Sunday, August 26, 2012

NCAA Football 2012: Injuries, Suspensions, Transfers since Spring Camp - Teams K to N


Here is a current list of every injury/suspension/transfer at every FBS school since the end of last season.  These updates should be used in conjunction with any preseason magazines or websites you reference to finalize your thoughts on each team because there are a number of significant changes to starters and depth charts listed below.  This information will impact your team power ratings, the returning starters magazines/websites list, and will help you get a leg up on Vegas when deciding on your picks or fantasy selections.  They are listed in alphabetical order by team. 

I appreciate any fans or alums of any schools that have information either not mentioned below, or an update/correction to something I wrote.  Looking over 124 teams is very tough as you can see, I have 23 pages of information below, and it’s impossible for me to be spot on with every move or every issue that has come up, and every player I am projecting will step into a vacated spot – so please remember that when reading, and definitely reach out to me with any changes – this took me about 30 hours to complete and I work fast and efficient, so please take the 5 minutes out of your day if you read this and it added value to your process to send me an email with any updates.  It’s always appreciated.

And let’s be honest here – is there another handicapper in the country that has done this much work?  Keep in mind too, this is only a piece of what I have done – I have been working since April for this coming season, and everything is in place for a killer year – as you can see by all the information below, there is no stone left unturned – so stop by www.thesportsboss.com or email me boss@thesportsboss.com and grab a package for the 2012 season!

1.       KANSAS starting RB Sims has been suspended for the first 3 games for a violation of team rules.  The Jr has been the leading rusher for KU the last two seasons, and figures to do so again in 2012 following his return. 
2.       KANSAS PK Mueller has transferred.  He was not good on FGs LY only going 3-8 including just 1-6 from 30+ yards.  Currently the only scholarship PK on the roster is P Doherty, who was 3-4 LY with a long of 37 on FGs.  Keep an eye on the KU kicking game as I expect the Jayhawks to be improved this season, but if they do not have anything close to a reliable kicker, that could be a huge hit to an offense that figures to struggle some matching the output of opponents in the robust Big 12.
3.       KANSAS backup LT Kolumber has transferred.  The So was slated to be LT #2 behind perhaps KU’s best OL, Sr Hawkinson.  Behind Kolumber is a lot of youth, so if an injury was to strike Hawkinson this transfer could prove costly.
4.       KANSAS STATE was dealt a significant blow when it was announced their top recruit for this year, JUCO transfer Marquez Clark, has been ruled academically ineligible.  Clark is coming off a season where he set JUCO records with 98 receptions for 1,639 yards!  This is a massive blow to the KSU passing game that has been rumored as potentially ramping up significantly this season behind 2nd year starter Collin Klein.  So Tyler Lockett, a good player in his own right but not in the same category of Clark, will likely step into the starting gig that has been vacated.
5.       KANSAS STATE suffered another significant loss when Sr LT Foketi announced he would transfer.  KSU is currently blocking the request, but nevertheless, his loss will be massive to an OL that already lost 3 starters from LY – 1T B12 RT, 2T B12 LT, and RG.  Foketi missed LY with an ACL, and the drop-off in talent behind him is huge.  The loss of Foketi and Clark are two of the biggest losses among contending teams heading into the 2012 season.
6.       KENT STATE has lost 5 players this offseason, none of which were starters or true impact players: RFr WR McCoy (2nd team), Sr SLB Petraitis (4th team), So CB Meadows (2nd team), Sr FS Winland (4th team), and RFr backup PK Kerns.  Of those 5 McCoy may be the biggest loss since State lost 3 of their top 5 WRs from LY while Meadows was also expected to contribute in the secondary after appearing in 11 games LY.
7.       KENTUCKY has named QB Maxwell Smith their starter, not too much of a surprise as he played the best of their trio of possibilities LY – but he is extremely injury prone, so I look for Sr backup Morgan Newton to also get a lot of snaps, just like last season.
8.       KENTUCKY RB Clemons injured his knee in camp, and although an MRI showed no structural damage, he is still not 100% and his status is in question.  He was projected to be the UK starting RB this season.  There are a pair of upper classmen who have produced some in their collegiate careers attempting to pick up the slack, but Clemons was the most talented of the trio and his absence or lack of being 100% if it occurs will have an impact on the Wildcats offense.
