Grading the 'Dogs (0-1) vs. cal (1-0)

Quarterback: C+
In his first career start, Derek Carr was impressive, making a couple of throws that Fresno State fans haven't seen from their QBs in years, if ever. More impressive than anything was how calm and poised Carr remained in the pocket throughout the game, despite pressure, dropped passes and at least one costly missed hot read by his receiver, who ran an in instead of an out. Carr had a high completion percentage (21 of 33) but didn't get to throw downfield as often as the coaches probably should have allowed. The one bad throw he made was the interception, where the indented target had no chance at the ball over top. But overall, Carr should have fans stoked that he's the new QB because he showed plenty of flashes of what's to come.

Running Backs: B+
Make no mistake about it, cal could not stop Robbie Rouse from running the football. He ate up chunks of yards en route to 86 yards on 17 carries (5.1 yards per attempt). Of course you still have the fans who complain about Pat Hill running too much, but this is one instance where he didn't run nearly enough. Because there's no argument the run was working better than the screen passes the offense kept calling. Fresno State never established a consistent running game, and all signs suggest they easily could have. It might have cost them the game, preventing the team from keeping its defense off the field and controlling time of possession to create sustained drives.

Receivers: D+
Part of the reason the receivers weren't successful was the coaches not putting them in position to win their matchups. But no matter how well Carr played, the Bulldogs were hurt by the lack of playmaking from their playmakers. TE Ryan Boschma dropped a wide open pass in his chest for a would-be first down. Rashad Evans got two hands on a low-thrown ball and dropped what would have been another first down. And Isaiah Burse dropped a hot read thrown right at the point where cal blitzed from that very well could have resulted in a long TD. Those plays were all drive killers, and kept the 'Dogs from taking control and building confidcence in their offense. The two bright spots were Devon Wylie's 56-yard catch and run and R-Fr Josh Harper's first career TD.

Offensive Line: C-
The offensive line looked very strong in the running game, but had more trouble pass protecting (as was predicted). When center Richard Helepiko left the game with injury, R-Fr Cody Wichmann got his first-ever game action at right tackle. Wichmann missed the block that led to Carr being stripped and cal picking up the fumble for a defensive TD. This unit gave up four sacks, continuing last year's downward trend of the offensive line. But keep in mind, two of those sacks were a slide by Carr on a bad spot where he could have run for the gain and risk being hit, and another was a play where Carr tripped over his center's foot and fell backward.

Defensive Line: C
While the unit got stronger as the game went on, and put more hurries on cal QB Zach Maynard, this group can do a better job finishing plays and applying pressure with the front four. Star DT Logan Harrell had a sack and two tackles for loss, and true freshman Donavon Lewis (Clovis West High) had a sack in his first college game. But there weren't many other bright spots. DE Matt Akers didn't have the same burst getting to the backfield as he showed in fall camp and Donavaughn Pritchett was less effective containing the QB than he was last season. DE Tristan Okpalaugo and redshirt freshman DT Tyeler Davison both got their first significant reps as Bulldogs -- expect good things from them before the year's over. DE Nat Harrison, who was supposed to have a breakout year, had virtually no impact on the game.

Linebackers: C+
Travis Brown tied for the team lead with 8 tackles and the entire unit was very active all over the field and in blitz packages. Sophomore Jeremiah Toma, in his first career start as Ben Jacobs' replacement, was uber impressive. He displayed better ball instincts and much more quickness than the Bulldogs previously had at the position. Toma finished with five tackles and Kyle Knox had four, including one for a loss, after an blindsided hit forced him to the sideline for a few plays. This group was a big reason why cal RB Isi Sofele averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt.

Defensive Backs: D-
There were two positives that can be taken away by this group. Sophomore L.J. Jones intercepted cal's first pass of the game and it led to a quick Bulldogs TD. And junior Terrance Dennis, who entered the game as the third-string strong safety behind Cristin Wilson and Zak Hill, broke out and left no doubt he deserves to start in place of the injured Phillip Thomas. Dennis, the son of former Bulldogs player Terry Dennis (1983-84) and cousin of former usc star Hershell Dennis, had five tackles and at least four big hits. Standout CB Jermaine Thomas gave up a couple big passes, including a long TD in blown coverage, raising concern he's still not fully recovered from last season's injury. The 'Dogs don't seem to have much to lose by playing tighter man coverage and getting physical with opposing receivers, because the cushion coverage wasn't working either.

Special Teams: C
Any time you miss a clutch 35-yard field goal, it can't be a great special teams performance, but the Bulldogs' Cody Wichmann blocked cal's first two PATs. Chalk up the missed field goal to that insane Candlestick wind, and expect a better performance vs. nebraska.

Coaching: F
Typically the fans who whine about playcalling make educated fans want to pull their hair out, but this time the criticism is fair. The Bulldogs seemingly pounded their collective heads into a wall the entire game. The screen pass never proved effective, yet, even on the final possession of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were still throwing to receivers behind scrimmage and still getting nowhere. That, coupled with the lack of recognition by coaches that cal was susceptible to Fresno State's running game, is beyond frustrating.

Position Breakdown 2011: Linebackers

Returning Lettermen: Kyle Knox, Travis Brown, Jeremiah Toma, Patrick Su’a, ShaTwn Plummer, Daniel Salinas, Damion Whittington, Stephan Plevney
Newcomers: Karl Mickleson, Jaamal Rose, Kyrie Wilson, Ejiro Ederaine
Lost: Ben Jacobs (Browns), Sonny McCree

Travis Brown: No. 9, No. 9 ...
Jr, 6-2, 235
Fresno (Clovis West HS)

After a freshman season spent mostly adjusting to the college game, Travis Brown emerged as a legit star last season. Brown, son of the late former Bulldogs defensive coordinator Dan Brown, is the team’s leading returning tackler with 79 stops (nine for losses), two sacks and an interception. He’s an all-around impact player who has the instincts and aggressiveness to get to the quarterback and the vicious hitting to be a force in the running game. Brown’s expected to step it up yet another level this year and contend for All-WAC honors in a conference loaded with linebackers. He continues to work on his speed, and last season became a playmaker while making strides in assignment discipline. And, of course, growing up in the Brown household, he’s developed a football mind and can lead this entire defense along with his top battery mate at linebacker.

