catdaddyp

I watched a few NMSU games last year and from what I recall he wasn’t aligned to be a standout on their defense. Lavea was mostly lined up as a 0 or 1 tech and took on a bunch of double teams. NMSU had 3 interior d linemen that were close on snaps. The 4th was their standout (Izaiah Reed). Lavea fires off the ball quickly and does a nice job when taking on double teams. I imagine he’ll compete with Robinson for starting snaps. We needed more quality depth and I think that was accomplished with this addition. This is going to be one physical defense. On a side note, Kent State is going to be really bad.

https://twitter.com/ogescobar/status/1655661803022458889?s=61&t=_TFqePY4lFXUo5BavIxA3w There it is.

Quick update. I’m still working on getting our recent JUCO commitments (and the rest of the MAC) rated. Even if they are all given a 5.2 star, it would catapult this class above Toledo and into 3rd place. It would also place Akron in the top 100.

I actually laughed when you said that. I was just thinking how he always has a heavy amount of starters from Ohio.

Christman committed to Kentucky.

Thanks. I’m assuming Hester and Durant will stay on the scholarships they earned last year, but could be wrong. The guys I’m unsure about are Kilbane, Robarge, and Georges. I’d think they are all on scholarship at this point? I don’t believe any of the kickers or LS are currently on scholarship, but makes sense that the guys who win the position will eventually be placed on scholarship. Although that may not be necessary if they are already on full academic scholarships.

To add a little more context to this that may or may not be useful. All 5 of Illinois’ current RBs are on scholarship, but Bielema will probably add one or two more walk-ons to the position. He is a big proponent of walk-ons as he was originally one himself and in essence uses walk-ons as a way to fill in for the inevitable misses in recruiting. I know they aren’t mentioned here, but South Carolina currently has 3 scholarship RBs (one of them was transitioned from WR in the spring) and 5 walk-on RBs. However, they have an incoming freshman RB and will take another portal RB to get to the 5 scholarship RBs that Beamer prefers. I can’t speak to any of the other teams on this list as I haven’t followed them as closely, this offseason, as Illinois and Carolina.

Not sure if this is a commitment or just more pics from his visit. In any case, offer out to New Mexico State DT Lama Lavea. He played nearly 300 snaps and started 2 games last year.

Offer to Maryland OT Keon Kindred. Former and current 3 star. His potential is in-line with Landers in my opinion. Would be a big get.

Any idea where we stand? If my math is right, we’ve added as many scholarship players as we’ve lost. We are still offering guys so we must have at least a few scholarships still open. I think we are at 81 now, but not totally sure. It’s some of the remaining players from the Arth era that is throwing me off.

I’m not sure how many of those are on scholarship. Most FBS schools carry 4-5 scholarship RBs. 6 is usually the max unless the school has a run heavy offense. I think we were at 5 last year (A. Williams moved to WR), but then bumped to 6 once Hester was put on scholarship. Kent is currently slotted to bring in 4 more RBs - 2 freshmen and 2 transfers. Although I’m not sure what kind of offense they will run or if they plan to keep all of those guys at RB. Or if they are all on scholarship. Burns was a RB himself and also coached RBs for a large portion of his coaching career, so maybe he prefers more? NIU added a RB from the portal, so that should put them at 5. (Somewhat interesting note) Flowers, the incoming NIU RB, played at Irmo HS in South Carolina. Irmo HS is Dutch Fork HS rival where our own DiMarco Johnson played.

Offer to Purdue DE Tristan Cox. Former 3 star ILB that looks to have grown into a DE.

Offer to All-Conference D2 WR Jaylon Tillmon.

You’re 100% correct in regards to recruiting. Miami has landed some high quality players, but it doesn’t guarantee anything. In today’s world portal recruiting is just as important (both in retention and additions) as HS recruiting and there is a long way to go. I can’t say when Rivals will update anything. They are still working to update a system that’s been around since the early 2000s. I’ve pushed for a MAC conference site to report on all conference happenings, as well as create individual team recruiting links (similar to 247), but I haven’t gotten much feedback on either of those.

