Louisiana Monroe Football – 2013 Spring Update

Spring Summary

With ULM returning 18 of 22 starters this fall, there were not many questions to be answered. The spring was basically used to groom younger players and help fill out the depth chart.

The biggest storyline likely was the question of who will be back up senior QB Kolton Browning? ULM had an experienced back up in Cody Wells over the past four years, but with his graduation the job will go to one of two redshirt sophomores – Brayle Brown and Chazz Carrington.

That competition will continue to carry over into the fall. Brown seemed to be the front runner throughout the four weeks of spring, but Carrington had more poise in the spring game leading to an –OR- next to the second-team QB.

Name a few unknown players who could become stars this season

With the struggles of the ULM secondary, I think most fans were wanting to know what young corners would emerge from the spring. The Warhawks have both starting cornerbacks returning, as well as a third who has significant playing time, but redshirt freshman Tevyn Cagins is a name that coaches talked about as being a pleasant surprise on more than one occasion.

Also, with senior Centarius Donald likely using his redshirt to continue his second torn ACL in his career, ULM is also looking for running backs to help returning starter Jyruss Edwards, who will be a senior this fall. Soon-to-be sophomore Devontae McNeal had some big carries this spring and will likely get a load of the carries, along with returner Monterrell Washington.

ULM QB Kolton Browning (Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE)

Grade each position group  

QB – A: even though the spring was more focused on the back ups getting reps, that says enough about how comfortable head coach Todd Berry feels about four-year starter Kolton Browning, who didn’t even play in the spring game, along with several other starters.

RB – B+: Senior Jyruss Edwards was held out of spring because of an injury from last season that required surgery so it will be interesting to see how well he carries the ball come fall camp. With Donald out next season, it will be refreshing to see a quality back up emerge to help share the carries.

WR – A-: Everyone wants to know who will replace career receptions leader Brent Leonard, but the good news is every other receiver is returning. Transfer Kenzee Jackson was expected to fill the role of Leonard, but a minor injury kept him from showing his capabilities. It’s not too discouraging though because the return of seniors Je’Ron Hamm and Tavarese Maye gives Browning plenty of quality targets.

OL – B-: All but one starter returns to the offensive line this season, but with the exception of senior and four-year starter Josh Allen, the line is still young. There is still a question mark about how well the linemen will play together and mesh come time for the season to begin.

DL – A: another position with all its starters returning, including NG Malcolm Edmond, who was lost in the conference opener last season at Middle Tennessee after suffering a torn ACL.

LB – B: Like Edwards at RB, senior Cameron Blakes was limited this spring after a season-ending injury in the third game of last season. The fifth-year senior is going to move to MLB this fall and the way he goes, the whole linebacking corps go. The Warhawks lost MLB R.J. Young and OLB DaCorris Ford to graduation, but one good thing about Blakes’ injury is it gave sophomore Ray Stovall plenty of time to gain experience and confidence now that he is leaned on to be a full-time starter. The other OLB spot, however, is still up for grabs.

DB – B-:  After a struggle in the passing defense last season, the secondary is still working out kinks to get the ship righted. The good news is all the starters are returning and when Hawk Mitch Lane is healthy, he really makes a difference. He was also lost last season to a lower body injury in the seventh game of the year.

Are there any “surprises” we can expect from this team?

Like I said before, with 18 to 22 starters returning there are not many surprises. The team showed last year what it’s capable of and I think the returners are ready to build off of it. If there is any a time for ULM to make a national splash, this is the season.

Tabby Soignier, ULM beat writer for The News-Star provided the information for our Louisiana Monroe football spring update.  For more ULM football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Tabby on Twitter @soignier.