AGS 2015 FCS Preseason All-American Team

[ursus arctos horribilis]

The FCS Wedge has a new site coming that I am working on currently and it will carry news for the FCS so I am putting this up there for now.

AGS 2015 AA Team (http://thefcswedge.com/uncategorized/ags-announces-inaugural-2015-fcs-preseason-all-american-team/)

Big thanks to the voters that took the time to get involved and put a vote in. Also big thanks to SCFF for his help on the list and so forth.:)

[Professor Chaos]

Hate to say it but I think we got a quite a bit of NDSU prejudice on that team. Zack Johnson, who missed all of 2014 coming off micro fracture knee surgery, is a pretty big reach for first team AA IMO. CJ Smith and Zach Vraa are also pretty iffy (Vraa wasn't even all-MVFC honorable mention by the media). Bonnet, Haeg, and Lecompte are all very deserving of first team AA status IMO.

[chattownmocs]

Can't say I didn't go homer on some of my picks, but Johnson over Levin at OG? Not sure that's correct.

Not sure Vraa is even close to a top 2 reciever. I considered urzendowski more heavily than him.

I was sure that mobley would be an easy pick along with coprich.

I like both but JSUs DE is more deserving than their DT imo.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Hate to say it but I think we got a quite a bit of NDSU prejudice on that team. Zack Johnson, who missed all of 2014 coming off micro fracture knee surgery, is a pretty big reach for first team AA IMO. CJ Smith and Zach Vraa are also pretty iffy (Vraa wasn't even all-MVFC honorable mention by the media). Bonnet, Haeg, and Lecompte are all very deserving of first team AA status IMO.

I think there was some definite NDSU bias. I agree on 3 of those being on it but the others probably should not be first team right now. I'm sure the voting will be tweaked.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Can't say I didn't go homer on some of my picks, but Johnson over Levin at OG? Not sure that's correct.

Not sure Vraa is even close to a top 2 reciever. I considered urzendowski more heavily than him.

I was sure that mobley would be an easy pick along with coprich.

I like both but JSUs DE is more deserving than their DT imo.

I like Levin a lot. He's on my first-team. I might have had Johnson of NDSU over him if not for injury but until I see him I agree Levin should be ahead of him.

Fanning and Sigler are both good. They played pretty good at Michigan State. Fanning has more upside than any DE in FCS. Cowser runs really well but he doesn't have the size and speed combo that Fanning does.

Your DE Davis is someone I expect an All-American year from but the DE class is so good that it's hard to fit him in right now.

[F'N Hawks]

Maybe Bison fans can explain this but what is with all the love for Zack Johnson? The guy went from 2nd team All-conference to not even playing last year (injury). Now he is First-team All-American?

Most every voter for these AA teams probably haven't even seen him play so they go by previous awards, etc.

[BEAR]

It's a list.

[BisonTru]

Yeah, definitely a little heavy on the Bison.

I'd pull off Vraa, Smith, and Johnson.

But I'd add Wentz. I can understand Robertson may put up better numbers, but Wentz is the best QB in the FCS, imo.

[Professor Chaos]

Maybe Bison fans can explain this but what is with all the love for Zack Johnson? The guy went from 2nd team All-conference to not even playing last year (injury). Now he is First-team All-American?

Most every voter for these AA teams probably haven't even seen him play so they go by previous awards, etc.
Beyond that second team All-MVFC nod after the 2013 season he was by most accounts the 2nd best lineman on that Bison team after Billy Turner and that was one of the best O-lines in FCS history. Like SCFF said, had he not been hurt last year I think he'd be at the top of the list for first team AA this year. I'm guessing there were a lot of Bison fans voting on this thing who know his whole situation and voted based on his potential and that's why he is where he is on this list.

Having said that, I'm not sure yet that we can count on him being the same player he was before the injury. We'll find out soon enough.

[F'N Hawks]

Beyond that second team All-MVFC nod after the 2013 season he was by most accounts the 2nd best lineman on that 2013 Bison team after Billy Turner. And that was one of the best O-lines in FCS history. Like SCFF said, had he not been hurt last year I think he'd be at the top of the list for first team AA this year. I'm guessing there were a lot of Bison fans voting on this thing who know his whole situation and voted based on his potential and that's why he is where he is on this list.

Having said that, I'm not sure yet that we can count on him being the same player he was before the injury. We'll find out soon enough.

He was 2nd team. Not doubting he is a good player but these AA teams get weird sometimes with players the majority haven't actually seen play or barely heard of.

[Professor Chaos]

He was 2nd team. Not doubting he is a good player but these AA teams get weird sometimes with players the majority haven't actually seen play or barely heard of.
Yeah, you're right. I thought he was first team and looked it up after I posted and saw I was wrong. Edited my initial post since.

One thing to keep in mind though is of all the OL on the All-MVFC first and second teams that year he's the only one still around other than MSU's Robert Booker who is pretty much a consensus AA to start this season. Every other 1st/2nd team OL was a Jr or Sr in 2013.

[Grizalltheway]

Hate to say it but I think we got a quite a bit of NDSU prejudice on that team. Zack Johnson, who missed all of 2014 coming off micro fracture knee surgery, is a pretty big reach for first team AA IMO. CJ Smith and Zach Vraa are also pretty iffy (Vraa wasn't even all-MVFC honorable mention by the media). Bonnet, Haeg, and Lecompte are all very deserving of first team AA status IMO.

On this site?? No, never...

[BearDownMU]

No offense to Mr. Kupp, and I'm totally homer-ing it, but I do really like our rising sophmore as a PR.

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21079&stc=1

[BisonFan02]

I picked Haeg, Johnson, Bonnet, and Lecompte....but didn't for Wentz, CJ Smith, or Vraa. Heck, I argued against Vraa even being on the list and let people know CJ is going to be hobbled with injuries in the cornerback thread. Wentz also isn't a candidate for me as a 1st team guy with the others out there statistic wise. This isn't a competition for the most NFL ready QB.

If Bison fans seriously picked Vraa for one of the top 2 WRs in the FCS. PLEASE come here to explain your reasoning. If you can't, please don't participate in these votes ever again and take it to Bisonville.

[Trumpster]

I picked Haeg, Johnson, Bonnet, and Lecompte....but didn't for Wentz, CJ Smith, or Vraa.

This minus Johnson. I'd have a hard time putting Vraa as top 2 in the conference much less the FCS.

[Catsfan90]

Hate to say it but I think we got a quite a bit of NDSU prejudice on that team. Zack Johnson, who missed all of 2014 coming off micro fracture knee surgery, is a pretty big reach for first team AA IMO. CJ Smith and Zach Vraa are also pretty iffy (Vraa wasn't even all-MVFC honorable mention by the media). Bonnet, Haeg, and Lecompte are all very deserving of first team AA status IMO.

That was the first thing I noticed, but I figured that they were just that good. I am glad I'm not going crazy!

[dewey]

I didn't vote for the AA list as I didn't think I knew enough about the players to make an unbiased assesment. I would not have put Vraa, Johnson, Wentz or CJ Smith on the list for reasons others have already said.
-Vraa had a MONSTER 2013 season but really struggled last year with inuries and lack of pushing the ball downfield for most of last season. I could totally see Vraa having a 2013 season type numbers this season as Wentz will be more experienced and the offense should be amazing.
-Johnson had a great 2013 season but coming off of knee surgery I would have been leery to vote for him.
-Wentz..,I would have voted for Robertson as he is the reigning Walter Payotn award winner and was really good last year. Wentz was great towards the end of the season last year and in the playoffs but he will also be limited by NDSU's style of play of a power RB/FB offense vs Villanova's QB read option spread attack (I think IIRC).
-CJ Smith is good but he struggled last season with PI's called against him for not getting his head turned around (SDSU & ISU game in particular) plus he may be injured the first couple of games.

As for the case of OL and DB's I would have had a tough time trying to figure out who is the most deserving besdies looking at other AA lists and preseason all confernce lists.

My 2 cents.

Dewey

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Snooze you loose. I missed the vote for this.

As for the Bison, Haeg, Bonnett and LeCompte deserve to be on the list. Johnson certainly has AA potential but shouldn't be on this list after sitting out a year. CJ is a good corner but AA? Not too sure about that. Vraa? No way!

[grizband]

Ursus, man, sorry I didn't submit my team. Had it mostly finished, then forgot to submit.

As for NDSU, I had Haeg, LeCompte, and one other on my ballot; no Griz, and at least one Bobcat.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Ursus, man, sorry I didn't submit my team. Had it mostly finished, then forgot to submit.

As for NDSU, I had Haeg, LeCompte, and one other on my ballot; no Griz, and at least one Bobcat.

Kose or Van Ackren were the two best choices and they come from the LB corp so that's a tough one to sort.

[Evolution Prime]

Vraa over Weineke? xconfusedx xdrunkyx

[CasualFan]

I must be the only person that can't get the page to load. I've been trying all day and all it does is sit and spin, then:

This webpage is not availableERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT

[smallcollegefbfan]

Vraa over Weineke? xconfusedx xdrunkyx

No offense but there are 2 or 3 others ahead of Weineke in my mind. I broke him down a few weeks ago and he did not look fast. He better get faster or I hope he was just hurt because he looked like a 4.7-4.8 guy. Good hands and routes but very slow. I think King, Kupp, Mangum, Devalve, Robinson, and Lenoir are all in that discussion.

Devalve of Princeton would have been a 1st or 2nd team All-American last year had he not gotten hurt.

