Recruiting: Offense & Defense

[catdaddyp]

Here’s a compiled list of recruits (scholarship only) during the Moorhead era. Like all classes, some pan out and some don’t. OL recruiting usually lags behind the skill positions because solid OL are at a premium in the portal and harder to land, while HS signees take longer to develop.
 

QB

In:

2022 - Dijon Jennings (HS)

2022 - Jeff Undercuffler (TP) Albany

2023 - Tahj Bullock (TP) Virginia Tech

2023 - Steele Wasel (HS)

2024 - Brayden Roggow (HS)

2024 - Ben Finley (TP) California

 

Out:

Dijon Jennings = (TP) Weber State

Jeff Undercuffler = Graduation

Steele Wasel = (TP)

 

2022 class - Undercuffler will be remembered for his performance against Kent State this past season. Beyond that, he struggled with consistency. Jennings never saw the field and transferred out. 

 

2023 class - Bullock has all the physical tools to be successful, but was in essence a freshman in a redshirt sophomore’s body. I say that because 2023 was his only true significant action of his college career. If he ever puts it all together, watch out. Until then, he’s a situational player. Wasel had a high ceiling, but did not see the field and transferred out after two springs.

 

2024 class - Roggow and Finley are new additions to the roster. Roggow will be a true freshman, while Finley arrives with the most experience of the current quarterbacks. Looking around the conference, Finley may be one of the better passers in the MAC come 2024. That being said, he will need to work on limiting the turnovers. Expect another QB to be added to the roster before the season starts.

 

 

RB

In:

2022 - Charles Kellom (HS)

2022 - Anthony Stallworth (HS)

2022 - Clyde Price (TP) Kansas State

2022 - Cam Wiley (TP) Minnesota 

2023 - Lorenzo Lingard (TP) Florida

2023 - Drake Anderson (TP) Arizona

2024 - Jordon Simmons (TP) Michigan State

2024 - Marquese Williams (TP) Minnesota

2024 - Sean Patrick (HS)

 

Out:

Anthony Stallworth = N/A

Cam Wiley = (TP) DII

Lorenzo Lingard = Graduation 

Drake Anderson = Graduation

Clyde Price = (TP)

 

2022 class - Wiley and Price split time in the backfield in 2022. Each had their own strengths and weaknesses, yet neither was a complete back. Wiley transferred out and Price had a season ending injury. Remains to be seen what type of form Price returns in. Stallworth never saw the field and left the team. Kellom redshirted in 2022 and became a key special teams player in 2023. He will be a redshirt sophomore in 2024.

 

2023 class - Despite having little production before arriving at Akron, Lingard was a major pickup and was arguably underutilized in the first half of 2023. Anderson was also underutilized. That said, it is difficult to make a case for Anderson receiving more touches out of the backfield when Lingard was the other option. 

 

2024 - Simmons, Williams, and Patrick are the newcomers. Simmons is probably somewhere between Lingard and Wiley/Price as far as talent goes. Even though Simmons does not have the top end speed of Lingard, he should be RB1 in 2024. Williams and Patrick are small in frame and unproven, yet were dynamic at the high school level.

 

 

WR

In:

2022 - Shocky Jacques-Louis (TP) Pittsburgh 

2022 - Daniel George (TP) Penn State

2022 - Alex Adams (TP) LSU

2022 - Caleb Anderson (JUCO)

2022 - Bobby Golden (HS)

2023 - Paul Davis (HS)

2023 - Jean Louis (HS)

2023 - Adrian Norton (HS)

2023 - Dakota Thomas (TP) Western Kentucky

2023 - Phaizon Wilson (TP) Grambling

2024 - Kyan Mason (HS)

2024 - Justin Campbell (JUCO)

2024 - Jacobi Moore (JUCO)

2024 - Jarvis Rush (JUCO)

 

Out:

Shocky Jacques-Louis = Graduation

Dakota Thomas = (TP) JUCO (now Southern Miss)

Caleb Anderson = (TP) Alcorn State

Daniel George = Graduation 

 

2022 class - Jacques-Louis was named All-MAC 3rd Team. Adams was named All-MAC 1st Team in 2022 and then spent most of 2023 injured. George was deserving of an All-MAC selection in 2022, but was snubbed. He came back in 2023 and was named All-MAC 2nd Team. C. Anderson was stuck behind George on the depth chart and transferred out. Golden has seen his role increase each year as a receiver and is also the starting punt returner.

