Top ten storylines in NDSU Spring ball

[DJKyR0]

Thought AGS might dig this column from bisonillustrated.com on top storylines and players to keep an eye on in Spring football. If anyone has questions or observations on NDSU or the MVFC, by all means post them and I'll give what input I have. Hope you enjoy the read!

http://bisonillustrated.com/s.php?s=840

[MplsBison]

The most talented WR this season will, again, be Ryan Smith. Simply can't be covered. Gotta stay healthy. He makes Brock a decent passing QB. Sorely missed him in the champ game when he got hurt.

Wentz is the future. Thorton will either move to another position or transfer if he wants to play QB.

OL is the most important position on the team. Finding the (minimum) 5 starting guys will be the number one important thing to accomplish in spring ball. Have had to bring over 2 DL to fill in holes left by lack of qualified interior OL recruits from high school. And it's obvious the Bohl is not willing to bring in a JUCO or I-A transfer to help this group out.

[DJKyR0]

OL is the most important position on the team. Finding the (minimum) 5 starting guys will be the number one important thing to accomplish in spring ball. Have had to bring over 2 DL to fill in holes left by lack of qualified interior OL recruits from high school. And it's obvious the Bohl is not willing to bring in a JUCO or I-A transfer to help this group out.

Interesting takes. The last OL JUCO Bohl brought in was Boen Anderson, and I think the fact that that didn't work out combined with Bohl's recalcitrance at 1-A transfers in the first place turned him off to the idea. Regarding the DL, Gimmestad at least was originally recruited pretty much everywhere we compete with to be on the OL but wanted to play defense. Perles wanted to bring him over to offense his redshirt year, and it wasn't until this past season he finally made the switch. IMO, that particular move was bound to happen sooner or later and has worked out for the better.

[Professor Chaos]

Well written article. I feel pretty good about the returning cast this year. The best thing will be how many of these guys are also returning in 2013.

Isn't Vraa still technically a freshman? I would hope he could get a medical redshirt after playing half a game total last year due to injury.

[DJKyR0]

Isn't Vraa still technically a freshman? I would hope he could get a medical redshirt after playing half a game total last year due to injury.

He's on the roster as a sophomore, but you're right in that he's got a medical redshirt coming if he wants it. If I'm not mistaken, those are usually handed out ex post facto and in some cases can be delayed in pursuit. He originally cited graduating with his classmates as something he wanted to do last year during the playoff run, but obviously the re-injury derailed that. I'd guess he eventually gets it, and if he does then he's got four years of eligibility on the table. Considering he's already got two years in the system, that's huge.

[JSUBison]

Specialist replacement at #3. I also think this is overlooked by a lot of fans, and glad you included it. Winning the field position battle is in my mind the 2nd most important stat in a game, behind turnovers. I don't know who is the special teams coach off the top of my head, but the development of the punter position has been lights out, Drago, Prevlitz, Voit. With the defense philosophy and talent on this team, getting good punting will be critical. LSD is always nice on offense, but making it easier to score with a short field is even better.

At PK, Keller has to show that he can be depended upon when drives stall at the 25 or 30 yard line, setting him up for a longish FG. One of my favorite plays last season was Jastram's 50+ yard FG at the end of the 1st half against JMU. He also nailed a long one against RMU in the playoffs the year before. Jastram knew how to step up in big games. Having Bohl send him out there to attempt those long *** field goals says a lot about the confidence the coaches had in him.

[LakesBison]

Vraa & Gebhardt will battle for WR spots, Ryan Smith will be a Slot guy, ala, Wes Walker.

Desean Warren, Dee Grey, Carey Woods are all incoming freshman, I would like to think 1 of them could step up and play alot.

[DJKyR0]

Specialist replacement at #3. I also think this is overlooked by a lot of fans, and glad you included it. Winning the field position battle is in my mind the 2nd most important stat in a game, behind turnovers. I don't know who is the special teams coach off the top of my head, but the development of the punter position has been lights out, Drago, Prevlitz, Voit. With the defense philosophy and talent on this team, getting good punting will be critical. LSD is always nice on offense, but making it easier to score with a short field is even better.

At PK, Keller has to show that he can be depended upon when drives stall at the 25 or 30 yard line, setting him up for a longish FG. One of my favorite plays last season was Jastram's 50+ yard FG at the end of the 1st half against JMU. He also nailed a long one against RMU in the playoffs the year before. Jastram knew how to step up in big games. Having Bohl send him out there to attempt those long *** field goals says a lot about the confidence the coaches had in him.

I thought having it at #3 was a little high but I'm glad you're on board. If it were one or the other I'd have it further down the list, but replacing both of our specialists is a pretty tall task and both played a lot into our wins last season.

