catdaddyp

Still early and we’re probably not completely finished with roster turnover, but here’s a potential projection going into the summer. There are a number of different possibilities, which is exciting considering the upgraded roster talent. I’m sure this is not how the depth chart will finish in 2023, but interesting to look at during the slow summer months. OFFENSE QB: Irons Undercuffler RB: Lingard D. Anderson WR: Adams Golden WR: George Anderson WR: Gathings P. Wilson TE: Banks Newell LT: Chambers Kindred LG: Kilbane Robarge C T. Williams Georges RG: K Davis Blanchard RT: N Williams Frank DEFENSE DE: R Johnson Nunnally DT: Robinson Lavea DT: T. Jones K. Thomas DE: Rabah Richardson LB: Arslanian Summers LB: McCoy Cooper Nickel: Lewis T. Thomas CB: Durant Tallandier SS: Thompson Woods FS: Martin D. Johnson CB: Golden-Nelson Hunter

Position has been updated. This group has a chance to be insanely good.

Well that didn’t last long. Guess we are back on the market for another OL. Too bad, despite coming from a D3, I thought Castro had a chance to help us this year.

I hope somebody gives him a shot. My fear is he will not test well and that will be frowned upon. His game speed is much faster than what a lot of players would test at because he reads and reacts so quickly. If that makes sense? It’s what separates many incoming freshman and younger players from the veterans. The vets can typically play faster because they are more comfortable and react quicker. I forgot to add his size would be a disadvantage as well. 5’10” 215 isn’t exactly what most pro teams are looking for. Assuming that’s his actual size at this point.

Former walk-on Emmett Harris is missing from this graphic. Not sure if that’s because he missed spring ball or if he is no longer with the team. I’ve updated the position and I’m really excited to see them in action. If they are able to build on what was displayed at the spring game, this defense is going to give opposing teams issues in 2023. Tim Tibesar has collected a physical and athletic group of linebackers.

Agree with @LZIp. Pretty sure he’s on scholarship. Other offers from Portland State, Weber State, UNLV, Tennessee Tech, Alabama State, Murray State, and Western Carolina.

Probably ok. Castro looks better suited at guard to me.

https://twitter.com/jayyc_22/status/1662215933128232961?s=46&t=i28PJ0RreaRA57i6LfDzUA

A couple guys made the 3rd and 4th team that I thought should have been on the 3rd team at the end of last year in Daniel George and Nate Thompson. Nice to see Hester as a KR, Nate Williams, and Banks get a little recognition. Lingard on the 3rd team too and he hasn’t played a down. If this team plays up to their talent level, this list will be flipped on its head. I’m betting we have several defenders make an all conference team by the end of the year too.

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/mac-football-2023-all-conference-team Some interesting selections on 3rd and 4th teams.

Oh man. Thomas we hardly got to know you. Seeing this happen often now. Guys transfer in for the spring and then transfer out again for whatever reason. Believe Bone was still a walk-on.

All great questions and, unfortunately, I don’t have any concrete answers to any of them. It’s possible Landers entered the portal, but more likely a grades issue. Not sure what this staff requires in that situation. I wouldn’t count on him being back, although I’d really like to see it happen at some point. I figured Holt would end up on Minnesota’s roster, but the longer this goes on it seems less likely. There’s a chance he’s already landed somewhere and it hasn’t been reported. Would love to say I have access to the NCAA portal, but I don’t. I don’t know how the staff feels about taking guys back who have already entered the portal. I know some coaches are more forgiving than others. He’d definitely help us and a team can’t ever have enough talented defensive linemen. Although, there could be another issue going on we don’t know about?

I got so focused on Landers, I forgot to even mention Howard. I’m with you, I’m thinking he’s probably a PWO. He was listed with NIU’s initial 2023 signing class, so I think he was on scholarship there. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more unannounced roster departures and the scholarship chart line up closely.

Oh wow, you’re right. I could be wrong, but I thought I saw Landers on the sideline during the spring game, just not in pads. That’s a big loss. Suppose that means we’ll see Chambers and Kindred battle it out at LT now. Maybe James will come along quicker than expected? I think that’s now 4 players gone from the 2022 HS/JUCO signing class.

And after checking the online roster, TE Darnell and OL Hale-Frater are no longer listed.

Going with C. Imagine some players are being encouraged to look around.

Love this pickup! Cooper was flipped between inside and outsider backer in Illinois’ 3-4 defense and wasn’t able to carve out a starting roll. No shame in that as Illinois will have one of the best front sevens in all of college football this year (barring multiple injuries). Cooper was initially recruited by Lovie Smith’s staff to play in the 4-3 scheme, so it stands to reason he will have a chance to excel in our 4-2-5.

Good question. I’m not sure if there is any one player with the ability to make a bigger difference for their team than Lingard. Especially considering how inept our running game was during portions of last year. Each MAC team has landed at least a few good players in portal. I can’t point to any one team and say that’s probably an awful portal class. However, CMU has collected the least amount of portal players. The teams I’m most interested in are: Ball State - A new QB and some nice additions at receiver. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them steer in a new direction offensively. They lost Carson Steele at RB and replaced him with Kent State’s Marquez Cooper. Bowling Green - They’ve added some athleticism and size at the OLB position. Just not sure what to expect from the rest of their defense. Connor Bazelak could be a wild card if he has time to throw the ball. OL is still an issue. BGSU has some solid talent at WR. Kent State - They are going to be awful, but got off to a hot start initially landing Jalani Williams, Dallas Craddieth, Devin Nicholson, and Mattheus Carroll. The recruiting of late has been unimpressive to say the least. Miami - Rashad Amos is a good back that never really got an opportunity at South Carolina. He could potentially make a difference for what should be a solid Miami squad. Western Michigan - What are they going to be? I like what they’ve done in the portal and they had a top heavy HS class. Keshawn King, along with the two freshmen RBs, could make some noise and provide a strong running game.

A few updates: - All 2023 high school MAC commits now have ratings. - A number of JUCOs still need ratings, which is skewing the rankings. Teams with JUCOs that still need a rating: Akron = 5 Eastern Michigan = 2 Kent State = 2 Northern Illinois = 2 Western Michigan = 2 Ball State = 1 Bowling Green = 1 Ohio = 1 Rivals plans to incorporate the HS/JUCO rankings with the portal rankings at some point during the summer. I’m not sure how that will look with so many unrated portal players, but I strongly feel Akron has the best portal class in the MAC (regardless of ratings) and it’s not that close.

That’s a good question. If there’s an P5 upset to be had, that would probably be the one. Even though they are lagging behind many of their Big 10 counterparts in talent, they are still further ahead than us (overall) in that department. I think it comes down to coaching for IU more than anything else. Maybe we catch them on a down day and pull one out. Would love to go into conference play potentially at 3-1.

I believe there is enough talent in place to win every game this year outside of Indiana and Kentucky. The caveat to that is I’m afraid this team will need to learn how to win consistently. I suspect we drop 1 or 2 that we should win in 2023.

Coach JRod wasn’t kidding! Here’s Newell’s profile and film. I don’t know anything about Oregon high school football, but it seems Newell wasn’t always playing against the best competition. Still, he’s definitely a talent and will likely prove to be another great pickup.

It'll be interesting to find out his story. The amount of talent that this staff is stock piling is getting ridiculous.

Looks like one more at least. I’ll have to do some digging to find out what made him choose Grambling, but check out his offer list out of high school. Here’s his HS hudl film.