Go look at what Devalve did before his injury: http://ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2014-15/stats/html/prin.htm#igbg.rsh

He had 9 for 123 and 1 TD against USD and then missed 3 games and returned to have 10 catches for 120 yards before missing the rest of the year. If he stays healthy and has good QB play, you can expect 1,000-1,200 yards and about 10-15 TDs. He is a good player who nobody is talking about.

One thing to keep in mind is that we will have a loaded WR class in FCS in 2016 with Kupp, Weineke, Lance Lenoir, Spearman Robinson, Ellis Henderson, Karel Hamilton, Bruce Mapp, Brian Brown, and Brandon Ravenel. Not to mention anyone who steps up out of nowhere this year. Mercer has two good ones who should be among the top 10-15 in JT Palmer and Chandler Curtis as well.

When you look at the WR class overall this year there is a ton of talent in FCS. Of course you expect this since WR and DB are where there are the most athletes and no matter what the FBS programs do they can't sign every talented skill guy. There are too many for some real good ones not to fall down to the FCS level.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

I must be the only person that can't get the page to load. I've been trying all day and all it does is sit and spin, then:

This webpage is not availableERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT

Just started working on it a few days ago and haven't had time to do much except get it running so far but it could be something I haven't done yet? Seems odd that it works for most of the others though.

Here's the article:

For the first time ever the poll voters in the AGS Top 25 have cast their ballots to pick a NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America Team.

The offense is headlined by 2014 Walter Payton Award winner quarterback John Robertson of Villanova. Robertson threw for 2,846 yards with a 35-3 ratio passing while rushing for 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Villanova #44 Don Cherry


Leading the way defensively in voting was Villanova linebacker Don Cherry who was an All-American by nearly every media outlet in 2014. During his junior campaign, Cherry tallied 134 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss.

North Dakota State punter Ben LeCompte headlines the special teams unit. As a junior he averaged 45.3 yards per punt with 2,671 yards.

At the conclusion of the playoffs in January AGS will select the first ever postseason FCS All-America Teams and Player of the Year awards.

Below is the full list:

AGS PRESEASON FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RB Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr.
RB De’Angelo Henderson, Coastal Carolina, Jr.
FB Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WR Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr.
WR Zach Vraa, North Dakota State, Sr.
TE Josh Cook, Idaho State, Jr.
OT Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr.
OT Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OG JP Flynn, Montana State, Jr.
OG Zack Johnson, North Dakota State, Jr.
C Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.

AGS PRESEASON FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DE James Cowser, Southern Utah, Sr.
DE P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State, Soph.
DT Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr.
DT Devaunte Sigler, Jacksonville State, Sr.
LB Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr.
LB Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr.
LB Luke Rhodes, William & Mary, Sr.
CB Deiondre’ Hall, Norhtern Iowa, Sr.
CB CJ Smith, North Dakota State, Sr.
S Tim Kilfoy, Northern Iowa, Sr.
S Donald Payne, Stetson, Jr.

AGS PRESEASON FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
K John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
Tie K Michael Schmadeke, Northern Iowa, Sr.
P Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KR Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr.
PR Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr.
AP Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr.
anygivensaturday.com

anygivensaturday.com

[BucBisonAtLarge]

With lots of respect for the first effort..I couldn't bring myself to vote on this... I am not informed enough about the individual players outside of the Patriot League. I was also pretty sure that no one else really was either, outside their own team/league. This might be the All-Homer selection. Let's keep the discussion open for the rest of the season, to allow for more cross-pollination, and maybe do it again at the end of the year.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Bunny fans butthurt on their board. Says it's a Bison conspiracy.

SCFBF, when did you become a Bison fan?

[mango43]

Bunny fans butthurt on their board. Says it's a Bison conspiracy.

SCFBF, when did you become a Bison fan?

The guy that said "Surprised they didn't just list all the NDSU roster" that's USD fan, check his screen name.

Or maybe it's the fact that several are miffed that Vraa was listed as an AA while Wieneke wasn't even though Wieneke's freshman year was better than any year Vraa has had. But sure, we are butthurt.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

With lots of respect for the first effort..I couldn't bring myself to vote on this... I am not informed enough about the individual players outside of the Patriot League. I was also pretty sure that no one else really was either, outside their own team/league. This might be the All-Homer selection. Let's keep the discussion open for the rest of the season, to allow for more cross-pollination, and maybe do it again at the end of the year.

That's the whole point. Get it started and figure out how it needs to be made a better process going forward. I've identified, and so have others on here what some problems are and I have some ideas how this will be fixed going forward. You nailed it with the "informed discussion" aspect you proposed. One thing voters will have going forward is a smaller list to begin with and then an aritcle and posting of stats and other information for each player being considered.

One thing on the homer claim that is being suggested. I have to go look again but I think it is more from NON NDSU fans than from this being an internal thing. Some voters may have just seen an NDSU player listed and given them the nod over another person they were contemplating.

Vraa being on over Jake Wieneke was by only one vote though so will have to say that one could be either way.

We'll be much better going forward but until the end of the year we don't really know how we did anyway. As we always do with the poll I imagine we'll stack these up against each other and see who was a better predictor.

[BucBisonAtLarge]

That's the whole point. Get it started and figure out how it needs to be made a better process going forward. I've identified, and so have others on here what some problems are and I have some ideas how this will be fixed going forward. You nailed it with the "informed discussion" aspect you proposed. One thing voters will have going forward is a smaller list to begin with and then an aritcle and posting of stats and other information for each player being considered.

One thing on the homer claim that is being suggested. I have to go look again but I think it is more from NON NDSU fans than from this being an internal thing. Some voters may have just seen an NDSU player listed and given them the nod over another person they were contemplating.

Vraa being on over Jake Wieneke was by only one vote though so will have to say that one could be either way.

We'll be much better going forward but until the end of the year we don't really know how we did anyway. As we always do with the poll I imagine we'll stack these up against each other and see who was a better predictor.

As I said, I respect the attempt. I am considering just focusing on a particular position, like TE or the OL, honing in on key stats and outstanding performances. It might make reading those weekly conference pressers more interesting on Monday mornings.

[Missingnumber7]

Were there any unanimous selections?

[NoDak 4 Ever]

The guy that said "Surprised they didn't just list all the NDSU roster" that's USD fan, check his screen name.

Or maybe it's the fact that several are miffed that Vraa was listed as an AA while Wieneke wasn't even though Wieneke's freshman year was better than any year Vraa has had. But sure, we are butthurt.

I voted for Weinke but only because I saw him. Upon further review, I'm inclined to agree with SCFBF

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Were there any unanimous selections?

No. Close on a couple but didn't quite make it.

[CasualFan]

Just started working on it a few days ago and haven't had time to do much except get it running so far but it could be something I haven't done yet? Seems odd that it works for most of the others though.
I think it was something on my end. It worked fine once I got home from work. Hopefully they aren't going to curb my surfing.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Bunny fans butthurt on their board. Says it's a Bison conspiracy.

SCFBF, when did you become a Bison fan?

LOL. I'm not pleased with the fact that UNI and NDSU seemed to have a lot of homer votes. We need to make this just as respectable as any other media list. I believe we have at least 10-30 voters on AGS who could come up with a good team. This slight bias was a worry of mine and why I waited years since I first thought of this to bring it up. We will all work to correct this and make sure it does not happen on the postseason list. Maybe we could have the admins contact voters to ask them to justify why they voted for someone over another when it looks like a homer selection.

[BisonFan02]

LOL. I'm not pleased with the fact that UNI and NDSU seemed to have a lot of homer votes. We need to make this just as respectable as any other media list. I believe we have at least 10-30 voters on AGS who could come up with a good team. This slight bias was a worry of mine and why I waited years since I first thought of this to bring it up. We will all work to correct this and make sure it does not happen on the postseason list. Maybe we could have the admins contact voters to ask them to justify why they voted for someone over another when it looks like a homer selection.

Let ursus and co. do some research/statistics perhaps on the voters. Noted before, it looks like a lot of the Vraa votes were NOT from Bison fans? I'm also 100% willing to post my ballot....if only I could find my ACTUAL final picks. xthumbsupx

[smallcollegefbfan]

It was mentioned to me we could make some edits to correct some picks that looked crazy but I was all for posting the list exactly as it was without breaking ties or anything. When I first saw this team I wanted this to happen. Good healthy discussion will improve this. Mark my words and that of the admins, the postseason team will be better. I believe the AA team is something that should be a right earned by those who can give a good vote.

Just to show how picky I am. I believe with all the film I have watched this off-season I should probably redo the postseason All-America teams for 2014! lol

[BisonFan02]

It was mentioned to me we could make some edits to correct some picks that looked crazy but I was all for posting the list exactly as it was without breaking ties or anything. When I first saw this team I wanted this to happen. Good healthy discussion will improve this. Mark my words and that of the admins, the postseason team will be better. I believe the AA team is something that should be a right earned by those who can give a good vote.

Just to show how picky I am. I believe with all the film I have watched this off-season I should probably redo the postseason All-America teams for 2014! lol

Don't get me wrong, I think there probably should be more of a vetting process for voters for the AA team (what was the total # of ballots anyway?). Looking at the final results, I think my ballot is close to the finished product sans a couple differences...Vraa being one that I omitted.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Don't get me wrong, I think there probably should be more of a vetting process for voters for the AA team (what was the total # of ballots anyway?). Looking at the final results, I think my ballot is close to the finished product sans a couple differences...Vraa being one that I omitted.

That's what I'm thinking. It was not bad overall. Just a few positions but seeing two schools have a heavy slant just makes it look biased. I know they will have the postseason list corrected and it will look great. It's just the first time. I expect next year's team to be very good.

[BisonFan02]

That's what I'm thinking. It was not bad overall. Just a few positions but seeing two schools have a heavy slant just makes it look biased. I know they will have the postseason list corrected and it will look great. It's just the first time. I expect next year's team to be very good.

