WKU Football: Reactions to the 2019 Signing Class
Western Kentucky football was just plain awful last year. Lucky to win three after starting with a 1–9 record, the Tops went in a…
Western Kentucky football was just plain awful last year. Lucky to win three after starting with a 1–9 record, the Tops went in a different direction from Mike Sanford after two years. Mike Sanford was billed as the next great young head coach. Fairly obvious that WKU was a stepping stone to him, Sanford took WKU from 11 wins to six to three in two short seasons and stepped down to offensive coordinator at Utah State.
In comes Tyson Helton, charged with keeping together a really nice recruiting class set up by Sanford and crew originally predicted to land in the 70s or 80s nationally. All told, taking over without warning in December and keeping together a class ultimately ranked 90th by 247 Sports and 77th by Rivals. Not a bad start, Tyson.
Wednesday night, WKU held the annual Topper signing day party in the Harbaugh Club. For ten dollars, casual Topper fans and big time donors alike rub elbows with the staff, eat some hors d’oeuvres, and heard about the incoming class.
As a former Topper alum, I absolutely love seeing some former players on staff and seeing some other people from the staff from my era back on The Hill. I also like the fact that several coaches and virtually all support staff were kept with the team. That keeps continuity in the program and it is a testament to the infrastructure created by Mike Sanford and his staff. It’s also a testament to Tyson Helton’s character; he had every right to clean house and he didn’t.
Sanford and his staff were extremely efficient in everything they did except winning on the field. He left a good staff behind, a good stock of talent, and a roster with very few significant holes.
Without further ado, what’s Tyson done for me lately? (Not the chicken, but the coach.)
The Class
John Haggerty, P (Melbourne, Australia): Has experience in the pros in Australia, but has full eligibility as a 24-year-old freshman. Ranked 17th overall punter and fifth amongst Australian-style punters.
2019 Outlook: WKU was awful. If he can even muster a 40 yard punt on a regular basis, he’s an immediate starter.Ricky Barber, DL (Louisville, KY): A three-star prospect, Barber is the 14th-highest rated prospect in Kentucky and is a Top 100 prospect at his position, according to 247Sports. A big enough body to contribute immediately, Barber could get into the rotation as early as 2019.
2019 Outlook: Redshirt, but will contribute in 2020.Stephone Atkinson, DL (Lake Minneola, FL): Long and lean at 220 pounds, this three-star prospect probably needs a year to bulk up. However, he could be a pure pass rusher going forward without a doubt. He produced 11 sacks as a junior.
2019 Outlook: Redshirt in 2019, back-up by 2021.Trae Meadows, DB (Greensboro, NC): A decent sized three-star Junior College transfer cornerback, Meadows is extremely talented. Clayton White must have exercised his N.C. State connections and brought in a really talented JUCO looking for a second chance. Meadows played sparingly as a freshman for the Wolfpack before going to Junior College. 2019 Outlook: Immediate rotation player, but needs to put on a few pounds. Look for him later this year.
Tyler Smith, WR (Conyers, GA): Another three-star, Smith had a ton of offers before choosing the Tops. Being a receiver and ranked anywhere near the Top 100 (131st) at the position means this kid is expected to be good. He’s a little skinny, but getting anywhere near the 200 pound range would mean he could handle the blows.
2019 Outlook: This is a tough one to predict, but I would say he may play his four games but use the new redshirt rule.Marcus Bragg, DL (North Miami, FL): Here is another JUCO prospect that could make a huge impact. At 6'6" and 275 pounds, this guy could wreak havoc simply by existing on the line. If he could get near or over 300, watch out. At 6'6", there’s plenty of room to pack on more weight. 2019 Outlook: I would say unless there’s just some awful deficiency, this guy has tons of potential and should join the rotation very quickly. You can’t teach 6'6".