 

2023 class - Norton was one of only two freshmen that did not redshirt in the 2023 class. Coach Moorhead called him the most talented receiver on the roster. Louis, Davis, and Wilson redshirted. They will all have an opportunity to claim significant snaps in 2024. D. Thomas transferred out before the season started and went JUCO.

 

2024 - Mason is a highly touted freshman even though Rivals inexplicably downgraded him recently.  Campbell, Moore, and Rush are all physically talented JUCOs that will push for snaps immediately.

 

 

TE

In:

2022 - TJ Banks (TP) West Virginia

2022 - Caden Clark (TP) Alabama

2022 - Marquell Darnell (HS)

2023 - Connor Cravaack (HS)

2023 - Jacob Newell (TP) Arizona State

2024 - Max Whisner (TP) Missouri

2024 - Khalil Witherspoon (HS)

 

Out:

TJ Banks = Graduation 

Marquell Darnell = (TP)

Caden Clark = Retired

 

2022 class - Banks was, at bare minimum, a part time starter from day one. He was solid, but never seemed to take the next step in his development. Darnell and Clark left the team without contributing much.

 

2023 - Newell has the potential to be an All-MAC candidate and split time with Banks this season. Cravaack redshirted and has a high upside.

 

2024 - Whisner will likely see significant snaps early and may be the best blocking TE on the roster. Although Witherspoon has a ton of potential, he will need to add mass and will likely redshirt. Another TE will probably be added to the roster before the season starts.

 

 

OL

In:

2022 - Keylen Davis (HS)

2022 - Jourden Hale (HS)

2022 - Tyhler Williams (HS)

2022 - Ka’Marii Landers (HS)

2022 - Max Banes (TP) Houston

2022 - Anthony Whigan (TP) Penn State

2023 - Josh Blanchard (TP) South Florida 

2023 - Ben Frank (TP) Hobart

2023 - AJ George (TP) Cincinnati 

2023 - Keon Kindred (TP) Maryland

2023 - Jayvin James (HS)

2023 - Jonas Mann (HS)

2023 - Delvin Morris (HS)

2024 - Roosevelt Mitchell (HS)

2024 - Eli Fields (TP) Southern

2024 - Laurence Seymore (TP) Miami (FL)

2024 - Dayne Shor (TP) UCONN

2024 - Da’Quan Thomas (TP) North Carolina Central

2024 - Jerrod Burrell (JUCO)

2024 - Alex Fox (JUCO)

 

Out:

Ka’Marii Landers = (TP) JUCO

Jourden Hale = (TP) JUCO

Max Banes = (TP) Houston

Anthony Whigan = Graduation

Ben Frank = Graduation

 

2022 class - Landers became a starter at left tackle, as a freshman, before transferring out and going JUCO. Hale did not play and also went JUCO. Williams and Davis redshirted and then became starters as redshirt freshmen. Banes was a starter before injuries and then transferred back to Houston. Whigan was named All-MAC 3rd Team. 

 

2023 class - Blanchard was the starter at left tackle before an injury at Indiana derailed his season. Kindred also dealt with injuries. Frank started 10 games at LG and had his ups and downs. George did not see any snaps. Mann, James, and Morris have high upside, but redshirted.

 

2024 class - Seymore is a proven IOL from Miami (FL) and should be an immediate contributor. Thomas was voted 1st team All-Conference in the MEAC and should also be an immediate contributor. Shor was originally an Alabama signee that transferred to UCONN. He has all the physical attributes, yet has not done much at the FBS level. Fields is a massive lineman that could play either guard or tackle. Burrell is a JUCO with size and should at least be on the two deep. Fox brings positional flexibility and will likely land on the two deep. Mitchell is a freshman who should redshirt.

 

 

DT

In:

2022 - Curtis Harper (TP) Syracuse 

2022 - Ravontae Holt (TP) Wyoming

2022 - Devon Robinson (TP) Memphis

2022 - Kyle Thomas (JUCO)

2022 - Kiawan Murphy (HS)

2023 - Marcus Moore (HS) 

2023 - Tyler Carter (JUCO)

2023 - Terray Jones (TP) Tennessee State

2023 - Lama Lavea (TP) New Mexico State

2024 - Nathan Kapongo (TP) New Hampshire 

2024 - Elijah Davis (HS)

2024 - Ronald Hull (HS)

 

Out:

Curtis Harper = Graduation

Tyler Carter = Graduation 

Ravontae Holt = N/A

Devon Robinson = (TP) N/A

Kyle Thomas = (TP) N/A

 

2022 class - Harper started all 12 games of his single season and led the DTs in sacks. Holt was injured in the first half of his single season, but was the best DT on the roster by the end of 2022. Robinson and Thomas developed into a solid backups before transferring out. Murphy has played in 6 games to this point and will be a redshirt sophomore.

