SoCon 2019 Off-Season

[walliver]

Sammy under Hatcher has been very difficult to predict. I've seen Samford games where they look like NDSU-beaters followed by games where they lose to very weak teams. As a result, I will not predict where they finish next year, but they will notice some drop-off in caliber of QB play, but it may not be reflected in the record.

One thing that impressed my about Hodges is his durability. While just about every other team has struggled with a QB loss at some point over the past few years, Hodges always seemed to be there.

[FUBeAR]

I think most schools have around 100 players on the team, so 110 probably isn't far from the norm. Schools may vary a little about which players get listed on the published rosters. With 85 potential scholarship athletes, it only takes 15-20 walk-ons to get to 100. (FCS limits are 63 scholarship among up to 85 players, and partial scholarships are common.)Samford shows 129 Players on their online 2018 Football Roster. I believe that means they have at least 44 Players with no Athletic Scholarship money. They could almost field a PFL Team in addition to their SoCon Team.

[sudog03]

Too many transfers!!! Too many walk-ons!!! Too many losses given the supposed NFL ready talent all over the roster!!! Shut it down!!!

[FUBeAR]

Too many transfers!!! Too many walk-ons!!! Too many losses given the supposed NFL ready talent all over the roster!!! Shut it down!!!
You forgot “too many Quarterbacks”

[walliver]

Samford shows 129 Players on their online 2018 Football Roster. I believe that means they have at least 44 Players with no Athletic Scholarship money. They could almost field a PFL Team in addition to their SoCon Team.

Although I do admire players who love football enough to go through all the work just to play on a scout team, 129 seems like a lot.

I wonder if Samford has that many more players than Alabama, Clemson and Georgia; or if they just use a different methodology for creating their roster.

[PaladinFan]

Sammy under Hatcher has been very difficult to predict. I've seen Samford games where they look like NDSU-beaters followed by games where they lose to very weak teams. As a result, I will not predict where they finish next year, but they will notice some drop-off in caliber of QB play, but it may not be reflected in the record.

One thing that impressed my about Hodges is his durability. While just about every other team has struggled with a QB loss at some point over the past few years, Hodges always seemed to be there.

I look at it this way.

Most transcendent type players (there aren't many) make everyone better. Hodges made throws most QBs can't - he could throw on the run, he could change arm angles, he cout fit balls in tight spaces, he could keep plays alive with his legs, he was dangerous running.

Next year's QB can probably do some of that, but probably not all of that, and probably not as well as Hodges could. So, the 3rd and 4s that were converted by Hodges may not be converted next season because the ball gets batted at the line, or there's a sack because the QB isn't quite as slippery, or the receiver turns and the ball is not there quite as quickly or quite as on target as it was when Hodges threw it. That's not to say the QB isn't a good player, but in a tight game with a lot of evenly matched teams, those little things could be the difference in winning and losing.

Same with McKnight. Forget the circus catches - how much coverage did he draw? Every team in the league had to keep eyes on him. That left more open space for Samford's second, third, and fourth receivers. You take McKnight out of the equation, and replace him with a guy that might not be quite as fast, or who cannot make quite the acrobatic catches, and Samford may not convert those 3rd downs.

This isn't anti-Samford. I said the same thing when Huesman graduated and UTC fans were convinced Antonio Benefield would be as good if not better (he wasn't). When Dakota Dozier graduated from Furman, the Paladin offense went to crap largely because having an NFL-talent on the OL made everyone around him better. Everyone looked better because of a single transcendent player. When that player is gone, things are not quite as crisp, quite as open, quite as overpowering.

[SU DOG]

Not uncommon to see over 100 players on an FCS roster, I haven't checked all SoCon rosters, but I think Western had more than 100 also. The 2018 list was our largest ever I think. The previous 3 years we averaged about 114. I'm not sure what this means or why it would be fascinating enough for someone to count and discuss, but whatever. What it means to me is that Samford is fortunate to be able to process/equip that many kids without cutting a bunch of them.

As for our QB situation, I'm glad that Welch has some good competition. I think there was quite a drop-off from him to the next nearest. Most of the QB xfers mentioned in this thread actually came in under Coach Sullivan. Summerlin was the only one that for 2 seasons really contributed. Prior to this, Pat had developed Dustin Taliaferro who started all 4 years, and then of course, Hodges beat out Eubank. So, that is 8 years of the last 11 that out primary QB has been so called home-grown.

Samford also has an incoming QB that I think is really good. He has graduated, and will be in spring training. Cade Blackmon was selected a Super-8 player and is the son of a college coach. He has the talent and the intangibles to be an outstanding college QB.

[SU DOG]

.
Sammy under Hatcher has been very difficult to predict. I've seen Samford games where they look like NDSU-beaters followed by games where they lose to very weak teams. As a result, I will not predict where they finish next year, but they will notice some drop-off in caliber of QB play, but it may not be reflected in the record.

One thing that impressed my about Hodges is his durability. While just about every other team has struggled with a QB loss at some point over the past few years, Hodges always seemed to be there.

I have to agree - all good points Walliver.

[PaladinNation]

all this talk about quarterback… gives me heartburn.

I know I just have to be patient, but the makeup for the 2019 Paladins is still unbalanced.
Furman returns every offensive lineman, every receiver, tight end, and tailback.
Add into that mix that the quarterback will be a redshirt freshman — choose one Grainger or Sission.

This upcoming spring practice is critical for the QB development, and that development is critical to taking advantage of a ton of playmakers.

I think we're going to be anywhere from 6-6 to 8-4 in 2019 and by season's end picking up momentum to be a playoff contender in 2020.

[PaladinFan]

all this talk about quarterback… gives me heartburn.

I know I just have to be patient, but the makeup for the 2019 Paladins is still unbalanced.
Furman returns every offensive lineman, every receiver, tight end, and tailback.
Add into that mix that the quarterback will be a redshirt freshman — choose one Grainger or Sission.

This upcoming spring practice is critical for the QB development, and that development is critical to taking advantage of a ton of playmakers.

I think we're going to be anywhere from 6-6 to 8-4 in 2019 and by season's end picking up momentum to be a playoff contender in 2020.

While Grainger is a freshman, he would not ordinarily be in any other season. He benefitted, in a sense, from the new redshirt rules. He is a rare species that gets to compete for a starting job as a freshman having already played 4 games last year.

Grainger, oddly enough, played extensively against Clemson, Elon, Samford, and some against ETSU. You can argue those were the four toughest teams Furman cased last season, and three of them were on the road. So, he got thrown into the deep water quickly.

I think with the extra time for development, you'll see maturation. He's got all the physical tools and a big arm, but struggled in those areas you would presume a young Qb would struggle in last year - decision making, ball security, etc.

The good news for Furman is that Grainger will have the very thing that helps young QBs most often - a stout running game. I think Furman is developing a rotation of running backs and an offensive line that will provide memories of the teams from the mid-2000s. When you can run the ball like I think Furman will be able to in 2019, you can do a lot for the development of a young QB who know does not have to do everything. In limited time watching him, I think Grainger has a high ceiling.

All that said, it wouldn't shock me to see Furman look to a transfer at QB. With the talent we have on offense returning, a more veteran guy at that position wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

[PaladinFan]

Another point on Grainger - if you look at the Samford game, which was probably his most extensive playing time, he had Furman in a position to win. Furman was up two scores (19-10) midway through the 3rd quarter. Furman had just scored on a long touchdown pass and then intercepted Hodges on the next drive to set up the Paladin offense inside the Samford 40.

After 1 play, Furman is 1st and 10 on the Samford 25. The next play Grainger has the ball stripped and Gooden takes it back for a touchdown. All the momentum swings to the Bulldogs, who subsequently intercept Grainger on the next drive as well.

As Grainger matures, I think you will see him get better with ball security, which was an issue that plagued him last season (he had at least two strip sacks for touchdowns). In that scenario, up 9 and on the 25, ball security is of paramount importance. Furman is well within Grayson Atkins range. Just a field goal pushes the lead to 12. By that point, Furman's offense had started to find holes in Samford's defense. A touchdown on that drive may well have put the game in hand.

The tools are there. The little things are yet to come.

[ElCid]

Word on The Citadel Board is that Tony Grantham is our new DC. He is at Navy currently as an OSL coach and was DC at Western Illinois prior to that. Spent time before that at Navy, Louisville, Campbell, E. Illinois, and LSU as a grad ass't.

https://navysports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=169&path=football

https://citadelsports.com/news/2019/1/15/football-grantham-named-defensive-coordinator.aspx

Not sure what to make of it.

[SU DOG]

Looks like a pretty good hire to me. I did a fast doubletake, however, when I momentarily read Todd and not Tonyxlolx. He did spend 2 years with Saban if that means anything. One thing to check on El Cid, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was Eastern Illinois where Grantham was the DC and not Western Ill.

[ElCid]

Looks like a pretty good hire to me. I did a fast doubletake, however, when I momentarily read Todd and not Tonyxlolx. He did spend 2 years with Saban if that means anything. One thing to check on El Cid, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was Eastern Illinois where Grantham was the DC and not Western Ill.

He was at both actually. W ill in 2017 and E Ill way back in 01 or 02. Ah, 02-03 it looks like for E Ill.

