Aug. 10, 2006
Kevin Kelly has not had much of a chance to take a breath since January.
It was around that time that Kelly was helping to coach Navy to a bowl game. And just a few weeks after doing that, Kelly was being introduced as the Head Coach at Georgetown University.
Immediately upon taking over as the program's second-ever coach at the Division I-AA level, Kelly had to meet his team, contact recruits, reach out to alumni, introduce himself to people on campus and hire his coaching staff.
And when that was done, he and his assistants pored over game film and got ready for spring practice.
It's safe to say that it has been a roller coaster ride for Kelly.
But it's been a ride that has been a thrill for the first-time head coach.
"It's been really exciting," Kelly said. "Georgetown University is one of the best institutions in America and there is a tremendous amount of potential for football in Washington. My staff and the team have worked really hard since we got here and we're confident in building a program that can be among the best in the Patriot League."
The Hoyas are coming off a 2005 season that saw the team post a 4-7 overall record and a 2-4 mark in the Patriot League.
Gone from the 2005 team are several key players - most notably two-time first team All-Patriot League and All-American defensive end Michael Ononibaku - who helped to guide the program during four of its first five years in the conference.
The Georgetown football program, however, enters the 2006 season understanding that this is a "Season of Change." Along with Kelly and his new staff, the Hoyas went through a spring practice season that saw the team learning a new offense and defense.
Despite the changes, Kelly is confident the Hoyas can be among the best in the Patriot League. At first glance, the changes might make the prospects for the 2006 season seem insurmountable, but only three starters were lost on the offensive side, and while there are several significant losses on the defensive side, the depth and skill of the returning players should maintain Georgetown's success on that side.
Overall, the Hoyas return 13 starters and 59 letterwinners, many of whom gained valuable experience over the last two years. A deeper look shows a wealth of untapped talent added to a recruiting class that Kelly and his staff feel will make an immediate impact.
DEFENSE
Defensive Ends
When you lose a player like Michael Ononibaku, a player who was twice named first team All-Patriot League, wore the prestigious No. 35 jersey for two years and was named first team All-American last season, the thought is that there is a gaping hole to fill. It will be indeed hard to replace the contributions of Ononibaku - both on the field and off - but with two-time second team All-Patriot League selection Alex Buzbee back in the fold, Kelly knows he has someone to build around.
Buzbee, who ranks fourth on the Georgetown all-time sack list with 22, will serve as a co-captain this season and was named the recipient of the No. 35 Memorial Joe Eacobacci jersey. The 6-4, 260-pound senior has wreaked havoc on Patriot League backfields since he came to the Hilltop. Last season, he earned second team all-league honors for the second-straight year, finishing eighth on the team in tackles (44), second in tackles-for-loss (12.5) and second in sacks (6.5).
On the right end of the defensive front, Kelly will look to sophomores Anthony DiTomasso, a 6-2, 215-pounder, and Ataefiok Etukuren, a 6-4, 235-pounder. Etukuren appeared in two games last season and should see increased time this year. DiTomasso did not see any game action last season, but had an outstanding spring season and the coaching staff is confident he can step up to the challenge.
Behind Buzbee and DiTomasso are a group of four untested, but talented underclassmen. Two sophomores - Nicholas Umar and Travis Zorilla - are expected to see significant time. Junior Mike Kallabat, a transfer from Air Force, and freshman Richard Hussey should press for time.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
35 Alex Buzbee Sr. 6-4 260
47 Anthony DiTomasso So. 6-2 220
99 Ataefiok Etukuren So. 6-4 235
39 Nicholas Umar So. 62 215
57 Travis Zorilla So. 6-1 220
90 Mike Kallabat Jr.
94 Richard Hussey Fr. 6-4 250
65 Brooks Caston Fr. 6-2 230
66 Chudi Obianwu Fr. 6-3 235
Defensive Tackles
Georgetown has been among the toughest against the run in the Patriot League over the last three years and that should not change in 2006. Leading the way up front will be senior Julius Griauzde, a 6-4, 275-pound tackle.
