With the college football slowly winding down and college basketball just getting underway this past week, I thought we might have a little fun at looking ahead at the 2009 Fresno State football team and who you could look forward to seeing next season.
Quarterback:
Current - Tom Brandstater Status - departing Senior
Candidates:
Ryan Colburn - Colburn is 6'3" 220 lbs Sophomore from Visalia, CA (Central Valley Christian). 2008 marked the 2nd straight season that he has been the backup to Brandstater. He also saw game action in 2007 against Oregon, so he does have some playing time under his belt.
Matt Faulkner - The 6'2" 195 lbs Redshirt Freshman is getting a lot of talk as far as what his capability is as a passer. He has the strong arm of past Bulldog quarterbacks and could fit that mold in the future. Whether or not he'll win the job as a Sophomore will have to be determined during sprill drills when they begin next year.
Ebahn Feathers - The 6'1" 210 lbs Freshman from Washington Union High School is getting more talk than the previous two candidates, and for good reason. He led Washington Union to the North Sequoia League Championship, he was league MVP, 1st team All League (twice), offensive player of the year, Fresno Bee player of the year, and has over 7,800 total yards and 98 touchdowns in his high school career. This may be one of the most exciting quarterbacks Fresno State will ever see. He's got a lot to learn, but if he's a quick learner, we may see him on the field in no time.
My prediction: With Ryan Colburn already having experience in game situations, I think he is the odds on favorite to open the 2009 season as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback. If he struggles right out of the gate, I think it's going to be a close battle between Faulkner and Feathers as who takes the reigns.
Running Backs:
Current - Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller, Anthony Harding
Since all three of the aformentioned running backs should be back in Bulldog uniforms, they should hold their starting roles. I don't think we'll see a changing of the guard until probably 2010.
Tight End:
Current - Bear Pascoe Status - Departing Senior
Candidates:
David Gory - A 6'4" 235 lbs Freshmen from San Ramon, CA that lettered in football in both 2006 and 2007 at California High School. He'll have a lot of learning to do in his Sophomore year, but getting to see how departing Senior Bear Pascoe goes about his day-to-day routine might help any young player.
Ryan Skimore - Skidmore will not only enter the 2009 season as a Redshirt Sophomore but also 2nd on the depth chart behind starter Bear Pascoe. He impressed in spring scrimmages prior to the 2008 season and showed a knack for getting open. The 6'5" 240 lbs tight end was listed as the 9th best tight end according to one recruiting service during his senior year of high school, which would explain being recruited by Oregon, Oregon State and Washington State along with Fresno State.
Tapa Taumoepeau - Taumeopeau, the 6'3" 220 lbs Freshman out of Euless, TX chose to play for Fresno State because they were the only Division 1 school that recruited him. He lettered in his senior year of high school, was the offensive MVP as well as the 3rd team Writer's Association All State for the 15-1 State Champions. This guy definitely has talent, don't rule him out in his Junior year, but I think he spends next season learning from guys like Skidmore.
My prediction - With Skidmore already being 2nd on the depth chart, I don't see Gory or Taumoepeau making enough of an impact on the coaching staff to change that, so look for Ryan Skidmore to be the starting tight end for Fresno State in 2009.
In the sections to come, we'll talk about the wide receivers and talk a little bit about the departing seniors on the offensive line as well as what changes we can expect to see on the defensive side.
Quarterback:
Current - Tom Brandstater Status - departing Senior
Candidates:
Ryan Colburn - Colburn is 6'3" 220 lbs Sophomore from Visalia, CA (Central Valley Christian). 2008 marked the 2nd straight season that he has been the backup to Brandstater. He also saw game action in 2007 against Oregon, so he does have some playing time under his belt.
Matt Faulkner - The 6'2" 195 lbs Redshirt Freshman is getting a lot of talk as far as what his capability is as a passer. He has the strong arm of past Bulldog quarterbacks and could fit that mold in the future. Whether or not he'll win the job as a Sophomore will have to be determined during sprill drills when they begin next year.
Ebahn Feathers - The 6'1" 210 lbs Freshman from Washington Union High School is getting more talk than the previous two candidates, and for good reason. He led Washington Union to the North Sequoia League Championship, he was league MVP, 1st team All League (twice), offensive player of the year, Fresno Bee player of the year, and has over 7,800 total yards and 98 touchdowns in his high school career. This may be one of the most exciting quarterbacks Fresno State will ever see. He's got a lot to learn, but if he's a quick learner, we may see him on the field in no time.
My prediction: With Ryan Colburn already having experience in game situations, I think he is the odds on favorite to open the 2009 season as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback. If he struggles right out of the gate, I think it's going to be a close battle between Faulkner and Feathers as who takes the reigns.
Running Backs:
Current - Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller, Anthony Harding
Since all three of the aformentioned running backs should be back in Bulldog uniforms, they should hold their starting roles. I don't think we'll see a changing of the guard until probably 2010.
Tight End:
Current - Bear Pascoe Status - Departing Senior
Candidates:
David Gory - A 6'4" 235 lbs Freshmen from San Ramon, CA that lettered in football in both 2006 and 2007 at California High School. He'll have a lot of learning to do in his Sophomore year, but getting to see how departing Senior Bear Pascoe goes about his day-to-day routine might help any young player.
Ryan Skimore - Skidmore will not only enter the 2009 season as a Redshirt Sophomore but also 2nd on the depth chart behind starter Bear Pascoe. He impressed in spring scrimmages prior to the 2008 season and showed a knack for getting open. The 6'5" 240 lbs tight end was listed as the 9th best tight end according to one recruiting service during his senior year of high school, which would explain being recruited by Oregon, Oregon State and Washington State along with Fresno State.
Tapa Taumoepeau - Taumeopeau, the 6'3" 220 lbs Freshman out of Euless, TX chose to play for Fresno State because they were the only Division 1 school that recruited him. He lettered in his senior year of high school, was the offensive MVP as well as the 3rd team Writer's Association All State for the 15-1 State Champions. This guy definitely has talent, don't rule him out in his Junior year, but I think he spends next season learning from guys like Skidmore.
My prediction - With Skidmore already being 2nd on the depth chart, I don't see Gory or Taumoepeau making enough of an impact on the coaching staff to change that, so look for Ryan Skidmore to be the starting tight end for Fresno State in 2009.
In the sections to come, we'll talk about the wide receivers and talk a little bit about the departing seniors on the offensive line as well as what changes we can expect to see on the defensive side.
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