Kyle Knox: Kyle Knox You Out
Sr, 6-1, 220
Los Angeles (St. Bernard HS)

That top battery mate is Kyle Knox, the most battle tested of the unit, and the team’s second leading returning tackler. Last season, specifically against nevada, Knox showed what he’s capable of. He’s always had the look, attitude, strength and athleticism to be a great linebacker, but struggled in years past to combine all those attributes with the decision making to excel. Last year, with the Bulldogs’ emphasis to turn the defense around against the dangerous WAC offensive schemes, Knox took assignment details to heart. Against nevada’s pistol read option, he stuck to his assignments and it paid off with a key 8-tackle performance that helped the Bulldogs do the best job they had against that offense in three years. And don’t discount the intangibles Knox brings to the team with his emotional leadership. He’s not afraid to stand up and let the team have it if he thinks they need a spark, as he did last season during a subpar practice.

Jeremiah Toma: It's Not a Toma (Arnold Voice)
So, 6-0, 215
Sacramento (Grant Union HS)

Typically when a defense loses a four-year starting middle linebacker it sends shock waves and takes a big adjustment for all involved. Well the Bulldogs just lost perennial All-WAC linebacker Ben Jacobs, but there’s no panic in sight. Jeremiah Toma showed he can compete at this level from the day he stepped foot on campus. He just had to wait for an opening. This is it, and he should have a stranglehold on the job from here on. Toma appears larger than his listed 215 pounds, with a strong, powerful lower body. But perhaps more importantly, Toma has the lateral speed and quickness that Jacobs never did. If he develops the same mind and plays with similar aggressiveness to Jacobs – which all signs suggest he will – Toma could actually be an upgrade at the position. Last season, with limited reps behind the proven Jacobs, Toma had 14 tackles.

Patrick Su’a: The Art of Kabooming People
So, 6-2, 220
Bakersfield (Highland HS)

For now, Patrick Su’a’s biggest impact will be felt on special teams – but that’s a darn big impact. Last year, in his first season on the field, Su’a had four knockout blocks in kick coverage. No joke. Knockouts. Fresno State fans, or any college football fans for that matter, may have never seen a special teamer like this. Su’a is a load with monster calves and one of the toughest sons of guns you’ll ever see on a football field. He had just one tackle last season in limited time on defense, but should get a much bigger look this year. Like Jeremiah Toma, Su’a only needs an opening to prove he deserves playing time. After that, he’s likely to take over a position. For now, he’s backing up Travis Brown on the strong side.

Ofa Fifita: Waiting in the Wings
R-Fr, 5-11, 235
San Bernardino (Arroya Valley HS)

Remember former Fresno State standout middle linebacker Dwayne Andrews? Well, Ofa Fifita is Andrews reincarnated – and not just because he wears the same No. 51. Size-wise, Fifita is almost identical to Andrews. And like Andrews, Fifita has impressed coaches early in his career. The one difference is the Bulldogs’ linebacking corps is much deeper now than it was in the middle of the decade. Fifita sits second on the depth chart behind Jeremiah Toma in the middle. But with Toma’s quickness, it’s not out of the question he could slide over to the weak side next year if Fifita is impressive enough.

Ed Dilihunt: What the Dealio with Dilihunt?
R-Fr, 5-10, 195
Tulare (Tulare Union HS)

We at the Bounce scratched our heads when the coaching staff moved Ed Dilihunt from safety to linebacker in the spring. Safety was already the thinnest spot on the defense and this exaggerated the lack of depth there. With the recent injury to Phillip Thomas, it’s not out of the question Dilihunt could eventually move back to safety, but for now he’s the second-string weak side linebacker behind Kyle Knox. Dilihunt has impressive size and build for a youngster, and was a highly regarded recruit. That said, he was more of a natural offensively with the ball in his hands and has spent the past year trying to learn the nuances of the defensive side of the ball. His athletic ability points to this project ending well for both Dilihunt and the Bulldogs.

Daniel Salinas: Dan the Man
R-So, 6-0, 215
Galena Park, TX (North Shore HS)

Another promising young linebacker who plays with a mean streak, Daniel Salinas didn’t dress all of last season. But he got some reps the year before and showed glimpses of an effective middle linebacker who possesses speed, quickness and a fearless attitude. Now sitting third on the depth chart behind Jeremiah Toma and Ofa Fifita, Salinas will have to battle his way back up that ladder. Until then, he can be a big-impact player on special team. This guys loves to hit people.

Karl Mickelsen: Soon to Be a Household Name
Fr, 6-0, 215
San Diego (Morse HS)

Speaking of guys who love to hit people, from the first day we at the Bounce saw Karl Mickelsen’s high school film, we were ecstatic. Talk about a playmaker. Mickelsen, on film, is probably one of the five most impressive Bulldogs we’ve seen. Ever. He arrived banged up for fall camp and spent the first several days rehabbing injury, but almost shockingly took first and second team reps his first day in full pads. This guy is a player and coaches wanted to see him work with the vets right away. It’s not clear yet if he’ll play this season or redshirt, but he’s the type of guy who runs around with his hair on fire (and it’s a whole lot of hair) hitting people hard. He wears No. 43 and has Troy Polamalu-like hair. YouTube him immediately. You’ll be glad you did. Watch his nose for the football and ability to quickly shed blocks and move to the next assignment.

Jamaal Rose: Roses Are Bulldog Red
Fr, 6-2, 200
San Jose (Valley Christian HS)

A guy who wasn’t expected to make an immediate impact, but had a standout fall camp, is true freshman Jamaal Rose. Rose has height and strength and held his own against the veterans. He’s another newcomer with special teams potential right now, and it’ll be interesting to see how Pat Hill decides to use him.

Kyrie Wilson: Hey Mr. Wilson!
Fr, 6-3, 210
Bakersfield (Ridgeview HS)

Kyrie Wilson was a late surprise near signing day for Fresno State fans. The Valley native had committed to oregon and got a royal backstabbing before changing his commitment to Fresno State. The Bulldogs are glad to have him. Tall, big and built like a veteran, Wilson is another linebacker who had a superb camp. He was impressive on a consistent basis and was the highest rated recruit at the position. That said, the unit is so deep and talent laden that Wilson might be better off redshirting for a year.

Damion Whittington: Is This the Year 'Dogs Get Whitty Wit' It?
So, 6-1, 245
Norco (Norco HS)

Damion Whittington entered the program as a hyped recruit and is still among the biggest Bulldogs linebackers. But Whittington is battling a plethora of young talent at the position. We know what to expect from him in practice, but it’s time to see him in game action. Hopefully he’ll fight his way onto the field this season so we can see him do just that.

