ASU: Nickname Is New, Hopes Are the Same

Michael Pirnique Corey Leonard is back for his junior year to lead a talented group of backs and receivers.

Arkansas State University enters a new era as the Red Wolves and with it more hope of a Sun Belt Championship, but there are some contingencies.

ASU coach Steve Roberts insists that being successful in 2008 depends on how healthy the Red Wolves can stay throughout a season that begins with the likes of the Texas A&M Aggies at College Station and includes Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Last year, ASU played at Texas and Tennessee.

"Our schedule was difficult last year and we had injuries at the wrong time," Roberts said. "We didn't play well in a three-game stretch because of it. We had a great opportunity in a great environment at Texas last year with a new coaching staff and that presented a huge challenge. We won that game in every aspect, but we left some plays on the field."

"We had 18 players miss all or most of spring football," the coach added. "So it's difficult to gauge what we have on the previous season. We're going to have skilled players on offense at quarterback, wide receiver and running back, but we're going to have to replace some offensive linemen and four starters on the defensive line. That's going to be challenging. We are going to have to replace some very good football players, but for the guys who participated in spring practice, I feel better about."

The Red Wolves return 11 starters including junior quarterback Corey Leonard, who passed for 2,235 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. He was a 2007 Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist and set a school record for total offense.

In the backfield with Leonard is junior tailback Reggie Arnold, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, while junior Brandon Thompkins returns as the team's top receiver and kick returner.

"I feel good about Reggie," Roberts said. "He allows us to pound the football more often and attack the defense and when he's on, he can help us. Travis Hewitt will back up Corey and is an accurate thrower."

Redshirt freshman Derek Lawson mixed in at running back in the spring along with freshman Ronnie Johnson, an Alabama high school all-state selection.

Depth at tight end begins with senior David Johnson, who was an All-Sun Belt selection with 23 passes caught for 404 yards and four touchdowns over the last two seasons. Senior Vernon Caitlin and juniors J.T. Jordan and Trevor Gillott are also expected to contribute at tight end.