2022 Preview: Byrnes Rebels

Jed Blackwell July 10, 2022 @ 08:36 AM

At times last season, a copy of Byrnes’ original roster was useless. Fourth running back. Offensive linemen moved to defense out of necessity. Tons of players out of position, and a lot of younger players finding time on Friday night. "It was crazy," Rebels head coach Reggie Shaw said. "One week we were a Top-5 team in 5A. A couple weeks later we might have been Top-25. We had a record number of injuries. The last two years, first with Covid and then last year, have been challenging and weird, but we got through them and it’s been one of our best summers ever. Our guys are buying in, we have a great staff who are working their tails off, and we’re ready to get to the next level." If the Rebels get there, defense will lead the way. There’s a ton of talent back on that side of the ball, starting in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id="204428" first="Miquel" last="Dingle"]. "We moved him to the middle last year, and he made a difference," Shaw said. "He’s fast, he’s athletic, and he does a ton of great things for us. He’s committed to Texas Tech, but he’s got a lot of other folks who are starting to take notice, which is something we thought might happen." Three-year starter Rashard Wright will return at safety, and Shaw has high expectations. "He’s our quarterback on defense," Shaw said. "We moved him over from corner just because we needed some help on the back end to get people in position and put us where we need to be. He’s got the intelligence and experience to be a huge presence for us." Will Fowler and Carter Gosnell return at OLB for Byrnes, and the defensive front is solid with [player_tooltip player_id="336151" first="CJ" last="Proctor"], [player_tooltip player_id="267454" first="Chris" last="Foster"], Caleb Melton, and Keyshawn Goode. There are also difference-makers coming in the secondary for Byrnes. [player_tooltip player_id="272705" first="Armoni" last="Weaver"] and [player_tooltip player_id="272708" first="Chamarryus" last="Bomar"], both Dorman transfers, bring insane athleticism, and [player_tooltip player_id="267455" first="Knai" last="Cook"] will return to his position on defense after being pressed into service at RB last season. "We have a chance to be pretty good on defense," Shaw said. Offensively, Byrnes has some holes to fill. Three starting offensive linemen, a starting QB, and the bulk of production at the WR position are gone, but Shaw said there are players ready to step in. One position in flux is RB, where last year’s starter and the Rebels’ record-holder for single-game rushing, [player_tooltip player_id="262613" first="Mack" last="Long"], is rehabbing an injury. "He’s working his tail off, and he wants to get back and play," Shaw said. "Knai is also available there, and he was a 600-yard rushing and 300-yard receiving guy for us last season. RJ Livingston, a transfer from the Raleigh area, is another guy to look for. He’s just a sophomore, and he has a chance to be special." Up front, Cooper Campbell continues a tradition of huge Byrnes offensive linemen at 6-4, 325. Caleb Melton and RJ Cimbollek will also return on the line for the Rebels. [player_tooltip player_id="262636" first="Kyai" last="Cook"] will look to lead a group of receivers that includes [player_tooltip player_id="267452" first="Kade" last="Caton"], [player_tooltip player_id="262702" first="Elijah" last="Barnes"], Ethan Morris, and Will Roper. Weaver will play both ways, seeing time at receiver as well. "We’ve got seven or eight pretty good guys there fighting for position," Shaw said. At quarterback, Colby Shaw will step in to replace Gabe Rogers, who put up huge numbers last season. "He’s had a tremendous offseason," Shaw said. "He’s made our workouts, he goes and works out on his own, he meets his receivers to throw and get reps in away from organized team stuff. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and everything he can to get better."