catdaddyp

I don’t know much about either of them. Morgan’s track record makes me question what’s going on with him. 2 years at MSU, transfers to UK for a year, transfers to Miami of Ohio, and now in the portal again. Chandler led a Big 12 team in tackles last year with 110 total, so I’d like to think he’d be able to step right in and produce here. I’m certain there will be some more transfer activity after spring ball. This staff sounds determined to reshape this roster one way or another - by internal development or bringing in more portal players.

2025 offered players will be posted below. Outstanding Portal Offers: Artis Cole - WR - Louisiana-Monroe (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - 1/2/2025 Alex Atcavage - OL - FAU (NR) - 12/7/2024 J’Shun Bodiford - OL - Middle Tennessee State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - 12/31/2024 Thomas Inge - OL - VMI (NR) - 1/13/2025 Javirea Moore - OL - East Texas A&M (NR) - 4/11/25 Nick Reimer - OL - Bowling Green (NR) - 12/9/2024 Isaac Tavo - OL - West Liberty (NR) - 12/24/2024 Davis Watson - OL - Cornell (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - 10/25/2024 Amaury Wiggins - OL - Arkansas (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - 12/10/2024 Jamall Thompson - DE - Samford (NR) - 4/5/2025 Stephon Wright - DE - Texas Southern (NR) - 12/9/2024 Macyo “Taz” Williams - DT - Utah State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - 4/4/2025 JUCO Offers: Makai Sat - OL (NR) - 1/23/25 Shefon Boyd - DT (NR) - 1/10/25 Damien Burgueno - DT (NR) - 1/10/25 Darien Jackson - DT (NR) - 1/6/25 Tyson Toscano - DT (NR) - 1/14/25 Rudy Vargas - DT (NR) - 12/14/24 Removed 2025: Chase Belcher - RB - West Georgia (5.4) ⭐️ = Kennesaw State Hahsaun Wilson - RB - Charlotte (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = UTEP DJ Black - WR - DII (NR) = UCF Tim Grear - WR - Fresno State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = AKRON TJ McWilliams - WR - Minnesota (NR) = Louisville Tyshawn Russell - WR - South Carolina (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Syracuse Levi Wentz - WR - Albany (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Kansas JaQuan Adams - OL East Tennessee State (5.7) 3 ⭐️ = Tulsa Christian Anderson -OL - Alabama A&M (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Southern Miss Trey Bedosky - OL - UAB (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Liberty Mason Bowers - OL - Kennesaw State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Charlotte Nevell Brown - OL - Alabama A&M (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = New Mexico Travis Burke - OL - FIU (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Memphis Isaiah Cook - OL - Delaware State (NR) = Withdrew Peyton Ellis - OL - East Texas A&M (NR) = Marshall James Faminu - OL - Temple (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = UNLV Will Flowers - OL - Valdosta State (NR) = App State Shamarr Jackson OL - New Mexico State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = App State DJ Johnson- OL - Western Kentucky (NR) = AKRON Gregory Allen Jones - OL - West Alabama (NR) = AKRON Kyrik Mason - OL - Georgia State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Kent State Jeremiah Mawali - OL - Valdosta State (NR) = James Madison Patrick Methlie - OL - DII (NR) = Delaware Rene Miller - OL - Alcorn State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Kennesaw State Nikola Milovac - OL - South Florida (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Kennesaw State Cole Morgan - OL - Michigan (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Rice Jacob Otts - OL - Rhose Island (NR) = Middle Tennessee State Cooper Sheehan - OL - New Mexico State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Northern Arizona Jack Dunkley - DE - Duquesne (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = Withdrew Cyrus Durham - DE - Arizona (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = AKRON Lacota Dippre - DE - Charlotte (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = James Madison Dawan Martin - DE - Youngstown State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Wyoming Jacob Psyk - DE - Harvard (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = UC Davis Dylan Fisher - DT - Ohio Dominican (NR) = Central Michigan Rushawn Lawrence - DT - Stony Brook (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Minnesota Hunter Sloan - DT - Cornell (NR) = Monmouth Qwyn Williams - DT - DII (NR) = Hawaii Sascha Garcia - CB - William & Mary (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Wake Forest Ben Kamara - CB - Upper Iowa (NR) = AKRON Zach Lewis - CB - Northern Arizona (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = North Dakota Alex McLaughlin - CB - Northern Arizona (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = Washington Tyrell Raby - CB - Middle Tennessee State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Grambling Ed Rhambo - CB - Bowling Green (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Nevada Kaelin Drakeford - S - Eastern Illinois (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Chattanooga DaSheen Jackson - S - Alabama State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = UAB