 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Mike Sopher Toledo’s top receiver so far in the 2005 season is Chris Hopkins, a junior from Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, Illinois. He leads the Rockets with 11 catches for 139 yards with one touchdown grab through three games. The only problem is that he is a tight end. Toledo’s spread offense focuses on short screen passes with a mix of the run thrown in. But when defenses are caught napping or off-guard, and this occurs frequently, that’s when guys like Hopkins, Josh Powell, and John Allen can become effective. Whereas other spread formations focus more on getting the ball to the wide receivers with their tight ends only used in short yardage plays, (B.G. for example) Toledo has built their offense to the point where their most effective weapons are the guys lined up next to the tackles. This has allowed the Rockets to add another dimension to their already potent offense. And it has flourished to this point. Chris Holmes graduated last year from Toledo as their top tight end in the 2004 season. He had a chance in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hopefully will be signed by another team soon. Had Holmes played collegiate football at most Division 1A schools he would have been utilized as an effective run blocker. Holmes is 6-5 and over 260 pounds. But at Toledo he was an offensive weapon for the Rockets throughout his career. The same could be said for Andrew Clarke. Though still a member of the football team, Clarke has been plagued by the injury bug the past few seasons. But from 2001-2003 Clarke was considered as a draft pick in the NFL. Northern Illinois fans "fondly" remember his 60 yard touchdown grab in Toledo on a 3rd and 33 for the Rockets that sealed the win and, once again, cost the Huskies a chance for the MAC title. If Clarke can play this year it will only help the Rockets defend their MAC Championship come December. But even if Clarke isn’t used this year, UT has some capable backups in Hopkins, Josh Powell, a junior from Roosevelt High School in Michigan, and true freshman John Allen to give defenses even more headaches. Powell has caught 7 passes for 71 yards and has been a consistent receiver and run blocker for the Rockets in the past two seasons. John Allen is a success story who was never heard of until a month ago. He is a walk-on freshman who is essentially seeing extensive playing time and is making the most of it. Playing as a true freshman under scholarship is hard enough, but as a walk-on with no scholarship is virtually unheard of. But Allen has turned out to be Toledo’s newest secret and has already caught two touchdown passes this year. What’s sad for opponents is that these guys are getting better each week. And once Toledo opens its playbook a little more, these tight ends will see more opportunities come there way. So, if Tuesday night in Fresno, California you see Hopkins, Powell, Clarke, and Allen combine for most of the receiving yardage and touchdown catches, don’t be surprised. Because these guys are Toledo’s best kept secret. Have a question or comment for Mike? Email |