[FUBeAR]

Word on The Citadel Board is that Tony Grantham is our new DC. He is at Navy currently as an OSL coach and was DC at Western Illinois prior to that. Spent time before that at Navy, Louisville, Campbell, E. Illinois, and LSU as a grad ass't.

https://navysports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=169&path=football

https://citadelsports.com/news/2019/1/15/football-grantham-named-defensive-coordinator.aspx

Not sure what to make of it.Interesting career...
1) Goes to college at Radford, 15 minutes from his hometown. Radford used to be all-female & has no football team; so he obviously didn’t play or wasn’t a Student Asst Coach in college.
2) LB & Special Teams Coach at Eastern Illinois his 1st year out of college. WTF?
3) (Probably) leverages BigBro Todd’s Michigan State connection with Coach Saban & lands himself an SEC GA gig after 1 year of FCS experience, with no prior experience.
4) Lands an FBS Position Coach gig with Navy after 2 GA’ing years in the SEC
5) Leaves that gig (voluntarily?) after 4 years for a lateral move (LB Coach) to FCS non-schollie, Campbell. WTF?
6) Returns to Navy in Former role after 1 year as a Camel & after Paul Johnson leaves & stays for 5 years
7) Joins BigBro Todd (who is the DC) as LB Coach @ Louisville for 3 years...
“The chance to add Tony, who had been, a longtime assistant at Navy, to his defensive staff, was a primary reason cited by Todd in leaving Mark Richt’s staff at Georgia. Nepotism policies at UGA prohibit the hiring of relatives, and U of L doesn’t have the same restrictions...”I wouldn’t be here today (without Todd),” said Tony Grantham. “Everything I’ve ever been able to accomplish at this point he’s had a direct hand.”
8) BigBro Todd leaves PetrinoWorld for MissState & Bobby sheds littleBro Tony, who lands the DC gig at Westen Illinois
9) 1 year @ WIU, then back to Annapolis for his 3rd Act in the same LB Coach role he had 2 previous times..for 1 year
10) Now off (again) to be DC for the bellhops

Lots of great experience in good, successful programs. Just a very, very, very fortuitous start to his career & a very interesting track. I imagine they’ll leave his name on his locker in Annapolis when he departs for Charleston.

[FUBeAR]

Kinda off-season-ish....

Mercer led the SoCon with 19 Football Players named to the Fall Academic All-SoCon Team, almost twice as many as the next highest Team.

To be eligible, student-athletes must...
1) carry at least a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average at the conclusion of the fall semester
2) compete in at least one-half of their teams' competitions during the recently concluded campaign
3) have successfully completed at least three semesters at their institutions

Mercer Football 2018 Fall Academic All-SoCon Selections


NAME
YR.
HOMETOWN
GPA
MAJOR


BJ Bohler (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6814)
So.
Ocoee, Fla.
3.45
Public Health


Tucker Cannon (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6820)
R-So.
Dunwoody, Ga.
3.84
Chemical Commerce


Logan Craighead (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6826)
R-So.
Roswell, Ga.
3.41
Biomedical Engineering


Cole Fisher (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5338)
Sr.
Walnut Grove, Ga.
3.80
Entrepreneurship


Jake Flath (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6837)
Jr.
Lakeland, Fla.
3.47
Sports Marketing and Analytics


Harrison Frost (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6842)
R-Fr.
Kennesaw, Ga.
3.44
Industrial Engineering


Brandon Gurley (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5350)
Gr.
Huntsville, Ala.
3.50
Master of Business Administration


Trey Iorillo (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6856)
R-Fr.
Kennesaw, Ga.
3.50
Finance


Barron King (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6860)
R-Fr.
Gainesville, Ga.
3.55
Personal Portfolio of Study


Dorian Kithcart (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6861)
R-Jr.
Durham, N.C.
3.52
Mechanical Engineering


Connor Krieger
R-So.
Bogart, Ga.
3.36
Marketing


Tee Mitchell (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5370)
R-Sr.
Jacksonville, Fla.
3.65
Marketing


Steven Nixon (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5371)
R-Jr.
Kennesaw, Ga.
3.51
Human Resource Management


Sidney Otiwu (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6874)
R-So.
Buford, Ga.
3.30
Psychology


Andrew Pettit (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6878)
R-So.
Lawrenceville, Ga.
3.36
Mechanical Engineering


Jack Raines (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6882)
R-Jr.
Tifton, Ga.
3.99
Spanish


Matt Shiel (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5436)
Gr.
Doncaster, Australia
3.75
Higher Education Leadership


Chase Westfall (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6894)
R-Jr.
Dalton, Ga.
3.50
Finance


Austin Wysor (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5394)
Gr.
Trussville, Ala.
3.88
Master of Business Administration





NOTE1: Prospective 2019 Starting Center (he was the back-up in 2018) Connor Krieger is still on Mercer's roster. Not sure why his name didn't get a "link" in the source for this info.

NOTE2:
ETSU had 11
Chattanooga had 10
The Citadel had 9
WCU had 9
Wofford had 8
VMI had 7
Furman had 6
Samford had 5

[ElCid]

Interesting career...


Yeah, everything you outlined was what went through my mind when I read his history. Who knows.

[SU DOG]

Not all GPA scores are created equally of course. Having said that I'll agree that Mercer was impressive on this list, however, read between the lines from top to bottom.xcoffeex Furman and Samford combined for only 11? Hmmm, it doesn't take a genius to understand my first sentence does it?

[PaladinNation]

The best news for Furman this off-season… it looks like Furman has escaped the FCS assistant coaching poaching this off-season.

My guess Pete Lusk could have been a target for FCS and FBS. I'm excited to see this: http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2018-19/releases/20190115fl7rle

Lusk is a young coach but you can't deny in two seasons the biggest change from the Fowler era to the Hendrix era has been the resurgence of the offensive line play. Also, this year's bumper crop of offensive lineman recruits speaks to his recruiting ability and that players want to play for him.

Smart move by Clay to promote him to the running-game coordinator.

I think I'm right here Furman has two one-million dollar funds now for football operations alone. One is for Clay Hendrix and to be used at his discretion, I believe the other is for assistant coaches. My guess is this makes it less likely that a Furman assistant coach would make a lateral move.

[PaladinFan]

The best news for Furman this off-season… it looks like Furman has escaped the FCS assistant coaching poaching this off-season.

My guess Pete Lusk could have been a target for FCS and FBS. I'm excited to see this: http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2018-19/releases/20190115fl7rle

Lusk is a young coach but you can't deny in two seasons the biggest change from the Fowler era to the Hendrix era has been the resurgence of the offensive line play. Also, this year's bumper crop of offensive lineman recruits speaks to his recruiting ability and that players want to play for him.

Smart move by Clay to promote him to the running-game coordinator.

I think I'm right here Furman has two one-million dollar funds now for football operations alone. One is for Clay Hendrix and to be used at his discretion, I believe the other is for assistant coaches. My guess is this makes it less likely that a Furman assistant coach would make a lateral move.

Certainly seems like a promotion to keep a good young coach.

Hendrix made his career coaching offensive linemen. Lusk is one of his apprentices. It probably makes sense for both teacher and pupil.

[FUBeAR]

Certainly seems like a promotion to keep a good young coach.

Hendrix made his career coaching offensive linemen. Lusk is one of his apprentices. It probably makes sense for both teacher and pupil.FUBeAR raised Coach Hendrix from a pup and Coach Lusk is from FUBeAR's hometown. So, BIG CONGRATS to FUBeAR's GrandPup & HomeBoy!

BTW - I have been fortunate enough to get to know Coach Lusk a little bit since he's been at FU. He REALLY is a great guy and I would imagine a sensational recruiter as well an O-Line Technician/Teacher. Young man has an OUTSTANDING future ahead of him. Better watch out...Dabo may come steal him if Coach Robbie Caldwell (Coach Lusk is Coach Caldwell's GreatGrandPup) ever decides to head out to the pasture...Hard to compete with that Clempson money!

[FUBeAR]

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1085735701545504768

FUBeAR saw this one coming about a week ago. Lots of clues in the Twitter 'tea leaves.'

Seems like a good hire - GA Native with solid experience as an FBS Player & Coach, as well as Coaching in HS in Middle GA.

[PaladinFan]

FUBeAR raised Coach Hendrix from a pup and Coach Lusk is from FUBeAR's hometown. So, BIG CONGRATS to FUBeAR's GrandPup & HomeBoy!

BTW - I have been fortunate enough to get to know Coach Lusk a little bit since he's been at FU. He REALLY is a great guy and I would imagine a sensational recruiter as well an O-Line Technician/Teacher. Young man has an OUTSTANDING future ahead of him. Better watch out...Dabo may come steal him if Coach Robbie Caldwell (Coach Lusk is Coach Caldwell's GreatGrandPup) ever decides to head out to the pasture...Hard to compete with that Clempson money!

If Furman is in a position where Clemson comes to raid our coaching staff, I'll be perfectly fine with that.

[PaladinNation]

If Furman is in a position where Clemson comes to raid our coaching staff, I'll be perfectly fine with that.

well, they already have… Dabo hired Tony Elliott away from Furman. Elliott plays a critical role as co-offensive coordinator.
Jordan Sorrells is the Director of Football Recruiting Communications and Asst director of recruiting.

Bear makes a scary point about Papa Caldwell. Lusk is from the same coaching tree, you would think the Tigers would go after a big name OL coach but Dado does things in a different way.

[The Cats]

Western released their 2019 schedule..... I don't know why we are playing a non-DI game, someone said something about an FCS team canceling a home and home last year.... have no idea if that true or just propaganda out of Cullowhee..... I guess the athletic department is still broke with two FBS games again this year. But with the defense we had last season, the playoffs are out of reach anyway.



http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics33/1024/NW/NWSIPVGEZXRUNQW.20190111170352.jpg

2019 Western Carolina Catamount Football Schedule:


Aug. 31
MERCER *
CULLOWHEE


Sept. 7
at North Carolina State
Raleigh, N.C.


Sept. 14
NORTH GREENVILLE
CULLOWHEE


Sept. 21
Bye Week



Sept. 28
at Chattanooga *
Chattanooga, Tenn.


Oct. 5
GARDNER-WEBB (WCU Family Weekend)
CULLOWHEE


Oct. 12
at The Citadel *
Charleston, S.C.


Oct. 19
at Wofford *
Spartanburg, S.C.


Oct. 26
FURMAN * (Homecoming)
CULLOWHEE


Nov. 2
at VMI *
Lexington, Va.


