Page 21 - Toledo Football Media Guide - 2012

2012 OUTLOOK 21

Receivers

The favorite target for Toledo’s quarterbacks for the past three seasons was unquestionably Eric Page. Page, who caught a MAC-record 306 passes as a Rocket, opted to begin his NFL career following his junior season, which would seem to leave a gaping hole in Toledo’s ofense.

The top candidate to help fll those shoes actually had his coming-out party in Page’s fnal game as a collegian. Junior Bernard Reedy caught three touchdown passes inUT’s 42-41 victory over Air Force in the 2011 Military Bowl, earning game MVP honors. Reedy had 40 receptions and nine touchdowns in 2011 and will have the opportunity to increase those totals this fall.

Sophomore DwightMacon caught seven passes for 115 yards in Toledo’s 2012 spring game, leaving Rocket fans with the distinct impression that the quarterback/wide receiver may be catching more passes than throwing them in 2012. For the record, many Rocket fans will recall the last converted QB to move to wideout was none other than...Eric Page. AReedy andMacon combinationwouldbe agood start for the receiving corps, but Toledo will need other receivers to step up to keep its high-powered ofense rolling. Veterans returning to the receiving corps include junior James Green and sophomores

Justin Olack and Cassius McDowell . Also, don’t be surprised if a freshman or two gets a chance to play this fall.

Campbell moved senior Cordale Scott from wide receiver to tight end last spring and was generally pleased with the outcome. Scott will be battling seniors Colby Kratch and Jared Strait , and sophomore Zac Rosenbauer for playing time.

Running Back

The Rockets have big shoes to fill at running back. Gone are Adonis Thomas, a two-time All-MAC selection, and Morgan Williams, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2008. But junior David Fluellen , who rushed for 493 yards last season in a reserve role, is back, as are other candidates.

Fluellen was the starter in three games last year and gained a career-high 93 yards in a 28-21 victory over Bowling Green. A solid 6-0, 215 pounds, Fluellen will have a chance to be Toledo’s No. 1 rusher this

fall.

“ I think he’s competing to be a lead back on this team,” said Campbell. “He’s shown the ability to do that. At times the past two years we had three guys splitting the carries, and David was one of them. I think it’ll be fun to watch David grow as a tailback in our system.”

Rocket fanswillwant tokeepaneyeonsophomore

Cassius McDowell , who played running back as well as wide receiver last spring. McDowell’s talent is forcing the UT coaching staf to fgure out a way to get him on the feld.

Also battling for playing time are senior David Pasquale and junior Darius Reeves . Pasquale, a solid 6-2, 232 pounds, gives Toledo another big back. He rushed for 59 yards on 11 carries as a “wildcat”quarterback in 2011, often in short-yardage situations.

Ofensive Line

Toledo’s offensive line will feature three new starters in 2012, but that doesn’t mean the Rockets won’t be experienced. Junior center Zac Kerin and sophomore right guard GregMancz were the starters on an O-line that powered the Rockets’ ofense last year. But gone from that group are a pair of tackles— Mike VanDerMeulen and John Morookian—who combined for 98 starts over four years. Campbell is counting on some key reserves from last season to step into their shoes.

At the top of Campbell’s list is 6-6, 300-pound right tackle A.J. Lindeman . Lindeman, a senior, played extensively in the rotation last year. Now he

2 Season Outlook

Junior Bernard Reedy reached the end zone nine times in 2011.