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2009 Arkansas State Red Wolves NCCAA Football Predictions

Written June 30, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Arkansas State Red Wolves 2009 Predictions The Arkansas State Red Wolves finished tied for 3rd last year at 4-3 in the Sun Belt Conference, but were not rewarded with a bowl game after going 6-6. The Red Wolves have endured a number of losing seasons this decade, but 2009 could be the year that this team turns things around and puts together a winning season. With 15 returning starters and nearly 80% of their team from 2008 back this season, the Red Wolves definitely have the talent to win football games, but this team will have to overcome a very tough schedule that has them playing seven road games.

On offense the Red Wolves return 7 starters from 2008, including senior quarterback Corey Leonard, who not only led the team with 2,347 passing yards and a solid 16/8 touchdown to interception ratio, he also was the teams third leading rusher with 516 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Red Wolves also return their top two runners in senior starter Reggie Arnold and the young and talented backup in sophomore Derek Lawson. While Arnold got the majority of the carries last year, as he ran for 1,074 yards, Lawson was outstanding as a freshman running for 695 yards with a ridiculous 7.2 yards per carry. At wide receiver the Red Wolves bring back their top three threats in seniors Brandon Thompkins, Jahbari McLennan, and Jarriel Norman, but thats not it as they have two solid senior tight ends coming back as well in Trevor Gillott and JT Jordan. With guards Drew Hilton and Dominic Padrata the only two starters on the offensive line back from 2008, that leaves the Red Wolves looking for two new tackles and a center. Juniors Derek Newton and Kiano Prater look like the early leaders to take over the two open tackle spots, while fellow junior Tom Castilaw is expected to be the team’s new center. The Red Wolves are extremely inexperienced on the line with only 19 career starts combined, and that could really hurt the offensive production both on the ground and in the air. Bet the Red Wolves this season at Sportsbook.com.

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What will give this team a strong chance to win each and every week, is the starting 11 they will have going out on the defensive side of the ball. The Red Wolves return 8 starters from 2008, and for a team that was 2nd in the Sun Belt allowing just 24.3 points a game last season, this unit should once again be one of the best, if not the best in this conference. On the defensive line the Red Wolves are stacked with not only one of the best defensive ends in the conference in senior Alex Carrington, but are loaded in the middle with the outstanding talents of tackles Khari Mays and Bryan Hall. Senior Stanley Wakwe will become the starter at the other defensive end spot after grabbing 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in back up duties last season. At linebacker the Red Wolves return both their starters on the outside in juniors Javon McKinnon and Darius Glover, while senior Greg Hardy takes over at middle linebacker. In the secondary the Red Wolves return 3 starters, but once again will fill in the vacant spot with a backup from the 2008 season, as senior Cordarious Mingo will start at corner opposite of senior Daylan Walker. The Red Wolves also have one of the best safety duos in the Sun Belt Conference in junior strong safety MD Jennings and senior free safety Evan Van Dolah. If the offensive can find away to put some points on the board with an inexperienced offensive line, the defense should do its part to get this team a winning record in 2009. Bet the Sun Belt this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: 2nd in Sun Belt Conference. I am going out on a little bit of a limb here, as I am putting a lot of confidence in the ability of the coaching staff to get the offensive line good enough that it can compete at a respectable level in 2009. Because other than the offensive line, this team is loaded with talent, and the defense should be good enough that if the offense gets the lead they will be able to hold on for the win.

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