Nov. 9
ETSU * (Blue Ridge Border Battle)
CULLOWHEE


Nov. 16
SAMFORD *
CULLOWHEE


Nov. 23
at Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Ala.


Nov. 30
NCAA FCS Playoffs (First Round)
TBA

[walliver]

Western released their 2019 schedule..... I don't know why we are playing a non-DI game, someone said something about an FCS team canceling a home and home last year.... have no idea if that true or just propaganda out of Cullowhee..... I guess the athletic department is still broke with two FBS games again this year. But with the defense we had last season, the playoffs are out of reach anyway.

...

I wonder if the cancellation was PC? Their sudden move downward caught people off guard.

Still it seems that WCU's scheduling is designed to keep good teams out of the playoffs. The players deserve better.

[The Cats]

I wonder if the cancellation was PC? Their sudden move downward caught people off guard.

Still it seems that WCU's scheduling is designed to keep good teams out of the playoffs. The players deserve better.

I totally agree, and I've heard rumors that is was in fact PC, leaving us stuck with a non-DI for two straight years.

[SU DOG]

So what expectations do most SoCon teams have for Feb 6? I realize that it will be somewhat anti-climatic after the early signings. I look for Samford to add only a couple more players, maybe another DB will be one goal. UTC might be the exception, as I have heard that about all of the Arth commits have decommitted. I have seen, on the Mocs Board that several new commits have just recently been added. They look like pretty impressive players also.

Just want to see this thread stay on page 1, and maybe hear if any SoCon Team might spring a big surprise or have an exciting addition next month.

[sudog03]

I see ETSU has Shorter on the schedule for 2019. Personally, I think that's grounds for immediate dismissal from the league.

[FUBeAR]

I see ETSU has Shorter on the schedule for 2019. Personally, I think that's grounds for immediate dismissal from the league.
Retroactively?

[Sir William]

I see ETSU has Shorter on the schedule for 2019. Personally, I think that's grounds for immediate dismissal from the league.

It can be tough sometimes to fill out a 12-game schedule without including a D2 or NAIA opponent. Kinda like an FBS team will schedule at least one FCS opponent.

Besides, Samford scheduled Shorter in 2018, West Alabama in 2017, Mars Hill in 2016, and Clark Atlanta in 2015...and those were part of 11-game schedules.

[sudog03]

There were 10 other non D1 games played by SoCon teams over the stretch you mentioned. I just find it funny that SU seems to be the only one who is given a hard time about it on here. We also played 3 non conference FCS games in those 4 years you mentioned against teams that won games in the playoffs the season we played them.

[SU DOG]

It can be tough sometimes to fill out a 12-game schedule without including a D2 or NAIA opponent. Kinda like an FBS team will schedule at least one FCS opponent.

Besides, Samford scheduled Shorter in 2018, West Alabama in 2017, Mars Hill in 2016, and Clark Atlanta in 2015...and those were part of 11-game schedules.

Come on Sir William, you should know that 03 is WELL aware of that. His post was sarcastic in reference to all the flack that we caught on here about scheduling the Shorter game. No credit for scheduling Central Arkansas twice and KSU twice and winning 3 of those 4 games in 2015-2018, producing some of, if not the best SoCon OOC wins for those seasons. Also, believe me, that 2017 West AL team was better than many FCS squads. This has been hashed out on here ad nauseam. And yes, I agree that there is no problem at all in doing a home D2 in this 12 game year.

[Mocs123]

We played Shorter in 2015? After Austin Peay??? Dropped out. Shorter was the worst college football team I have ever seen (though our offense in 2017 was close!)

Samford has a reputation for playing a bad OOC - some of it is deserved but it’s hard to argue with KSU and Central Arkansas - they are Solid teams.

[The Cats]

So what expectations do most SoCon teams have for Feb 6? I realize that it will be somewhat anti-climatic after the early signings. I look for Samford to add only a couple more players, maybe another DB will be one goal. UTC might be the exception, as I have heard that about all of the Arth commits have decommitted. I have seen, on the Mocs Board that several new commits have just recently been added. They look like pretty impressive players also.

Just want to see this thread stay on page 1, and maybe hear if any SoCon Team might spring a big surprise or have an exciting addition next month.




Here's a listing of all of SoCon signees from the December early signing period.


The Citadel Player Recruiting
Remus Bulmer RB 5-7 185 Missouri City, Texas (Sam Houston State)
Logan Billings LB 6-0 200 Spartanburg, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
Logan Braucht LB 6-0 212 Waycross, Ga. (Ware County)
Andy Davis DB 6-0 200 Canton, Ga. (Creekview)
Tereis Drayton OL 6-2 270 Charleston, S.C. (James Island)
Nick Grier DL 6-3 250 Snellville, Ga. (South Gwinnett)
Robert Harbor DL 6-0 290 Richmond, Texas (Foster)
Jake Kenison DB 6-1 190 Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest)
Jay Lagroon LB 6-3 200 Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna)
Michael McDowell LB 6-1 215 Boiling Springs, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
Antareus Pressley DB 6-0 160 Anderson, S.C. (Belton-Honea Path)
Nic Rogers DL 6-1 230 Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood)
Stephon Stokes OL 6-2 295 Greenville, S.C. (Greenville)
Hayden Williamson LB 6-1 210 Okinawa, Japan (Kubasaki)

ETSU Player Recruiting
Blake Austin OL 6-4 290 Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill)
Diandre Davis LB 6-2 230 Charlotte, N.C. (Hough)
Max Evans DL 6-3 235 Middletown, Ohio (Madison)
Jaylen Frierson RB 6-0 225 Franklin, Tenn. (Battle Ground Academy)
Jacob Hensley OL 6-2 290 Fairfield, Ohio (Fairfield)
Noah West TE 6-3 230 Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County)

Furman Player Recruiting
Jack Barton DL 6-4 225 Alpharetta, Ga. (Centennial)
Jacob Johanning OL 6-3 260 Simpsonville, S.C. (St. Joseph's Catholic School)
Austin Jones S 5-11 180 Tiger, Ga. (Rabun County)
Devonté Jones DL 6-2 307 Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna)
Evan Jumper OL 6-4 240 Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Myrtle Beach)
Bryce McCormick LB/TE 6-2 218 Franklin, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)
Jalen Miller LB 5-11 200 Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes)
Dominic Roberto RB 5-11 230 Fayetteville, N.C. (Pine Forest)
Pearson Toomey OL 6-3 250 Jacksonville Beach, Fla. (Bolles School)

Mercer Player Recruiting
Kendall Bohler DB 5-10 163 Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee)
Richie Coffey WR 5-10 167 Jacksonville, Fla. (Baldwin)
Fred Davis RB 5-10 196 Fortson, Ga. (Northside)
Colton Dingmore OL 6-3 252 Forsyth, Ga. (Mary Persons)
Dylan Fromm QB 5-11 204 Warner Robins, Ga. (Warner Robins)
Joel Girtman DB 5-9 191 College Park, Ga. (Westlake)
Aidan Higgins OL 5-11 256 Duluth, Ga. (Mountain View)
Zach Hopkins LB 6-0 212 Madison, Ala. (James Clemens)
Gavin Hughes LB 6-2 210 Rome, Ga. (Coosa)
Zach Lassiter LS 6-0 194 Cochran, Ga. (Bleckley County)
Brandon Marshall RB 5-7 175 Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines)
Pedro Rodriguez TE 6-2 235 Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary)
Pat Rogers DL 6-0 261 Screven, Ga. (Wayne County)
Luke Szabados LB 6-2 230 Liberty Township, Ohio (Moeller)
John Thomas OL 6-3 291 Marietta, Ga. (Hillgrove)
Lance Wise DB 5-8 179 Marietta, Ga. (Hillgrove)
Justin Bray TE 6-3 227 Collierville, Tenn. (St. George's Independent School)

Samford Player Recruiting
Cade Blackmon QB 5-10 180 Opelika, Ala. (Opelika)
Kasra Bojnordi OL 6-3 290 Milton, Ga. (Cambridge)
Chance Butts OL 6-3 265 Frankville, Ala. (Leroy)
Trimarcus Cheeks Jr. LB 6-2 205 Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown)
Jamal Ellis DT 6-3 290 Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta)
Jason Houston WR 6-5 210 Bremen, Ga. (Bremen)
Jocquet Jiles RB 5-9 170 Auburndale, Fla. (Auburndale)
Jay Stanton RB 6-0 195 Crestview, Fla. (Crestview)
Alvin Toney WR 5-9 165 Birmingham, Ala. (Jackson-Olin)
Michael Vice TE 6-4 240 Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills)

Chattanooga Player Recruiting
none

VMI Player Recruiting
Tristan Mann OL 6-6 245 North Chesterfield, Va. (Monacan)
Jarvis Chandler OL 6-5 270 Bon Air, Va. (James River)
Leroy Thomas WR 5-11 180 Roanoke, Va. (Patrick Henry)

Western Carolina Player Recruiting
Jacob Combs OL 6-4 280 North Wilkesboro, N.C. (North Wilkes)
Jalin Virgo DB 6-2 185 High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford)
Malik Richardson QB 6-4 200 Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood)
Isaiah Helms OL 6-3 315 Lenoir, N.C. (West Caldwell)

Wofford Player Recruiting
Jacquez Allen RB 5-9 181 Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)
Tahir Annoor DB 5-11 180 Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
Logan Barnes LB 6-1 195 Dawsonville, Ga. (Dawson County)
Keyvaun Cobb DB 5-11 178 Black Mountain, N.C. (Christ School)
Jysaiah Cromer OL 6-4 270 Spartanburg, S.C. (Broome)
Jacob Drag DL 6-4 236 Chapin, S.C. (Chapin)
Tayvian Gass OL 6-5 310 Sumter, S.C. (Sumter)
Jay Hazel DB 5-11 184 Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch)
Calvin Jackson III WR 5-11 195 Chattanooga, Tenn. (Red Bank)
R.J. Khayo WR 5-9 160 Cincinnati (Archbishop Moeller)
Josh Lifson TE 6-3 228 Anchorage, Ky. (Kentucky Country Day)
Jeremy Michaux OL 6-6 280 St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine)
Eric Mizell DL 6-2 265 Alabaster, Ala. (Thompson)
Irvin Mulligan RB 5-10 207 Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch)
Miles Richardson DB 5-10 180 Atlanta (Chapel Hill)
KeiAndre Sanders WR 5-8 155 Birmingham, Ala. (Shades Valley)
Jack Scroggs LB 6-0 230 Buford, Ga. (Buford)
Malik Stanback WR 6-1 175 Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond)
Javonte Turrentine DL 6-1 290 Conway, S.C. (Loris)




"Go Cats"

[ElCid]

Here's a listing of all of SoCon signees from the December early signing period.


