Come Out of the Shadows

A much younger and smaller Troy Evangelist, just as he was getting a scholarship offer from the Univ. of Minnesota (CREDIT: GoldenSports.net)


I don't want to only speculate about the incoming freshmen, because there are some veteran players that I think will have break-out years in 2007. These are predictions for break-out years in relative terms compared to what they accomplished in a previous season or seasons. These are NOT necessarily the playes that I think will be the top stars on the team this season, but it is a list of the young men I think we will see much, much more of on the field in 2007.


Troy Evangelist TE Jr.

Most Lions fans wondered why Evangelist didn't make more of an impact last season, and then we found out he battled some injuries for a good part of the year. Based on what I saw at the spring game, Troy is ready to become a serious force as a pass receiver and woe to the safeties trying to bring this Mack truck of a player down after the catch. Evangelist could become an even bigger part of the mix if Columbia needs to use a new QB at some time this season, as fresher QB's almost always prefer to rely on big targets like the 6"6 Evangelist.


Bayo Aregbe LB Sr.

Bayo was battling some injuries last year and decided to leave the team, but as a sophomore in 2005 he was one of the few bright spots on the defense. His return puts Columbia in the unfamiliar, but very happy, position of having tremendous depth at linebacker. There are still some concerns about his health, but I expect Bayo to make his presence felt early and often this season.


Mike Brune and Ralph DeBernardo, OT's Jr.'s

Columbia's improvement on the offensive line will go as far as these guys will take them. As the starting left tackle for much of 2006, Brune deserves a lot of credit for helping to shave the Lions' sacked allowed number fall to 16 from 33 in 2005. At right tackle, DeBernardo is emerging as the leader of the unit and is taking a big part of the responsibility for improving the running game. Expect to hear both of their names a lot after big ground games for Lion runners this season.

Conor Joyce DE Jr. and Matt Bashaw DE So.

Coach Wilson is pedicting big things from Joyce this season, and I was impressed with his work in the spring game. Meanwhile, I like to call Bashaw "the quiet assasin" because not many people talked about his solid freshman season and it seems like even less buzz surrounds him after a good showing in the spring game. I'd be surprised if he doesn't make an impact this season.


Pete Stoll FB So.

Columbia's running game seemed to finally start clicking once Stoll grabbed the starting fullback spot in week 9 versus Cornell. He should hold that slot this season and may get a chance to prove he can do more than block.


Derek Jancisin WR So.

Came out of nowhere to start in the spring game and the coaches seem high on him to fill in one of the many WR slots now open because of graduation. Austin Knowlin is going to help one or two other Lion receivers get a lot of one-on-one coverages this year, and Jancisin's size may help him capitalize more than some other candidates.


Grant Jefferson DB So.

Switches from running back and seems to be recovering nicely from the injury that took him off a lot of Division I scouting lists in his high school senior year. If the freshman Calvin Otis doesn't click right away, Jefferson could see a lot of action.


Tyler Duffy SS/OLB Jr.

Had good spring and has the good fortune of playing a position where some graduating players need to be replaced. He may also get a chance to help out at corner. He's the football version of the utility infielder every team actually needs to succeed.


Ray Rangel, RB So.

Rangel really impressed this hard-to-impress coaching staff last summer in training camp, only to injure himself just as the regular season began. I see Rangel pushing himself even harder this time as the new crop of freshmen running backs come into camp. In the regular season, Ray can be a serious threat on screen passes and some other non-conventional plays. An improved offensive line will make those kinds of plays a lot more possible than they were in 2006.


Eli Waltz NT Jr.

One of my dark horse picks to break in as a starter at some point this year. The nose tackle position is pretty wide open after the graduation of Todd Abrams. Waltz is working hard to take his place.


John Seiler LG So.

Might get some starts by the end of the season. He has a lot of raw talent.


Michael Seibold K Jr.

Did you know kickoffs will be moving back to the 30-yard line this coming season? Well, they are and that means having a good kickoff specialist will be even more important. I can't imagine Jon Rocholl will be asked to do the punting, placekicking and kickoffs this season. Seibold needs to prove he's the man as incoming freshman Joe Stormont will challenge him for sure.


Jason Pyles WR/Special Teams So.

I expect the hard-working Pyles to make an impact on special teams this season. Don't be surprised if he is often the first guy to stop an opposing kick returner.


Ryan Mettee S Sr.

Makes his long-awaited return to the team after injuries took him off the field following a break-out freshman season in 2004. I'm confident that if Ryan can walk, he will run.


Javier Loya, another Columbia success story (CREDIT: Texas Energy Service)


If you happen to be in Texas next month, check out this cool opportunity to get on the field with Coach Wilson at Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. The event is hosted by former Lion linebacker and current Texans part-owner Javier Loya, who played for the Lions in the late 80's along with his brother Mario.

Here are the details:


"A Special Evening with the Houston Texans"
Reliant Stadium
Thurs August 2
6:PM: Stadium Tour (Q and A with Texans President Jamey Rootes at end of tour)
6:45PM: Reception
8:00PM: Watch Practice

For questions: Contact Brian Swain at bswain2000@yahoo.com

Registration is at this site by July 27.