Now...that being said, if a player or two gets punished because "well...we already have TOO many players from this team on the list" types of voting, that is BS too. I realize that happens a lot today (especially in some all conference type teams), but that doesn't mean AGS needs too. In the case of Haeg, LeCompte, Bonnet, and to an extent Johnson, how much of a homer vote is that really....same thing with Hall, Kilfoy, and Schmadeke from UNI (granted, I had voted for Lunsford).

[smallcollegefbfan]

Now...that being said, if a player or two gets punished because "well...we already have TOO many players from this team on the list" types of voting, that is BS too. I realize that happens a lot today (especially in some all conference type teams), but that doesn't mean AGS needs too. In the case of Haeg, LeCompte, Bonnet, and to an extent Johnson, how much of a homer vote is that really....same thing with Hall, Kilfoy, and Schmadeke from UNI (granted, I had voted for Lunsford).

As long as both teams finish in the top 5 and those players at least are 1st team All-MVFC, if they stay healthy. With that many from UNI they definitely need to be a top 5 team. Their DE Ales almost made the list. He was only a couple votes away from first-team.

[BisonFan02]

Here's where I think the concern is:

# of All American players by conference:

MVFC: 12
Big Sky: 5
SLC: 4
CAA: 3
Big South: 2
OVC: 1
MEAC: 1
Pioneer: 1
SoCon: 0
SWAC: 0
IVY: 0
Patriot: 0
NEC: 0
Total: 29

but you know what....the MVFC, Big Sky, and to a lesser extent perhaps SLC/CAA/Big South have BETTER teams/players than the rest of the FCS.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Here's where I think the concern is:

# of All American players by conference:

MVFC: 12
Big Sky: 5
SLC: 4
CAA: 3
Big South: 2
OVC: 1
MEAC: 1
Pioneer: 1
SoCon: 0
SWAC: 0
IVY: 0
Patriot: 0
NEC: 0
Total: 29

but you know what....the MVFC, Big Sky, and to a lesser extent perhaps SLC/CAA/Big South have BETTER teams/players than the rest of the FCS.

SoCon will have some on the postseason list and I do think leaving them off all together is wrong. However, I am more worried when you see 6 or 7 of 12 from 2 schools on a list like this. It means UNI and NDSU better finish top 5 and it is hard to imagine 3 from MVFC in the top 5, which is what I'm seeing with the voting results. Several from Illinois State would have made the 2nd team, I'm told.

[PantherRob82]

The post season poll would also be much better if we had posters that tracked candidates for each position and could update the list with stats and highlights.

Problem #1- Having the people to do it.
Problem #2- Finding FCS highlights for a lot of teams.

[clenz]

SoCon will have some on the postseason list and I do think leaving them off all together is wrong. However, I am more worried when you see 6 or 7 of 12 from 2 schools on a list like this. It means UNI and NDSU better finish top 5 and it is hard to imagine 3 from MVFC in the top 5, which is what I'm seeing with the voting results. Several from Illinois State would have made the 2nd team, I'm told.
That's a tough metric to throw against UNI in a year that could be bumpy record wise because of a new offense.

UNI should have a top 5 defense, I agree there. Killfoy, Hall, McMakin, McNeil and crew have high expectations but have pretty well shown they are deserving...especially Kilfoy and Hall

[gotts]

Ursus, was there an email confirmation of who you voted for, similar to the poll? Just wondering, as I'd be willing to post my ballot...

[BisonFan02]

Ursus, was there an email confirmation of who you voted for, similar to the poll? Just wondering, as I'd be willing to post my ballot...

Ditto, but there wasn't an email confirmation this time around.

[BisonFan02]

That's a tough metric to throw against UNI in a year that could be bumpy record wise because of a new offense.

UNI should have a top 5 defense, I agree there. Killfoy, Hall, McMakin, McNeil and crew have high expectations but have pretty well shown they are deserving...especially Kilfoy and Hall

Kilfoy and Hall were both locks on my ballot as my two UNI inclusions. I think the big need for UNI this year on D is replacing that boat anchor in the middle in Xavier Williams.

[mvemjsunpx]

My ballot, for those that are interested. I may not be remembering this all quite correct, though (especially my CB picks)…

*edit* - The CB selections have now been corrected after getting my confirmation ballot.


QB: John Robertson - Villanova
RB: Marshaun Coprich - Illinois St.
RB: Tarik Cohen - North Carolina A&T
FB: Seth Fisher - Richmond
WR: Jake Wieneke - South Dakota St.
WR: Cooper Kupp - Eastern Washington
TE: Duncan Fletcher - Furman
T: Joe Haeg - North Dakota St.
T: Kyle Smith - Portland St.
G: J.P. Flynn - Montana St.
G: Corey Levin - Chattanooga
C: Bruce Johnson - Maine

DE: Derek Rivers - Youngstown St.
DE: James Cowser - Southern Utah
DT: Devaunte Sigler - SC State
DT: Blaine Woodson - Delaware
LB: Brett McMakin - Northern Iowa
LB: Conner Underwood - Indiana St.
LB: Don Cherry - Villanova
CB: Trey Morgan - Western Carolina
CB: Taylor Reynolds - James Madison
S: Donald Payne - Stetson
S: Mark Sewall - Indiana St.

K: Ryan McCrum - Southeast Missouri St.
P: Lachlan Edwards - Sam Houston St.
KR: Pokey Harris - Murray St.
PR: Chandler Curtis - Mercer
AP: Chandler Curtis - Mercer

[smallcollegefbfan]

That's a tough metric to throw against UNI in a year that could be bumpy record wise because of a new offense.

UNI should have a top 5 defense, I agree there. Killfoy, Hall, McMakin, McNeil and crew have high expectations but have pretty well shown they are deserving...especially Kilfoy and Hall

The defense should definitely be top 5 with all those guys. Ales, McNeil, Hall, Kilfoy, McMakin, Reth, Dorleant, and others. You guys are loaded.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

I just tried to quickly add the form emailer and think you all got a copy sent to you.

[BisonFan02]

Updated with actual ballot (thanks ursus!)

QUARTERBACK: John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS: Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr., De’Angelo Henderson, Coastal Carolina, Jr.
FULLBACK: Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr., Darrin Peterson, Liberty, Sr.
TIGHT END: Josh Cook, Idaho State, Jr.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr., Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS: JP Flynn, Montana State, Jr., Zack Johnson, North Dakota State, Jr.
CENTER: Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas, Sr., Teddy Corwin, Illinois State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr., Devaunte Sigler, Jacksonville State, Sr.
LINEBACKERS: Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr., Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr., Pat Meehan, Illinois State, Sr.
CORNERBACKS: Harlan Miller, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa, Sr.
SAFETIES: Donald Payne, Stetson, Jr., Tim Kilfoy, Northern Iowa, Sr.
KICKER: John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
PUNTER: Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KICK RETURNER: Devin Brown, Coastal Carolina, Jr.
PUNT RETURNER: Je’Ryan Butler, South Dakota State, Sr.
ALL-PURPOSE: Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr

[ursus arctos horribilis]

As long as both teams finish in the top 5 and those players at least are 1st team All-MVFC, if they stay healthy. With that many from UNI they definitely need to be a top 5 team. Their DE Ales almost made the list. He was only a couple votes away from first-team.

I can see the reasoning of the players needing to be first team MVFC but the both teams needing to be top 5 to justify it is a false equivalency. I think you yourself explained this on another thread that having some All conference or AA players does not necessarily mean the team is over the top when it's got other pieces that may not hold up.

[chattownmocs]

The players on here are almost exclusively from the mvc or someone the mvc played against. I do think they should have the most but not this many, return specialist are also head scratchers. Anyone from outside the southeast ever heard of chandler curtis?

[KPSUL]

I think the fact that NDSU is the team most of us have watched the most, excluding our homer school, contributed to the disproportinate number of Bison selectees more than the large number of NDSU voters. I selected the three Bison players mentioned most frequently by NDSU faithful: Haeg, Lecompte and Bonnett.

I've got more problem with the selection of Safety Donald Payne from Stetson. No doubt he is a talented player, but there is no way you could justify him as the number one Strong Safety in FCS based on the poor level of competition he has faced. in 2014, Stetson played three Div. II OOC opponents and its Pioneer League schedule. The one solid FCS opponet they faced, Mercer, they lost 49-0. His tackling stats are off the chart good which in addition to indicating he is a hard-nosed, tenacious defender, indicates more clearly that the Stetson DL and LBs are not doing their jobs. He wouldn't get anywhere near as many tackling opportunites playing behind legitimate FCS defensive linemen and linebackers. His pass defending stats are mediocre, 18th in PL for passes defended and 7th in interceptions. Does anyone really think he'd put up the impressive sack and tackle for loss PL numbers against MVFC, CAA or Southland competition?

[Professor Chaos]

I think just having a blurb on each candidate would go a long way in making the voting process a lot better and less biased. I went through my whole ballot once and put in my "no brainers" and I didn't even have half the players I needed selected so I had to look up a ton of guys. I'll throw an example out there for a guy I know that I can easily pull from his player bio on the NDSU athletics website.

LT Joe Haeg, Sr., North Dakota St (http://www.gobison.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6225&path=football) - 45 career starts at RT and LT. 2014 All-America first team selection by the AFCA, Sports Network, Associated Press, FCS Athletic Directors Association and College Sporting News. 2014 All-MVFC first team selection.

