Good Article - FU Football in 2019
PostPosted:Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:55 pm
https://www.greenvilleonline.com/sto...19/1865223001/
Four good reasons Furman football expects big things in 2019
Myron Hosea, Special to The Greenville News Published 7:00 a.m. ET Aug. 1, 2019 | Updated 7:04 a.m. ET Aug. 1, 2019
Many factors go into building a college football program. Perhaps the most important is players.
On Friday, almost 100 Furman players begin practice for the 2019 season, the third in coach Clay Hendrix’s project to reclaim the program’s historical place atop the Southern Conference. The first two years delivered some success – a playoff berth in year one and a conference co-championship in the second.
The Paladins have earned respect entering the 2019 season, being picked second in the SoCon and making the FCS Top 25 in preseason football publications (No. 16 in Athlon Sports, No. 20 in Lindy’s and No. 14 in Street and Smith’s). These expectations stem from the team being deeper and experienced with more of the players the system needs.
Furman inside linebacker Elijah McKoy (23), tackling Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the 2018 season, says the junior-laden team expects big things in 2019. (Photo: Staff file)
These are four ways this factor provide promise for the Paladins in 2019:
Seasoned leadership
Almost a quarter of the 98 players expected to take the field Friday are juniors. Thirteen of the 24 juniors have redshirted and are in their fourth season of college football. They play positions at every level of the defense, account for the bulk of the starting offensive line, and represent some of the players most likely to produce yards and points this season. About two-thirds of the juniors have been starters or significant contributors.
For the third consecutive season, Furman will not have a lot of seniors on the depth chart – just 10. All of them have been contributors and most are starters. Combined with the large junior class, Furman should have plenty of leaders in 2019.
Confidence
Playing together in a system for three seasons provides confidence, chemistry and communications. The players are more familiar with each other and help each other on the field or from the sidelines.
Furman outside linebacker Jordan Willis (30) and inside linebacker Donavan Perryman (44) are two of the eight returning starters on defense.
“I say confidence is one of the biggest things that’s going to help us,” junior inside linebacker Elijah McKoy said. “(As freshmen) we kind of didn’t know where we were going to fit in, but now we can speak out on stuff. Me personally, I feel more confident.When I step on the field, I feel like I should be and am one of the best players on the field at all times no matter who we’re playing against.”
Junior Bo Layton, one of the five returning starting offensive linemen, said the experience and depth at the position show.
“We’re a really tight-knit group,” he said. “Kind of do everything together. We have each others' backs. I think that kind of translates to the field. When you hang out and do everything together, you get to know everybody. You’re just out there having fun, playing together as a unit.”
Fit for the system
Building the program requires finding players who can best make it go, whether on offense or defense. Each year, the Paladins have added players who fit the system, and the 2019 team looks stocked with those players.
Sticking point: Furman Paladins bring loads of potential into 2019, though QB position remains big variable
“I think we’re finally — 2½ years into our program — we kind of feel like we’re where we want to be,” Hendrix said. “We’ve recruited well. I think we know what we want to do. I think we knew what we wanted to do before, but we just couldn’t because of personnel. We were doing what we felt like we had to do to try to be successful.”
Getting a breather
At times the past two seasons, Furman has been thin at some positions. Players have been on the field for almost every down while others have moved around to bolster other positions.
A deeper team means more rotations at more positions.
Furman wide receiver Thomas Gordon (89) enters the season with 111 career receptions for almost 1,800 yards.
McKoy is one of those who has had to play a lot. Originally recruited as a safety, he moved to inside linebacker as a freshman in 2017 and has been a good one. He’s also had to play a lot at one of the team’s thinnest positions.
There should be a little more depth for McKoy and fellow inside linebacker Donovan Perryman. Which should only mean good things.
“Definitely just getting a break in general,” McKoy said. “Over the past couple of years, I didn’t really come out of the game much. Having that (depth) not just in games but in practice, having people that push, like we push each other more in practice, that helps.”
Taking second place: Furman football picked No. 2 behind Wofford in Southern Conference preseason poll
Layton said, “I think we definitely have a really talented group this year. We have a bunch of guys with a lot of experience. I think that will definitely help us out, to have a little depth, too.”
The practice schedule includes scrimmages on Aug. 10 and Aug. 17, both starting at noon in Paladin Stadium.
Furman's Devin Wynn (22) rushed for 722 yards with six touchdowns in 2019.
The Paladins
Starters Returning on Offense (8): Cole Neely, Jr., C; Jordan Harris, R-Jr., G; Reed Kroeber, R-Jr., G; Andy Godwin, R-Sr., T; Bo Layton, Jr.-R, T; Devin Wynn, Jr., RB; Jake Walker, Jr., TE; Thomas Gordon, Sr., WR.
Starters Returning on Defense (7): Amir Trapp, Sr., CB; Quandarius Weems, R-Sr., CB; Jonah Tibbs, Sr., DE; Donovan Perryman, Sr., ILB; Elijah McKoy, Jr., ILB; Bryan Okeh, Sr, S; Jordan Willis, Sr., Spur.
Starters Returning on Special Teams (2): Grayson Atkins, Jr., P-PK.
Lettermen Returning (41): Offense 18, Defense 21, Special Teams 2.
