catdaddyp

Sounds like the Bowling Green crowd has heard enough and the season hasn’t even started.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Cornerbacks (in my opinion): OHIO - Byron Pearson HUDL FILM BUFFALO - Charles McCartherens HUDL FILM EASTERN MICHIGAN - Jaheim Jenkins HUDL FILM CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Jamari Allen HUDL FILM BUFFALO - Jayden Lewis HUDL FILM Cornerback was the position group I struggled with the most. Some of the players listed as Cornerbacks by the recruiting services look like safeties to me or mostly played in the box in HS, so I did not include them as CB. I was hesitant to list Jayden Lewis here as he mostly played Nickel and on offense, but did play some on the outside as a CB. I decided to include him since he’s an impressive athlete and Buffalo listed him as CB. If there was a 6th and 7th slot I would include our two CBs. I feel similar about the other position groups in where our guys weren’t far off from the top 5 and in the end may prove they deserved to be there. Take it for what’s it’s worth as all I have to judge on is highlight film and have not seen any of these players in person (except DT Sid Kaba who is absolutely as good as his billing).

I suspect JoeMo will receive more and more interest as the years go on, especially as this program starts winning games consistently. Akron really is a sleeping giant with the staff and facilities in place. The team’s success this year will catch almost everyone by surprise outside of the fanbase and coaching circles. Or maybe some in the fanbase will still be surprised?

Top 5 HS/JUCO Safeties (in my opinion): MIAMI - Mychal Yharbrough HUDL FILM AKRON - David Jester HUDL FILM CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Mark-Allen Gay HUDL FILM BOWLING GREEN - Tracy Revels HUDL FILM BUFFALO - Devon Rainey HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Linebackers (in my opinion): 1) MIAMI - Malcolm McCain HUDL FILM 2) EASTERN MICHIGAN - Jaivian Norman HUDL FILM 3) BOWLING GREEN - David Afogho HUDL FILM 4) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Marcus Woodley HUDL FILM 5) BOWLING GREEN - Jabari Mitchell HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Defensive Tackles (in my opinion): 1) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Sid Kaba HUDL FILM 2) TOLEDO - Wayne Peart HUDL FILM 3) OHIO - Kobi Gorman HUDL FILM 4) BOWLING GREEN - James Thomas HUDL FILM 5) AKRON - Marcus Moore HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Defensive Ends/Edge (in my opinion): 1) EASTERN MICHIGAN - Messiah Blair HUDL FILM 2) BUFFALO - Dion Crawford HUDL FILM 3) BOWLING GREEN - Alijah Williams HUDL FILM 4) AKRON - Kameron Cheatom HUDL FILM 5) BUFFALO - Devonyal Lofton HUDL FILM

We have 3 scholarship DEs on the roster for spring ball. Guessing Richardson will be used as a 4th. On the bright side, Dall will have every opportunity to claim a spot in the rotation.

Daranijo and K.Adams are no longer listed on the roster. I believe Conroy walked at senior day, but seems to be back for another season.

Junior OT Caleb Herring is no longer listed on the roster. Frank, Mann, and Morris are not yet on campus, but looks like James is.

Dall and Jones are on campus. Looks like Rabah, Cheatom, and Moore have yet to arrive.

Senior “OLB” Ryan McClain is no longer listed on the roster. He did not see the field in 2022. Corey Thomas is still listed as “OLB” but I don’t know if that’s accurate.

Redshirt freshman Anthony Stallworth is no longer listed on the roster. He came in with the 2022 class, but did not see any action.

Brycen Yarmo is no longer listed on the roster. That should put us at 5 scholarship tight ends with 1 former walk-on.

Looks like the roster is still being updated, but former Walk-on WR Jameel Williamson is no longer listed. I’m guessing the freshmen trio of Norton, Louis, and Davis will not be early enrollees. Also, Anthony Williams is still listed as a RB. We’ll see if that changes.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Offensive Line (in my opinion): 1) NORTHERN ILLINOIS - Michael Jimmar HUDL FILM 2) CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Jacob Booth HUDL FILM 3) NORTHERN ILLINOIS - Thomas Paasch HUDL FILM 4) TOLEDO - Cole Rhett HUDL FILM 5) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Luke Zanotti HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Tight Ends (in my opinion): 1) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Brennan Wooten HUDL FILM 2) AKRON - Conner Cravaack HUDL FILM 3) CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Jesiah Stevens-Silva HUDL FILM 4) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Jack Parker HUDL FILM 5) BOWLING GREEN - Jacob Harris HUDL FILM

Top 5 HS/JUCO Wide Receivers (in my opinion): 1) OHIO - Chase Hendricks HUDL FILM 2) EASTERN MICHIGAN - Joe Walker HUDL FILM 3) BUFFALO - Jevell Fugerson HUDL FILM 4) AKRON - Paul Davis HUDL FILM 5) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Logan Lester HUDL FILM

Yep, EMU certainly seems to be recruiting at a high level. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought I heard they have been heavily investing in their football program. If Buffalo can get an offense to match their defense, they will be cooking. They need better QB play. Jamari Ford is more of a utility back and not an every down back due to his size. He is explosive though and will probably see time in the slot and especially as a returner on special teams. I think Western Michigan had an off-balanced class. Very top heavy and Hartwell definitely lands with some of their guys at the top.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Running Backs (in my opinion): 1) EASTERN MICHIGAN- Deion Brown HUDL FILM 2) OHIO - Rickey Hunt HUDL FILM 3) BUFFALO - Jamari Ford HUDL FILM 4) BUFFALO - Lamar Sperling HUDL FILM 5) WESTERN MICHIGAN - Tre Hartwell HUDL FILM

Agree, CMU really lucked out as Jefferson is probably the most physically gifted out of the bunch. I’d be happy with commitments from any of the top 4. I think Steele and Jefferson have the most potential. In his film, Steele was often creating plays due to the pocket breaking down. Seems to me he could thrive in the right system and do plenty of damage with his legs and arm. Winters is the most polished and throws a beautiful ball. He is also a surprisingly good runner. JUCO QBs usually aren’t as highly recruited as HS QBs, but Udengwu definitely seems to be a good one from his film. He has 3 years to play 2 so he doesn’t have quite as long to contribute as the HS prospects. An argument could be made for any type of reordering amongst the top 4. Maybe I’m a little biased, but I think Steele has the best chance at being the most successful due to the scheme he’ll be playing in and who will be coaching him.

Top 5 HS/JUCO Quarterbacks (in my opinion): 1) AKRON - Steele Wasel HUDL FILM 2) CENTRAL MICHIGAN - Tyler Jefferson HUDL FILM 3) OHIO - Jacob Winters HUDL FILM 4) EASTERN MICHIGAN - Ike Udengwu HUDL FILM 5) TOLEDO - RJ Johnson HUDL FILM

I should have also added how impressive it is to even be in the conversation with the upper level of the MAC at this stage. It’s hard to recruit to a program that hasn’t won much recently and it takes a special type of competitor willing to make that leap. If the wins roll in like I expect, I bet the 2024 class will be dynamite.

Depends on how the HC wants everything set up. In general, one of the coaches is assigned “Recruiting Coordinator” and he assigns territory for each coach to recruit. Position coaches will still have a part in recruiting someone at their position no matter what territory. The Director of Recruiting has a wide range of responsibilities from watching film, coordinating visits and camps, making sure contact is being made with recruits, etc. A number of teams also hire a Director of On-Campus recruiting. Typically position coaches have the ability to offer scholarships to whoever they wish, but in the end the HC will have the final say of who the priority targets are.

Very true.