9.       KENTUCKY starting CB Caffey, a RFr, has been ruled academically ineligible and will miss the season.  The current plans for the depth chart are to slide Sr SS Neloms to the vacated CB spot.  It then looks like either backup So FS Lowery, or backup So SS Faulkner will start at the SS position.  This injury comes at a position UK could ill-afford any further losses as their starting CB tandem from LY both graduated.  There leaves big concerns at CB this season, but at least the ‘Cats reside in the SEC, where throwing a forward pass is often quite a challenge.
10.   KENTUCKY backup C Jr Sampson has been forced to retire from playing football due to recurring back issues.  This loss will not have a big impact as he only played in 1 game LY.
11.   KENTUCKY 3rd team Jr WR Adams has left UK to pursue a MLB career.  He made limited contributions during his time in Lexington, and although his size and speed measurables will be missed, his production will be replaced rather easily.
12.   LOUISVILLE WR Harris is out for the season after tearing ligaments in the same knee that he tore his ACL LY.  He was the leading returning & probably best WR for the Cardinals, and although there is some experienced depth behind him, he will be sorely missed.
13.   LSU has lost CB Tyrann Mathieu for the season, a big concern not only because he obviously is one of the more dynamic defensive players in NCAAF, but they had already lost a pair of CBs from LY’s team.  Looks like a bunch of RFR will be stepping in and playing significant roles they may not have before this suspension.
14.   On top of the fact LSU lost 2 CBs due to graduation/NFL draft after LY and the loss of Tyrann Mathieu in August, the Tigers have also lost So CB Vinson, who played in 10 games over the L2Y’s.  It is getting extremely thin in the LSU secondary, particularly at CB, and this position warrants extra evaluation prior to the start of the season by checking the updated depth chart – especially with the fun and gun high octane passing attack of Washington coming to Death Valley in Wk2.
15.   MARSHALL co-starting RBs Tron Martinez and Travon Van are out with knee injuries.  I have not seen a timetable for the return of either.  These losses will be softened some by the addition of Miami, FL transfer Kevin Grooms, who figures to be in line for plenty of touches this fall, but losing your top 2 backs from LY is never a good thing, and Grooms although talented, is an unproven commodity.
16.   MARYLAND lost QB CJ Brown for the year with an ACL tear – their only backups are a pair of 3* true Fr, not looking good for the offense and the chances HC Edsall keeps his job for a third season in 2013.
17.   MARYLAND So SS Robinson is expected to miss 1-3 weeks due to an ailing left shoulder – keep in mind he missed the last 9 games of 2011 because of a right shoulder issue.  Robinson was the #1 tackler on team at time of LYs injury and is considered one of the leaders of the defense.  UM does return 4 starters in the secondary from LY, so the loss of Robinson for a few weeks will not be killer.  Fr Sean Davis is expected to fill the SS role.  I would imagine the Terps are targeting Robinson’s return September 22nd, their Wk4 game at West Virginia.
18.    MEMPHIS Jr CB Nixon has transferred.  He was in contention to start at CB, but the team still feels confident about the position and secondary overall as 6 players return from LY that have starting experience.
19.   MIAMI FLA Sr FS Armstrong has been dismissed from the team following multiple violations over the last couple years.  Even though he was clearly very talented, he was never able to put it all together on the field, and his loss may be addition by subtraction – I do not anticipate much of a negative impact on the UM secondary, especially with Jr AJ Highsmith ready to step in and play.
20.   MIAMI OHIO has lost MLB Tucker to a shoulder injury.  The So was expected to at the very least be part of the rotation at the MLB position along with FS turned MLB Pat Hinkel.  Hinkel is only 205lbs, extremely light for a MLB, even in the MAC – so the chances he makes it through the season unscathed seems slim to none – and that is where Tucker would have stepped up.  His loss will be felt for certain after starting 3 and appearing in 11 LY, making 18 tackles.  A pair of RFr figure to step up a level and grab that vacated spot.
