Smith, White expected to fill big shoes in Navy offense – Delmarva Daily Times
Since its Military Bowl victory last December, most of the talk about the United States Naval Academy’s football team has been about how the Midshipmen will go about replacing the star power and on-field production of Keenan Reynolds.
And rightfully so.
Reynolds finished his career for the Mids with the American Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year award, a nod for the third team All-American squad, the NCAA Division I record for career rushing touchdowns with 88 and career rushing by a quarterback with 4,559 yards. He also finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy and had his No. 19 jersey retired just two months after he played his final down for the Mids.
But Reynolds is not the only offensive starter head coach Ken Niumatalolo has to replace heading into the 2016 season opener.
From last season’s team that went 11-2 — a squad that won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and a bowl game — the Midshipmen return just one starter on offense in wide receiver Jamir Tillman.
Aside from Tillman, who hauled in 29 catches for nearly 600 yards and five touchdowns last year, every other position on the depth chart has a new jersey number next to it. The personnel on the offensive line and the backfield of a complex triple-option system is all new.
But Niumatalolo doesn’t seem worried.
“This senior class has worked really hard. We’re looking forward to this season,” Niumatalolo said. “I feel really good about (quarterback Tago Smith). He’s been in our program, came from our prep school, he’s a great kid and a great athlete.”
The 51-year-old head coach added: “I’m excited about the depth that we have at a lot of positions. Physically, I like our team. We just have to continue to create a culture for this year and this team. We know what it takes. We have to be disciplined and tough.”
One thing that hasn’t changed with Navy’s offense is the scheme and the staff. The Mids have been running the triple-option for what seems like forever, and its entire offensive coaching staff is back for a sixth straight season.
Smith has attracted a lot of attention and many questions from reporters covering the team. The 5-foot-10 senior is taking the reins of a Navy offense that ranked second in the NCAA in rushing yards per game last season.
In the past three seasons, Smith has seen action in 14 contests and scored nine times. As a sophomore, he started in a pair of Navy wins against the Virginia Military Institute and Texas State.
Navy’s offensive line ranks 128th among Division I FBS teams in career combined starts for offensive lineman entering this season, but Smith doesn’t seem to be worried about the skill level of the big fellas charged with protecting him.
“I definitely feel comfortable with those guys,” Smith said of his offensive line.
Smith certainly has big shoes to fill.
Navy’s offense scored 63 touchdowns last season and Reynolds had a hand in 32 of them, either rushing or passing. Reynolds was taken in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and is in nearby Baltimore trying to crack the Ravens’ roster as a receiver and return specialist.
But there’s one more spot in the Navy backfield that was left void by a player who is trying to make an NFL roster. The second most-valuable player in Navy’s rushing attack last season was fullback Chris Swain, who went undrafted, but he’s attempting to make the San Diego Chargers’ roster.
“The Swain Train” rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season along with 10 touchdowns. He often served as the smash to Reynolds’ dash.
Niumatalolo hopes Shawn White can do the same for Smith, in an offense that has scored a rushing touchdown in 48 consecutive games.
“Shawn is in a very similar situation as Tago,” Niumatalolo said. “He’s played in games and when he has gotten in he’s done really well. I think people, and especially our fans, are going to like what they see from Shawn. He’s athletic, smart and has quick feet.”
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White enters the season slated to be the starter at fullback – a position that is dwindling in significance among most football playbooks in 2016, but one that remains very important in the Mids’ scheme.
The 6-foot-1, 255-pound fullback comes into the starting role with some experience, but not much. In his first three seasons with the Mids, he was primarily used on special teams, only getting carries in the offense here and there.
But due to injuries, White was called on as a freshman in 2013 and made an impact in a game against South Alabama. He rushed six times for 34 yards, and one of those carries was a seven-yard score.
White didn’t get any carries as a sophomore, but his role grew as a junior. Last season – in addition to playing a lot of special teams – the Palm Coast, Florida native got 19 carries over six games for 84 yards and a touchdown. In Navy’s 44-28 thumping of Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl, he completed a pass to Reynolds on a trick play that went 47 yards.
In spurts over the last three seasons, White has shown power as a runner, but also fleetness and elusiveness for someone his size. In his 28 carries, he’s never fumbled either.
Tillman, the lone returning starter on offense, said one thing everyone can count on with White is that he’ll give 110 percent on every play.
“Shawn White and me are the same person,” Tillman said. “So he’s going to bring the intensity as long as I bring the intensity. It only takes one person to bring that and then it will spread.”
But White is someone who will keep things light too. During Navy’s Fan Fest and Media Day on Aug. 6, the hulking fullback went around to talk and joke with fans and teammates and got some of them to offer up their best Niumatalolo impersonation.
White’s backfield mate Toneo Gulley – the Mids’ offensive captain – is confident the fullback can provide the offense with just as much production as Swain did.
“I’ve played with Shawn since (prep school), so I know his capabilities and I’ve seen what he can do,” Gulley said. “He’s been producing and getting better each year and now I think he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in. He’s really focused and I feel like he can fill the void of Chris Swain. Shawn learned a lot from Chris.”
Gulley and fellow senior Dishan Romine are slated to be the starting slotbacks this season. The duo combined for 567 yards last season on 48 carries – an average of 11.8 yards per carry.
The captain added that, in Navy’s offense, players have to be disciplined and tough. He thinks this group has those traits and they’re already focused on the season opener.
“The most important game right now is Sept. 3 against Fordham,” Gulley said. “Our goals are simple: we want to go undefeated, we want the AAC championship, we want the CIC. Those goals are the same every year.”
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