beverly, Jr., The Citadel
DB Tyree Robinson, Jr., ETSU
DB Brandon Dowdell, Sr., Chattanooga
DB A.J. Smith, Sr., VMI

First team specialists
PK Mitchell Fineran, Jr., Samford
P Matthew Campbell, Jr., The Citadel
RS Montrell Washington, Sr., Samford

[Mocs123]

Nothing against Wynn or Quay Homes, but Ailym Ford should have been a first team back IMO.

I think this also suggests that Wofford does the most with the least - being first place with only one player on the first team list. It suggests that ETSU does the least with the most with five players on the list yet only projected to finish in 8th place.

[FUBeAR]

Nothing against Wynn or Quay Homes, but Ailym Ford should have been a first team back IMO.

I think this also suggests that Wofford does the most with the least - being first place with only one player on the first team list. It suggests that ETSU does the least with the most with five players on the list yet only projected to finish in 8th place.
Well...at least he was named to the 2nd Team...along with Jay Stanton from Samford.



RUSHING
Cl
G
Att.
Yards
Avg.
TD
Long
Avg/G


Ailym Ford-UTC
FR
6
146
835
5.7
7
57
139.2


Quay Holmes-ETSU
SO
8
147
934
6.4
6
74
116.8


Tyray Devezin-MER
JR
7
157
793
5.1
11
56
113.3


Devin Wynn-FUR
JR
8
116
758
6.5
11
89
94.8


Jay Stanton-SAM
FR
8
97
555
5.7
5
49
69.4


(SoCon games only stats - the best ‘apples-to-apples’ comparison)

...which only omits 1 of the Top 5 rushing returning RB’s. The SoCon media & Coaches seem bound & determined never to give Mr. Devezin his due. I guess his 2 years of 1000+ yds stats just aren’t impressive enough...

Career All Purpose Statistics



Season
GP
RUSH
RCV
PR
KR
IR
TOT
AVG/G


2018
11
926
97
0
0
0
1023
93.0


2019
11
1002
125
0
0
0
1127
102.5




Career Scoring Statistics



Season
GP
TD
Rush
Rcv
TOT
AVG/G


2018
11
9
8
1
54
4.9


2019
11
13
11
2
78
7.1


Total
22
22
19
3
132
6.0




Perhaps, we should let these media members & coaches have a chance to go 1-on-1 with the 5-8 235 Tyray in a good old-fashioned Score Drill. That would certainly be worth the price of admission!

[Mocs123]

Yeah, Devezin should have been second team instead of Stanton. I didn't even know a Chris Hatcher coached team had running backs :)

[PaladinNation]

I'd still pick Wynn over Ford… I expect a big senior season for Wynn maybe even a double dip.
Glad to see Furman show up more on the second team;
Sisson - QB, Jumper - OL, Harris - OL, Coleman - DL, Gilby - LB, Blackshear CB

Blackshear is only a sophomore but IMO he's good enough to have been first team.

Back to Wynn… Wynn will have to share the rock…

Tailbacks
Wynn 6-0 216 SR
Anderson 5-9 203 SO
Thomas 5-9 188 FR
Fullbacks
Abrams 6-1 226 SO
Roberto 5-11 246 SO

[WestCoastAggie]

Wait a minute. VMI got a first team QB?

[The Cats]

If you have ESPN+ here's a link to watch the SoCon Media Day (replay)

https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/6f90d311-4a63-40b7-ac0a-ab07771b459b
(https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/6f90d311-4a63-40b7-ac0a-ab07771b459b)

[Mocs123]

Wait a minute. VMI got a first team QB?

Yeah, Reece can air it out for sure. He also had a stretch where he threw 200+ passes without an INT last season (2019) if I remember correctly. Too bad he's entering the transfer portal after the spring season. VMI had a really good QB a few years ago too - Al Cobb and he also left after his Jr. year. I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that VMI doesn't have a graduate program to keep these 5th year seniors around.

VMI has been the worst team overall in the SoCon over the past 5-10 years but their QB (and WR) play has actually been pretty decent. They just haven't been able to put the rest of a team together. As you can see from the rankings, VMI is improved and isn't the doormat it once was. I'm not sure what their ceiling is - I tend to think it's lower than for example their military college rival in The Citadel, but Coach Wachenhiem has done a good job there despite not having the most resources.

[Libertine]

I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that VMI doesn't have a graduate program to keep these 5th year seniors around.

Yup.

Wach got the Keydets to .500 in the SoCon. That should warrant a statue in Lexington.

