Article published August 01, 2008
UT freshmen could make an impact
Stafford to compete for starting spot at 3rd wide receiver
By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
When the University of Toledo football team opens camp Thursday, coach Tom Amstutz and his staff will pay extra attention to a few freshmen on offense.
Amstutz said earlier this week at Mid-American Conference football media day that freshman Kenny Stafford is expected to compete for the starting third wide receiver spot. Stafford, a 6-foot-4, 185-pounder from Columbus, is the nephew of former NFL star Cris Carter.
"I normally don't do this too much, but there's a really talented wide receiver that's a true freshman coming in, Kenny Stafford," Amstutz said. "He's had a tremendous summer of working out. The kid's very talented, he's a big receiver, tremendous hands and quickness. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays an important role on our team."
At Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School, Stafford had 25 catches for 444 yards and six touchdowns his senior year. Rivals.com ranked him as the 24th-best player in Ohio.
| 2008 SCHEDULE |
• Sept. 6 - at Arizona, TBA
• Sept. 13 - at Eastern Mich., TBA
• Sept. 20 - FRESNO ST., 7 p.m.
• Sept. 27 - FLORIDA INT., 7 p.m.
• Oct. 4 - BALL ST. 7 p.m.
• Oct. 11 - at Michigan, TBA
• Oct. 18 - at N. Illinois, TBA
• Oct. 25 - CENTRAL MICH., TBA
• Nov. 5 - at Akron* (ESPN2/ESPNU) 8 p.m.
• Nov. 15 - at Western Mich., TBA
• Nov. 21 - MIAMI, 7 p.m.
• Nov. 28 - BOWLING GREEN (ESPNU/ESPN Classic), TBA
HOME GAMES IN CAPS |
|
|
"We can tell how physical and fast he is by working out," Amstutz said. "He might be that special kind of guy."
Also, Morgan Williams, a former two-time Ohio Division I player of the year at running back, is academically eligible after sitting out last season. Williams had tremendous numbers his final two seasons at Canton McKinley, with at least 2,400 yards rushing and 31 touchdowns each year."Morgan Williams is ready to go," Amstutz said. "That's going to be a guy that no one knows about in our league. He was an outstanding high school player at Canton McKinley. He's eligible and ready to play."
MAKING COMEBACKS: Amstutz said the players who missed last season with injuries and did not participate in spring practice will be ready to go Thursday. That includes defensive ends Sean Williamson and Douglas Westbrook and offensive tackle Jan Gewont.
"Those guys are all back and working and conditioning and rehabbing at different levels," Amstutz said. "It's nice to have them coming back.
"They should be able to practice right away. We'll control it as we watch them work."
Defensive backs Tyrrell Herbert and Desmond Marrow, who also missed last season with injury, were at full strength in spring practice.
SPEED TO BURN: Amstutz stressed at the preseason meetings and at spring practice his defense will have much more speed this year.
Junior safety Barry Church agreed with that assessment.
"A couple of the freshman corners that are coming in have a lot of speed," Church said. "Kenny Veal, for example, and Andreas Ashwood. Also a couple junior college players - Tyler Roby has a chance to actually start. Joe Bates is another guy who has been up there this whole summer and is somebody to keep an eye on."
REDSHIRT TALK: Amstutz said it's a possibility the Rockets could redshirt sophomore RB/WR Gordon Warner. Warner played in six games as a true freshman last year and rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns.
Warner is listed as fifth at running back on the preseason depth chart. He played some at slot receiver in spring drills.
Redshirt freshman Adonis Thomas is currently the No. 2 running back behind DaJuane Collins.
When the Rockets signed junior college quarterback Alex Pettee last winter, redshirting D.J. Lenehan in 2008 seemed like an option since Lenehan played last year in his true freshman season. Amstutz said for now, Lenehan is the No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Opelt, and it's too early to tell if he would be redshirted.
Contact Maureen Fulton at:
mfulton@theblade.com
or 419-724-6160.
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
