SEMO OL highlights 2021 'breakout' players

Southeast Missouri State graduate quarterback Andrew Bunch would NEVER say a disparaging word regarding the performance of his offensive line, but seventh-year Redhawk coach Tom Matukewicz wasn’t always pleased with the physical pounding that his quarterback took during this past spring season.

However, the adage that a player is only as good as their last game resonates with Matukewicz, who liked what he saw of the offensive line unit in his team’s season-ending road win at Tennessee State.

“I’m so pleased with how we ended,” Matukewicz said. “We kept fighting and we’ve got to be able to run the ball. That is going to make everything better.”

There were no more critical pieces to that success than senior left guard Jaden Rosenthall and junior center Shyron Rodgers. Both of those players were among the top “breakout performers” for SEMO this spring.

Here is a look at who stood out for the Redhawks.

Jaden Rosenthall (senior, left guard)

Rosenthall was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team on Thursday. The junior college transfer has been a fixture in the starting lineup for two seasons and helped the Redhawks finish as the third most potent scoring offense in the OVC this spring.

Shyron Rodgers (junior, center)

Rodgers was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team on Thursday. He made a successful adjustment to playing center for SEMO after playing guard in junior college.

“I’m just happy that (the offensive line) fought the whole year long,” Matukewicz said. “(Offensive line coach Jason Onyebuagu) did a nice job and you walk away feeling like ‘Man, we’ve got a lot of good things going there.’”

Geno Hess (redshirt sophomore, running back)

Hess was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team on Thursday. He led the nation in rushing touchdowns (11) and had to carry the load for the Redhawks as starter Zion Custis battled injuries for much of the spring.

Zack Smith (5th-year senior, wide receiver)

Smith was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team on Thursday. He had a major bounce-back season following a disappointing 2019. Smith ranked second in the league in receptions (37) and sixth in yards per game.

Zach Haynes (freshman, punter)

Haynes was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team on Thursday. The first-year player led the OVC in punting with a 41.9-yard average.

Bryson Donnell (senior, defensive line)

Donnell was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team on Thursday. He finished fourth on the Redhawks with 41 total tackles, including three for a loss and one sack.

“We pride ourselves in stopping the run,” Matukewicz said recently. “Our front seven is big and strong. If you are going to run it, you are going to earn it.”

Omardrick Douglas (graduate, linebacker)

Douglas was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team on Thursday. He missed two games this spring due to injury, but still totaled 26 tackles, including 3 ½ for a loss.

“He just sparks our defense when he is out there,” Matukewicz said.

Shabari Davis (graduate, defensive back)

Davis was named as a punt returner All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team on Thursday. He started every game this season and was the second-most productive returner in the league.

Johnny King (junior, wide receiver)

With top returning pass-catcher Aaron Alston battling injuries this spring, Smith, and King were counted on heavily and both delivered. The long and athletic King finished seventh in the league in receiving yards and eight in catches. If Smith returns in the fall, these two, coupled with a healthy Alston will provide Bunch as deep of receiving corps as there is in the league.

Lawrence Johnson (junior, defensive back)

Johnson led ASEMO in tackles (55) this spring after starting every game. However, his season ended on a poor note, as he was ejected from the Tennessee State game on Sunday after exacerbating a scuffle on the sidelines involving teammate Kareem Gaulden and a Tiger player.

“Our major issue is that we can’t handle our emotions,” Matukewicz said of his team, which was the most penalized in the OVC. “That shows itself in fights and penalties. At least I know what our kryptonite has been, and I have to do a better job of coaching them through it or they need to leave.”

Mike Matthews (sophomore, linebacker)

The second-year player showed glimpses of potential in his first season as a back-up and delivered more this spring as a starter. He finished second on the squad with 45 total tackles.

Brandon Mincey (junior, linebacker)

Like Matthews, Mincey was asked to emerge from the shadows of some of the greatest defenders in Redhawk history and he did so very well this spring. He was just a notch below Matthews in total tackles with 42, while finishing second with four tackles for a loss.

Jacob Morrissey (freshman, linebacker)

The Redhawks were flooded with injuries this spring and asked some young players to perform in roles much bigger than projected. Morrissey had a nice spring, as he played in all eight games and finished with 22 tackles.

Steven Lewis (freshman, defensive line)

Straight out of high school, Lewis was asked to battle the biggest players on the field, and he fared well. He played in seven games, including starting the final two, and totaled 18 tackles.

Izeal Terrell (redshirt freshman, linebacker)

Terrell filled in for Douglas when he missed two starts with injury and played in all eight games. In his first collegiate season, he ranked seventh on the Redhawks with 28 total tackles.

Rasean McCauley (sophomore, linebacker)

The Louisville native played in just five games this season yet finished eighth on the team with 26 tackles.

Lunden Manuel (redshirt freshman, defensive line)

In his first year on the field, Manuel started three games, played in all eight, and finished with 14 tackles, including a sack.