[PaladinNation]

A couple of Furman spring season nuggets.

Interview with Clay Hendrix after first practice:
https://youtu.be/eS-AhyHBOkc

Defensive Line review:
https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2021/1/25/football-furman-preseason-preview-defensive-line.aspx

Crystal ball prediction:
The class of 2020 will have an impact in Furman's 2021 seasons. Furman has only posted the DL preview and already two true freshmen are going to figure into the defensive line rotations.

[kdinva]

Yup.

Wach got the Keydets to .500 in the SoCon. That should warrant a statue in Lexington.

at least, during normal times, VMI has 100% in person learning...

[FUBeAR]

at least, during normal times, VMI has 100% in person learning...
Are you thinking that Libertine just might be a fan of a school in Lynchburg, VA, and dare suggesting that school, with a ~10:1 / 100k+:15k / Online Student:Traditional Student ratios, is somehow lesser than?

I feel ya, but you gotta hand it to ‘em. They were Covid-ready before Covid-ready was cool.

[Libertine]

I think you misunderstand, kd. I wasn't making fun of VMI at all. VMI is a very hard place to win at in today's college environment and, to their credit, VMI showed a great deal of patience during some hard years while Wach got them to this point. I have nothing but admiration for him and the job he's done there.

[FUBeAR]

Chatt fans aren’t going to be happy about this...

1st Team Pre-Spring Season 2021 All SoCon WR...in the portal

https://twitter.com/rivalsportal/status/1354853143927025666

[Mocs123]

Chatt fans aren’t going to be happy about this...

1st Team Pre-Spring Season 2021 All SoCon WR...in the portal

https://twitter.com/rivalsportal/status/1354853143927025666

Yeah, we found out yesterday, and of course it stinks for us. Bryce has been a great player for us and he's a local kid. He graduates with a 3.6 in Engineering and thinks that a year at a higher profile school will help his chances of playing on Sundays. He will always be a Moc to me and I wish him the best.

[kdinva]

I think you misunderstand, kd. I wasn't making fun of VMI at all. VMI is a very hard place to win at in today's college environment and, to their credit, VMI showed a great deal of patience during some hard years while Wach got them to this point. I have nothing but admiration for him and the job he's done there.

thank you, didn't mean to come off as touchy..

[kdinva]

Chatt fans aren’t going to be happy about this...

1st Team Pre-Spring Season 2021 All SoCon WR...in the portal

https://twitter.com/rivalsportal/status/1354853143927025666

I presume he's playing these upcoming 8 games.......right?

[Mocs123]

I presume he's playing these upcoming 8 games.......right?

My understanding is that he is not playing the spring games and is opting out of the spring season.

[walliver]

Where are all these transfers going? The big programs are bringing many players back for a 6th year, they have recruited their share of high school seniors. Are they going to start pulling scholarships from other players to get down to 85?

[Mocs123]

My understanding is that Bryce has a couple of dozen offers - I have no idea from who. Some have speculated he might go to Western Michigan as his old WR Coach under Tom Arth is now there and they throw the ball a lot while I imagine UTC will be more balanced, or even run oriented with the talent we have in the backfield.

[Mocs123]

31911

This is what he posted on Twitter

[kdinva]

Feb. 20 VMI @ UTC game cancelled?

https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/43279574/mocs-season-opener-against-vmi-canceled

[ElCid]

Feb. 20 VMI @ UTC game cancelled?

https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/43279574/mocs-season-opener-against-vmi-canceled

Wow. But not a surprise. Lots of BB games have been postponed already.

[walliver]

This is still 3 weeks away. The article also says the 2d game is in doubt.

Does the SoCon need to establish a minimum number of games played to compete for a championship?

i doubt we get a full Spring season, but hope I am wrong.

[Nope]

This is still 3 weeks away. The article also says the 2d game is in doubt.

Does the SoCon need to establish a minimum number of games played to compete for a championship?

i doubt we get a full Spring season, but hope I am wrong.

Does winning a spring championship matter?

[walliver]

Does winning a spring championship matter?
If you win one it is a big deal.

If you don’t, you have a ready-made excuse. 😀

[Sir William]

Does winning a spring championship matter?
Well, not to Chatty.

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

Does winning a spring championship matter?


To the team that wins it, yeah. You put the notch in your belt with no asterisk.

[walliver]

I have seen a tweet from a Chattanooga sports writer that suggests that no-one at Chattanooga seems excited about playing in the spring (Twitter is blocked at work so I can't post it).

