BY GARRETT SAGER
5. Mezera is the guy with the Golden Arm
Little is known about sophomore quarterback Jacob Mezera even though he has been with the team since 2014.
Mezera is listed at 6-4, 210 pounds, but he looks more like 220 or 225. A strong kid, with a rocket of an arm. Early on in camp, you could tell that Mezera was the guy. He got all the first team reps and just had a better understanding of the offensive system.
The sophomore quarterback was very vocal from day one at camp, exerting his power early, which is what you want to see from your leader of the offense, especially a young leader. Mezera would often let his wide receivers or running backs know if they ran the wrong route or would meet with them if there were some kind of miscommunication.
Mezera did struggle in the first portion of the first scrimmage back on August 17. The offense did not move the chains for the first four drives, he was sacked multiple times (which is not his fault), and he threw two interceptions (which were his fault). But as the scrimmage progressed Mezera became more comfortable, more so when running back Shaq Cooper was beside him. He began hitting his marks deep and hooked up with wide receiver Isaiah Maxi in the endzone.
The final scrimmage was more the same. It took Mezera a while to get completely comfortable. Head Football Coach Chris Brown has often said, “Jacob is his own worst enemy.”
Mezera did have a beautiful touchdown pass to wide receiver Andrew Jay in the final scrimmage, but could not lead them to a scoring drive in the first six possessions.
All in all this kid as all the tools to be a great quarterback here at Fort Hays. The scrimmages are not a good meter to read from. He stands tall in the pocket and has a quick release. He is agile enough to escape the pressure and make the defense honor what he can do with his legs.
4. Good Vibes
After the success of 2015, you would expect the mood to be different entering 2016. The Tigers won eight games and made it into the post season. What that has done is it has changed the whole mindset of the players as they entered Fall Camp this season.
Talking with many of the players they were not satisfied with how last season ended. Not making it into the playoffs with eight wins and then losing a bowl game that they should have won, left a bad after taste in the mouths of many of the players.
Coach Brown commented on that during the duration of camp. Saying that his guys are “hungry” to be even better than they were last season.
This is what you want to see. A team that had a historic season not being satisfied with how it ended. It has shown in camp, as everyone is making sure that the whole team is on the same page. As far as players coaching players this is the most I’ve seen in my six in a half years covering Fort Hays football. The players are dedicated to this season and want to get the most out of it as possible.
3. Sie Doe Jr., the educator
In one of the Marvel installments of Spiderman, Uncle Ben told Peter Parker “with great power, comes great responsibility.” Senior defensive end Sie Doe Jr. has great power, just go back and watch the film. 70 tackles and 6.5 sacks a year ago, he is going to be the odds-on favorite to lead the team in quarterback hurries and sacks, but with being a leader on the defense, Doe Jr., has put it upon himself to not just be a leader in the stat sheet, but to be a vocal leader, a teacher, a coach if you must say to the younger guys.
There was not a single drill in which I watched that Doe Jr. was not coaching somebody up. While many guys drop to one knee when not participating or are over getting a drink of water, Doe Jr. was helping the younger guys out by giving them pointers, showing them different techniques to use to rush past the offensive linemen and get to the quarterback.
This is exactly what you want to see if you are on the coaching staff or a fan of Fort Hays football. A guy, with Doe Jr’s. accolades, spreading the love to his fellow defensive lineman. It builds spirit, it builds comradery, and above all it builds a better defense because trust me, if more defensive lineman can burst through the line like Doe Jr. does, the better off the defense will be.
2. Depth at Running back
When you are a team that likes to run the ball like Fort Hays does, having depth at running back is a true blessing.
The “Shaq Attack”, Shaq Cooper returns, over 1,000 yards rushing and 14 total touchdowns a year ago, but also returning are two backs that were slated in the depth chart ahead of him in week 1 last season, and two back we have yet to see.
Cooper does not need any type of introduction. He has got better at catching the ball out of the backfield, which is very good to see, he still has his speed and tight cutting abilities, and oh, he has been in the weight room. Cooper’s arms are noticeably bigger from where they were last season.
Cooper is the number one guy, he received limited contact in the first scrimmage, but on his first carry went 46 yards to the house, and had an 82-yard touchdown run in the final scrimmage but what about his counterparts?
Malik Thomas is back after tearing his ACL in week 1 last season against University of Central Oklahoma. He saw five plays, and three rushes before his season was done.
Thomas was very impressive in camp last season, which was why he was the week 1 starter in 2015, but the injury cost him his season. Moving on from the injury to 2016, Thomas appears geared up and ready to go. Just like Cooper, Thomas is noticeably bigger from where he was last season.
It appears that Thomas’ rehab went smoothly. The sophomore running back is still able to make clean cuts both while carrying the ball and when he is not. As well it does not appear he was lost any of his power or speed as he still shows to be a powerful runner when running in between tackles.
Next, is senior, Kenneth Iheme.
We saw nothing on Iheme last season due to injury, but in his last healthy season carrying the ball he averaged 4.4 yards per carry while rushing for 557 yards.
The Kansas native has some speed there is no denying that, so the Tigers will have some great speedsters to work with.
Where Iheme impressed me the most was his route running from the backfield and catching the ball.
I would venture to say Iheme has the best hands out of him, Copper, and Thomas and poises a real threat in catching the ball not only right out the backfield, but as well more vertically.
Finally, T.J. Thomas and Charles Tigner.
These two backs do not shy away from the contact. Throughout both scrimmages, they often went right at the defenders instead of trying to juke past them.
Out of the five backs, these two have impressed me the most throughout camp. They both have a nice compilation of speed and strength and are sure to find some time on the field.
1. Defense will be the back bone
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. The Fort Hays Tigers have a very impressive defensive unit coming back.
Going into camp I expected to see good things from the Tigers defense. Nine starters were returning and I knew who they were. What I did not expect was to see just how impressive they were this early.
In the first scrimmage, the defense gave the offense nightmares. Multiple sacks and two interceptions the defense showed to be much stronger than the offense. Wide receivers had trouble getting open and the linebackers did a nice job in containing the running backs for the most part.
In the final scrimmage, the offense did not score on their first six possessions and there was even a defensive touchdown.
The pursuit of the defense was very impressive throughout camp, well enough to where Coach Brown commented on it in an interview at the conclusion of the team’s first scrimmage.
In the offensive line vs defensive line drills, the defensive line over matched the offensive line. They are showing to be quick off the ball and able to push others around.
Linebacker, Justin McPhail, who is one of the returning starters, likes the experience coming back from last season saying “we’re looking to build off a defense that was pretty good last season,” is what McPhail said after the final scrimmage of the season.
This defense has the potential to be the best defense Fort Hays has seen in many years.