Western Kentucky Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Western Kentucky Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & Question Marks

Without question, the Hilltoppers will be strongest on the offensive side of the ball. Senior quarterback Brandon Doughty (246-374, 2,857 yards, 14 TDs, 14 INT) is back for a second year in the same system and he’ll have plenty of experienced weapons to throw to at wide receiver.

While WKU did lose record-setting running back Antonio Andrews to graduation, a stellar spring from junior Leon Allen has the team hopeful the run game will continue to be stable. Tight end Mitchell Henry and Tyler Higbee are back and three starters – Max Halpin, Cameron Clemmons and Forrest Lamp – return to the offensive line.

The major question for this team will center around the defense. While the Tops claim they have enough talent and depth to compete, that talent and depth is untested. Linebackers Andrew Jackson (95 tackles), Xavius Boyd (103 tackles) and Chuck Franks were seniors in 2013, as were defensive linemen Bar’ee Boyd and Calvin Washington and defensive backs Arius Wright and Tyree Robinson. Junior safety Jonathan Dowling (67 tackles, three interceptions) opted to go pro.

WKU QB Brandon Doughty

Breakout Players

The aforementioned Allen at running back is a good place to start. A 6-foot, 235-pound bruiser, Allen won’t put up the same type of all-purpose numbers that his predecessor Andrews did, but the program believes he can have a breakout season thanks to his power and strength.

In the passing game, WKU brought in two junior college prospects at wide receiver in Jared Dangerfield (6-3, 200) and Antwane Grant (6-1, 195). Those two will give the Tops big, strong options at wideout.

On defense, keep an eye on middle linebacker Nick Holt, the son of the WKU defensive coordinator by the same name.

Position Grades

QB: A Brandon Doughty is comfortable in his second year in coach Jeff Brohm’s system. The senior took a noticeable leadership role in spring.

RB: B- All eyes are on Leon Allen to have a breakout season – but WKU needs other options, in terms of speed and quickness, to step up.

WR: B Historically a run-first program, WKU may have its deepest WR unit ever.

TE: A Mitchell Henry and Tyler Higbee are arguably the two best tight ends in Conference USA.

OL: B- There are some very good players up front, but WKU needs to develop depth and consistency in the fall.

DL: C Too much of a question mark before the start of 2014 – and size could come into play.

LB: C+ Senior Terran Williams and junior Nick Holt will make plays. WKU needs to prove the losses of Jackson and Boyd aren’t too much.

DB: C- Senior Cam Thomas missed the spring with injury, so his DB teammates often struggled without his services. Can they survive pass-happy CUSA?

ST: B Junior kicker Garrett Schwettman is solid. Sophomore punter Joseph Ochhipinti steps into a starter’s role.

2014 Expectations

Western Kentucky is on their third coach in as many seasons and fourth coach in five years. But the program hasn’t won less than seven games in three straight campaigns. I don’t expect that to change in 2014. While questions remain as to how the defense will hold up, and if coach Jeff Brohm can make the transition from offensive coordinator to head man or not, the Tops have no excuse not to put big offensive numbers up and to feast on weak opposition on the back end of the schedule.

Chad Bishop, the WKU beat writer for the Bowling Green Daily News provided the information for our Western Kentucky football 2014 spring wrap up. For more WKU football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Chad on Twitter @MrChadBishop and on his WKU blog Toppatime.