With the spring season officially in the books - and the 43-43 tie now finally the last public word on the spring football season - I thought I'd empty out my notebook in regards to the spring season and my thoughts going forward.
* A lot of emphasis in the spring game wrapups (including my own) was put upon senior QB Mike Colvin's interceptions.
First, it's worth noting that QB Chris Lum, who, as anyone who reads this blog knows, came second in Payton Award voting last year, had an even worse stat line than Colvin did last Spring - 21 yards passing, and 3 INTs, to be precise.
But I saw some real good things come from the Morristown, NJ native as I watched the events Saturday morning. His arm? Plenty strong over the middle. Footwork? Steady. If you looked at his mechanics, you'd see a player that has made big strides over the wildcat QB from last year.
Some folks might focus on the interceptions, but I see a talented kid out there that is the unquestioned No. 1 going into the preseason.
* Going into the spring, one of my question marks came at linebacker. After the spring game, however, I'm more left about the massive potential this entire defense has next year, thanks to the play of the starting linebackers.
Without senior LB Billy Boyko in the lineup, both outside guys, junior LB Nigel Muhammad and junior LB John Mahoney, were consistently in the face of Colvin and disrupting the White offense either through the pass rush or in the defensive game. It wasn't so much on the stat sheet - Muhammad had 3 tackles while Mahoney had 1 tackle and 1 interception - but it was the overall feeling on the morning, where the outside guys were really disrupting the quarterbacks' rhytm.
With senior LB Sam Loughery out inside, sophomore LB Jared Heschke (3 tackles) and junior LB Cody Raup (6 tackles) took full advantage to showcase their talents in executing Lehigh's multiple 4-3 defense.
Most years, after losing four key players at linebacker, I'd be worried about filling those voids. I'm not worried anymore. It looks like we're going to have another deep, talented bunch there in 2012.
* Here's my thoughts on 5 other guys who made their mark this spring.
Junior RB Cody Haupt. His 4 rushes for 30 yards would have been noteworthy anyway, but his elbow that dislodged junior DB Rickie Hill's helmet was the best hit of the morning.
Junior WR Lee Kurfis. He was the lead receiver in the spring game, 4 catches, for 80 yards, and it showed. It looks like he will be awfully tough to dislodge as the No. 2 receiver.
Senior RB Keith Sherman. The top running back on the morning, with 4 rushes for 41 yards. When senior RB Zach Barket comes all the way back from injury later in the summer, Barket and Sherman look like they could be quite an effective 1-2 punch.
Senior CB Gabe Johnson. 2 interceptions, both ran back for touchdowns. No question the MVP of the Spring game for his efforts.
Sophomore DE Reed Remington. In a place where Lehigh is looking for good depth - the D line - Remington's 3 tackle, 1 sack performance stood out.
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