Toledo averaged 32.9 points per game and 447.8 yards in total offense per game last season. Most of that offense returns for 2008, giving Rocket fans a lot to be optimistic about.
Back at quarterback is junior Aaron Opelt. Opelt missed three games last season, and only played in parts of two other games due to injury. However, when he was healthy the Rockets moved the football better than any other team in the Mid-American Conference.
Opelt completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,756 yards and 12 touchdowns. His backup this season, sophomore DJ Lenehan, completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 630 yards and 4 touchdowns. While Aaron Opelt is the starter and should see nearly all of the playing time, Lenehan now has the experience to fill in this fall if needed.
One huge loss on offense is the graduation of running back Jalen Parmele. Parmele, now with the Miami Dolphins, rushed for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2007.
His loss is huge, but should not hurt the Rockets as much as you might think. Junior DaJuane Collins is ready to take over as the primary back after rushing for 636 yards (6.4 yards per rush) and 7 touchdowns last season. DaJuane came to fall camp stronger and faster than last season, and he seems ready to breakout.
The #2 running back this year is the highly touted redshirt freshman Morgan Williams. Williams rushed for 2,418 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior in high school in 2005 and then topped it with 2,447 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior in 2006. He was named Ohio Division I Player of the Year both his junior and senior seasons.
After sitting out last year in order to get his academics in order, Williams has impressed coaches in practices and he has moved up to #2 on the depth chart. Williams gives Toledo a great 1-2 punch at running back.
Freshmen running backs Jake Walker and Adonis Thomas should also see a good amount of playing time for Toledo. Jake Walker is from Delray Beach, FL and was named Florida First Team Offense for his division as a senior in 2007.
Adonis Thomas signed with Toledo in 2007 after originally giving his verbal to Kansas State. He redshirted last season, but should see a lot of playing time this fall. He is expected to play some as the slot receiver, return kick offs, and see some playing time at running back.
The most talented group on offense is the collection of wide receivers. Junior Stephen Williams is ready to dominate after having a breakout season in 2007. He recorded 73 receptions for 1,169 yards and 7 touchdowns last year.
Despite missing two games with an injury, Nick Moore recorded 60 receptions for 731 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2007. The senior wide out, along with Stephen Williams, gives Toledo one of the best wide receiver duos in the Mid-American Conference.
Joining Williams and Moore at the starting wide out positions is Adonis Thomas at the slot position and junior Robin Bailey at the fourth receiver position. Bailey is 6-5 and 220 pounds, giving Toledo another tall wide receiver that could put up big numbers. In fact, Williams (6-5), Moore (6-4), Bailey (6-5), and true freshman Kenny Stafford (6-4) give Toledo one of their tallest lineups at receiver in the history of Rocket football.
Kenny Stafford is listed #2 behind Nick Moore on the latest depth chart, and the freshman is expected to see a lot of playing time. Stafford had several offers coming out of high school. He eventually narrowed his list to Toledo and Nebraska, and despite an in-home visit from Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini the week before signing day, Stafford followed his heart to Toledo and signed with the Rockets.
Stafford played in the US Army High School All-Star Game in Florida and was listed as one of the top players in the state of Ohio. He is the nephew of former NFL wide receiver Chris Carter.
Another top incoming freshman that will see playing time at receiver this fall is Sam Gaymon. Gaymon is 6-3 and 200 pounds. He too had several offers, including from schools such as Boston College and Cincinnati, but chose to stay close to home and play for the Rockets. He is currently listed #2 on the depth chart, behind Stephen Williams.
Danny Noble came to Toledo as a tight end, and he may still see playing time there, but right now he is listed #2 on the depth chart at the slot receiver position. The redshirt freshman is a big 6-5 and 236 pounds, but he has the hands of a receiver and has good speed.
Another player that came to Toledo at another position only to find themselves in the mix at wide receiver is junior Tyler Roby. Roby is a JUCO transfer from Pasadena, CA. The 6-2 and 210 pounder was recruited to Toledo as a defensive back, but was moved to receiver in fall camp. He played wide receiver in high school and has great hands and excellent speed. He is currently #2 on the depth chart behind Robin Bailey.