Dwight Lewis - S - NAIA (NR) = Mississippi State Kevin Gallic - LS - New Hampshire (NR) = Nebraska Josiah Kennard - LS - East Texas A&M (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = James Madison JUCO Devin Ellison - WR (5.7) 3 ⭐️ = Washington State John Gayer - DE (5.8) 4 ⭐️ = California Andrew Marshall - DE (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Eastern Michigan Kenton Simmons - DE (NR) = FIU Micah Wing - DE (NR) = Ball State Jakwon McGinney - DT (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Arkansas State Desean Watts - DT (NR) = Sacramento State Removed 2024: Zevi Eckhaus - QB - Bryant (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Jacksonville State Ben Finley - QB - California (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = AKRON Dylan Downing - RB - Purdue (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Miami (OH) Jawarn Howell - RB - SC State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = South Carolina Antwain Littleton - RB - Maryland (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Temple Marquese Williams - RB - Minnesota (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = AKRON Cortez Braham - WR - West Virginia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Nevada Jaylen Varner - WR - Emporia State (NR) = Minnesota Dariyan Wiley - WR - ULM (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Nevada DeShawn Hanika - TE - Iowa State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Kansas Logan Kyle - TE - Vanderbilt (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = James Madison Thomas Buxton - OL - Stonehill (5.2) 2 ⭐️ = Rhode Island Eli Fields - OL - Southern (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = AKRON Alex Foster - OL - Utah Tech (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Colorado State Kyle Frazier - OL - Savannah State (NR) = Georgia Southern Zach Greenberg - OL - Muhlenberg (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = North Carolina Jemeil Jackson - OL - Fort Valley State (NR) = Central Michigan CJ James - OL - New Mexico (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = UTSA Quincy Jenkins - OL - Campbell (NR) = James Madison Tyler McMillan - OL - Northwestern State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = SEMO Connor Meadows - OL - Tennessee (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Tennessee State Kamar Missouri - OL - Rutgers (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = UTSA Jordan Moko - OL - Texas A&M (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = Charlotte Daniel Ogundipe - OL - UTSA (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = FIU Tolu Olajide - OL - Stonehill (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = New Hampshire James Pogorelc - OL - Stanford (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Duke Malachi Preciado - OL - Purdue (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = South Alabama Melvin Priestly - OL - Grambling (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Illinois Nick Reimer - OL - Merrimack (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Bowling Green Brayden Rohme - OL - California (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = UMASS Dayne Shor - OL - UCONN (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = AKRON DJ Wesolak - DE - Missouri (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Oregon State Kendy Charles - DT - Liberty (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = Duke Miguel Jackson - DT - Charlotte (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Utah State Nathan Kapogno - DT - New Hampshire (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = AKRON Sulaiman Kpaka - DT - Purdue (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Mississippi State Terry Lockett - DT - Syracuse (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = James Madison Dion Washington - DT - Nevada (5.7) 3 ⭐️ = Hawaii Rich Benenge - LB - Army (NR) = AKRON Bryquice Brown - CB - Georgia State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Boston Collge Jermarian Jackson - CB - Robert Morris (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = FIU James Monds - CB - Indiana (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Middle Tennessee State Doug Newsome - CB - Charlotte (5.2) 2 ⭐️ = UT Martin Micah Robinson - CB - Furman (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = Tulane Anthony Romphf - CB - Western Michigan (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Charlotte Khalil Baker - S - NC Central (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Elon CJ Brown - S - Northern Illinois (5.2) 2 ⭐️ = Bowling Green SaVeon Brown - S - Western Michigan (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Buffalo Eltayeb Bushra - S - Fairmont State (NR) = Charlotte Malcolm Folk - S - Syracuse (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Kent State Andreas Keaton - S - Western Carolina (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Temple Keyshawn Cobb - S - West Virginia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Nevada Davis Mallinger - S - West Virginia (5.2) 2 ⭐️ = Nevada Blake Ruffin - S - Eastern