The Citadel Player Recruiting
Remus Bulmer RB 5-7 185 Missouri City, Texas (Sam Houston State)
Logan Billings LB 6-0 200 Spartanburg, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
Logan Braucht LB 6-0 212 Waycross, Ga. (Ware County)
Andy Davis DB 6-0 200 Canton, Ga. (Creekview)
Tereis Drayton OL 6-2 270 Charleston, S.C. (James Island)
Nick Grier DL 6-3 250 Snellville, Ga. (South Gwinnett)
Robert Harbor DL 6-0 290 Richmond, Texas (Foster)
Jake Kenison DB 6-1 190 Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest)
Jay Lagroon LB 6-3 200 Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna)
Michael McDowell LB 6-1 215 Boiling Springs, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
Antareus Pressley DB 6-0 160 Anderson, S.C. (Belton-Honea Path)
Nic Rogers DL 6-1 230 Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood)
Stephon Stokes OL 6-2 295 Greenville, S.C. (Greenville)
Hayden Williamson LB 6-1 210 Okinawa, Japan (Kubasaki)

ETSU Player Recruiting
Blake Austin OL 6-4 290 Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill)
Diandre Davis LB 6-2 230 Charlotte, N.C. (Hough)
Max Evans DL 6-3 235 Middletown, Ohio (Madison)
Jaylen Frierson RB 6-0 225 Franklin, Tenn. (Battle Ground Academy)
Jacob Hensley OL 6-2 290 Fairfield, Ohio (Fairfield)
Noah West TE 6-3 230 Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County)

Furman Player Recruiting
Jack Barton DL 6-4 225 Alpharetta, Ga. (Centennial)
Jacob Johanning OL 6-3 260 Simpsonville, S.C. (St. Joseph's Catholic School)
Austin Jones S 5-11 180 Tiger, Ga. (Rabun County)
Devonté Jones DL 6-2 307 Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna)
Evan Jumper OL 6-4 240 Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Myrtle Beach)
Bryce McCormick LB/TE 6-2 218 Franklin, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)
Jalen Miller LB 5-11 200 Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes)
Dominic Roberto RB 5-11 230 Fayetteville, N.C. (Pine Forest)
Pearson Toomey OL 6-3 250 Jacksonville Beach, Fla. (Bolles School)

Mercer Player Recruiting
Kendall Bohler DB 5-10 163 Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee)
Richie Coffey WR 5-10 167 Jacksonville, Fla. (Baldwin)
Fred Davis RB 5-10 196 Fortson, Ga. (Northside)
Colton Dingmore OL 6-3 252 Forsyth, Ga. (Mary Persons)
Dylan Fromm QB 5-11 204 Warner Robins, Ga. (Warner Robins)
Joel Girtman DB 5-9 191 College Park, Ga. (Westlake)
Aidan Higgins OL 5-11 256 Duluth, Ga. (Mountain View)
Zach Hopkins LB 6-0 212 Madison, Ala. (James Clemens)
Gavin Hughes LB 6-2 210 Rome, Ga. (Coosa)
Zach Lassiter LS 6-0 194 Cochran, Ga. (Bleckley County)
Brandon Marshall RB 5-7 175 Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines)
Pedro Rodriguez TE 6-2 235 Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary)
Pat Rogers DL 6-0 261 Screven, Ga. (Wayne County)
Luke Szabados LB 6-2 230 Liberty Township, Ohio (Moeller)
John Thomas OL 6-3 291 Marietta, Ga. (Hillgrove)
Lance Wise DB 5-8 179 Marietta, Ga. (Hillgrove)
Justin Bray TE 6-3 227 Collierville, Tenn. (St. George's Independent School)

Samford Player Recruiting
Cade Blackmon QB 5-10 180 Opelika, Ala. (Opelika)
Kasra Bojnordi OL 6-3 290 Milton, Ga. (Cambridge)
Chance Butts OL 6-3 265 Frankville, Ala. (Leroy)
Trimarcus Cheeks Jr. LB 6-2 205 Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown)
Jamal Ellis DT 6-3 290 Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta)
Jason Houston WR 6-5 210 Bremen, Ga. (Bremen)
Jocquet Jiles RB 5-9 170 Auburndale, Fla. (Auburndale)
Jay Stanton RB 6-0 195 Crestview, Fla. (Crestview)
Alvin Toney WR 5-9 165 Birmingham, Ala. (Jackson-Olin)
Michael Vice TE 6-4 240 Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills)

Chattanooga Player Recruiting
none

VMI Player Recruiting
Tristan Mann OL 6-6 245 North Chesterfield, Va. (Monacan)
Jarvis Chandler OL 6-5 270 Bon Air, Va. (James River)
Leroy Thomas WR 5-11 180 Roanoke, Va. (Patrick Henry)

Western Carolina Player Recruiting
Jacob Combs OL 6-4 280 North Wilkesboro, N.C. (North Wilkes)
Jalin Virgo DB 6-2 185 High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford)
Malik Richardson QB 6-4 200 Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood)
Isaiah Helms OL 6-3 315 Lenoir, N.C. (West Caldwell)

Wofford Player Recruiting
Jacquez Allen RB 5-9 181 Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)
Tahir Annoor DB 5-11 180 Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
Logan Barnes LB 6-1 195 Dawsonville, Ga. (Dawson County)
Keyvaun Cobb DB 5-11 178 Black Mountain, N.C. (Christ School)
Jysaiah Cromer OL 6-4 270 Spartanburg, S.C. (Broome)
Jacob Drag DL 6-4 236 Chapin, S.C. (Chapin)
Tayvian Gass OL 6-5 310 Sumter, S.C. (Sumter)
Jay Hazel DB 5-11 184 Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch)
Calvin Jackson III WR 5-11 195 Chattanooga, Tenn. (Red Bank)
R.J. Khayo WR 5-9 160 Cincinnati (Archbishop Moeller)
Josh Lifson TE 6-3 228 Anchorage, Ky. (Kentucky Country Day)
Jeremy Michaux OL 6-6 280 St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine)
Eric Mizell DL 6-2 265 Alabaster, Ala. (Thompson)
Irvin Mulligan RB 5-10 207 Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch)
Miles Richardson DB 5-10 180 Atlanta (Chapel Hill)
KeiAndre Sanders WR 5-8 155 Birmingham, Ala. (Shades Valley)
Jack Scroggs LB 6-0 230 Buford, Ga. (Buford)
Malik Stanback WR 6-1 175 Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond)
Javonte Turrentine DL 6-1 290 Conway, S.C. (Loris)



"Go Cats"




Nice list, thanks. You can also add to the list:

The Citadel
Evan Schickel QB 6-0 187 Spotsylvania, VA (Massaponax)

We are heavy big on D in this list. We will lose a lot but not sure that Freshman will be able to step up. We had lots of seniors with a year of eligibility remaining not coming back due to graduating on time.

[SU DOG]

For Samford add South Florida Bulls xfer QB, and former 247Sports 3*** Chris Oladokun.

[Sir William]

There were 10 other non D1 games played by SoCon teams over the stretch you mentioned. I just find it funny that SU seems to be the only one who is given a hard time about it on here. We also played 3 non conference FCS games in those 4 years you mentioned against teams that won games in the playoffs the season we played them.

Not giving Sam a hard time. You're the one that pointed out that ETSU was playing Shorter; hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to fill out a schedule. If they were scheduling two D2 teams, that would probably be different.

Not giving you a hard time; just pointing out the obvious. Chill.

[Sir William]

Come on Sir William, you should know that 03 is WELL aware of that. His post was sarcastic in reference to all the flack that we caught on here about scheduling the Shorter game. No credit for scheduling Central Arkansas twice and KSU twice and winning 3 of those 4 games in 2015-2018, producing some of, if not the best SoCon OOC wins for those seasons. Also, believe me, that 2017 West AL team was better than many FCS squads. This has been hashed out on here ad nauseam. And yes, I agree that there is no problem at all in doing a home D2 in this 12 game year.

Wait 'til you see who we've got scheduled for a 12th opponent. You'll chuckle. Everyone relax.

[PaladinNation]

So what expectations do most SoCon teams have for Feb 6? I realize that it will be somewhat anti-climatic after the early signings. I look for Samford to add only a couple more players, maybe another DB will be one goal. UTC might be the exception, as I have heard that about all of the Arth commits have decommitted. I have seen, on the Mocs Board that several new commits have just recently been added. They look like pretty impressive players also.

Just want to see this thread stay on page 1, and maybe hear if any SoCon Team might spring a big surprise or have an exciting addition next month.

Furman signed nine early and two commits that wanted to wait till Feb. I believe one is still committed it appears to be Cally Chizik. The other commit was Josh Slay he has continued to get FBS offers and reopened his recruiting and Furman appears to have moved on.