 

2023 class - Jones could have made an All-MAC team (probably would have if the team record was better) as he played just as well and had similar stats to a few of the DTs that did make it. Lavea started and played in 11 games. Moore was one of two freshmen who did not redshirt and has an incredible amount of potential. Carter hardly contributed.

 

2024 class - Kapongo is expected to push for a starting role or, at bare minimum, be a top backup. Davis and Hull have high upside, but will probably redshirt. Another portal or JUCO DT will probably be added.

 

 

DE

In:

2022 - Victor Jones (TP) Wyoming

2023 - Ahmad Rabah (TP) American International 

2023 - Kam Cheatom (HS)

2023 - Bruno Dall (HS)

2023 - LaJoshua Jackson (JUCO)

2023 - CJ Nunnally (JUCO)

2023 - Kabbash Richards (JUCO)

2023 - Antonio Smith (JUCO)

2024 - Tristen Graham (HS)

2024 - Jahvon Frazier (HS)

 

Out:

Victor Jones = Graduation 

Ahmad Rabah = N/A

Antonio Smith = (TP)

 

2022 class - Jones led the team in sacks in his single season. 

 

2023 class - Nunnally was named All-MAC 1st Team. Jackson and A. Smith were backups in their first season. Richards was injured during most of the season. Cheatom and Dall redshirted. Coach Moorhead said Cheatom “will be a star in this league.” Rabah left the team before the season started.

 

2024 class - Graham and Frazier has plenty of upside, but will likely redshirt.

 

 

LB

In:

2022 - Bryan McCoy (HS)

2022 - Jaharon Griffin (HS)

2022 - Antavious Fish (JUCO)

2022 - Tim Terry (TP) Buffalo

2023 - Shammond Cooper (TP) Illinois

2023 - Gage Summers (JUCO)

2023 - Melvin Spriggs (HS)

2024 - Jason Hocker (HS)

2024 - Dahvon Frazier (HS)

2024 - Rich Benenge (TP) Army

 

Out:

Tim Terry = Graduation 

Jaharon Griffin = (TP) Alcorn State

 

2022 class - Terry started all 7 games in the back half of the year in 2022 and finished as the highest rated player on defense. Fish played in 10 games in 2022 and then become a full time starter in 2023. An argument could be made Fish was deserving of an All-MAC spot. McCoy saw action in 11 games as a freshmen and followed that up with leading the team in tackles as a sophomore, earning All-MAC 3rd Team status. Griffin was mostly a special teams player, but did become a solid backup as a sophomore, before transferring out.

 

2023 class - Cooper started 8 of the 11 games he played in. Summers and Spriggs redshirted.

 

2024 class - Benenge should immediately push for snaps on the two deep. Hocker and Frazier have plenty of athletic ability and will likely redshirt.

 

 

CB

In:

2022 - Cam Threatt (JUCO)

2022 - Devonte Golden-Nelson (TP) Memphis

2023 - Joey Hunter (TP) South Carolina

2023 - Judson Tallandier (TP) Pittsburgh 

2023 - Zayden Laing-Taylor (HS)

2023 - Catrell White (HS)

2023 - Silas Proby (JUCO)

2024 - Justin Anderson (JUCO)

2024 - Iesa Jarmon (JUCO)

2024 - Keyveon Johnson (HS)

 

Out:

Judson Tallandier = Graduation 

Cam Threatt = (TP) N/A

 

2022 class - Golden-Nelson dealt with injuries during his first year and then tied for the team lead in interceptions during his second season. Threatt contributed little and transferred out.

 

2023 class - Tallandier started all 12 games. Hunter was injury prone, but still played in 8 games. Laing-Taylor and White have plenty of ability, but redshirted. Proby did not see any snaps on defense.

 

2024 class - Anderson and Jarmon will likey push for starting snaps and should, at bare minimum, land on the two deep. Johnson only spent one year of HS as a DB, so it’s safe to expect a redshirt.

