By Tom Housenick
The Daily Item
March 29, 2008 06:07 am
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LEWISBURG -- Marcello Trigg. A.J. Kizekai. Rashod Bumpers. Shaun Pasternak. Cale Cadman.
All familiar names. All with potential to have big seasons in 2008.
All in need of some help.
Bucknell returns all of its offensive skill players from last season, but needs to find several new faces up front to give those others a chance to shine.
"Offensive line is a real key," Bison coach Tim Landis said as spring practice begins Saturday at 10 a.m.
Landis focused much of the recruiting efforts on the offensive and defensive lines, the two areas hit hardest by graduation and in need of size in the ever-growing Patriot League.
While the incoming freshmen will have to wait until August to get a shot at impressing their new coach, there are several college players who will have a chance right now to earn a spot high on the depth chart.
Three soon-to-be sophomores head the list -- Paul Brazinski, Hesham Abdelaal and Nick McLeod.
Southern Columbia High School product Ian Fullmer is the only returning full-time starter up front. Junior-to-be James Phelan got a few starts in 2007 at right tackle.
On the defensive side, Landis said he has more depth on the line than he's had before at Bucknell but there are big holes to fill. Josh Eden, a returning starter who would be a junior, is gone for two years on his Mormon mission. Ryan Walsh also graduated.
"Defensive line is a bit of a concern," Landis admitted. "(Eden) is a huge void to fill."
Eden led the Bison last season in tackles for loss and sacks.
Marques Morgan, Todd Rinaldo and Will Braaf all have experience at defensive end. Sophomore Chris Ingram is expected to earn time at nose guard.
"I thought we recruited real well at defensive line," the Bison coach said. "We targeted four guys and got three of them."
Greg Jones (65 tackles), Todd Manjuck (team-best 76 tackles in 2007) and Travis Nissley head up the linebackers, a group that lost Southern product Ryan Slater (65 tackles) to graduation.
The secondary is still young, but loaded with experience -- Brigham Farrand, Josh Gornto, Tyler McFarlane and Ahkiel White.
Punter Phil Azarik and kicker Will Carney also return.
Perhaps Bucknell's biggest upgrade this season will be first-year strength and conditioning coach John Field.
"He's raised the level of expectations in the weight room," Landis said. "He's got a new philosophy. I wanted change, to get (the players) out of their comfort zone.
"Overall, we have a better physical profile."
Examples: Phelan has added 25 pounds and defensive lineman Kyle Boline has gone from 210 to 240.
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