I know we want to make this AA team our own so I don't think including blurbs from other preseason teams would be appropriate but I think just having something short like that for each candidate on past accomplishments/stats would go a long ways towards improving the school and conference homer votes. I'd be willing to help out in the future by compiling blurbs for every candidate in at least one of the position groups. If we had a bunch of peeps helping out that would even give us some SCFF like experts on each position group to throw out their opinions since they've done the research on every candidate in that group to compile the short summaries on each.

[dewey]

I think just having a blurb on each candidate would go a long way in making the voting process a lot better and less biased. I went through my whole ballot once and put in my "no brainers" and I didn't even have half the players I needed selected so I had to look up a ton of guys. I'll throw an example out there for a guy I know that I can easily pull from his player bio on the NDSU athletics website.

LT Joe Haeg, Sr., North Dakota St (http://www.gobison.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6225&path=football) - 45 career starts at RT and LT. 2014 All-America first team selection by the AFCA, Sports Network, Associated Press, FCS Athletic Directors Association and College Sporting News. 2014 All-MVFC first team selection.

I know we want to make this AA team our own so I don't think including blurbs from other preseason teams would be appropriate but I think just having something short like that for each candidate on past accomplishments/stats would go a long ways towards improving the school and conference homer votes. I'd be willing to help out in the future by compiling blurbs for every candidate in at least one of the position groups. If we had a bunch of peeps helping out that would even give us some SCFF like experts on each position group to throw out their opinions since they've done the research on every candidate in that group to compile the short summaries on each.

Great idea PC! I would be willing to compile a short summary for a position group or two in the future as the short summary would be purely player statistics and recognition and hopefully unbiased.

For example of things to include
Player x
Started at TE for xxx for 45 straight games.
2014 all xxx 1st team
2015 2nd team all american
X catches for y yards....etc.

Nothing like.
He is as strong as a bull
He is a great kid.

Ursus could compile a list of people willing to help the cause and then tell us what group we have and then we he needs it by.

Dewey

[KUlawJack]

No offense but there are 2 or 3 others ahead of Weineke in my mind. I broke him down a few weeks ago and he did not look fast. He better get faster or I hope he was just hurt because he looked like a 4.7-4.8 guy. Good hands and routes but very slow. I think King, Kupp, Mangum, Devalve, Robinson, and Lenoir are all in that discussion.

Devalve of Princeton would have been a 1st or 2nd team All-American last year had he not gotten hurt.

Go look at what Devalve did before his injury: http://ivyleaguesports.com/sports/fball/2014-15/stats/html/prin.htm#igbg.rsh

He had 9 for 123 and 1 TD against USD and then missed 3 games and returned to have 10 catches for 120 yards before missing the rest of the year. If he stays healthy and has good QB play, you can expect 1,000-1,200 yards and about 10-15 TDs. He is a good player who nobody is talking about.

One thing to keep in mind is that we will have a loaded WR class in FCS in 2016 with Kupp, Weineke, Lance Lenoir, Spearman Robinson, Ellis Henderson, Karel Hamilton, Bruce Mapp, Brian Brown, and Brandon Ravenel. Not to mention anyone who steps up out of nowhere this year. Mercer has two good ones who should be among the top 10-15 in JT Palmer and Chandler Curtis as well.

When you look at the WR class overall this year there is a ton of talent in FCS. Of course you expect this since WR and DB are where there are the most athletes and no matter what the FBS programs do they can't sign every talented skill guy. There are too many for some real good ones not to fall down to the FCS level.

Not saying that you are wrong to have 2 or 3 guys ahead of him. There are a ton of good players in the FCS.

He was playing on one good leg toward the end of the season after he got injured against NDSU during the regular season.

Regarding his speed, his production was pretty decent in our offense as a freshman. Watch some tape of him early in the year. Check out Cal Poly and Missouri State. He looked plenty fast there. I watched him all year. He may not be the fastest, but he is hardly slow. He ran track for SDSU this past spring and posted a 22.12, 200 and anchored our "B" 400 relay team to a time that nearly broke the school record. This was after asking the assistant coach to join the team after he came back from spring break. All done in an effort to get faster.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Not saying that you are wrong to have 2 or 3 guys ahead of him. There are a ton of good players in the FCS.

He was playing on one good leg toward the end of the season after he got injured against NDSU during the regular season.

Regarding his speed, his production was pretty decent in our offense as a freshman. Watch some tape of him early in the year. Check out Cal Poly and Missouri State. He looked plenty fast there. I watched him all year. He isn't slow.


I admit I did not see an early game of him so that could very well be why. I'll check him out this fall and see how fast he looks. I may even peak at an early game of him from last year when I have a chance today just to see how he runs.

I do think people under value Chris King heavily. King is a big time talent. These awards are not about NFL talent but King is one and since he has very good production it is hard to leave a guy like him out of a top 3. King's QB is returning while Kupp's isn't so it will be interesting to see what happens with both of them. I expect NEC coaches to focus heavily on King. You can tell how good coaches think a player is by how they scheme against them and King is very well respected in in the NEC. He could play in any Power 5 conference.

Like I said before, this is a terrific group of WRs in FCS.

[KUlawJack]

I admit I did not see an early game of him so that could very well be why. I'll check him out this fall and see how fast he looks. I may even peak at an early game of him from last year when I have a chance today just to see how he runs.

I do think people under value Chris King heavily. King is a big time talent. These awards are not about NFL talent but King is one and since he has very good production it is hard to leave a guy like him out of a top 3. King's QB is returning while Kupp's isn't so it will be interesting to see what happens with both of them. I expect NEC coaches to focus heavily on King. You can tell how good coaches think a player is by how they scheme against them and King is very well respected in in the NEC. He could play in any Power 5 conference.

Like I said before, this is a terrific group of WRs in FCS.

I edited after you posted, so my apologies. Wieneke went out for track to get faster this last spring. That never hurts. If you're going to watch an early season game, the two I mentioned are good ones to check him out. If there's anything available I suppose!

[smallcollegefbfan]

I edited after you posted, so my apologies. Wieneke went out for track to get faster this last spring. That never hurts. If you're going to watch an early season game, the two I mentioned are good ones to check him out. If there's anything available I suppose!

I will check him out. No question he is a good player but I slotted him just a little bit lower because all the others I had in that top group looked faster, which is typically my tiebreaker between comparable talents.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

You all should have gotten your ballots sent to you last night. Did that happen?

[clenz]

Nope

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Nope

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Well then, looks like I got a little more work to do there.

[BisonFan02]

Well then, looks like I got a little more work to do there.

Yep

[smallcollegefbfan]

I edited after you posted, so my apologies. Wieneke went out for track to get faster this last spring. That never hurts. If you're going to watch an early season game, the two I mentioned are good ones to check him out. If there's anything available I suppose!

Just watched the 78-yarder against Missouri State. He doesn't have a great burst and he isn't extremely quick and shifty but he does have a decent second gear. He's a bigger target so he would probably be in a P5 program if he were a 4.4 guy but I would say he is a 4.65 type guy right now. I still don't rank him above King, Kupp, Devalve, and Peterson but I would put him in that same tier with Mangum, Lenoir, Robinson, McRoberts, etc.

[grizband]

Did you only send ballots to people who submitted ,ursus?

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Did you only send ballots to people who submitted ,ursus?

Yeah, well if you put the right email in. The email is the key to getting a response, normally. I don't have this one working correctly just yet. Need to do some tinkering either tonight or tomorrow to get it ironed out. You do not look to have put in a name or email fwiw.

[grizband]

Yeah, well if you put the right email in. The email is the key to getting a response, normally. I don't have this one working correctly just yet. Need to do some tinkering either tonight or tomorrow to get it ironed out. You do not look to have put in a name or email fwiw.
Received the original email, but didn't get my ballot submitted in time. Just thought I might have missed something else.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

unless I fatfingered the email, I believe I submitted it correctly.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

To be clear. Nobody has gotten an email. I have installed the script but have not fine tuned it to send to you guys as of yet.

I will post on here when I next attempt to send them so you all know to BOLO.

[APaladindad]

I must be the only person that can't get the page to load. I've been trying all day and all it does is sit and spin, then:

This webpage is not available

ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
I had the same problem and after 2 days I gave up and just posted my votes for each position even though they did not count!

[ursus arctos horribilis]

I had the same problem and after 2 days I gave up and just posted my votes for each position even though they did not count!

If you can't see that webpage then I think there is a problem with possibly a work computer. thefcswege.com should not have anything blocking it. CasualFan said that once he got home he could see it fine.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Ok, I think have the emailer tweaked now. You guys getting them in?

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Got my email. Here's my ballot, very light on the homerism, I must say.

QUARTERBACK: John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS: Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr., Chase Edmonds, Fordham, Soph.
FULLBACK: Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr., Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State, Soph.
TIGHT END: Josh Cook, Idaho State, Jr.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr., Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS: JP Flynn, Montana State, Jr., Joe Turner, Furman, Sr.
CENTER: Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: Teddy Corwin, Illinois State, Sr., Isaac Ales, Northern Iowa, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr., Josh Freeman, Chattanooga, Sr.
LINEBACKERS: Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr., Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr., Pat Meehan, Illinois State, Sr.
CORNERBACKS: Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa, Sr., CJ Smith, North Dakota State, Sr.
SAFETIES: Brent Spikes, McNeese State, Sr., Lucas Webb, Chattanooga, Soph.
KICKER: John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
PUNTER: Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KICK RETURNER: Pokey Harris, Murray State, Sr.
PUNT RETURNER: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr.
ALL-PURPOSE: Johnta’ Hebert, Prairie View A&M, Sr.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Got my email. Here's my ballot, very light on the homerism, I must say.

