March 31 Spring Scrimmage Picture Gallery

Catawba junior wide receiver Gerron Bryant hauls in a touchdown grab against red-shirt freshman cornerback Doug Barron in Tuesday's spring scrimmage.
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2009 Spring Analysis

Position of strength?

The Indians were plagued by inconsistent quarterback play last season, but now teams in the SAC are envious over Catawba's situation.

The Tribe picked up key newcomers in UNC's Cameron Sexton and Shrine Bowler Brett Mooring in the off-season. Behind Dennis is a proven fifth-year senior in Howard Williamson.

Don't count out sophomore Daniel Griffith and his uncanny arm strength, it is one of the strongest arms in the conference.

Help is needed

The secondary was a pillar of experience last season. Now, it is a position of legitamite concern. One full-time starter was lost in the secondary in All-SAC CB Jasmon Carpenter.

Meanwhile, utility safety Chris Noel and fifth year senior Marcus Glenn have also departed. CB Bryant Vennable has starting experience and has all of the physical tools that Catawba great Jamel Jackson once had.

Restocking the back four does not figure to be a quick and easy process, but transfers Calvin Hall and Marcus McFadden could ease the burden. Rookies Jumal Rolle and LJ McCray could make an impact in the fall. Keep an eye on

RB Antonio Hall: In recent seasons, the Indians have had success with three running backs as a rotation. Last fall, however, Jamelle Cuthbertson was mostly a one-man show. The departed rusher tallied more than 1,000 yards in his feature role last season. Returning leading rusher Hall has first dibs on the starting job this season. At 190 pounds, he fits Catawba's need for a bruiser and a shifter. But who will be the second threat? Look out for redshirt freshman Bobby Morrison, a compact runner with ability who has drawn praise from coaches. Transfer Josh Wright from Western Carolina has Division I experience and talent, but needs more time connecting with his trenchmen.

WR Ronnie Williams: Last season in fall camp, Williams made his presence felt with his physical play at 6'4. Ultimately redshirted in 2008, his progression in the weight room this offseason has shown thus far in spring camp. Circus catches and sideline grabs are the norm for Catawba's latest treasure at WR this spring. His comparison to WR Brent Johnson is neither uncommon nor far-fetched, as Johnson used his superior height to his advantage on smaller CBs.

LB Ronald Martin: A late signee with the program last summer, Martin was a jump and a skip away from playing as a rookie. The coaching staff played marquee recruits Lakeem Perry and Kewone Harris in 2008, and redshirted the 6'0 210 pound linebacker. The lack of depth at linebacker this spring has opened the door for Martin to make strides and a splash at his position. Martin has been feeding off great penetration by a powerful defensive line, an occurance he hopes continues in the 2009 season. At the least, he should contend for a starting spot in the fall.

His time is now

Senior Travis Landrum might be the fastest receiver in the SAC, but his modest production over the past two seasons at WR has been observed. He has been one of the nation's premier kick returners since 2007, but has only managed 26 receptions in that time.

Landrum was one of the South Carolina's most prized prospects during his senior season in 2005. As a dual-threat quarterback at Chapman HS, he earned all-state honors as an athlete after posting consecutive 1,000 yard passing and rushing seasons. Now is Landrum's moment to make an impact this spring, take the momentum into the fall and prove he can be deep target for QBs Cameron Sexton, Patrick Dennis and Howard Williamson.

The buzz

Much of the attention this spring has centered on the Cameron Sexton quarterback sweepstakes rather than the unprecedented offensive and defensive lines built by Hester and his assistants the past four years.

The progress made in rebuilding the secondary and running back corp should be watched just as much this spring. The Indians' '09 season may depend on several unproven, but talented defensive backs aiming to make a good impression on the Tribe's coaching staff. Full Story

2009 Spring Update

Catawba's front four on the defensive line has been receiving the most publicity thus far in spring drills aside from the quarterback battle.

