6/25/2002 - Football
Navy Football Preview

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Excitement around the Navy football program is at an all-time high as the nation's winningest coach in Division I, Paul Johnson (.861), has come to Annapolis to change the fortunes of a program that has lost 20 of its last 21 games.

"I am excited about having the opportunity to return to the Naval Academy," said Johnson. "I am looking forward to working with the administration and the Brigade to get things turned around. The administration has made a huge commitment to turn the program around and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Johnson is no stranger to the Academy, serving as offensive coordinator in 1995 and 1996. He turned a dormant offense into a powerhouse, as the Mids went 5-6 in 1995 and 9-3 in 1996, including a victory over California in the Aloha Bowl, thanks to his spread offense. In '96, Navy averaged 31.8 points and 407.7 yards per contest.

"It is going to take some time to get this thing turned around, but it can be done," said Johnson. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think we could win."

Navy will also have a new defense in place as Johnson hired N.C. State's Buddy Green. Green will employ a multiple defense with a 4-3 base.

Last fall, Green's Wolfpack defense allowed just 20.3 points per game, which ranked second in the ACC and 25th in the country.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to come to the Naval Academy and coach the future leaders of our country," said Green. "I am excited about Coach Johnson asking me to join his staff as I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for him and the success he has had in his career. I am looking forward to getting started and building a successful program."

Johnson ran an intense spring camp with all positions up for grabs.

"I saw some good things, I thought we improved," said Johnson. "We still have a long ways to go. We still have a lot of things we need to correct if we are going to win games. We are not a good enough team to waste plays with turnovers and penalties. If we can get to the point where we can execute, we will have a chance in a lot of our games."

Navy returns 37 letterwinners off last year's squad, including five starters on offense and seven on defense.

Quarterback

Quarterback is one the key positions in Johnson's triple option offense. A quarterback who can make the right decisions at the line of scrimmage can make up for deficiencies in other areas.

Johnson feels like he has two solid contenders in junior Craig Candeto (5-11, 197) and sophomore Aaron Polanco (6-0, 207). Sophomore Ryan Moody (6-1, 194) will also be in the mix.

Candeto, the starter heading into the fall, has the most experience, starting two games last year and playing in five. Candeto ran the triple option in high school and seems to be a solid decision maker.

Polanco was the surprise of the spring, coming out of nowhere to land second on the depth chart at the end of spring ball. Polanco, who split time with Moody last year on the junior varsity, showed the ability to make big plays in the spring scrimmages and his strength gives him the ability to break tackles.

"Both Craig and Aaron showed they are capable quarterbacks in the spring," said Johnson. "They both still have a lot to learn, but we can win with them. I think you will see both of them playing.

Fullback

The Mids should be solid at fullback with senior's Bryce McDonald (6-0, 220) and Cee Harris (5-4, 205), along with sophomore Kyle Eckel (5-11, 231).

McDonald, a hard-nosed player who would rather run over you than around you, has the most experience and is listed as the starter heading into the fall. Last year, McDonald played in eight games and started four. He rushed for 123 yards and one touchdown.

Harris is a fireplug who will give defenses fits trying to find him behind Navy's large offensive line and is a solid blocker.

Eckel may be the most talented of the group and has a chance to be one of Navy's best fullbacks in recent memory. The 231-pound bulldozer only needs experience to be a force.

"I was impressed with the way the fullbacks played in the spring," said Johnson. "They are all hard workers and have a strong desire to win."

Slotback

The slot position is a question mark for Navy heading into the fall. Junior Tony Lane (5-9, 202) and seniors Donnie Fricks (5-8, 180) and Brad Tepper (5-9, 192) are returnees with experience, albeit limited for Fricks and Tepper, while the rest of the group will be appearing in their first varsity games.

Lane is coming off a solid sophomore campaign where he was Navy's third-leading rusher (39 carries for 185 yards and one touchdown) and third-leading receiver (12 catches for 232 yards and one touchdown). Lane was also a force on special teams, averaging 26.4 yards per kickoff return.

Fricks, the offensive team captain, is a solid blocker but has only 15 career carries, while Tepper carried the ball 21 times for 85 yards last fall.

