2015 Projected Coaches All-SoCon Teams

[smallcollegefbfan]

Had a lot of discussion from some SoCon folks in another thread so I thought I would start this one. This is just what I project the coaches to pick.

The coaches will only do a 1st and 2nd team but I went ahead and named a 3rd team just for talks. I almost went with Magwood for the DEF POY pick while Herren, Cobb, and Palmer almost made my 2nd team list.

If any of you want me to do another league like this, I certainly will.

2015 Projected Coaches Preseason All-Southern Conference Football Team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Jacob Huesman, Sr., QB, Chattanooga
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Justin Cooper, Sr., LB, Samford

First Team Offense
QB Jacob Huesman, Sr., Chattanooga
RB Denzel Williams, Jr., Samford
RB Alex Lakes, So., Mercer
OL Sam Frye, Sr., The Citadel
OL Joe Turner, Sr., Furman
OL Gunnar Bromelow, Sr., Samford
OL Corey Levin, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Anton Wahrby, Jr., Wofford
TE Duncan Fletcher, Jr., Furman
WR Karel Hamilton, Jr., Samford
WR Spearman Robinson, Jr., Western Carolina
WR Karnorris Benson, Sr., Western Carolina

First Team Defense
DL Keionta Davis, Jr., Chattanooga
DL Mitchell Jeter, Sr., The Citadel
DL E.J. Speller, Sr., Wofford
DL Michael Pierce, Sr., Samford
LB Cory Magwood, Sr., Furman
LB Justin Cooper, Sr., Samford
LB Nakevion Leslie, Jr., Chattanooga
DB James Bradberry, Sr., Samford
DB Cedric Nettles, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Dee Virgin, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Lucas Webb, So., Chattanooga

First Team Specialists
PK Henrique Ribeiro, Jr., Chattanooga
P Brian Sanders, Jr., Wofford
RS Chandler Curtis, So., Mercer

Second Team Offense
QB Troy Mitchell, Sr., Western Carolina
RB Lorenzo Long, Jr., Wofford
RB Darius Ramsey, Sr., Western Carolina
OL Wilson Heres, Sr., Mercer
OL Jake Thornton, Sr., Western Carolina
OL T.J. Chamberlain, Sr., Wofford
OL Jacob Revis, So., Chattanooga
OL Josh Wineberg, Sr., Western Carolina
TE Robert Brown, Jr., Mercer
WR Jordan Snellings, Sr., Furman
WR C.J. Board, Jr., Chattanooga
WR Terryon Robinson, Jr., Western Carolina

Second Team Defense
DL Caleb Hawkins, Sr., Western Carolina
DL Josh Freeman, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Helva Matungulu, Sr., Western Carolina
DL Bret Niederreither, Jr., Mercer
LB Tosin Aguebor, Jr., Mercer
LB Tyler Ward, Jr., Mercer
LB Carl Rider, Jr., Furman
DB Reggie Thomas, Sr., Furman
DB Jamerson Blount, Jr., Samford
DB Alex Avant, Sr., Mercer
DB Trey Morgan, Jr., Western Carolina
DB DeVonta Delaney, So., The Citadel

Second Team Specialists
PK Warren Handrahan, Jr., Samford
P Destry Barnwell, So., Western Carolina
RS Detrez Newsome, So., Western Carolina

Third Team Offense
QB Al Cobb, So., VMI
RB Derrick Craine, Jr., Chattanooga
RB Ray Smith, Sr., Wofford
OL Kirby Southard, Jr., Mercer
OL David Lenoir, So., Wofford
OL Dequan Miller, Jr., Wofford
OL Synjen Herren, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Bradley Way, Jr., Wofford
TE Tony Philpot, Sr., Samford
WR JT Palmer, Sr., Mercer
WR Chandler Curtis, So., Mercer
WR Aaron Sanders, Jr., VMI

Third Team Defense
DL Toyvian Brand, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Roosevelt Donaldson, Jr., Samford
DL Tunde Ayinla, Jr., Mercer
DL John Mackey, Sr., Furman
LB Drake Michaelson, Sr., Wofford
LB A.J. Hampton, Sr., Chattanooga
LB Daniel Riddle, So., Western Carolina
DB Sertonuse Harris, Sr., Western Carolina
DB Trevor Wright, So., Chattanooga
DB Brion Anderson, Sr., Wofford
DB Jaleel Green, Jr., Wofford

Third Team Specialists
PK David Marvin, So., Wofford
P J.C. Hollingsworth, So., Furman
RS Lorenzo Long, Jr., Wofford

PICKS BY SCHOOL
Chattanooga- 16
Western Carolina- 14
Wofford- 14
Mercer- 12

Samford- 10
Furman- 8
The Citadel- 3
VMI- 2

[PaladinFan]

I realize these are guesses, but from a homer perspective, I have some quibbles.

