2008 conference preview: Sun Belt
by Matt Miller
The Sun Belt will again be dominated by Florida Atlantic in 2008, but four teams are viable candidates to take home the conference championship.
The Owls will again feature a punishing defense and an exciting offensive attack, led by quarterback Rusty Smith.
Troy University features talent in the secondary, but their offense may not be able to put enough points on the board. The team returns 14 starters from a team that tied Florida Atlantic for the best conference record last season.
A key match up to watch will be the FAU defense against the North Texas offense on Nov. 8. There is more talent than ever before in the Sun Belt in 2008, which should lead to an exciting season.
Conference Power Rankings
1. Florida Atlantic
2. Troy
3. North Texas
4. La-Monroe
5. Middle Tennessee State
6. Arkansas State
7. La-Lafayette
8. Florida International
First Team All-Conference
QB - Rusty Smith, Jr., Florida Atlantic
RB - Tyrell Fenroy, Sr., La-Lafayette
RB - Reggie Arnold, Jr., Arkansas State
WR - Casey Fitzgerald, Sr., North Texas
WR - Cortez Gent, Jr., Florida Atlantic
TE - Jason Harmon, Sr., Florida Atlantic
OT - Matt Mandich, Sr., Arkansas State
OT - John Rizzo, Sr., Florida Atlantic
OG - Aaron Schutz, Sr., ULM
OG - David Matlock, Jr., Florida Atlantic
C - Brad Serini, Sr., Florida International
DL - Jervonte Jackson, Sr., Florida Atlantic
DL - Kenny Mainor, Sr., Troy
DL - Aaron Morgan, Jr., ULM
DL - Alex Carrington, Jr., Arkansas State
LB - Frantz Joseph, Sr., Florida Atlantic
LB - Boris Lee, Jr., Troy
LB - Antwyne Zanders, Jr., La-Lafayette
LB - Cardia Jackson, Jr., ULM
CB - Tavious Polo, RS-So., Florida Atlantic
CB - Corey Small, Sr., Florida Atlantic
S - Ashlyn Parker, Jr., Florida International
S - Greg James, Sr., ULM
K - Drew Edmiston, Sr., La-Lafayette
P - Scott Love, Jr., ULM
KR - Desmond Gee, Jr., MTSU
Second Team All-Conference
QB - Michael Desormeaux, Sr., La-Lafayette
RB - Dwight Dasher, So., MTSU
RB - Charles Pierre, Sr., Florida Atlantic
WR - Darrell McNeal, Jr., ULM
WR - Frantz Simeon, Sr., Florida Atlantic
TE - Zeek Zacharie, Sr., ULM
OT - Chris Jamison, Sr., Troy
OT - Dion Small, Sr., Troy
OG - Joe Alajajian, Jr., Florida International
OG - Tyler Bailey, Jr., North Texas
C - Kelvin Drake, Jr., North Texas
DL - Lonnie Clemson, Sr., MTSU
DL - Joseph Miller, Sr., North Texas
DL - Robert St. Clair, Sr., Florida Atlantic
DL - Dion Gales, Sr. Troy
LB - Scott Bryant, Jr., Florida International
LB - Grant Fleming, So., La-Lafayette
LB - Craig Robertson, So., North Texas
CB - Alex Suber, Sr., MTSU
CB - Terence Moore, Sr., Troy
S - Josh Thompson, Jr., ULM
S - Sherrod Martin, Sr., Troy
K - Josh Arauco, Jr., Arkansas State
P - Brett Shable, Sr., Arkansas State
KR - Frank Goodin, So., ULM
Conference honors
Offensive Player of the Year: Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic
Defensive Player of the Year: Tavious Polo, CB, Florida Atlantic
Freshman of the Year: Xavier Stinson, RB, Florida Atlantic
Top 10 Senior NFL Draft Prospects
1. Casey Fitzgerald, WR, North Texas
A talented technician with good speed and ability. Fitzgerald has playmaking skills in the open field and can also go up for the jump ball.
