The Blazers open camp Monday, Aug. 6.
As we inch closer to the start of camp, here are five notes about the 2012 Blazers:
1) It’s Cochran time
Cayden Cochran earned the starting quarterback job last season after completing 20 of 29 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns against Ouachita Baptist and has never looked back. The rising redshirt junior started the final four games of last season for VSU.
This season, there is little doubt that Cochran is the guy. The lefty has a strong arm to go along with his speed and agility and he has a solid receiving corps coming back this season (and next). With some questions about depth at the running back position, Cochran and his receivers could be in line of a big 2012 season.
Speaking to Cochran throughout the summer, it is clear that he is hungry to get back on the field and lead the Blazer offense this year.
2) A giant O-line
The Valdosta State offensive line will likely scare every opposing coach this season. The Blazers starting five is all returning starters, all of whom are seniors, and averages 6-foot-4, 316 pounds.
Needless to say, opposing defenses may have a tough time getting into the backfield to disrupt the Blazers’ offense, allowing Cochran extra time in the pocket to find an open wide receiver.
If the size doesn’t scare you, the preseason accolades should. Three of the five linemen were named preseason All-Americans by one of the soon-to-be many publications that rank All-Americans.
3) Virgil, Davis ready to shine; LBs are deep
When breaking down the preseason depth chart with Valdosta State head coach David Dean last week, Dean seemed excited about two young members on the Blazers’ defensive front: Lawrence Virgil and Tevin Davis.
The big defensive tackle Virgil, a Brooks County native, made the transition to DT last season after he spent his freshman season as tight end.
Considered one of the strongest players on the team, Virgil, who stands at 6-foot-6, might pose problems for opposing offenses, if he can learn how to play every down on the field.
As for Davis, the 5-foot-11 sophomore defensive end showed much promise for the Blazers last season, recording 19 tackles (4.5 for loss) and 2 sacks off the bench. This season, Davis will start opposite senior defensive end Tyler Josey.
Behind the D-line will be a deep group of linebackers. Last year’s starters of Chris Pope and Ryan Smith are both back and will be joined by a solid group of role players last season, which includes fifth-year senior Chas Matthews, junior Trokon Gaye, junior Jeremy Grable and sophomore Justin Williams, a former Valdosta Wildcat.
4) Replacing Dreiling is tough
When David Dean was asked about the task of replacing All-American safety Harrison Dreiling, Dean said it was a concern of his heading into camp.
After all, in his two seasons with the Blazers, Dreiling was a defensive nightmare for opposing offenses; he was second on the team in tackles both seasons and finished his VSU career with 165 total tackles, nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
This season, the leading candidate to replace the 5-foot-10 Dreiling is junior Lance Holder, who moved to safety from cornerback during spring practice. Regardless, Holder is inexperienced at the position and he could take some bumps and bruises this season. But, if Blazer fans are patient enough, Holder could turn out to be a key player this season.
5) Don’t sleep on the punter
The past four seasons, Blazer fans haven’t had to worry about the all-important position of punter. Yes, I said punter. Jack Fulford finished his famed four-year career with VSU and will go down as one of the top two punters in school history.
Now with the departure of Fulford, Dean said three or four players will compete for the job, including place kicker Daniel Andersen, who filled in as punter during the season finale last season (Fulford didn’t dress).
Andersen is the leading candidate, one would assume, but after struggling with field goals in 2011, the Blazer coaching staff might determine that both jobs could be too much and could give the job to someone else. Regardless, the loss of Fulford’s long hanging and booming punts that seemed to just die when they rolled inside the 10- and 5-yard lines will surely be missed.