Last week Furman picked up two commits; one is Dan Dodd II a 6-4 285 OT/DT I've heard he was one of Furman's top OL recruits - if true that's saying something. Coaches have tweeted that Furman has a commitment from an RB from Texas - this appears to be Wayne Anderson, Jr. a perfect fit for the Furman offense. It's official Anderson just posted he's committed to Furman. You can tell me I've just got my purple glasses on but Anderson looks like the real deal.

Furman has at least five offers out there - Furman just had a big recruiting weekend, and with spring practice starting Friday and a home BB game Saturday I believe this weekend will be another big weekend.

I'm attaching a link to Anderson's film below, I'd say he's a big late signing pickup as is Dodd, I know OL's aren't exciting but Dodd's commitment is the cherry on top of an impressive offensive linemen haul. Have a link below of Dodd squatting 585 5x.

https://twitter.com/bubbadodd55/status/984880913870917633
https://twitter.com/_WayneAnderson7/status/1086044466295787520

[PaladinFan]

Not giving Sam a hard time. You're the one that pointed out that ETSU was playing Shorter; hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to fill out a schedule. If they were scheduling two D2 teams, that would probably be different.

Not giving you a hard time; just pointing out the obvious. Chill.

Samford fans got bent out of shape earlier this year when I raised that they schedule D2 schools every season, which has been the case going on about 5 years. Most of those teams were gharishly bad even by D2 standards.

Having a bad lower division team on the schedule happens. Sometimes teams drop out of a game. 12 game schedules always bring a strange mix of teams. However, scheduling those games as a matter of course (as Samford does) hurts the conference's reputation and - I would think most relevant to Samford's fans - hurts their playoff chances.

[PaladinFan]

So what expectations do most SoCon teams have for Feb 6? I realize that it will be somewhat anti-climatic after the early signings. I look for Samford to add only a couple more players, maybe another DB will be one goal. UTC might be the exception, as I have heard that about all of the Arth commits have decommitted. I have seen, on the Mocs Board that several new commits have just recently been added. They look like pretty impressive players also.

Just want to see this thread stay on page 1, and maybe hear if any SoCon Team might spring a big surprise or have an exciting addition next month.

For the second year in a row, it looks like Furman will hit the ground early during spring practice and get it out of the way. I think the Paladins start this Friday.

My understanding is Hendrix wants to get spring practices started and then over with and let his guys have uninterrupted weight training and conditioning. It may also be a recruiting ploy as this weekend the Paladins will host a recruiting weekend where players can actually watch their practices.

[Mocs123]

Here's a listing of all of SoCon signees from the December early signing period.


The Citadel Player Recruiting
Remus Bulmer RB 5-7 185 Missouri City, Texas (Sam Houston State)
Logan Billings LB 6-0 200 Spartanburg, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
Logan Braucht LB 6-0 212 Waycross, Ga. (Ware County)
Andy Davis DB 6-0 200 Canton, Ga. (Creekview)
Tereis Drayton OL 6-2 270 Charleston, S.C. (James Island)
Nick Grier DL 6-3 250 Snellville, Ga. (South Gwinnett)
Robert Harbor DL 6-0 290 Richmond, Texas (Foster)
Jake Kenison DB 6-1 190 Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest)
Jay Lagroon LB 6-3 200 Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna)
Michael McDowell LB 6-1 215 Boiling Springs, S.C. (Boiling Springs)
Antareus Pressley DB 6-0 160 Anderson, S.C. (Belton-Honea Path)
Nic Rogers DL 6-1 230 Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood)
Stephon Stokes OL 6-2 295 Greenville, S.C. (Greenville)
Hayden Williamson LB 6-1 210 Okinawa, Japan (Kubasaki)

ETSU Player Recruiting
Blake Austin OL 6-4 290 Johnson City, Tenn. (Science Hill)
Diandre Davis LB 6-2 230 Charlotte, N.C. (Hough)
Max Evans DL 6-3 235 Middletown, Ohio (Madison)
Jaylen Frierson RB 6-0 225 Franklin, Tenn. (Battle Ground Academy)
Jacob Hensley OL 6-2 290 Fairfield, Ohio (Fairfield)
Noah West TE 6-3 230 Louisa, Ky. (Lawrence County)

Furman Player Recruiting
Jack Barton DL 6-4 225 Alpharetta, Ga. (Centennial)
Jacob Johanning OL 6-3 260 Simpsonville, S.C. (St. Joseph's Catholic School)
Austin Jones S 5-11 180 Tiger, Ga. (Rabun County)
Devonté Jones DL 6-2 307 Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna)
Evan Jumper OL 6-4 240 Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Myrtle Beach)
Bryce McCormick LB/TE 6-2 218 Franklin, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)
Jalen Miller LB 5-11 200 Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes)
Dominic Roberto RB 5-11 230 Fayetteville, N.C. (Pine Forest)
Pearson Toomey OL 6-3 250 Jacksonville Beach, Fla. (Bolles School)

Mercer Player Recruiting
Kendall Bohler DB 5-10 163 Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee)
Richie Coffey WR 5-10 167 Jacksonville, Fla. (Baldwin)
Fred Davis RB 5-10 196 Fortson, Ga. (Northside)
Colton Dingmore OL 6-3 252 Forsyth, Ga. (Mary Persons)
Dylan Fromm QB 5-11 204 Warner Robins, Ga. (Warner Robins)
Joel Girtman DB 5-9 191 College Park, Ga. (Westlake)
Aidan Higgins OL 5-11 256 Duluth, Ga. (Mountain View)
Zach Hopkins LB 6-0 212 Madison, Ala. (James Clemens)
Gavin Hughes LB 6-2 210 Rome, Ga. (Coosa)
Zach Lassiter LS 6-0 194 Cochran, Ga. (Bleckley County)
Brandon Marshall RB 5-7 175 Jacksonville, Fla. (Raines)
Pedro Rodriguez TE 6-2 235 Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary)
Pat Rogers DL 6-0 261 Screven, Ga. (Wayne County)
Luke Szabados LB 6-2 230 Liberty Township, Ohio (Moeller)
John Thomas OL 6-3 291 Marietta, Ga. (Hillgrove)
Lance Wise DB 5-8 179 Marietta, Ga. (Hillgrove)
Justin Bray TE 6-3 227 Collierville, Tenn. (St. George's Independent School)

Samford Player Recruiting
Cade Blackmon QB 5-10 180 Opelika, Ala. (Opelika)
Kasra Bojnordi OL 6-3 290 Milton, Ga. (Cambridge)
Chance Butts OL 6-3 265 Frankville, Ala. (Leroy)
Trimarcus Cheeks Jr. LB 6-2 205 Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown)
Jamal Ellis DT 6-3 290 Alpharetta, Ga. (Alpharetta)
Jason Houston WR 6-5 210 Bremen, Ga. (Bremen)
Jocquet Jiles RB 5-9 170 Auburndale, Fla. (Auburndale)
Jay Stanton RB 6-0 195 Crestview, Fla. (Crestview)
Alvin Toney WR 5-9 165 Birmingham, Ala. (Jackson-Olin)
Michael Vice TE 6-4 240 Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills)

Chattanooga Player Recruiting
none

VMI Player Recruiting
Tristan Mann OL 6-6 245 North Chesterfield, Va. (Monacan)
Jarvis Chandler OL 6-5 270 Bon Air, Va. (James River)
Leroy Thomas WR 5-11 180 Roanoke, Va. (Patrick Henry)

Western Carolina Player Recruiting
Jacob Combs OL 6-4 280 North Wilkesboro, N.C. (North Wilkes)
Jalin Virgo DB 6-2 185 High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford)
Malik Richardson QB 6-4 200 Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood)
Isaiah Helms OL 6-3 315 Lenoir, N.C. (West Caldwell)

Wofford Player Recruiting
Jacquez Allen RB 5-9 181 Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)
Tahir Annoor DB 5-11 180 Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
Logan Barnes LB 6-1 195 Dawsonville, Ga. (Dawson County)
Keyvaun Cobb DB 5-11 178 Black Mountain, N.C. (Christ School)
Jysaiah Cromer OL 6-4 270 Spartanburg, S.C. (Broome)
Jacob Drag DL 6-4 236 Chapin, S.C. (Chapin)
Tayvian Gass OL 6-5 310 Sumter, S.C. (Sumter)
Jay Hazel DB 5-11 184 Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch)
Calvin Jackson III WR 5-11 195 Chattanooga, Tenn. (Red Bank)
R.J. Khayo WR 5-9 160 Cincinnati (Archbishop Moeller)
Josh Lifson TE 6-3 228 Anchorage, Ky. (Kentucky Country Day)
Jeremy Michaux OL 6-6 280 St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine)
Eric Mizell DL 6-2 265 Alabaster, Ala. (Thompson)
Irvin Mulligan RB 5-10 207 Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch)
Miles Richardson DB 5-10 180 Atlanta (Chapel Hill)
KeiAndre Sanders WR 5-8 155 Birmingham, Ala. (Shades Valley)
Jack Scroggs LB 6-0 230 Buford, Ga. (Buford)
Malik Stanback WR 6-1 175 Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond)
Javonte Turrentine DL 6-1 290 Conway, S.C. (Loris)



"Go Cats"




Chattanooga actually had two:

Ailym Ford a 5-9 205 RB from Florence SC
Avery Williams 6-1 185 DB/WR from Brentwood TN

[The Cats]

Chattanooga actually had two:

Ailym Ford a 5-9 205 RB from Florence SC
Avery Williams 6-1 185 DB/WR from Brentwood TN

These two have signed? or committed?

[ElCid]

Good article on my Bulldogs coaching and defense changes.

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/citadel-football-s-brent-thompson-talks-new-defense-new-coaches/article_dac2d51e-1da2-11e9-96a7-9f7fe4d6a8f9.html

[sudog03]

Samford fans got bent out of shape earlier this year when I raised that they schedule D2 schools every season, which has been the case going on about 5 years. Most of those teams were gharishly bad even by D2 standards.