Daylen Powell, OL (Summerville, SC): The first offensive lineman on the list, the Topper coaches seemed to drool most over this kid, rated only three stars. Not that any of the others have less potential, but this kid is long with a frame full of potential. He is a true left tackle type of prospect. 2019 Outlook: With a line that will probably stick together for a year or two, he’s almost certainly a redshirt of some kind. Why burn a year when you have plenty in front of him? However, this guy screams with potential. I liked him the most of all of the prospects on film. Forrest Lamp, Cam Clemmons and Darrell Williams were all redshirts, too.
Clayton Bush, DB (Bowling Green, KY): Here is the first player that you feel like you know his future. There is a presence about Clayton Bush, and he is a WKU legacy player. He wants to play for the Tops and always has. On top of that, he is an obvious leader. He even seems to be pretty funny. But most importantly, he is really smart and plays good football. It’s hard to see him riding the bench for too long.
2019 Outlook: Immediate impact player; possible starter.Jack Randolph, OL (Franklin, KY): Here is another local kid. He had some legit interest from Louisville and Cincinnati, but ultimately chose the Tops. A top 75 guard, this is a great pick-up for the Toppers.
2019 Outlook: He’s going to sit, but never count out a local kid that wants to be here. That adds more fuel to the fire than a random player that came here because he had to be sold on it. At 295 pounds, he’s already big enough if he can get the technique down.Jeremiah Fails, WR (Ocoee, FL): Fails is a two-star prospect but feels like a player that has some real potential; he will need to get in the weight room and get to work on the practice field a few years. However, with a thin receiving corps, if he shows some potential, he could make something happen sooner.
2019 Outlook: Redshirt and will not see the field much until 2021.Jordan Flack, DL (Somerville, AL): A big boy already at 6'5" and 300 pounds, Flack is a two-star guard prospect. Top 150 at his position for the year, this is a kid that under certain circumstances could see the field within two years.
2019 Outlook: Redshirt for sure.Dalvin Smith, WR (Glasgow, KY): Here’s another local kid with a chance to play very soon. This guy is versatile, passing, running and throwing for respectable amounts at Glasgow High School a few years ago. They mentioned him in a possible wildcat set. A grey shirt (enrolled in the second semester of his freshman year), Smith could immediately come in as a 19-year-old true freshman and make something happen. He was ranked 12th overall in the state and 136th overall as a receiver.
2019 Outlook: With his 6'3" size and versatility, I’d say this is a part-time starter by the end of the year. Definitely somebody who should play a role immediately if healthy. Like I said, Wild Topper?Desmond Johnson, DB (Valdosta, GA): A mid-to-low three-star prospect, Johnson went to high school with Antwon Kincade. This may give him a leg up to have a buddy on the team at his position that will invest time in him naturally. This is invaluable and may allow him to see the field a year quicker. I wouldn’t be completely surprised if he sees the field this year.
2019 Outlook: Maybe a total redshirt, but I would say most likely is another use of the new redshirt rule. My gut does not say he’s a significant role player from the start.Travares Springer, DB (Nashville, TN): A two-star prospect, Springer may try out some at receiver, as well. With a lack of depth there, maybe he could provide depth in the receiving corps. Just a thought; he played both ways in high school, but he’s here to play defense. He probably needs to bulk up. He’s only 180 pounds at 6'1". That’s not a big guy on the football field, but fill him out a little bit and he has potential for sure.
2019 Outlook: Redshirt.Manny Allen, WR (Moreno Valley, CA): A high three-star prospect after his reclassifying down from the class of 2018 (where he was a four-star player), here is a kid I think might start and be really good day one. He was originally committed to USC, but ended up backing out and coming this direction. He played in a super talent-rich area in LA and flourished. Ranked the 56th overall receiver in 2019 with real size, this kid is a borderline Power 5-type of prospect.
2019 Outlook: Starter and Conference USA All-Freshman.Garret Nickelson, OL (Brenham, TX): A two-star JUCO prospect, Nickelson hails from Blinn Junior College. Generally, a two star JUCO is hopeful to get in the rotation immediately at a Group of Five school. They may not necessarily be expected to come in and make an impact. However, on film, he seems to have the right mentality for an offensive lineman. 2019 Outlook: Plays some on Special Teams this season.
