21 for ‘21: Most Important Argos 11-21
With just weeks remaining until the season opener against McNeese State, On Cannon Green is taking a stab at the most important players on the 2021 roster. These are the players who either are in a position to continue high level of play from 2019 or players who are projected to step into important roles following departures since the Argos last took the field.
#21 RS Junior Dalton Simpler, Center
There are three offensive linemen who return starting experience from 2019, Mike Dilla, Jacob Bruce, and Dalton Simpler. Simpler filled in at left guard twice (UWG and Lenoir-Rhyne) and appeared in 13 games total at guard and center. A class of 2017 signee from Freeport, FL, Simpler will enter fall as the starting center on an OL looking to replace three starters. Coach Shinnick, a former D1 OL himself, spoke highly of Simpler at GSC media days, saying that while UWF lost three starters, they return three starters as well, a nod to Simpler’s 2019 contributions.
#20 RS Junior Jacure' Jackson, Tight End
An unusual pick for the Argos, who have traditionally not utilized a TE much. Jackson was HS quarterback and was recently named Pre-Season All-Conference at tight end. A huge target who could help to offset the production lost at wide receiver, especially across the middle of the field, Jackson will look to be the most productive Argo tight end since Blake Austin-Smith had 23 catches for 190 yards and 4 TD in 2017. His size should also make him a plus blocker on the edge, which was his primary role each of the last two seasons.
#19 Senior Brandon Penerton, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle
This spot came down to replacing one of two really productive players in the defensive front seven, Lineman Ian Bush or Linebacker Kedrick Bradley. In the end, it seemed like there are a number of talented or experienced options to replace departed starting Strongside Linebacker Kedrick Bradley, but there isn’t a lot of returning depth along the defensive line. That means Senior Defensive Lineman Brandon Penerton gets the nod. Penerton came to UWF as a JUCO transfer before last season and was able to make the cut along the line, tallying 21 tackles and 2 TFL in 14 games of backup duty as a tackle and defensive end. Coordinator Darian Dulin’s 3 man front usually utilizes three big bodies, and Penerton (6-1 285) will be tasked with replacing departed defensive end Bush (6-0 280), who’s one year with the Argos yielded a team leading 15.5 TFL as well as 4.5 sacks. It is unknown if he can replace the production vacated by Bush, but Penerton proved in ‘19 he is capable of holding down the line for the Argos.
#18 Freshman Zac Elam, Offensive Guard
You may notice that this list skews to experience and age, but Zac Elam has a lot going for him and could be one of the breakout stars of the 2021 season. Zac came to UWF in 2020 from Clearwater Central Catholic, a 3A powerhouse, to play with his older brother Marshall. Elam was a bulldog on tape in high school, and with a full year with the program under his belt (without burning any eligibility) has set himself up to be the starter week one at Left Guard. A shorter player, who may eventually work further inside as a center, Elam will provide an aggressive and athletic presence on the interior of the Argos’ new look offensive line.
#17 Senior Kee Whetzel, Weakside Linebacker
The Oregon State transfer could factor as a major playmaker for the Argos’ front. The weakside linebacker spot was manned in 2021 by Andre Duncombe and Gael Laurent. Duncombe is now on the coaching staff and Laurent appears to have sustained some kind of injury during the spring. A position that was likely Laurent’s to lose became a battle between Whetzel and former Baylor signee RS Senior De’Marco Artis. At 6-3 205 with plus athleticism, Whetzel could be an instant impact player in the pass rush for the Argos who hope to replace the 23.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks missing from Duncombe and Laurent. Whetzel was poised to be a breakout defensive player for the Beavers but left the program in 2019 for personal reasons. Previous to that he had tallied 39 tackles 2 TFL and 2 sacks in 2018, starting one game.
#16 The Slot Wide Receivers
Cheating on this one, but until the season starts I don’t know how much differentiation to expect from this group of three players. The most experienced is Graduate Transfer David Durden who came to UWF ahead of Fall ‘20 from FCS Mercer with multiple years of eligibility left. Durden, who clocked the fastest 40 yard dash on the team this summer with a reported blazing 4.38, is a former FCS Freshman All-American and All-SoCon while playing receiver and returner for the Bears. He tallied over 1000 yards receiving in the ‘18 and ‘19 seasons with 11 total TDs (9 receiving, 1 KR, 1 passing). The returner in terms of the Argos is Kenneth Channelle, a RS Soph. from Ribault HS in Jacksonville, FL. Chanelle is the third leading receiver returning for 2021 with 16 receptions for 217 yards and 2 TDs in the National Title season. Finally, a fresh face will likely join the fold in Zac Offord of North Marion High in Citra, FL. The son of a coach and former NFL player, Offord was a 2020 signee who practiced last fall with the Argos. The diminutive receiver did it all for the Colts as a senior racking up 4 receiving TDs, 3 rushing TDs, 2 passing TDs, 2 return TDs, and 1 TD on defense. Expect Offord to be a major contributor on special teams as well as making waves on offense.
#15 Senior Kion Holder, Safety
Holder is the likely candidate to take over the free safety starting position, where he logged three starts and 15 last season. A JUCO signee out of Miami Norland High School, Holder came to UWF from Independence CC (of LastChanceU fame) in 2019 and hit the ground running. He quickly established himself as a primary backup and saw starts against Virginia-Lynchburg, West Greenville, and the regular season matchup against Valdosta State. He is 4th among returning DBs in tackles and recorded 2 break ups and 1 fumble recovery as well. Holder is one of five returning Argo defensive backs who started at least 2 games in 2019.
#14 Senior Anthony Johnson Jr. Running Back
In a seasoned group of backs Johnson Jr. is the grizzled veteran. Bringing back 1366 yards rushing and 12 TDs, the Senior from local Pace High will need to have his best season yet to catch current all time rushing leader Chris Schwarz (2027 yards), but Johnson should be hot on his heels. A steady three year contributor will lead a group that could go as deep as 6 players, and returns one more member of the 21 for ‘21.
#13 Senior Mike Dilla, Offensive Guard
After losing three multi year starters on the OL, Dilla will be looked upon to lead a less experienced unit. Coming out of Hobe Sound, FL, Dilla started out strong appearing in 11 games with three playoff starts as a true freshman in 2017. A stalwart on the right side, Dilla's consecutive starts streak extends back to 2017 National Championship Game. He will be asked to lead the line, as well as help break in new full time starters on either side of him.
#12 Senior Myles Meyer, Nose Tackle
Myles Meyer was a crucial backup on the DL in 2019, behind entrenched starter Daryl Wilson. Meyer started one game in the season finale against UWA, but appeared in all 15 games. His statistical output was comparable to Wilson, despite Wilson starting 12 games to Meyer’s 1, finishing the season with 29 tackles and 2.5 for loss (Wilson 24 tackles 4.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks). Nose tackle doesn’t tend to be a position that racks up stats, but at 6-1 335 Meyer has the requisite girth to occupy two blockers on the inside, freeing up the second level defenders to make plays. Meyer came to UWF in 2019 as a JUCO transfer from Mississippi Delta CC.
#11 RS Senior Rodney Coates, Wide Receiver
One could say the wide receiver room needs to be rebuilt, but that is selling short the two returning Senior pass catchers. Rodney Coates returning should help soften the blow of the losses of Lehito, Randolph, and Grant, bringing multiple years of contributions in the Argos’ offense. An original class of 2015 signee, he is the returning leader in receptions (36) and yards (471) from 2019, and will be a reliable playmaker and provide a steady presence to help lead the rest of an inexperienced unit.
