The SoCon had three teams in the playoffs: Georgia Southern, App State, and Wofford.
Wofford had a decent signing day with 16 kids: 8 offense and 8 defense. They basically recruited to replace what they lost as they got a QB and three D-lineman. However the signing I am most excited about is Ray Smith an undersized RB. At 5'7" Smith is little, but he is the All-Time leading rusher at Dorman High School right there in Spartanburg, SC. Dorman has a nice history, so it is no small feat. With the running attack Wofford's offense normally has this guy could be great down the road.
Wofford's problem is that they have to replace Mitch Allen at QB. He had nice burst running, but his real genius was his decision making. All signs point to Brian Bass replacing Allen at QB, and Bass actually has a better arm (in my opinion), so maybe more throws are in the work, but not many. The question is going to be will Bass be able to make decisions in the options as well as Allen. How far will the drop off be? Bass still has Breitenstein and Johnson to run the ball, so the offense should not fall to pieces, but it will need to get used to a new pilot. A bigger problem is the complete loss of the Defensive line. Depth at the line will need to be developed and a new group has to keep the pressure up front or Wofford will be run all over by the other teams.
App State signed 19, but has to replace even more than Wofford. DeAndre Presley and Brian Quick are both gone (with invites to the NFL combine by the way), and even if Presley got benched last year it is a big loss. Quick is the type player that cannot be just replaced. However, they got several highly rated signings by Rivals. 3-Star ratings for Dante Blackmon (DB) and Quatterrio Morgan (RB). 2 Star ratings for Jamie Colmar (OL), Tysean Holloway (RB and in school for spring practice), Malachi Jones (WR), Aaron Krah (DB), John Law (LB), and Paul Maglorie (QB). It is a nice looking class, but this year may not be their year to contribute much. What exactly will Appy be able to do on offense is a big concern, but they should still make the playoffs. Just maybe not win the SoCon this year.
Georgia Southern won the SoCon last year, and could this year as well. However sheer number wise, this team lost the most, including Jaybo Shaw. They recruited 24 players this year. That is high. But their class was good. Matt Dobson is a three star QB recruit. Lenard Govan also has 3 stars, but where he will play is up in the air. A good RB but played WR and TE and all over on Defense as well. Tre Griffen is a three star on some place and two in others (LB), Irvin Huggins (DB) is in the same boat. Vegas Harley 3 stars (QB), Patrick Flowe is a two star LB recruit. So is Deshawntee Gallon (DB), Tay Hicklin (DB), and Gray Redding (DB).
It looks like Georgia Southern will be back in power soon.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Signing Day - Sam Houston State and NDSU
It is time to look at some of the big news from the FCS and that is recruiting. Now, signing day is a little different in the FCS as big star athletes seldom come to the FCS, so not as many immediate impact players are coming. But still as NDSU proved good signing classes still lead to titles. We will look at some FCS power houses, but no reason not to start with the title game participants.
NDSU is the champ and so they are up first. And they had a very good class, but they also have a few holes to fill in their line up. NDSU has 18 players on the way with a 19th (Devon Dwiddle from a community college) probably on his way. Craig Bohls has said that four or five guys can play right away from this class and one would have to think that it includes Jack Plankers a 6'7" 290lbs O-Lineman. That kind of size is rare and it can make a huge impact with their running game up there. Brett Pierce a 6'6" 250lbs DE could be another. Bohl continues to take players from NE as well getting Sam Hahn a 6'6" 260lbs OL, who the university of Nebraska tried to get as a walk-on, but he took the scholarship from NDSU instead. QB Derek McGuinnis from Crete, NE signed as well. Bo Liekhus a safety from Bellevue, NE also signed with NDSU.
NDSU needed the most help at Running back, but Dwiddle will be the only one in the class. Dwiddle has had knee problems in the past (at K-State), but seems healthy now. Apparently John Crockett might be eligible academically. Interesting who will be the RB up in Fargo.
Sam Houston State has a lot of players returning, and so almost none of these 16 players will see much time and most will be red shirted. Although for the future you may want to keep your eye on Roclain Drain a 6'4" 255lbs O lineman and Steven Hicks the only RB in the group. The one exception to not playing this year may be Quaylon Ewing-Burton a DB transfer from Boise State.
The Big problem that Sam Houston State is going to have is the loss of the Offensive Coordinator and the O Line coach to New Mexico. The Bearkats had a potent offense, and now they will have to learn a new one. How smoothly that goes is a big factor in Sam Houston challenging again for the title.
NDSU is the champ and so they are up first. And they had a very good class, but they also have a few holes to fill in their line up. NDSU has 18 players on the way with a 19th (Devon Dwiddle from a community college) probably on his way. Craig Bohls has said that four or five guys can play right away from this class and one would have to think that it includes Jack Plankers a 6'7" 290lbs O-Lineman. That kind of size is rare and it can make a huge impact with their running game up there. Brett Pierce a 6'6" 250lbs DE could be another. Bohl continues to take players from NE as well getting Sam Hahn a 6'6" 260lbs OL, who the university of Nebraska tried to get as a walk-on, but he took the scholarship from NDSU instead. QB Derek McGuinnis from Crete, NE signed as well. Bo Liekhus a safety from Bellevue, NE also signed with NDSU.
NDSU needed the most help at Running back, but Dwiddle will be the only one in the class. Dwiddle has had knee problems in the past (at K-State), but seems healthy now. Apparently John Crockett might be eligible academically. Interesting who will be the RB up in Fargo.
Sam Houston State has a lot of players returning, and so almost none of these 16 players will see much time and most will be red shirted. Although for the future you may want to keep your eye on Roclain Drain a 6'4" 255lbs O lineman and Steven Hicks the only RB in the group. The one exception to not playing this year may be Quaylon Ewing-Burton a DB transfer from Boise State.
The Big problem that Sam Houston State is going to have is the loss of the Offensive Coordinator and the O Line coach to New Mexico. The Bearkats had a potent offense, and now they will have to learn a new one. How smoothly that goes is a big factor in Sam Houston challenging again for the title.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)