Stephan Plevney: Walk-on Hangs Strong
So, 6-2, 215
Palmdale (Knight HS)

Walk-on Stephan Plevney might be the team’s fastest linebacker, but he’s also one of the slimmest. Plevney had his first career tackle last season, and got some quality second-team reps in practice throughout camp. He’s definitely in the mix of guys battling for playing time, and his speed works in his favor during an era in which fast, hybrid linebackers who can cover a spread or option offense are invaluable.

Shawn Plummer: A One-Year Hiatus
Sr, 6-0, 210
Clovis (Clovis HS)

Shawn Plummer still isn’t 100% from an offseason injury and is likely to redshirt this season. The would-be senior would have been second-string behind Kyle Knox, as he’s been for several years now. Already one of the team’s fastest linebackers and possibly the best in pass coverage, Plummer bulked up big-time this offseason and should come back from the injury ready to give it his best shot.

Position Rating:

Position Breakdown 2010: Linebackers

Returning: Ben Jacobs, Kyle Knox, Travis Brown, Jeremiah Toma, Pat Su'a, Shawn Plummer, Daniel Salinas, Damion Whittington, Sonny McCree, Mario Moore, Steven Plevney

Newcomers: Ofa Fifita, Lester Fontenette

Lost: Nico Herron (transfer)

Ben Jacobs

Sr, 6'4", 240

Las Vegas (Silverado HS)

Early in his career, Ben Jacobs was pegged as a future star at the linebacker position. Jacobs has always been a hard hitter, and has great knowledge of the position. Two years ago, Jacobs turned the corner in his fitness, hardening his body and cutting his body fat immensely. He now enters his senior year as a team leader on defense who is ultra-committed to performance on the field and in the film room, neither of which are new traits. Jacobs is a run stopping specialist, especially between the tackles, but has had a tougher time with consistency in pass coverage and lateral (sideline to sideline) movement. That consistency has been magnified by the rest of the defense's performance during his tenure. All in all, Jacobs is essentially all you want in a middle linebacker, and can be a star when surrounded with the right personnel.

DaCo on Jacobs: Ben Jacobs has a lot of the qualities we've talked about for guys like Chris Carter and Ryan Colburn. Combined with his on-field traits, it's hard not to root for him to be great (not that you'd want to). But as good as Jacobs is, he might not be the best middle backer on the team (see below), which isn't to diminish his ability at all, but rather speak highly of another. His leadership, commitment and track record have his spot secured, though, and it's likely his senior year is the monster one he's capable of.

Kyle Knox

Jr, 6'1", 215

Los Angeles (St. Bernard HS)

If there's one thing Kyle Knox has been known for in his Bulldogs career, it's his ability to deliver the knockout hit, a traditional Fresno State prerequisite. Knox is built like a tank, is strong and fit, and has truly impressive open field top speed. That explains his hitting ability, but fails to explain his inability, to this point, to take a stronghold on his weakside backing position. Knox has been given every chance to shine in that role, and at this point is looking over his shoulder. Tools wise, Knox is about as good as it gets. He just needs to master his craft.

DaCo on Knox: Knox is a head scratcher supreme. If there was ever a guy you saw on the street and would bet that he's a linebacker, Knox is him. You see what he's capable at times in practice, and you want so bad for him to be great, because you know what's possible, and you know what it could do for the defense.

Travis Brown

So, 6'2", 235

Fresno (Clovis West HS)

As the 2009 season came to a close, it was clear to see Travis Brown was being worked more and more into his future (and now) starting role. Brown showed promise early on as a true freshman, and became visibly more comfortable as his game action increased. With an offseason of experience added to that freshman year, Brown is now prepared to man the strong side from the get-go of the 2010 season. The former 4-star recruit has given every indication he is ready to perform up to those standards starting this season.

DaCo on Brown: Travis Brown looks like he belongs out there, which is another way of saying he is good at what he does. At the least, Brown is much more confidence-inducing than former starter Nico Herron, who really should have been a defensive end.

Jeremiah Toma

R-Fr, 6'0", 215

Sacramento (Grant Union HS)

Jeremiah Toma is arguably the most exciting prospect at the linebacker position, which is saying a whole lot. His athletic ability stands out as something special, but that's only part of the reason his future is so bright. Toma has made the move from outside backer to a middle backer, and has leapt over several talented teammates to grasp the backup role behind senior Ben Jacobs (see above). Jacobs even shared some first team reps during camp, highlighting just how impressive, rapid and drastic Toma's acclimation has been.

DaCo on Toma: I'd like to say that Toma is the man in the linebacking unit, but it's only fair (and smart) to wait until he carries his performance from practice time to game action. Toma has taken me by storm with his talent in practice, and has given me every reason for me to think he'll be a machine when his time comes.

Pat Su'a

R-Fr, 6'2", 220

Bakersfield (Highland HS)

With the amount of praise just thrown upon Toma, you would expect whomever follows him on the breakdown to receive a much less regarded description, just by default. But Pat Su'a has arguably made just as big a splash as Toma, setting the Bulldogs up for a happy future at linebacker. Su'a can play all three spots in the Bulldogs base 4-3 set, but for now is listed behind Travis Brown. Su'a is yet another hard hitter who has an extremely bright future, and potentially present.

DaCo on Su'a: If Toma is 1, Su'a is 1A on the list of scene-burster-on-ers. Su'a is a more muscle-bound linebacker, especially in the legs, and is decisive (a trait often taken for granted). It will be exciting to see Su'a and Toma tag team offensive skill players for years to come.

Shawn Plummer

Jr, 6'0", 210

Clovis (Clovis HS)

Arguably the speediest linebacker of the group, Shawn Plummer has begun to carve his niche as the __ and long pass defender specialist. Plummer has done a fair job in this role, and has tenacity in his game, which has helped him with special teams performance as well. In this year's fall camp, Plummer was seen as the main competition for Kyle Knox, and may see increased time on the weak side if Knox stumbles in that role.

DaCo on Plummer: Plummer is quick and accelerates very well, making him niche-worthy in pass coverage. He's actually also shown a more well-rounded ability this fall, but still isn't the best option for a starting linebacker. He's maximizing his talent, though, which is all you can ask of a player.

Daniel Salinas

So, 6'0", 205

Galena, TX (North Shore HS)

The true sophomore out of Texas might have the best nickname on the team, although we're biased, having given it to him. It goes a little like this: "The bumper that fell off the back of the bus of Salinas!" (2:05-2:18) Sure it's a tad modified, but it rolls off the tongue better that way. Salinas is a stout linebacker with outstanding instinct from his middle backer position, yet has fallen behind Toma to the third spot in the lineup, which provides insane depth to that spot. Salinas shows very good lateral range and is in on seemingly every tackle, but it's still a mystery as to how he fits in the Bulldogs' plans, since he currently ranks behind a younger talent.

