Thursday, August 29, 2013

NCAA Football 2013: Injury Report Teams A-F (Part I of III)


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 starter’s magazines/websites list, and will help you get a leg up on Vegas when deciding on your selections.  They are listed in alphabetical order, numbered so if anyone has any questions whatsoever email me at boss@thesportsboss.com to discuss.  I also appreciate any fans or alums of specific schools that have information either not mentioned below, or an update/correction to something I wrote – 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.

 

Below only includes players that are listed as QUESTIONABLE for Week 1 or worse.  Any player listed as probable is NOT included.  I also have only included players that are listed as 3rd string or higher – any player’s listed 4th string or worse are not included, as are some 3rd string players depending on class, experience and position:

 

1.       AKRON has named Sophomore QB Kyle Pohl as STARTER.  He beat out a few Terry Bowden recruits along with Colorado transfer Nick Hirshman.

2.       ALABAMA STARTING WR Kevin Norwood is listed as questionable with a toe injury.  Norwood was the #2 WR LY for the Tide, and is the #2 returning WR behind Amari Cooper.

3.       ALABAMA STARTING MLB Trey DePriest is out indefinitely after being suspended.  No further details on how long he may be out are available.  He is no question the most experienced of the MLB’s, but expect very highly touted Reggie Ragland to step into the vacated spot and learn on the job.  DePriest is clearly one of the best LB’s on the squad but there is always talent ready to step in at Alabama.

4.       ALABAMA #3 CB Sophomore Geno Smith is suspended for the season opener against Virginia Tech.  No further details are available.

5.       ARIZONA STARTING WR Austin Hill remains out with a knee injury following his 1st Team All American season in 2012.  It is unknown how long he will be out, but his loss is enormous.

6.       ARIZONA ST. STARTING FS Damarious Randall is doubtful for the opener on 9/5 vs. Sacramento State with a groin injury.  The Sun Devils are very young in the secondary behind their starters so this injury could be a concern if not healed properly by 9/14’s meeting with Wisconsin.

7.       ARIZONA ST. CB Marcus Ball is out 3-5 weeks with an arm injury.  He is buried deep on the depth chart as a true freshman so this injury is not of much concern.

8.       ARKANSAS backup WR & STARTING KR D’Arthur Cowan is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a foot injury.  Although his loss will not impact the WR corps as much as the special teams as Cowan was slated to take over for the departed KR Dennis Johnson.

9.       ARKANSAS STARTING TE Senior Austin Tate is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury.  Tate was expected to step in and replace Gragg, who was the #4 receiver in each of the last two seasons.  Sophomore Demetrius Dean is expected to step into the role vacated by Tate.

10.   ARKANSAS STARTING WR Senior Demetrius Wilson is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a knee injury.  He was their projected #3 WR, and his loss should not be of great impact with other Razorback returning WR’s enjoying a similar season in 2012.

11.   ARKANSAS STARTING MLB Otha Peters is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with an arm injury.  Although just a Sophomore Peters was elected to the ALL-SEC Freshman Team in 2012.  His loss will be felt as he was their 2nd leading returning tackler, and was an overall playmaker.  There is not much experienced depth whatsoever on the 2 deep at LB.

12.   ARMY has named Junior Angel Santiago their STARTING QB.  This move comes as somewhat of a surprise with many projecting Sophomore AJ Schurr as the Knights starter.  Santiago brings more of a rushing threat to the position (which means he is a better fit for the Army offense), while Santiago has the stronger arm.

13.   AUBURN CB Jonathan Jones is expected to miss the opener versus Washington State with a knee injury.  Although Jones started three games as a true freshman last year the Tigers return a ton of depth to their secondary – so while he is listed as the #1 backup CB, the bodies are there to fill in for him in the opener even versus a pass happy offense like the Cougars.

14.   AUBURN STARTING Senior DE Dee Ford will miss the opener versus Washington State with a knee injury.  Ford is the leader of the DL for the Tigers, as he was voted MVP of the Spring Game.  With that said AU only loses DE Lemonier from LY’s squad so there is plenty of depth – and this was a big time focus in their latest recruiting class as they signed three of the top ten DL in the country, along with a top five JC.

15.   AUBURN STARTING Senior SS Demetruce McNeal has been dismissed from the team and is thus OUT FOR THE SEASON.  His loss is BIG as he led the Tigers LY with 90 tackles.  As mentioned above although there is depth in the secondary for the Tigers his loss will have a definite impact.

