SPRING BREAK-DOWN

Youngstown State begins spring football practice today under the guidance of first-year coach Eric Wolford. Vindicator reporter Joe Scalzo breaks down the team, position-by-position (Year in school applies to fall 2010):

OFFENSE

WHAT TO EXPECT: A fast-paced, no-huddle spread. But an offense that’s capable of running multiple formations, from five wide to two tight ends. Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery, who served that same position at Akron last year, will throw a lot at his players early so they’ll need to pick it up quick.

QUARTERBACK

Who’s gone: Brandon Summers

Who’s back: Marc Kanetsky, Jr.

Analysis: By far the team’s biggest question mark. Kanetsky started the final game, completing 3 of 4 passes for 30 yards and a TD before giving way to Summers. He’s the only one on the roster to attempt a pass in college. Freshmen Gannon Hulea and Kurt Hess both redshirted last year and Meiko Locksley signed in February. Backup Dailyn Campbell left the team. “I think there’s some talent there,” Montgomery said. “I think it’s going to be just like any position. Until we get out on the field, we really don’t know what we have.”

RUNNING BACKS

Who’s gone: TB Kevin Smith, TB Dana Brown, TB Jabari Scott

Who’s back: TB Jamaine Cook, Soph.; FB Kyle Banna, Sr.

Others to watch: TB Torrian Pace, RFr.; TB Adaris Bellamy, Fr.

Analysis: Cook is the leading returner with 111 yards and showed flashes of being a big-time contributor. Bellamy, a four-star recruit from Florida, could get playing time immediately. “My philosophy, as well as Coach [Eric] Wolford, is you can’t go in the season with just one running back,” said running backs coach Louie Matsakis. “We need to develop at least three deep at tailback and two deep at fullback.”

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Who’s gone: Donald Jones

Who’s back: WR Dominique Barnes, Sr.; TE Andy Colegrove, Jr.

Others to watch: WR Jelani Berassa, Soph.; WR Josh Lee, Jr.; TE Carson Sharbaugh, RFr.

Analysis: Jones, a possible NFL draft pick, was a huge loss. But with Barnes (60 catches, 762 yards, eight TDs) returning and some talented guys ready to step in, the Penguins should be in good shape. “With regards to the six [receivers] coming back, I’ve had the opportunity to watch them in workouts and I’m looking forward to getting them on the field to see what they can do,” said receivers coach Phil Longo.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Who’s gone: Brian Mellott

Who’s back: G/T Eric Rodemoyer, Sr.; T Andrew Radakovich, Soph.; C Tyler Figueroa, Sr.; T Bobby Coates, Sr.

Others to watch: C Justin Rechichar, Sr.; T Bill Dugan, Soph.; T Greg Sazdanoff, Jr.; T Chris Gammon, Jr.

Analysis: The strength of the team. The Penguins return eight players who started at least one game last year. Line coach Carmen Bricillo said the group is as good as the ones he had at Akron and Illinois in past years. “I think there’s some talent in that bunch,” he said. Although YSU will try to throw the ball more than in years past, Bricillo likes to run the ball, too. “Power is something that’s been a staple at Youngstown State and, being an offensive line coach, I’m a believer in being able to pound the rock,” he said.

DEFENSE

WHAT TO EXPECT: A blitz-heavy attack with multiple fronts. Defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz doesn’t want to be tied down to a 3-4 or 4-3 look, especially since he’s not sure what he’s got personnelwise. “We’ll see an aggressive defense,” he said. “I like to go after people. In one game [at South Florida] I blitzed 67 times and we knocked off Louisville.” Afterward, somebody asked him why there were seven plays when the Bulls didn’t blitz. “I just said, ‘I just forgot to make the call,’” Kravitz said.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Who’s gone: DT Mychal Savage; DT Crispin Fernandez

Who’s back: DE Luke Matelan, Sr.; DE Stephen Meadows, Jr.

Others to watch: DT Torrance Nicholson, Sr.; DT Joe Marshall, Jr.; DT Brad Miller, Sr.; DE Josh Myers, Jr.; DE Joel Younkins, Jr.; DE John Sasson, Jr. (played LB last year)

Analysis: Savage was a first team All-American and Fernandez started nearly every game, so the Penguins lost some experience. But this was an underachieving group last year. YSU was OK against the run but ranked 115 out of 118 teams in the country in tackles for loss and 110th in sacks. Defensive line coach Tom Sims, a former NFL defensive lineman, wants to change that. “I don’t want to brag, but I’ll bring an expertise about getting to the quarterback,” he said. “I think I’ve had success with that in the past.”

LINEBACKERS

Who’s gone: MIKE (middle) Draye Ersery

Who’s back: WILL (weakside) Na’eem Outler, Sr.; SAM (strongside) Taylor Hill, Soph.; MIKE Deonta Tate, Jr.

Others to watch: David Rach, Jr.; Michael Kreatsoulas, Jr.; Noah Taylor, Soph.; Mike Williams, Soph.

Analysis: Another team strength, with Hill starting every game and leading the team in tackles as a freshman. Outler started all but one game and Tate started the first four. “I thought they played pretty good defense last year,” said Kravitz, who will also coach the linebackers. “You don’t want to go in there and say this guy’s this or this guy’s that. You want to give them the opportunity to show what they can do.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Who’s gone: SS Sir Demarco Bledsoe, CB Lenny Wicks

Who’s back: FS Andre Elliott, Sr.; CB Brandian Ross, Sr.; SS Nick Gooden, Sr.

Others to watch: CB Jerome Swinton, Soph.; CB Randy Louis, Jr.

Analysis: There’s a good core with Elliott and Ross, who both started every game. Gooden started four games. “We’ve got some talent there,” said secondary coach Frank Buffano. “There’s four positions in the secondary and we’re going to see what happens. They’ve got 15 practices to show me what they can do.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Who’s gone: P Ben Nowicki

Who’s back: K Stephen Blose, Sr.; KR Barnes

Others to watch: P Erik Johnson, Sr.; P Jarrod Satmare

Analysis: Blose was 9 of 16 on field goals and 27 of 27 on extra points. Barnes led the team in kickoff return yardage. But with three blocked punts and a 114th ranking in net punting, this was a weakness last season. Special teams coach Louie Matsakis doesn’t think it was as bad as people think. “The thing about special teams is, there’s always troubles everywhere,” he said. “People tend to blow things out of proportion. I tell the guys, it’s never as good as it seems and it’s never as bad as it seems.”