Other receivers that should see playing time this fall are redshirt freshman Kaunda Hancock (6-0, 182), redshirt freshman Tim Cortazzo (6-1, 180), and senior Trumaine Smith (6-4, 213).
The Rocket tight ends might not get a lot of they hype, but they are a talented group. Senior John Allen is the starter. He had a disappointing junior season with just 10 receptions for 61 yards, but he seems to have recovered his old form in fall camp and he could be a factor in the passing game this fall. He has good size at 6-5 and 229 pounds.
His backup is junior Tom Burzine, who is more of a blocking back. Toledo tends to use several formations that use more than one tight end, so the 6-4 and 249 pounder should see a lot of playing time this fall.
Third on the depth chart at tight end is sophomore Matt Fought. Fought is another guy with good size at 6-4 and 242 pounds, but he also has pretty decent speed.
Along with Danny Noble, another player that could see some time at tight end is Jerome Jones. Jones is a 6-7 and 234 pound redshirt freshman. Jones has had trouble cracking the Rocket depth chart this fall and may later find his calling at defensive end, but for now he adds depth to the tight end position.
The biggest loss on the Rocket offensive line from 2007 is John Greco. Now in the NFL, Greco started at Toledo for four straight seasons. His replacement at left tackle could be another player that goes on to start on the Toledo offensive line for four seasons.
That player would be redshirt freshman Mike VanDerMeulen. The 6-7 and 315 pounder has been described as a steal by Rocket coaches. Head Coach Tom Amstutz has even said that he believes VanDerMeulen could play at the next level someday if he continues to work hard.
His backup at left tackle is true freshman Phil Manley. Manley signed with Toledo after orginally giving his verbal commitment to Miami University. The 6-5 and 295 pound tackle has impressed coaches with his strength and footwork.
Starting at left guard in 2008 will be junior Jared Dewalt. Dewalt started in each of his first two seasons at Toledo, and the 6-4 and 318 pound guard will help solidify the left side of the offensive line with his experience and great run blocking technique.
Backing up Dewalt will be senior Patrick Dawson. Dawson, 6-3 and 282 pounds, has gained a lot of experience over the years at Toledo and should provide solid depth to the left guard position.
The starting center again this year is junior Buster Garrett. The 6-3 and 291 pounder started seven games for Toledo last season, including the last six. Backing him up at center is redshirt freshman Matt Rubin (6-1, 349).
The starting right guard is sophomore Kevin Kowalski. Kowalski became a starter in the third game of the season last year as a true freshman. The 6-4 and 275 pounder was highly regarded coming out of high school. Scout.com listed him as the 28th best center prospect in the country in the 2007 class and he didn't disappoint when he got to Toledo.
Backing him up at right guard is sophomore Chris Meenan. Meenan is big at 6-7 and 334 pounds. Chris is known for his run blocking ability and provides Toledo with an excellent backup at right guard.
The starting right tackle in 2008 is going to be a freshman. Right now redshirt freshman Jan Gewont is #1 on the depth chart and true freshman John Morookian is 2nd, but either could be named the starter for the season opener against Arizona.
Gewont (6-6, 327) was the starting right tackle in the season opener against Purdue last season, but suffered a season ending injury in the game. The NCAA granted him a medical hardship for 2007, retaining his freshman eligibility for 2008.
John Morookian (6-5, 291) is a true freshman, but he attended one year of prep school at Milford Academy in New Berlin, NY. He enrolled at Toledo in January and participated in spring drills. He was a three star prospect by Scout.com.
Providing further depth to the Rocket offensive line will be redshirt freshman Devon McCreary, sophomore Nate Cole, and JUCO Nick Toth. True freshman Danny Farr may also see playing time, but don't be surprised if he is redshirted.
The Rockets have a lot of talent on offense, and what is even more impressive is that two seniors expected to start and just one more senior on the entire offensive two-deep.
An offense that was #1 in the MAC in total offense, #1 in rushing, and #2 in scoring looks to be even better in 2008.
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