2023 MAC Recruiting

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Gavin Williams = Iowa
(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Davis Patterson = Notre Dame College
(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - LB Tyler Jackson = Incarnate Word
(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - CB Gabriel Amegatcher = Nebraska-Kearney

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Shaad Dabney = Kansas

2 ⭐️ - QB Caleb “CJ” Jordan = Idaho

2 ⭐️ - RB Kendrell Flowers = SC State

2 ⭐️ - K Jake Seibert = Ohio State

NR - WR Cam Thompson = Eastern Illinois

NR - TE Gavin Patrick = Wabash College

27 Portal Departures/ Left Team:

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - OT Marques Cox = Kentucky

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - CB Eric Rogers = Rutgers
(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Harrison Waylee = Wyoming

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - RB Terron Kellman = Charlotte

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - WR Mason Pierre-Antoine = Northern Iowa

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Brandon MacKinnon = UMASS

NR - QB Dustin Fletcher = Alabama A&M

NR - RB Jaiden Credle = Middle Tennessee State

NR - RB Mason Blakemore = Illinois State

NR - RB Azhaun Dingle = Northern Iowa

NR - WR Fabian McCray = Jackson State

NR - WR Jeremiah Howard = Minnesota State

NR - DE Liam Remple = Rutgers

NR - DE Dawson Ripperda = South Dakota State

NR - DT Jeff Griffin = North Dakota

NR - LB Daveren Rayner = Kentucky

NR - LB Ridge Howard = Akron

NR - CB Sam Robertson = Iowa Western

NR - RB Nathan Castor = N/A

NR - RB Brett Bostad = N/A

NR - RB Joshua Brown =N/A

NR - DT Jaylin Adams = N/A

NR - LB Nick Alvarado = N/A

NR - CB Jordan Gandy = N/A

NR - CB Zeke Williams = N/A

NR - K Zach Gordon = N/A

NR - P Logan Jacobson = N/A

Key Graduates:

N/A - WR Cole Tucker = Grad

N/A - TE Liam Soraghan = Grad

N/A - DE Izayah Green-May = Grad

N/A - DE Michael Kennedy = Grad (3rd Team All-MAC)
N/A - LB Kyle Pugh = Grad

TOLEDO = NR National, 8th in MAC*

17 HS/JUCO Signees = #98 National, 6th in MAC

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Julian Allen (FL)

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Donivon Thomas (TN)

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - DT Wayne Peart (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - QB RJ Johnson (GA)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Connor Walendzak (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Jediyah Willoughby (GA)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Sam Smith (OH)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - TE Caesar Ezirim (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Cole Rhett (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Mason Ludwig (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Grant Zimmerly (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DE Laith Shamma (MI)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - LB Chris Dappolonia (PA)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - CB Micah Cherry (MS) (JUCO)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - CB Amare Garrett (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Nicholas Thompson (IN)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Branden Awls (OH)
6 Portal Signees = NR National, 9th in MAC

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Shawn Munnerlyn = Rutgers

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - OT Rod Orr = Florida State

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - DE Travion Ford = Missouri

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT David Nwaogwugwu = Rutgers

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Jackson Cannon = Mississippi State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Jaden Dottin = Penn State

12 Portal Departures/ Left Team:

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR DeMeer Blankumsee = Memphis

NR - WR Mikel Barkley = Fresno State

NR - OT Lavel Dumont = Rice

NR - CB Mike Coleman = Albany

NR - S Jaylon Mines = SEMO

NR - LS Benjamin Lisk = UNLV

NR - RB Lamy Constant = N/A

NR - RB Jordan Lowe = N/A

NR - TE Zach Person = N/A

NR - TE Clay Caudill = N/A

NR - DT Wayne Peart = N/A

NR - LB Nicholas Days = N/A

Key Graduates:

N/A - TE Jamal Turner = Grad
N/A - OT Mitchell Berg = Grad

N/A - OT Kelvin Ateman = Grad

N/A - DE Jamal Hines = Grad (2nd Team All-MAC)