21.   MICHIGAN starting RB Touissant is listed as questionable for the opener vs. Alabama because of a DUI arrest earlier this offseason.  This situation warrants close monitoring as he was a huge surprise impact RB last year for the Wolverines, and although RBs Smith and Rawls feel they are ready to be the main guy, FT is a key piece of the Wolverines offense that must be working close to full throttle vs. the Tide to have any chance at coming out with an upset win.
22.   MICHIGAN starting WR Roundtree is questionable for Wk1 vs. Alabama.  He had surgery earlier in August, and although he is expected to be in the lineup, it remains uncertain at this point.
23.   MICHIGAN Fr DT Pipkins is recovering from a neck injury and is listed as questionable to start the season.  The Wolverines lost a lot of man power on the DL from LY, and Pipkins has the size and talent to potentially be a part of the rotation – maybe not to start the season, but by October it should certainly happen.  Even if he misses early action his loss will not have a profound impact on the Michigan defense.
24.   MICHIGAN STATE has a pair of incoming Fr WRs that were considered likely to make impacts this season that are on the mend currently.  Monty Madaris has a high ankle sprain and is considered questionable for the big opener vs. Boise State.  Aaron Burbridge had surgery on his knee and is out for at least 4 weeks.  The Spartans still have ample talented bodies to rotate, as these two would see limited action, instead spending the season learning and soaking in as much knowledge from the veterans as possible.
25.   MICHIGAN STATE starting LG (was a C in 2010) Treadwell is out at least 4 weeks with a broken bone in his leg.  The Jr missed all of LY with a knee injury.  It appears as of now he will be replaced in the starting lineup by RFr Jack Allen, a significant drop-off in proven production.  In addition to the loss of Treadwell MSU also lost backup John Deyo to a transfer.  The Sr Deyo was a career backup, although he has appeared in 34 games during his career.  Those two OL losses will partially offset the positive that 4 returning starters bring.  Over the first month of the season MSU has 3 critical games, the aforementioned opener vs. Boise State, hosting Notre Dame 2wks later, and hosting Ohio State on September 29th.  At least 4 of the first 5 and 5 of the first 7 are at home, with the only road games during those stretches Wk2 @ Central Michigan, and Wk6 @ Indiana.
26.   MIDDLE TENNESSEE has lost 3 WRs to various reasons in the offseason, which comes on top of losing 5 from graduation following LY.  That is a total of 8 WRs & also 1 TE that were on the team LY who will not be catching passes this year in Murfreesboro!  The three that were lost this offseason were starter Sr Gray, and backups Sr Brown & Jr Bennett.  The MTSU passing game at least returns Jr QB Kilgore, but who will he pass to?  That remains a big question for the Blue Raiders, and a situation that needs to be updated before the games begin.
27.   MINNESOTA has lost starting RT Gjere to recurring concussion like symptoms that has ended his career.  The So started the first 5 games LY before suffering a concussion and missing the rest of the season, and he since hasn’t been able to recover enough to get back on the field.  As of now it appears RFr Campion will slide into the vacated spot, and although there will be a modest drop in talent and experience, I do not believe it will be significant.
28.   OLE MISS has three players listed as questionable for Wk1: Fr DE Ward, a highly touted signee for the Rebels, has to get his academics in order before taking the field – he is expected to be included in the rotation but not a starter, as the Rebs lost a pair of DEs off LY’s squad; Sr DE Rivers, who is listed as a starter, also has academic issues and his story is the same as Ward; and Sr TE Mosley was arrested for an off the field incident and his status is unknown for the opener vs. Central Arkansas.  Their #2 TE is not much of a drop-off at all to Mosley, so the suspension will have limited impact if any game time is missed.
29.   OLE MISS has also lost 4 players in the offseason that were originally part of the 2012 plans: WR Moore, who was expected to have limited impact; Jr LB Shackelford, who missed all of LY, is still trying to recover from multiple knee surgeries and is out for the season – he was not considered an impact player in 2012; So starting WR Brassell, who had a big impact on LYs team playing both WR & CB, was having academic issues and has transferred; and lastly 3rd string QB Stoudt has retired from football.
30.   Charles Sawyer, the Jr starting FS for OLE MISS, has a torn quad muscle and is expected to miss at least 4 weeks possibly 8.  This is a huge loss for the Rebels as Sawyer is flat out one of the best players on either side of the ball for them.  Look for the experienced Jr Frank Crawford to see some of the playing time at FS, along with a pair of RFr Elston & Burdette.  Whoever slips into the lineup will unfortunately be a huge drop off from the production and experience of Sawyer.
