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Basically ... Injuries killed any production and momentum this Bulldog offense was able to muster last year, but that'll change with a fantastic group of running backs working behind a deep and experienced offensive line. If QB Paul Pinegar starts playing as well as he's expected to, the average receiving corps will all of a sudden shine.
Star of the offense: Junior RB Dwayne Wright
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior WR Jermaine Jamison
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore C Kyle Young
Best pro prospect: Senior OT Logan Mankins
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Wright, 2) Mankins, 3) QB Paul Pinegar
Strength of the offense: Running back, line
Weakness of the offense: Wide receiver
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Paul Pinegar, Jr. - A pectoral muscle injury kept him out of the first five games of the year and didn't build much on his great freshman year when he came back throwing for 1,773 yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He has a good arm and excellent command of the attack, now he has to become the leader and star of the very strong offense.
Top Backups
- Jordan Christensen, Soph. - Christensen has the size and the big arm, and now he needs playing time to be counted on behind Paul Pinegar. He's not a statue, but he's not going to be much of a rushing threat.
- Tom Brandstater, Fr. - The clear number three, the 6-5, 190-pound freshman has the skills to be a star once he gets more practice reps.
The Skinny: It would've been interesting to have seen what Paul Pinegar would've done last year if he hadn't been hurt early. He has enough experience to grow into one of the WAC's best passers even though he doesn't have the same receiving corps he had last year to work with. The running game will take the heat off and the line will give him time to work; now he has to become a playmaker. The backups have to quickly develop.
Player to keep an eye on: Tom Brandstater ... Quarterback Rating: 6.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Dwayne Wright, Jr. - Rodney Davis was supposed to be the star of the Fresno State ground attack last year, but it didn't happen as he was stunningly ineffective. Enter Dwayne Wright who tore it up for 1,038 yards and three touchdowns despite only starting half the season. He's a big back with good speed and a great burst through the line averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He can also catch finishing fifth on the team with 19 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown.
- Fullback Roshon Vercher, Soph. - The 245-pound sophomore will only be used as a blocker and receiver. He carried it once for three yards last year, but he caught seven passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Top Backups
- Bryson Sumlin, Jr. - The 5-10, 200-pound Sumlin has speed, but he's used mostly as a short-yardage back proving to be amazing around the goal line scoring nine touchdowns. He was the team's second leading rusher with 509 yards, and proved he could catch scoring on a 44-yard pass play vs. UCLA.
- Matt Rivera, Jr. - The one-time starter has seen his work decrease over the last two years, but he's still a dangerous reserve back with tremendous quickness and great moves. He ran for 102 yards last year averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
- Wendell Mathis, Soph. - The 191-pound sophomore quickly jumped up the depth chart this spring with his speed and quickness to be considered in the battle for the starting job.
- Fullback Jamal Jones, Sr. - The 225-pound former linebacker will be used mostly on special teams. He'll back up Roshon Vercher at fullback.
The Skinny: The running back corps should be the best in Fresno State history. It's deep with four players who could all see time starting this year. With a veteran offensive line in front of them, it'll be a major disappointment if this crew, headlined by rising superstar Dwayne Wright, doesn't combine for well over 2,500 yards.
Player to keep an eye on: Wendell Mathis ... Running Back Rating: 9
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Jermaine Jamison, Jr. - Jamison is the team's top returning receiver making 23 catches for 210 yards last year. He's going to be the number one target with a 6-3, 200-pound frame and excellent speed. He has to make more deep plays after only averaging 9.1 yards per catch.
- Joe Fernandez, Soph. - Fernandez isn't a huge receiver, but he's lightning quick and he has the genes as the son of former Los Angeles Raider, Mervyn. Joe was fourth on the team making 22 catches for 165 yards last year.
- Tight end Stephen Spach, Sr. - Spach is a great all-around tight end with good size and soft hands making 13 catches for 127 yards last year. He has a nose for the end zone, even though he didn't get there last year, with five career touchdowns. He's also a fantastic blocker.
Top Backups
- Paul Williams, Soph. - Williams has talent and size, now he needs time after making three catches for 20 yards as a freshman. At 6-2 and 200 pounds he provides a big body to the group.
- Jaron Fairman, Soph. - The speedy sophomore will push for time behind Joe Fernandez. He should be a ield stretcher as the season goes on.
- Adam Jennings, Jr. - Mostly used as a kick returner, Jennings has seen a little bit of action over the last few years making 11 catches for 118 yards last season. He's jitterbug quick and should grow into one of the team's more dangerous receivers battling Jermaine Jamison for playing time.
- Mark Wood, Sr. - Wood is a veteran tight end who'll play sparingly and catch a little bit. He doesn't have the talent of Stephen Spach or Duncan Reid, but he's a reliable backup.
- Duncan Reid, Jr. - Reid is a fantastic pass catches used more as a big receiver than a blocking tight end, but injuries have limited him. He only caught five passes for 50 yards last year.
The Skinny: The Bulldog receiving corps was one of the most disappointing in the nation last year as Bernard Berrian and Marque Davis weren't nearly the players they should've been. There's talent in the 2004 group, but there's no one quite as good as those two were. The tight ends are very good, while the receivers will have to learn on the fly and prove they can been counted on.
Player to keep an eye on: Jaron Fairman ... Receiver Rating: 5.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Logan Mankins, Sr. - The 320-pound Mankins is one of the WAC's best lineman and was ready to go on a run for an All-America season before tearing up his knee in the preseason. He's back and almost back to new now able to take several reps in practice at his spot on the left side.
- Guard Noa Pouono, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer is a powerful run blocker with excellent strength. He'll battle with Sean Finnerty for the starting left guard spot.
- Center Kyle Young, Soph. - Young is the new star of the line and one of the best linemen in the WAC. The 320-pound sophomore had a fantastic redshirt freshman season finishing with honorable mention All-WAC and freshman All-America honors. He's tough playing through the Nevada game with a cracked rib.
- Guard Dartagnon Shack, Jr. - The 300-pound one-time fullback turned in a second-team All-WAC performance last year at tackle. He'll move inside to guard, which is more suited for his mauling style of play.
- Tackle Chris Denman, Soph. - While not the biggest tackle in the world at 260 pounds, Denman has tremendous feet and is a tenacious blocker taking over a starting role early last year. He'll start on the right side.
Top Backups
- G Sean Finnerty, Jr. - Mostly a reserve, Finnerty has seen starting time and could push for the left guard job. The 285-pound junior could play center or right guard if needed.
- T Kawika Edwards, Sr. - The 300-pound Edwards filled in last year at left tackle when Logan Mankins went down. He'll now become a key backup now that Mankins is back and will also see time at guard.
- T Matt Stevenson, Jr. - One of the better players on the line when he's healthy, the 6-7 290-pound Stevenson has had injury problems primarily with his shoulders. He missed spring ball but will get a shot at the right tackle job this fall.
The Skinny: The line was inconsistent last year and didn't help the often inept offense do its thing, but it should be fantastic this season as offensive line coach Mark Weber has this veteran group looking sharp. Logan Mankins' return from injury give the front wall three legitimate All-WAC stars as center Kyle Young and guard Dartagnon Shack should be up for several honors.
Player to keep an eye on: Kyle Young ... Offensive Line Rating: 7.5
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