N/A - DE Nate Givhan = Grad

N/A - DT Desjuan Johnson = Grad (1st Team All-MAC)

N/A - LB Dyontae Johnson = Grad (2nd Team All-MAC)

WESTERN MICHIGAN = #89 National, 1st in MAC*

19 HS/JUCO Signees - #90 National, 3rd in MAC

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Logan Lester (IL)
(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - TE Brennan Wooten (IN)
(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - DT Sid Kaba (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB CJ Hester (OH)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - RB Tre Hartwell (TN)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Joey Pope (IL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Joshua Franklin (IL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - WR Tony Martin (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - TE Jack Parker (IL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OL Luke Zanotti (MI)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DE Razah Townsend (MI)

(5.2) 2 ⭐️ - DE Marcel Tyler (IA) (JUCO)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - DT Dalton Gustwiller (OH)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - DT Ryan Wynn (GA) (JUCO)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - DT Isaiah Green (IA) (JUCO)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - LB Marcus Woodley (FL)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Lorenzo Williams (MI)

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Angelo Stockstill (IL)

(5.3) 2 ⭐️ - S Jacob’e Oglesby (MI)

13 Portal Signees = #73 National, 5th in MAC

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - RB Keshawn King = Virginia Tech

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - OT Chad Schuster = Syracuse

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - LB Donald Willis = Minnesota

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - OT Michael Shanahan = Texas Tech

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - CB Bilhal Kone = Indiana State

(5.4) 2 ⭐️ - S Tate Hallock = Michigan State

3 ⭐️ - QB Hayden Wolff = Old Dominion

3 ⭐️ - LB Jacob Wahlberg = Purdue

2 ⭐️ - WR Kenneth Womack- Sacred Heart

2 ⭐️ - WR LeRoy Thomas = VMI

NR - OL Tedi Kushi = LIU

NR - LB Nate Norris = Lehigh

NR - P Cameron Peasley = Utah

11 Portal Departures/ Left Team:

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - RB Sean Tyler = Minnesota

(5.5) 3 ⭐️ - WR Corey Crooms = Minnesota (2nd Team All-MAC)

(5.6) 3 ⭐️ - DE Andre Carter = Indiana (2nd Team All-MAC)

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - DT Braden Fiske = Florida State (2nd Team All-MAC)

(5.7) 3 ⭐️ - LB Ryan Selig = Minnesota

NR - DE Elijah Hawk = Campbell

NR - DT Kenny Givens = Illinois State

NR - RB Kentrell Beck = N/A

NR - CB Chris Jones = N/A

NR - S Christian Rapley = N/A

NR - K Thiago Kapps Kronemberg = N/A

Key Graduates:

N/A - OT Dylan Deatherage = Grad

N/A - DT Warren Dabney = Grad

N/A - LB Corvin Moment = Grad (3rd Team All-MAC)

N/A - LB Zaire Barnes = Grad (1st Team All-MAC)

N/A - CB Dorian Jackson = Grad

N/A - S Bricen Garner = Grad

N/A - S Delano Ware = Grad

Edited December 23, 2023 by catdaddyp

Z.I.P. · January 21, 2023

The ranking for portal signees-- is that a current rank or out of high school? The national rankings I've seen seem to be based entirely on high school recruits, and do not include transfers.

Another thing I notice from looking (for the first time in years). The number and % of 3☆ players seems to have skyrocketed over the years -- MAC schools didn't recruit that high a % of three stars in the past.

https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/consensus-team/football/2023/

catdaddyp · January 21, 2023

32 minutes ago, Z.I.P. said:

The ranking for portal signees-- is that a current rank or out of high school? The national rankings I've seen seem to be based entirely on high school recruits, and do not include transfers.