Wofford will not allow any fans (not even parents) to attend games this spring. As a result, I really don't have as much excitement for this season as I should. I will watch the games on ESPN+ anyway, but its not the same.

I understand a no fans policy for basketball which is played inside in a packed arena, but I have seen no reports of COVID infections related to fans attending football games this fall. And Gibbs Stadium hasn't been packed since GSU left.

[SU DOG]

If you watch football you probably know the name Cole Cublic. Samford has just announced that Cole will be our analyst for the broadcast team this spring. To me, that is a big get. BTW, Samford signed 9 players total that included three 3*** players and 12 stars total for that group. Oladokun's little brother, a CB, had offers from Penn State, Iowa, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Va. Tech, and many other P5 schools. You don't have to bombard with incoming about the star system not very accurate for FCS, I already know that. And yes, Hatcher has had talent before that looked great but didn't produce like expected. Still, I think it is an exceptionally good class, and here's hoping we get to see action this spring.

[Mocs123]

I have seen a tweet from a Chattanooga sports writer that suggests that no-one at Chattanooga seems excited about playing in the spring (Twitter is blocked at work so I can't post it).

Wofford will not allow any fans (not even parents) to attend games this spring. As a result, I really don't have as much excitement for this season as I should. I will watch the games on ESPN+ anyway, but its not the same.

I understand a no fans policy for basketball which is played inside in a packed arena, but I have seen no reports of COVID infections related to fans attending football games this fall. And Gibbs Stadium hasn't been packed since GSU left.

I do know that Chattanooga HC Rusty Wright has expressed concerns about not having a normal spring practice and off season and would have preferred to play 2-4 games rather then the 8 scheduled. He has said that we will be playing a lot of players that haven't played this spring and though would only be able to travel with 60 would play all 60 on away games. I got the impression that he was treating the spring more like a NFL pre-season and would be focusing on the fall season. - I may have been reading between the lines a little on what he has said in interviews. Since we didn't get a spring practice last year, he has noted that the freshmen signing class of 2019 is yet to have an off season at Chattanooga and he feels like that is important for development of the program and long term sustainability.

There is something up with the water at Finley stadium that won't be corrected until the first of March so they had already announced no fans for our first two games, and then shortly thereafter the rumor got out that the first game against VMI is canceled though no official announcement has been made - so I have no idea what is going on there. I have no idea what the issue is with Finley is either - the facility is not owned by the school.

I do know that we are also currently without an O-Line coach. I know we have had a lot of interest, but for some reason a hire has not been made (or at least announced), but it's hard to play without offensive line coach.

As of now I have no idea what is going to happen with the spring season.

[kdinva]

I understand a no fans policy for basketball which is played inside in a packed arena, but I have seen no reports of COVID infections related to fans attending football games this fall. And Gibbs Stadium hasn't been packed since GSU left.

and the Gov. of Va. set, back in August, a blanket limit of athletic attendance at all events, regardless of indoor or outdoor, regardless of venue size, to 250.

It was damn funny to watch FB games on TV, with only 250 attending games at UVa (61,000 seats), and Va. tech (64,000) seats.; and only 250 at UVa's 15,000 hoops arena.

[Mocs123]

kdinva - I'm assuming you don't know any more as to why the VMI@UTC game was canceled (rumored)?

[kdinva]

kdinva - I'm assuming you don't know any more as to why the VMI@UTC game was canceled (rumored)?

yep, just those tweets from news outlets on social media.

[Mocs123]

https://gomocs.com/news/2021/2/10/football-mocs-spring-season-opener-vs-vmi-postponed.aspx

[FUBeAR]

https://gomocs.com/news/2021/2/10/football-mocs-spring-season-opener-vs-vmi-postponed.aspx

Only date for Chatt to make it up is 3/13, but VMI is hosting Mercer that day. Only date VMI could play is 4/10, but Chatt is hosting Samford that day.

if they are truly going to try to make it up...get ready for a host of SoCon schedule changes to accommodate this.

Lots of pics on Twitter of the Mocs practicing over the past several weeks. Something doesn’t ‘feel’ right about this to FUBeAR. Thinking there’s more to this story or other shoe(s) soon to drop. Yes?

[Mocs123]

I think Rusty Wright has been pretty open about not wanting to play an 8 game spring season (or at least was open about it before the SoCon announcement this fall) and I believe UTC as a whole was against a spring season - at least a full 8 game spring season as it stands. I think Rusty would have preferred to have a regular spring practice and focus on the fall.