DaCo on Salinas: I have no problem taking credit for the Salinas nickname. It's earned the one uncontrollable laugh it deserved already, so that makes it worth it. Before the arrival of Toma and Su'a, Salinas was the man to keep an eye on. Stylistically, Salinas reminds me of his linebackers coach, Tim Skipper. If he works his way up to that level, obviously he'll be a star.

Damion Whittington

R-Fr, 6'1", 245

Norco (Norco HS)

Damion Whittington is another former outside backer who sees most of his time in the middle. Despite his listed size, Whittington is actually more known for his speed. He is indeed very range-y and adds unfathomable depth to the middle, where he currently is 4th on the charts. Given the depth in the middle, however, it's conceivable that he or another backer could move to the outside at some point.

DaCo on Whittington: Whittington remains an intriguing possibility at linebacker. His name will occasionally come up in conversation, as word was out early on his speed trait. That part of his game is still there, but he hasn't showcased his overall ability as much as others in 11-on-11 work to this point. He is a redshirt freshman, so he has plenty of time to develop.

Sonny McCree

Sr, 5'11", 235

Fresno (Edison HS)

Sonny McCree seems to have found a home at linebacker after a trial run at tight end a couple years ago. Physically, McCree is built similarly to Salinas and Whittington. His biggest value has and will continue to be on special teams, where he contributes to one of the best units in the country on a year-to-year basis. McCree is a name few will recognize, but his role on the team is valuable.

DaCo on McCree: McCree is an easy eval because he is what he is. He's a reliable backup with experience at the linebacker position, but will make his impact on special teams.

Mario Moore

So, 6'0" 185

Riverside (Citrus Hills)

Mario Moore is a linebacker stuck in a free safety's body. Moore has some of the best instincts in pass coverage of this group (which led to several interceptions in camp), and has plenty of speed to boot. Even at his listed weight of 185 pounds, Moore likes to deliver the biggest hits he possibly can. Moore has been a pleasant surprise during his tenure as a Bulldog, but it will be tough for him to crack the lineup unless he can specialize in a Plummer-like role.

DaCo on Moore: If the gamble wasn't so big and so much wasn't on the line for a single football game, the curiosity of Mario Moore's talents could be explored in a live game scenario. Moore is clearly undersized at his position, but he has good skills against the pass and has great speed. If Moore gets reps at linebacker this year, he will have my attention.

Ofa Fifita

Fr, 5'11" 235

San Bernardino (Arroya Valley)

With all the hype (deservedly so) around Fresno State's crop of receivers and defensive backs, guys like Ofa Fifita and Lester Fontenette (see below) have been in their shadows. Fifita, however, showed he is a force to be reckoned with already as a true freshman, a trait that can be applied to numerous members of this class. Fifita will now have a redshirt year to develop in the program and will be intriguing to watch when he emerges in the spring next year, and even more so when fall 2011 rolls around.

DaCo on Fifita: FSDogs1 has a residence in camp Fifita, while I am about ready to make an offer for my own place. Considering he's a true, Fifita has surprised with his perceived comfort out on the field.

Lester Fontenette

Fr, 6'0", 205

San Diego (Madison)

Lester Fontenette comes into the program as a linebacker, but he could be the most versatile player on the team. Fontenette could easily have been a safety, running back and even defensive end, but is being given the role of outside linebacker to start his career. The freshman out of Fresno State's latest pipeline (San Diego) missed a large portion of open camp this year, but displayed elite athletic ability at the position during the time he saw.

DaCo on Fontenette: With Lester Fontenette added to the pot, it's becoming evident that Tim Skipper has the players he needs on his team, and concerns about the defense's future can be placed elsewhere. Fontenette has always been more of an athlete type, and will now get to focus on learning one position. Given that, Fontenette may actually have the highest ceiling of anyone of this group.

Steven Plevney

R-Fr, 6'2", 215

Palmdale (Knight HS)

Steven Plevney has the chance to pull a Rocky-like upset if he can achieve more than special teams time as a Bulldog. Plevney received a fair amount of reps during camp this year, and did nothing to suggest he's quite up for that task. Plevney is amongst a group featuring a juggernaut of talent though, and can only gain from working with them.

Fall Camp Notebook '010: Days 3 & 4

There comes a time where you need to get straight to the point. We've waited long enough for football season, so for today at least, I'm going to put aside my usual style of writing entertainment (reading for you) to give you all the nuts and bolts a hardcore fan desires from his/her team.

While Thursday's opening practice provided more of a methodical introduction to camp, each of Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's efforts have been increasingly confidence-inducing for fans.

Practice continues to be split into essentially two sessions, bridged in the middle with a collaborative effort between vets and newcomers with special teams work. Continue reading below to learn about practice nuggets and some cumulative thoughts after observing the first 4 fall camp practices.

8/7: 'Dogs beginning to Turn up the Dial

Most of the players are beginning to settle in and become more comfortable with the high-tempo, intense practices that are Fresno State football practices.

Here are some nuggets from Saturday's events:

• Isaiah Burse, Jalen Saunders, Alex Jefferies, Victor Dean and Josh Harper were all head-turners. Each has been a sponge for WR coach Keith Williams, which can only bring good things.

• In both newcomer and vet sessions, the team got extensive work in the wildcat formation. Burse, Milton Knox, Michael Harris, Robbie Rouse, Rashad Evans and more all received reps in their respective sessions.

• At this point, Burse (a high school QB) would appear to present Bulldogs coaches with a tough decision on whether or not to dress for games this year. He runs solid routes, has showed good hands and has made several quality throws to his fellow receivers out of the wildcat formation, the latter of which may be his most valuable asset at this point. He has also taken frequent reps as a return man during special teams work.

• Zak Hill made several standout plays in 11-on-11s. Hill made a diving, arms fully-outstretched interception of a pressured Ryan Colburn, followed up by a nice read and tackle on an outside handoff.That being said, Hill continues to get beat deeper in the secondary, especially in 1-on-1 situations. Many times, the culprit on the offensive side has been WR Matt Lindsey.

• Kyle Knox made his presence felt as well, squaring up a few guys in "tag off" situations and simply out-muscling a couple of the offensive skill players while stripping the ball on a couple of plays.

8/8: Another practice applauded, 'Dogs tuned up for debut of full pads

For the second consecutive day, the vets ended practice minutes earlier than the planned agenda called for. It should please you to know that is has been due to an in-shape team practicing with a good tempo and great efficiency.

