SMITHFIELD- I feel like every time I do a camp visit with the Bulldogs, it is the hottest day in training camp. Obviously that was not the case, but it certainly felt like it.
According to head coach Chris Merritt, the Bulldogs have over 40 new faces on the roster. That is a lot but Merritt will tell you that his team is also faster and has the potential to be a more explosive team on both sides of the ball.
The move to the CAA has been the main storyline this off-season and rightfully so. It is a different world to what the Bulldogs are used to in the Big South, Despite that, Bryant is ready for the junp in competition. The question is, how long will it take for the new faces and the young players to develop?
If they develop early, the Bulldogs have the talent and coaching to be a tough team to play.
Here are five observations from my camp visit with the Bulldogs.
1. Be our Guest, put our service to the test: A little Disney reference for you. Coastal Carolina transfer Jarrett Guest was named the starting quarterback during CAA Media day by Merritt, squashing any talk of a possible quarterback competition. The 6-3 200 pound Guest has a live arm and is athletic in the zone read run game. He brings a different dynamic to the Bulldogs offense in terms of what he can do both as a runner and passer. Merritt cited Guest’s experience starting games at Coastal, learning the system quickly and being a “old soul” as some of the reasons he was named the starter. Merritt likes the quarterback room as a whole and praised the group for their hard work this off-season. Freshmen Brennan Myer, Freshmen quarterback from Texas is a player to watch.
2. Depth at the skill positions: The Bulldogs have plenty of depth both at running back and wide receiver. Fabrice Mukendi and Ryan Clark lead a diverse rushing attack. UTSA transfer Kaedric Cobbs and Trenton Simpson also figure to be in the mix.
Landon Ruggieri returns at wide receiver to lead a long, athletic group that has big play potential. Aldrich Doe, Keylijah Williams, Gary Cooper, Tristan Riley and Andrew Montez all figure to play a prominent role.
Marc Taglieri and Bailey Lash lead the tight end. Bryant will use those guys in a variety if ways both as blockers and receivers.
3. Length at the line of scrimmage: One of the things Merritt talked about was the length the Bulldogs have along the offensive line. Junior offensive tackle Nickolas Molina and senior offendive tacke Anthony Perez lead the way for a line thst slso features senior Brayden Staggs and Andrew Berkery at guard and junior Temple transfer Jon Fagley at center. It is an athletic, hard working group that will pave the way for a strong ground game and a dynamic passing attack.
4. Versatile pieces on defense: Merritt likes the length and versatility that is found across the bosrd on defense. The Bulldogs have playmakers at all three levels. It starts in the secondary with Chris Yates and Colin Elliott. Juniors Kareem Dinzey and Kaden Hamilton headline a group of players who could make an impact in the secondary as well.
At linebacker and EDGE, the Bulldogs return Ben Silver. He will be joined by Andre Smith. Western Kentucky transfer Lonnie Rice and Boston College transfer Steve Lubischer are among the players who could compete for playing time at linebacker. There are also younger players at the position who could potentially find their way into the starting line up.
Michael Otty headlines the defensive line but the staff is also high on juniors Nate Voorhies and Beau Shugarts as well. Junior Hollis Dirstine and sophomore Nathan LaPlante are also names to watch along the defensive line. Several younger players will be expected to step up.
5. Ante has been upped: The staff and the plsyers alike recognize that the move to the CAA is a big step up and therefore they must rise to the occasion. It wont be easy but Bryant has the talent and the staff to be competitive in year one.