Illinois (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Louisville Da’Quan Thomas - OL - NC Central (NR) = AKRON Carson Heidecker - OL - Notre Dame College = Ohio Braxton Hicks - WR - Georgia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Austin Peay Christopher Fitzgerald - DT - Youngstown State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ = Eastern Michigan D’Andre Richard - OL - Northwestern State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = Southern Ardell Banks - WR - Kentucky (5.6) 3 ⭐️ = Kent State Jude Okolo - DT - FAU (NR) = Marshall Dimitri Madden - DT - UTEP (NR) = AKRON Jayden Bass - OL - Syracuse (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = UCONN Xavier Jennings - OL - Lenoir-Rhyne (NR) = Mercer Anthony Chideme-Alfaro - CB - Cornell (5.2) 2 ⭐️ = North Dakota State Jordan Hall - OL - Monmouth (NR) = Liberty Zy Brockington - DT - Memphis (5.4) 2 ⭐️ = AKRON Marquez Dortch - WR - California - NR (4/29/2024) Steven Mahar - TE - Syracuse (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (12/22/2023) Cole Birdow - OL - Merrimack (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (12/19/2023) Jake Wilson - DE - Penn State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (3/11/2024) Ryan Williams - DT - Western Kentucky (5/2/2024) Dave Herard - CB - Virginia (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (12/12/2023) Deshawn Jones - CB - Bowling Green (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (12/7/2023) Terrence Spence - CB - Holy Cross (5.6) 3 ⭐️ (11/28/2023) Ray Gallagher - LS - Stony Brook - NR (4/29/2024) Removed 2023: Diondre Glover - DB - Central Missouri (NR) = Gardner-Webb Tyler Manoa - OL/DL - UCLA (3 ⭐️) = Arizona Jack Daly - DT - Bryant (NR) = FIU Darius Swanson - DB - Nebraska-Kearney (NR) = Tulane Gavin Pringle - DB - Bucknell (2 ⭐️)= Georgia State Jordan Vincent - DB - Eastern Illinois (3 ⭐️)= New Mexico State Nathan Carter - RB - UCONN (3 ⭐️)= Michigan State Alijah Huzzie - DB - East Tennessee State (NR) = UNC Marques Sigle - DB - North Dakota State (3 ⭐️)= Kansas State Jack Forsyth - OL - Howard (2 ⭐️) = Northern Arizona Arsheen Jiles - DB - Sacred Heart (NR) = Sacred Heart Donnell Brown - DL - St. Francis (3 ⭐️)= Maryland Austin Goffney - DB - Lamar (2 ⭐️) = Louisiana-Monroe Terray Jones - DT - Tennessee State (3 ⭐️)= AKRON Lorenzo Lingard - RB - Florida (3 ⭐️) = AKRON Malone Mataele - DB - Utah (3 ⭐️) = Utah State Ahmad Rabah - DE - American International College (3 ⭐️) = AKRON Courtney Jackson - WR - Syracuse (3 ⭐️) = Arkansas State Ches Jackson - OL - Colorado State (2 ⭐️) = Ohio Elijah McAllister - DL - Vanderbilt (3 ⭐️) = Auburn Joey Hunter - DB - South Carolina (2 ⭐️)= AKRON Bilhal Kone - DB - Indiana State (2 ⭐️)= Western Michigan Eric Weaver - DT - VMI (NR) = Kent State Lemuel Watley-Neely - DB - Indiana (2 ⭐️) = Kent State Chris Mayo - OL - West Virginia (3 ⭐️)= Eastern Michigan Keyshawn “Key” Cobb - DB - Buffalo (3 ⭐️) = West Virginia Dakota Thomas - WR - Western Kentucky (2 ⭐️) = AKRON Jimmy Holiday - WR - Tennessee (3 ⭐️) = Western Kentucky Shamari Simmons - DB - Austin Peay (3 ⭐️)= Arizona State Noah Plack-Tallerico - S - Delaware (2 ⭐️) = UCONN Ugonna Nnanna - OL - Houston (2 ⭐️) = Virginia Kevin Williams Jr. - OL - Nebraska (2 ⭐️) = Charlotte Jayden Gray - Edge - Iowa State (2 ⭐️) = Louisiana Tech Mattheus Carroll - Edge - Virginia Tech (2 ⭐️) = Kent State Hayden Harris - Edge - UCLA (2 ⭐️) = Montana Sebastian Benjamin - Edge - St. Francis (NR) = Western Kentucky DeMarcus Griffin-Taylor - DB - Houston (NR) = Louisiana Tech Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin - WR - Mississippi State (NR) = Mississippi State Ben Frank - OT - Hobart College (NR) = AKRON Judson Tallandier - S - Pittsburgh (2 ⭐️) = AKRON Keonte Glinton - DB - Wyoming (2 ⭐️) = New Mexico State Jasper Parks - OL - Sioux Falls (NR) = Charlotte Shemar Hobdy-Lee - OL - FIU (NR) = Houston Courtney Eubanks - CB - North Dakota State (NR) = Coastal Carolina AJ George - OL - Cincinnati (NR) = AKRON Tyrell Raby - DB - Memphis (NR) = Middle Tennessee State Matt Lawson - DT - Fresno State (2 ⭐️)= Northwestern Richie Hagarty - DE - SIU (3 ⭐️)= Northwestern Quae Drake - LB - Louisiana-Monroe (NR) = Jacksonville State Joshua Wiggins - CB - Colorado (NR) = Liberty Nyzier Fourqurean - CB - Grand Valley State (NR) = Vanderbilt Keon Kindred - OT - Maryland (3 ⭐️) = AKRON Lama Lavea - DT - New Mexico State (NR) = AKRON Joshua Blanchard - OL - South Florida (NR) = AKRON Tristan Cox - DE - Purdue (3 ⭐️) = Ohio Jaylon Tillman - WR - Grand Valley State (NR) = Bowling Green Jude Okolo - DT - Illinois State (NR) = FAU Trevor Timmons - IOL - Charlotte (NR) = Georgia State Nate Martey - DT - Princeton (NR) = Arkansas State Michael Shanahan - OL - Texas Tech (2 ⭐️) = Western Michigan Finn Dirstine - OL - Boston College (NR) = Texas A&M Ty Robinson - WR - Colorado (2 ⭐️) = Ball State Phaizon Wilson - WR - Grambling (NR) = AKRON Keveion’ta Spears - DT - Louisiana Tech (NR) = Memphis Josh Castro - OL - Cal Lutheran (D3) (NR) = Nevada Danny Valenzuela - IOL - Arizona State (2 ⭐️) = Texas State Trevell Mullen - CB - Indiana (3 ⭐️) = Liberty Jesus Gibbs - DE - Towson (NR) = N/A Anthony Bauer - OL - Louisiana-Monroe (NR) = N/A

