Toledo Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

The greatest strength is depth on the offensive line. Coach Matt Campbell says his five reserves are of starter caliber, which speaks to the talent of his front-line guys. For the second year in a row, UT will likely field the best line in the Mid-American Conference led by NFL prospect Greg Mancz.

Mancz, who sat out the spring recovering from shoulder surgery, might transition to center from guard. Either way, there’s one spot of which there’s competition.

The biggest question mark, per usual, is playmakers in the secondary. Toledo has struggled in recent years against the pass. New coordinator Jon Heacock, who doubles as safeties coach, has work to do.

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

Keep an eye on defensive tackle Treyvon Hester. He was All-MAC third team last year as a freshman, so I’m not exactly going out on a limb by predicting his breakout. The 300-pounder is a wrecking ball. He created so many headaches for Buffalo last year that the Bulls ended up triple-teaming him.

Others worthy of mentioning are fellow sophomores Kareem Hunt (running back) and Jordan Martin (cornerback). More on them later.

Grade each position group

QB-B  Alabama transfer Phillip Ely appears to have the edge in a three-man competition.

RB-B  Hunt (886 yards) transitions from understudy to star amid the graduation of the excellent David Fluellen.

Receivers-B-minus  Alonzo Russell (1,688 yards over two seasons) has special skills, but who will share the load? Seniors Dwight Macon and Justin Olack have yet to validate their annual preseason hype.

OL-A  Four starters return from the MAC’s top line in 2013. The reserves are pretty good too. Expect UT to make wholesale substitutions at times.

DL-B-minus  Hester is a handful inside. A pass rush specialist needs to emerge on the outside to replace senior Jayrone Elliott (nine sacks, 14 TFLs).

LB-B  There’s a lot to like about the starters, headed by All-MAC first team pick Junior Sylvestre (118 tackles). Depth is a concern.

Secondary-C  The young talent is promising, but is a big 2013 class headed by Martin and DeJuan Rogers ready to lead? Seniors Cheatham Norrils (corner) and Jordan Haden (safety) need to have their best seasons.

Specialists-B  MAC special teams players of the year Jeremiah Detmer is an automatic three points, having made 36 of his last 37 field goal attempts. Michael Julian can punt should he not win the QB battle. Replacing dangerous returner Bernard Reedy won’t be seamless.

What can we expect from Indiana in 2014?

In 2012, Campbell’s first year, Toledo overachieved by a win or two going 9-4. A year later the Rockets finished 7-5, falling short of expectations by a win or two and missing a bowl game for the first time since 2009.

The MAC West softens with the graduation of NFL-prospect QBs Jordan Lynch (Northern Illinois) and Keith Wenning (Ball State). If UT can survive a difficult November (three road games, two rivalry games) the Rockets will break through and win the division. Expect an eight or nine-win regular season.

---

Ryan Autullo, the Toledo beat reporter for the Toledo Blade provided the information for our Toledo Football 2013 Spring Wrap Up.  For more Toledo  football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Ryan on Twitter @AutulloBlade.

---