31.   MISSISSIPPI STATE TE Johnson will be out for at least the first few weeks after an off the field injury of which no details were given.  He was expected to be their starting TE, and considering they are transferring to a new offense that is to rely on passing the ball more than recent Bulldog history, this cannot help.  His backups have a combined 1 reception amongst them.  Keep an eye on further developments here, and an announcement on when he will be back on the field.
32.   MISSISSIPPI STATE 3RD string QB Fr Schuessler has transferred.  The move will not impact the team as he was not expected to play at all this season.
33.   MISSOURI QB Franklin had a shoulder injury in the spring and is working his way back now.  It sounds like Franklin will be fine by September 1st, but keep an eye on any possible setbacks he encounters as there is no experience behind him on the Tigers roster, and they need him to be 100% when the Georgia Bulldogs roll into Columbia in Wk2 – the SEC opener for Mizzou.
34.   MISSOURI starting TE Jr Waters is questionable with a knee injury.  There is no other TE on the roster who caught a pass LY, which will hurt the Tigers if Waters misses more than 1 game with Georgia next up.
35.   MISSOURI has a TON of key departures and injuries heading into the season.  WOW.  They have among the most of any BCS team.  Here they are – #1-5 are projected starters, #6-8 are backups who are/were expected to contribute:
1.       Sr starting LG Ruth is out with an arm injury and is likely to RS this season.  Expect Jr Copeland to step into the open spot and fill in admirably.
2.       Jr starting RT Britt is listed as questionable as he continues to recover from a broken foot.  He started all 13 games LY.  So Chris Freeman would likely step in for Britt with the first team if Britt is shelved, as Freeman played in 3 games LY.  That switch would be a loss in experience, but talent level between the two isn’t massive.
3.       So starting DT Vincent is questionable for the opener after not taking part in many contact drills during camp.  There is a pair of Sr backups itching to get into the lineup if Vincent is not ready to go.
4.       Sr starting CB Edwards is similar to Vincent, having not played in many contact drills in camp and is listed as questionable for Wk1.  If Edwards cannot go expect Jr Ponder to roll with the first team, and be a more than capable replacement.
5.       So starting FS Webb (HM AB12 LY) had minor knee surgery and is expected to be ready if not Wk1 by Wk2.  Jr White will step into Webb’s starting role if he cannot go, which will obviously be a drop in talent but White is more than capable on his own to produce at a solid level, perhaps not All SEC however.
6.       RB Josey, the talented Jr, is still trying to comeback from a terrible knee injury suffered late LY.  It is very possible LY’s leading rusher takes a RS this season, which would leave starter Kendial Lawrence with only one experienced backup in Sr McGriff-Culver.  If an injury was to strike Lawrence, the Tigers rushing attack would take a serious hit – and keep in mind the Tigers are joining the SEC, with much bigger, physical defenses compared to the B12 – and Lawrence is only 5’9 195.
7.       Backup LT Chappell, a RFr, tore his ACL and will be out for the season.  So Gatti slides into the backup spot after appearing in 2 games LY.
8.       Backup SS Bolden, who missed all of 2011 due to disciplinary issues, has been kicked off the team permanently.  Sliding up to the 2nd team is So Easterly, who played in 10 games LY and isn’t much of a drop of from Bolden should an injury strike the starter, Sr Kenronte Walker.
36.   NAVY starting WR Aiken injured his knee recently and is awaiting the results of an MRI.  He still hopes to be ready for the opener in Dublin vs. ND, and if he is not there will be a big drop-off to the next guy up, whoever that is (Lynch, O’Boyle, Bolena).  Aiken is arguably the most talented WR Navy has on its roster.  But let’s also remember, Navy does not pass the ball often, finishing 119th last year in FBS in passing yards.
37.   NAVY has 4 players who are out for the year that were on the original 2 deep for the 2012 season:
1.       FB Mike Patrick has academic issues.  He was slated to be the backup FB, a role that will now be owned by So Polamalu.
2.       OLB Cummings has academic issues.  He was the #2 OLB behind So Tate.  That role will be filled by So Drake now, which is not much of a drop-off if any at all.