In fact, Sunday's practice ended with an impressive amount of effort, inspired by a quick team huddle with a few words on behalf of Pat Hill before the final 10 plays. Hill urged his team to finish strong and push themselves to new limits when they felt they were tiring.

Here are some nuggets from today's events:

• It was heartbreaking to see and hear Zak Hill clutch his knee in pain during an 11-on-11 play today. Hill's left knee was motionless as he grabbed it and yelled audibly from across the field. Hill was eventually helped up and used crutches to make his way to a cart, where he was lifted on with assistance and without ever putting any pressure on the leg. Hill had been the first-team SS in each of the teams' first four practices.

• TE Michael Butler performed well in half-line running game work. One of Butler's most impressive plays was a block on the edge of the line that included a loud collision, followed by coaches praise.

• FBs Dylan Cruz and Austin Raphael also earned quite a bit of praise today for both high-impact blocks and blitz pick-ups.

• Jermaine Thomas made a jump-out-of-your-seat interception on a Ryan Colburn pass that was intended for Jamel Hamler in the back of the endzone. Thomas was initially beaten on a beautiful fake corner post route by Melly before showing tremendous recovery speed to cut in front of Hamler, make a leaping deflection of the ball, return to his feet, make a 180 degree turn and secure the interception.

• In the newcomers session, Victor Dean made a leaping, hands-over-head reception over a CB while getting tackled to the ground. Dean earned cheers from his veteran teammates stretching on top of the berm above the field.

• Jalen Saunders had the highlight of the day, however, when he ended the newcomers session with a touchdown catch in the very same corner as Dean. Saunders ran a corner route of his own, turned, and skied for a ball well above him. As he grasped the ball, Saunders was well up in the air and almost parallel to the ground, hands stretched out above his head, before gravity took over and his heels dragged behind on the grass below for a touchdown. His veteran teammates once again erupted in approval before taking the field.

• Tracy Slocum, much as I expected, is a pretty complete back. Slocum always takes quality reps in every drill and has initiated loud collisions on some runs and shown impressive elusiveness on others. He will add definite value to the depth of running backs.

• Defensive end Donnie Pritchett busted through for a sack on QB Derek Carr today. Pritchett has been steady throughout camp, but has yet to really standout until today.

• True frosh DT Tyeler Davison has looked slow and sloppy in defensive line agility drills. However, in half-line work today, Davison showed great strength and controlled the line of scrimmage on several occasions.

• True frosh RB E.J. Schexnayder injured his ankle early in practice Saturday, but played through it. Schexnayder spent Sunday rehabbing the ankle, though, and appeared to struggle through it. It took quite a bit of trainer motivation to end his claims that he couldn't make it through the session. It would be nice if Schexnayder can work through this like a Bulldog, because he has very nice size to be an effective RB, if only in short yardage situations.

Digesting the thoughts after 4 days:

When you've watched fall practice on a daily basis for year after year after year, you tend to notice certain trends, routines, styles and vibes. This applies to trainers, videotape collectors, coaches, players and well, you get the picture.

There is a reason for prefacing with that last graph. For whatever reason, it has become smack-in-the-face obvious that the initial practice personality of this team (through 4 days) is different than any other to date. As mentioned earlier, the team has completed each of its first two half pad practice sessions with great tempo and efficiency, resulting in practice ending minutes earlier than scheduled. There has been far less joking between players, much fewer wasted reps and an overall focus and intensity that really has been absent in many Fresno State teams within the past decade.

And now for more nuggets and thoughts from the first 4 days of practice:

• Linebacker Mario Moore has been impossible not to notice in pass coverage during newcomer sessions. He routinely jumps routes, bats down passes and has at least two interceptions in live situations.

• Many players are donning the relatively new Revolution Speed helmets, made by Riddell. Players such as Ben Jacobs, Travis Brown, Phillip Thomas and more have upgraded to latest model of football helmet technology.

• True freshman Andrew Gustafson, an offensive lineman from Arizona, has the prototypical body type for his left tackle position. Gustafson has also shown an unexpected mean streak in practice and is grasping his new role very quickly.

• JC transfer QB Kelly O'Brien is very tall (6'6") and very skinny. He possesses a very thin, wiry frame in addition to an awkward throwing motion. O'Brien appears to almost shot put the ball out of his ear. On out throws and throws at about 12 yards or less, O'Brien has the tendency to throw the ball very low with a downward trajectory. That being said, he has showed improvement early in his Bulldogs career, and throws a decent ball downfield. He is definitely still adjusting to the skill and speed of the Division I level, however.

• On day 2 of camp, Matt Lindsey showed up to the field in a new jersey number -- 2. But that has been the least of the headlines he has made. The young receiver out of Clovis High School has showed immense progress from the last time we saw him, enough so that he might push for some time on the field this year. Lindsey already had been a very good route runner and possesses great hands, but his acceleration and explosiveness after the catch has come as an eye-opener, considering the extent to which he has improved.

• Tracy Slocum never takes a rep off, and he appears to be earning the respect of his new teammates rather quickly because of it. Slocum initiates loud contact on tough inside runs while maintaining great balance, but also shows great quickness on slashes through the line and elusiveness in 1-on-1 situations. Slocum has also made several solid blitz pick-ups and received praise from both teammates and coaches in that area.

• An under-the-radar presence in this camp has been Justin Webber. Yes he is shorter that your typical safety, but he is a tough, smart player that will not hurt the team. Webber is more athletic than he has been given credit for and is constantly locked in on his assignment. Webber is currently working with the vets as the 2nd string free safety behind Lorne Bell. It will be interesting to see how his role is affected by the recent injury to Zak Hill.

• Last season, Jermaine Thomas made arguably the most impressive interception by a Fresno State defensive back during his late-game action at home against san jose state. Seeing him apply his abilities in a game situation only reaffirmed my view of him as the best cornerback in the Fresno State defensive backfield. He is outstanding in man press situations, has great closing speed and has a great instinct for making a play on the ball. Offensive skill players have told me "you're done" when he gets his hands on you.

• Offensive lineman Trevor Richter has moved to the guard spot this season. In previous seasons, Richter had worked out mostly at the tackle spot, but has since been getting work at both the left and right guard positions. His move may be partly due to theemergence of Marcel Jensen as a tackle.

• Speaking of Marcel Jensen, the former defensive lineman turned offensive tackle appears to be getting comfortable in his new spot. Jensen, who also had a lower leg injury to recover from, seems fully healthy and has shown a newfound strength and athletic ability to go with a fantastic frame (6'6" 260-270ish) for his position.