Good question. Ognenovic is gone after this year no matter what. I’m wondering if there will be 1 or 2 scholarship tight ends transfer out before the 2022 season begins. Also, it’s possible some of the scholarship tight ends listed on the roster aren’t at spring ball and we haven’t been notified as of yet.

Interesting offer. He has some sneaky athleticism and length. It’s clear this staff is targeting OL and TEs that are fairly athletic, have long frames, and possess the ability to add on plenty more mass. Definitely a developmental type player, but could turn out to be a productive one in a few years.

Haha! Whatever gets the ball rolling! We’re all hungry for more information and it’s good to see some being produced. Everything I put on the board is just opinion and speculation from the small amount of film and info. available to us. I’d love to be able to attend the practices, but living 2 hours away prevents that.

Good question. Although if anything the rules would be loosened as opposed to tightened as the NCAA is losing their control - especially over Power 5 schools - with each passing year. Currently a kid can change his verbal commitment as much as he wants, but once he signs he’s obligated to attend the school he signed with. However, if there is a head coach change, the recruit can request his release and the school can grant the release. Where it gets messy is when a recruit signs and doesn’t qualify for acceptance. He’ll still count towards the 25 yearly scholarship limit for the school (except in 2022 where it could be up to 32 scholarships). A way around that is blueshirting - in essence borrowing a scholarship from the following year - or potentially giving a former walk-on who is already on the roster a scholarship.

Sorry, I’m not sure I understand your question. Kids can be offered scholarships at any time in high school (or younger in a handful of cases) but there are rules determining how much and what type of contact coaches can make with the prospect.

Wiley definitely looks bigger than 180lbs in the clips we’ve seen. What I can’t grasp is the difference in the reported weights. It’s not just 5 or 10 pounds we’re talking about, but 35lbs gained in one offseason? Regardless, I’m excited to see how this group performs in 2022.

Agreed. Not to say Arth didn’t land some talent, but compared to the linemen Moorhead is bringing in, this recruit doesn’t quite fit the bill. He does have height and length, so that’s something to build on. @LZIp Even if Davis does not make it to campus, he still counts towards 2022 scholarship limit if he already signed his letter of intent. That shouldn’t be an issue though, as we can offer up to 32 scholarships for 2022 - assuming the school and athletic department allow it.

Do you mean high school senior season or college senior season? If you mean college, an offer can’t be “officially” made to a player until the player has entered the portal.

Not sure who else disagreed with you, but I mentioned the reasons why I thought we’d be in a 3-4. Looks like I was incorrect in my assumption. The question now is it actually a 4-3, a 4-2-5, or a hybrid? Richardson is listed as an OLB so is it a true 4 man front? Or is it potentially a dominant 3 man front with a walked down linebacker to the weak side? I have no idea, but we’ll find out soon enough.

