Monmouth University's football team wrapped up the 2010 preseason with its final scrimmage on Friday afternoon. The Hawks return a wealth of experience mixed with young talent, including four preseason all-conference selections. Below is a position by position breakdown of the Hawks.
Running Back
While finding a single back to match the production of all-time rusher and scorer David Sinisi will be nearly impossible, the Hawks have a trio of experienced and gifted backs set to carry the ball this season. The crew is led by fifth-year senior Bobby Giles (Burlington, N.J./Burlington), a speedster who enters 2010 already ranked 10th all-time in rushing. Fellow fifth-year senior L.J. Caprio (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex Regional (Richmond), who has battled injuries in his time in West Long Branch, has had his best preseason of his career and provides a nice balance of power and awareness to the corps. The third back who will see time is redshirt sophomore Balial Sloan El (Pennsauken, N.J./Roman Catholic), an agile back who has had a solid preseason, racking up 52 yards rushing in MU's first scrimmage. Three fullbacks are on the roster, with returning starter and fifth-year senior Mike D'Urso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional/Sacred Heart) constantly being pushed by redshirt freshman Justin Pandorf (Forked River, N.J./Lacey) this preseason.
"I think the running back position is one of the deepest on our team and certainly is the deepest on our offense," said Callahan. "Bobby has had a very productive preseason for us. L.J. Caprio, while he has been injured for some of camp, has returned to the form he had in spring ball. I am also pleased with the development of Balial Sloan El. In addition, have a number of younger players who are not that far away from being able to help us on the field this year."
Quarterback
Monmouths' two-headed monster from a year ago returns, more experienced than ever. While redshirt junior Kyle Frazier (Gaithersburg, Md./Damascus) and Andrew Mandeville (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) will most likely not alternate possessions like they did in 2009, each could see the field this season. Frazier has matured this preseason, improving his accuracy and patience in his third season running the offense. Mandeville, who suffered a season ending injury in the fourth game of 2009, has recovered fully and will once again be dangerous in the pocket and on the run.
"Our quarterbacks have done a great job throwing the ball," said Callahan. "Kyle has improved his accuracy and confidence in the huddle while his reads have been solid this preseason. Andrew gives us another dimension in terms of his ability to run the ball. He can turn plays that should be a loss of yardage into big plays, that's a valuable asset for us to have. They are both playing real well right now and I am happy with their progress."
Offensive Line
A trademark of Monmouth teams has been a solid offensive line, that has sent numerous players to all-conference squads over the last 10 years. This year's edition could be one of the best, with a trio of fifth-year seniors and a pair of talented redshirt sophomores slated to start in 2010. Leading the group is three-time All-NEC right guard Shawn Wright (Fort Washington, Md./DeMatha Catholic), who captains the Hawks for the second straight season. Joe Hurley (Medford Lakes, N.J./Shawnee) returns to start at left guard for the third straight year while newcomer Tom Ottaiano (East Hanover, N.J./Hanover Park/Hofstra) who will play center, started for two seasons while a member of Hofstra's program. Mike Murphy (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) returns to start at left tackle, with his best preseason to date almost complete. Dino Molina (Gaithersburg, Md./Damascus), who played with Frazier at Damascus High School, will step in at right tackle to replace all-conference selection Kevin Sterling. The versatile Molina has plenty of game experience behind him, starting four games at left tackle a season ago filling in for an injured Murphy. The corps will be one of the deepest units on the Hawks with junior Jim Sullivan (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) leading a group of talented redshirt freshman that now have a year of experience under their belts.
"The offensive line is a very experienced group," said Callahan. "We have three returning starters along with fifth-year senior and Hofstra transfer Tom Ottaiano, which that gives us a talented and experienced group. The fifth starter is Dino, who saw a fair amount of time on the field a year ago. They seem to be playing well together as a unit. I think we have the best depth we have had on the offensive line in a number of years."