• It would be nearly impossible to pinpoint any one individual at wide receiver in the newcomer group. Jalen Saunders has shown dynamic, game-breaking speed and fits the mold of Devon Wylie. Victor Dean has been the slowest to acclimate to Coach Dub's outstanding route running teaching, but only because the rest are picking it up so quickly. That being said, Dean is a tall (6'6") receiver with pretty sticky hands and can definitely go up and get the ball. Josh Harper has looked impressive from the get-go, but has yet to make the spectacular play. Isaiah Burse is yet another true with well-rounded receiving abilities and is a big-play threat every down. Alex Jefferies is developing extremely quickly and has been arguably the most impressive in drill situations.

• In the TMI realm comes the debut of some new performance shorts the guys are sporting. The new Nike Pro Combat football short has made its way into the locker room, and appears to be widely accepted, after over-hearing Pat Hill's confirmation with team veterans.

• Nikko Motta doesn't appear to have the size you would expect from a defensive tackle (yet), but he has shown an ability to get into the backfield and generally be disruptive from his position. He has played with a great motor and is easily a defensive lineman to keep tabs on.

• Lorne Bell has displayed a noticeable improvement in his ability to change direction in coverage. Bell has often been a blanket in 1-on-1 coverage situations and has broken up several passes in addition to an interception.

• Derron Smith is becoming noticeably more comfortable and confident at his safety position while working with the newcomers. He is among the most active in the secondary and pushed the limits of half-pad physicality by laying several hits to players on the offensive side of the ball. If his rapid improvement continues, it will be interesting to see where he lands on the depth chart, given Zak Hill's injury is as serious as expected.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to get interactive as well on twitter, where we're always available at twitter.com/BulldogBounce.

Questions for our readers

All right, there you have it, every position on defense is previewed. In depth. Analysis.

But many of you are expert Fresno State fans too, with plenty of knowledge. What do you think? We want you to comment away and help us create the most high-level Fresno State football convo around.

Feel free to comment under each position...

• On the d-line, who should start at tackle? McEntee or Banks? How many guys are going to break into the regular rotation? What else do you want to know?
• At linebacker, if you're Pat Hill, do you redshirt Travis Brown and Daniel Salinas or do you play 'em right away? Do you see Jacobs/Knox/Herron starting all year long?
• In the defensive backfield, how do you get Phillip Thomas in the game? How big an impact will Isaiah Green and L.J. Jones make? And how good is Desia Dunn?
• And special teams, are you comfortable using Robbie Rouse's freshman year to give him punt return duties?

LINEBACKERS

Returning lettermen: 6

Incoming: 8

Lost: 1 (Nick Bates)

Fresno State gave up a whopping 5.6 yards per rush last season – unacceptable for a team that expects to win. Part of the blame sits with a linebacker corps that was young and inexperienced last season, and is still young now. The difference is the youth now has starting experience under its belt, and a large crop of even younger prospects has added depth to a position sorely lacking a season ago. Coach Tim Skipper takes over the linebackers – a much more natural fit for the former Bulldogs standout – after spending the past two seasons as running backs coach.

The on-field leader is junior Ben Jacobs (6-3, 225), with two years of starting experience in the middle and second-team All-WAC honors in 2008. Jacobs turned his aggressiveness up several notches last season, and though his one weakness is speed, it didn’t stop him from collecting a team-high 113 tackles last season. He came to fall camp noticeably leaner and stronger and should be poised for his most successful season. When he has guys on offense looking up to him, it’s safe to say he’s doing things right.

One guy who did some things right in the offseason is junior strong side linebacker Nico Herron (6-3, 240). Though his listed at the same weight, it’s hard to believe he didn’t weigh more than 240 last year. Herron, too, is noticeably trimmer. His lack of speed was even more of a liability than Jacobs’ last year, in his first season as a starter, when he finished fourth on the team with 65 tackles. With highly-touted true freshman Travis Brown (6-2, 235) in the mix and battling for time, it should be easy for Herron to stay motivated and push himself. Brown, the son of the late longtime defensive coordinator Dan Brown, was expected to offer instant depth, but showed his youth (along with some promise) during fall camp. But it’s no secret coaches expect big things from him eventually.

On the weak side, sophomore Kyle Knox (6-1, 215) takes over as the full-time starter. Knox had lots of experience in 2008, but was in more of a reserve role as Chris Carter toggled between linebacker and defensive end. Now, Knox has the position to himself, and has quickly established himself as a wreckless hitter who loves to make big plays – see his team-high eight tackles for losses last year. He should be the unit’s best pass rusher. Sophomore Shawn Plummer (6-0, 200), a former walk-on, is the only reserve with much experience. Plummer can compete for time at weak or strong side after adding muscle to his frame. Frankie Manquero (6-1, 205), another former walk-on, converted from safety in the offseason and entered fall camp second on the depth chart. Manquero has been predominantly a special teams player, but might offer help in passing downs.

Backing up Jacobs in the middle is junior Sonny McCree (6-0, 230), yet another former walk-on, with very limited experience – five tackles last year. The way true freshman Daniel Salinas (5-11, 205) stands out in practice, it’s hard to imagine him not working his way up the depth chart this season. Salinas graduated high school a semester early to participate in spring camp, and has a knack at flying to the ballcarrier – something that used to be typical of Bulldog defenders.

The most noticeable thing about the incoming freshmen is their size – none of them look like Fresno State’s freshmen linebackers of recent years. They’re bigger. That’s the case with Salinas and Brown, as well as Patrick Su’a (6-2, 215), who has monster calves, Jeremiah Toma (6-0, 215) and Ibe Nduka (6-0, 220), whose physical build resembles former standout Bryce McGill. Another guy, currently behind Brown at strong side is freshman Damion Whittington (6-1, 235). While Su’a, Toma and Nduka are likely to redshirt, Whittington might be ready to see the field this season.

Though redshirt freshman Mario Moore (5-11, 180), a walk-on last year, might be the fastest linebacker, it’s odd to see someone his size not playing defensive back. He’ll battle to find a niche that gets him on the field this year, but new walk-ons David Halopoff (5-11, 210) and Steven Plevney (6-2, 205) have a long way to go.

Rating: 7 of 10

Defense yelled loud & hit somebody

So maybe it wasn't the 'Shutup & Hit Somebody' of 2001 lore, but let's be real, Fresno State has always had its share of defenders who like to talk after popping an opponent in the mouth. Tonight, Chris Carter led the rallying cry as the defense got stronger as the scrimmage went on, allowing just two scores (none by Carr or Colburn).

