BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University’s football roster is filled with depth and talent across nearly every position.
But there could be some players who are poised to turn an expanded role into a productive season.
With BGSU set to begin the 2024 campaign on Aug. 29 at home against Fordham, the Falcons will be busy building chemistry and rounding out their depth chart during the next few weeks in fall camp. A lot of familiar faces for sixth-year BGSU coach Scot Loeffler have roamed Doyt Perry Stadium since camp began last week.
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Younger players, especially true freshmen, could find their way into the rotation as well, but Loeffler said it’s still too early to tell. He’s hoping to find some answers in the coming weeks.
“There’s some guys that we think are going to contribute,” Loeffler said, “but until we put the pads on, until we see if they can tackle, until we see if they can hold onto the ball, it’s a totally different world whenever the pads are on.”
Several athletes who either had big moments at BGSU or other schools will aim to make their presence felt even more this year. Here’s a look at some potential breakout players for the Falcons.
Finn Hogan, wide receiver
Hogan had his breakout game in 2023, but can the tall and physical wide receiver turn it into a complete season?
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior wideout has a knack for big plays, including hauling in a sensational one-handed touchdown catch and a 50-yard reception in BGSU’s dominating win at Georgia Tech a year ago. It was part of a six-catch, 102-yard performance.
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Hogan, who missed the last three games with an injury, finished the year with 11 catches for 163 yards. It was similar to his 2022 campaign at Central Michigan, when he had 19 catches for 155 yards and a one-handed touchdown catch against Penn State.
Justin Pegues, running back
One of the biggest losses offensively for BGSU from last year was running back Ta’ron Keith, who transferred to South Florida in the offseason. His biggest specialty was his pass-catching ability; Keith had 104 receptions for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns from 2021 to 2023.
The Falcons might have found his replacement through the transfer portal.
Pegues, who appeared in 20 games the last two seasons at FCS Tennessee Tech, caught 33 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. The 5-9, 175-pound junior also had 482 rushing yards and three scores on 111 carries.
Considering how much BGSU quarterbacks Connor Bazelak and Camden Orth utilized the running backs in the passing game in 2023 — Keith’s 44 receptions were tied for second on the team — Pegues could be in for a big role in a deep running back room.
Donny Stephens, inside linebacker
One of a handful of former power conference players to transfer to BGSU this year, Stephens should provide valuable depth at inside linebacker. A couple of key players at the position return in Joseph Sipp, Jr., and Brock Horne, but the loss of leading tackler Darren Anders provides a big hole for the Falcons to fill.
Stephens, a 6-0, 230-pound junior who spent the last three seasons at Oklahoma State, had perhaps his best outing in the last of his 23 career games with the Cowboys. He had four total tackles in the Big 12 Championship game against Texas.
Jaylon Tillman, wide receiver
Another sturdy wideout, Tillman (6-0, 215) had just two catches during the 2023 season. But one of them was significant as he hauled in a 35-yard touchdown reception in BGSU’s win at Western Michigan to cap off the regular season.
Prior to joining BGSU, Tillman spent two years at NCAA Division II Grand Valley State where he had 38 catches for 689 yards and six touchdowns. Between Tillman, Hogan, and recent transfers Malcolm Johnson, Jr., (Auburn) and R.J. Garcia II (Kansas State), BGSU has a wide range of size and skill at the receiver position.
First Published August 5, 2024, 6:48 p.m.