QUARTERBACK: John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS: Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr., Chase Edmonds, Fordham, Soph.
FULLBACK: Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr., Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State, Soph.
TIGHT END: Josh Cook, Idaho State, Jr.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr., Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS: JP Flynn, Montana State, Jr., Joe Turner, Furman, Sr.
CENTER: Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: Teddy Corwin, Illinois State, Sr., Isaac Ales, Northern Iowa, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr., Josh Freeman, Chattanooga, Sr.
LINEBACKERS: Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr., Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr., Pat Meehan, Illinois State, Sr.
CORNERBACKS: Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa, Sr., CJ Smith, North Dakota State, Sr.
SAFETIES: Brent Spikes, McNeese State, Sr., Lucas Webb, Chattanooga, Soph.
KICKER: John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
PUNTER: Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KICK RETURNER: Pokey Harris, Murray State, Sr.
PUNT RETURNER: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr.
ALL-PURPOSE: Johnta’ Hebert, Prairie View A&M, Sr.

One thing I'm noticing is that many people are not biased for their own team as much as they are their own league. That's the big thing I would like to see us improve on. Hopefully voters will make it a big effort to record games and actually watch more outside of their league to compare players.

[BisonFan02]

Updated with actual ballot (thanks ursus!)

QUARTERBACK: John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS: Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr., De’Angelo Henderson, Coastal Carolina, Jr.
FULLBACK: Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr., Darrin Peterson, Liberty, Sr.
TIGHT END: Josh Cook, Idaho State, Jr.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr., Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS: JP Flynn, Montana State, Jr., Zack Johnson, North Dakota State, Jr.
CENTER: Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas, Sr., Teddy Corwin, Illinois State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr., Devaunte Sigler, Jacksonville State, Sr.
LINEBACKERS: Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr., Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr., Pat Meehan, Illinois State, Sr.
CORNERBACKS: Harlan Miller, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa, Sr.
SAFETIES: Donald Payne, Stetson, Jr., Tim Kilfoy, Northern Iowa, Sr.
KICKER: John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
PUNTER: Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KICK RETURNER: Devin Brown, Coastal Carolina, Jr.
PUNT RETURNER: Je’Ryan Butler, South Dakota State, Sr.
ALL-PURPOSE: Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr

Bumping my actual ballot for update/discussion.

[mvemjsunpx]

I think the fact that NDSU is the team most of us have watched the most, excluding our homer school, contributed to the disproportinate number of Bison selectees more than the large number of NDSU voters. I selected the three Bison players mentioned most frequently by NDSU faithful: Haeg, Lecompte and Bonnett.

I've got more problem with the selection of Safety Donald Payne from Stetson. No doubt he is a talented player, but there is no way you could justify him as the number one Strong Safety in FCS based on the poor level of competition he has faced. in 2014, Stetson played three Div. II OOC opponents and its Pioneer League schedule. The one solid FCS opponet they faced, Mercer, they lost 49-0. His tackling stats are off the chart good which in addition to indicating he is a hard-nosed, tenacious defender, indicates more clearly that the Stetson DL and LBs are not doing their jobs. He wouldn't get anywhere near as many tackling opportunites playing behind legitimate FCS defensive linemen and linebackers. His pass defending stats are mediocre, 18th in PL for passes defended and 7th in interceptions. Does anyone really think he'd put up the impressive sack and tackle for loss PL numbers against MVFC, CAA or Southland competition?

I was skeptical at first, too, but Payne is (I believe) the highest ranked FCS safety on NFLDraftScout—ranked 16th. among strong safeties for 2017.

Legit NFL prospect + off-the-charts stats (even against weaker competition) = obvious All-American choice

[smallcollegefbfan]

I was skeptical at first, too, but Payne is (I believe) the highest ranked FCS safety on NFLDraftScout—ranked 16th. among strong safeties for 2017.

Legit NFL prospect + off-the-charts stats (even against weaker competition) = obvious All-American choice

Don't be so sure on those ratings. They are just ranking players based on production until they are seniors. That's why you probably saw they updated their rankings recently. Now, you can assume that a FCS player rated high on their list is a legit NFL prospect rated high by NFL teams. DraftScout took their scout feedback and has done some projecting as well but has their seniors rated as that.

As for underclassmen, Payne is a legit player whether or not he has NFL stock. I for one think he will get a shot in the NFL but I actually think he is better than DraftScout has him rated if he improves his speed some. Payne is the 2nd best safety in FCS behind Killebrew. I would also say any ballot that does not include Payne on a 1st or 2nd team should not be counted. He's in on just about every player. Killebrew is a freak athlete who can run down anyone and has great range. While Payne won't run 4.4s like Killebrew he is the most active safety in FCS and the biggest impact player on an every down basis of any safety in FCS.

I said about 3-4 months ago that in late July and August you would probably see the ratings at NFLDraftScout change heavily and they have.

I would start to put stock in the 2017 draft ratings by NFLDraftScout next August. The guy who does their ratings is the best in the business and someone I respect the heck out of. Believe it or not you can see that he has spent the last 3 months or so quietly updating the info on players, adding players, and removing some others as well as updating transfers. The star of their website isn't even seen in the public eye really. I wish they would have him do prospect rankings and lists because the true hero who does all of their website data is not given the credit he should be given. Mel Kiper and even others copy his work all the time. You will start to see the Senior Bowl Watch List and many others now that NFLDraftScout has put their first senior ratings out.

As for FCS talent in this year's draft here is every player who I know has been given either a draftable or very high priority free agent grade with a shot to get drafted by NFL scouts heading into the fall.



Pos
First Name
Last Name
School


DE
Ugonna
Awuruonye
Campbell


DE
Jonathan
Woodard
Central Arkansas


WR
Chris
King
Duquesne


OLB
Kamu
Grugier-Hill
Eastern Illinois


OT
Clay
DeBord
Eastern Washington


C
Garrick
Mayweather Jr.
Fordham


DT
O.J.
Mau
Gardner-Webb


OT
Torian
White
Hampton


OC
Anthony
Fabiano
Harvard


OT
Cole
Toner
Harvard


RB
Marshaun
Coprich
Illinois State


QB
Tre
Roberson
Illinois State


DT
Devaunte
Sigler
Jacksonville State


DE
LaMichael
Fanning
Jacksonville State


QB
Vad
Lee
James Madison


CB
Matt
Smalley
Lafayette


SS
Jared
Roberts
Lafayette


WR
Darrin
Peterson
Liberty


QB
Josh
Woodrum
Liberty


PK
John
Lunsford
Liberty


TE
Beau
Sandland
Montana State


OLB
Deon
King
Norfolk State


QB
Carson
Wentz
North Dakota State


OT
Joe
Haeg
North Dakota State


RS
Ed
Eagan
Northwestern State


WR
Seth
DeValve
Princeton


CB
James
Bradberry
Samford


DT
Javon
Hargrave
South Carolina State


WR
Paul
McRoberts
Southeast Missouri State


CB
Harlan
Miller
Southeastern Louisiana


TE
Adam
Fuehne
Southern Illinois


CB
LeShaun
Sims
Southern Utah


DE
James
Cowser
Southern Utah


SS
Miles
Killebrew
Southern Utah


DE
Victor
Ochi
Stony Brook


DT
Jon
Desir
Towson


FS
Christian
Carpenter
Towson


ILB
Don
Cherry
Villanova


WR
Karnorris
Benson
Western Carolina


CB
DeAndre
Houston-Carson
William & Mary


ILB
Luke
Rhodes
William & Mary


OT
Trevor
Strickland
Youngstown State




I'll be interested to see what EIU DB Dylan Chapman does coming from basketball, UNI WR Rod Hall from basketball, UNI RB Savon Huggins and Darrian Miller, as well at Beau Sandland of Montana State and Kenneth Durden of YSU who did not play last year but could all have a big 2015 season.

[gotts]

QUARTERBACK: John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS: Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr., Dy’Shawn Mobley, Eastern Kentucky, Sr.
FULLBACK: Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr., Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State, Soph.
TIGHT END: Jordan Payne, Alcorn State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr., Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS: Garrick Mayweather Jr., Fordham, Sr., Aaron Neary, Eastern Washington, Sr.
CENTER: Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: James Cowser, Southern Utah, Sr., Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr., Devaunte Sigler, Jacksonville State, Sr.
LINEBACKERS: Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr., Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr., Luke Rhodes, William & Mary, Sr.
CORNERBACKS: DeAndre Houston-Carson, William & Mary, Sr., Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa, Sr.
SAFETIES: Donald Payne, Stetson, Jr., Christian Carpenter, Towson, Sr.
KICKER: John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
PUNTER: Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KICK RETURNER: Pokey Harris, Murray State, Sr.
PUNT RETURNER: Chandler Curtis, Mercer, Soph.
ALL-PURPOSE: Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas, Jr.

[clenz]

One thing I'm noticing is that many people are not biased for their own team as much as they are their own league. That's the big thing I would like to see us improve on. Hopefully voters will make it a big effort to record games and actually watch more outside of their league to compare players.
The thing you're likely seeing is MVFC bias. I was likely one to "fall into that trap", especially with defensive players. The thing in my head us I saw what the MVFC did to other conferences last year. I saw a size and speed difference that I wouldn't have believed had I not watched as many games as I did, in person and TV. You give me the MVFC All Conference team vs the FCS with last year's teams and returning players and I will put a good chunk of money on the MVFC.

That's as of now. My opinion could easily be swayed in the first few weeks of the season

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[PantherRob82]

One thing I'm noticing is that many people are not biased for their own team as much as they are their own league. That's the big thing I would like to see us improve on. Hopefully voters will make it a big effort to record games and actually watch more outside of their league to compare players.