2. Frantz Joseph, LB, Florida Atlantic
A tackling machine. His stock could really rise with another solid year. The 2007 Sun Belt defensive player of the year. A former Boston College recruit, he could make a name for himself this season.
3. Tyrell Fenroy, RB, La-Lafayette
A small back with open field speed and moves. Fenroy will be forced to answer concerns about his durability, but he has the talent to be a nice complimentary back.
4. Aaron Schutz, OG, Louisiana-Monroe
Schutz is your classic offensive guard. He’s a tough run blocker and excels on pulls and traps. He’ll be a late round sleeper for the ’09 draft.
5. Brad Serini, OC, Florida Atlantic
Already a Remington Trophy candidate. A serious technician who makes smart line calls and plays with tremendous fundamentals.
6. Corey Small, CB, Florida Atlantic
A player to watch in 2008. Small has the tools scouts drool over at cornerback. He has the ideal size and speed to be a starter in the NFL.
7. Jervonte Jackson, DT, Florida Atlantic
Jackson has the size and strength to appeal to 3-4 teams as an end, or a Cover-2 team as a tackle. He’s strong at the point of attack and will hold up against the run. His stock could sky rocket in 2008.
8. Matt Mandich, OT, Arkansas State
One of the best known players in the Sun Belt. Mandich is a player who many think could make the jump from small school to a high round draft pick. He lacks the height to stay at tackle, but Mandich could easily move to guard.
9. Chris Fisher, OC, La-Lafayette
On the watch list for the Remington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best center. Fisher anchors a very good Lafayette offense and is a rising draft prospect. Fisher has good size and is a smart player.
10. Danny Franks, OC, Troy
The third Sun Belt center on the Remington watch list. Franks is a big center with a wide body and solid footing. He’ll be a force in the run game.
Top 5 Junior NFL Draft Prospects
1. Tavious Polo, CB, Florida Atlantic (RS-Sophomore)
Possibly better than former conference Rival Leodis McKelvin (Troy) who went 11th overall to the Bills this year. Polo has great ball skills with 7 interceptions last year.
2. Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic
The ’07 Sun Belt offensive player of the year. A serious threat to take over every game with his passing ability. Could be the next small school first round quarterback.
3. Cortez Gent, WR, Florida Atlantic
The main recipient of Smith’s passes. Gent has speed to back up his hands. He’s skinny and lanky, but could add some weight. His production will be astronomical in 2008.
4. Aaron Morgan, DE, Louisiana-Monroe
Has battled injuries early in his career, but has limitless potential.
5. Boris Lee, Jr, Troy
A player who never leaves the field. Lee is a true sideline-to-sideline player for the Trojans. He’s fun to watch, too.
Conference Games of the Year
1. Troy at Florida Atlantic, Oct. 7
2. North Texas at Florida Atlantic, Nov. 8
3. Florida Atlantic at Middle Tennessee State, Sept. 30
4. La-Lafayette at Troy, Nov. 22
5. La-Lafayette at North Texas, Oct. 11
Non-Conference Games of the Year
1. Troy at Ohio State, Sept. 20
2. Troy at LSU, Sept. 6
3. Florida Atlantic at Texas, Aug. 30
4. Middle Tennessee State at Louisville, Oct. 18
5. Florida International at Kansas, Aug. 30
Unit Rankings
Backfield
1. La-Lafayette
2. Florida Atlantic
3. Arkansas State
Receivers
1. Florida Atlantic
2. North Texas
3. Louisiana-Monroe
Offensive Line
1. Troy
2. Louisana-Monroe
3. Florida Atlantic
Overall Offense
1. Florida Atlantic
2. La-Lafayette
3. Louisiana-Monroe
Defensive Line
1. Florida Atlantic
2. North Texas
3. Troy
Linebackers
1. La-Lafayette
2. Florida Atlantic
3. Troy
Defensive Backs
1. Troy
2. Florida Atlantic
3. Louisiana Monroe
Overall Defense
1. Florida Atlantic
2. Troy
3. Louisiana Monroe
Special Teams
1. Louisiana Monroe
2. Arkansas State
3. Florida Atlantic