Furman University

2013 Furman Football Yearbook

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2013 FURMAN PALADINS FOOTBALL OUTLOOK experience should prove beneficial this fall. Hannon's backup may very well come from the Paladins' recruiting class in the person of Dillon Woodruff (6-1, 195, Fr.). Terry Robinson (5-10, 186, So.) could also remain in the picture at quarterback following a 2012 season that saw him garner 10 carries for 51 yards while operating out of the "Wildcat" formation. to defensive end has the Paladins looking to fill all three linebacking positions this fall. The two top candidates to move into the lineup, Carl Rider (6-2, 214, So.) and Cory Magwood (6-1, 216, So.), showed promise in notable action last year, totaling 18 and 10 tackles, respectively. Rider's freshman campaign also included a 27-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Appalachian State. Other returning linebackers who should compete for action this fall include T.J. Warren (6-2, 202, R-Fr.) and Blake McCoy (5-10, 200, R-Jr.). Jairus Hollman (6-1, 185, So.) is the leading candidate to start at nickel back, a renamed position that will work alongside the other two linebacking slots. RUNNING BACKS The departure of Jerodis Williams, a two-time All-SoCon choice as a running back, presents Furman with a big positional hurdle heading into the 2013 season. Replacing Williams' impressive production (1,170 yds, 11 TDs in 2012) in the backfield will fall on the shoulders of Hank McCloud (5-8, 190, R-Jr.), a talented speedster who performed very well a year ago, rushing for 521 yards and six touchdowns. Another player expected to be in the picture is Marcus Anderson (5-9, 203, R-Fr.). The Paladins sport experience at fullback in Ernie Cain (5-11, 210, R-So.), Tony Caldwell (6-0, 222, R-Sr.), and Tanner Skogen (5-11, 197, R-So.). Cain ran for three scores in 2012, including a season best 47-yard scoring bolt in a 31-17 win at Elon. DEFENSE With only five starters and 13 lettermen returning on defense, Furman will likely go as far as its stop troops will take it in 2013. On the surface the small numbers and lack of depth could keep expectations in check, but the flip side is the season promises to provide opportunity for several highly regarded young performers to establish themselves as playmakers. 2012 Rushing Defense:...............................................................................................171.9 (5/73) 2012 Passing Defense:................................................................................................228.0 (9/81) 2012 Passing Efficiency Defense:.............................................................................160.78 (8/106) 2012 Sacks:...................................................................................................................2.18 (4/42) 2012 Total Defense:.....................................................................................................399.9 (7/79) 2012 Scoring Defense:..................................................................................................30.7 (7/90) 2012 Turnover Margin:.............................................................................................. -0.64 (9/102) (Southern Conference Rank/National Rank) DEFENSIVE LINE The loss of three regulars and 87 total starts on the defensive front has left the Paladins with a rebuilding task. The good news, however, is the three new projected starters are proven, physically strong, athletic performers. The lone returning starter is end Shawn Boone (6-2, 240, Sr.), a two-year regular who is coming off a junior season that included 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Expected to fill the shoes of graduated All-SoCon end Josh Lynn is Gary Wilkins (6-2, 236, R-Jr.), who is making the switch from linebacker, where last year he racked up a team leading 92 tackles while earning high praise from the coaching staff for his playmaking ability. The two inside slots will likely be manned by Ira McCune (6-2, 251, Jr.) and John Mackey (6-0, 285, R-So.). McCune tallied 26 tackles in 2012 while Mackey had 15 stops a year ago in his first season of action. There is no experience among the Furman's lone returning starter in the defensive 13 players listed as backups along the line is senior end Shawn Boone. defensive front. LINEBACKERS Furman's linebacking corps was hit hard by graduation, which claimed starters Mitch McGrath (86 tackles in '12) and Matt Solomon (87 tackles in '12). In addition, Gary Wilkins' likely move Furman's coaching staff is confident Gary Wilkins will be an impact player at defensive end in 2013. SECONDARY Three regulars are back in the Paladin secondary, including starting cornerbacks Austin Williams (5-10, 175, R-Sr.) and Reggie Thomas (5-11, 180, So.), as well as strong safety Greg Worthy (6-1, 215, R-Sr.). The one new starter is projected to be Marcus McMorris (6-0, 200, R-Jr.), a veteran performer who is expected to take over at free safety. Williams registered 24 tackles in 2012 and owns 11 starts in his career, including nods in the last five games a year ago. Thomas, meanwhile, proved to be an impact performer as a true freshman in 2012, securing a starting role only three games into the season en route to a 23-tackle campaign that featured two interceptions and a pair of sacks. He was a 2012 SoCon All-Freshman Team selection. Jamarii Milliken (5-11, 186, R-Fr.) could also increase the competition for playing time at cornerback. Strong safety will be in the very capable hands of Worthy, the owner of 209 tackles and three interceptions whose 26 career starts rank second only to offensive tackle Dakota Dozier. His backup is Thomas Brown (6-1, 200, R-Fr.). McMorris is coming off a 2012 campaign that saw him register 52 tackles and a pair of interceptions — the first via a 52-yard pickoff return versus Western Carolina and second on a school record 95-yard fumble return against Elon. SPECIAL TEAMS Furman welcomes back virtually its entire cast of special teams per- Free safety Greg Worthy boasts 26 career starts — formers, but the one key departure, the second highest total on the squad. All-America kickoff return specialist Jerodis Williams, was significant when considering he led FCS in average (35.9 avg.) and recorded a pair of 100-yard returns against Western Carolina and Appalachian State. Ray Early (6-0, 200, Sr.) ranks as one of the SoCon's most talented kickers and punters. A year ago he converted 10-of-16 field goal attempts, including a career long 52-yarder versus The Citadel, and averaged a very solid 42.1 yards per punt, which included a career long 82-yard effort, the second longest in program history, against Wofford. The return of Danny LaMontagne (6-0, 212, So.), a SoCon All-Freshman Team selection last year, gives the Paladins a proven long snapper. Furman 5 Paladins

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