I think North Dakota State is a real sleeper pick for next year. They were a very young team and they are a well coached team. This is shown by their dominance in the second half of games. Their real weakness was at the Quarterback slot as they had multiple guys play the position and multiple starters throughout the year.
They return their two defensive ends, Boyer and Stroczynski, who started every game and were quite good. Boyer had 10 sacks last year. Together the DE's got more than 100 tackles. They also return DJ McNorton who was the workhorse RB and second on the team in receptions. His 19 TD's led the team.
Their biggest losses will come in the Defensive back field as they lose three productive Corner Backs and a Strong Safety. JOsh Gattlin is being looked at by the NFL, so you know they will miss him. He did lead the team in INTs. They will also lose Matt Anderson, a high tackle high interception Linebacker. Lineman always need to be replaced and it is no different here as one D-Lineman and three O-Lineman are on their way out. The offensive side of the ball is almost untouched as they lose only one major WR and the starting TE, but relatively little else in the way of serious production. They did lose their punter as well.
North Dakota State's recruiting seems to address most of those needs. They continued recruiting well in Minnesota with 5 guys coming out of that state while only 2 came from in state. They only got one scholarship Offensive lineman, but sometimes goes who come in on D-Line get switched over to O-Line. Also they have invited three more O-Line guys to walk on without a scholarship. They got two fullbacks to replace the two that left. Oddly enough they are both from Iowa, although Berkley Grimm also played linebacker, and may well end up there despite them listing him as a Fullback. They picked up a wide receiver, a punter, a couple of tight ends, and a running back, some D-line guys and a couple of Linebackers were added as well.
The real interesting pick ups were the defensive back field help and the quarterbacks. Five defensive backs including two FS's, a strong safety, and two cornerbacks. Among them Danell Miles needs to be pointed out. A free safety 4-A Arizona all state team looks like he can tackle and pick the ball off. 50 solo tackles in one season is nothing to overlook. Add 4 picks and some forced fumbles, and Miles is a name to watch. The other guy to watch is Frank Veldeman, Strong Safety. He was a Finalist for Mr. Football in Minnesota. He has 179 career tackles, and is pretty athletic. He should be an impact guy as well.
The Quarterbacks should also be noted as they have a chance to see real playing time. Jose Mohler and Brock Jensen will both be back. One as a red-shirt sophomore and the other as a junior. They each started 7 games last year and neither really left a strangle hold on the starting spot for next year. Dante Perez, who has another year to play, would not be in the mix if he returns. He has already been four years and we will see if he returns to the team or not. Mohler was the better passer completing almost 60% of his passes, but Jensen was the better runner gaining 231 net yards to Mohler's 25. Although Mohler took a lot of tackles for loss to make that total so low. Jensen actually threw for more TD's (7 to 5), but threw more Interceptions as well. So Carson Wentz and Ryan Stanford have long shots, but they do have a shot to see playing time. Stanford was the number 2 rated QB in Arizona, and has an impressive passing resume. Wentz comes from Bismarck and is more of the running QB. He played DB as well, so you know he is tough. He ran for 13 TD's his senior season. Both of these guys look pretty good.
Remember the NDST Bison only lost in Overtime to the eventual champs Eastern Washington at their place after upsetting Montana state in the playoffs. They got better as the season went on and I bet they will be even better this next season.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Eastern Washington 2011 Recruiting
The champs look to compete with the new look Montana Grizzlies by returning 15 starters from last year's team. They return Bo Levi Mitchell at QB, Brandon Kaufman at WR, but take two big losses with J.J. Sheritt, the FCS Defense Player of the Year LB, graduating and the nations leading rusher, Taiwan Jones declaring for the draft early. With these needs in mind the Eagles took to the recruiting trail with a special emphasis on lineman.
The Lineman were found. Six offensive lineman and one defensive lineman. This group includes David Delgado (DL) at 320 lbs, and Thomas Gomez (OL) at 310 lbs. Some speculate he may end up on the defensive side of the ball. Which would make 6'7" Cassidy Curtis a big catch at OL. He will probably spend some time next year trying to put on weight to match his frame.
Vernon Adams just might be the QB of the future. Clearly he will not get any time this year, but will be able to study under Mitchell. Adams passed for over 5,000 yards and 49 TD's his senior season. He got a 50th TD on the ground.
