Arkansas State Football: Will Red Wolves become threats in 2021?
Layne Hatcher and James Blackman to Lead High-Caliber Red Wolves Offense
There were several major changes to the Red Wolves this offseason. The one area that didn’t have to suffer a drastic change was on the offensive side.
Amidst the coaching changes during the offseason, the Red Wolves kept their offensive coordinator Keith Heckendorf for a third season. His coaching style helped the Red Wolves account for the second-ranked passing offense in the nation (first in the Sun Belt) with 364.4 passing yards per game. Arkansas State was also 14th in the nation (first in the Sun Belt) in total yards per game (489.7) and 35th in the nation in points per game (32.9).
The passing offense was in great hands with Heckendorf and his two high-caliber quarterbacks in Logan Bonner and Layne Hatcher. This was an offense that constantly switched out the quarterbacks in multiple series every game. When Anderson left for Utah State, Bonner left with him and will be in a similar situation with the Aggies.
Last season, Hatcher was more explosive and consistent in key games. Hatcher passed for 2,058 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only two interceptions on 116 completions (out of 194 passing attempts). The Red Wolves were 3-1 when Hatcher threw multiple touchdowns.
The Red Wolves will keep the same style of passing offense with Hatcher as a redshirt junior and the team having former Florida State Seminoles quarterback James Blackman transferring to Arkansas State. After some disappointing seasons with the Seminoles and the lack of team structure, Blackman is looking for a fresh new start. He and Hatcher look to replicate the same kind of impact that the Red Wolves had last season.
Coach Jones will expect a more impactful running game for the Red Wolves this season. Last season, Arkansas State football was ranked 103rd in the nation in rushing yards per game (125.4).
The loss of their leading rusher in Jamal Jones will be significant but the availability of a more aggressive running attack will be beneficial to the offense. The Red Wolves will return senior Marcel Murray, a former Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, and sophomore running back Lincoln Pare. Murray was a solid second back for the Red Wolves last season until he suffered an elbow injury in the middle of the season. Pare rushed for 450 yards and a touchdown in 72 carries as a freshman last season.
The bad news for the Red Wolves receiving corp is that they will be without their star receiver in Jonathan Adams Jr., who caught 79 receptions for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020.
The good news is that the Red Wolves will return four of their six leading receivers this past season. Former Oklahoma Sooner and Red Wolves redshirt senior Dahu Green will be the new leader of the receiver corp. Last season was his most productive season as he caught 32 receptions for 542 yards and five touchdowns. The Red Wolves will expect Corey Rucker, Jeff Foreman, and Te’Vailance Hunt as the other core receivers for the Red Wolves. They will also return their starting tight end in Reed Tyler, who caught 22 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
One of the least efficient units on offense last season was the offensive line. The offensive line gave up 29 sacks, which was ranked 13th most in the nation. The positive side this season is that the Red Wolves return four of the starters from last season in a more experienced unit in 2021. Only senior left guard Andre Harris Jr was named to all-conference honors by Athlon Sports this preseason. Harris was named to third-team All-Sun Belt as he will be a leader of the offensive line and attempt to revitalize the rushing game.