16.   AUBURN backup WR Tony Stevens has a hamstring injury and is questionable for the team’s opener vs. Washington State Saturday.  His loss will not be significant if he misses any time as he has no experience during his college career, and there are many similar rated prospects on the Auburn bench waiting for their shot.

17.   BOISE STATE 3rd string TE Junior Kyle Sosnowski is out indefinitely with a knee injury.  Although he is listed as 3rd string he brings some experience, and a relatively high rating coming out of HS.  This injury will not be an impact early in the season, but keep an eye on it.

18.   BOSTON COLLEGE backup QB Junior Josh Bordner is listed as questionable in Wk1 with a knee injury.  Senior Chase Rettig has a firm grasp on the team and offense, and could be in for a solid year depending on how quickly he adjusts to the new offense under first year HC Steve Addazio.

19.   BOWLING GREEN STARTING Junior CB Darrell Hunter is out indefinitely with a wrist injury.  Hunter was a starter for the last 1.5 years and was a key piece of the Falcons #35 pass defense LY.  There is some game experience on the two deep but none have the experience or tackles Hunter has amassed in 2 seasons especially when considering backup CB Devin McKoy is OUT FOR THE SEASON after leaving the team.  That means their 2nd and 3rd CB’s are OUT for an indefinite period of time, with the latter missing the entire season.

20.   BOWLING GREEN STARTING RB Anthon Samuel has left the team for personal reasons and is OUT FOR THE SEASON.  Samuel had rushed for over 1,800 yards in the L2 years and will be sorely missed.  Sophomore Andre Givens, a highly rated RB out of HS, will step into the vacancy after rushing for just 134 yards in 2012.

21.   BUFFALO STARTING Senior WR Fred Lee is listed as questionable for the Bulls opener at Ohio State due to an ankle injury.  Lee is the #2 WR on the Bulls, and as a senior brings a ton of experience.  If he cannot go it will have an impact on the Bulls.

22.   BUFFALO WR Cordero Dixon, who was battling Marucs McGill for the starting spot, is questionable for the opener with a head injury.  Although Dixon brings experience to the depth chart McGill is the more explosive and figures to win the starting job.

23.   BUFFALO STARTING RG Dillon Guy is listed as questionable for the Bulls opener at Ohio State with a foot injury.  Guy is one of 2 new starter’s on the Bulls front, and he played in 10 games LY starting none.  There is zero experience at the G position on the depth chart, and that will have an impact on the team, especially in Columbus vs. Ohio State Saturday if he cannot go.

24.   BYU backup FS Sam Lee is questionable for the opener at Virginia with a back injury.  Lee is in his first year with the Cougars after transferring in from a JC.  There is some experience on the 2 deep at S so this injury should not have much of an impact at all.

25.   BYU STARTING Junior CB Jordan Johnson is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a knee injury.  Johnson was BY FAR the top returning CB for BYU, earning 1st Team All-Indy LY.  To make matter worse at CB their top JC signing of the offseason was CB Trent Trammell who is also OUT FOR THE SEASON with a knee injury.  The Cougars have serious injury concerns in their defensive backfield, especially for the opener in Charlottesville versus Virginia.

26.   BYU backup DT Tuni Kanuch is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a torn pectoral.  With the Cougars running a 3-4 base defense Kanuch’s absence will impact the depth at DT.  They still have Justin Blackmore, a junior with good size, but he has only appeared in 3 games during his 2 years on campus.

27.   CENTRAL MICHIGAN has named Junior Cody Kater as their STARTING QB.  This move does not come as much of a surprise as he was the only QB on the roster with experience LY, and he will take over for the departed Ryan Radcliff, who departs as the #2 career passer in CMU history.

28.   CALIFORNIA has named True Freshman Jared Goff as their STARTING QB.  This decision comes as somewhat of a surprise as many expected redshirt Freshman Zach Kline to take over the starting role.

29.   CALIFORNIA #5 WR Maurice Harris, a highly rated sophomore, is listed as questionable for Wk1 vs. Northwestern with a hand injury.  The Bears list 4 starting WR’s on their depth chart, with Harris the first off the bench.  Although Harris has limited experience he does have more than the other #2’s on the depth chart making his potential absence in Gm1 a very small issue.

