Sept. 6, 2010

One year after enjoying the finest season in school history, the Johns Hopkins football team enters the 2010 season with lofty expectations. Rather than be satisfied with the sparkling results from 2009 - a fifth Centennial Conference Championship in eight years, a stunning run to the NCAA Quarterfinals and a top 10 finish in the final AFCA Division III Poll - the Blue Jays are hungry to prove that 2009 was no fluke.

Armed with a junior quarterback poised to rewrite the Blue Jay record book, a trio of receivers who combined for more than 170 catches and 2,000 yards receiving last season and a back seven on defense that might be among the best in the nation, head coach Jim Margraff just may have what it takes to make a run at last season's accomplishments.

Margraff, who has amassed a school-record 129 wins in his 20 seasons as the head coach at Johns Hopkins, does have some holes to fill. Gone are Andrew Kase and Colin Wixted, the 2009 Centennial Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, four All-Centennial offensive linemen and two First Team All-Centennial defensive linemen.

In addition to the personnel losses, the schedule-makers were unkind to the Blue Jays, who will open with three straight road games and play six of their 10 games away from the friendly confines of Homewood Field. The Blue Jays, who closed the 2009 season with four straight road games, were 6-2 away from Homewood a year ago and will need to navigate a tough road slate if they hope to repeat as Centennial Conference Champions.

Despite the losses to graduation and the tough schedule, Johns Hopkins topped the 2010 Centennial Conference Coaches Poll, earned preseason top 25 rankings from Lindy's (12th), The Sporting News (15th) and d3football.com (23rd) - clearly there will be no sneaking up on anyone this season, as the Blue Jays did in 2008, when they posted an 8-3 record, or in 2009, when they won two games in the NCAA Playoffs on the road against previously undefeated Hampden-Sydney and Thomas More and gave third-ranked Wesley all it could handle in the South Region Championship game.

Below is a position-by-position breakdown of the team with key returning personnel included.

Quarterback

Junior Hewitt Tomlin returns for his third season with a 17-5 record as JHU's starting quarterback. Tomlin set a host of school records last season, including marks for passing yards (2,642), completions (238), attempts (390), completion percentage (.610) and 200-yard passing games (9).

Tomlin, who is poised to break every Johns Hopkins career passing record, combines a strong, accurate arm with an ability to avoid the rush and keep plays alive. He returns his top three receivers and an All-Centennial tight end and, after two seasons of being somewhat overshadowed by more experienced quarterbacks in the Centennial, figures to be one of the top players at the position this season. With the loss of Kase, and the return of those three receivers, Tomlin also figures to be given more opportunities to put the ball in the air this season.

As if having Tomlin returning isn't enough, Margraff can also turn to junior Tyler Porco, who is likely to play in a variety of spots this season.

Porco threw for 129 yards and rushed for 177 yards as JHU's dual-threat quarterback a year ago. In fact, it was Porco's 63-yard touchdown pass to Dan Crowley that opened the scoring in Hopkins' stunning 31-29 win at Thomas More in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs last season.

Porco will continue to have a package at quarterback and will also see time at tight end as well as the Blue Jays look to take advantage of his size (6-3 / 220) and skill set.

Running Backs

There's no denying the fact that replacing Kase will not be easy. After all, his 4,494 career rushing yards are 1,700 more than anyone else in school history, while his 44 career rushing touchdowns are 19 more than the next best total in JHU history.

No one player is likely to approach the 333 carries Kase amassed last season, but Margraff and his staff are excited about the prospects of sophomore Jonathan Rigaud and junior Nick Fazio. The pair offers a nice balance of speed and power and will be counted on to provide a potent one-two punch in the backfield.

Rigaud made an immediate splash as a freshman last season as he averaged a robust 6.5 yards per carry with 233 yards and one touchdown to his credit. He possesses the speed to break away at any time and rarely went down on first contact last season.

