#16 Phillip Thomas (Freshman)
No Career Stats
Phillip Thomas enters his freshman year as one of the more promising young safeties in the Bulldogs program. Thomas is also in his third season of football as he grey-shirted in 2007 and red-shirted during the 2008 season. Thomas will more than likely be competing for a starting safety spot this season with players such as Marvin Haynes and Moses Harris. Whether Thomas will win the spot remains to be seen. However, Thomas’s time seems to be now even though he is quite young. What this means for the Bulldogs is that they have plenty of depth at the safety position heading into the 2009 season. With Marvin Haynes, Moses Harris, Lorne Bell, Zak Hill, and Thomas the Bulldogs have five safeties who can take the field at any given time. Thomas has as good a chance as any of the safeties on the roster to earn a starting spot. It will be up to how he performs in fall practices that determines whether he is ready to step on the field as a starter or not in 2009.
BB.C Player Prediction
Bulldog fans will see a good amount of Thomas on the field this season. Thomas may not begin the season as a starter but he will have the opportunity to make a name for himself as the season moves along.
#15 Terrance Dennis (Freshman)
No Career Stats
It may be hard to believe but the safety position will be a tough position to crack in 2009 if your last name isn’t Haynes, Harris, Thomas, Bell, or Hill. In other words Terrance Dennis definitely has his work cut out for him if he is going to be a big time player in 2009. Dennis is now entering his third season at Fresno State although he is still considered a freshman due to the fact that he grey-shirted in 2007 and red-shirted in 2008. Dennis definitely has some positives to his game that will make him a great Bulldog down the line. Although Dennis is undersized he is a big time hitter that will have an opportunity to show what he is made of in the next few seasons.
BB.C Player Prediction
There is a good chance that we will not see Dennis in a game this season. Of course we here at BB.C have been wrong before so anything is possible. However, Dennis will have to pass a large amount of players on the depth chart to see significant playing time. Of course there is always injury so you never really know who will be playing throughout the course of the season. At the same time remember that Dennis still has four full seasons of college football left. If he does not see the field in 2009 he will have plenty of time to do so in the year’s ahead.
#17 L.J. Jones (Freshman)
No Career Stats
L.J. Jones enters the 2009 season with an opportunity to be a big part of the defense. Jones grey-shirted the 2008 season meaning he is eligible to red-shirt the 2009 season. Do not look for that to take place as Jones will have an opportunity to be a part of the defense early and often. In the spring Jones often took reps in nickel packages. Look for him to do the same during the 2009 football season. Jones is still quite young and has plenty of time to develop. However, a pattern has been forming here at Fresno State in which freshman have been given a chance to play on a regular basis. Look for Jones to be one of those freshmen on the field this upcoming season.
BB.C Player Prediction
BB.C has already stated that Jones will play. Jones may not be a difference maker this season if for no other reason than the fact that he is so young and does not have the experience that many players on defense do at the college football level. Look for Jones to see playing time in nickel packages and such throughout the season.
#17 Jamel Hamler (Sophomore)
Career Stats
2007 - 5 receptions for 80 yards, no touchdowns
Up to this point BB.C has already reviewed plenty of receivers that have the ability to make a difference during the 2009 season. Jamel Hamler may be the one receiver who has the opportunity to completely take over a game from the receiver position in 2009. In 2008 Hamler sat out the season leaving Fresno State without one of their premier receivers. Many did not realize how important Hamler may have been to the offense until they watched him perform in the spring of 2009. During spring practice Hamler showed that he can catch nearly everything thrown his way. Hamler has the ability to be very physical on the field as well, something the receivers have not had since the 2005 season. Hamler runs very good routes and has enough size (6’2”) to create mismatches against nearly every team on Fresno State’s 2009 schedule.
The question is will Hamler be successful in 2009? All signs point to yes. If there is one receiver who is ready to break out in a big way this season it is Jamel Hamler (my apologies to all who love Devon Wylie as he is poised for a great season as well.) The QB’s will need a receiver they can count on to catch the ball in tough situations. Hamler has the ability to be that type of player throughout the 2009 season.
BB.C Player Prediction
Jamel Hamler will be one of the better receivers during the 2009 season. He has the size, height, and ability to make a difference every single time he takes the field. Opposing teams will have their hands full trying to cover Wylie, Evans, West, Moore, Lindsey, and Ajirotutu meaning they will often have to use man to man coverage on Hamler. If the Bulldogs are smart they will do their best to isolate Hamler and get him the ball as much as they possibly can. BB.C believes getting the ball in Jamel Hamler’s hands will be one of the offensive keys to success for the Bulldogs in 2009.
#19 Marvin Haynes (Senior)
Career Stats
2006 - 9 total tackles, 1 sack, no interceptions
2007 - 65 total tackles, no sacks, no interceptions
2008 - 25 total tackles, no sacks, two interceptions
Totals - 99 tackles, 1 sack, two interceptions
Senior leadership is one of the more important factors in college football today. Without this type of leadership teams often struggle at key times during the course of a football game. Marvin Haynes is able to give the defensive secondary senior leadership although there is much more that Haynes is able to provide for this football team entering the 2009 football season.
In 2008 Haynes began the season well with two interceptions against Rutgers. Unfortunately shortly thereafter Haynes was forced to deal with injuries for the remainder of the 2008 season. Haynes is a very good cover safety and has to be viewed as one of the leading men to win one of the two starting safety jobs this season. If Haynes is able to stay away from injury Bulldog fans will likely see him on the field more often than just about any other defender Fresno State is able to throw out there. Haynes is a physical defender with a knack for being around the ball. At the same time he seems to have the ability to stay with any receiver that heads his way. He is also able to tackle well and will lay a big hit from time to time. Haynes will be very important to the Bulldog defense in 2009 as long as he is able to stay healthy.
BB.C Player Prediction
Haynes will win one of the two starting safety spots and have a much better year than he did in 2008. His 2009 season will mirror his 2007 season in which Haynes had over 60 tackles and a forced fumble. Haynes will play a key role in the resurgence of the Fresno State defense in 2009.