30.   CALIFORNIA STARTING SS Avery Sebastian, a junior that was HM All-Pac 12 LY, is listed as questionable for the opener vs. Northwestern with a neck injury.  It appears Sebastian will likely at least miss the opener, a loss that would be significant considering there is no experienced depth at SS behind him.

31.   CALIFORNIA backup MLB David Wilkerson has left the team for personal reasons and is thus OUT FOR THE SEASON.  He did not play LY so although Wilkerson was a highly rated prospect, he has not made any impact since 2011 and thus his absence will not be a huge factor.

32.   CALIFORNIA STARTING DE Brennan Scarlett, who was one of their better LB LY before going down late in the season with an injury, is listed as questionable for their opener vs. Northwestern with a hand injury.  Scarlett is moving to DE as the Bears switch back to a 4-3 after one terrible season of playing 3-4, and will be missed if he misses any period of time.  Look for talented Sophomore Todd Barr to step in when/if Scarlett cannot go – which isn’t a huge drop in talent, but production wise it’s a drop off.

33.   CALIFORNIA backup FS Alex Logan, a senior, is questionable for the Bears opener vs. Northwestern with a foot injury.  Logan brings experience to the rotation, but Junior Michael Lowe is firmly entrenched as the starter.

34.   CALIFORNIA backup RG Geoffrey Gibson is listed as questionable for their opener vs. Northwestern with a hamstring injury.  He played in 10 games LY starting none – so his absence will impact depth as there are no other experienced G’s on the roster.  But overall it should not have an enormous effect in the season opener.

35.   CINCINNATI STARTING Senior C Dan Sprague is out indefinitely with a knee injury.  Sprague started 13 LY for the Bearcats and was one of five returning OL for Cincy this season.  So there is clear experience along the rest of the front to suffer one loss like Sprague, but his backups have no experience and C is the most key of all the OL spots.

36.   CLEMSON lost backup QB Chad Kelly to a torn ACL in the spring.  With reigning ACC POY & Heisman contender Tajh Boyd under center the Tigers are a clear National Title contender.

37.   CLEMSON is likely down a pair of TE’s for at least the opener.  Projected STARTING TE Jordan Leggett, a true freshman, has a banged up knee and is likely out for the opener vs. Georgia.  In addition Junior Sam Cooper is OUT FOR THE SEASON after suffering a torn ACL in the spring.  Clemson still has a pair of highly rated & talented TE’s, but as long as these two remain out the size of the two remaining could be an issue – especially versus Georgia in Death Valley next weekend.

38.   COLORADO has named QB Connor Wood the STARTER FOR THE 2013 SEASON.

39.   COLORADO STARTING Junior TE Kyle Slavin is listed as questionable for their opener vs. rival Colorado State in Denver with a hand injury.  The loss of Slavin will not have a big impact at all with Sophomore Vincent Hobbs, the backup, returning with more career catches than Slavin.

40.   COLORADO STARTING Junior WR Tyler McCulloch, the #2 returning WR for Colorado heading into 2013, listed as questionable with a foot injury.  The Buffaloes have what could be an under-rated WR corps this season headlined by the return of Junior Paul Richardson, who missed all of LY with a torn ACL, along with Spruce & McCulloch.  Despite the relative lack of depth behind those three, there will not be a massive drop-off in WR production if McCulloch misses an early game or two.

41.   UCONN STARTING Sophomore S Andrew Adams is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.  The severity of the injury is unknown, but considering the Huskies open with Towson at home, followed by a bye before hosting both Maryland and Michigan, it appears highly likely Adams at least sits versus FCS Towson.  Adams will likely be replaced by Sophomore Wilbert Lee, who has similar experience to Adams.

42.   UCONN STARTING Senior DE Jesse Joseph is now out for Thursday’s opener vs. Towson.  Joseph, a former 1st Team All Big East selection in 2010, is coming off a medical RS in 2012 and is still recovering.  If he cannot go expect Senior Tim Willman to step in, which if both players are at full blast is a clear step back.  But with the unknown status of Joseph, and the fact they are facing FCS foe Towson, his absence shouldn’t be too significant.

43.   UCONN STARTING Sophomore TE Sean McQuillan is questionable for Thursday’s opener as he is still suffering from concussion like symptoms.  His status is unknown moving forward, but will not have much of an impact on the Huskies offense.

