Sophomore linebacker Kewone Harris is starting to emerge as a prized linebacker that the Catawba faithful foreshadowed last season.True freshman outside linebacker Cory Johnson has garnered the most buzz since arriving in fall camp last week. He appears as a probable candidate to replace departed two time all-league linebacker Charles McAfee in 2009, as does senior hitter Leon Ager.
However, a bright spot in this camp has emerged from sophomore outside linebacker Kewone Harris.
Harris arrived at Catawba last season with perhaps bigger expectations than household name Lakeem Perry did as a true freshman. At 6'1 185 pounds, Harris was one of the state's top prep tacklers during his final season at Oxford-Webb High School, collecting 171 stops.
After a injury-filled freshman campaign in 2008, the likelihood of Harris moving to safety was not only likely, but almost certain. It made sense as the Tribe had lost three of its top four safeties from last season, and Harris speed was looked to as an asset for Bob Lancaster's back four.However, fast forward to Friday morning and onlookers saw Harris lining up beside redshirt freshman Ronald Martin and senior Leon Ager at times as a linebacker.
Other news and notes from Friday's practice included a huge forced fumble from senior defensive end Arthur Cromartie on junior rusher Casey Hall. Senior running back Antonio Hall is an explosive offensive weapon and is primed for a vital role in Catawba's wide open offense. Hall had two touchdown runs in the practice's make-shift redzone trips, including an untouched scoring run on the far left-hand side.
Sophomore tight end Holt Rains showed excellent footwork against blitzing outside linebackers, while starting junior tight end Grayson Downs is a trust-worthy commodity in the passing game. Rookie Vincent Beam is still learning the position from his new tights coach Gerald Williams.
Quarterback Cameron Sexton had a lengthy write-up in Friday's Charlotte Observer, but was not in uniform on this day. Instead, quarterbacks Pat Dennis and Daniel Griffth took charge of the first and second-string offenses. Gunslingers Maurice Hughes and Landon Isenhour threw the pigskin on the sidelines, while all-state passer Brett Mooring absorbed more of the Indian's complex playbook.
Sophomore defensive tackle Robert Brown started in the team's final two contests against Brevard and Lenoir-Rhyne. He continued his positive momentum into camp thus far, plugging in crucial alleys in Lancaster's 4-3 scheme.
Brown will still be looking up to junior Brandon Sutton and senior Melquan Fair on the depth chart this season, but under Khanis Hubbard's rotation, Brown will have ample opportunity to improve on last season's success.
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