3.       ILB Brewer, a Sr who ran with the 2s and started 10 games LY.  Sr Nurthern will reprise the backup role now, but that is a big drop-off if anything happens to French, the starter.
4.       Starting CB Sperry was dismissed because of rules violations.  He is a big loss as he was HM INDY LY.  At this point it is unknown who will step up and secure the starting CB gig opposite Gaines, but the leading candidates appear to be Jr Felder or Jr Graham.
38.   NEBRASKA has lost starting RT Moore to personal reasons.  Last season he was the first true Fr to start on the NU OL.  He will likely be replaced by Jr Qvale, who played in 11 games LY at RT.  In addition, also on the OL, 3rd team RG Klachko has transferred to Illinois.  That move will not have a profound impact on performance or depth on the Huskers OL.
39.   NEVADA RB Tony Knight has been in and out of the lineup during camp due to an undisclosed injury, and as of 8/20 is listed as questionable for Wk1.  This warrants attention as Knight is the projected starting RB for the Pack, and is very talented being an original NCST commit.  Nevada rarely sees talent like this at RB, and although there are proven veterans behind Knight that will be effective in the Pistol, he could make a big impact and possibly lead them to the WAC title with a big season.
40.   NEVADA JUCO transfer WR Westbrooks, one of the 3 likely starters this year, has been lost for the season with an ACL injury.  That loss comes on top of the Pack losing their top 2 WRs from LY to graduation, along with 3 other WR/TE who started games LY.  This is a definite impactful loss for the Nevada passing attack as they look to challenge Boise State in the MWC this season.
41.   NEW MEXICO starting WR Adams has left the Lobos and transferred to Maryland.  The So had limited experience, and since the Lobos do have some depth here (not all that talented but there are bodies), the loss will not be enormous.
42.   NEW MEXICO backup LT Oldenkamp is academically ineligible for the upcoming season.  He played extensively LY at the JUCO level, and now the backup will be RFr Romine, who is a big drop off in talent and experience.  If Sr starter Chambers gets injured this will be a major area of concern for the Lobos – but as of now, NM has 4 starters and 65 career starts returning, so this should be one of the better OLs NM has sported (at least from an experience standpoint) in some time.
43.   NEW MEXICO STATE starting RB Traxler has left the team.  He did not record any stats LY, but is listed as the starting FB so when NMST goes with a running formation he would be the lead blocker.  Typically the Aggies go with 3-4 WRs in the lineup, as they had the #26 passing game in the country LY.
44.   NEW MEXICO STATE backup LG Sr Heimuli, who played in 11 games LY but didn’t start any, has left the team.  The new backup will be Fr Rhaheed, who has no experience at this level but at least brings some size.  It is still a huge drop-off in estimated production and if the starter Cunningham gets injured it will be a huge sore spot for the Aggies.
45.   NORTH CAROLINA has a pair of injuries in their WR corps.  Sr Harrelson, who was listed as 1 of 3 starters, was dismissed from the team for violating team rules.  He will likely be replaced by Sr Boyd, as the two are similar in measurables with Boyd having a slight edge in past production.  So Thorpe, an HM All ACC player LY, is out indefinitely after breaking a bone in his foot earlier this month.  Not only was he also listed as a starting WR, but he led the ACC in KO returns LY which was a big part of him earning ACC honors.  He will be replaced by either So Tapley or So McNeill, both of whom will be a drop-off to his production.  UNC was suppose to have a very potent passing attack once again this season, led by LY’s top ACC passer Bryn Renner; however, with these issues, it will be more of a struggle in the first year under new HC Larry Fedora, with a few injuries and installing a new scheme.
46.   NC STATE has lost both of its backup QBs.  #2 Brosius, a So, and #3 Taylor, a RFr, have left football to pursue careers in MLB.  No word on who will step into these roles, but suffice it to say, if Glennon gets injured, HC O’Brien likely loses his job because it will be a terrible season for the Pack, one he can ill afford at this point.  At least the OL returns 112 career starts and O’Brien calls it his best at NCST, which increases the chances he plays every snap in ‘12.