1. Carl Rider. All ready a first team SoCon player. Lead the league in tackles in 2013 and second in tackles per game. Missed 2014 to injury. I'm surprised you have him as a third team player, especially when you note that the guy that was his backup (and playing out of position) could be the DPOY.

2. Eric Thoni. Missed all of 2014, but was a former freshman all american and all SoCon player at center. I have a hard time believing he is not one of the 15 best offensive linemen in the league.

3. Trey Robinson. Missed much of 2014, but a former all-freshman team player. Very good safety.

4. Jordan Snellings. Guy was a second team all-socon player last year and spent half the season with a backup linebacker at quarterback. Shows you how good he could be if he is an all-conference receiver playing on perhaps the worst FCS offense I've seen in years.

I could argue for inclusion of guys like Reese Hannon, Andrej Suttles, and some of Furman's young offensive linemen. Truthfully, you cannot really project a lot of those guys based on 2014, particularly on offense. If Hannon is healthy (and now with a "redshirt year"), I think you could see an explosive season out of him and Furman's talented receiving corps.

[SU DOG]

IMO, that is a good job of projecting what the coaches will pick. They won't be into players who are coming back from injuries last year, or transfers who have yet to play in the conference. Terrell Woods is a DE who missed last year with an injury, and we also have Hayden Naumann an OL xfer who started every game last year at UAB. These are 2 terrific players, but of course they wouldn't be on any preseason lists.
Thanks for the post SCFBF, nice work.

[PaladinFan]

IMO, that is a good job of projecting what the coaches will pick. They won't be into players who are coming back from injuries last year, or transfers who have yet to play in the conference. Terrell Woods is a DE who missed last year with an injury, and we also have Hayden Naumann an OL xfer who started every game last year at UAB. These are 2 terrific players, but of course they wouldn't be on any preseason lists.
Thanks for the post SCFBF, nice work.

I think transfers are difficult to pick, or guys that could be really good but have no track record of success. I do think you can project players coming off injury, though.

Carl Rider, for instance, was a first team all-socon player as a sophomore at MLB, and missed 2014 to injury. I think it is pretty safe to assume he is still a pretty good player who has already earned stripes in this league.

[FUBeAR]

I think transfers are difficult to pick, or guys that could be really good but have no track record of success. I do think you can project players coming off injury, though.

Carl Rider, for instance, was a first team all-socon player as a sophomore at MLB, and missed 2014 to injury. I think it is pretty safe to assume he is still a pretty good player who has already earned stripes in this league.

Do you know if Rider was Full Contact during Spring Practice and, if so, how much live action did he get? Reason I'm wondering is because the injury that kept him out for almost all of 2014 started some time prior to the season opener (could have been as far back as the prior season, I don't know)...and then he played, I think, 2 plays, in Game 2 of 2014 before he went out for the rest of the season. Heckuva a good player, no doubt...but with what appears could be a chronic thing, I could see holding off in naming him to pre-season teams/lists. If he's recovered fully, he'll be on the post-season ones. BTW - I think we have 'discussed' this before, but Magwood was NOT Rider's backup/replacement in 2014. Rider is Mike (Middle LB) and Magwood is a SAM (Strongside LB). Rider's backups/replacements at MLB in 2014 were B. Johnson (6), Minter (2), and Warren (3).

[PaladinFan]

Do you know if Rider was Full Contact during Spring Practice and, if so, how much live action did he get? Reason I'm wondering is because the injury that kept him out for almost all of 2014 started some time prior to the season opener (could have been as far back as the prior season, I don't know)...and then he played, I think, 2 plays, in Game 2 of 2014 before he went out for the rest of the season. Heckuva a good player, no doubt...but with what appears could be a chronic thing, I could see holding off in naming him to pre-season teams/lists. If he's recovered fully, he'll be on the post-season ones. BTW - I think we have 'discussed' this before, but Magwood was NOT Rider's backup/replacement in 2014. Rider is Mike (Middle LB) and Magwood is a SAM (Strongside LB). Rider's backups/replacements at MLB in 2014 were B. Johnson (6), Minter (2), and Warren (3).

