WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Cougars lost career leading receiver Orlando Iglesias, who led the team with 710 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 63 catches last season. He was third in C-USA in receptions per game, sixth in receiving yards per game, and on the All-C-USA second team.
Regardless, the Cougars have talent back at the receiver positions. Senior Brian Robinson (6-4, 208) should start at ?X? receiver with junior KeyKowa Bell (5-10, 185) at the ?W? receiver and junior Brandon Middleton (5-11, 180) at the ?Z? receiver.
In 2000, Robinson caught 80 passes, which ranked tied for seventh on the Cougars? list of single-season receptions, and was chosen to the All-C-USA second team. With Iglesias emerging as the primary target last season, Robinson?s catches fell off. Still, he was third on the team with 23 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
Sophomore Mark Hopkins (6-4, 200) and junior Harrison Arceneaux (6-2, 190) were slotted as the second- and third-string ?X? receivers in the spring.
Middleton, who played in 10 games, caught 20 passes but had the team-high average of 24.3 yards per catch. He had one touchdown catch and will again be the deep threat. In 2000, Middle broke his arm in the third game but came back strong last season.
His backup will be sophomore Johnny Tyson (6-0, 168), who caught five passes a year ago. Tyson may be the fastest Cougar receiver.
"His speed is incredible," Dimel said. "There is no doubt he has 4.3 speed. He has height and can do some great things."
Bell caught 54 passes for 722 yards two years ago, but was limited to three games last season because of injuries. He?s backed up by senior Jeremy McCardell (6-0, 225) and sophomore Choni Francis (5-7, 170).
"That position is three deep across the board for us, so we feel we are going into spring with nine receivers who have a chance to be great players for us," Dimel said.
Junior Jonathan Pritchett (6-4, 255) takes over at tight end for starter Grover Thompson, who caught 14 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Pritchett?s backups will be junior college transfer Matt Mattox (6-4, 250) and junior Stephen Cuccu (6-4, 240).
Pritchett and Cucci were both injured last year. Junior Jon Clark (6-5, 215) was used as a wide out in junior college last season but moved to tight end in the spring.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Cougars must replace Josh Demarr and Darnerius Watson, each a starter last season. Demarr started the first nine games at left tackle, while Watson started every game at right guard.
But the Cougars? line will be anchored by potential All-C-USA linemen Al James and Rex Hadnot.
James (6-0, 300), a junior, has started for two years and failed to give up a sack all of last season, which for him represented more than 500 plays. Red-shirt freshman Roy Swan (6-2, 320) will be James? backup, but his playing time will be limited to late-game duty as Dimel tries to get him some experience.
"Al James is evolving into an all-conference player, and he might even get some All-American looks as well because of the position he plays and how well he plays it," Dimel said. "That is such a crucial spot in the lot, and to have Rex right next to him is a real plus for him."
Hadnot (6-1, 310), a junior, was one of the better guards in the league, although he didn?t make the all-conference team voted by the coaches. Hadnot didn?t allow a sack last season.
Red-shirt freshman Jessie Bryant (6-3, 290) will be the backup for Hadnot at left guard.
Senior Chris Wheeler (6-2, 295) started the last five games at right tackle last season but will probably move to right guard, where he played in the spring. Willie Thomas III (6-3, 335), a senior, will also vie for the job at right guard.
Senior Rufus Williams (6-4, 300) was slotted as the starter at right tackle in the spring, ahead of red-shirt freshman John McGilvray (6-5, 250). At left tackle, senior Tyrone Green (6-2, 295) has the edge in experience, but must win the job over promising red-shirt freshman David Douglas (6-3, 295). Green and Douglas were slotted as co-No. 1 in the spring.
"Ty Green is a guy who probably could?ve started for us in all of our games last year, but we used him as a utility player," Dimel said. "He?ll be a starter for us this spring, and he?ll be a good starter for us."
KICKERS
Two players will try to fill the void left by the departure of starting kicker Jeff Patterson, who was limited to four field-goal attempts last season as the Cougars spent the season in need of touchdowns. Patterson was 2-of-4, making kicks of 30 and 37 yards and missing from 37 and 21 yards.
Sophomore Dustin Bell (6-2, 210) was slotted as the No. 1 kicker in the spring but must win the battle for the job with newcomer Justin Laird (6-2, 175) of Lee High School in Baytown, Texas.
Bell lettered last year but had no field-goal attempts. Laird was chosen to the Houston Chronicle?s list of top 100 recruits in the state. He was a punter and kicker in high school, earning first-team all-district honors for both positions as a senior.
DEFENSIVE LINE
In a nutshell, the Cougars? defensive line stunk last season. It produced only one sack, and it was a primary reason Houston ranked eighth in C-USA in rush defense, allowing 203.1 yards per game.