Even with watching a lot of other teams game it's really hard to pick up on players names and really compare them to other opponents

[smallcollegefbfan]

The thing you're likely seeing is MVFC bias. I was likely one to "fall into that trap", especially with defensive players. The thing in my head us I saw what the MVFC did to other conferences last year. I saw a size and speed difference that I wouldn't have believed had I not watched as many games as I did, in person and TV. You give me the MVFC All Conference team vs the FCS with last year's teams and returning players and I will put a good chunk of money on the MVFC.

That's as of now. My opinion could easily be swayed in the first few weeks of the season

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I'll say this. There are individual players like Donald Payne in the Pioneer League who could no doubt play and be a star in the MVFC. I think the distinction here is that from top to bottom the MVFC is the best. There is no question about that right now. Thanks to NDSU and the emergence of Illinois State for sure. However, there are 10-15 individuals in just about every league who are as good or better than anyone in the MVFC. The Southern Conference doesn't have a Brian Quick or Aaron Mellette at WR but they have a lot of very talented WRs. There is no Carson Wentz or even Kyle Emanuel in the SoCon right now but there are a lot of players who would at least be 2nd team All-MVFC and 5-8 who would clearly be on the 1st team.

I do agree that the MVFC is the best right now. Add in the transfers from FBS at UNI and their usual talent along with some of the talent YSU has picked up and Indiana State and the MVFC is very scary top to bottom. It is what the CAA was several years ago when we debated 5 teams being in a 16 team field. You could argue 6 teams from the MVFC belong in the top 20 right now.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Even with watching a lot of other teams game it's really hard to pick up on players names and really compare them to other opponents

I look at the individual skill set and athleticism of those players and compare to who covers ground faster, who is more active, who has better football IQ, etc. That's the best way to do it. A freak is a freak no matter what division. There are players in D2 who could step in the MVFC right now and be stars. There may not be but 10-12 but they are out there.

[mvemjsunpx]

As for underclassmen, Payne is a legit player whether or not he has NFL stock. I for one think he will get a shot in the NFL but I actually think he is better than DraftScout has him rated if he improves his speed some. Payne is the 2nd best safety in FCS behind Killebrew. I would also say any ballot that does not include Payne on a 1st or 2nd team should not be counted. He's in on just about every player. Killebrew is a freak athlete who can run down anyone and has great range. While Payne won't run 4.4s like Killebrew he is the most active safety in FCS and the biggest impact player on an every down basis of any safety in FCS.

I was actually surprised to see Payne make the final team. I figured most voters would just see "Stetson" and immediately ignore him.

As for Killebrew… With players like him & Cowser on the team, how the hell was SUU's defense so bad last year? They were arguably the worst unit in the Big Sky, and that's really saying something.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I was actually surprised to see Payne make the final team. I figured most voters would just see "Stetson" and immediately ignore him.

As for Killebrew… With players like him & Cowser on the team, how the hell was SUU's defense so bad last year? They were arguably the worst unit in the Big Sky, and that's really saying something.

Well SUU had 4 very good players and the rest were bad. CB Sims was pretty good but the other CB got burnt a lot. Killebrew made plays but the other safety got burnt a lot. The linebackers were not very good with the exception of their ILB tackling machine and Cowser was really the only productive guy up front. It's strange how a bad unit could have 2 All-Americans while a great unit could only have 2. Like I said, you have to look at the individual ability and play of each guy. I look at the group as a whole when picking the best teams but when picking All-Americans I look at each player on their own merit and don't hold a bad overall unit against them.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

I was actually surprised to see Payne make the final team. I figured most voters would just see "Stetson" and immediately ignore him.

As for Killebrew… With players like him & Cowser on the team, how the hell was SUU's defense so bad last year? They were arguably the worst unit in the Big Sky, and that's really saying something.
That f'n Cowser is just a beast. Killebrew real good too.

[smallcollegefbfan]

That f'n Cowser is just a beast. Killebrew real good too.

They both are. Some of what they can do athletically is impressive. If I could redo my 2014 postseason All-America teams I would have put Cowser and Killebrew both on the 2nd team. I short changed Killebrew last year but I had not really watched him until this spring.

[KPSUL]

I was skeptical at first, too, but Payne is (I believe) the highest ranked FCS safety on NFLDraftScout—ranked 16th. among strong safeties for 2017.

Legit NFL prospect + off-the-charts stats (even against weaker competition) = obvious All-American choice

I understand your explanation for including Payne on a 1st Team AA list, however, any credible criticism oh my decision not to include him needs to address my the argument I made: He wouldn't get anywhere near as many tackling opportunites playing behind legitimate FCS defensive linemen and linebackers. His pass defending stats are mediocre, 18th in PL for passes defended and 7th in interceptions. Does anyone really think he'd put up the impressive sack and tackle for loss PL numbers against MVFC, CAA or Southland competition?

This is hardly a novel opinion. Look at FBS AA Preseason teams and see how many G5 players are 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd or 4th team AA. I saw no more than one or two on 3rd and 4th teams and none from the Sunbelt and C-USA: the FBS equivalents to the Pioneer.

[mvemjsunpx]

I understand your explanation for including Payne on a 1st Team AA list, however, any credible criticism oh my decision not to include him needs to address my the argument I made: He wouldn't get anywhere near as many tackling opportunites playing behind legitimate FCS defensive linemen and linebackers. His pass defending stats are mediocre, 18th in PL for passes defended and 7th in interceptions. Does anyone really think he'd put up the impressive sack and tackle for loss PL numbers against MVFC, CAA or Southland competition?

This is hardly a novel opinion. Look at FBS AA Preseason teams and see how many G5 players are 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd or 4th team AA. I saw no more than one or two on 3rd and 4th teams and none from the Sunbelt and C-USA: the FBS equivalents to the Pioneer.

He probably wouldn't put up those kind of numbers, but he'd still put up some pretty damn good numbers. Keep in mind he had standard high-level PD and INT numbers, plus he averaged almost 15 tackles-per-game and had 18.5 TFLs from a safety position. On a power-conference team, I'm guessing his numbers would be similar to Killebrew, etc.

The fact he's a strong NFL prospect negates the idea that the Pioneer League is the only reason he looks good.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I understand your explanation for including Payne on a 1st Team AA list, however, any credible criticism oh my decision not to include him needs to address my the argument I made: He wouldn't get anywhere near as many tackling opportunites playing behind legitimate FCS defensive linemen and linebackers. His pass defending stats are mediocre, 18th in PL for passes defended and 7th in interceptions. Does anyone really think he'd put up the impressive sack and tackle for loss PL numbers against MVFC, CAA or Southland competition?

This is hardly a novel opinion. Look at FBS AA Preseason teams and see how many G5 players are 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd or 4th team AA. I saw no more than one or two on 3rd and 4th teams and none from the Sunbelt and C-USA: the FBS equivalents to the Pioneer.

Have you seen Payne play yet? I think Payne would be that 1 or 2 like the Colorado State WR is or a Boise State player would be. While he would not have to get nearly as many tackles you can argue he would still be a 100 plus tackle guy. He's big, strong, very active, plays very hard, and runs pretty well. He has the athletic tools and his motor and instincts make him someone worthy of being on a 1st or 2nd for sure.

I'm not big on putting Pioneer League players on teams like this but Payne has done everything you look for in a player from the NEC or Pioneer League to warrant putting them on. I feel Payne and Chris King are those two special players this year.

[FUBeAR]

I understand your explanation for including Payne on a 1st Team AA list, however, any credible criticism oh my decision not to include him needs to address my the argument I made: He wouldn't get anywhere near as many tackling opportunites playing behind legitimate FCS defensive linemen and linebackers. His pass defending stats are mediocre, 18th in PL for passes defended and 7th in interceptions. Does anyone really think he'd put up the impressive sack and tackle for loss PL numbers against MVFC, CAA or Southland competition?

This is hardly a novel opinion. Look at FBS AA Preseason teams and see how many G5 players are 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd or 4th team AA. I saw no more than one or two on 3rd and 4th teams and none from the Sunbelt and C-USA: the FBS equivalents to the Pioneer.

Payne is a really good player. Being a GA-boy, I wish he had come to Mercer or transferred there after Year 1 at Stetson, but his stats are crazy for 2 reasons. First, as I said, he's a really good player with a great motor...but #2 - their Defensive Scheme seems to be designed around him. He lines up all over the field and usually in a man-advantage type of alignment...Think of the way the Giants used Lawrence Taylor, but calling him a Safety...so there's often no one to block him. Now, the opponents should see this and check to something away, but...well, back to the level of ball, I guess. He definitely maximizes the opportunities though and is a heckuva ball-hawk. On another team, I think he would still be 1st Team All-Conference, but I doubt he would have anywhere near the stats he does and I'm not sure he would be All-American. Hard to say really...maybe he's kind of a System Safety, along the lines of a System QB - Andre Ware, Heisman-ish.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Payne is a really good player. Being a GA-boy, I wish he had come to Mercer or transferred there after Year 1 at Stetson, but his stats are crazy for 2 reasons. First, as I said, he's a really good player with a great motor...but #2 - their Defensive Scheme seems to be designed around him. He lines up all over the field and usually in a man-advantage type of alignment...Think of the way the Giants used Lawrence Taylor, but calling him a Safety...so there's often no one to block him. Now, the opponents should see this and check to something away, but...well, back to the level of ball, I guess. He definitely maximizes the opportunities though and is a heckuva ball-hawk. On another team, I think he would still be 1st Team All-Conference, but I doubt he would have anywhere near the stats he does and I'm not sure he would be All-American. Hard to say really...maybe he's kind of a System Safety, along the lines of a System QB - Andre Ware, Heisman-ish.