Fazio battled through injuries last season, but is a strong runner who could take on the between-the-tackles running that Kase specialized in over the last four years. Fazio finished second on the team in rushing with 155 yards and one touchdown two years ago and figures to be a key figure in JHU's rushing attack.

Wide Receiver

Johns Hopkins was hit hard by graduation in several areas - wide receiver was not one of those areas. In fact, the Blue Jays likely feature one of the top returning trios in the nation in Crowley and Tucker Michels, both seniors, and junior Sam Wernick. Each caught more than 50 passes a year ago - the first time in school history Johns Hopkins has had three players catch 50 or more passes in one season.

Michels has been a fixture in the starting lineup since arriving in 2007 and ranks among JHU's career leaders in receptions (141), receiving yards (1,662) and touchdown receptions (11). He has good size (6-3 / 220), great hands and deceiving speed and could become just the third player in school history with 200 receptions and 2,000 receiving yards.

Crowley caught 11 passes for 192 yards two years ago - his first as a wide receiver. He had 13 receptions for 178 yards in one game last season and finished the 2009 season with team-highs of 69 receptions, 975 yards and five touchdowns. A converted quarterback, Crowley is a matchup nightmare for the opposition as he uses his size (6-4 / 225) to his advantage and few teams have a pair of cornerbacks that can match up physically with Michels and Crowley.

If Michels and Crowley provide the size on the outside, then Wernick provides the speed as he has the ability to run away from defenders in the open field. He counts 88 receptions for 1,114 yards in his two seasons at JHU and figures to continue having room to roam with opposing defenses focused on Michels and Crowley.

Wernick not only starred for the Blue Jay football team last fall (51-451-1), he was a regular in the lineup for the Johns Hopkins baseball team that advanced to the College World Series last spring.

Two other returning players who figure into the plans at wide receiver are senior D.J. Hartigan and sophomore Scott Cremens. Hartigan tied for fifth on the team in receiving last season with 15 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown and has 38 receptions for 398 yards and two scores in the last two years.

Cremens saw time in 10 games as a rookie last season and counted one touchdown catch among his two receptions. He has impressed the coaching staff with his pass-catching ability since arriving last season and figures to land a more prominent role this season.

Tight End

Working the middle of the field at tight end will be senior co-captain Brian Hopkins, who garnered Second Team All-Centennial honors last season. Hopkins tied for fifth on the team in receptions with 15 for 126 yards with four touchdowns a year ago, when he also helped pave the way for Kase's 1,540 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns.

Hopkins has a knack for finding the end zone as eight of his 26 career receptions have gone for touchdowns. He enters his final season needing just three touchdown receptions to tie the Centennial Conference record for career TDs by a tight end.

As noted above, Porco also figures into the plans at tight end and could become a big weapon for the Blue Jays in the red zone, where his size figures to create mismatches.

Offensive Line

There's no hiding the fact that the Blue Jays lost one of the top classes of offensive linemen in school history. Mike Stoffel and Tim Miller both grabbed First Team All-Centennial honors and Anthony Catanzano was a second team pick. Add in the loss of John Fox, who shared the right tackle spot with Catanzano and would likely have started at most other schools in the Centennial, and clearly there is work to be done.

Still, the cupboard isn't bare. Ed Rodger returns at center, where he earned Second Team All-Centennial honors a year ago. Johns Hopkins has a long history of producing outstanding centers and Rodger is the latest to emerge here.

Senior co-captain Ryan Lino rounded out JHU's amazing haul of five All-Centennial picks on the offensive line a year ago as he nabbed honorable mention status. Lino, who is also a standout on the Johns Hopkins track team, figures to be the only senior offensive lineman in the starting lineup and will lead a young, talented group.

Junior Doug Drummond started 10 games at center two years ago, played in eight games with four starts last season and is the heir apparent to Miller at right guard. He displayed his versatility a year ago by starting for Miller in the NCAA Playoff game at Thomas More and teams with Rodger and Lino to give the Blue Jays a solid interior of the line.