Wide Receivers
Easily the most upgraded position from a season ago, the Hawks wide receivers will be integral in bringing more balance to the MU offense. The quarterbacks will welcome back fifth-year senior Nick Romeo (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), who missed all but one game of last season with mononucleosis. Romeo is a sure handed receiver who runs precision routes all over the field but his ability to stretch the defense and be a downfield threat will be a huge addition in 2010. Ryan Folsom (Somerdale, N.J./Triton Regional), who had 201 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns in his first season at wideout, returns for his final year of eligibility in West Long Branch. The physical receiver is not afraid to catch passes in traffic and displayed soft hands a year ago. A welcomed addition to the group is fifth-year senior Chris Hogan (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo/Penn State), who was a highly touted receiver out of high school but ultimately decided to accept a scholarship to play lacrosse for Penn State. Having not played a down of football in four years, Hogan quickly answered any doubters in camp, coming up with a number of impressive catches while displaying the athleticism that made him a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions. Sophomore Matt Plautz (Harmony, Pa./Seneca) will definitely have a bigger role in the offense after catching six passes in six games as a true freshman. Junior Darvin Henderson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) will also bolster the depth of the receivers. While the Hawks lost speedster Vic Pasquariello (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) for the season with an injury, rookie Mitchell Pollard (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook) has made an impact in his three weeks with the Hawks, scoring a touchdown in the scrimmage and showing big play potential throughout camp.
"We have two fifth year seniors in Nick and Ryan who have a ton of experience," said Callahan. "The addition of another fifth-year senior in Chris Hogan from Penn State and bolsters the position. Darvin, Josh and Matt are all guys who have been on the field for us as well. We have a number of underclassmen who could also see time on the field for us this season."
Tight Ends
Monmouth returns starting tight end Tyler George (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Gov. Livingston), who could contend for an all-conference bid if he builds on his redshirt freshman season. Last year, the 6' 5" George finished third on the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns. Seniors Ricky Burd (Dumont, N.J./Dumont), Mike Roeder (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), and redshirt freshman Mike McLafferty (Morgan, N.J./War Memorial) will compete for playing time and a spot on the 2-deep.
"This is by far the deepest we've ever been at the position," said Callahan. "Tyler has the potential to become one the best tight ends we have ever had. Mike and Ricky have both been involved in game situations for us over the past two years. McLafferty, who is going into his second year has shown a great deal of improvement. It is a position where I would feel comfortable playing anyone of those guys."
Defensive Back
Monmouth's defensive backfield is stacked with talent in the form of both experienced vets and hungry younger play. The unit returns all four starters from a year ago, including preseason all-league selections Jose Gumbs (Queens, N.Y./Hebron) and Kendall Haley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel). Gumbs led the team in tackles en route to the conference's Defensive Player of the Year honors a season ago, even playing outside linebacker in the final few games due to injuries. Haley, a First Team All-NEC selection a season ago, returns for his third straight season as a starter at free safety. Fifth year senior Kenny Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley Regional), currently third on Monmouth's all-time interceptions list, is a versatile player who can play either cornerback (where he has started each of the last two years) or safety. Mike Avent (Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) returns for his final season at Monmouth after starting each of the last two seasons at cornerback for the Hawks. The unit has two team captains on it in the form of Gumbs and Amsel.
The future of this unit looks bright as a trio of sophomores in Elijah Phillips (Willingboro, N.J./Holy Cross), Eddie Jewel (Pelham, Mass./Wilbraham Monson) and Ezra Bynum (Pelham, Mass./Wilbraham Monson) along with junior Dorian Evans (Erial, N.J./Timber Creek) have shown the ability to contribute and could figure prominently into the two-deep in 2010. Evans is athletic enough that he could fill in at either safety or cornerback for MU. Phillips looked impressive as a freshman last season but sat out spring ball recovering from offseason surgery and Jewel, has the potential to get on the field more than he did as a true freshman. The coaching staff lauded the spring work of redshirt freshman Ezra Bynam, who has missed much of preseason with a nagging minor injury but should be ready to go at cornerback when the Hawks kickoff the season against Colgate.
"The defensive backfield may be one of our strongest positions on that side of the ball," said Callahan. "It is a veteran group that has a great deal of experience. Kendall and Jose are all-conference performers while Kenny and Mike have both started for a number of seasons."