Having a bad lower division team on the schedule happens. Sometimes teams drop out of a game. 12 game schedules always bring a strange mix of teams. However, scheduling those games as a matter of course (as Samford does) hurts the conference's reputation and - I would think most relevant to Samford's fans - hurts their playoff chances.

Can you point to a season where Samford playoff chances where hurt because we played a D2? I just laugh about Samford hurting the conference reputation, like we are the only league team doing it, lol. FYI, your probably gonna see another one in 2019, so prepare yourself, lol.

[SU DOG]

Samford fans got bent out of shape earlier this year when I raised that they schedule D2 schools every season, which has been the case going on about 5 years. Most of those teams were gharishly bad even by D2 standards.

Having a bad lower division team on the schedule happens. Sometimes teams drop out of a game. 12 game schedules always bring a strange mix of teams. However, scheduling those games as a matter of course (as Samford does) hurts the conference's reputation and - I would think most relevant to Samford's fans - hurts their playoff chances.

Hate for this dead-horse beating to continue, BUT. I would admit that personally I prefer not to play the D-2s. Had we lost to those teams, maybe this conversation would have some validity, but we didn't. If left at this point, we might have had some grounds of agreement. However, when you make the comment that our schedule hurt the conference's reputation, then you bet I will get bent out of shape. The OOC wins we had in those years, IMO, makes that accusation even more ridiculous. I'm still waiting for someone to provide a list of 3 better SoCon OOC wins for those seasons.

[walliver]

Samford routinely has bad looking schedules, but I give them some slack as they do have geographic challenges. You have to travel a long way to find a FCS peer institution that isn't in the SoCon Even trying to schedule larger public schools with decent football can be a long haul - JSU is close, but more likely to schedule Chatty and very unlikely to play two SoCon games in one year. Most SoCon schools can easily pick up games from local Big South or MEAC teams. In fact, Gardner-Webb has become like the hot cousin at an appalachian family reunion - everybody gets a turn.

[PaladinFan]

Can you point to a season where Samford playoff chances where hurt because we played a D2? I just laugh about Samford hurting the conference reputation, like we are the only league team doing it, lol. FYI, your probably gonna see another one in 2019, so prepare yourself, lol.

Samford is the only team doing it. Find another SoCon school that has scheduled 5 consecutive D2 schools (now likely 6).

It takes very little to construct a hypothetical situation where Samford is sitting as the 3rd SoCon team with a 7 win season hoping the committee doesn't dock them for playing a D2 school and having only 6 D1 wins. It is far more likely than, say, having a 3-way tie for first that went to defensive points to determine the tiebreaker.

You can act put out, that's fine. Samford shouldn't schedule bad D2 teams. I'm not breaking ground here.

[SU DOG]

Samford is the only team doing it. Find another SoCon school that has scheduled 5 consecutive D2 schools (now likely 6).

It takes very little to construct a hypothetical situation where Samford is sitting as the 3rd SoCon team with a 7 win season hoping the committee doesn't dock them for playing a D2 school and having only 6 D1 wins. It is far more likely than, say, having a 3-way tie for first that went to defensive points to determine the tiebreaker.

You can act put out, that's fine. Samford shouldn't schedule bad D2 teams. I'm not breaking ground here.

Breaking ground? No, more like breaking wind. I guess we should go out and find some "GOOD" D2 teams to play. xlolx Meanwhile, we can look at the facts instead of a hypothetical situation, and the facts are - Samford made the Playoffs in 2 of those years, and had the best SoCon OOC wins in probably 3 of those years.

[Mocs123]

These two have signed? or committed?

Signed in the early period.

We currently have one graduate transfer already enrolled - Dray Arnold (from ODU) and 6 committed for the late period:

Evan Brown 6-4 220 OLB/DE
Justin Sanders 6-1 197 DB
Kameron Brown 5-11 185 DB
Jalen "Jet" Lee 6-0 175 DB
Brock Bethea 6-5 300 OL
Marlon Taylor 6-2 255 DL

[PaladinFan]

Breaking ground? No, more like breaking wind. I guess we should go out and find some "GOOD" D2 teams to play. xlolx Meanwhile, we can look at the facts instead of a hypothetical situation, and the facts are - Samford made the Playoffs in 2 of those years, and had the best SoCon OOC wins in probably 3 of those years.

Just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't. What if Samford had managed to beat KSU this year? Would have been 4th in the SoCon with 7 wins, a big top 10 OOC win, but only 6 D1 victories. Playoffs?

Bottom line, Samford is a top 25 FCS program. Their schedule should reflect that.

[FUBeAR]

Just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't. What if Samford had managed to beat KSU this year? Would have been 4th in the SoCon with 7 wins, a big top 10 OOC win, but only 6 D1 victories. Playoffs?

Bottom line, Samford is a top 25 FCS program. Their schedule should reflect that.Now that IS a fun scenario to consider. If they had beaten KSU, I would think the committee may have had a very difficult time excluding a Samford Team with a close loss to a P5, a “flukey” (it wasn’t) loss to Mercer, a loss to the SoCon AutoBid, and another “flukey” (may have been) loss to CIT (when half the Samford Starting D was out).

And, if they had included, 4th in the SoCon, Samford, could they still have excluded SoCon Tri-Champ Furman? Funny, but if Samford had beaten KSU, maybe Samford & FU both get in (giving the SoCon 4 Teams) and UIW & Lamar both stay home.

#OOCMatters

[PaladinFan]

Now that IS a fun scenario to consider. If they had beaten KSU, I would think the committee may have had a very difficult time excluding a Samford Team with a close loss to a P5, a “flukey” (it wasn’t) loss to Mercer, a loss to the SoCon AutoBid, and another “flukey” (may have been) loss to CIT (when half the Samford Starting D was out).

And, if they had included, 4th in the SoCon, Samford, could they still have excluded SoCon Tri-Champ Furman? Funny, but if Samford had beaten KSU, maybe Samford & FU both get in (giving the SoCon 4 Teams) and UIW & Lamar both stay home.

#OOCMatters

It did not happen, obviously, but it's not that hard to imagine a similar scenario.

I mean, take 2017. Samford squeaked by Furman at home in the last week of the regular season. Say the refs got the call right and gave Antonio Wilcox a touchdown earlier in the game and Samford loses 27-26. Samford is now 7-4 with a win over playoff-bound Kennesaw State. They still have 6 D1 wins and a close victory over D2 West Alabama.

Does Samford make the post season at 7-4 with a nice OOC win over KSU but only 6 D1 wins? Wouldn't it be a lot better to have the nice OOC win over KSU and have a win over some weaker FCS team (Gardner Webb, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, etc.)

[FUBeAR]

Though it has not been previously announced, Mercer’s D-Coord since 2012, and the Bears parted ways shortly following the end of the 2018 season.

His replacement has surfaced on Twitter - Mike Adams, Former Safeties Coach @ Charleston Southern and DC @ SC State, with several years Coaching D at South Alabama.

http://www.csusports.com/sports/fball/coaches/mike_adams?view=bio

So, due to Joe Pizzo (OC) and Grant Cain (STC) going to UTC & JMU, respectively, Mercer will have 3 new Coordinators in 2019.

Apparently, CB Coach, Darius Safford is also departing for the same role at KSU after just 1 year with the Bears.

All told, that is 5 ‘turns’ from the 2018 staff - OC/QB, DL, DC/OLB, STC/ILB, CB

Lots of change prior to a very important year. Doesn’t seem to bode well for the Bears, but FUBeAR will hope for the best.

[SU DOG]

It did not happen, obviously, but it's not that hard to imagine a similar scenario.

I mean, take 2017. Samford squeaked by Furman at home in the last week of the regular season. Say the refs got the call right and gave Antonio Wilcox a touchdown earlier in the game and Samford loses 27-26. Samford is now 7-4 with a win over playoff-bound Kennesaw State. They still have 6 D1 wins and a close victory over D2 West Alabama.

Does Samford make the post season at 7-4 with a nice OOC win over KSU but only 6 D1 wins? Wouldn't it be a lot better to have the nice OOC win over KSU and have a win over some weaker FCS team (Gardner Webb, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, etc.)

Thanks so much for all the concern over Samford's schedule. Maybe I can pass all this critical information along to our coaches who must not be aware of how to schedule games for our benefit. Also, it is so good to see folks playing the "what if" game even though the parameters are endless. Oh, and of course it was the refs who robbed Furman in 2017. xsmiley_wix

[walliver]

Now that IS a fun scenario to consider. If they had beaten KSU, I would think the committee may have had a very difficult time excluding a Samford Team with a close loss to a P5, a “flukey” (it wasn’t) loss to Mercer, a loss to the SoCon AutoBid, and another “flukey” (may have been) loss to CIT (when half the Samford Starting D was out).

And, if they had included, 4th in the SoCon, Samford, could they still have excluded SoCon Tri-Champ Furman? Funny, but if Samford had beaten KSU, maybe Samford & FU both get in (giving the SoCon 4 Teams) and UIW & Lamar both stay home.

#OOCMatters

Samford didn't lose to the autobid.

On the other hand, if they had beaten KSU, they might have been considered for the playoffs. It would be an interesting call by the committee. At 7-4 overall and 6-3 against FCS competition, they would have a slightly better resume than FU (6-5 overall and 6-3 against FCS, no OOC wins). Would the committee have chosen the "better" team over a tri-champion? I suspect a very poor start and the cancelled game doomed FU. I also suspect the committee would be very hesitant to allow Samford to jump-frog over Furman. FU was on the bubble at best and adding another bubble team would not have helped them.

[ElCid]

and another “flukey” (may have been) loss to CIT.


Nothing flukey about it, Samfords conditioning and depth problems aside. We found our stride the last few games and they were gassed in the second half.

