Arkansas State Indians

Head Coach

Steve Roberts	7th year
07-08	5-7
Sun Belt	3-4
FCR	86

Previous Season Wins

Sun Belt Previews –by Tom Farrelly

Head Coach - Arkansas St has changed it’s nickname and are now the Red Wolves, Steve Roberts enters his 7th season and hopes to return the team to the upper tier of the Sun Belt following last seasons’ disappointing 5-7 mark. The return only eleven starters so much work is needed especially on the O-Line where they return but one starter, the Red Wolves were solid on both sides of the ball last year but turned the ball over way too often and it’s an area of concern heading into this season.

Quarterback - At quarterback junior Corey Leonard returns, he passed for 2,235 yards and 16 TD’s but his 15 interceptions hurt, he has excellent mobility and added 622 yards rushing with 5 TD’s. Leonard will be behind an inexperienced line this year so his decision making will need to improve, he missed the spring following shoulder surgery but should be ready when fall camp opens. Senior Travis Hewitt get plenty of work this spring and will be behind Leonard when the season begins.

Running Backs - Reggie Arnold returns at running back, the junior is one of the best in the Sun Belt as he rushed for 1,087 yards and added 9 TD’s last year with an outstanding 6.5 yards per carry. Sophomore Preston Brown will spell Arnold and he’ll see plenty of action, he is a dual-threat option out of the backfield as he caught 20 passes for 193 yards last year. At fullback sophomore Danny McNeal will start.

Receivers - Five of the top six receivers return from last year and Arkansas St has added a few more to the mix. Starting on the outside will be senior Kevin Jones and junior Brandon Thompkins; they combined for 59 receptions for 739 yards and 1 TD. Look for junior Jarriel Norman to also start and for a couple of incoming JUCO’s to be in the mix with both Taylor Clements and Jahbari McLennan, as both showed this spring they’ll be contributors. At tight end senior David Johnson returns as a solid option over the middle.

Offensive Line - It’s 1st All-SunBelt senior left tackle Matt Mandich and four unknowns heading into the season, he’s the rock having started every game of his career, they’ll run behind and he’ll protect Leonard’s blindside. Getting first look this fall will be seniors Mark Clemons at right tackle and Brandon Ciaramitaro at center and at the guard positions a pair of juniors, Dominic Padrta on the left and on the right Anthony Jackson.

Defensive Line - The Sun Belts top rated defensive unit must replace six starters but upfront there solid as three starters return, led by defensive ends, junior Alex Carrington and senior Brian Flagg. They combined for 82 tackles in 07’ and will look to improve there presence in the backfield this year. In the middle junior Khari Mays returns at nose tackle and he’ll be joined by sophomore Bryan Hall at defensive tackle.

Linebackers - In the middle will be senior Ben Owens, he’s a force against the run and with 96 tackles he’s the teams leading returning tackler. He’ll be joined by linebacker sophomores Javon McKinnon on the weakside and Darius Glover on the strongside, McKinnon added 41 tackles for the Red Wolves last season.

Defensive Backs - All four starters must be replaced but the coaching staff is confident coming out of spring that they have the pieces in place to do it. At cornerback senior Dominique Williams and junior Daylan Walker will start and JUCO’s Cordarious, Leroy Trahan and Walter Moody will provide depth. At free safety junior Evan Van Dolah will start along side sophomore M.D. Jennings who’ll be the strong safety, if junior Marcus Brown gets his grades in order he’ll play.

Special Teams - Placekicker Josh Arauco returns, the junior was 15 of 23 last seaon and 3 of 6 beyond the 40, at punter senior Brett Shrable was All-SunBelt last year averaging an impressive 41.7 yards. The return game is outstanding with Brandon Tompkins and senior Kevin Jones, Tompkins set the single season record for kickoff return yardage with 1,062 yards.

Schedule - They will be 1-1 when So Miss comes to town on the 13th of September, it’s a winnable game that could set the tone for the season. They get FAU and Troy late and will probably need to win two late games on the road to reach the .500 mark. It won’t happen but they’ll upset someone along the way and the Red Wolves will win 5 games this season.