Vraa & Gebhardt will battle for WR spots, Ryan Smith will be a Slot guy, ala, Wes Walker.

Desean Warren, Dee Grey, Carey Woods are all incoming freshman, I would like to think 1 of them could step up and play alot.

I agree completely.

[blueballs]

Interesting takes. The last OL JUCO Bohl brought in was Boen Anderson, and I think the fact that that didn't work out combined with Bohl's recalcitrance at 1-A transfers in the first place turned him off to the idea.

The more I learn about Bohl the more I like him, even if he did send my team home in the semis this year. NDSU is in very good hands with him.

[Thundar]

The most talented WR this season will, again, be Ryan Smith. Simply can't be covered. Gotta stay healthy. He makes Brock a decent passing QB. Sorely missed him in the champ game when he got hurt.

Wentz is the future. Thorton will either move to another position or transfer if he wants to play QB.

OL is the most important position on the team. Finding the (minimum) 5 starting guys will be the number one important thing to accomplish in spring ball. Have had to bring over 2 DL to fill in holes left by lack of qualified interior OL recruits from high school. And it's obvious the Bohl is not willing to bring in a JUCO or I-A transfer to help this group out.

Esley isnt going anywhere

[LakesBison]

Esley loves being a Natty Champ, hes cool

I saw vraa make a sweet catch at practice today, also saw Dudzik go pick six with mwill pointing the way.

Defense is,gonna be better I believe.

[344Johnson]

Esley loves being a Natty Champ, hes cool

I saw vraa make a sweet catch at practice today, also saw Dudzik go pick six with mwill pointing the way.

Defense is,gonna be better I believe.

tough to imagine the D being any better than last season but hey, you could be right. Despite the losses, the guys filling in all played their fair share last year or the year before in Pierre's case.

[LakesBison]

Mwill/Heagle/Pierre/Dudzik. thats your starting backfield.

Colvin, Shepard, Champion, CJ Smith, Marcus Brantley are all going to be just as good in backup roles, its sick actually the talent back there

[MplsBison]

The starting 4 db could be better than last year. That's believable.

A lot of talent at corner. How about backups at safety to Heagle and Dudzik?

Linebackers probably won't be better. Same for D ends. Interior DL should be the same.

[MplsBison]

Esley isnt going anywhere

Depends if he wants to play QB. If he wants to stay at NDSU, then he could help the team at another position I'm sure. Some talented depth at safety sure seems like a reasonable way he could do that, rather than riding the bench behind Brock and with a very talented back-up in Wentz being developed.

[Professor Chaos]

Whether the Bison defense is going to be better in 2012 than it was in 2011 is debatable. What isn't debatable is that in 2013 this Bison defense is going to be frighteningly good (for opponents that is). Check out this starting 11:

DE: Jirik (Sr - 2 year starter - solid playing time all 4 years)
DT: Perry (Sr - 4 year starter)
DT: Drevlow (Sr - 3 year starter)
DE: Emmanuel (Jr - 3 year starter)
OLB: Littlejohn (Jr - 1st year starter - solid playing time all 3 years)
MLB: Olson (Sr - 2 year starter - solid playing time all 4 years)
OLB: Beck (Jr - 3 year starter)
CB: Williams (Sr - 4 year starter - presumably 3 year All-American)
CB: Pierre (Sr - 3 year starter)
SS: Heagle (Sr - 4 year starter)
FS: Dudzik (Jr - 3 year starter, one of those at CB)

Most of those around the FCS landscape thought last year's Bison defense was one of the better FCS defenses of the last 10 years. Consider that 7 of the guys who started on that defense will still be starting in 2013 and 3 of the other presumed 2013 starters played a lot as backups on that 2011 defense. The only exception is Brendin Pierre who was academically ineligible in 2011 but started as a RsFr before that. There's some food for thought regarding how much potential this defensive unit has.

[LakesBison]

choas there will be freshman that step up this year, you watch marcus brantley's film? how can he NOT play alot?

[Professor Chaos]

choas there will be freshman that step up this year, you watch marcus brantley's film? how can he NOT play alot?
He may be good but when you've got a quartet of guys who've started since they were freshmen it's a tough defensive backfield to crack the starting lineup on until some spots open up in 2014. I haven't seen Dudzik at safety yet but based on how good of a tackling CB he was I think he'll be a very good safety. That's the only position I could see one of the younger guys starting at prior to 2014 barring injury. No doubt there will be plenty of spot time for those backup DBs but I'd say the starting 4 is pretty solid right now.