[SU DOG]

Nothing flukey about it, Samfords conditioning and depth problems aside. We found our stride the last few games and they were gassed in the second half.

Yep, I agree. I don't like excuses for losing any game. The Citadel did get better, and even embarrassed the mighty Crimson Tide for a half.

[FUBeAR]

Samford didn't lose to the autobid.

On the other hand, if they had beaten KSU, they might have been considered for the playoffs. It would be an interesting call by the committee. At 7-4 overall and 6-3 against FCS competition, they would have a slightly better resume than FU (6-5 overall and 6-3 against FCS, no OOC wins). Would the committee have chosen the "better" team over a tri-champion? I suspect a very poor start and the cancelled game doomed FU. I also suspect the committee would be very hesitant to allow Samford to jump-frog over Furman. FU was on the bubble at best and adding another bubble team would not have helped them.Dangit, I keep mis-remembering that Woffy/Sammy series backward...Sammy always beats Woffy, not the other way around...S before W...burned into my brain with a mnemonic device now

[SU DOG]

Signed in the early period.

We currently have one graduate transfer already enrolled - Dray Arnold (from ODU) and 6 committed for the late period:

Evan Brown 6-4 220 OLB/DE
Justin Sanders 6-1 197 DB
Kameron Brown 5-11 185 DB
Jalen "Jet" Lee 6-0 175 DB
Brock Bethea 6-5 300 OL
Marlon Taylor 6-2 255 DL

I have heard that 3*** dual threat QB Gio Richardson visited UTC this past weekend. He may be headed to FAU, but if the Mocs can land him that would be BIG IMO. it looks like UTC coaches have done really well for their very late start.

[SU DOG]

Recruiting Rankings from 247Sports. It says last updated as of today. We all know how subjective this is, and how it is really questionable for FCS, but still somewhat interesting. It is for the top 250 NCAA Teams and that includes classification even under FCS level.
For the SoCon there appears to be roughly 3 distinct levels.

First
Mercer - 158
Furman - 161

Second
Wofford - 180
Samford - 189
UTC - 194

Third
WCU - 215
The Citadel - 216
ETSU - 218
VMI - ????

I know about stars at our level, recruiting for needs, etc. Pertinent info - NO. Casual entertainment maybe.

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/

[The Cats]

Recruiting Rankings from 247Sports. It says last updated as of today. We all know how subjective this is, and how it is really questionable for FCS, but still somewhat interesting. It is for the top 250 NCAA Teams and that includes classification even under FCS level.
For the SoCon there appears to be roughly 3 distinct levels.

First
Mercer - 158
Furman - 161

Second
Wofford - 180
Samford - 189
UTC - 194

Third
WCU - 215
The Citadel - 216
ETSU - 218
VMI - ????

I know about stars at our level, recruiting for needs, etc. Pertinent info - NO. Casual entertainment maybe.

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/

That list is not worth the time it took to compile it..... sorry you wasted your time.

[SU DOG]

That list is not worth the time it took to compile it..... sorry you wasted your time.

No argument here. Sorry you wasted your time reading it.:)

[FUBeAR]

Recruiting Rankings from 247Sports. It says last updated as of today.

First
Mercer - 158
Furman - 161I liked it A LOT, SU DOG; well worth the time you spent compiling it! :)

[PaladinNation]

Recruiting Rankings from 247Sports. It says last updated as of today. We all know how subjective this is, and how it is really questionable for FCS, but still somewhat interesting. It is for the top 250 NCAA Teams and that includes classification even under FCS level.
For the SoCon there appears to be roughly 3 distinct levels.

First
Mercer - 158
Furman - 161

Second
Wofford - 180
Samford - 189
UTC - 194

Third
WCU - 215
The Citadel - 216
ETSU - 218
VMI - ????

I know about stars at our level, recruiting for needs, etc. Pertinent info - NO. Casual entertainment maybe.

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/

weird they missed… Devonte Jones of TL Hanna is a Furman signee - that would give Furman 5 players ranked two-star by 247.

[Mocs123]

I have heard that 3*** dual threat QB Gio Richardson visited UTC this past weekend. He may be headed to FAU, but if the Mocs can land him that would be BIG IMO. it looks like UTC coaches have done really well for their very late start.

That is true, I can confirm he visited last weekend. I assume, that if Mocs coaches didn't think there was a shot that he would sign, they would have him in for a visit, but don't know any details. I think he would be a good get as well, and we really need to find our QB of the future. Right now we have 3 scholarship quarterbacks, two seniors and one junior, so as of today we only have 1 scholarship QB for 2020 and none for 2021.

[JSUSoutherner]

That is true, I can confirm he visited last weekend. I assume, that if Mocs coaches didn't think there was a shot that he would sign, they would have him in for a visit, but don't know any details. I think he would be a good get as well, and we really need to find our QB of the future. Right now we have 3 scholarship quarterbacks, two seniors and one junior, so as of today we only have 1 scholarship QB for 2020 and none for 2021.

Who will be at QB against us? Did Tiano graduate?

[Mocs123]

Who will be at QB against us? Did Tiano graduate?

Of course we have a new HC and OC so who knows for sure, but I would expect Tiano to be the starter. Both He and 2018 backup Chris James will be Seniors in 2019. Graduate Transfer Dray Arnold is a Junior (graduated from ODU with 2 degrees in 2.5 years) and I speculate will be the starter in 2020. Of course like I said things can change.

[HootyHoo]

Recruiting Rankings from 247Sports. It says last updated as of today. We all know how subjective this is, and how it is really questionable for FCS, but still somewhat interesting. It is for the top 250 NCAA Teams and that includes classification even under FCS level.
For the SoCon there appears to be roughly 3 distinct levels.

First
Mercer - 158
Furman - 161

Second
Wofford - 180
Samford - 189
UTC - 194

Third
WCU - 215
The Citadel - 216
ETSU - 218
VMI - ????

I know about stars at our level, recruiting for needs, etc. Pertinent info - NO. Casual entertainment maybe.

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/


ha! wow, the Kennesaw State Owls have truly surpassed the entire SOCON. KSU is ranked 133rd, with four 3 stars. I bet the Southern Conference regrets not inviting the Owls when they had the chance.

[The Cats]

No argument here. Sorry you wasted your time reading it.:)

Sometimes when you re-read what you wrote, it comes off harsher than you intended.

I looked up WCU's "recruits" on that board, it listed only one "signed" and two hard commits". WCU actually signed 4 in the early period, and has 5 "commits" for the Feb signing and still has a lot of outstanding offers.

That's what I meant by it being a waste of time, as their numbers are not accurate. I'd bet there's lots more inaccurate data utilized to come up with that ranking.

Here's data I keep for WCU.... http://catamountsportsblog.blogspot.com/p/wcu-recruiting.html

[Mocs123]

Kennesaw State certainly has done well in a few short years, and I personally would love to have them in the SoCon, I hardly think you can look at 247 Sports FCS recruiting rankings to say that KSU has surpassed the entire SoCon. First off FCS recruiting rankings aren't the most reliable predictor of performance - I don't seem to see NDSU on the top of the 247 recruiting rankings year after year, but they seem to do OK. Secondly, both The Citadel and VMI are military schools and just won't recruit kids that are the normal top recruits. Mercer, Furman, Wofford have academic requirements that will generally keep them from having top recruiting classes. The best comparisons to KSU would Chattanooga, ETSU, and Western Carolina. Chattanooga had a coaching change and are just trying to catch up on recruiting for the year.

[Mocs123]

I have heard that 3*** dual threat QB Gio Richardson visited UTC this past weekend. He may be headed to FAU, but if the Mocs can land him that would be BIG IMO. it looks like UTC coaches have done really well for their very late start.

Per the Chattanooga Times Free Press Gio has committed to Chattanooga.

[FUBeAR]

I bet the Southern Conference regrets not inviting the Owls when they had the chance.https://i.imgur.com/0gIap7w.gif

[PaladinNation]

Kennesaw State certainly has done well in a few short years, and I personally would love to have them in the SoCon, I hardly think you can look at 247 Sports FCS recruiting rankings to say that KSU has surpassed the entire SoCon. First off FCS recruiting rankings aren't the most reliable predictor of performance - I don't seem to see NDSU on the top of the 247 recruiting rankings year after year, but they seem to do OK. Secondly, both The Citadel and VMI are military schools and just won't recruit kids that are the normal top recruits. Mercer, Furman, Wofford have academic requirements that will generally keep them from having top recruiting classes. The best comparisons to KSU would Chattanooga, ETSU, and Western Carolina. Chattanooga had a coaching change and are just trying to catch up on recruiting for the year.

^^ ditto!!!

It's funny when a commit is posted on our (FU) board - it never fails someone isn't impressed - who else recruited him, he has no stars, he's not tall enough, he doesn't weigh enough, blah, blah, blah! But sign a guy that's a 3-star holy smoke!!! One of Furman's last 3-star commits left the program and now plays rugby at Furman. You just never know.

To Mocs point… NDSU has a program, they know what they want, and I'm guessing their coaches have the relationships with HS coaches that make them aware of a player that fits the NDSU system. I think Coach Wright will right the ship - he strikes me as the type of coach that knows what type of kid he wants in his program.

Clay Hendrix is a perfect example. Under Fowler, I'm not sure Furman had a true POV on players, that's my take. Hendrix is picky and obviously, he doesn't care if a player has a star or a long offer list.

Recent Furman commit Dan Dodd on the surface is a head-scratcher. An athletic 6-4 290 OT that played well in a bunch of elite camps, find just a few offers. Rumor has it he was a top target for Furman. This speaks to Mocs point… my guess is this was an academic issue and he recently could have been approved.

I'm not sure about the rest of the SoCon schools but Furman has a put a ton of PWO offers out there. Furman is sitting right now with seven confirmed PWO commits. For Furman this is BIG, it's your depth. I think getting players to commit as a PWO is important and often overlooked.