Wes Dorsey, OL (Knoxville, TN): A big frame, but not remotely filled out, Dorsey needs to keep eating. Since announcing his original commitment in July of 2018, he has already gained 20 pounds. He recommitted to the Tops after being courted by Helton and staff for a month after Sanford was announced as being fired.
2019 Outlook: Big bodies that just need to fill out are just oozing with potential. You never know how somebody’s body will react to adding 60 pounds in a relatively short period of time (Just ask my body!), but I would say Dorsey is a future starter. Like most of these offensive line prospects, they better saddle any expectation of playing time until they bulk up and get their feet wet. It is so hard to just come in and dominate on the offensive line.Celestin Haba, DL (Columbus, SC): A three-star JUCO prospect, I would say here is another impact player. This guy led the nation in sacks on the Junior College level. Another guy that needs to fill out at 235 pounds, this guy rings a bell similar to Quanterus Smith. Highly productive despite being undersized and raw, maybe this guy can get to 260 pounds by the time he’s done.
2019 Outlook: Will not start, but will be used on passing downs and will get at least three sacks in 2019.Dayton Wade, WR (Hampton, GA): Already going to be called D-Wade by Towel Rack (dibs), yet another three star receiver graces the halls of the underbelly of The Houch. A little small at a flat 6' and 170 pounds, Wade needs to bulk up and wear heels. However, this boy can fly. I would be shocked if they don’t experiment with him this year.
2019 Outlook: He may end up a redshirt, but I think they’ll try some verticals, posts, and corner routes with this guy and see what he does.Cory Munson, K (Warner Robins, GA): The fifth-rated kicker in the country, this kid is a dad gum boomer, folks. This a HUGE get for the Tops. He can kick from 60 right now, something that hasn’t been possible on The Hill since Casey Tinius. I love me some Rin Tin Tinius, but I do hope he’s a little more accurate than my boy (WasSUP, cuz?!?) In all seriousness, I would say Ryan Nuss is sweating already.
2019 Outlook: If he can be remotely accurate, the job should be his if Nuss has not improved.Josh Simon, TE (Sumter, SC): A three star tight end, hopefully the Tops can start producing more depth at tight end than in recent memory. At times during the Taggart and early Brohm eras, WKU had four legit college to pro level tight ends. Western is Tight End U, and that’s not a joke. Jack Doyle and Tyler Higbee are starters in the NFL, and two more WKU tight ends (Deon Yelder and Mitch Henry) have made NFL practice squads. 2019 Outlook: At 6'5", maybe Simon is the next great Topper tight end. However, he will have to wait behind a very productive Kyle Fourtenbary and some other tights with some potential to step into the limelight. I would say he could see the field, but with five TE’s on the roster, my most likely prediction is a redshirt for this season. Expect him to make an impact in 2020, though.
Things We Learned From Wednesday’s NSD Party
1. Helton Filled Holes in the Trenches
All told, WKU found eight linemen of the 21 that signed so far this year. A good unit of linemen is complete when depth is provided in each signing class. Things get thin when even a few guys transfer or graduate. WKU has a solid top seven or so on the offensive line, and really nice pieces exist on the defensive line. However, who is going to back them up?
2. The Plan is to Throw it Deep
Helton made sure Topper fans know he plans on throwing it deep. He said, “When I was here, we threw it deep early and often.” He also said the players the Toppers had in place when he got here made him look better. He brought in several burners at receiver while also adding a little bit of size in the 6'-6'1" range. One of the assistants also said, “Our system is a base of 11 personnel.” What this means is the Tops plan on spreading it out and spraying the ball all over the field.
3. Special Teams Improvement is Critical
This is something even Todd Stewart has mentioned a few times. Special Teams under Sanford was deplorable. Once a team that was a Top 25 unit under Brohm became a disaster quite quickly. Kicking, punting, kickoffs, coverage, and more were very suspect. Rarely was there ever going to be a game-changing play of any kind coming from Special Teams.