The best of the group could be sophomore Eric Roberts (5-10, 193). Roberts, who played on the junior varsity last fall, will give the Mids explosiveness out of the backfield.

Junior Scott Lieng (5-7, 172) and sophomores Larry Jones (5-8, 189 and Frank Divis (6-0, 208) will also compete for playing time.

"We expect a lot out of our slots," said Johnson. They need to be able to carry the ball, catch the ball and block. You need to be versatile to play there. We have some guys that have a chance to be good for us."

Wide Receiver

Navy should be solid at wide receiver with the return of seniors Chandler Sims (6-4, 215), Dominic Bailey (5-9, 164) and Mike McIlravy (5-10, 173) to go with a talented trio of sophomores in Lionel Wesley (5-11, 182), Amir Jenkins (6-1, 191) and Aaron Weedo (5-10. 187). Senior Brandon Rampani (5-11, 188) will also be in the mix after missing last season.

Sims will give the quarterbacks a big target and his size will also be useful on running plays as Navy's wide outs will be expected to block. Sims caught 18 passes for 183 yards last year.

Bailey gives the Mids speed at the other wide out and will have the ability to beat the opposition's defensive backs if they try and cheat up against the option. Bailey had 11 catches for 111 yards and one touchdown a year ago.

McIlravy is a possession receiver who should get his first real chance to play this fall. He caught three passes for 35 yards a year ago.

Wesley and Jenkins both saw limited action on the varsity, while Weedo played on the JV's. All three will have a chance to contribute.

Rampani was Navy's big play receiver in 1999 and 2000, but left school in January of 2000 and was not enrolled in school until January of 2001. Rampani is still feeling his way back and could be a contributor.

"We have some ability at wide receiver," said Johnson. "It should be a productive position for us."

Offensive Line

Navy returns three starters along the offensive line, though all five expected starters have varsity experience.

Junior Shane Todd (6-4, 304), who saw time at guard last year, has been moved to center and is listed as the starter heading into the fall. Todd will be backed up by senior Ben Eastburn (6-4, 276) and junior Josh Goodin (6-0, 281).

The Mids return both starters at guard in seniors Grant Moody (6-4, 272) and Matt Nye (6-4, 280). Senior Brett Cochrane (6-4, 289), who has also been a starter in his career, will serve as a backup, along with fellow senior Travis Peace (6-4, 283), junior Sean Magee ( 6-5, 287) and sophomore Matt McCutchan (6-3, 280).

Senior David Walsh (6-7, 286), who started at left tackle last year, was moved over to right tackle and senior Derek Jaskowiak (6-4, 274) will start at left tackle.

Seniors Steve Mercer (6-2, 252) and Jim Zakar (6-5, 255), junior Tucker Bennett (6-3, 277) and sophomores Nick Wilson (6-5, 250) and James Bond (6-2, 238) will serve as backups.

"The offensive line will have to play well for us to be successful," said Johnson. "We have some guys with experience up front and they need to get it done. We still have a lot of work to do up front."

Defensive Line

Junior Steve Adair (6-2, 253) and sophomore Pierre Moss (6-0, 237) beat out incumbent starters senior Pete Beuttenmuller (6-5, 256) and junior Ralph Henry (6-1, 260) at defensive end, which should give the Mids solid depth at that position. Senior Dan Person (6-5, 257), who has experience as a starter, and sophomore Jeff Vanak (6-1, 246) will also be in the mix.

Seniors Joey Owmby (6-3, 252) and Josh Brindel (6-2, 280) are the expected starters at defensive tackle, while senior Andy Zetts (6-1, 260), juniors Kevin Schwind (6-1, 285) and Nate Chase (6-0, 284) and sophomore Babatunde Akingbemi (6-0, 260) will be used in a reserve role.

Brindel was Navy's leading tackler among all defensive linemen in 2001 with 44 and had a team-high seven tackles for a loss. Brindel is on the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award. Owmby contributed 10 stops a year ago.

"The defensive line will be a key spot for us," said Johnson. "We have a lot of guys that can contribute there. Whoever can produce will play."

Linebacker

Navy should be solid at linebacker with the return of four regulars.