Jordan Talley and Qunicy Forte were the two running backs who came on board and have the task of trying to replace Jones. However, those two will probably not see much action this year as Eastern Washington managed to get Demetrius Bronson to transfer in from Washington University. Bronson will probably be your starting RB next year.
The defensive side of the ball was a little more shaky in recruiting. They did pull in some Andru Pulu from Washington University as a transfer. He will play DL and will probably get right into the mix. Three Defensive backs were taken. The need to replace Sheritt; however, seems to be the one big spot missed. Granted they should be fine this next year with Bobby Gentry going to be a senior and Tyler Washburn among other underclassmen coming back. But clealry Linebacker was not a priority for the coaching staff as they signed only Cody McCarthy. McCarthy did win 4A player of the year honors in Idaho.
All in all it looks to be a nice recruiting class. The Eagles did not really lose that many impact seniors. Most were on the line or in the defensive backfield, but they were not the main leaders of the defensive backs. Taiwan Jones leaving was a big shock, but the addition of a FBS transfer one can assume that this position is in decent shape. Going into next year one would think that Mario Brown would be splitting carries with Bronson. Third string might be Darriell Beaumonte who will be a senior. It shouldn't get down to him.
This looks like a nice returning team to face the vastly improved Montana squad with a Montana at QB and a deeper team to help fill out their special teams. The Big Sky Conference is once again going to be a place to watch. Eastern Washington has no reason not to start out next season at number 1.
The Lineman were found. Six offensive lineman and one defensive lineman. This group includes David Delgado (DL) at 320 lbs, and Thomas Gomez (OL) at 310 lbs. Some speculate he may end up on the defensive side of the ball. Which would make 6'7" Cassidy Curtis a big catch at OL. He will probably spend some time next year trying to put on weight to match his frame.
Vernon Adams just might be the QB of the future. Clearly he will not get any time this year, but will be able to study under Mitchell. Adams passed for over 5,000 yards and 49 TD's his senior season. He got a 50th TD on the ground.
Jordan Talley and Qunicy Forte were the two running backs who came on board and have the task of trying to replace Jones. However, those two will probably not see much action this year as Eastern Washington managed to get Demetrius Bronson to transfer in from Washington University. Bronson will probably be your starting RB next year.
The defensive side of the ball was a little more shaky in recruiting. They did pull in some Andru Pulu from Washington University as a transfer. He will play DL and will probably get right into the mix. Three Defensive backs were taken. The need to replace Sheritt; however, seems to be the one big spot missed. Granted they should be fine this next year with Bobby Gentry going to be a senior and Tyler Washburn among other underclassmen coming back. But clealry Linebacker was not a priority for the coaching staff as they signed only Cody McCarthy. McCarthy did win 4A player of the year honors in Idaho.
All in all it looks to be a nice recruiting class. The Eagles did not really lose that many impact seniors. Most were on the line or in the defensive backfield, but they were not the main leaders of the defensive backs. Taiwan Jones leaving was a big shock, but the addition of a FBS transfer one can assume that this position is in decent shape. Going into next year one would think that Mario Brown would be splitting carries with Bronson. Third string might be Darriell Beaumonte who will be a senior. It shouldn't get down to him.
This looks like a nice returning team to face the vastly improved Montana squad with a Montana at QB and a deeper team to help fill out their special teams. The Big Sky Conference is once again going to be a place to watch. Eastern Washington has no reason not to start out next season at number 1.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Big News - Montana Grizzlies Football
Okay, so Montana did get a quarterback from a BCS team, but it just was not who we thought. It turns out to be Joe Montana's son, Nate Montana. That makes the Montana off season really good.
The Grizzlies grabbed 11 guys from in state to keep their roster big on local talent. Coach Pflugrad claims that Conner Lebsock (S) and Jonathan Richards (LB) are two of the three best football players in Montana. The other got away to Nevada, but two out of three ain't bad. Two more Montana boys will line up on the O-Line, which is a place the Grizzlies need to improve. One of those on the line will be Jonathan Richards's cousin, Aschan, and he plays Tight End so that is only sort of on the O-Line. Montana pulled in some Hawaii guys, which Montana is able to do more often than you would think. This included another O-Lineman as well as a quarterback - wide receiver combo from Miliani, HI. They also signed a big hitter from South Dakota: Matt Hermanson. He is a coach's son, and should be a fine addition at the safety spot. The O-Line got more support by adding Joe Dahl from Spokane, WA, and Christian Licciardi from Orange, CA. Expect these freshman lineman to get a shot if they can learn quickly and step up in early season ball.