"I think our defensive line has to show dramatic improvement," Dimel said. "The last two years we?ve been here we?ve gone into [spring practice] with only one returning starter on the defensive line each of those years. We come back with more experience on the defensive line, even though they didn?t play on the level we wanted them to play."
Dimel has tried to shore up the defensive line by assigning it Wolford, who was the special teams and running backs coach last season. Dimel hopes Wolford?s intensity carries over to the defensive linemen.
Both starters return on the right side with senior Adrian Lee (6-2, 235) at end and senior Bryan Hill (6-1, 285) at tackle. Lee started the first six games at left end and started the last game at right end. Hill started the first seven games at tackle.
Backing up Lee will be junior David Midyett (6-2, 250) and freshman Kade Lane (6-2, 250). Hill?s backups are also young -- red-shirt freshman Sharod McGowan (6-2, 280) and sophomore John Stegent (6-1, 270).
Senior Quantaa Jackson (6-2, 255) is a strong, athletic player who should start at left end, but his backups are young -- sophomore Joe Clay (6-1, 255) and red-shirt freshman Jonathon Oduwole (6-7, 232).
After playing tight end and rush end last year, sophomore Kendrick Goss (6-4, 270) moved to left tackle and has the edge as the starter over red-shirt freshman Jeff Mayhew (6-4, 275).
LINEBACKERS
Texas A&M transfer Damien West (6-2, 246), a sophomore, spent last season practicing with the Cougars and appears ready to step into the starting job at the ?will? linebacker. Sophomores Bryant Brown (6-2, 220) and Cody Thibodeaux (6-1, 225) will push West for the starting job.
"Damien West has a stronghold, but he is going to get great competition from Bryant Brown and Cody Thibodeaux," Dimel said. "Then along with them you have Ronnie Braxton , who has played for us and given us valuable playing time, so we feel we have eight people at the linebacker position who can get in there and mix it up and see what they can do."
Braxton (6-0, 210) is a senior.
At the ?will? linebacker, several players are battling for the starting job with junior Justin Davis (6-2, 226) and red-shirt freshman Travis Griffith (6-4, 240) leading the way. Also in the mix are sophomore Matt Schirmer (6-0, 225) and red-shirt freshman Bruce Robinson (6-1, 215).
The Cougars must replace Arthur Gissendanner, the team?s second leading tackler last season. Gissendanner finished the 2001 season with 98 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Cougars lost career leading receiver Orlando Iglesias, who led the team with 710 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 63 catches last season. He was third in C-USA in receptions per game, sixth in receiving yards per game, and on the All-C-USA second team.
Regardless, the Cougars have talent back at the receiver positions. Senior Brian Robinson (6-4, 208) should start at ?X? receiver with junior KeyKowa Bell (5-10, 185) at the ?W? receiver and junior Brandon Middleton (5-11, 180) at the ?Z? receiver.
In 2000, Robinson caught 80 passes, which ranked tied for seventh on the Cougars? list of single-season receptions, and was chosen to the All-C-USA second team. With Iglesias emerging as the primary target last season, Robinson?s catches fell off. Still, he was third on the team with 23 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
Sophomore Mark Hopkins (6-4, 200) and junior Harrison Arceneaux (6-2, 190) were slotted as the second- and third-string ?X? receivers in the spring.
Middleton, who played in 10 games, caught 20 passes but had the team-high average of 24.3 yards per catch. He had one touchdown catch and will again be the deep threat. In 2000, Middle broke his arm in the third game but came back strong last season.
His backup will be sophomore Johnny Tyson (6-0, 168), who caught five passes a year ago. Tyson may be the fastest Cougar receiver.
"His speed is incredible," Dimel said. "There is no doubt he has 4.3 speed. He has height and can do some great things."
Bell caught 54 passes for 722 yards two years ago, but was limited to three games last season because of injuries. He?s backed up by senior Jeremy McCardell (6-0, 225) and sophomore Choni Francis (5-7, 170).
"That position is three deep across the board for us, so we feel we are going into spring with nine receivers who have a chance to be great players for us," Dimel said.
Junior Jonathan Pritchett (6-4, 255) takes over at tight end for starter Grover Thompson, who caught 14 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Pritchett?s backups will be junior college transfer Matt Mattox (6-4, 250) and junior Stephen Cuccu (6-4, 240).
Pritchett and Cucci were both injured last year. Junior Jon Clark (6-5, 215) was used as a wide out in junior college last season but moved to tight end in the spring.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Cougars must replace Josh Demarr and Darnerius Watson, each a starter last season. Demarr started the first nine games at left tackle, while Watson started every game at right guard.
But the Cougars? line will be anchored by potential All-C-USA linemen Al James and Rex Hadnot.