Another thing I notice from looking (for the first time in years). The number and % of 3☆ players seems to have skyrocketed over the years -- MAC schools didn't recruit that high a % of three stars in the past.

https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/consensus-team/football/2023/

This will be the first year Rivals has incorporated transfer rankings, so I’m not sure if they will be kept separate or combined for an overall team ranking. I separated the HS/JUCO signings from the Portal because right now the team rankings at Rivals only include HS/JUCO. They are just giving individual portal ratings at the moment.

ON3 and 247 give out more 3 stars than Rivals (same is probably true for 4 stars, but I haven’t bothered diving deeper into that). The recruiting services are subscription based and how the companies sustain their business. By giving out more 3 stars, players are more likely to add that to their profiles on social media platforms and in return give those recruiting services more views. Same can be said for team websites as they want to put the players’ best ratings in their player profiles. For the most part, ON3 and 247 would rather leave players at no stars than give a 2 star, however they will give out a handful. Rivals tends to give most G5 commitments 2 stars and usually don’t bother giving FCS players a rating. If a current 3 star commits to a G5, he may keep that rating or may be bumped down. On the flip side, if a 2 star commits to a P5 he has a chance to receive a star bump.

That’s just how the game is played, so take the ratings with a grain of salt. I said months ago that I thought Max Tucker (and Lester Miller amongst a few others) were underrated. Max Tucker is still 2 star but ended up signing with a P5 (Boston College). We have some talented players in this class and, in my opinion, have come very close to closing the overall talent gap with the rest of the MAC. In fact, I believe we’ve already passed a number of teams.

Edited January 21, 2023 by catdaddyp

bigjim · January 21, 2023

CDP,

This may turn out to be the best post in the history of Zipsnation. However, I have a request.😀 For Central Michigan, you posted a link to the HS/JUCO signees. For Miami (OH) there is no link for the HS/JUCO signees. For the remainder of the MAC teams, can I ask if you post a link to the HS/JUCO signees if it is possible? This information would be very enlightening and help to show if the beloved Zips are making recruiting progress on the rest of the MAC.

Muchas Gracias, Thank you very much for this data/information.

Go Zips!!!

catdaddyp · January 21, 2023

5 minutes ago, bigjim said:

CDP,

This may turn out to be the best post in the history of Zipsnation. However, I have a request.😀 For Central Michigan, you posted a link to the HS/JUCO signees. For Miami (OH) there is no link for the HS/JUCO signees. For the remainder of the MAC teams, can I ask if you post a link to the HS/JUCO signees if it is possible? This information would be very enlightening and help to show if the beloved Zips are making recruiting progress on the rest of the MAC.

Muchas Gracias, Thank you very much for this data/information.

Go Zips!!!

Absolutely. The best I could do linking the teams that do not have a Rivals page is the search menu, but that is not a user friendly experience. I’ve sent several ideas to Rivals about how to improve the G5 schools setups. It’s an old database that’s used (2001 I believe), so I’m not sure how much can be done (or will be done).

Would it be beneficial it also include our own recruits on this list?

Ham · January 22, 2023

Hey bigjim, keep in mind that the final rating will come next fall. One must also consider the other side of the equation: what did others loose to the portal ( and graduation) before we try ntp predict where we stand in the MAC. Right now, it looks like we have gained much morer than we lost. What about the rest of ther MAC?

bigjim · January 22, 2023

Hey Ham, I agree with your post in concept, but not yet in reality. Last year, Coach JoeMo signed 20+ TP players and Irons could only beat one FCS team barely while Undercuffler beat one FBS team and nearly a second (without a fumble). When I look at the roster (and I hope I am wrong), it appears that the following key Zips are graduating and leaving the program: Louis, Whigan, Harper, Morton, Victor J, Hawkins, Gettman, Hooks, JK Powell, Smigel, and Terry, in addition to several players who are entering the TP. Not all of these guys were good contributors, but they did contribute. When I look at the Transfer Portal additions to date, we have added very little to help us win games in 2023. Now, with all of the losses to graduation and to the portal, we should have many available scholarships, and I cannot wait to see who Coach JoeMo signs to fill those roster positions.

catdaddyp · January 23, 2023

My opinion regarding HS/JUCO recruiting (in the MAC) for the 2023 class:

- Eastern Michigan should be #1.
- #2-#8 should be between Akron, Central Michigan, Miami, Buffalo, Western Michigan, Toledo, and Ohio. All of these schools have some strong players and there isn’t too much separation between any of them.