All ten defensive linemen return intact for the second straight season, headlined by All-American candidates Marcus Davis, Melquan Fair and Brandon Sutton.

In Saturday's 10:00 AM scrimmage, the defensive line set the pace and tone with at least eight sacks on Catawba's four quarterbacks. Defensive tackle Brandon Sutton led the way with a trio of sacks, followed by seniors Terrence Porter and Melquan Fair with pairs of sacks.

Junior defensive tackle Alex Hartsell forced a fumble in the white team's redzone while sacking quarterback Daniel Griffith.

Despite the quarterbacks being on their backs early and often during the morning scrimmage, quarterbacks Pat Dennis and Howard Williamson still found their favorite targets for significant gains.

Young receivers like Mario Washington, who had an amazing 40-yard reception off a tipped ball, finished the contest with three catches for 52 yards. Junior Brandon Bunn caught a 25 yard touchdown pass from Dennis towards the waning moments of the game.

Redshirt-freshman wide out Ronnie Williams and senior wide out Jamey Small both made outstanding catches near the home sideline, both resulting in first downs for the offense.

Dennis showed great footwork once he was out of the grasp of the collapsing front four, and he always thanks his hardworking offensive line for the holes they created.

Two-time All-American left tackle Terence Crosby has elevated his run and pass-blocking skill sets to another level since the last years' 58-23 win over Lenoir-Rhyne. Right tackle Hunter Carnes is a fiery senior that makes sure his troops are ready to play day in and day out.

Senior right guard Kevin Hamaker is always a leader by example, and has been nothing short of productive in his fourth spring season with the team. This is Hamaker's year to earn post season honors for the first time in his career, the coaching staff can feel it.

To Crosby's right is junior Kemp McSween, who has been steady thus far during the spring. McSween's confidence has really soared since his entrance into the starting lineup in early 2007.

Zane Gibson is the definition of reliable at center, who has had the luxury of snapping to great quarterbacks in Brad Roach, Howard Williamson, and Pat Dennis over the past two seasons. Gibson has been remarkable in one on one situations against the nation's most tenacious defensive tackles.

Sophomore Cody Corn was hampered by injury during the week and will likely be out for the week. Backup center Daylon McAlexander will slide over to guard to fill Corn's presence, while long-snapper Phillip Russ will occupy the second-string center position.

Speaking of second-string, Decarius Kanyinda is Crosby's immediate backup at left tackle. Nicknamed "DK" by coaches and teammates, Kanyinda took a redshirt last fall and will provide much needed depth upfront. His play thus far in the spring has been enthusiastic, and he is primed to do good things for Catawba in the near future.

Redshirt-freshmen Ronald Martin and Dustin Craft at outside linebacker have been pleasant surprises. Perhaps Martin's spring emergence is not much of a surprise to the coaching staff, as he was close to not taking a redshirt in 2008.

Craft's journey into Catawba blue and white started by inking with the program by nearby Carson High School. He did it all for a program that just opened its doors during his junior season, where he was one of North Carolina's leading tacklers.

After starting at quarterback as a senior, Craft committed to Chip Hester's Indians as a linebacker and longsnapper. The jury was still out on the status of his knee heading into last season, but his play thus far in the spring has been consistent.

Senior safety Jaspen Gray capped the scrimmage with a 40-yard interception return near the far sideline. Quarterback Logan Huslander escaped immense pressure from the pocket and fired an errant pass that fell into Gray's awaiting hands.

A convoy of blockers literally paved the way for the big return.. Full Story

March 21 Spring Scrimmage Picture Gallery

Catawba running back Casey Hall attempts to elude rising senior defensive tackle Melquan Fair during the scrimmage.

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March 18th Practice Picture Gallery

Rising junior defensive tackle Brandon Sutton takes part in opening drills of the 2009 spring extravaganza. He was named to the All-SAC second team last season with 14 TFL and 4 sacks.

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