 

 

S

In:

2022 - KJ Martin (TP) West Virginia 

2022 - Nate Thompson (TP) Duke

2022 - Jaden Woods (TP) Eastern Kentucky 

2023 - Terence Thomas (TP) Purdue

2023 - David Jester (HS)

2023 - Darius Owens (HS)

2024 - Rodrick Hunter (HS)

2024 - Daymon David (TP) Oregon

2024 - Aman Greenwood (TP) Syracuse

2024 - Paul Lewis (TP) Cornell

 

Out:

Nate Thompson = Graduation 

KJ Martin = (TP) N/A

Jaden Woods = (TP) East Tennessee State

 

2022 class - KJ Martin was All-MAC 3rd Team in his second season. Thompson started 18 games in two seasons. Woods regressed in his second year and transferred out.

 

2023 class - Thomas did not contribute on defense in his first year and will be a redshirt sophomore. Jester and Owens have high upside, but redshirted.

 

2024 class - Lewis should be an immediate contributor and will probably start. Greenwood will likely start opposite Lewis. David should land on the two deep. Hunter will most likely redshirt. 

 

Edited May 4 by catdaddyp

[catdaddyp]

Added defense recruiting to original post.

[taylormade28]

we'll see about this!

[catdaddyp]

1 hour ago, taylormade28 said:

we'll see about this!

Which part are you referring to?

Edited January 24 by catdaddyp

[taylormade28]

DB's

[catdaddyp]

7 minutes ago, taylormade28 said:

DB's

I’m confused? Are you referring to DBs that transferred in or out? Or in particular Zayden? If so, was I incorrect in saying he redshirted or incorrect in saying he has plenty of ability?

[Zipmeister]

Now I'm confused. I don't see in this thread where you wrote that Zayden was redshirted or has plenty of talent. And how did you figure 28 might be referring to Zayden? I must be missing something. Are you two communicating via mental telepathy or what? 

[catdaddyp]

19 minutes ago, Zipmeister said:

Now I'm confused. I don't see in this thread where you wrote that Zayden was redshirted or has plenty of talent. And how did you figure 28 might be referring to Zayden? I must be missing something. Are you two communicating via mental telepathy or what? 

Zayden is a DB on the roster. He is listed under CBs in the 2023 class. Verbatim I said  “Laing-Taylor and White have plenty of ability, but redshirted.” There is a family connection with Taylormade and Zayden. Taylormade has posted in different threads about the desire to see the freshmen play and I believe even had the opportunity to see Zayden play in a game on special teams this past year. If I recall correctly? 
 

I honestly dont know what point is trying to be conveyed. The thread was originally meant to focus on just the recruiting of the current staff and highlight the hits, the misses, and potential currently on the roster, but has somehow warped into something else.
 

 

[MangoZip]

59 minutes ago, catdaddyp said:

Zayden is a DB on the roster. He is listed under CBs in the 2023 class. Verbatim I said  “Laing-Taylor and White have plenty of ability, but redshirted.” There is a family connection with Taylormade and Zayden. Taylormade has posted in different threads about the desire to see the freshmen play and I believe even had the opportunity to see Zayden play in a game on special teams this past year. If I recall correctly? 
 

I honestly dont know what point is trying to be conveyed. The thread was originally meant to focus on just the recruiting of the current staff and highlight the hits, the misses, and potential currently on the roster, but has somehow warped into something else.
 

 

I agree, there really wasn’t any commentary in your comments, you were just explaining the lay of the land. I think he expects you to say that Zayden Taylor is a sure fire starter and likely All MAC this season 😂

[catdaddyp]

5 minutes ago, MangoZip said:

I agree, there really wasn’t any commentary in your comments, you were just explaining the lay of the land. I think he expects you to say that Zayden Taylor is a sure fire starter and likely All MAC this season 😂

That’d certainly be great if it turned out that way. I try to give every player a fair assessment and am certainly wrong from time to time, but haven’t seen anything as of yet to make me say something along those lines. The whole secondary is basically up for grabs at this point, so we’ll see how it all shakes out!

[Blue & Gold]

Hopefully he winds up being a lock down corner 💪💪

[taylormade28]

no i was just saying when you mentioned the Juco guys fighting for starting spots just saying he will be aswell thats all, you have great overview of the team and i love how you break the team and players down....Go Zips

[taylormade28]

13 hours ago, MangoZip said:

I agree, there really wasn’t any commentary in your comments, you were just explaining the lay of the land. I think he expects you to say that Zayden Taylor is a sure fire starter and likely All MAC this season 😂

not at all buddy!!! i didn't expect him to say that at all