Bump for update. It won’t stay this way, but Miami is now in the Top 25.

Offer to Louisiana Tech DT Keveionta Spears.

Bump for update. I’m excited about this group. Curious to see if we add another back due to Price’s injury. Here is some film on Anderson when Arizona played Oregon in 2021. Highlights are: 5:09 7:21 7:39 10:15 10:31

Offer to Charlotte IOL Trevor Timmons. I guess if we landed him we could count it as a trade for Jordan Daniels?

I could be mistaken, but I believe Bauer was playing on the edge in the SG (despite being listed as ILB on the roster). If I recall correctly, he played as a standup edge in HS. And I’m pretty sure I remember Pollard getting beat for a touchdown in the 2nd half of the SG. Looks like Pollard already has a few options, which is good to see. The chances of them seeing significant snaps was minimal with the way recruiting is going. Hope both of them land somewhere.

Looks like a spoke too soon. 🤣

99% sure this is who I saw coach Wart with at the SG. JUCO DT Jaden Hamlin.

Wow, I can imagine how things are around your house right now. Hope all goes as smoothly as possibly! We didn’t get to see a ton from Lingard, but I liked what I saw. What impressed me the most was his vision and determination to push the run vertically at every opportunity. Lingard almost created an explosive play until a LB made an excellent open field tackle (don’t recall which LB it was though). He also had a nice touchdown run. I imagine Lingard will receive most of the load, but I feel good about Kellom too. Hester looked as shifty as ever. Looking forward to what Anderson brings when he arrives. I can’t wait for the fanbase to see this secondary in action. I didn’t mention Darrian Lewis earlier when I should have. He’s another one that has noticeably added on mass. He was already physical before and clearly isn’t going to relinquish his role without a fight. Golden-Nelson is healthy and looked like the player we thought he would be. I’m not sure how the staff will keep Terence Thomas off the field. Kid has All-MAC potential written all over him. Maybe not this year, but soon. At the moment, we have 3 JUCO DEs coming in. Chances are not all of them will pan out. Even so, still have to count on at least one of them being productive. They all seem to have the physical measurables in terms of frame, length, and ability to run and bend. Unfortunately, we don’t know what their development will look like or how quickly they will help.

Seems that way. I know the RB and LB were listed on the spring roster. I think the K was too, but not 100% sure. The RB has already committed to Northern Iowa and played for several JUCOs.

The second transfer portal window is closed for entries. It seems we came out unscathed after the spring game, which is a pleasant surprise. I figured at least 1 or 2 would enter. Final MAC portal departures: NIU = 27 Akron = 21 EMU = 21 Kent = 20 Buffalo = 16 BGSU = 16 Miami = 15 Ball = 13 CMU = 11 WMU = 11 Toledo = 9 Ohio = 9 Of Note: - All players were tracked regardless of scholarship status. Meaning some were walk-ons. - There is always the chance I missed a player here or there. - NIU had 3 of their 2023 recruits hit the portal by the end of spring.

Spring Game definitely changed my thinking as it looks like T. Williams and K. Davis are ready to roll. I can’t wait to see what the incoming players bring, but for now, I’m going with the line Undercuffler was basically playing behind in the SG. LT - Landers (So.) LG - Kilbane (R. So.) C - T. Williams (R. Fr.) RG - K. Davis (R. Fr.) RT - N. Williams (Jr.) Chambers can more than hold his own at either tackle spot and I imagine incoming transfer Ben Hobert is expecting to compete for meaningful snaps in his final year of eligibility. Chances are we bring in at least one more IOL with the ability to push for a starting spot. If I recall correctly, Hale-Frater was playing one of the guard spots in the SG and did some good things. Toss in Robarge, George, and Lyons for depth and I’m excited about where this line is headed. If James develops near the pace of Landers from last year, how do we keep him off the field? HS film definitely did not tell the full story on James. Keep doing your thing coach JRod.