Southwestern Athletic Conference

GRAMBLING STATE

Head Coach: Doug Williams
SWAC Digital Network Interview | Football Media Day

KEY LOSSES:
Frank Rivers - RB
Eric Harper - DL
Naquan Smith - DB

STARTERS RETURNING:
Offense: 6
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 1

Grambling State is in an uncustomary situation after going winless in the conference for the first-time ever.

Coach Doug Williams focused the spring drills on the Tigers getting bigger, faster and more aggressive on both sides of the ball. GSU will also need to increase their offensive productivity after averaging just 18.2 points a game in 2012. Last year, GSU dropped five games by less than seven points, including three contests by less than three.

After winning the SWAC crown in 2011, the Tigers will again, rely on quarterback D.J. Williams, the coach’s son, to run the offense. Williams passed for 930 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that he needs to improve dramatically if GSU is to contend for the title.

Frank Rivers, whom split time with Williams the past two seasons, has transferred to Albany State.

The Tigers are deep at the running back slot with Cedric Skinner, Juwan Marin, Jeremy Runner and Justin Fortson. But again, productivity is an issue. Skinner was the Tigers’ leading rusher with 365 yards. Fortson was the most impressive ball carrier in spring drills.

At receiver, Anthony McGhee, who recorded 37 catches for 514 yards last year, and Robert Bailey, 11 catches for 143 yards, are the top returners at the slots.

Dennis “Dirt’’ Winston, a defensive assistant at GSU from 1992-97, returns as defensive coordinator and has installed a 4-3 scheme. Linebackers Aaron Breed, Steve Orisakwe and Rod Stevens were solid in spring drills, sparking a sense of optimism that the Tigers defense will be significantly better.

The addition of freshman kick specialist Jonathan Wallace will give the Tigers a boost on offense and defense. Coach Williams is counting on Wallace to handle the punting and place-kicking duties. Wallace is expected to help the Tigers with field position and has the ability to connect field goals beyond 40 yards.

Preview Courtesy of Roscoe Nance

2013 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
D.J. Williams - QB
Cedric Skinner - RB
Jeremy Runner - RB
Clint Marsh - OL
Anthony Cherry - OL
Anthony McGhee - WR
Brandon Byrdsong - TE
Aaron Breed - LB
Steve Orisakwe - LB
Rod Stevens - LB
Centerio Ford - DL
Tyree Hollins - DB