The University of Toledo football team relied on a lot of young players last season and as a result is returning a large majority of its starters and depth pieces from last season.
While 2019 was a disappointing season at 6-6 and 3-5 in the MAC, the hope is with more experience the Rockets will be an improved team in 2020.
It's never too early to look toward next season, so here is a position-by-position breakdown of how Toledo could look next season.
Quarterbacks
After an injury-plagued season, Mitch Guadagni has graduated, meaning the starting quarterback spot is likely a three-man race for Toledo that will likely play out in the offseason between senior Eli Peters, sophomore Carter Bradley, and redshirt freshman Dequan Finn. Peters and Bradley got experience last season, and Peters led Toledo to a few wins filling in for Guadagni. Peters threw for 828 yards and six touchdowns in five games, while Bradley passed for 502 yards and one passing TD. Peters may have the upper hand with his experience, but at some point the Rockets could turn to the young talent of Bradley or Finn.
Running backs
This is the strongest returning position group for Toledo, because of the 1-2 punch of Bryant Koback and Shakif Seymour. Koback should be one of the top returning players in the conference. As a sophomore, Koback carried 195 times for 1,186 yards and 12 touchdowns. Seymour, meanwhile, added 154 carries for 741 yards and five scores. Ronnie Jones has graduated, but youngsters Micah Kelly and Jacquez Stuart will help provide depth in the backfield.
Wide receivers
There should still be weapons at this position for Toledo in 2020. Bryce Mitchell and Danzel McKinley-Lewis are the top returners at the position. The only loss to graduation at the position is Desmond Phillips. Mitchell improved as a big-play threat with 35 catches for 679 yards and four touchdown catches. McKinley-Lewis provided 36 catches for 615 yards and one score. Devin Maddox came through as a good option in the slot and should be able to make more plays as a sophomore. Nick Kovacs could also see an increased role.
Tight ends
The Rockets lose Reggie Gilliam, who was a complete player at the position, although he excelled as a physical anchor in the run game. Drew Rosi is back and he showed he can provide some pass-catching ability at the position. He caught 18 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns last season. Jamal Turner could see increased playing time with Gilliam graduating.
Offensive line
Toledo loses right tackle Cameron Bell, but should get back the services of Bryce Harris. Harris is an All-MAC-type talent and will return after a knee injury caused him to miss all of 2019. Luke Doerger filled in well at center in Harris' absence and could shift over to guard with Harris coming back or vice versa. Nick Rosi was a revelation at right guard as a redshirt freshman and was named to the FWAA Freshman All-American team. Brandon Heidecker could fit into the right tackle spot, while Mitch Berg returns at the left tackle position. Josh Fenn, Kelvin Ateman, Tyler Long, and Parker Bisek will help provide depth at the position in 2020.
Defensive line
Toledo returns depth at defensive end with Jamal Hines, Terrance Taylor, Desjuan Johnson, and Nate Givhan all returning in 2020. Hines is a standout, but the other trio of juniors have been solid contributors and could be in store for a big season. At defensive tackle, Nate Childress graduates, but coming back are Devan Rogers, David Hood, Devante' Dunn, and Derrius Mullins. The unit will have to a better job of controlling the running game and getting after the quarterback, but there is quality depth on the defensive line.
Linebackers
Jordan Fisher and DeDarallo Blue are big departures at the position, but Saeed Holt excelled at times last season as a hybrid linebacker-safety for the Rockets. Dyontae Johnson is back and Evander Craft and Daniel Bolden could see increased roles at the position. AJ Crider and Jackson Barrow are other names to monitor. With a new position coach this year in former Alabama assistant coach Craig Kuligowski, this unit will look for steady improvement next season.
Defensive backs
Samuel Womack and true freshman Chris McDonald played very well last season at the cornerback position. Both saw extra time with starter Justin Clark injured for most of the season. Clark will be back this season and the trio of Clark, Womack, and McDonald form a talented core. DeAmonte King and Jordan Hendy provide depth at the position. At safety, Kahlil Robinson will depart, but Tycen Anderson returns. Nate Bauer and Zachary Ford could help fill the void left by Robinson. The defensive backs for Toledo finished at the bottom of the MAC in passing yards allowed and will need to improve in coverage and cut down on the big plays by the opposition.
Special teams
Punter Bailey Flint missed most of last season with a leg injury, but he will be back and should be one of the best punters in the conference. At placekicker, freshman Evan Davis was good at the beginning of last season, but was eventually replaced by Thomas Cluckey. Davis finished the season 8 of 13 on field goal tries. Cluckey was a revelation filling in for Flint as the punter and serving as the kicker. He was 3 of 3 on field goal tries and had a 42.1 yard average on his 33 punts. Both Davis and Cluckey will once again compete for the kicking duties.
Toledo returns its top two punt returners in Devon Maddox and Danzel McKinley-Lewis. Maddox returned 14 punts for 122 yards last season, while McKinley-Lewis returned six for 32 yards. The Rockets lose their best kick returners in Ronnie Jones and Desmond Phillips, but Maddox and Jacquez Stuart could pick up the slack in that role.
First Published January 22, 2020, 4:57 p.m.
