Air Force Football: Five to Watch in 2009
Jake Schaller - Colorado Springs Gazette
Aug 03, 2009
Here are under-the-radar players who have not yet started a game or received significant playing time but could make a major impact on Air Force football in 2009.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
1. JON DAVIS
Will begin the preseason as the starting free safety. The rangy, 6-foot-1 sophomore has “got a ton of talent,” according to defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter, and can deliver a lick. Paired with Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year candidate Chris Thomas, Davis could give Air Force one of the most intimidating pairs of safeties in the league.
2. LUKE HYDER
Tough and physical for his size (5-11, 195), he made an impact last season with a team-high 11 special teams tackles -- all unassisted. This year he might become more of a contributor on offense. Hyder missed his freshman year with an ankle injury and played defense as a sophomore. But he moved back to his preferred side of the ball last season and was a reserve Z receiver. This year he will get a look at tailback.
3. MYLES MORALES
Athleticism and toughness make up for a bit of a size disadvantage (6-3, 250) on the defensive line. Morales, a senior, will begin the preseason penciled in as a starter at defensive end opposite junior Rick Ricketts. He missed all of 2007 to concentrate on academics and played a reserve role in eight games last season. DeRuyter said Morales had a good spring and “can be a good player for us.”
4. JONATHAN WARZEKA
A Z receiver in the mold of 2007 Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Chad Hall. The 5-9, 175-pound sophomore is not quite as shifty as Hall but possesses better straight-ahead speed. He showed flashes of explosiveness last season as a freshman -- mostly in practice but also in the first game of the season when he went 14 yards for a touchdown. Should have more opportunities in 2009.
5. JORDAN WAIWAIOLE
The 6-3, 210-pound outside linebacker played on the junior varsity last season as a freshman. But he made enough of an impression in practices and during the spring to earn a spot on the two-deep chart.
Others to watch: Elliott Battle (Jr., CB), Jeffrey Benson (So., G), Austin Demmel (So., ILB), Michael Hester (So., C), A.J. Wallerstein (So., T).
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