Griauzde, who has not missed a game in his first three years, is a work-horse and excels at stopping the run. He finished fifth on the team in tackles last season, ranking among the top-25 in the Patriot League, with 66 overall. In addition, he had five tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks.
Griauzde's main task was to take out multiple opposing linemen and let the linebackers clean up, but that may not be necessary this year with the addition of junior Nnamdi Obiako, a 5-11, 220-pounder who is a strong presence up front and should make a major impact. Obiako saw action in nine games last season and made 15 stops.
Backing up those two will be a pair of players who had tremendous spring sessions. Junior Shaun Johnson is a 6-2, 245-pound tackle and senior Roosevelt Donat, a 5-9, 255-pound bull, excelled in the team's final spring game.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
13 Julius Griauzde Sr. 6-4 275
91 Nnamdi Obiako Jr. 5-11 220
45 Shaun Johnson Jr. 6-2 245
98 Roosevelt Donat Sr. 5-9 255
98 George Mosle Fr 6-5 238
Linebackers
In the past, the linebacking corps has dictated how the Hoyas would fair on the defensive side. While the unit lost two starters - Mehdi Hassan and Jason Carter - and four letterwinners, the depth at the position will bring back the same experience, toughness and attitude that have carried Georgetown in past seasons.
The lone returning starters is senior Chris Paulus, who emerged during his sophomore season and ranked among the best on the team last year. While starting every game, he ranked ninth on the team with 40 tackles and made 3.5 tackles-for-loss. Paulus is a sure tackler and one of the bigger Hoyas at the position (6-2, 230).
Junior Mike Greene will step into the other spot at inside linebacker. As a sophomore, Greene appeared in all 11 games and made 14 tackles. He has good instincts and stays focused on the field.
A young, but talented group of players will back up Paulus and Greene. Sophomores Robert Helt and Justin Young saw limited time last season, but should make contributions this year with increased time. Junior Chris Higgins and sophomore Dean Duchak will provide depth to the corps.
Three freshmen - Joey Tavarez, Ian Conyers and Scott Coffman - will look to become contributors on defense.
At the rover position, Kelly will turn to a pair of juniors, Darren Craft and Stephen Smith, who should split time at the start of the season. Crafit is a hard-hitting and even harder-working player who can make tackles in the open field. Smith is a 6-1, 190-pounder who has tremendous skills. A pair of freshmen - Zach Barbiasz and Ike Acholonu - will press for time.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
53 Chris Paulus Sr. 6-2 220
11 Mike Greene Jr. 6-1 225
58 Justin Young So. 6-0 210
42 Robert Helt So. 6-1 220
17 Dean Duchak So. 5-11 205
51 Chris Higgins Jr. 5-11 220
50 Joey Tavarez Fr. 6-0 210
54 Ian Conyers Fr. 6-1 190
59 Scott Coffman Fr. 6-2 205
Cornerbacks
A group of players with significant experience return for the Hoyas in 2006, led by senior right cornerback Brian Tandy.
A 5-9, 170-pound speedster, Tandy is a vocal leader for the Hoyas, both on the field and off. One of the most experienced players on the team, Tandy started every game last season and was among the leading retuning tacklers from last season with 36 stops. He is also a key member of the special teams unit.
Opposite him will be first-time starter junior Kevin Cherepski, who has seen considerable time the last two years. Cherepski had an outstanding spring season after a solid sophomore campaign that saw him appear in 10 games and make 14 tackles. He is a knowledgeable player who good instincts on the field and reacts quickly.
Juniors Darren Alberti and Mikey Blainfield will see extended action this season as well. Blainfield, who has started parts of the last two seasons, saw action in nine games last year and made 10 tackles. Alberti did not see any game action last year, but is expected to be a major contributor.