I do know that we had some guys that were quarantined and delayed coming back to school, and I do know that last week we had to move some guys around between position groups to practice, but I don't have a lot of details. There have also been issues with the water at Finley which isn't UTC owned -I'm not sure of the issue exactly, but it sounded to me like the water system at Finley would not be available for the first two games - hence UTC announcing no fans in the stands for those games.

Is there something going on behind the scenes? In another shoe about to drop? I have no idea. This AD has kept things pretty close to the chest and I'm not sure even the most connected Mocs fans know what the future holds for the spring season.

[walliver]

I don't think the water is an issue. If it was, the game could easily be moved to Lexington.

I doubt anybody will play all 8 games. Unless one team dominates, picking a conference champion could be a mess with teams playing a different number of games.

[Mocs123]

The water wasn't the reason the game was canceled - we are playing our first two home games without fans because of it. I guess we could move to a local HS stadium but the decision was made to play without fans.

- - - Updated - - -

Of course I imagine playing without fans (and ticket sales) probably didn't make UTC any more enthusiastic about the game - pure speculation on my part.

[Mocs123]

I'm seeing rumblings on Twitter that Conklin may be the new Tennessee DC. Would Wofford hand the program over to Lang?

[FUBeAR]

I'm seeing rumblings on Twitter that Conklin may be the new Tennessee DC. Would Wofford hand the program over to Lang?
He interviewed, but was not selected, for the Illinois DC job in Jan.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/AfraidDampBluet-size_restricted.gif

seems like he tryin’ to git gone from SparkleCity PDQ, huh?

[FUBeAR]

I'm seeing rumblings on Twitter that Conklin may be the new Tennessee DC. Would Wofford hand the program over to Lang?
LOL - Wikipedia War now raging over where Conklin is Coaching...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Conklin

[FUBeAR]

https://twitter.com/furmanpaladins/status/1360337711975047169

Furman announces a return to common sense - Fans can attend outdoor Football games with reasonable health & safety protocol in place.

Woofy still locking everyone out next Sat.?
Should let 3 fans in, at least, to replace their ‘missing’ Coaches xsmashx

[Milktruck74]

Just cancel the season already. At first I was like YES...Football all year long, but the more I see the worse it gets....a spring season is not hte right thing for the kids....they should hav elet them play in the fall like FBS, but they didn't, so the spring is the consulation prize...and it sucks....just punt and start fresh in the fall.

[PaladinNation]

Peaks into Furman's pre-season workouts — I see a bunch of guys busting their tails…
Miltruck makes me wonder though how bad do some teams want to play?
https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/1361029965983215624

[FUBeAR]

https://twitter.com/furmanpaladins/status/1360337711975047169

Furman announces a return to common sense - Fans can attend outdoor Football games with reasonable health & safety protocol in place.

Woofy still locking everyone out next Sat.?
Should let 3 fans in, at least, to replace their ‘missing’ Coaches xsmashxRumor is, now, that Woffy IS selling almost 2,000 tickets to the Mercer game (over & above Players families), IF you know the secret handshake, swear lifetime allegiance to Uncle Jerry, and have the secret link/secret code to buy them online.

As I’m watching the game (if broadcast) on ESPN9+, if I see just 1 Woffy fan sittin’ in a lawn chair on that silly end zone “verandah” not wearing a mask, and wearing it properly, or closer than 6 Ft to another humanoid, I’m calling SLED in to stop the game & conduct a health & wellness check for the safety of the children attending the game in the midst of a pandemic! (You have been warned!)

Or, put another way ... I need 3!

Feel free to DM the secret link to buy tix to me. I already know the Secret Code...so you won’t be betraying your LittleDog oath by doing so. You’ll just be giving me the ATM card; which is useless without the PIN...so, you really won’t be doing anything wrong...not really. xangelx

[FUBeAR]

College Football News picks the YardYappers to maul the Bears ... 44-16.

https://twitter.com/colfootballnews/status/1361458399905517569

Agree or nah?

[PaladinNation]

I don't agree Bear. Maybe our Terrier brothers can give us a different take.

I know they still have some talent on both lines but Wofford lost a lot of talent to transfer, graduation, etc…
Not to mention the late in the pre-season coaching shuffle.

I thought Mercer looked like a solid team in the fall. I see this as a close game coming down to which team plays the most consistent on offense.
Wofford has some history of coming out of the gate slow.

[Sir William]

Wofford should win, but they aren’t going run Mercer out of the stadium. Not with Cronic at the helm.

[Mocs123]

Who will be QB for the Bears this spring? Frost? Peyton? Riddle? The Bears continue to have a lot of experience at the QB spot as all 3 have started multiple games.