- #9-11 should be Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Bowling Green.

- Kent State should be last.

As for the transfers:

- Our class may turn out to be just as strong as any other outside of Kent State. It looks like Burns has taken a similar approach to JoeMo of last year and has decided to really hit the portal hard in his first year. He’s landed some talented players, but it remains to be seen how well they are coached.

I strongly feel we are recruiting on par with the better teams in the MAC at this point. Now it comes down to development and coaching.

I’ll go through and update key departures soon.

Edited January 23, 2023 by catdaddyp

catdaddyp · January 23, 2023

Bump for updates.

catdaddyp · January 24, 2023

I don’t know the ins and outs of all these rosters so if I listed someone who shouldn’t be under key departures for graduation, let me know. I’m just going off a combination of games played and snaps.

Edited January 24, 2023 by catdaddyp

LZIp · January 24, 2023

A lot to digest here, but thanks a lot @catdaddyp! Kent State and WMU lost a lot of talent, with 7 and 6 guys going up to P5 respectively. Though Kent has also hit the portal hard.

catdaddyp · January 24, 2023

1 hour ago, LZIp said:

A lot to digest here, but thanks a lot @catdaddyp! Kent State and WMU lost a lot of talent, with 7 and 6 guys going up to P5 respectively. Though Kent has also hit the portal hard.

It blows my mind how both those teams only managed to win 5 games with the amount of talent they had.

kreed5120 · January 24, 2023

2 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

It blows my mind how both those teams only managed to win 5 games with the amount of talent they had.

It didn't help Kent scheduled Washington, Georgia, and Oklahoma. They do themselves no favors with how they schedule. It's no surprise their coach bolted to be an OC elsewhere

catdaddyp · January 24, 2023

First post is updated. If anyone notices some players I missed, let me know.

Edited March 23, 2023 by catdaddyp

LZIp · January 26, 2023

On 1/22/2023 at 10:02 PM, catdaddyp said:

My opinion regarding HS/JUCO recruiting (in the MAC) for the 2023 class:

- Eastern Michigan should be #1.
- #2-#8 should be between Akron, Central Michigan, Miami, Buffalo, Western Michigan, Toledo, and Ohio. All of these schools have some strong players and there isn’t too much separation between any of them.

- #9-11 should be Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Bowling Green.

- Kent State should be last.

With EMU ranked 8th in the MAC according to your summary, why do you think they should be #1? Some players ranked lower than you think they should be?

catdaddyp · January 26, 2023

27 minutes ago, LZIp said:

With EMU ranked 8th in the MAC according to your summary, why do you think they should be #1? Some players ranked lower than you think they should be?

Yeah, I’m just going off the prospects they have committed. I’m still working on getting some ranked and even though all their new ratings will probably be 2 stars, it should bump them up in the team rankings some.

Heres some junior year film on Messiah Blair. He has the potential to become a monster off the edge.

Here’s film on Joe Walker. Not sure if he’ll play WR or S, but either way he’s impressive.

Here’s film on CB Daiquan White. He’s a kid we offered, but didn’t land.

It’s not just a top heavy class either. For example, they also landed two JUCOs we offered. CB Jaheim Jenkins and Ugo Nosike.

I’m not sure if they will be able to pull off 9 wins again though. Despite having a strong recruiting class, they were a veteran team last year and have some holes to fill.

catdaddyp · January 28, 2023

Here’s a link to the Rivals rating formula in case any one is interested.

Z.I.P. · January 28, 2023

"*At the end of National Signing Day, any prospect that signs with an FBS program, and we have not evaluated, will be assigned a 5.2 Rivals Rating (RR)."