It is a smart move by Stetson. He is clearly a couple notches above anything else in the Pioneer League and they use that talent to their advantage. He is the best player I have ever seen in the Pioneer League on defense. Campbell has a DE this year who has potential to be that next level type talent who could earn All-America mention.

I'm very tough on Pioneer League and NEC players. I know the caliber in those conferences is very low so for me to put one of their players on an All-America list they must be special and while Payne would not have 175 tackles in the MVFC he is special and would certainly be 1st team All-MVFC in my opinion.

[FUBeAR]

It is a smart move by Stetson. He is clearly a couple notches above anything else in the Pioneer League and they use that talent to their advantage. He is the best player I have ever seen in the Pioneer League on defense. Campbell has a DE this year who has potential to be that next level type talent who could earn All-America mention.

I'm very tough on Pioneer League and NEC players. I know the caliber in those conferences is very low so for me to put one of their players on an All-America list they must be special and while Payne would not have 175 tackles in the MVFC he is special and would certainly be 1st team All-MVFC in my opinion.

All correct and 1 thing I didn't mention that I should have and I suspect you've noticed as well. His INSTINCTS - It's more than just ball-hawking and alignment. I think he has the 'green light' from Stetson's Coaches just to free-lance when he wants to...line up wherever and go to wherever he senses he needs to be at the snap. Watch the Campbell game in 2014, where I think he had like 131 tackles...he's moving around in the secondary or on the LOS before the snap and he always seems to be in the right place. I bet they are often playing as sound of a 10-man defense as they can and then tell him, you just be you. I did that with a DL and one DE I was coaching because I wanted to take the WILL away from the 5-Star OT (whose 'heart' I doubted) the DE was facing. My 0 Star DE had 4 sacks in the 1st half and the 5 Star OT, apparently, pulled a labial muscle at halftime because he didn't play in the 2nd half. So, if Payne was not allowed to use those amazing instincts in a more traditional D, I wonder what his production would be like. All of that said...there's not a D in FCS that wouldn't be better if he was on their team.

[smallcollegefbfan]

All correct and 1 thing I didn't mention that I should have and I suspect you've noticed as well. His INSTINCTS - It's more than just ball-hawking and alignment. I think he has the 'green light' from Stetson's Coaches just to free-lance when he wants to...line up wherever and go to wherever he senses he needs to be at the snap. Watch the Campbell game in 2014, where I think he had like 131 tackles...he's moving around in the secondary or on the LOS before the snap and he always seems to be in the right place. I bet they are often playing as sound of a 10-man defense as they can and then tell him, you just be you. I did that with a DL and one DE I was coaching because I wanted to take the WILL away from the 5-Star OT (whose 'heart' I doubted) the DE was facing. My 0 Star DE had 4 sacks in the 1st half and the 5 Star OT, apparently, pulled a labial muscle at halftime because he didn't play in the 2nd half. So, if Payne was not allowed to use those amazing instincts in a more traditional D, I wonder what his production would be like. All of that said...there's not a D in FCS that wouldn't be better if he was on their team.

Campbell is the first one I watched. It was a brilliant move by them to allow him to move like that.

[frozennorth]

Weineke got robbed

[smallcollegefbfan]

Weineke got robbed

This is a loaded WR class. Putting stats aside and focusing on the actual talent of each player is tough picking an order after Kupp. I think 2-5 can be jumbled in almost any way.

[Catsfan90]

I unconsciously found myself going through my picks to make sure I had a wide variety selected from across the conferences. While looking back after the release of this and the subsequent discussion I now know that I wont do that again. I still think this is a great idea and in time we can definitely work out the kinks!

[chattownmocs]

This is a loaded WR class. Putting stats aside and focusing on the actual talent of each player is tough picking an order after Kupp. I think 2-5 can be jumbled in almost any way.

In that case Kupp probably wouldbt even be on there.

[smallcollegefbfan]

In that case Kupp probably wouldbt even be on there.

Kupp isn't elite but he is a good player. I think he would do well in any system. I know he wants to come out early. One huge problem going on in FCS right now is that jock sniffers and fans wanting to be mentors who have no clue about this are in the ear of many of these guys. I don't know this for sure but I'm pretty sure who the two agents are that are potentially in his ear as well. They did the same with Kaufman and Jones and got them to declare early. Hopefully Kupp listens to the NFL Advisory Board and his coaches and does the right thing this year.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

In that case Kupp probably wouldbt even be on there.

Bull****. You ain't got nothing that is touching that kid.

[Mr. C]

It is a smart move by Stetson. He is clearly a couple notches above anything else in the Pioneer League and they use that talent to their advantage. He is the best player I have ever seen in the Pioneer League on defense. Campbell has a DE this year who has potential to be that next level type talent who could earn All-America mention.

I'm very tough on Pioneer League and NEC players. I know the caliber in those conferences is very low so for me to put one of their players on an All-America list they must be special and while Payne would not have 175 tackles in the MVFC he is special and would certainly be 1st team All-MVFC in my opinion.
All of the talk with people putting Payne down because he plays in the PFL makes me remember the same type of talk about San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson, who put up great numbers (something like 43 TDs and 1 interception — that bounced off the pads of the receiver) and was an NFL draft choice. Johnson was super talented and deservingly made All-America teams. All you needed to see was that one ridiculous play against Yale, where nearly everyone had a chance to tackle him and couldn't on a long TD run. One of the all-time FCS plays in history in my mind. Johnson went on to play several years in the NFL, so I guess we were right making him an All-American. Same might be said of Payne, too.

[Mr. C]

Yeah, definitely a little heavy on the Bison.

I'd pull off Vraa, Smith, and Johnson.

But I'd add Wentz. I can understand Robertson may put up better numbers, but Wentz is the best QB in the FCS, imo.
Obviously, you haven't seen a lot of Robertson if you think that. He is an incredible talent. No offense to Wentz, but it would be scary to think of the Bison with Robertson in that backfield.

[superman7515]

Johnson went on to play several years in the NFL, so I guess we were right making him an All-American.

You can't use his NFL career to justify him being an All-American. He still technically plays in the NFL, just continues to do nothing there, haha. 7 years in, 5 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 10 fumbles, sacked 17 times...

Clearly the kind of stats worthy of an FCS All-American.

(BTW: He absolutely did deserve to be an All-American, you just can't make that claim simply because he has managed to hang around the NFL carrying Gatorade for the real QB's for a few years)

[BisonFan02]

Obviously, you haven't seen a lot of Robertson if you think that. He is an incredible talent. No offense to Wentz, but it would be scary to think of the Bison with Robertson in that backfield.

Wentz is a better talent than Robertson....put Wentz on a team like EWU, and he is a unanimous AA player.

[clenz]

Yeah...

Johnson was damn good...check his career highlights and awards from Wiki...



4× All-Pioneer Football League (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Football_League) (2004-2007)
2× PFL Offensive Player of the Year (2005-2006)
4× I-AA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_I_(NCAA)#Football_Championship_Subdivisio n) All-American (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-America) (2004-2007)
Walter Payton Award (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Payton_Award) finalist (2007)
MVP of Sugar Bowl (2006)
MVP of Rose Bowl (2005)
Fan of Dolphins
Cousin of Marshayn Lync


Pretty impressive to be a 4x All American and All Conference yet only play 3 years and only manage to nap PFL Player of the Year twice. Damn impressive to be the superbowl MVP and Rose Bowl MVP while enrolled at USD. I'm not sure who Marshayn Lync is, but apparently it's an accomplishment to be his cousin. I do think Dolphis are pretty neat. Do I get a wikipedia page now?


Other highlights from his wiki page

Josh Johnson enrolled at University of San Diego (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_San_Diego) in 2004, where he played backup quarterback to Todd Mortensen. He finished with 135 yards on the season.
Johnson earned the starting (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_lineup) job after Mortensen's departure for the 2005 season. That season, he earned some All-America (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-American) honors after breaking numerous records. Johnson, who earned three conference player of the week honors, totaled eight games with four or more passing touchdowns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchdown). His best game of the season came against Valparaiso (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valparaiso_Crusaders), when he threw for a school-record fifteen touchdowns (all coming in the first half).


From his time with the Bucs
Johnson drove the Buccaneers from their own 24 to the New York 5-yard line in his only possession. One of Johnson's passes zipped through Michael Clayton's hands in the end zone.

Time in San Francisco
Johnson signed with the San Francisco 49ers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers) in May 2014. He was released on September 20, 2014, re-signed on September 23, 2014, released again on October 10, 2014 and re-signed on October 14, 2014.





His entire wiki page is written has to have been written by a former USD poster on this site. I wish I was making any of that up

[smallcollegefbfan]

All of the talk with people putting Payne down because he plays in the PFL makes me remember the same type of talk about San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson, who put up great numbers (something like 43 TDs and 1 interception — that bounced off the pads of the receiver) and was an NFL draft choice. Johnson was super talented and deservingly made All-America teams. All you needed to see was that one ridiculous play against Yale, where nearly everyone had a chance to tackle him and couldn't on a long TD run. One of the all-time FCS plays in history in my mind. Johnson went on to play several years in the NFL, so I guess we were right making him an All-American. Same might be said of Payne, too.

Johnson is one of the players I have in mind. Don't get me wrong a player must DOMINATE the Pioneer League to earn All-America status for me but if they do then that player is certainly worthy, as long as they have better size and athleticism than the average All-Pioneer League player. Payne certainly has that thus I put him on there. I have the Dayton RB much lower than many media outlets because he simply doesn't look fast enough and is just a very good PFL player. IMO, Payne would be good in any FCS conference and would get the field for probably 75-80% of the FBS squads.

