Alabama A&M: Bulldogs at a glance

ALABAMA A&M

2010 record: 3-8 overall, 2-7 SWAC Number of starters returning: 14 (6 on offense, 5 on defense, 3 specialists) Top returning players: QB Deaunte Mason, RB Kaderius Lacey, WR G'Alonzo Milton, OL Jamaal Johnson-Webb, ILB Willie Fuller, WLB Vernon Marshall, FS Rico Porch, P/K Chance Wilson. Team will be a contender if the offensive line protects Mason and the defensive line is relentless in getting after the quarterback. Team will struggle if Mason doesn't play well and the defense is forced to play a lot of snaps. Head coach's Hot Seat meter reading Anthony Jones, (6) ... Despite leading A&M to the 2009 SWAC championship game, the Bulldogs have posted two losing seasons in the last three years. Jones, entering his 10th season with the Bulldogs, is in the final year of his contract. Depth chart

OFFENSE

WR G'Alonzo Milton (6-0, 205, Jr.), Torey Smith (5-11, 176, Jr.) LT Jamaal Johnson-Webb (6-5, 318, RJr.), Josh Bailey (6-4, 320, Fr.) LG Bryant Ross (6-2, 300, Jr.), Nathan Woodard (6-1, 275, So.) C Joaquenssi Eugene (6-1, 295, Jr.), Carlos Tolbert (6-0, 333, Sr.) RG Justin Goodrich (6-2, 308, So.), Chris Boykin (6-4, 270, Fr.) RT Alan Cruz (6-5, 337, RFr.), Tony Jackson (6-2, 277, Sr.) TE Kenneth Harris (6-3, 239, Jr.), Bobby Goldsby (6-4, 226, Jr.) WR Montarius Smith (5-9, 171, RFr.), Demario Ross (6-0, 202, So.) QB Deaunte Mason (6-3, 225, Jr.), David Isabelle (6-3, 193, Jr.) FB Joseph Porter (5-8, 231, RFr.), Talmadge McCloud (6-0, 275, Fr.) TB Kaderius Lacey (6-0, 230, Jr.), Brendan Johnson (5-7, 182, So.)

DEFENSE

LE Corey Hart (6-3, 230, RSr.), Phillip Harvey (6-3, 220, RSo.) LT Preston Nelson (6-4, 254, Jr.), Montay Rover (6-0, 253, Jr.) RT Tim Tillman (6-2, 285, Jr.), Juwanza Vickers (6-0, 310, So.) RE Clarence Lovell (6-1, 231, Jr.), Melvin Payne (6-4, 245, Jr.) SS Tae Keith (6-2, 213, So.), Chris Ervin (6-0, 195, Fr.) SLB Willie Fuller (5-11, 227, Sr.), Denzell Cotton (5-11, 218, Jr.) MLB Markeith Cliatt (5-11, 250, Sr.), Cuevas Dargan (5-11, 233, RSo.) WLB Vernon Marshall (5-11, 192, Jr.), Vandrick Jackson (6-0, 180, So.) LCB A.J. Clark (6-1, 181, RFr.), Luther Snipe (5-8, 170, Fr.) FS Rico Porch (5-11, 180, Sr.), Jamel Morris (5-9, 171, Fr.) RCB Derrick Harris (5-10, 175, So.), Nicholas Shoaf (5-9, 181, RFr.)

PROJECTED STARTERS

OFFENSE

WR G'Alonzo Milton, 6-0, 205, Jr.



Is ready to have breakout season after improving speed and quickness LT Jamaal Johnson-Webb, 6-5, 318, Jr. Should contend for All-SWAC honors LG Bryant Ross, 6-2, 300, Jr. Transfer came on late to solidify a troublesome position C Joaquenssi Eugene, 6-1, 295, Jr. Has made significant strides since last season and was named preseason All-SWAC RG Justin Goodrich, 6-2, 308, So. Should be much-improved after rough 2010 season RT Alan Cruz, 6-5, 337, RFr. Has talent, but has struggled with injuries. Has to come on to solidify unit TE Kenneth Harris, 6-3, 239, Jr. Has all the tools but has been hampered with injuries WR Montarius Smith, 5-9, 171, RFr. Already has drawn lofty praise for his play QB Deaunte Mason, 6-3, 225, Jr. Must play like he did in 2009 for team to win FB Joseph Porter, 5-8, 231, RFr. Must do all the little things to help Kaderius Lacey RB Kaderius Lacey, 6-0, 230, Jr. Has to be the bellcow of A&M's offense

DEFENSE

LE Corey Hart, 6-3, 230, Sr. Has to develop into one of the league's premier pass rushers LT Preston Nelson, 6-4, 254, Jr. Most versatile player on the defensive linne RT Tim Tillman, 6-2, 285, Jr. Ready for breakout season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery RE Clarence Lovell, 6-1, 231, Jr. Eager to prove he can play Division I football at a high level SS Tae Keith, 6-2, 213, So. Came on in the past week to grab the starting spot SLB Willie Fuller, 5-11, 227, Sr. Wants to be the next big thing to come out of Alabama A&M MLB Markeith Cliatt, 5-11, 250, Sr. Expects to be a big contributor after playing sparingly his first three seasons WLB Vernon Marshall, 5-11, 192, Jr. One of the Bulldogs' top playmakers his first two seasons LCB A.J. Clark, 6-1, 181, RFr. Made the move from quarterback to cornerback with ease FS Rico Porch, 5-11, 180. Must play like clear-cut leader in the secondary he is RCB Derrick Harris, 5-10, 175. Gained valuable experience last season

2011 schedule

Sept. 3 Hampton University, Chicago, Ill. (Chicago Classic) Sept. 10 at Southern Sept. 17 Tuskegee (Louis Crews Classic) Sept. 24 at Grambling Oct. 1 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Hall of Fame Game) Oct. 8 Mississippi Valley State (Homecoming) Oct. 13 Texas Southern Oct. 29 Alabama State (Magic City Classic) Nov. 5 at Alcorn State Nov. 12 Jackson State Nov. 19 at Prairie View