The Tribe's spring practices will be one of the most closely watched in the South Atlantic Conference this offseason because of the presumed drop-off in offensive firepower that averaged 44.5 points per game in 2007. Along with record-setting quarterback Roach, head coach Chip Hester will also have to find a way to replace the four-year productions of skill position players Kory Fisher, Brent Johnson, Joe Mitchell, Lee Page, and Shane Timmons.

Redshirt junior Howard Williamson led the first team offense on their first series and could emerge from spring drills as the starter. Little collegiate experience is rare among Indian quarterbacks in recent memory, but so is the superb athleticism Williamson can bring to the position.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Patrick Dennis may have the ability to give Williamson a real challenge in the quarterback race. Leading the third-string offense during Saturday morning's scrimmage was the elusive Daniel Griffith, who redshirted after arriving on campus last season from nearby North Rowan.

Dennis protected the ball rather well on Saturday when the pocket collapsed, but did throw an interception to linebacker Julius Sloan's way. Griffith completed two twenty-five yard plus completions to young receivers Eric Morman and Brian Terwilliger.

Overall, quarterbacks struggled to complete passes due to intense pass rushes by blitzing linebackers and physical defensive linemen, relying on the consistent running game of George Bell, Antonio Hall, and Willis Boykin.

Bell continued to impress onlookers after shattering the college's previous single season rushing touchdowns mark with 18 touchdowns on 715 yards last fall. Bell is among the top 2009 small school prospects heading into next year at running back and should get the nod in the backfield.

Antonio Hall, a 5'9 190 pound junior, played sparingly in a reserve role last season. But he could make a big move to be apart of another three-back rotation next season as Kory Fisher exhausted his eligibility. In Saturday's scrimmage, Hall took a handoff and exploded through a monstrous hole by Terence Crosby on the left side of the line for a 32-yard touchdown.

Thus far, Hall has been the most valuable player to the Indian offense.

When high-profile running backs Bobby Morrison and Princeton Brooks arrive on campus in early August, Catawba could boast the nation's top tandem in the backfield.

Transfer Geron Bryant and prominent return man Travis Landrum will battle for the third receiving spot to complement Antwan Strong and Brandon Bunn. Travon McIntyre and Mario Washington have blazing speed and uncanny resemblances to former Indian Reggie Terry several years back.

Two time All-SAC tight end Shane Timmons leaves some big shoes to fill. Andrew Tamer looks the part at 6'5 250 pounds and will also dawn Timmons' number 88 next season. Fellow redshirt-sophomore Grayson Downs is a versatile tight end too and has a big frame for blocking at 6'3 275 pounds.

All-SAC guard Hunter Carnes and All-Region tackle Terence Crosby make the left side of the offensive line nearly impossible to penetrate, while Kevin Hamaker and Kemp McSween have proven they can play at a very high level.

Center Zane Gibson started all thirteen games last year as a redshirt-freshman and was very instrumental in Catawba's team rushing record of 2,616 yards and 41 touchdowns. Hampered by injury on Saturday, redshirt-freshman Daylon McAlexander took charge of the huddle in Gibson's brief absence.

Coaches are moving redshirt-freshman Brandon Weedon from linebacker to defensive end this spring, which could give him a better chance of earning playing time as the Tribe seek a replacement for NFL prospect Ron Ellington. Ellington capped his Indian career as the school's third all-time sack leader with 26 sacks, while being tabbed as a three time all-league selection at defensive end.

Junior defensive end Arthur Cromartie has bulked up to 240 pounds and has picked up speed in the process. Cromartie joined Brandon Sutton on an all-out sack party during the spring's initial scrimmage.

Sutton played with the second-team defensive unit and lined up beside fellow defensive tackle Lamar Keaton. On Saturday, Sutton sacked quarterback Dennis on two occasions and was able to corral running back Boykin in the backfield once.

Starting defensive tackles Melquan Fair and Wilbur Pender made Howard Williamson's first debut as a starting quarterback forgettable to say the least. Fair stripped Williamson on a second-down pass play and rumbled 44 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the six points were nullified due to an apparent facemask prior to the forced fumble.