Stoffel's left tackle spot figures to be handled by junior Roland Massimino, who transferred to Johns Hopkins from Hofstra in January after Hofstra dropped football. Massimino brings good size and strength to the line and had the opportunity to go through JHU's winter conditioning and spring practices. He had an impressive spring and his ability to handle the left tackle spot in both running and passing situations will be crucial.

An exciting battle for the starting spot at right tackle has included Rich Dulski, Keith Graef, Patrick Kiernan and Sean Reeder. All figure to see playing time at one of the tackle spots.

In recent years the Blue Jay offensive line has developed into a versatile group. In addition to paving the way for Kase's rushing exploits last seaon, the unit allowed just seven sacks on more than 400 pass attempts last season.

Defensive Line

The line coaches for Margraff will certainly earn their salary this season as the losses the Blue Jays suffered on the offensive line are nearly matched on the defensive line.

Ends Glenn Rocca and Ryan Rasner and defensive tackle Steve Levinson graduated and took their 125 tackles, 22 tackles for losses and 12 sacks from 2009 with them. Replacing them will likely be done by committee as Margraff has long preferred a deep rotation to keep players fresh and soften the blow when suffering big losses in personnel.

Senior co-captain Devin Collins figures to be the marked man this season as he played in nine games with six starts a year ago and had 28 tackles, six tackles for losses and three sacks. He was virtually unblockable in the NCAAs as he totaled 17 tackles in JHU's three playoff games. His ability to stay healthy and handle a spot in the middle will be crucial to any success the Blue Jays have on defense this season.

Fellow seniors Brian Pascal and Kevin Parrish team with Collins to give the Blue Jays three experienced returning players on the interior of the line.

Pascal played in all 13 games with six starts to his credit last season and totaled 17 tackles and four sacks on the year. Parrish played in nine games a year ago and will take on a more significant role this season.

Rocca and Rasner were strong, quick and athletic and put a lot of pressure on the opposition from the outside. A rotation of players will be counted on to make up for their production with juniors Brian Peters and Dan Keenan and sophomore Jordan Randolph the leading candidates to fill the void left by their departure.

Peters is the most experienced of the three as he played in all 13 games with five starts a year ago. He totaled 20 tackles, including 3.5 for losses and 2.5 sacks, while also forcing a pair of fumbles to go along with one interception.

Keenan and Randolph combined for 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses and 1.5 sacks in reserve roles and have the talent to emerge as significant contributors.

Linebackers

In Hopkins' 4-4-3 alignment, the Blue Jays play two middle linebackers and two strong safeties (OLBs). Regardless of how they are branded, this second line of defense figures to be among the best in the Centennial Conference.

Juniors Ryan Piatek and Tyler Brown, both Second Team All-Centennial selections a year ago, return to their spots at middle linebacker and are the heart of a Blue Jay defense that is fast and physical. JHU forced at least two turnovers in all 13 games last season and added 38 sacks on the year as well.

Piatek finished second on the team in tackles (78) last season despite missing one full game and most of another. He also counted 8.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions to his credit. He has the size (6-2 / 220) and strength to take on linemen and the speed to run down plays on the outside.

Brown counted 74 tackles to his credit last season, including 5.5 for losses and 3.5 sacks. He is a strong player who also created mismatches at times last season by sliding down to defensive end in obvious passing situations.

Sophomore Taylor Maciow and junior Dylan Meola are the top returning reserves on the inside and both figure to see increased playing time this season. Meola had 11 tackles in 12 games played a year ago, while Maciow saw time in five games as a rookie.

On the outside, junior Kale Sweeney possesses a rare combination of size and speed. He is adept at stuffing the run and dropping back in coverage and is among the fastest players on the team. He posted 45 tackles despite missing two full games with injuries a year ago and is poised for a dominating season.

