North Texas will be without Jamel Jackson, one of its most electrifying special teams players, when it opens the season on Saturday at Kansas State.
Jackson had worked his way into the Mean Green?s depth chart both as a kick returner and wide receiver. The Northwestern State transfer broke his collarbone in practice Saturday and will be out five weeks.
Jackson is the second player to break his collarbone since the Mean Green started two-a-days, joining wide receiver Forrest Rucker.
Jackson was expected to return kickoffs in addition to providing depth at wide receiver.
?We were really happy with some of the things with Jamel was doing offensively,? UNT coach Todd Dodge said. ?He has some speed and could come back and help us.?
Jackson was listed as Sam Roberson?s backup at one outside receiver position. UNT?s coaches gave Jackson extra time in practice at receiver to see if he could work his way into the depth chart and contribute on more than just special teams.
UNT will turn to defensive backs John Shorter and James Hamilton to fill the void left by Jackson on special teams. Dodge said UNT could also use starting running back Micah Mosley and Lance Dunbar, a backup running back, to return kickoffs.
Dunbar suffered an ankle injury during two-a-days, but is expected to return to practice early this week.
Hill to be in mix at cornerback
Royce Hill took to heart what head coach Todd Dodge said about freshmen being able to compete for starting jobs this season.
Dodge said Tuesday that Hill is locked in a tight battle with junior college transfer Adryan Adams for a starting job at cornerback and will play regardless of whether he starts against Kansas State on Saturday.
?Royce Hill has just done a lot right,? Dodge said. ?Whether he takes the first snap or not, he is going to play a whole bunch. We talked a lot to our kids when we recruited them that we are not going to be hung up a lot on chronological age. That is why we recruited so many defensive backs, to up our talent level.?
Of the nine players listed on UNT?s depth chart at defensive back ? including three players at one cornerback spot ? six are newcomers to the team.
Hill, backup safeties John Shorter and Darien Williams, and backup cornerback DaWaylon Cook are all freshmen.
Dawson lands at outside LB
Germaine Dawson appears to have found a home on UNT?s depth chart again.
The senior has played linebacker and safety in his career and started 11 games in 2006 as an outside linebacker. He was a defensive back who was not on the two-deep depth chart at the end of last season.
Dawson missed a large portion of two-a-days with a hamstring injury, but ended up as the backup for sophomore A.J. Penson at one outside linebacker spot heading into UNT?s game at Kansas State this week.
?Germaine is one that is so versatile and has put on some size,? Dodge said. ?He has settled in at linebacker now. His biggest upside is his ability is to rush the passer off the edge.?
Dodge said Dawson (6-1, 210) would be involved in UNT?s blitz packages because of his speed.
Jackson had worked his way into the Mean Green?s depth chart both as a kick returner and wide receiver. The Northwestern State transfer broke his collarbone in practice Saturday and will be out five weeks.
Jackson is the second player to break his collarbone since the Mean Green started two-a-days, joining wide receiver Forrest Rucker.
Jackson was expected to return kickoffs in addition to providing depth at wide receiver.
?We were really happy with some of the things with Jamel was doing offensively,? UNT coach Todd Dodge said. ?He has some speed and could come back and help us.?
Jackson was listed as Sam Roberson?s backup at one outside receiver position. UNT?s coaches gave Jackson extra time in practice at receiver to see if he could work his way into the depth chart and contribute on more than just special teams.
UNT will turn to defensive backs John Shorter and James Hamilton to fill the void left by Jackson on special teams. Dodge said UNT could also use starting running back Micah Mosley and Lance Dunbar, a backup running back, to return kickoffs.
Dunbar suffered an ankle injury during two-a-days, but is expected to return to practice early this week.
Hill to be in mix at cornerback
Royce Hill took to heart what head coach Todd Dodge said about freshmen being able to compete for starting jobs this season.
Dodge said Tuesday that Hill is locked in a tight battle with junior college transfer Adryan Adams for a starting job at cornerback and will play regardless of whether he starts against Kansas State on Saturday.
?Royce Hill has just done a lot right,? Dodge said. ?Whether he takes the first snap or not, he is going to play a whole bunch. We talked a lot to our kids when we recruited them that we are not going to be hung up a lot on chronological age. That is why we recruited so many defensive backs, to up our talent level.?
Of the nine players listed on UNT?s depth chart at defensive back ? including three players at one cornerback spot ? six are newcomers to the team.
Hill, backup safeties John Shorter and Darien Williams, and backup cornerback DaWaylon Cook are all freshmen.
Dawson lands at outside LB
Germaine Dawson appears to have found a home on UNT?s depth chart again.
The senior has played linebacker and safety in his career and started 11 games in 2006 as an outside linebacker. He was a defensive back who was not on the two-deep depth chart at the end of last season.
Dawson missed a large portion of two-a-days with a hamstring injury, but ended up as the backup for sophomore A.J. Penson at one outside linebacker spot heading into UNT?s game at Kansas State this week.
?Germaine is one that is so versatile and has put on some size,? Dodge said. ?He has settled in at linebacker now. His biggest upside is his ability is to rush the passer off the edge.?
Dodge said Dawson (6-1, 210) would be involved in UNT?s blitz packages because of his speed.