Finally! They've admitted it! 😅

catdaddyp · January 28, 2023

35 minutes ago, Z.I.P. said:

"*At the end of National Signing Day, any prospect that signs with an FBS program, and we have not evaluated, will be assigned a 5.2 Rivals Rating (RR)."

Finally! They've admitted it! 😅

Unfortunately, the follow through on that has not been up to par in recent years. I’ve been pushing for every committed FBS player to have a rating regardless of school (probably to the point of annoyance).

To be honest, many high schools don’t have a single player committing to an FBS school. I do think Rivals is right in giving out a load of 2 stars, especially when you read what their definition of a 2 star should be. On a business level that has since become a detriment since 247 and ON3 give out 3 stars like candy, which boosts their views and mentions.

I’ve made it known when I disagree with a rating, but I’m not always right. It’s hard to judge work ethic and how much adversity a player can handle at the college level.

catdaddyp · January 30, 2023

I don’t know if we recruited this kid, but he just committed to Toledo. I imagine some here have watched him play. Drew Holt from Hoban. If you want a chuckle watch the film starting at 0:18. I laughed, but also felt bad for the poor kid (and his parents) that Holt was mauling.

Hudl film here.

Edited January 30, 2023 by catdaddyp

94zipgrad · January 30, 2023

26 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

I don’t know if we recruited this kid, but he just committed to Toledo. I imagine some here have watched him play. Drew Holt from Hoban. If you want a chuckle watch the film starting at 0:18. I laughed, but also felt bad for the poor kid (and his parents) that Holt was mauling.

Hudl film here.

Had to be PWO, his only offer was a PWO Coastal Carolina, he is 5’10”, definitely not a D1 lineman

catdaddyp · January 30, 2023

3 minutes ago, 94zipgrad said:

Had to be PWO, his only offer was a PWO Coastal Carolina, he is 5’10”, definitely not a D1 lineman

Yep, I’m sure he was a PWO. Only official offers were St. Francis and Dayton. Don’t know if we gave him the same opportunity, but I doubt it. I more so posted this because I got a kick out of his film.

Blue & Gold · January 31, 2023

54 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

I don’t know if we recruited this kid, but he just committed to Toledo. I imagine some here have watched him play. Drew Holt from Hoban. If you want a chuckle watch the film starting at 0:18. I laughed, but also felt bad for the poor kid (and his parents) that Holt was mauling.

Hudl film here.

That block at 0:18 may be the best highlight I've ever seen! 🤣🤣🤣

That was against Barberton 😭😭

Drew Holt was a great HS OL but is definitely a walk-on at the college FBS level.

72 Roo · January 31, 2023

I would love to see us build a pipeline from Hoban to UA, but only with the right kids. I watched the Hudl highlights of him and had to chuckle at his :18 block. reminded me of one of the scenes from Blind Side. I also wondered about his foot speed while at the line. After getting going he seemed to move OK, but when on the line he appeared to have slow feet. Perhaps others feel differently. I bet Joe has better talent coming.

catdaddyp · February 2, 2023

Thread has been updated. I no longer think there is a clear cut leader amongst the MAC teams in recruiting this year. We finished strongly just like a few other teams. I think our only downfall was a failure to land another veteran offensive lineman (on the level of Whigan) and another veteran defensive end out of the portal. Although, I think the players we picked up have some nice upside. There is no doubt we hit home-runs in other areas of this class.

As for worst classes, I think it hands down goes to Northern Illinois with Kent State (solely prep) not far behind. Kent State will probably offset that with what seems to be a strong portal class. Northern Illinois is just flat out rough. They are tied for 5th place in the MAC, but that’s mostly due to sheer numbers. I was trying to figure out who of their 30 recruits might be walk-ons and outside of a few guys I was legitimately stumped….and not in a good way.

Edited February 6, 2023 by catdaddyp

2023 MAC Recruiting

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