2012 ROSTER PREVIEW
-OFFENSE-
CHARLES DICKSON (QB) AND MAX DREW (HB) WILL LEAD THE OFFENSE IN 2012
QUARTERBACK
In the team's opening loss to Texas Tech last season, James Hartman left the game with a concussion. Backup Xavier Rouse entered the game after that, and completed just 5 of 19 passes for 28 yards and five interceptions in the most embarassing loss of the year for the Outlaws. Shortly after, Rouse was bumped down to third on the depth chart, and true freshman Charles Dickson took over the backup spot. In his limited playing time, Dickson performed admirably, completing 15 of 20 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown, all but cementing his role as the team's new starter in 2012. Dickson also has the upper-hand in the speed department, which will be crucial in WTU's new offensive scheme that will rely heavily on a variety of runs, including the option.
RECRUITING: Walk-on Josh Merritt is essentially a placeholder on the depth chart, and is not expected to remain with the team long. The Outlaws will target at least two quarterbacks this season, all of whom must have quick feet to get offered a scholarship. Three-star prospects Darryl Rhodes of Monahans, TX and Alex Russ of Cloverleaf, TX are on the board, and are both seen as scrambling quarterbacks. With his imposing 6'5" height, Rhodes is likely seen as the top target at the position.
RUNNINGBACK
After taking over for Chaz Foreman as starter midway through the season, Max Drew became the workhorse of the offense, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as he rushed for 912 yards and nine touchdowns. As a senior, Drew now finds himself alone at the top of the depth chart, and will factor heavily into the offensive gameplan. Spelling him will be senior Jonathan Kaplan, who will also likely take the majority of the goal line snaps as he is considered more of a power back than the speedy Drew. Waiting in the wings is Kansas transfer DeShaun Sands, who may just be the most talented player on the roster. After a year on the Bench, Sands will likely be the offensive focal point as a senior in 2013. The Outlaws recruited three runningbacks last season: three-star prospect Andrew Brown, JUCO transfer Derrick Thomas, and one-star prospect Jason Young, all of whom will redshirt in 2012.
RECRUITING: With eight runningbacks on the roster and just two seniors, don't expect any recruiting action at this position. In fact, Young may be in danger on losing his roster spot next year if it's needed to fill a void somewhere else.
FULLBACK
In WTU's new pistol offense, the fullback will have a limited role, featured only in the Pistol train formation as a lead blocker and occassional passing target. JUCO transfer Joe Lilly will take that starting spot, while one-star prospect Martin Miller will redshirt in his first year with the team.
RERUITING: The limited use of the fullback in the team's offensive scheme makes it a low priority position for the Outlaws, so two players will likely be all the team will have. Barring any early graduations, West Texas should be set at the position for the next three years.
WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Maynard and C.J. Bellamy were the team's primary passing targets in 2011, combining for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. This year, they'll return to their starting spots as juniors, while third-year sophomore Cam Beach will occupy the slot receiver role. Kevin Irin, Derrick Myers, and Williams Tatum round out the depth chart at the position, and three-star prospect Van Sanders will redshirt.
RECRUITING: The majority of WTU's offensive formation will call for two or three wide receivers at most, so the team will likely only keep six players at the position. With seven on the roster, and just one set to graduate, don't expect any targets here.
TIGHT END
Out of the fifteen Pistol formations that the team will use, six of them call for one tight end, seven of them call for two tight ends, and one even calls for three tight ends. As such, it is a highly-valued position for the offense where the ability to effectively block for the run will be extremely important, as will the player's receiving skills in play action situations. Seniors Nathan Hills and Steven Nugent will be the go-to guys at the position, with the only change from a year ago being that Hills will take the starting spot over Nugent. They are followed by JUCO transfer Chad Clark in a limited role, and Marvin Watson rounding out the depth chart. Three-star prospect Van Ricks will be redshirted.
RECRUITING: Going forward, the team will likely keep four players on the roster at the position. With their top two tight ends graduating at the end of the season, the team has their eye on three-star prospect Jason Simmons out of Laredo, TX, who is the best blocking tight end showing interest in the team, and has the Outlaws second on his list right now behind TCU.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Adam O'Brien (LT) and Chris Pino (C) are the only players returning to the starting lineup from a year ago. Three-star prospect David Cox, the gem of the 2011 recruiting class, will take over at right tackle as a true freshman, replacing the recently graduated Joe Watts. JUCO transfer Terrence DeAngelis (LG) takes over for the departed Brian Caroll, and senior Shane Mayes is expected to get the nod at right guard, replacing 2011 starter Stephen Campbell, who will fall into a primary backup role for nearly every position on the line. Two-star prospect Luke Burks (G) will redshirt in 2012.
RECRUITING: The team will try and maintain thirteen players on the offensive line, allowing them to have a backup for every starter while also redshirting one guy at each position every year. With two starters graduating this season, that points to two players being recruited in 2012. Three-star prospect Tony Ward (T) played his high school ball just down the road from WTU's campus, and has shown a good amount of skill at blocking for the run. Two-star prospect Kelvin Gonzales (G) hails from Bedford, TX, and currently has the Outlaws at the top of his list.
TOTAL RECRUITING TARGETS: 5