Ones To Watch

BALTIMORE -- With a ton of top-flight talent returning in the Colonial Athletic Association, it might be easy to overlook some of these players, who are poised for breakout years.

QUARTERBACK: Two guys are taking over under center at places that always have success with their quarterbacks. New Hampshire's Kevin Decker has shown he can handle the position in his fill-in appearances. Will Decker be the next stud in the line that includes Ricky Santos and R.J. Toman? He certainly has history on his side.

At William & Mary, Mike Paulus is set to show his I-A ability (he transferred from North Carolina) for the Tribe. And he'll do it playing behind one of the league's best offensive lines and with perhaps its best tailback and tight end. The problem for Paulus could be an inexperienced receiving corps.

RUNNING BACK: Pushaun Brown has been waiting in the wings at Maine for a few years now. This should be the season he emerges as one of the league's top rushers. The Black Bears should have a decent enough offensive line, but they'll need some consistent quarterback play or defenses will be able to stack the box and make it hard for him to run.

At New Hampshire, the Wildcats will be counting on Dontra Peters to take some of the pressure off Decker. He has the talent to do it. UNH could have its best running game in years.

WIDE RECEIVER: Quarterback Steve Propst is leading an offense at Rhode Island that puts the ball in the air, a far cry from the Rams' attacks of old. Anthony Baskerville could be up for a hugely productive season.

OFFENSIVE LINE: James Madison was forced to play linemen like Scott Jones, Earl Watford, Matt Krout, Matt Williams and Matt Cunningham before their time. The good news? Now, those players should give the Dukes a deep and experienced line. JMU's front will be anchored by center Roane Babington, one of the best in the league, and could get a boost from Marshall transfer A.J. Scott if he is cleared academically to play.

DEFENSIVE LINE: JMU has a defense full of excellent players and singling individuals out is difficult. But D.J. Bryant showed at times last year he has the ability to be a game-changer from his defensive end spot. He faded some down the stretch last year, but if Bryant puts together 11 consistent games, he should end up as one of the league's top pass rushers.

LINEBACKER: With Jake Trantin back at middle linebacker for William & Mary, Dante Cook can move to his more natural outside spot. Cook is already an all-conference level player. Trantin's presence will only make him better.

DEFENSIVE BACK: Delaware graduated four exceptional starters from its secondary. But the Blue Hens have some talented juniors ready to step in, led by cornerback Marcus Burley. Burley played in all 15 games last season, starting five and picking off a pair of passes.