The defensive front is forcing much more pressure than a year ago. Hopefully that's due to the defenders' improvement and not the offensive line's regression. D-tackle Logan Harrell was impressive tonight getting into the backfield, but the most eye-opening performance was by true freshman Terrance Kindle who consistently raced into the backfield and even recorded a sack. Chris Lewis saw extensive reps at d-end, including one play where he hit Ryan Mathews late out of bounds when Mathews was already on his hands and knees. Mathews popped up and swiped at Lewis' helmet, raising the heat a bit.

Another true freshman, and a Texas high school teammate of Kindle's, stood out at linebacker in Daniel Salinas. While Travis Brown sometimes hesitates and looks like he might not trust his ability in the open field, Salinas consistently flies to the ball. One play in particular tonight was when Brown stepped gingerly toward a churning Robbie Rouse and got juked before Salinas drove Rouse to the turf.

Nico Herron seems to have a firm grip on the starting strong side spot for now, and fans had to like the emotional effort he put forth in the scrimmage. Shawn Plummer joined the highlight reel when he leveled Devon Wylie from behind after a reception.

The continuing improvement of Desia Dunn at corner is encouraging, but more encouraging tonight was the play of sophomore Isaiah Green, who intercepted a pass in the end zone that Ryan Colburn intended for Ryan Skidmore and also recovered a Wylie fumble. Damion Owens, who seemed stagnant in his growth as a player last year, had to put smiles on coaches' faces tonight with his sure-handed tackling that ruined several of the offense's plays.

And how 'bout walk-on safety Justin Webber, who forced a fumble and made two plays behind the line of scrimmage. Safety Marvin Haynes got beat bad after taking a questionable angle on a long run by Michael Harris, and Lorne Bell showed why he's considered the Bulldogs' hardest hitter when he caught Darren Newborne breezing across the middle and took his breath away.

No special teams drills took place during the scrimmage, which was attended by about 1,000 fans and several notable alumni -- Bobby Lepori, Asen Asparuhov and Paul Pinegar to name a few.

Friday Rundown

Fresno State practice was all over the fields today -- literally. The first part was at Valley Growers Field, before the whole squad was herded into Bulldog Stadium with a good turnout of fans.

Lots of scrimmage situations today with 7 on 7s, 11 on 11s and live-hitting with piped in crowd noise (though most of it was Bulldog gameday songs, unlike the annoyance of opponents songs they played in years past...I never want to hear "Rocky Top" again). So who stood out? Read on...

While neither quarterback starred today, true freshman Derek Carr continues to outshine junior Ryan Colburn (a trend the past four days). Colburn overthrew several receivers on would-be touchdown routes, even when there was no live rush.

Carr also threw one behind a receiver and later should have been intercepted (Marvin Haynes let the pass bounce off his chest after a nice jumped route in the end zone). But Carr made a nice play on the run to end the day, recognizing that safety Moses Harris had his back turned and zipping a touchdown pass to the sure-handed Jamel Hamler.

That said, both Colburn and Carr led the offense on touchdown drives, while Ebahn Feathers stalled inside the 10-yard line when he took the reins.

The receivers as a whole dropped a ton of balls today. Marlon Moore, Seyi Ajirotutu and Rashad Evans didn't participate in drills, while Chastin West had a case of the dropsies.

Ryan Mathews stood out in the passing game. And Robbie Rouse and Lonyae Miller each broke off long touchdown runs in tag-off drills.

Lots of moving parts throughout the depth chart on defense today, so it'll be interesting to follow how the pecking order unfolds. Can Travis Brown work his way into competition with Nico Herron?

Half pads, full contact

OK, well not completely full contact, but the 'Dogs were out in half pads today (waist up) and hitting. Sounded good to hear pads popping, and hope those of you following on twitter enjoyed the instant updates.

O-line got a bit interesting today with Leslie Cooper getting first-team reps at left guard and Devan Cunningham at right tackle.

True freshman Lars Bramer (at 6-foot-5) is getting scout team work at center.

Absolutely love the hands on, fundamental, energetic coaching styles of Will Plemons (D-line) and Keith Williams (receivers). And loved hearing Randy Stewart continually yell for his defense to cause "chaos!" during 11-on-11 drills.

Although JC D-line prospect Donnie Pritchett (highly touted out of Santa Rosa JC) was participating in summer voluntary practices, today was his first real practice with the team. He wasn't in pads yet (per the rules) but is defintely a big, athletic looking guy.

Three days into camp, and I'm already willing to argue for true freshman Robbie Rouse to start at punt returner. He's just awe-inspiring with his slashing around defenders and into the open field. He had darn near every coach oohing and aahing at some point today.

Still way too many open receivers being underthrown by Ebahn Feathers. But he broke off some nice runs today. Don't underestimate Derek Carr's wheels either.

Very surprised how built Ibe Nduka is (No. 59) and how tall Pat Su'ua is (No. 30). Scout team drills started with Damion Whittington, Jeremiah Toma and Travis Brown at linebacker (with Toma in the middle). Food for thought...

McDonald picked interesting way to rep his city

I wasn't aware Edison High's T.J. McDonald (aka Tim McDonald Jr.), the son of former 49er/Cardinal Tim McDonald, was interested in representing his city. But according to this quote in The Fresno Bee about the annual City-County football game, he is:

"It's a big deal to me. You play for four years, you have to represent your
city," said T.J. McDonald, also a defensive back. "Now it's my turn and I didn't
want to miss it."

But McDonald chose a strange way to represent Fresno -- by signing on the dotted line to represent Los Angeles.

McDonald signed a national letter of intent to follow in his father's footsteps and play at USC. And then news broke that his younger brother Tevin McDonald is headed to UCLA. For those keeping score at home, that makes three very gift McDonalds, none of which truly represented their hometown in college.

Fresno isn't some small town with no one who's ever made it to big-time sports fame -- it's loaded with well-known athletes. And Fresno State's not some football program no one's heard of -- it's nationally known and is 1-1 all-time with USC (including the '05 cardiac arrest loss at the LA Coliseum when the Trojans were thought to be the greatest team ever assembled). If you're a high school star, you don't have to leave the Valley to "represent" your city. You do it by actually giving back to the place you came from.

When are more Valley kids going to be like Clovis West's Travis Brown, Bakersfield Christian's Derek Carr, Edison's Nat Harrison, Buchanan's Lars Bramer and Sanger's Nikko Motta? The latest Bulldogs recruiting class showed more local kids dream of becoming Bulldogs, but what about the elite talents still drifting away like the McDonalds, Edison's Cliff Harris and Clovis West's Nate Fellner? Be the hometown hero. Give back. Or go to some college outside the area if you'd like -- just don't claim to be "representing" your city if you're not.

