The Arkansas State Crimson Wolves will as soon as once more take care of a number of turnover in 2022. A yr after watching their head coach jettison for Utah State, taking their quarterback Logan Bonner with them, they noticed a mass exodus of gamers go away through the switch portal this previous offseason. But, the Crimson Wolves carry again a ton of thrilling college football prospects of their high 10 returning gamers. Most notably, it needs to be an enormous change this yr for Arkansas State followers, as this protection could also be one of the best one they’ve had in a while.
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Prime 10 returning gamers at Arkansas State
The countdown to the common season continues right here throughout Professional Soccer Community’s Prime 10 Returning Gamers collection. We’ve crossed the nation to the Solar Belt and are firmly entrenching ourselves throughout the southeastern portion of the nation with our look into every FBS workforce. Wanting solely at gamers returning to their similar workforce from a season in the past — we’ll take care of transfers later –, we’re counting down all the highest 10 gamers returning to motion on each workforce. Listed below are the highest returners from Arkansas State.
10) Emmanual Stevenson, TE
An enormous goal within the receiving sport for the Crimson Wolves, Emmanual Stevenson quietly had an amazing true freshman season. He can play as an inline tight finish however actually shined in the course of the season when given the chance to play as a stand-up receiving possibility. Mix that with the truth that he’s no stranger to potential highlight-reel blocks in each aspects, and Stevenson might develop right into a top-notch TE.
9) Jaden Harris, LB
What Jaden Harris might lack in dimension on the linebacker place, he makes up for along with his instincts and excessive motor. Harris understands his task and has an amazing knack for locating the soccer, each in protection and in opposition to the run. He had a compelled fumble and 4.0 tackles for loss due to that means.
8) James Blackman, QB
Again to run the present on his personal, James Blackman enters his second season on the helm of the Crimson Wolves this fall. The previous Florida State quarterback threw for 1,344 yards and eight touchdowns a season in the past, splitting time with Layne Hatcher and enjoying in simply six video games with 5 begins. Blackman’s fast supply permits him to get the ball to the quick space of the sphere properly, however he additionally has loads of arm energy to search out his receivers streaking open downfield.
7) Jeff Foreman, WR
An enormous-play risk in his personal proper, Jeff Foreman has steadily elevated his manufacturing over the previous three seasons. Discovering methods to win on the surface, Foreman is a beneficial deep risk within the Arkansas State offense. He has positive arms and a documented means to go up and win the 50-50 balls in opposition to any sort of protection defender. Foreman received’t be focused within the quick space a lot, however that’s no indictment on his all-around means. It’s extra a reward of his means to win downfield.
6) Melique Straker, LB
Hailing from Carleton Faculty and never having performed in stay sport motion since 2020, it took Melique Straker a little bit of time to see the sphere. However as soon as he obtained on the sphere, he made an enormous distinction.
Straker has the potential to grow to be a real three-down LB. He can do all the pieces requested of him from the weakside, however Straker’s finest attribute could also be his means to cowl all forms of receivers on beneath routes. He got here on sturdy down the stretch of the season in that regard.
5) Leon Jones, CB
A former two-year letterer at Mississippi Gulf Coast Neighborhood Faculty, Leon Jones burst onto the Solar Belt scene in 2021. Jones recorded a team-high eight cross breakups, logging vital time in opposition to opposing workforce’s No. 1 huge receivers. Jones has nice dimension and even higher size on the place. He’ll assist to anchor a secondary which may be higher than most suppose in 2022.
4) Te’Vailance Hunt, WR
Averaging over 14.5 yards per catch in his first season in Jonesboro, Te’Vailance Hunt proved why he was such a extremely sought-after recruit final yr. Again now because the No. 1 goal for his QB, Hunt will look to enhance on his 740 yards and 6 touchdowns from final season. Hunt has an amazing catch radius and performs even greater than his 6’1″ body would point out. His physique management is properly above common, and he’s no stranger to tearing off huge positive factors after the catch.
3) Samy Johnson, CB
Main the workforce with three picks a yr in the past, Samy Johnson presents an enormous problem for opposing quarterbacks to throw in opposition to. Battling via accidents in the course of the yr, Johnson led the workforce in interceptions regardless of lacking two video games and beginning solely eight contests. Johnson latches on to the opposing receiver, and if he doesn’t make a play on the ball, it’s exhausting to finish something in opposition to him as a result of his closing velocity and information of when to time his transfer.
2) Kenneth Harris, CB
It was simply 9 video games a season in the past however Kenneth Harris broke out. Beginning the ultimate two video games of the season, Harris in the end completed second on the workforce with two interceptions. This got here after he began simply 4 video games a season prior and nonetheless led the workforce in cross breakups. He’s a sticky cornerback with nice dimension on the surface. He limits receptions very properly and doesn’t let something by him.
1) Kivon Bennett, EDGE
An absolute wreaker of havoc off the sting, Kivon Bennett terrorized opposing quarterbacks final season. If it wasn’t his team-high eight sacks, it was his fixed drive in opposition to opposing tackles that pushed the pocket and disrupted QBs left and proper.
As nice as Bennett is off the sting, his total workforce worth is aware of no finish. He’s a beneficial contributor on particular groups as properly, blocking punts or pushing off the sting in opposition to subject targets all the identical. In his first season at Arkansas State, Bennett appeared each bit just like the four-year Tennessee veteran. He’ll have another season to indicate it off once more.
Honorable point out gamers returning to Arkansas State in 2022
- Johnnie Lang, RB
- Ethan Miner, G/C
- Ernesto Ramirez, G
- John Mincey, DT
- Taylon Doss, S