[smallcollegefbfan]

You can't use his NFL career to justify him being an All-American. He still technically plays in the NFL, just continues to do nothing there, haha. 7 years in, 5 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 10 fumbles, sacked 17 times...

Clearly the kind of stats worthy of an FCS All-American.

(BTW: He absolutely did deserve to be an All-American, you just can't make that claim simply because he has managed to hang around the NFL carrying Gatorade for the real QB's for a few years)

I agree but anytime a player from D3 or a non scholarship FCS program does make it to the NFL it clearly shows that player was among the best in their division while in college. Anyone who wrote off Johnson because of his conference has been proven wrong. Is he a good NFL QB? Not really. He is average but the fact is that he is there, which shows he was a superior FCS talent. There are lots of Payton Winners who could not last in the NFL and Johnson certainly has lasted.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Yeah...

Johnson was damn good...check his career highlights and awards from Wiki...



4× All-Pioneer Football League (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Football_League) (2004-2007)
2× PFL Offensive Player of the Year (2005-2006)
4× I-AA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_I_(NCAA)#Football_Championship_Subdivisio n) All-American (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-America) (2004-2007)
Walter Payton Award (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Payton_Award) finalist (2007)
MVP of Sugar Bowl (2006)
MVP of Rose Bowl (2005)
Fan of Dolphins
Cousin of Marshayn Lync


Pretty impressive to be a 4x All American and All Conference yet only play 3 years and only manage to nap PFL Player of the Year twice. Damn impressive to be the superbowl MVP and Rose Bowl MVP while enrolled at USD. I'm not sure who Marshayn Lync is, but apparently it's an accomplishment to be his cousin. I do think Dolphis are pretty neat. Do I get a wikipedia page now?


Other highlights from his wiki page

Josh Johnson enrolled at University of San Diego (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_San_Diego) in 2004, where he played backup quarterback to Todd Mortensen. He finished with 135 yards on the season.
Johnson earned the starting (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_lineup) job after Mortensen's departure for the 2005 season. That season, he earned some All-America (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-American) honors after breaking numerous records. Johnson, who earned three conference player of the week honors, totaled eight games with four or more passing touchdowns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchdown). His best game of the season came against Valparaiso (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valparaiso_Crusaders), when he threw for a school-record fifteen touchdowns (all coming in the first half).


From his time with the Bucs
Johnson drove the Buccaneers from their own 24 to the New York 5-yard line in his only possession. One of Johnson's passes zipped through Michael Clayton's hands in the end zone.

Time in San Francisco
Johnson signed with the San Francisco 49ers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers) in May 2014. He was released on September 20, 2014, re-signed on September 23, 2014, released again on October 10, 2014 and re-signed on October 14, 2014.





His entire wiki page is written has to have been written by a former USD poster on this site. I wish I was making any of that up


Change the words Payton to Buchanan Award and OFF POY to DEF POY and you have the exact same college resume for Payne, or will by the time it is done when it comes to the college awards. Not sure what he will do when it comes to the next level but he will certainly get a shot in the pros.

[clenz]

I agree but anytime a player from D3 or a non scholarship FCS program does make it to the NFL it clearly shows that player was among the best in their division while in college. Anyone who wrote off Johnson because of his conference has been proven wrong. Is he a good NFL QB? Not really. He is average but the fact is that he is there, which shows he was a superior FCS talent. There are lots of Payton Winners who could not last in the NFL and Johnson certainly has lasted.
So does not making the NFL take away from a players career and mean he wasn't superior FCS talent?

I have a very specific QB in mind from that same era that I'm curious about.

- - - Updated - - -


Change the words Payton to Buchanan Award and OFF POY to DEF POY and you have the exact same college resume for Payne, or will by the time it is done.
You're missing it....

[superman7515]

You're missing it....

You're completely out of your damn mind Clenz if you don't think Payne is going to win a Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl MVP by the time he's done at Stetson.

[clenz]

You're completely out of your damn mind Clenz if you don't think Payne is going to win a Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl MVP by the time he's done at Stetson.
That's weak **** though. He isn't Marshayn Lync's cousin, nor is he a fan of Dolphins

Nor will he earn 4 time All Conference and All American honors while only playing 3 years

[smallcollegefbfan]

So does not making the NFL take away from a players career and mean he wasn't superior FCS talent?

I have a very specific QB in mind from that same era that I'm curious about.

- - - Updated - - -


You're missing it....

No it does not but the NFL takes the best players. Size is the only thing that should hold a FCS player back from the NFL that I say has no bearing on his college ability. Some players have more upside and aren't quite as good but those whose upside allows them to stay in the NFL despite not being an elite FCS player are so athletically gifted they at least deserve mention among the top of their position.

I'm saying if I have two 6'0, 200 pound RBs and both have All-America type stats but one is playing in the PFL and is slow while the other is big and fast in the MVFC and goes in the 3rd round it is obvious who is more deserving.

Which QB are you thinking of? There are exceptions to all rules but in general if you have All-America production and make it for a long time in the NFL it's likely you deserve mention.

Look at the NY Giants. D2football.com named Newberry's Corey Washington, who had good college production, to their All-America team, and he was the Preseason MVP last year, and is in his 2nd year with the team. They were the only ones to honor him. Some thought that was a crazy pick. Turns out he has shown that he clearly was an All-American caliber player.

Look at FCS with Josh Johnson proving he was worthy of his All-America honors.

I'm just saying when you look at top players in lower levels and they make it in the NFL it proves they deserved the honors. Anyone who did not name Ali Marpet an All-American in D3 as a junior and senior showed they are not a legit media outlet.

David Johnson going as high as he did showed that he deserved mention. He is a better RB than Zenner and the NFL verified that on draft day. And so on and so on.

[smallcollegefbfan]

That's weak **** though. He isn't Marshayn Lync's cousin, nor is he a fan of Dolphins

Nor will he earn 4 time All Conference and All American honors while only playing 3 years

I meant he will do the 4-time All-Conf and All-America by the end of his college career. I actually edited it because I figured you guys would be smart and say that despite knowing what I meant LOL. As for the Bowls and being related to Lynch we all know that is not true for Payne.

Bottom line for Payne is that when he is done he will be a national player of the year finalist (already is), likely a 2-time PFL DEF POY (maybe 3 times), and 4-time All-PFL (already won 2 times as FR and SOPH). He's building quite the resume.

I look for players who dominate the PFL from the start and he is certainly doing that. I don't care if he makes it in the NFL but he has done so well that as long as he continues working hard he will get a shot and has a shot to finish as the most decorated defender in PFL history.

[clenz]

The way you are phrasing it is that because he has managed to hang around as the 49ers whipping boy to play games with the NFLs 54 man roster makes him deserving of All American status.

Meanwhile I'm thinking of another QB whom I would take 10 times out of 8 in a FCS game over Johnson yet didn't make the NFL. His height very well may have been the reason, since he's only 6'1

This QB started 44 of his 46 career games, holds all kinds of school and conference records, holds at least 1 FCS record. Does his lack of NFL career as a practice squad 3rd or 4th QB take away from his career?

[smallcollegefbfan]

The way you are phrasing it is that because he has managed to hang around as the 49ers whipping boy to play games with the NFLs 54 man roster makes him deserving of All American status.

Meanwhile I'm thinking of another QB whom I would take 10 times out of 8 in a FCS game over Johnson yet didn't make the NFL. His height very well may have been the reason, since he's only 6'1

This QB started 44 of his 46 career games, holds all kinds of school and conference records, holds at least 1 FCS record. Does his lack of NFL career as a practice squad 3rd or 4th QB take away from his career?

I'm just saying the fact that he dominated the PFL by setting records and winning so many major awards should have been enough to earn him the honor but then he went on to be one of the top 70 QBs in the world for a lengthy period of time and that should show he wasn't just some normal PFL player.

I know people say it is sometimes hard to tell if a player is that good or just better than a bunch of bad players but the fact Johnson has made it in the NFL shows he was that good. He played very well against FBS competition in the Shrine Game and has had a few moments in the NFL. I think he is a good #3 QB on a team in the NFL but still the fact he is good enough to make a roster is quite impressive for a player from a non scholarship conference.

[APaladindad]

Got my email. Here's my ballot, very light on the homerism, I must say.

QUARTERBACK: John Robertson, Villanova, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS: Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Sr., Chase Edmonds, Fordham, Soph.
FULLBACK: Andrew Bonnet, North Dakota State, Sr.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr., Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State, Soph.
TIGHT END: Josh Cook, Idaho State, Jr.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Joe Haeg, North Dakota State, Sr., Donald Jackson III, Sam Houston State, Sr.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS: JP Flynn, Montana State, Jr., Joe Turner, Furman, Sr.
CENTER: Robert Booker, Missouri State, Sr.
DEFENSIVE ENDS: Teddy Corwin, Illinois State, Sr., Isaac Ales, Northern Iowa, Sr.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, Sr., Josh Freeman, Chattanooga, Sr.
LINEBACKERS: Don Cherry, Villanova, Sr., Connor Underwood, Indiana State, Sr., Pat Meehan, Illinois State, Sr.
CORNERBACKS: Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa, Sr., CJ Smith, North Dakota State, Sr.
SAFETIES: Brent Spikes, McNeese State, Sr., Lucas Webb, Chattanooga, Soph.
KICKER: John Lunsford, Liberty, Sr.
PUNTER: Ben LeCompte, North Dakota State, Sr.
KICK RETURNER: Pokey Harris, Murray State, Sr.
PUNT RETURNER: Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Jr.
ALL-PURPOSE: Johnta’ Hebert, Prairie View A&M, Sr.
I like your ballot! If I could have voted mine would have been very similar!