Talented freshmen Willie Boderick and Dennis Jackson will suit up for the first time and will try to have an immediate impact.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
21 Brian Tandy Sr. 5-9 170
29 Kevin Cherepski Jr. 5-11 180
27 Mikey Blainfield Jr. 5-9 185
31 Darren Alberti Jr. 5-10 185
18 Willie Boderick Fr. 5-9 160
20 Dennis Jackson Fr. 5-10 190
Safeties
One of the areas on the defensive side that will be in transition is at the safety position, where starters Maurice Banks and Sheldon Epps were lost to graduation.
Moving into Banks' spot at free safety will be senior Derek Franks, who makes the transition from left cornerback. A fierce player who has started the last two years, Franks should make a smooth transition to free safety. He started all 11 games last season and made 51 tackles. Franks is also the returning special teams player of the year.
At the other safety spot will be junior Matt Barbiasz, who saw extensive time last season and the coaches feel is ready to step into an expanded role. Barbiasz saw action in 10 games last season and made 12 tackles. He has good speed and is a strong open-field tackler.
Junior John Lancaster, who saw action in seven games last season, is a safety who will vie for time as a starter.
Backing up Franks and Barbiasz will be sophomore Torre Soderlund.
A group of five freshmen - Jon Cassidy, Dave Chillura, Travis Mack and Chris Rau - will all press for time.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
4 Derek Franks Sr. 5-11 190
27 Matt Barbiasz Jr. 6-0 182
30 John Lancaster Jr. 6-0 185
36 Torre Soderlund So. 6-1 185
41 Chris Rau Fr. 6-0 180
37 Dave Chillura Fr. 6-2 180
43 Travis Mack Fr. 6-0 190
22 Jon Cassidy Fr. 6-1 185
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Junior Nick Cangelosi, who transferred after red-shirting his freshman season at North Carolina in 2003, started every game last season and should get the nod entering the regular season.
Cangelosi is an outstanding athlete with a strong arm who is equally as deadly carrying the ball out of the backfield. He completed 88 of 182 passes for 1,085 yards, while throwing seven touchdowns. On the ground, Cangelosi had 134 carries for 305 yards and one score.
Sophomore Ben Hostetler saw limited action, but the coaching staff feels that he is ready to start. He saw limited action last year, appearing in three games, completing 10-of-25 passes for 115 yards and one score. Hostetler, the nephew of former NFL standout Jeff Hostetler, started in the Cornell game last year, completing 5-of-13 passes for 63 yards.
Seniors Matt Bassuener and David Fajgenbaum will both wait for their opportunity. Sophomore Gunner Coil should rebound successfully from shoulder surgery and will look to work his way into the rotation.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
12 Nick Cangelosi Sr. 6-4 230
6 Ben Hostetler So. 6-2 185
10 Matt Bassuener Sr. 6-2 200
15 David Fajgenbaum Sr. 6-3 210
14 Gunner Coil So. 6-2 190
19 Brad Hartung So. 6-1 185
Running Backs
While the Hoyas lost of a pair of players who were among the top running backs in the Patriot League over the last three years - Kim Sarin and Marcus Slayton - the cupboard is not bare.
Kelly and his staff inherited a talented group of young players who will fight it out in the preseason for the starting role in the backfield.
After spring practice, junior Emir Davis appears to have the lead. Davis was fighting for a starting spot last year, but played in a reserve role behind Slayton. He is a 5-10, 185-pounder who has the ability to dart through holes and make tacklers miss. As a freshman, he amassed 82 carries for 278 yards and a team-leading five touchdowns. Last year, he carried the ball 90 times for 237 yards and one score, but should see increased numbers with more time this season.
Junior Erik Carter and sophomore Adrian Ashford will also press for time. Carter, who saw most of his action at fullback, is a contender to start. A solid blocker who has garnered great playing experience the last two years, he could see time at either fullback or running back.
Ashford saw limited game action last season, but, like Davis, is a quick back and the coaching staff is confident he can contribute this season.
