New Rochelle, N.Y. – The Monroe College football team opened its 2016 season this week with pre-season practice. The team boasts nearly 100 players, including some key returners. With a few new coaches joining the ranks, the program will look to improve upon a 2015 season that saw the Mustangs pick up victories over Nassau Community College, Globe Institute of Technology, and Valley Forge Military Academy.
 
The biggest question about the team's offense heading into this season is, who will take the starting quarterback position? The Mustangs lost their signal-caller from a season ago, Jalen Jones, after he graduated. Aaron Williams, who saw action in three contests in 2015, including a 5-7 performance against Nassau, is a prime contender. Also battling for time at quarterback are newcomers Sean Kelly, Jordan Baskerville, Jan Weinreich, Jalen Brown, Tyler Mascio, and Richard Kirwin.
 
The Mustang's offensive backfield is one of the team's strengths, as sophomore Ryan Fulse returns for the season. The Fort Meade, Florida product saw action in four games as a freshman, including a season-best 12-carry, 76-yard performance against Lackawanna. He also scored a touchdown in the season opener. Sophomore Asante Anthony, who saw action in three games and also had a touchdown on the season, will also return. Several newcomers will look for playing time as well.
 
For the receiver position, Monroe has brought back Rakeem Langston.  The sophomore appeared in five games as a freshman and handled most of the kick and punt returns. Raymond Chase anchors the offensive line in 2016. The redshirt sophomore was an All-Conference selection in 2015.
 
The team's greatest strength will be the defense. Leading the way along the defensive line are returners Kadeen Dryden, Gerron Pendarvis, and Kamari Jones-Hunter. Jones-Hunter was selected to the All-Conference team as a freshman in 2015.
 
All-Conference selection Michael Kwegyir-Attah and Richard Jernigan return for the linebackers. The pair combined for 55 tackles and a pass breakup. Terrance Barfield brings 19 tackles with him into his sophomore campaign. Other returnees include Levi Shockley, Jr., Alonzo Guillaume, and Anthony Stubbs.
 
The defensive backfield provides the Mustangs with a lot of depth heading into 2016. 2015 saw the emergence of Matt Jackson as a team leader, as the redshirt sophomore had 20 tackles and a sack. Richard Washington, Jatece Wright, and Lawrence Harrison all had playing time in the defensive backfield as well.
 
The Mustangs open the 2016 campaign on Saturday, September 3, when they face Erie Community College at noon in Buffalo, New York.  The home opener is slated for Saturday, September 10 at 6:00 PM as Monroe hosts Nassau Community College.