STARS OF 2008:

QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada -- The leader of an offense that has led the nation in rushing each of the last three years, he took a beating that forced him on and off the field last year but keeps bouncing back.

FB Eric Kettani -- Adam Ballard is gone but Kettani had become the lead-option option, anyway.

LB Clint Sovie -- His injury was one of the things that caused so much damage to the defense last year. He's back.

TOP NEWCOMERS

QB Kriss Proctor -- Not only does he come to Navy with talent, but he comes after his high school coach patterned his offense after the Navy triple-option. He had some elbow soreness in high school, but the most important part of his game is running the offense.

SL Chris Hill -- This class is deep in slotbacks and QBs, and the Middies won the battle for Hill over Air Force and Army.

DE Jabaree Tuano-McKissick -- A real pass rusher, he had 10 sacks last season.

K Jon Teague -- The younger brother of Navy hoopster Adam Teague was the 15th-ranked kicker in the nation.

ROSTER REPORT

--The biggest news on the roster front is Jarod Bryant, who did yeoman work filling in for Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada at times last year, is working at slotback and punt returning, while also staying ready at QB. Bryant had 716 yards of total offense last year, 464 rushing, 252 passing.

--Andy Lark has moved from NT to C.

--Interesting note: Navy was 8-0 when winning the turnover battle last season, 0-5 when losing or tied in that department. The Middies were a plus-seven in the eight wins, a minus-9 in the five losses.

--Navy has 11 straight wins over Army and Air Force.

--The Mids are 23-15 on the road over the last five seasons, all bowl campaigns.

--Navy averaged 39.3 points per game last year.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.