Good question. According to this article (http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/furman/2015/03/21/furmans-hannon-thrilled-back-spring-practice/25145853/) Rider was limited contact in the spring. I say he missed all of 2014, but he technically played a few series I think against Mercer (maybe less) before suffering the same injury on the other shoulder.

You are technically correct and really sort of depends on how you label the position.

In 2013, Rider was the SAM (13 starts) and Magwood was the MIKE (see game notes from NDSU: http://furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2013-14/2013_Furman_Game_Notes_-_Stats.pdf)

In 2014, Magwood was the SAM and Johnson was (predominately) the MIKE. However, in the one game Rider played, Rider was SAM and Magwood was MIKE, as in 2013 (see game notes from Mercer: http://furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2014-15/2014_Furman_Game_Notes_-_Stats.pdf)

So, while they both were starters and played different positions, I call Magwood Rider's backup because when Rider went out, Magwood played Rider's position. When Rider came back, Magwood went back to where he was the year before.

I personally think this will all be semantics. With Magwood, Rider, and Johnson on the roster, and no linebacker/safety hybrid like Marcus McMorris or Greg Worthy, I would be shocked if Furman isn't in a 4-3 base defense this season instead of the 4-2 look they've run for a while.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I realize these are guesses, but from a homer perspective, I have some quibbles.

1. Carl Rider. All ready a first team SoCon player. Lead the league in tackles in 2013 and second in tackles per game. Missed 2014 to injury. I'm surprised you have him as a third team player, especially when you note that the guy that was his backup (and playing out of position) could be the DPOY.

2. Eric Thoni. Missed all of 2014, but was a former freshman all american and all SoCon player at center. I have a hard time believing he is not one of the 15 best offensive linemen in the league.

3. Trey Robinson. Missed much of 2014, but a former all-freshman team player. Very good safety.

4. Jordan Snellings. Guy was a second team all-socon player last year and spent half the season with a backup linebacker at quarterback. Shows you how good he could be if he is an all-conference receiver playing on perhaps the worst FCS offense I've seen in years.

I could argue for inclusion of guys like Reese Hannon, Andrej Suttles, and some of Furman's young offensive linemen. Truthfully, you cannot really project a lot of those guys based on 2014, particularly on offense. If Hannon is healthy (and now with a "redshirt year"), I think you could see an explosive season out of him and Furman's talented receiving corps.

I thought about all of those guys and almost put Robinson in the group. After I posted this I actually was going to put Rider on the 2nd team. I'm going to update the list with a few other changes and bump Rider to 2nd team.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I think transfers are difficult to pick, or guys that could be really good but have no track record of success. I do think you can project players coming off injury, though.

Carl Rider, for instance, was a first team all-socon player as a sophomore at MLB, and missed 2014 to injury. I think it is pretty safe to assume he is still a pretty good player who has already earned stripes in this league.

If a player was injured but had been all-league in 2013 I can see coaches selecting them. It's players who maybe were off to a strong start and got hurt early or players who never had an all-conference type season that coaches will leave off. I think Rider could make it and perhaps the LB from Mercer but they are the only major names who really deserve it coming off injury at this point.

[kdinva]

VMI: look for DB Greg Sanders, DL Joe Nelson, OL Nate Murray, LB Allen Cratsenberg, & K Dillon Christopher to make noise this Fall.....

[smallcollegefbfan]

VMI: look for DB Greg Sanders, DL Joe Nelson, OL Nate Murray, LB Allen Cratsenberg, & K Dillon Christopher to make noise this Fall.....

I was looking to add some more from VMI but Wofford, Samford, Mercer, and WCU had a lot of good young players I went with over VMI partly due to team success. Win more than 4 or 5 games this year and you should have more than 2 on the postseason list.

[PaladinNation]

I thought about all of those guys and almost put Robinson in the group. After I posted this I actually was going to put Rider on the 2nd team. I'm going to update the list with a few other changes and bump Rider to 2nd team.

If Robinson stays healthy he's SoCon first team IMO. The spring game he was the most impressive player on defense. Also Rider did get PT in the spring game. Can't say from memory how much. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jordan Hawkins get some love by the end of the season.

[smallcollegefbfan]

If Robinson stays healthy he's SoCon first team IMO. The spring game he was the most impressive player on defense. Also Rider did get PT in the spring game. Can't say from memory how much. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jordan Hawkins get some love by the end of the season.

There are so many good DBs in the SoCon this year. I see he did play in the spring game and had good numbers. I'll bump him up. Here is the update.