A trio of freshmen - Matthew Burgner, Joe Dottino and Charlie Houghton - should see time in their initial campaigns.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
3 Emir Davis Jr. 5-10 185
33 Erik Carter Jr. 6-0 220
34 Adrian Ashford So. 5-7 175
40 Matthew Burgner Fr. 5-11 230
38 Joe Dottino Fr. 5-9 190
23 Charlie Houghton Fr. 6-0 190
49 Dan Mita Jr. 5-11 202
26 Matthew Petrillo So.
48 Michael Venditti So. 5-9 185
Offensive Line
The offensive line helped the Hoya running game gain 1,000 yards two years ago and more than 700 last season, despite battling injuries throughout the year. This season, it will be a unit in transition, as three starters were lost to graduation, but there is a level of experience back as several players earned starting spots at various times last year due to the injuries.
Leading the way on the line will be senior co-captain Liam Grubb, who should start at right tackle. A 6-7, 290-pound bull of a lineman, Grubb emerged as a leader on the field and off last season. He provides excellent pass protection and can rip open holes for the running backs.
Senior Andrew Rehwinkel has fought back from a broken leg suffered during his sophomore season and is expected to get the nod at left tackle. He has seen time during his career on both sides of the line at both tackle and guard and is a crafty player who can help to control the line. Sophomore Colin Meador will back him up and should see significant time.
At center, Kelly will turn to junior Dan Osterhout, who saw limited action last season when two-year starter Robert LaHayne was sidelined. Osterhout is a tough lineman who earned Illinois All-State honors as a senior in high school. Backing him up will be sophomore Jerry Batchelder, a 6-2, 260-pound lineman, who saw action in three games last season.
Batchelder is expected to start at left guard and will be a key cog in the line this season. Rehwinkel could see time in the left guard spot as well. A pair of sophomores - Tom Amaro and Thomas Hutton - and freshman Kelvin Moses will all press for time in the preseason. That trio provides a different dimension to the line as they are big linemen - averaging 6-5 and 300 pounds - and should see time as the season progresses.
Moving from left guard to right this season will be senior Robert Browning, a 6-2, 290-pounder who will be a key for the offense. After switching from the defensive side two years ago, he has started much of the last two seasons. He is a blocking force and maintains good balance while engaged with defenders.
Grubb could see time at left guard as well, with sophomore Brendan Gilroy (6-2, 270) and freshman James O'Brien (6-4, 270) pressing for time.
Junior Shawn Frederick will also look to step in as a contributor this season as well.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
67 Liam Grubb Sr. 6-7 290
70 Robert Browning Sr. 6-2 290
79 Dan Osterhout Jr. 6-3 260
77 Andrew Rehwinkel Sr. 6-2 260
71 Jerry Batchelder So. 6-2 260
55 Collin Meador So. 6-3 240
78 Ryan Whyte Fr. 6-2 260
56 Brad White Jr. 6-3 250
61 Tom Amaro So. 6-6 320
73 Thomas Hutton So. 6-4 290
63 Kelvin Moses Fr. 6-4 280
62 Daniel Matheny Fr. 6-2 240
76 Matt Schafer Fr. 6-1 262
64 Shawn Frederick Jr. 6-3 260
72 Brendan Gilroy So. 6-2 270
74 James O'Brien Fr. 6-4 270
75 Jerome Brown Jr. 6-5 280
69 James Cherundolo Fr. 6-4 265
Wide Receivers
Georgetown could line up with as many as four receivers at a time as the Hoyas look to open up the offense and there will be a group of at least 10 players competing for playing time. Injuries beset the receiving corps last year and all three of the team's projected starters saw limited action, but four of the top pass-catchers from last season are back.
Juniors Brad Moss and Kyle Van Fleet are two of the projected starters this year. Moss, who missed most of last season, possesses great speed, had a strong spring and should be a solid contributor at the H-back spot. Van Fleet missed a pair of game with injuries, but started nine times and led the team in receptions (15) and yards (258). He has great hands and instincts on the field and the coaching staff is expecting big things from him.
