DCTF'S Lone Star top 50 most important players

[NT03]

http://www.texasfootball.com/college-news/view/180342

26) Brandin Byrd, RB, North Texas

Byrd, a Copperas Cove product, stepped into the starting running back role vacated by the graduation of Lance Dunbar and performed admirably, leading the team with 890 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground.

He Should Be Higher Because If Byrd becomes The Man in the Mean Green offense, it could change everything. The North Texas offense had all sorts of trouble scoring last season, but Byrd was a rare bright spot. If he can have a big senior season, it could mean the difference between an average UNT offense and a great one.

He Should Be Lower Because Theres far, far more pressure on the quarterback spot than the running back spot. Byrd can help things along, but in the end, this is going to fall either on last years starter Derek Thompson or on new starter Brock Berglund to jumpstart the stagnant offense. This is never going to be an offense that runs the ball 80 percent of the time, so Byrds opportunities wont be as plentiful as the quarterbacks.

#41 Zach Orr

One of the most productive defenders in North Texas history, DeSotos own Zach Orr has led the Mean Green in tackles for the past two seasons, with 74 in 2011 and 108 in 2012.

He Should Be Higher Because There is absolutely no doubt that Orr is the leader of the North Texas defense. He calls the plays, he commands respect and he is one of only a handful of seniors for the Mean Green defensively in 2013.

He Should Be Lower Because The defense aint the problem. Sure, it wasnt great by any stretch 61st in scoring defense, 76th in total defense but as I chronicled last week, the bigger issues for the Mean Green was on the offensive side. Zach Orrs going to do what he does (which is tackle a lot of people), but what the offense does will go a lot farther toward determining how good UNT is in 2013.

[golfingomez]

this ought to be interesting

[JesseMartin]

2 of the Top 50 isn't bad. Hopefully we will have some more bright spots this season and end up with at least 5 on this list next year...but considering how many FBS programs are in Texas, if it was evenly divided there would only be about 4 per school. Since you already would guess that the B12, SEC, and NBE teams would probably get a bit more attention than the rest, that's why I would say that us getting 2 in there is pretty decent. Plus, there's still the Top 20 to be unveiled...Jim Jim? Berglund? I guess we'll see soon...

[Green P1]

Nothing against Byrd... but I'm hoping he's our third best back this season.

[BillySee58]

Nothing against Byrd... but I'm hoping he's our third best back this season.

Would be best for the team.

[NorthTexan95]

I'd like Byrd to be our starting fullback if he can block.

[UNTcrazy727]

Jimmerson is more important. Byrd is a solid back, but Jimjim is our game changer

[NT03]

Freddie Warner comes in @ #19

[Mean Green 93-98]

Freddie Warner comes in @ #19

Now where did that come from?

19) Freddie Warner, CB, North Texas

The Dallas Pinkston product missed the entirety of 2012, tearing his ACL during spring practice, then tearing his ACL again while rehabbing it. Hopes were high after a pretty strong 2011 season, in which he finished with 18 tackles and a pass break-up in seven games (three starts).

He Should Be Higher Because… He’s the biggest X-factor for the North Texas secondary, which is the section of the defense in most needing improvement. The UNT secondary allowed a 63.3% completion percentage (98^th best) and picked off just 11 passes on 420 attempts. Warner was a big-time recruit coming out of Dallas ISD a few years ago, and when healthy, he’s the kind of guy who can be a No. 1 cornerback.

He Should Be Lower Because… Well, his career may be over. While UNT coaches are optimistic that he can get back to playing form, there is no guarantee that he will ever see the field again. Beyond the injury, there’s also the matter of Warner’s arrest in December on theft charges, when he and RB Antoinne Jimmerson were allegedly caught putting clothing into backpacks and leaving without paying. Lots of moving parts for the Pinkston product.

http://www.texasfootball.com/college-news/view/180344

[North Texas Shep]

We have two good backs in Byrd and JimJim. They should both get playing time, and I have no doubt JimJim will break some big runs this year as long as we have a QB who can be a threat.

Edited March 25, 2013 by North Texas Shep

[NT03]

We have two good backs in Byrd and JimJim. They should both get playing time, and I have no doubt JimJim will break some big runs this year as long as we have a QB who can be a threat.

Don't forget about Pegram too

[BillySee58]

Don't forget about Pegram too

Mark Lewis has looked solid at practice and according to Silver Rex Rollins is performing well also.

So basically we continue to be spoiled at running back. Hopefully we can say the same about our team as a whole.

[NT03]

8) Brock Berglund, QB, North Texas

With all due respect to Derek Thompson, the Mean Green’s quarterback last season, his 2012 season wasn’t one for the record books. 57.5% completion percentage (83rd in the nation), as many interceptions (14) as touchdowns, a good-not-great 7.1 yards per attempt. It was an unspectacular – even average – season. So why isn’t he on this list? Because North Texas’ best chance to take a big step forward offensively is if Brock Berglund becomes the starting quarterback. Berglund was a big-time prospect, one of the top-rated dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation coming out of Colorado in 2011. But he ran into some trouble academically and ended up playing at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. He’s qualified now and transferring to North Texas, and bringing his considerable skill with him. And while there are a number of spots for improvement for the Mean Green, quarterback could be the biggest one. A step forward under center could do wonders for the team; but if Berglund doesn’t win the starting job, it could be more of the solid-not-spectacular work of Thompson.

http://www.texasfootball.com/college-news/view/180347

[Mean Green 93-98]

8) Brock Berglund, QB, North Texas

With all due respect to Derek Thompson, the Mean Green’s quarterback last season, his 2012 season wasn’t one for the record books. 57.5% completion percentage (83rd in the nation), as many interceptions (14) as touchdowns, a good-not-great 7.1 yards per attempt. It was an unspectacular – even average – season. So why isn’t he on this list? Because North Texas’ best chance to take a big step forward offensively is if Brock Berglund becomes the starting quarterback. Berglund was a big-time prospect, one of the top-rated dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation coming out of Colorado in 2011. But he ran into some trouble academically and ended up playing at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. He’s qualified now and transferring to North Texas, and bringing his considerable skill with him. And while there are a number of spots for improvement for the Mean Green, quarterback could be the biggest one. A step forward under center could do wonders for the team; but if Berglund doesn’t win the starting job, it could be more of the solid-not-spectacular work of Thompson.

http://www.texasfootball.com/college-news/view/180347

I can't wait to see Brock in action.

[JesseMartin]

I do like the way they described DT. Solid, but not spectacular. True, I wish his red zone performance was better last year, but outside of that he was consistently moderate...and though I'd love great, consistent and moderate is a better option than terrible. Here's to hoping that Brock is a killer playmaker, because having a guy like Derek as a backup is a good, safe spot to be in if you have a rock star as your starter. Of course, if DT steps up his game...we'll see, won't we?