A Grand Haven to Kalamazoo pipeline

Sat, Aug 9, 2008    to del.icio.us

KALAMAZOO — If a fan of Western Michigan University football could guess which high school is the most represented on the Broncos' roster this season, they'd likely be dead wrong.

A few hints: It's not a Kalamazoo-area school. Or Detroit. Or Chicago.

No. 1 on the list is North Miami High School in Florida, with a total of six players. It's no secret that the Sunshine State is tops in America at producing college football talent, and Broncos' coach Bill Cubit is taking full advantage of tapping that pipeline and encouraging players to travel north.

No. 2 may be even more of a surprise. It's none other than Grand Haven, which has produced redshirt sophomores Phil Swanson and Jimmy O'Neill, as well as incoming freshman John Potter. While Swanson and Potter are favorites to secure starting spots at left offensive guard and kicker, respectively, all three should play a significant role in helping the Broncos improve on a 5-7 record from last season.

"It's really a unique situation," Swanson said inside WMU's Seelye Athletic Center during the team's media day Friday. "We're all good friends. John was even saying at the Coast Guard Festival that Grand Haven is almost like a Western Michigan farm team."

"It's good to have people here that you know and are friends with," Potter added. "Plus, it says a lot about what type of program Grand Haven has — that they keep producing Division 1 players."

SWANSON TAKING CHARGE

No matter what size the of the school or community may be, talent is talent, and Cubit said he recognized Swanson's combination of strength, agility, and determination on the offensive line throughout his senior year at Grand Haven. After redshirting his first season at WMU, Swanson impressed coaches enough as a redshirt freshman to slide into the starting lineup for the team's opener at West Virginia, and his role as starter stayed that way the following 11 games.

With that game experience and another tremendous off-season of work under Swanson's belt, Cubit hasn't been afraid to praise his young lineman's noticeable improvement.

"Phil Swanson is probably the best lineman we've got, even though he's only a sophomore," Cubit said. "He's the kind of guy that's had a really good (spring and summer) camp."

"That just shows coach has got a lot of respect for what type of player I am, and that all the hard work has paid off," Swanson said.

Swanson will be the anchor of a relatively young offensive line that features two other sophomore starters, one senior, and massive 6-foot-5, 310-pound redshirt freshman Anthony Parker — one of the six from North Miami High.

The group has the responsibility of protecting three-year starting quarterback Tim Hiller, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. Returning All-Mid-American Conference running back Brandon West, who totaled 848 yards rushing, headlines a strong group of running backs. Add in a dynamic core of receivers and the Broncos could be well on their way at improving on their near 400-yards- per-game average from last season.

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While lighting up the scoreboard is nice, Swanson said the goal of the team is to do a better job finishing out games. WMU suffered three losses last season by four points or less, all of which were decided in the closing minute.

"We easily could have finished with eight, nine wins instead of being 5-7," Swanson said.

But with two wins to close out the season — including a stunning upset over Big Ten Conference school Iowa — Swanson said the Broncos should be entering '08 with a head of steam, and an eye on a MAC title.

"We hope those wins carry over," he said.

Regardless, Swanson's intent on making his hometown proud.

"I'm just trying to become the best offensive lineman I can be," he said. "My biggest concern is getting my team wins. All the awards, like first-team All-Mac, that's nice, but not if we don't win the MAC or if we have a losing record. I'd much rather win first, and everything else will take care of itself."

O'NEILL FIGHTING FOR TIME

The depth chart at tight end isn't too appealing for O'Neill, but he's not letting the lack of playing time at the position discourage him, either.

The Broncos have one of the best tight ends in the MAC in Branden Ledbetter, and two other juniors likely ahead of O'Neill on the depth chart. But in goal line situations or when the team isn't in a three-wide receiver set, O'Neill could see the field at fullback.

"Jim O'Neill has shown he's more of a better fit in the backfield than he is on the line," Cubit said. "Hopefully we can get him some reps."

If it's not at fullback, O'Neill could also be a heavy hitter on the Broncos' special teams units.

"I have been getting quite a few reps at fullback. I feel pretty comfortable there," O'Neill said. "That's more of what my high school background was like — carrying the ball."

O'Neill said he hasn't had much time to talk with his younger brother, Dann, a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Michigan.

"We're both too busy with 15-hour days," he said. "We try to get in touch on Sundays."

O'Neill appeared in only one game last season — the team's finale against Temple. The opportunity at receiving more playing time has been O'Neill's motivation during off-season workouts.

"That's a great driving force," he said. "But really, I'll do whatever I can to help the team."

POTTER THE FAVORITE AT KICKER

There was a sense of relief in Cubit's voice when he mentioned his kicking unit Friday. Although just a freshman, Potter seems like a prime candidate to stabilize the position that gave the Broncos all kinds of worries in '07.

Although WMU kickers connected on 13-of-18 field goals a year ago, only one was from beyond 40 yards. Their ability to force touchbacks or poor field position for opponents on kickoffs was also lacking. Touchbacks were commonplace for Potter at Grand Haven last season, while he also displayed a strong enough leg to drill a 50-yard field goal against Grandville.

"It's a strong possibility (John) is going to be out there," Cubit said. "Potter is exactly what we thought we were getting. He's a really good player. Really (the kicking situation) is not as bad as we thought, because these guys took it upon themselves to get better."

Potter said he's battling three walk-on kickers for the starting spot, but so far, he's not taking anything for granted.

"Each of us are getting an opportunity. They're trying to keep it equal," Potter said. "(The competition) isn't as heated as you might think. We're all friends, but we all want the job, too."

Right now, Potter is still getting used to life on campus, as well as full days of meetings, walk-throughs, weight training, and practice time.

"It's a lot different from high school practice, because now it's all kicking. I don't have to worry about anything else."

If Potter does secure the starting job, he'll be thrust right into one of college football's most entertaining and historic venues — Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. The Broncos travel to take on Nebraska in the season-opener on Aug. 30.

"I don't know what I'm going to be thinking. I'm sure I'll be a little nervous because it will be a totally new experience," Potter said. "But I'm used to pressure, and I think it will be fun."