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Basically ... Massive replacements are needed and there's a huge concern about the passing game. With Scott Rislov gone, it's a battle to take over with Dale Rogers getting the slight edge. Unfortunately he has little to work with losing last year's top six pass catchers. Help is on the way from the JUCO ranks to add pop at running back and receiver. Only one starter returns to the offensive line.
Star of the offense: Senior RB Lance Martin
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior QB Dale Rogers
Unsung star on the rise: Junior OG Marcel Burrough
Best pro prospect: Burrough
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Martin, 2) WR Cleve Johnson, 3) OT Osmar Staples
Strength of the offense: Running back
Weakness of the offense: Experienced quarterback
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Dale Rogers, Jr. - Rogers is a huge player who has been as heavy as 260 pounds, and he can run a little bit. He has a big arm and is accurate, but he'll be in for a fight as the summer roles on to keep the starting job. The former walk-on completed 5 of 9 passes for 85 yards in the spring game.
Top Backups
- Beau Pierce, Jr. - Piece is the most experienced passer in the quarterback race with a big arm, but he didn't exactly light it up in spring ball. He completed 9 of 15 passes for 55 yards with an interception last year.
- Adam Tafralis, RFr. - By far the best athlete in the quarterback mix, Tafralis was a star in high school at both track, as an elite shot putter, and basketball. He has a hold on the number two job behind Dale Rogers after completing 3 of 7 passes for 54 yards.
The Skinny: Considering the current state of the quarterback situation, it’s no surprise the Spartan offense will be emphasizing the run in 2004. Senior Dale Rogers has a razor thin edge over Adam Tafralis and Beau Pierce, but not enough to get a formal nomination. None of the three are going to make folks forget about Scott Rislov, who’s now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Player to keep an eye on: Adam Tafralis ... Quarterback Rating: 3
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Lance Martin, Sr. - Martin took over the rushing duties when Lamar Ferguson went down last year and led the way with 520 yards and two touchdowns. He's a good power runner, but he's not a threat to break anything big.
Top Backups
- .Lamar Ferguson, Jr. - The 5-5 Ferguson hurt his knee last spring and missed the whole 2003 season. He's a lightning quick back who led the Spartans in rushing in 2002 and should prove to be a solid backup behind Lance Martin.
- Yonus Davis, Soph. - David took over Lamar Ferguson's role as the small, quick back in the attack last year. The 5-5 sophomore ran for 119 yards, but failed to see much playing time over the second half of the season.
- Tyson Thompson, Jr. - Expect Thompson to quickly be a factor once he gets to camp this fall. The JUCO transfer is a big-time talent with size, speed and a nose for the goal line.
- Derrell Hutson, Soph. - Hutson adds a breakaway threat to the running backs averaging 13.3 yards per carry in high school and was a California state high school championship sprinter.
The Skinny: Lance Martin and Lamar Ferguson are established backs, but they're marginally talented. Incoming backs Tyson Thompson and Derrell Hutsona have the talent and speed to make the running game go. They'll handle all the workload if they shine at all this summer.
Player to keep an eye on: Tyson Thompson ... Running Back Rating: 5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Rufus Skillern, Jr. - Mostly a reserve player so far in his career, Skillern has seen plenty of action and showed some explosiveness catching eight passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.
- Casey Miranda, Sr. - Miranda is a very quick player good at running the mid-range routes. He caught five passes for 64 yards last year as a backup and should quickly become a go-to guy on key plays.
- John Broussard, Jr. - Broussard is the younger brother of last year's second leading receiver Jamall. John has the tools to be the team's newest receiving star, but he hasn't made much of an impact yet only catching five passes for 18 yards.
- Tight end Bryan Watje, Jr. - The 250-pound JUCO transfer should turn into an excellent pass catching tight end. He's good around the goal line and can stretch the field averaging 14.5 yards per catch over his last two years.
Top Backups
- Cleve Johnson, Jr. - Pencil him into one of the starting spots for some point this year. The star JUCO transfer was a high school track star and one of the most productive receivers in the country last year catching 13 touchdown passes and 1,041 yards for Mesa College in Los Angeles.
- Terrance Grant, Jr. - Grant isn't prospect from the JUCO ranks that Cleve Johnson is, but he has good skills to challenge for playing time one he gets to camp this fall.
- Tight end Kyle Cancimilla, RFr. - The walk-on has good hands and can run a little bit. He's not going to be the number one tight end, but he showed enough to be useful in two-tight end sets.
The Skinny: Some star power needs to emerge right now as the Spartans lose 198 catches from five of last year's top six receivers. With Ezekial Staples moving to linebacker that means the top six pass catchers of last year are gone. JUCO transfer Cleve Johnson and true freshman Ellis Jones need to make an immediate impact as the starters appear to be average at best.
Player to keep an eye on: Cleve Johnson ... Receiver Rating: 4
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle William Obeng, Sr. - The 307-pound senior turned into a key member of the line right off the bat from the JUCO ranks seeing time at both tackle positions. He'll get the start on the left side where he's expected to blossom into a top pass protector.
- Guard Marcel Burrough, Jr. - A massive player, the 6-6, 352-pound JUCO transfer/mountain turned into a mauling run blocker this spring earning the starting spot on the right side.
- Center Matt Cantu, Soph. - Cantu can play center or guard getting his starting spot back after losing it to LaMons Walker halfway through last year. He has the talent to be an All-WAC player before his career is up.
- Guard Chad Larette, Jr. - A top JUCO player, Larette redshirted last year and will take over the job on the right side looking ready to be one of the team's better run blockers.
- Tackle Osmar Staples, Sr. - The 6-5, 328-pound Staples started all of last year at right tackle. He has several years of experience and good athleticism for a player of his size.
Top Backups
- OG Mark Manning, Jr. - The 316-pound Manning moved from center to guard last year. This season he'll push Marcel Burrough for time on the left side.
- T John Toensfeldt, Jr. - Toensfeldt hit the weights and has grown into a good tackle prospect. He'll backup William Obeng on the left side and will be one of the first players off the bench..
The Skinny: Only one starter returns off a line that allowed a mere 20 sacks last year, but don't expect the production to fall completely off the map. Marcel Burrough and Chad Larette are good replacements at guard, while William Obeng appears ready to shine at left tackle. Run blocking will always be an issue with San Jose State lines, but the beef is there to be physical.
Player to keep an eye on: Marcel Burrough ... Offensive Line Rating: 4
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