This class will also include two guys who were hurt and missed all of last year. Derek Crittenden (DL) from Montana and Justin Whitted (S) from Las Angles, CA. These two guys ought to make contributions this year as they have gotten to see what FCS football is like, have gone through a college off season, and should know the defense already.
But the big news is still the transfer of Nate Montana. He was not going to be the starter at Notre Dame, and was at least going to be 3rd string. And he would have had to compete for that slot. He may have been the reason Tate Forcier went to Miami instead of Montana. Expect Nate to be the starting QB right out of the gate for the Griz. This makes them immediately a contender for the title in the Big Sky. Coach Pflugrad's first year learning curve is over. He now has two classes of his guys under his belt, and he has a high profile QB that ought to put his team on the map. They were not that far off last year spending most of the season in the top 10. Expect a jump out of this team.
The Grizzlies grabbed 11 guys from in state to keep their roster big on local talent. Coach Pflugrad claims that Conner Lebsock (S) and Jonathan Richards (LB) are two of the three best football players in Montana. The other got away to Nevada, but two out of three ain't bad. Two more Montana boys will line up on the O-Line, which is a place the Grizzlies need to improve. One of those on the line will be Jonathan Richards's cousin, Aschan, and he plays Tight End so that is only sort of on the O-Line. Montana pulled in some Hawaii guys, which Montana is able to do more often than you would think. This included another O-Lineman as well as a quarterback - wide receiver combo from Miliani, HI. They also signed a big hitter from South Dakota: Matt Hermanson. He is a coach's son, and should be a fine addition at the safety spot. The O-Line got more support by adding Joe Dahl from Spokane, WA, and Christian Licciardi from Orange, CA. Expect these freshman lineman to get a shot if they can learn quickly and step up in early season ball.
This class will also include two guys who were hurt and missed all of last year. Derek Crittenden (DL) from Montana and Justin Whitted (S) from Las Angles, CA. These two guys ought to make contributions this year as they have gotten to see what FCS football is like, have gone through a college off season, and should know the defense already.
But the big news is still the transfer of Nate Montana. He was not going to be the starter at Notre Dame, and was at least going to be 3rd string. And he would have had to compete for that slot. He may have been the reason Tate Forcier went to Miami instead of Montana. Expect Nate to be the starting QB right out of the gate for the Griz. This makes them immediately a contender for the title in the Big Sky. Coach Pflugrad's first year learning curve is over. He now has two classes of his guys under his belt, and he has a high profile QB that ought to put his team on the map. They were not that far off last year spending most of the season in the top 10. Expect a jump out of this team.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tate Forcier and Montana
I will try to get up a few posts on recruiting and previews of next season, but I am still working on it. But for now the big news I am watching is the transfer of Michigan Quarterback, Tate Forcier. Earlier he had several places in mind including three teams in the FCS: Montana, Florida A&M, and South Carolina State. Now he has narrowed his list and it still includes Montana.
I think Montana might actually have the upper hand because if he does not go there then he is going to spend another season on the bench, and we have seen how that did not go over very well with Tate at Michigan. This would be a big catch for Montana, and they outlasted those other schools from warmer climates. Tate in fact was at Michigan so does not seem to be avoiding cold temps. Some of those other schools listed might not be good places for him either. I think Kansas State may end up being the stiff competition, but I am hopeful Tate will come down to play FCS football.
Stay tuned.
I think Montana might actually have the upper hand because if he does not go there then he is going to spend another season on the bench, and we have seen how that did not go over very well with Tate at Michigan. This would be a big catch for Montana, and they outlasted those other schools from warmer climates. Tate in fact was at Michigan so does not seem to be avoiding cold temps. Some of those other schools listed might not be good places for him either. I think Kansas State may end up being the stiff competition, but I am hopeful Tate will come down to play FCS football.
Stay tuned.
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