[MplsBison]

Whether the Bison defense is going to be better in 2012 than it was in 2011 is debatable. What isn't debatable is that in 2013 this Bison defense is going to be frighteningly good (for opponents that is). Check out this starting 11:

DE: Jirik (Sr - 2 year starter - solid playing time all 4 years)
DT: Perry (Sr - 4 year starter)
DT: Drevlow (Sr - 3 year starter)
DE: Emmanuel (Jr - 3 year starter)
OLB: Littlejohn (Jr - 1st year starter - solid playing time all 3 years)
MLB: Olson (Sr - 2 year starter - solid playing time all 4 years)
OLB: Beck (Jr - 3 year starter)
CB: Williams (Sr - 4 year starter - presumably 3 year All-American)
CB: Pierre (Sr - 3 year starter)
SS: Heagle (Sr - 4 year starter)
FS: Dudzik (Jr - 3 year starter, one of those at CB)

Most of those around the FCS landscape thought last year's Bison defense was one of the better FCS defenses of the last 10 years. Consider that 7 of the guys who started on that defense will still be starting in 2013 and 3 of the other presumed 2013 starters played a lot as backups on that 2011 defense. The only exception is Brendin Pierre who was academically ineligible in 2011 but started as a RsFr before that. There's some food for thought regarding how much potential this defensive unit has.

On paper that makes sense.

In reality - don't automatically assume that guys who start as RFr and So are actually going to play better in their Jr and Sr years. I know this sounds backwards, and it doesn't always turn out this way, but when you factor things in like injuries that have compiled up or just plain old years of battering from practices and games, increasing school load, increasing personal lives (long term gf, possibly getting married), etc. on top of the fact that these kids were already playing at a very high level when they were younger -- just don't expect them to go from very good players to all-american solely based on being starters for 2-3 years.

[Hammerhead]

I was standing right behind Esley waiting to get off the field after the trophy presentation in Frisco while he was getting hugs from his parents. (I assumed they are his mom and dad.). It's hard to imagine him going somewhere else after getting a taste of victory. Other than one final scoreboard shot, this was my last photo from the day. The kid does need a haircut, though. :)

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww75/gjhammer/th_101_0056.jpg (http://s707.photobucket.com/albums/ww75/gjhammer/?action=view&current=101_0056.jpg)


Esley loves being a Natty Champ, hes cool

I saw vraa make a sweet catch at practice today, also saw Dudzik go pick six with mwill pointing the way.

Defense is,gonna be better I believe.

[LakesBison]

Grow it out esley. Hellz ya

[MplsBison]

Grow it out esley. Hellz ya

Says the 38 year old stalker of NDSU football players. Gross.

How are you not embarrassed to be who you are? With people knowing your real name any everything?

[Professor Chaos]

On paper that makes sense.

In reality - don't automatically assume that guys who start as RFr and So are actually going to play better in their Jr and Sr years. I know this sounds backwards, and it doesn't always turn out this way, but when you factor things in like injuries that have compiled up or just plain old years of battering from practices and games, increasing school load, increasing personal lives (long term gf, possibly getting married), etc. on top of the fact that these kids were already playing at a very high level when they were younger -- just don't expect them to go from very good players to all-american solely based on being starters for 2-3 years.
By the same token, you can't expect young guys to come in year after year like the last few classes have and unseat established starters at their positions. There's a reason these kids started as freshman and sophomores and it's not because the juniors and seniors were garbage. This can obviously change due to injury and there will always been minor injuries that will give the backups a chance here and there to start but if those 11 guys stay severe injury free into 2013 that's one hell of a defense.

[Ginsbach]

... I think... that you.... should be citing..... Bisonville.... for.... alll.... of.... these points.... they've all been.... discussed over there....



Just kidding. Great article, Kyle.

[LakesBison]

stalker? he graduated with my wife you dumb*****!

MPLS bison WE ALL KNOW YOU ARENT A NDSU FAN

come to spring game and ask me that. Ill be there.


My brother and travis white played vs each other and I was friends with travis white, therefore I partied with him and many other players back on that team, therefore I met DJ, Veldman, others. thats how I know all the players AHOLE and I am pretty good friends with 3 ndsu coaches right now.


why am I justifiying myself to a guy thats not even a NDSU fan. not 1 person has met mplsbison at a ndsu game, HES A TROLL

[MplsBison]

stalker? he graduated with my wife you dumb*****!

MPLS bison WE ALL KNOW YOU ARENT A NDSU FAN

come to spring game and ask me that. Ill be there.


My brother and travis white played vs each other and I was friends with travis white, therefore I partied with him and many other players back on that team, therefore I met DJ, Veldman, others. thats how I know all the players AHOLE and I am pretty good friends with 3 ndsu coaches right now.


why am I justifiying myself to a guy thats not even a NDSU fan. not 1 person has met mplsbison at a ndsu game, HES A TROLL

Esley Thorton graduated with your wife?