Junior Jasper Ihezie and senior Brent Craft are expected to the get the nod at the other spots. Ihezie is a lanky, 6-foot-4-inch wideout with great speed. He saw action in only three games as a sophomore, but had emerged as a threat on pass patterns and end-around runs as a freshman and should be used there this season. Craft is a 5-11, 165-pounder who came on last season while taking advantage of increased playing time. A smart player with sure hands, he caught seven passes for 75 last year and could see increased numbers with more time this year.
Two of the team's top returning pass-catchers from last year, and two of the fastest players on the team, return in sophomores Sydney Baker and Kenny Mitchell. As freshmen, both combined to start 18 games and showed game-breaking ability at various points in the season. Baker was tied for the team lead with 15 catches and had 207 yards, including a 47-yard scoring play in the Bucknell game. Mitchell, who is a standout for the Hoya track and field team, caught 12 passes for 122 yards and one score.
Sophomores Brent Tomlinson and Anthony Homsey saw limited action in their first seasons on the Hilltop and could be factors this season. Senior Jarrod Kohl, the tallest player on the team at 6-8, was a two-year letterwinner in basketball at American University and could see an expanded role this season.
A trio of freshmen - Robert Lane, Matt Loyd and John O'Connell - will all look to press for time.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
5 Brad Moss Jr. 6-0 180
25 Kyle Van Fleet Jr. 6-1 200
2 Jasper Ihezie Jr. 6-4 190
83 Brent Craft Jr. 5-11 165
7 Sydney Baker So. 6-1 180
9 Kenny Mitchell So. 5-11 181
92 Brent Tomlinson So. 6-1 195
1 Anthony Homsey So. 6-2 188
3 Emir Davis Jr. 5-10 185
97 Jarrod Kohl Sr. 6-8 260
88 Matt Loyd Fr. 6-0 190
32 Robert Lane Fr. 5-11 205
82 John O'Connell Fr. 6-0 190
87 Brian Newman So.
Tight Ends
The loss of Glenn Castergine, a big pass-catching and run-blocking player with all-league capabilities, will hurt, but injuries last year also showed the ability of another player.
Junior Harrison Beacher, a 6-2, 225-pounder who is a strong receiver, saw action in 11 games last season. He caught only eight passes for 79 yards, but he led the team with four touchdown passes and should see more time this season.
Senior Matt Cooper, who has played on both sides of the ball during his first three years, returns for his second-straight season at tight end. Cooper, who saw action in three games and caught three passes, is a sure blocker who should see significant time during running situations.
Sophomores Charlie Curtis and Frank Andrews, along with freshmen Jared Myers and Henry Bowe, will all look to make an impact.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
80 Harrison Beacher Jr. 6-2 225
84 Brian Josephs Fr. 6-4 210
89 Charlie Curtis Jr. 6-3 215
85 Frank Andrews So. 6-3 245
86 Jared Myers Fr. 6-4 225
81 Henry Bowe Fr. 6-3 217
Return Specialists
The Hoya specialists were among the best in the Patriot League last season and the 2006 campaign should be no different.
Senior Brian Tandy returned 20 punts for 120 yards last season and should see most of the action in those situations. He had a season-high 36-yard return and averaged 6.2 yards per return.
Five players who returned at least six kickoffs are back - Kenny Mitchell, John Lancaster, Jasper Ihezie, Tandy and Emir Davis. Mitchell took 16 kickoffs for 311 yards, including a season-high 64-yarder at Cornell, averaging 19.4 yards pre return. Lancaster had nine returns for 197 yards, a team-best 21.9 yards per return. Ihezie handled eight returns, while Tandy received six. All five are capable return men and can take it the distance.
Special Teams
A trio of kickers will be competing for time this season. Junior Eric Bjonerud was a starter as a freshman and had the nod last season, but an injury and the strong boot of then-senior Brad Scoffern kept him on the sideline. He has the nod this season and the coaching staff expects him to return to the form he showed in his initial campaign.
Bjonerud was 2-of-4 on field goal attempts and booted 11 punts for 375 yards, a 34.1 average.
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt.
95 Eric Bjonerud Jr. 6-0 185
93 Christopher MacGriff Jr. 5-11 184
96 David Corak Fr. 5-10 175