The Mids need to keep junior Eddie Carthan (5-11, 218) healthy if they are going to have a productive defense. Carthan, who may be Navy's best player on either side of the ball, started six games last year before injuring his left toe and missed the remainder of the season. When he played, Carthan was a force, coming up with 36 tackles and five tackles for a loss.

Carthan will be backed up by sophomores Reggie Sealey (6-0, 219) and Lane Jackson (5-11, 204). Jackson was listed seventh on the depth chart at the start of spring ball, but showed a lot of promise throughout the spring and was the winner the Admiral Mack Award, which is given to the most improved player during spring drills. Jackson enters the fall battling Sealey for the second spot behind Carthan.

Junior Andy Sinitiere (5-11, 213) and sophomore Dustin Elliott (6-0, 226) return at middle linebacker, while junior Chris Wade (5-11, 226) will provide depth.

Though undersized, Sinitiere is a warrior in the middle and won't back down from anyone. He played in all 10 games last fall, starting three, and made 26 tackles.

Elliott played in nine games last year, starting four. He got people's attention against Notre Dame when he recorded a career-high 13 tackles and forced a fumble. Elliott also had a strong game against Army, making nine tackles and intercepting a pass.

Junior Ben Mathews (6-1, 220) returns at the other linebacker spot. Mathews played in all 10 games last year, starting two. Senior Brian Stann (6-1, 220) will push Mathews for playing time.

"The linebacking corps should be solid for us," said Johnson. "Carthan is a key. If he can stay, healthy he could be a factor."

Defensive Backfield

Junior Shalimar Brazier (5-10, 185) returns for his third season as a starter at corner, while junior Marcus Sanders (5-9, 175) won the starting spot opposite Brazier.

Brazier, who intercepted his first-career pass last year at Notre Dame, was in on 46 tackles last year. Sanders played in every game last fall, but mostly on special teams.

Brazier will be backed up by senior Matt Furqun (5-8, 173) and sophomore Vaughn Kelley (6-1, 170), while Sanders will be backed up by juniors Sina Ekundayo (5-11, 180) and David Bush (5-7, 175).

Senior Lenter Thomas (5-11, 197) returns at safety and is looking to build on a solid junior campaign. Thomas burst onto the scene last fall after spending two years on the junior varsity. Thomas, who is Navy's hardest hitter in recent memory, led the team with 98 tackles, including several highlight film hits against running backs and quarterbacks.

Thomas will be backed up by seniors Michawn Yuvienco (5-10, 197) and Joey Fay (6-0, 198).

Starting opposite Thomas at safety will be junior Eli Sanders (5-11, 195). Sanders started two games last fall and was in on 16 tackles.

Behind Sanders will be juniors Paul Clarkson (6-2, 208) and Justin Golson (5-7, 199).

"It is kind of hard to tell how good we are going to be in the secondary," said Johnson. "Their success will have a lot to do with how good we are up front. If you don't get any pressure on the quarterback, it doesn't matter much who is playing defensive back. Lenter Thomas has the chance to be a heck of a player."

Specialists

Junior Eric Rolfs (6-1, 168) may have the biggest shoes to fill as he steps in for the graduated David Hills. Hills was easily Navy's offensive MVP last year, nailing 15 of his 16 field goal attempts. Rolfs has the ability, but has no game experience. If Rolfs can't get the job done, look for Johnson to turn to sophomore Geoff Blumenfeld (6-0, 166).

Junior John Skaggs (6-2, 202) returns at punter after a fantastic sophomore season. Skaggs, who is an All-America candidate, finished fifth in the country a year ago with a school-record 44.8 average. Skaggs will be backed up by sophomore Matt Clark (5-8, 173).

The Mids should field a potent kickoff return with Lane and Roberts, while McIlravy and Bailey are expected to return punts.

Senior Heath Sanders (6-3, 241) who has the underappreciated role of long snapper, returns for his third year in that role and will be backed up by sophomore Andrew Bazzle (6-0, 204).

Quarterbacks Candeto and Polanco will be the holders on extra points and field goals.

"Our special teams units should be solid," said Johnson. "It is an area we will concentrate on because it is an integral part of the game. Nothing can turn a game around faster than a big play on special teams."