Long story short, at one point, the Tops had all-time greats in kicking and punting on The Hill at the same time in Jake Collins and Garrett Schwettman. Along with Jake Collins, Skyler Simcox transferred out, as well, leaving the cupboard quite bare in the kicking game. Schwettman is now back on campus working as a GA, and the Tops have added an Australian punter in John Haggerty, and have added a field goal kicker in Corey Munson. Both of those guys could immediately see the field in their freshman seasons.
4. Western Still Needs Quarterback Competition
Coach Helton is not allowed to talk about players that have not committed to the Tops, but he did say that Western will be going after a quarterback of some kind. Since National Signing Day is over, this is going to probably take the form of a grad transfer. He did make it clear he wanted to “create competition in the quarterback room”.
5. This is a Very Likable Staff
One of the first things Coach Helton did was walk around thanking everyone for coming. His staff intermingled with the people there instead of being completely stand-offish as can be extremely normal with coaching staffs. I know some of these guys personally from prior experience, but you can’t help but have a nice sense from these people. There’s a good mix of youth, humor, and experience, as well. Nearly half of the staff has been here before. Two former players are heavily involved in the aforementioned Schwettman and Kenny Martin, a former defensive tackle in the Taggart years.
In addition to familiar faces, there are impressive resumes. Helton himself was probably in the running for the job two years ago when Sanford was hired if the timing had worked out. Clayton White is extremely experienced and one of the bigger names on the staff. Bryan Ellis is absolutely a brilliant young coaching mind and a future head coach without doubt. Coach Martin and Coach Crum are extremely impressive young guys. Garret Chachere is a 27 year coaching veteran and has coached every position in the entire locker room (offense and defense) besides offensive line. Mike Goff was in the NFL 12 years and was an All-Pro in one of those 12.
6. Mitchell Henry will be honored
A subject extremely near and dear to me, Mitch Henry passed away from Leukemia recently. He left a gift to FCA upon his passing. From now forward, each year, two football players and two other student-athletes from other WKU sports will be awarded the Mitchell Henry Leadership Award for exemplary faith. Mitch was extremely passionate in his faith, and this is the perfect way to honor him. When they announced this, it sure brought tears to my eyes. Awesome.
Overall Impression
I’ll be 100% honest. When Helton was hired, I thought both “Meh” and “Why?” However, as things have gone along and more has unfolded, my thoughts began to change immediately. When Topper legends with last names like Lamp, Doughty, and White absolutely love him, it tells me more than I ever need to know. If guys that went to the NFL love him that much, they obviously respect him on ten different levels. That’s very comforting from knowing several of those guys that spoke out. They wouldn’t just throw that out there without actually feeling that way.
Like I mentioned, Sanford left quite a good infrastructure and a really talented group. Despite a 3–9 record in 2018, WKU’s players received multiple individual accolades from Conference USA. In other words, WKU had conference championship talent and 0–12 level execution. There’s no other explanation for it. Most of those heralded players return. Putting the talent in combination with execution could immediately put Western in position to compete immediately. This is not a bare cupboard for Tyson Helton by any stretch.
The moves made could not have been any better so far. The Tops are keeping plenty of pieces from the previous regime. Instead of blowing up everyone’s family (like what almost always happens with coaching changes), they’re keeping on plenty of people and adding in some key pieces. Some of those pieces have significant experience at their positions, many of them repeating the same or similar jobs they had at WKU previously.
The recruiting class was held together enough to be on par with everyone else in the conference, and more importantly, the areas covered by the class cover most of the issues the Tops need. I’m not saying the recruiting class is record setting, but a first year coach should struggle establishing his brand, and Helton did a good job holding it together and keeping the class together. Quarterback seems to be the main concern, but you also have two starters (Steven Duncan and Davis Shanley) from last year and a talented redshirt freshman (Kevaris Thomas) with some experience.
I don’t see any huge, insurmountable issue with this football team for 2018–19. There are always going to be a few weak spots in almost any roster, but tons of experience returns, and I’m on board the optimism train once again.