I saw a recent poll that had Mercer picked last in the SoCon, which I don't buy at all. They're not going to win the SoCon in 2021 but they aren't going to be last either.

Wofford should win this game, but I imagine Conklin was a little preoccupied this winter interviewing for jobs - will that distraction impact the Terriers performance?

[FUBeAR]

Who will be QB for the Bears this spring? Frost? Peyton? Riddle? The Bears continue to have a lot of experience at the QB spot as all 3 have started multiple games.

I saw a recent poll that had Mercer picked last in the SoCon, which I don't buy at all. They're not going to win the SoCon in 2021 but they aren't going to be last either.

Wofford should win this game, but I imagine Conklin was a little preoccupied this winter interviewing for jobs - will that distraction impact the Terriers performance?not sure - FUBeAR is in the bullpen warming up, if called upon. Even after 7 years @ FU, with redshirt, medical hardship, and Covid, I think I have a year of NCAA eligibility remaining.

[Mocs123]

I see John Russ and Jacob Huesman are both on their Alma-mater's respective staffs. Perhaps we could have a throwback game as long as they don't reenact the 2015 game.

[FUBeAR]

I see John Russ and Jacob Huesman are both on their Alma-mater's respective staffs. Perhaps we could have a throwback game as long as they don't reenact the 2015 game.
I would watch both of those 2 play QB ALL DAY / EVERY DAY!! - they played QB like they were O-Linemen - Mad Respect for both!!

Honestly - they were both Tri-threat QB’s. They could throw. They could run elusively.

AND, they had no reservations about tryin’ to RUN OVER any Defender’s a$$ if the situation called for such.

Huesman was prolly just a tad better than Russ in each of those 3 categories, but as tough as Huesman was, he didn’t top Russ in that metric - the top of the scale is the top of the scale, and that’s where Russ weighed in on the Tough-O-Meter. I saw it all 4 years he played (and never missed a play due to injury), but if you want to see an iconic example, find the Mercer @ Samford game tape from 2016. Mercer had 0 RB’s able to play. They lined up 2 LB’s in their RB spots & Russ had 41 carries for 225 yards...in an O designed for him to have 6-8 carries/game. He also threw the ball 30 times. If he can Coach that toughness into the Mercer Players, they’ll be just fine.

[FUBeAR]

Hey - are we doing a SoCon Pick’em thread for this week?

If so, I’m taking the Keydets over the Mocs, 1-0. That’s how they score a Forfeit, right?

[Mocs123]

Hey - are we doing a SoCon Pick’em thread for this week?

If so, I’m taking the Keydets over the Mocs, 1-0. That’s how they score a Forfeit, right?

I think we need a new thread for the Pick'em since this thread is for pre-season.

As for they Keydets over the Mocs - technically the game is "postponed" but I don't see it being made up so I do imagine it would end up an L for the Mocs. I know the Mocs staff is treating the spring season like a NFL Pre Season and plans on playing a bunch of guys that don't normally play, so I don't see us as a contender in the spring anyways. The Mocs staff is focused on the fall season.

[walliver]

This weekend should be the second attempt to run the new Wofford offense. We have players wo whom the new offense is better suited, so we shouldn't see a repeat of last season's disastrous opener.

I haven't heard much about Conklin, although I don't think anyone expected him to stay long. I suspect Wade Lang would become interim coach. Although he was at school while I was there, I never really knew him, but some who do know him don't feel that head coaching fits his personality as well as being OC. Whether or not a new coaching search is started is unclear. Hopefully our AD won't be caught off guard this time and already has a short list in mind.

And FuBear, if you can get the secret code, you can get free parking this spring.

I'll be watching on TV this weekend. It is just very hard for me to psyched up about football right now. Watching football when it is very cold at the beginning and very hot at the end will be a new experience.

[FUBeAR]

And FuBear, if you can get the secret code, you can get free parking this spring.

I'll be watching on TV this weekend.
I had the code. I needed the URL. No worries though. FUBeAR got the hook-up.

Renewed my FU Season Tix this morning AND...of course...(Lord willin’) I’ll be in SparkleCity Sat., with FUBeAR Jr. & his GF, to watch the NEW Bears (finally) make the LittleDogs come to heel.

It’s Hard to be a Two-Teamin’ Man - need to write me a country song with that title.

Any Paladin Fans need 2 tix for Sat.?

[Libertine]

Outstanding article on the turnaround at VMI.


https://footballscoop.com/news/inside-the-rise-of-the-vmi-keydets-football-turnaround/