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Texas State Season Preview FB BLAKE BURTON 4 2006 Texas State Football Media Guide done a great job for the Bobcats.” While Canady and Zwinggi’s pass blocking ability improved during spring drills, the blocking techniques involved with keeping 235-pound linebackers from Texas State’s quarterback is something both will need to continue improving. Zwinggi ran for 87 yards on six carries and had two receptions for 18 yards last year as a red-shirt freshman. Canady rushed for close to 4,000 yards during his career at San Marcos High School. “We tried Stan at receiver because he could run. He’s the fastest guy on the team. But he was not a natural receiver,” Wright said. “We needed the numbers and we needed him at receiver for some reps. Now we have some additional receivers, he is going back to where he naturally belongs.” “We have really been impressed with Alvin’s speed,” Wright added. “He’s a tough player who did a great job from the time he got on campus through the spring, gaining some muscle and mass.” In addition to the three backs who have now all been in the Texas State system for at least a year, the Bobcats also have an unknown commodity with the addition of Greg Gold, an Oklahoma State transfer with one season of eligibility. While he has proven to be a coachable, hard worker during summer workouts, his ability to contribute could depend on his ability to pick up Texas State’s off ensive system. Look for Texas State to get more production out of the fullback position with the return of Blake Burton, who started last year as a red-shirt freshman. Burton was used primarily as a blocking back and did not have a rushing attempt during the season. He did catch seven passes for 91 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown reception against Texas A&M. “Blake Burton was overlooked in the recruiting process,” Wright said. “He walked on here at Texas State and has become a heckuva football player. We’re going to put him in situations to be successful and he will have an expanded role within our off ense this fall.” Also returning is sophomore Ryan Odell who proved his north-south running ability in a 118-yard, two-touchdown rushing game against Oklahoma Panhandle State. Odell suff ered a shoulder injury against OPSU which set him back but showed signs of improvement in the spring. As converted linebackers, both Burton and Odell bring a certain mentality Texas State’s coaching staff look for players at the fullback position. WIDE RECEIVERS Look for new roles from Texas State’s returning wide receivers. The Bobcats will rely on senior Ronnie Miller for leadership and junior Tyrone Scott to play an increasing role within Texas State’s off ense. Scott is the team’s leading, returning receiver. He caught 29 passes for 383 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns last year as a sophomore. Miller played in the fi rst fi ve games of the season, catching 10 passes for 163 yards before a knee injury at Southeastern Louisiana sidelined him the remainder of the year. “Tyrone is the heart and soul of the receiving corps,” said Texas State receiver coach Travis Bush. “You look at his receptions last year and about 85 percent of his catches came on third down and went for fi rst downs. That shows the kind of trust we put in him. And he has the physical ability and mentality to be a dynamic leader. He’s the kind of guy that when he is having a good day, the entire receiving corps is going to have a good day.” “Ronnie Miller was getting better every week before he was injured,” Bush said. “He had a great spring and summer and we will look for him to carry a greater load as our group’s lone senior starter.” The one thing about Texas State’s 2006 group of returners at wide receiver is there are no superstars among the group, according to Bush. “We are just a good squad,” he said. “Our receivers work well together. They really seem to enjoy one another’s company. As a group, they compete well with each other and push each other in a competitive manner.” In addition to Scott and Miller, look for sophomore Morris Crosby to also take on a starting role. The high school quarterback turned wide receiver/return specialist caught 13 passes for 102 yards in eight games last season. He was expected to be red-shirted but injuries forced him to play and he had a signifi cant role in the Bobcats’ championship season. “Morris is a very hard worker who we have to pretty much kick out of the weight room. He just loves to compete,” Bush said. “He could have come in and played for the Bobcats from day one. He’ll start at the slot position but has the mentality needed to play any wide out position.”
A primary concern with this year’s team will be the lack of in-game experience on the two-deep. Justin Williams is a senior who caught 20 passes for 354 yards and will vie for playing time behind Miller. But after Williams’ experience, Texas State returns sophomores Clellan Cook and Adrian Thomas. Jamal Williams is a junior college transfer while Cameron Luke is a transfer from Utah State. “We will just have to go back to the basic fundamentals such as catching the football and running good routes,” Bush said. Cook did not have a reception until a seven-yard grab against Georgia Southern. He also caught a 14-yard pass against Cal Poly to fi nish with two receptions for 21 yards. Thomas showed up at the doorstep of the Texas State football program with cleats in hand on the fi rst day of class. He made the move from the scout team to the varsity mid-year and had a 42-yard touchdown pass in the Bobcats’ playoff game against Northern Iowa. “Clellan is an example of good things happen to people who work hard,” Bush said. “He played in every ball game but people may not have noticed him because he played behind All-SLC player Markee White and did not have a catch until the Georgia Southern game. He may have the best hands of any of the receivers.” “Adrian has come a long way. As far as raw talent, he is probably one of the most talented receivers on the team. He does some things with his hips and feet that you just can’t coach. He will carry a bigger load this season.” Of the newcomers, Jamal Williams is also listed on the two-deep at receiver after playing running back during the spring season. His transition will focus on adjusting to some of the traits of receivers – learning to leverage on blocks, reading coverages and adjusting routes on the run. Luke struggled early this spring while learning the Bobcat off ense but improved through the 14 opportunities he had prior to the spring game. “Cameron showed the ability to catch the football and run with it after the catch,” Bush said. “At 200 pounds, he brings a load to our blocking schemes. He’ll make a push for playing time.” The group has already taken steps to get down a rhythm with Texas State’s quarterbacks. “All these guys were accustomed to Barrick Nealy,” Bush said. “Of course, Chase and Texas State Season Preview Bradley are now the leaders of the team. They have all been on the fi eld working on timing. As a group – receivers and quarterbacks – they understand each other and have gelled. In addition to the returners, Texas State will welcome three freshmen signees for two-a-days. “The freshmen we have coming in could be just as talented athletes as what we have now,” Bush said. “That is what you have to do to get better as a football team – recruit better than what you have. They have to catch up to the speed of the game and learn the terminology of the off ense but a couple may be able to catch up and contribute this fall.” OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Returning four players with experience may be the fi rst step in the Bobcat off ensive line developing its own persona. Seniors Buck Koalenz and Ryne Miller give Texas State experience and leadership on the off ensive line and with Matt Jenkins and Justin Boren also returning, the Bobcats have four returning players with experience as starters. “We have to build an identity and develop a work ethic,” said Texas State co-offensive coordinator and off ensive line coach Blake Miller. “We have to create an attitude. A part may be coaching but a lot comes down to playing. One of the good things about this year’s team is there are four guys that have played for us now for two-plus years. They know how things are supposed to be done.” Miller is a Preseason All-Southland Conference First-Team selection while Koalenz managed seven starts and played with injuries much of the season. “Ryne is a versatile player who for two years now has started at three diff erent positions – center, guard and tackle,” Blake Miller said. “He’s a very good leader and a good team player. “Buck is also a good leader who is extremely smart and makes all the calls up front. We’ll be looking for him to come back healthy this fall.” Jenkins, a junior who started 12 games last year, has the talent to make the move from right tackle to left tackle this fall. “Matt is one of the more athleticallygifted off ensive linemen on the team,” Miller said. “Hopefully he will make the next step when it comes to developing his abilities.” Also back is Boren, a transfer from SMU prior to the 2005 season. The junior started two games at left guard last year but played WR TYRONE SCOTT www.tx<strong>state</strong>bobcats.com 5
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