Linebackers
The 2010 starting linebackers feature more experience than any opening day group Monmouth has had since the 2006 season. The trio of Jeff Brady (East Aurora, N.Y./St. Francis), Joe Valenti (Bayonne, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) and Nick Bonturi (Clarksburg, Md./Damascus/Air Force Prep) if healthy could comprise a formidable starting group. Brady, selected as a team captain prior to the season, has battled injuries throughout his career. The fifth-year senior is a leader on and off the field and could make his final season as a Hawk a big one. Valenti, who was third on the team in tackles in '09, has started two consecutive seasons at outside linebacker. Bonturi is coming off his best season with the Hawks and could develop into a top defender on the team as the season continues. Chris Mastrangelo (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) is a reliable backup at the middle linebacker position while the coaches continue to monitor the development of Jon Rogers (Barnegat, N.J./Barnegat), Don Brooks (Newark, Del./Caravel Academy) and Dave Damirgian (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock). Dan Sullivan (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) and Steven Barroso (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) are two freshman that had good preseason camps and could end up seeing playing time in 2010.
"Jeff and Chris give us two middle linebackers who have been on the field for us before," said Callahan. "Joe has been a two-year starter for us on the outside and Nick was our other starting outside linebacker a season ago. On paper it is a very strong group but we have had some injuries at the position and just how the final two-deep will come out is still in question."
Defensive Line
Monmouth's defensive line unit has three starters from a season ago to fill after graduated two players and losing Garrett Culloo (Ocean, N.J./Ocean) for the season. The good news is new position coach Juwan Jackson, whose previous stops included Rutgers and Oregon, will have preseason all-league defensive end Dave Ogden (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills). Ogden got red-hot towards the end of last season, leading the team in tackles-for-loss and sacks as a junior. The remaining three spots will be filled by a mix of underclassmen and transfers, including ex-Elon Phoenix Andrew Sklover (Morristown, N.J./Mendham/Elon) and former Howard Bison Ian Simon (West Windsor, N.J./West Windsor-Plainsboro/Howard). Sklover has looked powerful at defensive tackle after sitting out last season and Simon was recently moved from linebacker to defensive end, a position he excelled at in high school. Junior Mike Pranulis (Naugatuck, Conn./Trinity Pawling) should contribute at defensive tackle while the coaching staff is expecting sophomores Brad Harris, Mike Upham (Clifton, Va./Centreville), Rich Lorfing (Monroe, N.J./Monroe Twp.) and John Lockwood (Springfield, Va./West Springfield).
"With only one returning starter on the defensive line in Dave Ogden, it is going to be a relatively young and inexperienced position for us," said Callahan. "We do have some guys who have shown a great deal of promise in Mike (Upham) and Andrew. The addition of linebacker Ian Simon to the group I think will give us added depth. We are looking forward to the continued development of some of our younger players.
Special Teams
Fifth year senior Jack Daniels (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Don Bosco) will handle MU's punting duties for the fourth straight season as he looks to climb the record books at Monmouth. Daniels has had his most consistent preseason punting while improving his hang time. Placekicker was one of the most highly contested position battles of the preseason with sophomore Jarrod Goodarz (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) and freshman Eric Spillane (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck) each looking good this August. With no clear cut starter to date, the position should be an instant upgrade from a season ago if the duo can continue to improve their accuracy and consistency throughout the season. Romeo, whose 10.8 yards per return in 2008 is an MU single-season record, Giles, Pollard and a few others could return punts, which should yield better results than a season ago. Avent needs just 41 yards to become Momouth's all-time kickoff return leader. The agile defensive back enters the season as Monmouth's all-time leader in kickoff returns will be coupled with a number of players including but not limited to Giles and Pollard.
"Jack Daniels has had his best preseason of his career," said Callahan. "He's been extremely consistent and his punts have had good height and distance. Jarred and Eric are both are playing very well, I don't think we can go wrong with either one. We are very happy to have Nick Romeo coming back as our punt returner in 2010. Other guys who have the ability to return punts are Bynam, Amsel, Pollard and Zacharias. Mike (Avent) gives us a terrific kick return threat, he's one of the best we've ever had and it is very exciting everytime he gets his hands on the ball."
