San Marcos — Texas State recently underwent its first evaluation of the 2011 season as Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine released its annual position-by-position scouting reports.

The Bobcats received one A, five B’s and two C’s and now it’s time to put those grades to the test. Joining me in discussing if those marks are ‘Too High,’ ‘Too Low,’ or ‘Just Right’ are Brant Freeman (radio play-by-play voice of the Bobcats) and Brent Thibodeaux from BobcatReport.com.

Tyler Mayforth: Not sure what DCTF was thinking, but it’s too high. Right now there are just too many questions to justify that grade. How healthy is Tyler Arndt? Do the Bobcats actually trust Tim Hawkins to throw the ball? Is Shaun Rutherford a true option under center for Texas State? If Arndt bounces back, Hawkins completes more passes to his teammates than the ground and Rutherford shakes off a few years of rust, the potential is there. Right now, that’s all it is.

Brant Freeman: Wow. Since there are so many questions regarding the position, it’s tough to say. There isn’t much to go off of when you take a look at the body of work for everybody involved. Tyler Arndt started four or five games as a freshman, but his injury set him back. Tim Hawkins was inconsistent, but showed flashes in his four starts and now we throw Shaun Rutherford into the mix. If you look at potential, B-plus is just about right, but right now, it’s a bit too high. I almost want to give it an incomplete.

Brent Thibodeaux: I’d say that’s just right. With With Tyler Arndt coming back from knee surgery, getting him healthy is priority number one. A 100-percent Arndt means this Bobcat team has their true gunslinger at quarterback. Hawkins is a capable back-up that can step into the starting role, if called upon. Rutherford has shown flashes at the position but his skills may be best suited at receiver.

TM: My initial reaction is that is just right. Texas State has an above-average stable of running backs led by Marcus Curry and Dexter Imade. With Terrence Franks coming off redshirt and Frank Reddic handling short yardage, the Bobcats should be fine in 2011.

BF: I would say it’s too low. Obviously, Texas State is going to miss Karrington Bush, but the coaches have gushed about Marcus Curry’s ability. Curry did some really great things at Navy and if he can get back to full stength, watch out. Throw in Dexter Imade and as long as the offensive line holds up, he can get through to the open field. Frank Reddic is also as good of a short-yardage back as there is.

BT: I’d say that’s just right. I almost said too low, but after losing Karrington Bush to graduation, I felt DCTF got the grade right. The Bobcats will have plenty of options in the backfield and it’s not short on talent or speed. Marcus Curry, Dexter Imade, Terrence Franks and Frank Reddic are all capable of being the workhorse. Each player brings something different to the table with regards of speed, power and quickness.

TM: Too high. Outside of Darius Bolden and Daren Dillard, Texas State’s wide receivers are a work in progress. No one should question the Bobcats’ depth, just their ability — and the quarterbacks getting them the ball — at this stage.

BF: This is just right. Daren Dillard is the veteran and Bolden is coming back as well. Every year it seems as if someone new steps into the spotlight. Cameron Luke was unreal in 2008, then Da’Marcus Griggs was the next best thing here and now Bolden or Dillard might be able to fill the void.

BT: Too low. I disagree with this one. What DCTF fails to see is the quality behind the potential starters. Everyone hears about Darius Bolden, Daren Dillard and Cedric Alexander but what they haven’t watched are guys like Jonathan Porterie, Justin Bean, Michael Gilmore, Brad Miller, DeChe’ Milburn and Cody Matthews. Any of these guys can be quality starters on this team. Not too mention, Shaun Rutherford and the depth at receiver is just silly.

TM: Too high. Texas State has talent with D.J. Hall, Steven Kenney and Jon Vernon, but depth is an issue. The Bobcats were exposed when blitzed off the edges, so unless they can find a pair of tackles to fill the void, it might be another long season in the trenches.

BF: It’s too low. They have a two-time All-America selection in D.J. Hall and Jason Hannan, when healthy, can be really good. Steven Kenney is a good center. Question marks are at the tackle positions, but with Hall, Hannan and Kenney anchoring the line, they have potential to be better than that.