47.   NC STATE starting So WR Underwood is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.  His status going forward is unknown, so keep an eye on him.  LY he played in 13 games, had 226 yards, and was expected to enjoy a greater role in the offense this year as their big play threat (averaged 14.2 yards per reception LY).  NC State has already lost 3 of LY’s top 4 WRs from 2012, so although there is some depth, whoever steps into his spot will have little to no experience and will likely be a drop off in production.
48.   The NC STATE defense lost 3 backups for the season, all due to different reasons.  Backup MLB Peek, who played in 9 games LY as a true Fr, tore his ACL.  The SS position lost its #2 and #3 with Jr Haynes injuring his left arm (he took snaps at RB LY but was expected to be part of the secondary rotation this season) and Jr Coleman leaving the team for unknown reasons.  That leaves the Wolfpack with zero experience among the backups at S, and is an immediate blow to depth, and could be significant if either SS Wolff or FS Wilson get injured this season.
49.   NORTH TEXAS has lost two starters on defense for at least the start of the season.  Jr DT Boatwell tore his pectoral muscle and will miss at least the first two games of the season – he will likely be replaced by Jr Abbe, who has some experience and will add more size but is a drop off in talent and production.  So OLB Stojakovic will miss the entire season dealing with personal issues.  Jr Wright will step in to replace him – there shouldn’t be a ton of drop-off with this injury.
50.   NORTH TEXAS backup CB So Warner is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in camp.  He was also OFY LY after 7 games, but did have some experience which is more than all the remaining backup CBs for the Mean Green.
51.   Offensively, NORTH TEXAS loses a pair of 2nd stringers.  TE Sr Prior, who appeared in all 12 games LY, will miss the year because of a shoulder injury.  His replacements will not have any experience.  Backup C Feldt, a true Fr, will likely miss the season with neck and shoulder issues.  Although the new backup C Summerfield will be a slight drop in talent, he will bring more experience to the table should anything happen to starting C Fortenberry.
52.   NORTHERN ILLINOIS has lost starting LG Sr Pegram to a fractured leg suffered in camp earlier this month.  This is a big blow as Pegram was the only returning starter on the Huskies OL, and NI is also breaking in a new QB following the graduation of 2 time MAC OPOY Chandler Harnish.  I expect Jr Volk to step into the starting LG spot as he played in 9 games LY, but was also banged up as well and missing the spring.  He should be ready to go now, behind him is zero experience.  It looks like it will be an uphill battle for the NI offense this season with a new QB and no OL returning starters.
53.   NORTHWESTERN starting TE Watkins is listed as questionable with a hip injury.  The Jr is the only TE on the roster with past production, and will be key to breaking in new QB Kain Colter who doesn’t have the biggest arm and will often look for the TE’s in the middle of the field.
54.   NOTRE DAME QB Rees is suspended for the opener vs. Navy.  There is a relatively open competition for the Irish starting QB gig this season, and Rees has done himself no favors with HC Kelly since arriving in South Bend between turnovers on the field, and off the field issues. 
55.   NOTRE DAME has announced QB Golson, the RFr, will be the starter for the opener vs. Navy, and possibly for the season.  ND has 4 QBs on the roster who all have similar talent and outside Rees similar experience, so keep an eye on this position as it could change week to week, and even possibly game to game.
56.   NOTRE DAME lost starting CB Wood for the season.  That is a huge blow to ND’s secondary considering they already lost both starting CBs from LY.
57.   NOTRE DAME has 2 players suspended for Wk1 following an off-campus incident.  Incumbent QB Rees (mentioned above) and backup LB Calabrese will miss the Dublin trip when the Irish face Navy.
58.   NOTRE DAME also lost a pair of backups for an indefinite amount of time, which may not be the season.  Jr OLB Spond is suffering from concussion symptoms and his time table for a return is unknown.  Outside Spond there are no experienced backups at OLB for the Irish.  In addition, Jr S Collinsworth, who played in all 13 games LY, underwent shoulder surgery which puts him out until at least early November.  That is a big blow to the Irish secondary as that leaves only 1 experienced S backup, Sr McCarthy.  Keep an eye on this position as the season unfolds – depth could become a serious issue, especially considering the schedule ND faces.


I will be back tomorrow with Part 3 - this analysis is broken into 4 parts.

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