James (6-0, 300), a junior, has started for two years and failed to give up a sack all of last season, which for him represented more than 500 plays. Red-shirt freshman Roy Swan (6-2, 320) will be James? backup, but his playing time will be limited to late-game duty as Dimel tries to get him some experience.
"Al James is evolving into an all-conference player, and he might even get some All-American looks as well because of the position he plays and how well he plays it," Dimel said. "That is such a crucial spot in the lot, and to have Rex right next to him is a real plus for him."
Hadnot (6-1, 310), a junior, was one of the better guards in the league, although he didn?t make the all-conference team voted by the coaches. Hadnot didn?t allow a sack last season.
Red-shirt freshman Jessie Bryant (6-3, 290) will be the backup for Hadnot at left guard.
Senior Chris Wheeler (6-2, 295) started the last five games at right tackle last season but will probably move to right guard, where he played in the spring. Willie Thomas III (6-3, 335), a senior, will also vie for the job at right guard.
Senior Rufus Williams (6-4, 300) was slotted as the starter at right tackle in the spring, ahead of red-shirt freshman John McGilvray (6-5, 250). At left tackle, senior Tyrone Green (6-2, 295) has the edge in experience, but must win the job over promising red-shirt freshman David Douglas (6-3, 295). Green and Douglas were slotted as co-No. 1 in the spring.
"Ty Green is a guy who probably could?ve started for us in all of our games last year, but we used him as a utility player," Dimel said. "He?ll be a starter for us this spring, and he?ll be a good starter for us."
KICKERS
Two players will try to fill the void left by the departure of starting kicker Jeff Patterson, who was limited to four field-goal attempts last season as the Cougars spent the season in need of touchdowns. Patterson was 2-of-4, making kicks of 30 and 37 yards and missing from 37 and 21 yards.
Sophomore Dustin Bell (6-2, 210) was slotted as the No. 1 kicker in the spring but must win the battle for the job with newcomer Justin Laird (6-2, 175) of Lee High School in Baytown, Texas.
Bell lettered last year but had no field-goal attempts. Laird was chosen to the Houston Chronicle?s list of top 100 recruits in the state. He was a punter and kicker in high school, earning first-team all-district honors for both positions as a senior.
DEFENSIVE LINE
In a nutshell, the Cougars? defensive line stunk last season. It produced only one sack, and it was a primary reason Houston ranked eighth in C-USA in rush defense, allowing 203.1 yards per game.
"I think our defensive line has to show dramatic improvement," Dimel said. "The last two years we?ve been here we?ve gone into [spring practice] with only one returning starter on the defensive line each of those years. We come back with more experience on the defensive line, even though they didn?t play on the level we wanted them to play."
Dimel has tried to shore up the defensive line by assigning it Wolford, who was the special teams and running backs coach last season. Dimel hopes Wolford?s intensity carries over to the defensive linemen.
Both starters return on the right side with senior Adrian Lee (6-2, 235) at end and senior Bryan Hill (6-1, 285) at tackle. Lee started the first six games at left end and started the last game at right end. Hill started the first seven games at tackle.
Backing up Lee will be junior David Midyett (6-2, 250) and freshman Kade Lane (6-2, 250). Hill?s backups are also young -- red-shirt freshman Sharod McGowan (6-2, 280) and sophomore John Stegent (6-1, 270).
Senior Quantaa Jackson (6-2, 255) is a strong, athletic player who should start at left end, but his backups are young -- sophomore Joe Clay (6-1, 255) and red-shirt freshman Jonathon Oduwole (6-7, 232).
After playing tight end and rush end last year, sophomore Kendrick Goss (6-4, 270) moved to left tackle and has the edge as the starter over red-shirt freshman Jeff Mayhew (6-4, 275).
LINEBACKERS
Texas A&M transfer Damien West (6-2, 246), a sophomore, spent last season practicing with the Cougars and appears ready to step into the starting job at the ?will? linebacker. Sophomores Bryant Brown (6-2, 220) and Cody Thibodeaux (6-1, 225) will push West for the starting job.
"Damien West has a stronghold, but he is going to get great competition from Bryant Brown and Cody Thibodeaux," Dimel said. "Then along with them you have Ronnie Braxton , who has played for us and given us valuable playing time, so we feel we have eight people at the linebacker position who can get in there and mix it up and see what they can do."
Braxton (6-0, 210) is a senior.
At the ?will? linebacker, several players are battling for the starting job with junior Justin Davis (6-2, 226) and red-shirt freshman Travis Griffith (6-4, 240) leading the way. Also in the mix are sophomore Matt Schirmer (6-0, 225) and red-shirt freshman Bruce Robinson (6-1, 215).
The Cougars must replace Arthur Gissendanner, the team?s second leading tackler last season. Gissendanner finished the 2001 season with 98 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and two sacks.