In memory of Dan Brown

It was a tough weekend to be a Bulldog. For lots of people. And that's because, seemingly, Dan Brown touched so very many in his 12 years in Fresno, and one can only assume everywhere he's been before.

The Fresno State defensive coordinator, at 50 years old, died on Friday. And to hear former players such as Marcus Riley today on ESPN 1430 and Jason Shirley, Alan Goodwin and Ahijah Lane in The Fresno Bee talk of Brown, one really gets a sense of what kind of guy he was. What kind of mentor he was. The type of coach he was.

Brown leaves behind his wife and six children, including Fresno State linebacker Eric Brown, who saw extensive special teams action in 2007, and incoming high-profile linebacker Travis Brown. The Fresno community will miss Dan Brown a great deal. And I think the Bulldog Bounce speaks for all Red Wavers by wishing the Brown family all our best. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We leave you with the words of Jack Fertig, the former Fresno State director of basketball operations under Jerry Tarkanian. A recent Fertig blog captured a bit more of Brown's personality from one master of whit to another.

LINEBACKER

Returning players: 7
Incoming: 2
Lost: 5 (Marcus Riley, Trevor Shamblee, Ryan McKinley, Todd Chisom, Robert Schenck)

This isn’t the first time in recent years linebackers have been called the team’s biggest question mark. Last season the group thrived on the challenge, thanks in large part to sophomore Ben Jacobs (6-3, 225). Jacobs was thrust into a starting role in the middle as a redshirt freshman after Ahijah Lane suffered a career-ending injury in fall camp. Now, Jacobs enters the season as the veteran of the group, coming off a season with a team second-best 81 tackles, 6 for losses and 2 sacks. He also blocked 2 kicks on special teams. He fits that prototypical mold of the player who always seems to be around the ball. This year, Jacobs will be expected to take charge of the defense, especially the linebacker corps. During Jacobs’ first year in the program, former teammate Tyler Clutts predicted he’d be an All-American by the time he graduated. That’ll take some hard work, but Jacobs is off to a solid start.

The other two starting roles are what have fans wondering. Junior Quaadir Brown (6-0, 210) was expected to be the veteran presence of this group, but reportedly had some off-field issues that took his mind off football for a while and led to him losing a significant amount of weight. Brown spent at least the first week of fall camp on the sidelines, not participating in contact drills. With his status up in the air, sophomore Chris Carter (6-2, 220) was converted from defensive end. Though just a few weeks into his new role on the weak side, Carter has earned most of the first-team reps and has demonstrated he’s going to be a standout once he refines his technique and gets used to playing in open spaces. Carter had 15 tackles, 2 for losses and a forced fumble as a true freshman last season at end, but was ranked as one of the state’s top linebackers coming out of high school – so he’s not a stranger to the position. Carter is one of the most chiseled players on the team, and probably the fastest of the front seven.

On the strong side, the long-awaited arrival of sophomore Nico Herron (6-3, 240) seems to have arrived. Herron had a standout spring, and an even better start to fall camp, and looks to be the starter. He’s got prototypical linebacker size and is a vicious hitter. He’s even shown some ability in pass coverage during camp, something that won’t always be expected of him. It shouldn’t take the Red Wave long to fall in love with Herron after he crunches a few bones out there. The downside is that he has very little game experience other than on special teams. He missed the first 8 games with an injury last season, finishing the season with just 2 tackles.

The Bulldogs took another big blow to their depth with word that junior Ryan Machado (6-0, 210) is reportedly done for his career. Machado was having a breakout season in 2007 before an injury at Nevada sidelined him. But there is some reserve experience with sophomore Nick Bates (6-2, 210), who originally came to Fresno State as a highly-touted catcher on the baseball team before deciding his heart was in football and walking on under Pat Hill. Bates had 19 tackles, 4.5 for losses, 2 sacks and a forced fumble in his first season, but enters fall camp No. 2 on the depth chart.

A player who has somehow managed to flow under the radar so far is redshirt freshman Kyle Knox (6-1, 215). But he won’t be under the radar long – those who saw his high school film knew right away what type of an athlete the Bulldogs were getting. Knox moves well and is an aggressive, punishing tackler who specializes in snuffing out running backs and blitzing. He showed early glimpses in the first scrimmage of fall camp, delivering a crushing blow to running back Lonyae Miller and then intercepting a pass for a touchdown a few plays later. He’s sure to find his way onto the field this season.

Serving as backup in the middle is another redshirt freshman, Austin Raphael (6-2, 225), who has shown surprising speed early in his career and might play his way into the rotation a bit sooner than expected. He’s had an up-and-down camp, but definitely grown since last season.

A pleasant surprise in camp has been the emergence of freshman walk-on Shawn Plummer (6-0, 200), the son of longtime Hoover High coach Pat Plummer, a former Bulldog lineman. Plummer, who played safety at Clovis High, is a bit undersized but makes up for it with speed. He’s played well beyond his years in scrimmage situations, and draws comparisons to Bates last season.

A couple of local walk-ons from last season are working hard to climb the depth chart and will definitely play large roles on special teams, as they did last year. Sophomore Sonny McCree (6-0, 230) of Edison High has 3 tackles in 4 games since converting from H-back last season. Sophomore Eric Brown (5-11, 210) out of Clovis West High is the son of defensive coordinator Dan Brown. He finished with 9 tackles in 6 games, and was often the first defender down the field on kickoffs. Being brought up in a football family didn’t hurt his on-field intelligence either. Brown says his favorite football player is Marcus Riley, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year who graduated from Fresno State last season and is now in the NFL. Both McCree and Brown have been solid in camp.

True freshman Michael Butler (6-3, 220) of Sunnyside High was originally thought to be either a tight end or defensive end, but is now working at linebacker. Typically, the Bulldogs would want to redshirt him, but might need him this season with such unproven depth. He’s one of the most driven and positive-thinking recruits under Hill, who committed to Fresno State last season and then worked on convincing other area targets to become Bulldogs.

A couple of walk-ons fill out the unit in freshmen Dustin Russell (6-0, 210) of Atwater and Chad Martinez. Neither is likely to see a significant role this season. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, two of their most highly regarded recruits didn’t yet show up for camp in Ricky Pemasa (6-1, 205) and Damion Whittington (6-1, 220). Both would have been candidates to play as true freshman.

Rating: 6 of 10