Another agile lineman that runs well and has size and length you can’t teach. Like most OL, he’ll need a redshirt year to adjust, but another really nice pickup! https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13262429/61409805d45e6a06a40663f9

He mentioned the front 4 doing a good job, so it sounds like we will be running a 4 down front after all.

Any idea if the game will be televised?

We’re starting to see a lot of Victor Jones, Curtis Harper, and KJ Martin in these clips. It was only one play, but it’s exciting to see Oran Singleton getting matched up one on one with a safety (Martin). Also, Irons got the ball out quickly and (mostly) on target - would have been better if he led Singleton some, but I’m nitpicking here. I can imagine Singleton potentially slipping that tackle and taking it to the house in a game.

Could be a number of different reasons. Teams usually slot the number of players they are going to take at any given position going into the next year. It’s possible other teams filled up their slots early. There could have been some concern about qualifying. Maybe there was a position coach change and the new position coach had different prospects in mind - for example Eric Wolford, who offered a few of our OL while at Kentucky, left Kentucky and went to Alabama. Teams also may have offered and then chose not to push for the prospect after seeing him live or in camp. A good example of that is a few years ago when South Carolina was recruiting our freshly committed safety Nate Thompson, coming out of high school. South Carolina had 5 DBs slotted for that class and ended up pushing for Jaycee Horn (drafted), Israel Mukuamu (drafted), RJ Roderick (starter), Darius Rush (starter), Jonathan Gipson (bust), after getting Thompson in camp. Or it could have simply come down to the recruit feeling at home and promised an opportunity at early playing time. I am wondering what the status of Keylen Davis is. He’s not currently listed on the roster. I hope all that means is he didn’t enroll early and will be arriving in the summer or fall.

I’m not really sure why you felt the need to take a football discussion in a different direction, but to each their own.

If we were going with 4 down linemen, I’d prefer we play a 4-2-5 as opposed to a 4-3. I agree our inside linebacker depth isn’t where it should be. If we had the horses to get pressure and stop the run with 4 down linemen, I’d be all about the 4-3, but I don’t think we currently do. In any case, the coaching staff isn’t asking my opinion, so it remains to be seen what we come out in. In my opinion, the 25 scholarship a year rule needs to be done away with. In general, about 1/3 of the 25 signees don’t pan out - whether that’s due to grades, attitude/effort/immaturity, poor fit, poor evaluation by the coaches, or whatever other reason. So the math doesn’t work out like it should. Instead of having 100 scholarship players in 4 years, its more like 65-70. That’s why many coaches push for more walk-on spots (decided by the school), so those scholarship players that don’t work out can be replaced by a walk-on who can get the job done. You see this happen alot on teams that have depth issues. The best example I’ve seen of this is Jaylen Foster from South Carolina going from walk-on to All-American. That’s an extreme example, but you get my point. I’d rather the NCAA allow any number of scholarships to be given each year that’ll get to the 85 limit. NCAA tried to prevent coaches from running players off with the 25 limit, but now that the transfer portal has changed the landscape, why not do away with the 25 limit too?