44.   DUKE backup redshirt Freshman LT Tanner Stone is OUT FOR THE SEASON with an ankle injury.  Stone’s loss will not have a huge impact, and the Blue Devils should have their best starting OL in possibly 10 years as they return 113 career starts.

45.   EAST CAROLINA had planned on returning 4 of their Top 5 WR’s from LY.  However, eligibility has cost them their #2 & #4 receivers from LY.  Sophomore WR Jabril Wilson, LY’s #2 WR, projected to be this year’s #5 WR, is OUT FOR THE SEASON.  Likewise STARTING Senior WR Justin Jones, LY’s #4 WR, projected to be a starter this season, is OUT FOR THE SEASON.  The Pirates were projected to have perhaps the top WR unit in the CUSA; with these two losses they take a significant drop, but at least they still have returning Junior QB Shane Carden throwing passes.

46.   FLORIDA STARTING Junior RT Chaz Green is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a shoulder injury.  Green was a Freshman All American in 2011 and had 12 starts in 2012.  Although there will be somewhat of a loss of talent I expect Tyler Moore, a very highly touted transfer from Nebraska, to take over and not cause too much of a vacancy. 

47.   FLORIDA backup Senior WR Andre Dubose is OUT FOR THE SEASON with a torn ACL.  Dubose’s absence will not be enormous on offense, however, he has been a STELLAR special team’s player during his career including running back 4 kicks for TD.  His role was similar to that of Percy Harvin, and thus he will be missed.

48.   FLORIDA STARTING Sophomore MLB Antonio Morrison will miss the first two games due to a suspension.  Morrison had 4 starts & 34 tackles LY as a true freshman – and there is nobody behind him with any experience at all.  His absence could be enormous in the Gators second game @ rival Miami, Fla.  Expect Freshman Alex Anzalone to potentially step into the vacancy if he can go – he is nursing a shoulder injury but is expected to be available against Toledo Saturday.

49.   FLORIDA STARTING Senior RG Jon Halapio will miss the opener vs. Toledo with a pectoral injury.  Halapio is among the most veteran of the Gator offensive linemen with 33 career starts; however, there is talent AND depth across the entire OL to handle the Toledo front in their opener.

50.   FLORIDA STARTING Sophomore RB Matt Jones will miss the opener vs. Toledo with a virus.  Jones has been the clear cut starter out of spring in the battle to replace Gillislee; with him missing the opener expect true Freshman Kelvin Taylor to split carries with Junior Mack Brown.

51.   FIU STARTING Senior WR Glenn Coleman is questionable for the opener at Maryland because of academics.  He is the team’s #2 returning WR, and his loss will be felt for sure, especially with all the uncertainty at QB for the Panthers.

52.   FIU STARTING CB Richard Leonard, one of just 4 returning starters on defense this year is also questionable for the opener because of academics.  Not only was Leonard a starter on defense he was a stud KR/PR, in fact earning 2nd Team All SBC KR last season.  If he is unable to go it will not only impact their defense, but also their special teams.

53.   FIU STARTING FS Justin Halley is questionable for the opener at Maryland with a shoulder injury.  Expect Senior Terrance Taylor to step into the vacated role if Halley cannot go which would be a downgrade in talent & experience.

54.   FLORIDA STATE has 4 WR/TE that are already OUT FOR THE SEASON:      

1.       True Freshman TE Jeremy Kerr – not a big loss, buried deep on the depth chart

2.       Senior TE Kevin Haplea – backup to Junior Nick O’Leary.  If O’Leary was to get injured the loss of Haplea could be significant.

3.       Senior WR Willie Haulstead – second stringer, #6 on depth chart.  Haulstead’s role has slowly dropped during his career.

4.       Senior Jarred Haggins – third stringer, no role so not a big loss.

55.   FLORIDA STATE STARTING Senior WR Greg Dent is out indefinitely due to a suspension.  Dent was the #5 WR LY, and returns this year as the #4.  FSU has lost some depth at WR based on the guys out for the year mentioned above, along with Dent’s indefinite suspension.  What was at one time projected to be one of the top WR corps in college football has now taken a step back with all these losses.

56.   FRESNO STATE STARTING CB Sean Alston is OUT FOR THE SEASON with an arm injury.  Alston was HM All MWC LY, and his loss will be felt as there is limited experience behind Alston.  I expect Senior Jonathan Norton to step into the vacated role, but it will certainly be a drop off from Alston.

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