Fair set the bar high last season with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. From a defensive tackle position, seven sacks is out of this world. So is Fair's nose for quarterbacks.

Sophomore defensive end Marcus Davis was an unsung hero on the league's second best defense in terms of points allowed. Catawba only gave up 21.4 points per game in 2007. Davis started eleven contests last year and contributed 37 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

Sophomore Julian Hartsell has finally found a home as a 6'4 280 pound defensive end after playing multiple positions last year. He showed a quick burst of speed during Friday's pass skeleton against quarterback Dennis.

Catawba has been woefully short on defensive tackles in seasons past, but the position will finally be of abundance in the spring. Redshirt freshmen TJ Stowe and Robert Brown saw snaps during Saturday's scrimmage and will bring much-needed size and strength to Coach Khanis Hubbard's defensive line.

Stowe hails from West Charlotte HS and was named a top 100 player in North Carolina as a senior. The same list had Florida Gator Chris Leak, Houston Texan defensive end Mario Williams, Kory Fisher, and Brad Roach in 2002.

Robert Brown also took a redshirt last fall. He performed well against one-on-ones with offensive guards and centers as a 6'2 285 pound defensive tackle. Brown made three tackles during his reps with the third-string defensive unit, all at the line of scrimmage.

Stowe ended the scrimmage on a fourth down stop by clogging the gaps set open by redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Cody Corn and Chris Smith. Hester later commented on the 6'5 270 pound defensive tackle's stadium-shaking collision.

"The defense set the tone by not letting the offense convert on any of the three fourth down attempts," said the 2007 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year. "That is a good job defense and not so good job by our offense."

All-SAC linebacker Joe Brown and his 78 tackles will not return next season. His absence will hurt Catawba in the middle and will need leadership from leading tackler Charles McAfee. The Tribe did an excellent job of recruiting linebackers, and some of those first-year players may have to contribute immediately.

McAfee will start at one outside linebacking spot, while the next two spots are up for grabs this spring. EJ Branch will certainly be in the mix after his solid production as a sophomore.

Linebacker Julian Samolu was seen practicing with the first team defense on Saturday, playing up on the line of scrimmage and covering running back Bell on passing plays.

Leon Ager and Tony Littlejohn finished the season strong last year in special team roles and really excelled during the postseason at linebacker. Both players are apart of second-string units on defense and are continuing to make plays.

Jasmon Carpenter has the first starting cornerback slot wrapped up after an All-SAC season in the secondary as a junior. Carpenter had the responsibility of covering number one wide out Antwan Strong on Saturday and surrendered no completions on his watch.

Terrence Jones played respectably as a true freshman reserve and now will make a challenge to move into the starting lineup. Prior to his first year, Jones ran a 4.09 shuttle at Richmond County as a First Team All-Mid Southeastern Conference selection.

Returning cornerback Chris Noel has recovered from an injury suffered against Lenoir-Rhyne near season's end in 2007, but will take things slowly throughout the spring to make sure he makes a full recovery.

Redshirt freshman Derrick Brown has created a lot of buzz at corner in his own right in the early stages of spring ball. The departure of seniors Trey Glover and Brandon McIntyre will make Brown grow up in a hurry. His play could open the door for a bright future in the secondary.

Also returning for a deep Catawba secondary are safety Tyrone Moore and cornerback Marcus Glenn. Moore made an impact late in the season during the Indians' championship season. Not only did Moore record an interception and forced fumble against Albany State in the first round of the playoffs, he also contributed eight tackles and a tackle for loss in the loss to eventual national champion Valdosta State.

Glenn will be a senior in 2008, and he will bring experience to the position.

Mike Benton took a redshirt last season as a freshman and is ready to make a splash at safety. Benton will benefit greatly from the teachings of veteran safeties Cortez Best and Jaspen Gray.

WR Geron Bryant, RB Jamelle Cuthbertson, FB Walter Horne, and CB Chris Noel will all be key cogs to the 2008 season, but were not dressed for the initial scrimmage of spring drills.