The defensive backs were not elite, but were quietly solid in 2023 - finishing with the 4th best pass defense in the MAC. Pass defense improved to 187.3 YPG, which is an upgrade from 243.8 YPG in 2022. The DBs will look to take another step forward with a lot of new faces and a new cornerbacks coach. (CB) Alex Branch - [Redshirt Senior, New] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Kent State. Malcolm DeWalt - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - NR (JUCO) - Long DB with excellent size. DeWalt is physically ready to contribute and can play most positions in the secondary, but is best suited at cornerback. DeWalt has excellent hand/eye coordination and is able to fight off blocks due to his size and reach. DeWalt enrolled post spring. JUCO FILM Silas Proby - [Redshirt Senior, Returning) - NR (HS) / NR (Portal) - Physical defensive back that has the tools and frame to see time at cornerback and Nickel. Proby did not see the field in 2023 and redshirted. JUCO FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD Ben Kamara - [Redshirt Junior, New] - NR (HS) / NR (Portal) - Transfer from Upper Iowa (DII) where he was 2nd Team All-Conference. Iesa Jarmon - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (JUCO) - JUCO transfer. Lazy rating by Rivals as Jarmon was a 3 ⭐️ commitment to Cincinnati in the 2021 class. Jarmon is a physical and versatile defensive back that can play anywhere in the secondary. He is an impressive athlete and his physical abilities match up with his HS rating. Jarmon should immediately compete for playing time. Jarmon did not participate in the 2024 spring game. JUCO FILM * Elijah Reed - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.6) 3 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Kentucky. Reed was heavily sought after by Kentucky, Utah, and Purdue coming out of HS. He was a key special teams player at UK, but rarely saw the field on defense. Reed has the potential to become an All-Conference player if he develops. He has the ability to play any position in the secondary, but will likely stick at cornerback. Reed arrived post spring. HS FILM Catrell White - [Redshirt Sophomore , Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Cornerback who is not afraid to come up and assist in run support. White reads the flight of the ball well and has a sense of when to make contact and knock the ball loose. He played in 1 game on special teams and redshirted. White worked opposite Golden-Nelson in the spring and will be ready to contribute this season. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD. Keyveon Johnson - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Former WR that transferred high schools and converted to DB. A little raw as a DB, yet long and athletic. Expect Johnson to redshirt in 2024. Johnson arrived after the spring. Katory Henry-Shaw - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - NR - Walk-on. HS FILM * (NB/S) Darrian Lewis - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Lewis is physical, a former HS WR, and turned out to be a great fit at Nickel. He played in all 12 games and started 8 in 2022. Lewis took a step forward in 2023 and was the second highest rated defensive back. He started 7 of the 12 games he playing in, collecting 74 total tackles, half a sack, and 3 passes defensed. Lewis will be the starter at NB. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: Somewhat early but probably (5.4) 2 ⭐️. Aman Greenwood - [Redshirt Senior, New] - (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Grad transfer from Syracuse with 2 years of eligibility. Greenwood started 7 games in 2020 and has seen significant action on defense in 15 games since then. He is a physical player and sure tackler that could play Safety or Nickel. Greenwood should immediately push for a starting position. Greenwood participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * - Portal Offers: Western Kentucky. * Terence Thomas - [Redshirt Junior, Returning] - (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Thomas signed with Purdue’s 2022 class. However, he was released from his scholarship and never saw playing time. Thomas would probably be productive on either side of the ball, but will be slotted at Nickel. Thomas has plenty of potential to become a big time contributor, but only saw action in 4 games in 2023 on special teams. Thomas participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: TBD. (S) Justin Anderson - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - NR (JUCO) - All-conference JUCO DB. Anderson is a long and rangy defensive back that could play anywhere in the secondary. Anderson is at his best when coming downhill and is not afraid to assist in run support. He flips his hips well enough to play corner, but may be best suited at safety. Daymon David - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - (5.8) 4 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Oregon. David was a 4 star recruit coming out of HS that has not lived up to the billing as of yet. He possesses all of the physical characteristics that a 4 star would and could become an impact player. David was pushing for a starting spot in the spring. HS FILM. * DiMarco Johnson - [Redshirt Senior, Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Johnson is an athlete with size and length. He’ll go get the ball and displays excellent hand-eye coordination. Johnson was coached well in high school, playing for one of the premier programs in South Carolina. Johnson did not see the field in 2022, but played in all 12 games on special teams in 2023. He collected 6 total tackles. Johnson participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ may be accurate. Mekhi Flowers - [Redshirt Junior, New] - (5.8) 4 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.6) 3 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from Penn State. Jamari Somerville - [Redshirt Sophomore, New] - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (HS) / (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (Portal) - Transfer from James Madison. Rodrick Hunter - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Early enrollee and hard hitting safety that understands angles. Rodrick reads the flight of the ball well and will aggressively come up in run support. He has the potential to eventually become an all-conference player, but will probably redshirt his freshman year. HS FILM * Tairan Davis - [Freshman, New] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - HS FILM As expected, a number of defensive backs hit the portal this offseason. 9 new players were brought in with 7 of them from the portal or JUCO. Similar to the defensive line situation during the 2023 peaseason, the DBs have a ton of athleticism, length, and physicality, but there are still many questions to be answered. The only known starters at the moment are Golden-Nelson at one cornerback spot and Darrian Lewis at Nickelback. Every other position in the defensive backfield is open. The good news is no matter who plays, all of the DBs now physically look the part of a G5/P5 athlete and will benefit from a stout defensive front. Scholarship Players: Darrian Lewis DiMarco Johnson Catrell White Terence Thomas Silas Proby Justin Anderson Iesa Jarmon Keyveon Johnson Rodrick Hunter Daymon David Aman Greenwood Macolm DeWalt Elijah Reed Tairan Davis Alex Branch Ben Kamara Jamari Somerville Added: Tairan Davis Alex Branch (TP) Ben Kamara (TP) Jamari Somerville (TP) Mekhi Flowers (TP) Removed: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - Paul Lewis = Graduation. (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - Darius Owens = TP (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - Noel Roach = TP (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - Devonte Golden-Nelson = West Virginia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - Joey Hunter = TP NR - Sean Conroy - Walk-on = Graduation. NR - Davion Jennings - Walk-on - TP Removed Before 2024 Season: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - S Rishad Hence - TP = Eastern Kentucky (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - S Jaden Woods - TP = East Tennessee State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - CB Judson Tallandier - Graduation (5.7) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - S Nate Thompson - Graduation. (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - S KJ Martin - TP = NC State (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - CB Cameron Threatt - TP (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - CB Tyson Durant - TP = Washington State (5.5) 3 ⭐️ (TP) - S Corey Thomas - TP = Virginia (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - S MyJaden Horton - TP? NR - S David Jester - JUCO NR - CB Zayden Laing-Taylor - JUCO Removed Before 2023 Season: (5.7) 3 ⭐️ - Jaylen Kelly-Powell = Grad. - Star Rating Take: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Chu Ogbonna = Retired = Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Charles Amankwaa = TP Rutgers - Star Rating Take: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Ronald Jackson = TP Montana - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (5.5) 3 ⭐️ - Jalen Hooks = Grad. - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Adetutu Daranijo = Retired - Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ NR - Joe Malchesky = TP Robert Morris - Walk-on NR - Logan Day = Grad. - Walk-on NR - Kavari Adams = TP? - Walk-on NR - Dontae Pollard = TP - Walk-on Before 2022 season: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Woobendy Guerrier = Retired. - Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Randy Cochran Jr. = Retired. - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ NR - Nasari Jackson - Walk-on NR - Quentin Woodall - Walk-on

