Arkansas State knows its strengths. Neither was present for spring practice.

Starting quarterback Corey Leonard and starting tailback Reggie Arnold both missed spring drills after having shoulder surgery, making difficult the task of measuring progress of the offense as a whole.

Noting that, ASU should tout one of the league's best offenses in 2008. Leonard has a strong arm and is a running threat, while Arnold is a two-time 1,000-yard rusher. Neither injury is considered serious enough to linger into the fall.

The biggest need in the spring was replacing four starters in the secondary, including safety Tyrell Johnson, the Sun Belt's all-time leading tackler who was drafted in the second round by the Minnesota Vikings.

Junior Evan Van Dolah has experience and should be a starter at safety, while redshirt sophomores M.D. Jennings and Marquette Williams, junior Daylan Walker and senior Dominique Williams should be in the mix.

Despite losing the entire secondary, the aforementioned saw plenty of playing time last season. However, more will be expected in 2008.

ASU will likely be picked in the middle of the league standings, but it has enough talent to make some noise in 2008.

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