QBs to take spotlight at YSU spring game


April 25, 2014 at 12:09a.m.

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State football coach Eric Wolford has two main goals for tonight’s spring game:

  1. Stay healthy.

  2. Test his quarterbacks.

The Penguins wrap up their month-long spring practice with the 42nd annual Red-White game at 7 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

“We’ll probably water things down a little bit,” Wolford said. “There’s some things we don’t necessarily want to show. We don’t know who’s here [scouting]. We just want to get another good evaluation in another live environment.”

Like last season, Wolford chose to spread out his 15 spring practices over a month (as opposed to three weeks) to give his players more meeting time.

“We’ve got some young guys, so we need it,” he said. “We have a new system to some extent on defense and we’ve got some new quarterbacks in there, so we need as much time as we can get with them.”

Here are the five strongest positions heading into the spring game:

  1. Running backs: The Penguins return conference freshman of the year Martin Ruiz and electric newcomer Jody Webb. Junior Demond Hymes is out with a thumb injury, but Wolford has been impressed by spring additions Ryan Moore (a physical back) and Sidney Sandidge (a burner).

“They’ve been very pleasant surprises,” he said.

  1. Defensive line: A weak spot last season, this group has more depth and experience than in years past. They’ve also had a strong offseason, impressing Wolford during spring practice.

“I like where we’re at there,” he said.

  1. Wide receivers/tight ends: Michael Wheary has battled injuries and Marcel Caver has missed most practices with class, but senior Jelani Berassa has looked good this spring and the Penguins have depth and experience with the likes of Andre Stubbs, Andrew Williams and Christian Bryan at wideout and Nate Adams and Jacob Wood at tight end.
  1. Linebackers: Yes, middle linebacker Teven Williams is no longer with the team, but Travis Williams, Kevon Caffey (who has also filled in for injured safety Donald D’Alesio this spring) and Jaylin Kelly have plenty of talent. It’s up to new defensive coordinator Jamie Bryant to use it. Depth could be a concern, though.

Here are the five biggest question marks:

  1. Quarterbacks: Kurt Hess started every game over four years, which was good for the program but has left a giant hole at the most important position. Dante Nania and Ricky Davis lead the depth chart, with Tanner Garry challenging. All three have talent and all three have question marks, particularly since they’ve been wearing black (no-contact) jerseys all spring.

“Depending on what day you ask me, one quarterback looks really good and the next day the other guy looks pretty good,” Wolford said. “That’s a good problem.”

  1. Offensive line: After losing four starters, this group has had some predictable growing pains this spring, with position coach Carmen Bricillo displaying a Lou Piniella-esque ability to kick his hat.

But Wolford believes they’ll be fine by fall.

“I think the talent is there,” he said. “We’re still a work in progress.”

  1. Secondary: YSU moved one of last year’s starting cornerbacks, Julius Childs, to nickel and added safeties coach Michael Zordich. Wolford praised both moves, but this is still a unit that lost its best player to graduation (Dale Peterman) and has struggled throughout the Wolford era. D’Alesio, a three-year starter, sat out this spring with a shoulder injury, allowing younger players to get more reps.

If YSU’s front seven can get more pressure, it’ll ease a lot of pressure on the defensive backs.

  1. Special teams: YSU is set at kicker (Joey Cejudo), holder (Nania) and snapper (Nathan Gibbs) but must replace a first team all-conference punter in Nick Liste. Cejudo will be a busy man, handling punts, kickoffs, field goals and extra points. Plus, with Bryant moving to defensive coordinator, Zordich and WR coach Kenny Carter will share special teams duties, so there’s some uncertainty there.

Fortunately for all the Penguins, the NCAA loosened its summer rules, allowing players to spend two hours per week with coaches on film review.

“That will be huge for us, as far as being able to develop players, especially at the quarterback position,” Wolford said. “It should really help us.”