This staff is doing work! Thompson had Power 5 offers from NC State, Purdue, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Duke, and Wake Forest coming out of high school. I’d be surprised if he isn’t one of the starting safeties by the time the 2022 season kicks off.

Appreciate the feedback. The reasons I think we’ll run the 3-4 defense is due to what our defensive coordinator ran in the past, as well as the types of players we recruited this year. For example, Harper comes from a 3-3-5 defense and D. Robinson is a fit for DE in the 3-4. If Bubba and Jeslord are the strength of our LBs, wouldn’t we want them running free as much as possible? All defenses have to be flexible within their own scheme to match against different offenses. I’m certainly not saying we stay in a base 3-4 (or any other defense) if we can’t matchup. If a team is in spread, different personnel would be used as a front 7 player - or 2 - would be replaced by DB(s). Unfortunately, none of us know for sure what we’ll be running due to the limited spring ball coverage. What we do know is the 2021 defense was last against the run, last in defensive efficiency, and last in sacks in MAC play. Regardless of where the current roster is best suited personnel wise, changes need to be made. I don’t think we’ll see the same scheme ran as last year as the coaching staff will continue to flip this roster and bring in players that they deem fit best within the schemes being run. Like you mentioned, it’s a good time to shed some players and I’m sure we’ll see some of that after spring - maybe even before spring ball ends.There is some talent on this roster, but we are hurting in quality depth compared to our peers. The tricky part is where we stand numbers wise to the 85 scholarship limit. I don’t know what the NCAA will do next year, but if we go back to the 25 scholarship offer limit per class, we don’t want to lose too many scholarship players at once as we’d then have to fill those spots with walk-ones or rely heavily on blue-shirting. On a side note, Terry started 9 games in 2019 before being replaced by a Power 5 transfer. He also started a handful of games thereafter. That’s what I meant by multi-year starter. How much he’ll play here is yet to be determined, but he’ll certainly have an opportunity to prove himself with this new coaching staff.