You, a 38 year old man, are married to a 20 year old?


Well, we all know that's BS. No father in his right mind wouldn't have shot you.

[344Johnson]

Esley Thorton graduated with your wife?

You, a 38 year old man, are married to a 20 year old?


Well, we all know that's BS. No father in his right mind wouldn't have shot you.

LOL, YES. TOO FUNNY.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

http://highlatencylife.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/shake_weight_for_men_screen_cap.jpg
From L to R: Professor Chaos, DJKyRO, Lakes.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I know all the players AHOLE

You forgot the apostrophe after players and the s on AHOLE. FYI.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

You forgot the apostrophe after players and the s on AHOLE. FYI.

I don't really like you but + ****in 1!

[Professor Chaos]

http://highlatencylife.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/shake_weight_for_men_screen_cap.jpg
From L to R: Professor Chaos, DJKyRO, Lakes.
Hey, at least we look better than SE174 watching the Shake Weight infomercial.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4388/robmcelhenneyinitsalway.jpg

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Hey, at least we look better than SE174 watching the Shake Weight infomercial.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4388/robmcelhenneyinitsalway.jpg

You're mistaking me for JBB. Speaking of JBB, which one of you ate the soggy cracker?

[LakesBison]

Interview on spring ball last night.

New LB coach from Tulane said "NDSU is a fbs program, my Tulane team would of beat ndsu maybe 1 out of 10 times"

then next 10 seconds shows MWILL on a pick 6 interception.

[darell1976]

No more than 5 wins for Tulane since 2002...I would think most FCS teams would beat Tulane 9 out of 10 times.

[344Johnson]

No more than 5 wins for Tulane since 2002...I would think most FCS teams would beat Tulane 9 out of 10 times.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that....

[darell1976]

I wouldn't go so far as to say that....

I would say NDSU would probably go 10 out of 10 since both teams play in a dome.:D

[DJKyR0]

No more than 5 wins for Tulane since 2002...I would think most FCS teams would beat Tulane 9 out of 10 times.

Aside from an eight-win season in 2009, Idaho hasn't fared much better (hitting the four-win mark what, three or four times since 2002?) yet they laid 89 points on UND in two games. Don't let FBS teams' records against FBS teams fool you too much.

[darell1976]

Aside from an eight-win season in 2009, Idaho hasn't fared much better (hitting the four-win mark what, three or four times since 2002?) yet they laid 89 points on UND in two games. Don't let FBS teams' records against FBS teams fool you too much.

But NDSU just won a National Title so you guys are above us...by quite a bit so I think you could take Tulane (and Idaho too). You are at the top of the ladder and we are about to start on the first step.

[darell1976]

Actually here is the direct quote from the LB coach:
Steve Stanard: “I told Coach Bohl Tulane would have been lucky to beat NDSU 1 out of 10 times. Division 1 is division 1.”
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/61535/group/Sports/

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

No more than 5 wins for Tulane since 2002...I would think most FCS teams would beat Tulane 9 out of 10 times.


I doubt it. Top 10-15 FCS teams would do pretty well against them, but that is about it.

[LakesBison]

Tulane has "crazy" speed.


NDSU has scrimmage this saturday, then leave for easter. Should be fun to watch the battle for #2 quarterback between 2 bismarck kids and arizona kid!

[LakesBison]

I was at practice today, esley thorton and ryan stanford were taking 80% of the snaps and both lookes great. Bohl is.really trying to find some seperation in the #2 spot.

Carson wentz will be out all of spring with high ankle sprain.

D line was dominating today, was fun to.watch, they really cheer for each other, lots of rah rah

[FargoBison]

NDSU's spring game will be televised statewide....


FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University's annual Green-Gold spring football game will be televised live statewide on the North Dakota NBC Sports Network for the first time in the program's history at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, from the Fargodome according to NDSU director of broadcasting Jeremy Jorgenson.

Stations on the North Dakota NBC Sports Network include KVLY-TV (Channel 11, Fargo), KFYR-TV (Channel 5, Bismarck), KMOT-TV (Channel 10, Minot), KQCD-TV (Channel 7, Dickinson) and KUMV-TV (Channel 8, Williston).

Coverage begins with a pregame show at 12:30 p.m. April 21 from inside the Fargodome. Valley News Live sports director Dan Hammer will handle the play-by-play and former NDSU standout quarterback Kevin Feeney will serve as color analyst.

[LakesBison]

There isnt many FBS teams that have their games televised. Minnesota, wisconsin? no no. anyone?