Several players figure into the battle for playing time opposite Sweeney with sophomores P.J. Caufield, Joshua Heft and Adam Schweyer among the leading candidates to take over for Wixted, a three-time All-Centennial performer and one of the top defensive players at Johns Hopkins in the last 10 years.

Schweyer made his mark on special teams as a freshman last season as his 16 special teams tackles led the team. He added a blocked punt and returned an interception 46 yards and has all the physical tools to be an impact player on defense.

Heft (12 games played / 7 tackles) and Caufield (9 games played / 5 tackles) also found time as freshmen and appear ready to take on an increased role.

Sophomore Ben Williams and junior J.J. Chiusano also figure into the plans at strong safety. Williams posted 15 tackles a year ago, the second-highest total among all freshmen in 2009.

Defensive Backs

The starting secondary returns intact for Margraff and two of the three returning starters earned All-Centennial honors a year ago.

Junior Michael Milano led the team in tackles with 84 from his safety spot and earned First Team All-Centennial honors. The sure-tackling Milano added six tackles for losses, three interceptions and seven pass breakups and had a career-high 12 tackles at Wesley in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Overall, he posted 22 tackles in JHU's three NCAA Playoff games and had a blocked field goal early in the fourth quarter of JHUs 23-7 win at Hampden-Sydney in the first round.

A 4-4-3 alignment places a heavy burden on the cornerbacks and the Blue Jays have two good ones in junior Sam Eagleson and senior co-captain Mike Mahon.

Eagleson garnered Second Team All-Centennial honors last season after pacing the Blue Jays with six interceptions and nine pass breakups to go along with 53 tackles. He has developed into one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the Centennial and was rarely picked on during JHU's run through the NCAAs last fall.

Eagleson joined Wernick on JHU's baseball team last spring and posted went 12-0 with a 2.51 ERA en route to earning First Team All-America honors for the Blue Jays, who advanced to the College World Series.

Mahon quietly enjoyed a solid season on the corner opposite Eagleson as he totaled 52 tackles, four interception and four pass breakups. He also returned a fumble 29 yards in the NCAA Quarterfinals at Wesley and counted 16 tackles to his credit in JHU's three playoff games.

Senior Mike Todisco figures to be the top reserve in the secondary again as he played in all 13 games last season and has starting experience at safety. He posted 30 tackles, three interceptions and two pass breakups a year ago. He halted Dickinson's final drive with an interception in JHU's 23-12 win over the 25th-ranked Red Devils and sealed the win at Hampden-Sydney in the playoffs with an interception in the final minute.

Junior John Gardus and sophomore Alex Logue are the likely candidates to see time in nickel situations at the corner. Gardus who played wide receiver during his first two seasons at JHU, made the move to the secondary in the spring, while Logue played in 10 games last season and posted six tackles.

Special Teams

Margraff has the luxury of trotting out a pair of senior kickers in Alex Lachman and Max Islinger. Both are entering their fourth year as starters and provide valuable experience in a crucial area of the game.

Lachman earned Second Team All-Centennial honors last season as he hit 16-of-21 field goal attempts and 45-of-48 extra points. He already ranks as JHU's career kick-scoring leader with 200 points and needs just nine field goals to tie Ben Scott's JHU and Centennial Conference record of 43.

Lachman was clutch down the stretch last season as he hit 9-of-10 field goal attempts in the Blue Jays' final six games and calmly hit a 43-yard attempt as time expired to lift Hopkins to a 31-29 win at Thomas More in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs.

Islinger averaged 32.6 yards on 54 punts last season and dropped 14 of his 54 inside the opposition's 20-yard line. He has placed more than 40 career kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line in his career and, as a backup quarterback, gives the Blue Jays a punter with great hands who has bailed the team out more than once with his handling of a poor snap.

The return game should be in good hands as several players with experience return. Michels and Wernick are both capable punt and kickoff return specialists, while Hartigan led the team with 17 kickoff returns for 326 yards (17.2) last season. This is also an area where several of JHU's promising younger players could make an impact.