BT: I’d say just right. D.J. Hall, Jon Vernon and Steven Kenney are the leaders on this line and help anchor this position. Michael Chambers, Thad Watkins and Lee Conoly must also be ready to see a lot of snaps this upcoming season. Devin Baker being moved from tight end to offensive line should be very interesting to watch.

TM: Too low (slightly). Even though Texas State didn’t get much pressure in 2010, the team has capable parts in Prestin Brown, Jeff Clermond and DeShun Williams. Ron Jackson seems ready to bust out of his shell too.

BF: It’s too low. It will be interesting to see how they play under the new coaching staff. Last year, the defensive line would have been generous given a C-plus. They couldn’t get any pressure on the quarterback and losing Adley Eshraghipour took a lot out of them. This year, they have a good amount of potential that hopefully the coaches can bring out.

BT: That’s too low. I’m not sure who reviewed the defensive line for DCTF, but I cant help but laugh. Ron Jackson has the physical tools to be a late-round NFL draft pick. A solid senior season and he will be on pro scouts’ radars. Jeff Clermond, Prestin Brown, DeShun Williams, Adley Eshraghipour and Jordan Norfleet help solidify this line. I feel a B-plus is a better-suited grade.

TM: DCTF nailed this one. The Bobcats don’t need to worry about getting production from Joplo Bartu, Bryan Iwuji and Brian Lilly. Bartu, a junior, will be one of the best linebackers in Texas by the completion of the 2012 season.

BF: Too high. I jest when I say that, but defensively it’s the best position Texas State has. If the Bobcats were still in the Southland Conference, Joplo Bartu could be the Defensive Player of the Year. They have the chance to thrive this year in the new scheme.

BT: That’s just right. You can’t go wrong if your starting linebackers are named Bryan Iwuji and Brian Lilly. I feel these guys are the heart of the defense and leaders on this team. Good players on the field and off. Joplo Bartu is a player coming on strong and will also be a big factor this season.

TM: Too high (slightly). The Bobcats have a padlock at corner with Darryl Morris, but Derek Lopez is still improving and they’re quite young at safety with Xavier Daniels and Jason McLean. Texas State still needs either Matt Harris, Jarrad Stewart or Jarvis Walker to step in and fill out the third safety spot and once they do — and start to gel — we can reassess that grade.

BF: I’d say that’s just right. It really depends where they put some guys. In the 4-2-5, do you count the upback as a linebacker or in the secondary? At safety, you have Jarrad Stewart and wonder how he will play with increased playing time. You look at corner: Derek Lopez is good and Darryl Morris is awesome. Morris is easily in the A-plus range by himself and he can rival Bartu for the best player on defense. Those guys last year like Kenneth Hampton, T.P. Miller and Drenard Williams were solid, but not spectacular, so hopefully this year’s group can up the level of play.

BT: That’s too low. DCTF is underestimating guys like Derek Lopez, Darryl Morris, Jason McLean and Jarrad Stewart. The secondary has a solid starting rotation with speed and force. Any of these guys can lay physical hits for four quarters. Again, depth is building around these positions. Names like Mario Wiggins, Xavier Daniels, Jarvis Walker and Tevron Johnson will be seeing plenty of playing time as the season progresses.

TM: Way too high. Texas State lost both returners, still can’t find a kicker to put the ball through the uprights and senior punter Ben Follis is finally beginning to shed his inconsistent label.

BF: That hits just about right. First, you wonder how can Texas State fill the voids with the returners it lost last year (Bush and Griggs). Milburn should be capable at both spots, but he is unproven at this point. As far as kicking goes, Ben Follis is a guy who can knock a 50-yard punt one time and then hit a 26-yard punt the next. Consistency is key with him. You also wonder how he can adjust to punting in a new formation? As far as place kickers go, it’s been a rough few years.

BT: Just right. The Bobcats have question marks at kicker but hope to have them resolved in August. Ben Follis will be counted on to continue success in the punting game.