2015 Projected Coaches Preseason All-Southern Conference Football Team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Jacob Huesman, Sr., QB, Chattanooga
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Justin Cooper, Sr., LB, Samford

First Team Offense
QB Jacob Huesman, Sr., Chattanooga
RB Denzel Williams, Jr., Samford
RB Alex Lakes, So., Mercer
OL Sam Frye, Sr., The Citadel
OL Joe Turner, Sr., Furman
OL Gunnar Bromelow, Sr., Samford
OL Corey Levin, Jr., Chattanooga
OL Anton Wahrby, Jr., Wofford
TE Duncan Fletcher, Jr., Furman
WR Karel Hamilton, Jr., Samford
WR Spearman Robinson, Jr., Western Carolina
WR Jordan Snellings, Sr., Furman

First Team Defense
DL Keionta Davis, Jr., Chattanooga
DL Mitchell Jeter, Sr., The Citadel
DL E.J. Speller, Sr., Wofford
DL Michael Pierce, Sr., Samford
LB Cory Magwood, Sr., Furman
LB Justin Cooper, Sr., Samford
LB Nakevion Leslie, Jr., Chattanooga
DB James Bradberry, Sr., Samford
DB Cedric Nettles, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Dee Virgin, Jr., Chattanooga
DB Lucas Webb, So., Chattanooga

First Team Specialists
PK Henrique Ribeiro, Jr., Chattanooga
P Brian Sanders, Jr., Wofford
RS Chandler Curtis, So., Mercer

Second Team Offense
QB Troy Mitchell, Sr., Western Carolina
RB Lorenzo Long, Jr., Wofford
RB Darius Ramsey, Sr., Western Carolina
OL Wilson Heres, Sr., Mercer
OL Jake Thornton, Sr., Western Carolina
OL T.J. Chamberlain, Sr., Wofford
OL Jacob Revis, So., Chattanooga
OL Josh Wineberg, Sr., Western Carolina
TE Robert Brown, Jr., Mercer
WR Karnorris Benson, Sr., Western Carolina
WR C.J. Board, Jr., Chattanooga
WR Terryon Robinson, Jr., Western Carolina

Second Team Defense
DL Caleb Hawkins, Sr., Western Carolina
DL Josh Freeman, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Helva Matungulu, Sr., Western Carolina
DL Bret Niederreither, Jr., Mercer
LB Tosin Aguebor, Jr., Mercer
LB Tyler Ward, Jr., Mercer
LB Carl Rider, Jr., Furman
DB Reggie Thomas, Sr., Furman
DB Jamerson Blount, Jr., Samford
DB Alex Avant, Sr., Mercer
DB Trey Morgan, Jr., Western Carolina
DB Trey Robinson, Furman, Jr.

Second Team Specialists
PK Warren Handrahan, Jr., Samford
P Destry Barnwell, So., Western Carolina
RS Detrez Newsome, So., Western Carolina

Third Team Offense
QB Al Cobb, So., VMI
RB Derrick Craine, Jr., Chattanooga
RB Ray Smith, Sr., Wofford
OL Kirby Southard, Jr., Mercer
OL David Lenoir, So., Wofford
OL Dequan Miller, Jr., Wofford
OL Synjen Herren, Sr., Chattanooga
OL Bradley Way, Jr., Wofford
TE Tony Philpot, Sr., Samford
WR JT Palmer, Sr., Mercer
WR Chandler Curtis, So., Mercer
WR Aaron Sanders, Jr., VMI

Third Team Defense
DL Toyvian Brand, Sr., Chattanooga
DL Roosevelt Donaldson, Jr., Samford
DL Tunde Ayinla, Jr., Mercer
DL John Mackey, Sr., Furman
LB Drake Michaelson, Sr., Wofford
LB A.J. Hampton, Sr., Chattanooga
LB Daniel Riddle, So., Western Carolina
DB Sertonuse Harris, Sr., Western Carolina
DB Trevor Wright, So., Chattanooga
DB Brion Anderson, Sr., Wofford
DB DeVonta Delaney, So., The Citadel

Third Team Specialists
PK David Marvin, So., Wofford
P J.C. Hollingsworth, So., Furman
RS Lorenzo Long, Jr., Wofford

PICKS BY SCHOOL
Chattanooga- 16
Western Carolina- 14
Wofford- 13
Mercer- 12
Samford- 10
Furman- 9
The Citadel- 3
VMI- 2