Non-Lettermen Returning (18): Offense 9, Defense 8, Special Teams 1.
Four good reasons Furman football expects big things in 2019
Myron Hosea, Special to The Greenville News Published 7:00 a.m. ET Aug. 1, 2019 | Updated 7:04 a.m. ET Aug. 1, 2019
Many factors go into building a college football program. Perhaps the most important is players.
On Friday, almost 100 Furman players begin practice for the 2019 season, the third in coach Clay Hendrix’s project to reclaim the program’s historical place atop the Southern Conference. The first two years delivered some success – a playoff berth in year one and a conference co-championship in the second.
The Paladins have earned respect entering the 2019 season, being picked second in the SoCon and making the FCS Top 25 in preseason football publications (No. 16 in Athlon Sports, No. 20 in Lindy’s and No. 14 in Street and Smith’s). These expectations stem from the team being deeper and experienced with more of the players the system needs.
Furman inside linebacker Elijah McKoy (23), tackling Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the 2018 season, says the junior-laden team expects big things in 2019. (Photo: Staff file)
These are four ways this factor provide promise for the Paladins in 2019:
Seasoned leadership
Almost a quarter of the 98 players expected to take the field Friday are juniors. Thirteen of the 24 juniors have redshirted and are in their fourth season of college football. They play positions at every level of the defense, account for the bulk of the starting offensive line, and represent some of the players most likely to produce yards and points this season. About two-thirds of the juniors have been starters or significant contributors.
For the third consecutive season, Furman will not have a lot of seniors on the depth chart – just 10. All of them have been contributors and most are starters. Combined with the large junior class, Furman should have plenty of leaders in 2019.
Confidence
Playing together in a system for three seasons provides confidence, chemistry and communications. The players are more familiar with each other and help each other on the field or from the sidelines.
Furman outside linebacker Jordan Willis (30) and inside linebacker Donavan Perryman (44) are two of the eight returning starters on defense.
“I say confidence is one of the biggest things that’s going to help us,” junior inside linebacker Elijah McKoy said. “(As freshmen) we kind of didn’t know where we were going to fit in, but now we can speak out on stuff. Me personally, I feel more confident.When I step on the field, I feel like I should be and am one of the best players on the field at all times no matter who we’re playing against.”
Junior Bo Layton, one of the five returning starting offensive linemen, said the experience and depth at the position show.
“We’re a really tight-knit group,” he said. “Kind of do everything together. We have each others' backs. I think that kind of translates to the field. When you hang out and do everything together, you get to know everybody. You’re just out there having fun, playing together as a unit.”
Fit for the system
Building the program requires finding players who can best make it go, whether on offense or defense. Each year, the Paladins have added players who fit the system, and the 2019 team looks stocked with those players.
Sticking point: Furman Paladins bring loads of potential into 2019, though QB position remains big variable
“I think we’re finally — 2½ years into our program — we kind of feel like we’re where we want to be,” Hendrix said. “We’ve recruited well. I think we know what we want to do. I think we knew what we wanted to do before, but we just couldn’t because of personnel. We were doing what we felt like we had to do to try to be successful.”
Getting a breather
At times the past two seasons, Furman has been thin at some positions. Players have been on the field for almost every down while others have moved around to bolster other positions.
A deeper team means more rotations at more positions.
Furman wide receiver Thomas Gordon (89) enters the season with 111 career receptions for almost 1,800 yards.
McKoy is one of those who has had to play a lot. Originally recruited as a safety, he moved to inside linebacker as a freshman in 2017 and has been a good one. He’s also had to play a lot at one of the team’s thinnest positions.
There should be a little more depth for McKoy and fellow inside linebacker Donovan Perryman. Which should only mean good things.
“Definitely just getting a break in general,” McKoy said. “Over the past couple of years, I didn’t really come out of the game much. Having that (depth) not just in games but in practice, having people that push, like we push each other more in practice, that helps.”
Taking second place: Furman football picked No. 2 behind Wofford in Southern Conference preseason poll
Layton said, “I think we definitely have a really talented group this year. We have a bunch of guys with a lot of experience. I think that will definitely help us out, to have a little depth, too.”
The practice schedule includes scrimmages on Aug. 10 and Aug. 17, both starting at noon in Paladin Stadium.
Furman's Devin Wynn (22) rushed for 722 yards with six touchdowns in 2019.
The Paladins
Starters Returning on Offense (8): Cole Neely, Jr., C; Jordan Harris, R-Jr., G; Reed Kroeber, R-Jr., G; Andy Godwin, R-Sr., T; Bo Layton, Jr.-R, T; Devin Wynn, Jr., RB; Jake Walker, Jr., TE; Thomas Gordon, Sr., WR.
Starters Returning on Defense (7): Amir Trapp, Sr., CB; Quandarius Weems, R-Sr., CB; Jonah Tibbs, Sr., DE; Donovan Perryman, Sr., ILB; Elijah McKoy, Jr., ILB; Bryan Okeh, Sr, S; Jordan Willis, Sr., Spur.
Starters Returning on Special Teams (2): Grayson Atkins, Jr., P-PK.
Lettermen Returning (41): Offense 18, Defense 21, Special Teams 2.
Non-Lettermen Returning (18): Offense 9, Defense 8, Special Teams 1.