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Basically ... The offense will need several things to happen to average 30 points per game again. First, everyone has to be healthy. Too many key skill players were banged up with various ailments missing time this spring. Second, the quarterback situation has to be settled. Josh Swogger has the most experience and the biggest upside, but redshirt freshman Alex Brink is close on his heels. Finally, the running game has to come together with Chris Bruhn and Allen Thompson not only needing to heal up, but also be productive.
Star of the offense: Senior OT Calvin Armstrong
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore QB Josh Swogger
Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman QB Alex Brink
Best pro prospect: Armstrong
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Armstrong, 2) OT Sam Lightbody, 3) TE Troy Bienemann
Strength of the offense: Offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Proven receivers
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Josh Swogger, Soph. - Swogger stepped in when Matt Kegel kept getting hurt and took some major lumps as a redshirt freshman. At 6-5 and 238 pounds, he has the size and the huge arm necessary
to be the next big-time Cougar quarterback, and now he has to use his experience to be more accurate after only completing 50.5% of his passes last year throwing for 548 yards and a touchdown
with five interceptions. Considering his size, he can still move a little bit finishing with 12 net rushing yards.
Top Backups
- Alex Brink, RFr. - The all-time Oregon high school passing leader showed that he's on the verge of being ready to take over the starting job. At the very least he looks like a dependable
number two completing 11 of 16 passes for 151 yards an a touchdown in the spring game. He has a good arm and great mobility.
- Chris Hurd, Jr. - Hurd is a great all-around athlete with the size and skill to be a major factor in the quarterback race. What he doesn't have is a 100% healthy knee still coming back after
missing last year with a knee problem. He's the number three quarterback after a bad spring and there's talk that he might be looking to transfer
The Skinny: This isn't all that bad a situation. There are three good prospects to choose from experience and time the only main concerns. Josh Swogger and Alex Brink have all the
skills, and now they need the reps. Chris Hurd needs to get his knee back to 2002 form.
Player to keep an eye on: Alex Brink ... Quarterback Rating: 6
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Chris Bruhn, Sr. - Bruhn was a nice powerback in the rotation last year finishing second on the team behind Jonathan Smith rushing for 353 yards but failing to get into the end zone. He's
6-3, 215 pounds and has great all-around talent. Now he has to get healthy sidelined for a while this spring recovering from a hernia operation
Top Backups
- Allen Thompson, Jr. - Thompson has much needed speed and quickness with the ability to be a star in the Cougar offense. The problem is his shoulder which hasn't held up over the course of
his career.
- Jerome Harrison, Jr. - After attending Pasadena Junior College, the same school that last year's leading rusher, Jonathan Smith, came from, Harrison will get every shot to play a major role
once he hits camp this fall. He's a productive runner able to make things happen and get into the end zone.
The Skinny: It's all about getting healthy as Chris Bruhn has to be 100% after a hernia problem and Allen Thompson has to keep his shoulder from knocking him out. Washington State will
never be a running team, but the potential is there for Bruhn to be a 1,000-yard back if he can last the season.
Player to keep an eye on: Jerome Harrison ... Running Back Rating: 6
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Jason Hill, Soph. - Primarily a special teams performer last year, the 6-2 Hill has a ton of promise. Even though he missed spring ball with a shoulder injury, his size, strength and speed
are enough to make him the top candidate for the starting split end job.
- Chris Jordan, Soph. - The top returning wide receiver, Jordan made 28 catches for 341 yards and two touchdowns last year in a freshman All-America season. He's still trying to get healthy
after suffering a torn ACL against Washington, but he's expected to be back at 100% this fall.
- Marty Martin, Jr. - Martin is a quick receiver with a little bit of experience and decent upside as a possession receiver. He made three catches for 30 yards last year and is expected to grow
into a reliable go-to guy after having a huge spring game catching ten passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tight end Troy Bienemann, Jr. - Bienemann earned second-team All-Pac 10 honors catching 29 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-5 and 252 pounds, he's a good blocker and getting
better.
Top Backups
- Trandon Harvey, Sr. - One of the best all-around athletes on the team, Harvey has all the tools to be a top receiver if he can finally get over his injury problems and stay on the field. He
made 21 catches for 247 yards in a limited role last year, and now he'll backup Chris Jordan at flanker.
- Tramaine Murray, Jr. - Murray has the talent to be top playmaker in the attack coming from the JUCO ranks last year. He'll push hard for time behind Jason Hill at split end
- Tight end Cody Boyd, Soph. - The 6-8, 240-pound Boyd is a nice big pass catcher with good speed making 18 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown. He is athletic enough to play wide receiver in
needed, but is better suited to tight end. He'll be fine by the fall after having problems with a shoulder injury.
The Skinny: It isn't a good thing when you have two inexperienced players missing time in spring ball with injuries yet still earning starting spots. Receivers coach Mike Levenseller has
his toughest task yet needing to replace Devard Darling, Scott Lunde and Sammy Moore with very green players. Jason Hill and Chris Jordan have the talent to become the new stars, but they need
to get healthy and on the field. JUCO transfer Michael Bumpus could come in and immediately take over a spot this fall. The tight ends will be outstanding.
Player to keep an eye on: Marty Martin ... Receiver Rating: 6
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Calvin Armstrong, Sr. - Armstrong has been one of the best and most consistent linemen in the Pac 10 over the last few years. He didn't quite make the jump to All-America status last
year that was expected of him following a first-team All-Pac 10 season, but he was still a strong player holding down the job on the left side.
- Guard Patrick Afif, Sr. - Afif is a 6-7, 319-pound former JUCO star playing in the interior able to play tackle if needed. He'll help form a formidable left side of the line lining up at
guard next to Calvin Armstrong.
- Center Nick Mihlhauser, Jr. - After taking over the starting job last year, the 287-pound Mihlhauser is an anchor in the middle. He can move to guard if needed, but he's better suited for
center.
- Guard Riley Fitt-Chappell, Jr. - A spot starter throughout his career, the versatile 6-6, 314-pound Fitt-Chappell will take over the full-time role at right guard. He could end up moving to
tackle if the staff decides to shuffle things around.
- Tackle Sam Lightbody, Sr. - Lightbody overcame various injury problems in 2002 to become a rock on the line last season starting 12 games on the right side. The 6-9, 319-pound junior is
nearly impossible to get around as a pass protector and is growing into a dominant run blocker.
Top Backups
- G Keola Loo, Sr. - Loo came from the JUCO ranks to become a valuable reserve last year. He isn't big compared to the other massive bodies on the line, but the 285-pound senior is still a
physical player.
- G Bobby Byrd, RFr. - One of the top offensive line recruits a few years ago, the 281-pound Byrd will get every chance to take over the spot at left guard battling with Patrick Afif for the
job.
- T Chris Harris, Soph. - Harris stepped in and started against Oregon State when Sam Lightbody couldn't go. The 280-pound sophomore will once again serve as a reserve at right tackle.
The Skinny: The line gave up too many sacks last year and wasn't always consistent at run blocking, but it got the job done and should be one of the league's strongest with three
returning starters. Calvin Armstrong and Sam Lightbody are Grand Teton sized tackles and should be one of the best pairs in the country.
Player to keep an eye on: Bobby Byrd ... Offensive Line Rating: 8
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