Currently, Red Wolves fans are waiting with bated breath on Butch Jones naming the starter at quarterback. All signs point to the worldly and experienced JT Shrout, who once completed 5 of 21 passes in a 41-10 loss to Air Force. Does that tidbit keep me up at night? A little bit! Listen, 2022 was a historically awful team and the word out of camp is that Shrout is making all the right leadership moves to command the huddle, so no sweat.

Speaking of “the word out of camp,” a number of previously under-represented Red Wolves names have bubbled from the heat and humidity of the practice field to raise an eyebrow. We are several days from receiving a 2-deep, so I haven’t a clue how much we’ll see these guys on the field when A-State opens against Oklahoma.

Justin Hodges, DB

You won’t find the former 3-star recruit listed on the online Red Wolves roster, but he’s on the practice field, reportedly looking pretty sharp alongside veteran Samy Johnson. Hodges, er, found some trouble at UCF (charges dismissed) and was briefly a member of the Ole Miss football team before becoming a Butch Jones reclamation project. If the 6’2″ Hodges doesn’t start, I suspect he’ll see plenty of action.

Cedrick Hawkins, RB

The freshman from Stuttgart is receiving praise from camp, adding depth behind Ja’Quez Cross, Brian Snead and Zac Wallace. At 5’7″, Hawkins is on the diminutive side, but with Snead and Wallace providing the pound, Hawkins would be an intriguing guy to offer the flash. I suspect Jones will fit Hawkins for a red shirt, but the A-State RB position has been known to require emergency depth.

Miller McCrumby, TE

I’m cheating quite a bit here. McCrumby was one of Jones’ highest rated recruit last season. However, McCrumby appears to have become a favorite target for A-State QBs, hauling in a pair at the last scrimmage (per Kara Richey). Don’t be surprised if McCrumby makes the 2-deep.

PHOTO CREDIT: ME