Linebacker turned into the strength of the defense in 2023 and the same should be true in 2024. (LB) Cam Hollobaugh - [Redshirt Senior, New] - NR (HS) / NR (Portal) - Transfer from Walsh where he was a DII All-American. Melvin Spriggs - [Redshirt Sophomore, Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ - Spriggs was mostly lined up on the edge in high school and was very active rushing the passer. He was a late commitment in the early 2023 signing period and needed to add some mass. Spriggs did not play in 2023 and redshirted. Spriggs did not participate in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM* Star Rating Take: TBD. Rich Benenge - [Sophomore, Returning] - (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - Transfer from West Point Prep. Akron was in on Benenge in the 2023 recruiting cycle before he eventually decided to sign with Army “Prep.” Benenge is an explosive linebacker that reads and reacts quickly. He has the makeup to eventually become an All-MAC player and it would not be a surprise to see him land on the two deep this year. Benenge participated in the 2024 spring game. HS FILM * Jason Hocker - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Hocker is built in the same vein as Bryan McCoy. He’s an aggressive down hill player who will hit. The linebacker room is deep, so Hocker will probably redshirt this year. Hocker enrolled post spring. HS FILM * Markus Boswell - [Freshman, New] - (NR) - HS FILM Gavin James - [Freshman, New] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - HS FILM Devin Reeves - [Freshman, New] - (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - HS FILM Austin Wondolowski - [Redshirt Sophomore, Returning] - NR - Walk-on. Did not play in 2023. HS FILM * Danny Nittoli - [Redshirt Freshman, Returning] - NR - Walk-on. HS FILM * Linebacker play stood out and an argument could be made this was a top 3 unit in the MAC. Tim Tibesar has flipped the room and collected some physical players. McCoy earned All-MAC honors, while Fish was also deserving. Cooper was a rotational starter that developed into an excellent blitzer. Griffin came on towards the end of the season, played well, and then transferred out. This may be the best linebacking corps in the MAC come 2024. Scholarship Players: Melvin Spriggs Jason Hocker Rich Benenge Gavin James Devin Reeves Markus Boswell Added: Markus Boswell Gavin James Devin Reeves Removed: (5.7) 3 ⭐️ (HS) - Shammond Cooper = Graduated. NR (JUCO) - Antavious Fish - TP (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (HS) - Brian McCoy - TP = Oklahoma State NR - Gage Summers - TP Removed Before 2024 Season: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (TP) - LB Jaharon Griffin - TP = Alcorn State NR - LB Andrew Behm - TP = Southern Illinois NR - LB Camari Harris (walk-on) - TP = N/A Removed Before 2023 Season: (5.6) 3 ⭐️ - Jeslord Boateng = TP Louisiana Tech - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Tim Terry = Grad. - Star Rating Take: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Ryan McClain = Retired. - Star Rating Take: (5.3) 2 ⭐️ (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Luke Bauer = TP Morehead State - Star Rating Take: (5.2) 2 ⭐️ NR - Bubba Arslanian = Grad. - Star Rating Take: (5.6) 3 ⭐️ NR - Emmett Hanna = Retired - Walk-on Before 2022 season: (5.4) 2 ⭐️ - Juan Jarrett = Retired. - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ (5.2) 2 ⭐️ - Reggie Corner = Retired. - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ NR - Yveny Petithomme = Retired. - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ NR - Connor Francz = TP Walsh (DII) - (5.2) 2 ⭐️ NR - Zach DiLauro - Walk-on NR - Myles Carter - Walk-on NR - Kyle Bischof - (Walsh) - Walk-on NR - Nicholas Mayle - Walk-on NR - Jake Miller - (Slippery Rock) - Walk-on NR - Brandon Bischof - (Slippery Rock) - Walk-on

The reason I believe it’s the first team OL is due to several things - Brank is at the TE, Irons is at QB, several of the linemen were starters last year. However, that doesn’t mean each one of them is a starter at this point. Like I said, one or two could be held out for unknown reasons and it’s the next man up. It very well could be Robarge at one of the interior positions, I don’t know. I know you’re a fan of his. If he’s the best OL available, I want him playing. I’m viewing this team with fresh eyes and don’t have a bias towards any of the players. I feel there are some younger guys who have more overall talent that could push for playing time this year. It’s still early, but in the end, I want the best 5 out there that give us a chance to win. It’d be great if we were given a closer look into practice instead of having to speculate on just a handful of plays or drills.

Not a ton to be gleaned here, but it looks like: - Irons and Marousek are throwing together, most likely as the #1 and #2 at this point. - Another highlight of Cam Wiley. He’s running with the first team there. - First team OL looks like Cambers at LT and Daniels at RT. Beckman and Banes on the interior. Can’t tell who the other interior OL is as he has his man pancaked. Chances are it won’t stay that way. Someone might be held out for precautionary reasons and it’s the next man up. Who knows? - On defense, CB Ronald Jackson is the read man for the QB, transfer Victor Jones at DE, transfer DT Curtis Harper getting turned out by Banes, OLB Julian Richardson crashing in on the edge, Jalen Hooks at CB, and KJ Martin at S.