[PaladinFan]

Hendrix at least appears to have a different recruiting strategy than his predecessors. No great push to sign a QB in every class. Much greater reliance on walk-ons.

Hendrix said early on that he is not going to give a player a quarter million dollar scholarship just because they have one to give. I do not know this to be accurate, but I would bet that Furman is dividing some money up between these walkons. I would also guess that Furman becomes an attractive landing spot for a walkon because of Hendrix's stated desire not to waste scholarships on warm bodies.

If we game it out, Furman can give scholarships to players that earn them at this level, not based on what they did in high school. Alex Deluca, for instance, was a walkon, earned immediate playing time as a freshman, and is now one of Furman's key WRs. I would be shocked if he isn't on a full scholarship considering he is a key piece of the offense. It may be more difficult to get him to Furman if every scholarship is spoken for by guys, many of whom have not showed anything at the college level.

[sudog03]

I'm not sure about the rest of the SoCon schools but Furman has a put a ton of PWO offers out there. Furman is sitting right now with seven confirmed PWO commits. For Furman this is BIG, it's your depth. I think getting players to commit as a PWO is important and often overlooked.

DITTO. And is a really key difference between public and privates at the FCS level. When you have 63 scholarships, it's very likely during a season you will get into your walk-on depth at a position or two, especially if a rash or injuries occurs at a certain position (think 4 safeties injured at one time) or if you have unexpected defections at a position. And for the privates, it really comes down to who can pay more so than who can play. If you are like KSU and in a state with state funded scholarships it makes it much easier to convince a PWO to enroll, just pay room/board, compete for a scholarship spot vs. say come to Samford/Furman, etc and pay 30-40k a year. Makes it much easier to build quality depth through walk-ons.

[SU DOG]

Sometimes when you re-read what you wrote, it comes off harsher than you intended.

I looked up WCU's "recruits" on that board, it listed only one "signed" and two hard commits". WCU actually signed 4 in the early period, and has 5 "commits" for the Feb signing and still has a lot of outstanding offers.

That's what I meant by it being a waste of time, as their numbers are not accurate. I'd bet there's lots more inaccurate data utilized to come up with that ranking.

Here's data I keep for WCU.... http://catamountsportsblog.blogspot.com/p/wcu-recruiting.html

If I understand correctly, 247 only counts players that have made their list. If a player is listed I think that is considered a 1* Please correct me if this is not right. Western has only signed one player that is listed on 247, and that is 2** QB Malik Richardson. The star system is totally unpredictable IMO. Didn't Dennis Wagner have the #1 rated FCS class for a year or 2 at Western? I seem to remember him signing a bunch of players from California, many of which looked like Sumo wrestlers, but they never worked out for the Catamounts. Four star QB Michael Eubank didn't turn out so hot for Samford either.xlolx

To me, these lists are somewhat like the betting lines - For Entertainment Purposes Only! As for the SoCon overall, however, I'm convinced that the conference recruiting for this year and the last 2 or 3 has been very good. I think we will see that play-out in upcoming seasons.

[JSUSoutherner]

Of course we have a new HC and OC so who knows for sure, but I would expect Tiano to be the starter. Both He and 2018 backup Chris James will be Seniors in 2019. Graduate Transfer Dray Arnold is a Junior (graduated from ODU with 2 degrees in 2.5 years) and I speculate will be the starter in 2020. Of course like I said things can change.

I do hope it's Tiano. :)

[Mocs123]

Tiano looked terrible in 2017 and got injured mid season where we had to go to our third string QB a true freshman to finish the season. Tiano really had a pretty good year in 2018 and hopefully will continue to get better in 2019.

Our other options are Chris James who has a cannon for an arm but supposedly struggles with accuracy and is yet to take a snap for the Mocs, Dray Arnald a graduate transfer from ODU, or Gio Richardson who will be a true freshman.

My bigger concern is that that we get our Oline situation fixed, get Tyrell Price back heathy, and replace Mhaffey and Mack on the D Line.

[Smitty]

If I understand correctly, 247 only counts players that have made their list. If a player is listed I think that is considered a 1* Please correct me if this is not right. Western has only signed one player that is listed on 247, and that is 2** QB Malik Richardson. The star system is totally unpredictable IMO. Didn't Dennis Wagner have the #1 rated FCS class for a year or 2 at Western? I seem to remember him signing a bunch of players from California, many of which looked like Sumo wrestlers, but they never worked out for the Catamounts. Four star QB Michael Eubank didn't turn out so hot for Samford either.xlolx

To me, these lists are somewhat like the betting lines - For Entertainment Purposes Only! As for the SoCon overall, however, I'm convinced that the conference recruiting for this year and the last 2 or 3 has been very good. I think we will see that play-out in upcoming seasons.

Either 2 or 3 for Wagner. I would blame the coach and staff more than the players though

[PaladinFan]

If I understand correctly, 247 only counts players that have made their list. If a player is listed I think that is considered a 1* Please correct me if this is not right. Western has only signed one player that is listed on 247, and that is 2** QB Malik Richardson. The star system is totally unpredictable IMO. Didn't Dennis Wagner have the #1 rated FCS class for a year or 2 at Western? I seem to remember him signing a bunch of players from California, many of which looked like Sumo wrestlers, but they never worked out for the Catamounts. Four star QB Michael Eubank didn't turn out so hot for Samford either.xlolx

To me, these lists are somewhat like the betting lines - For Entertainment Purposes Only! As for the SoCon overall, however, I'm convinced that the conference recruiting for this year and the last 2 or 3 has been very good. I think we will see that play-out in upcoming seasons.

I think Eubanks would have been a whale of a TE.

[PaladinFan]

I do hope it's Tiano. :)

Tiano isn't a bad player. UTC's offensive line is a bit of a train wreck and they don't run the ball well at all. If those two things start trending in a better direction, he could be a pretty impressive QB.

[SU DOG]

Speaking of QBs, I got to thinking. Aren't Samford, Furman, and maybe ETSU the only conference teams with that position in somewhat of a question mark? There are some really good ones returning for the other teams. No disrespect intended for Tyrie Adams, Brandon Rainey, or any other SoCon QB, but if I had to choose the best SoCon QB for 2019 - It would be Mercer's Robert Riddle. This is strictly a guess, and my choice may seem odd to some, but I was super-impressed with Riddle for not only his talent, but also for the intangibles that I recognized.

[Mocs123]

Tiano isn't a bad player. UTC's offensive line is a bit of a train wreck and they don't run the ball well at all. If those two things start trending in a better direction, he could be a pretty impressive QB.

Hopefully Chris Malone (new OL Coach) gets our line straightened out. I don't think our problem was talent on the line, so I am hoping it's a quick fix. I am worried about depth and succession planning so hopefully we get a couple more OL commitments the next two weeks for down the road, but I think we're OK next year.

Running back is a concern. I think Tyrell Price is a good back, and played hurt most of last year, but after that it's a mess. We have one signee, Ailym Ford, that signed in December, but those are the only two scholarship backs on the roster. Our 3 high school running back recruits under Arth are no longer with the program for various reasons, which is obviously cause for concern. I normally prefer to just get HS kids, but I would love to get a transfer that has a two or three years to play to help bridge the gap between Price (SR) and Ford (T-FR).

- - - Updated - - -


Speaking of QBs, I got to thinking. Aren't Samford, Furman, and maybe ETSU the only conference teams with that position in somewhat of a question mark? There are some really good ones returning for the other teams. No disrespect intended for Tyrie Adams, Brandon Rainey, or any other SoCon QB, but if I had to choose the best SoCon QB for 2019 - It would be Mercer's Robert Riddle. This is strictly a guess, and my choice may seem odd to some, but I was super-impressed with Riddle for not only his talent, but also for the intangibles that I recognized.

Their are some good QB's in the league next year - a lot of experience too.

[JSUSoutherner]

Tiano isn't a bad player. UTC's offensive line is a bit of a train wreck and they don't run the ball well at all. If those two things start trending in a better direction, he could be a pretty impressive QB.

Yeah he's not a bad player if he isn't on his back.

When we played him we sacked him like 7 times or some absurd number.

[PaladinFan]

Speaking of QBs, I got to thinking. Aren't Samford, Furman, and maybe ETSU the only conference teams with that position in somewhat of a question mark? There are some really good ones returning for the other teams. No disrespect intended for Tyrie Adams, Brandon Rainey, or any other SoCon QB, but if I had to choose the best SoCon QB for 2019 - It would be Mercer's Robert Riddle. This is strictly a guess, and my choice may seem odd to some, but I was super-impressed with Riddle for not only his talent, but also for the intangibles that I recognized.

I have no inside knowledge of their thinking, but it sure seems like the Furman coaches like Darren Grainger. They do not appear to have even offered a QB in the 2019 class and the presumptive backup, Jemar Lincoln (who started and beat the Citadel on the road), is transferring.

In my overly optimistic vision of the future, Grainger becomes a taller/stronger version of Tyrie Adams, but with a defense and a better offensive line. He showed impressive flashes last year, but had some real issues with ball security, which you tend to expect from young QBs. He will be in a unique position this season of coming to camp as a redshirt freshman already with game experience under his belt.

As I noted on our forum, the thing that is going to most help a young QB like Grainger is strong offensive line play and a solid running game. Furman looks like it will have both of those things.

[FUBeAR]

Speaking of QBs, I got to thinking. Aren't Samford, Furman, and maybe ETSU the only conference teams with that position in somewhat of a question mark? There are some really good ones returning for the other teams. No disrespect intended for Tyrie Adams, Brandon Rainey, or any other SoCon QB, but if I had to choose the best SoCon QB for 2019 - It would be Mercer's Robert Riddle. This is strictly a guess, and my choice may seem odd to some, but I was super-impressed with Riddle for not only his talent, but also for the intangibles that I recognized.
I hope you are right. Mr. Riddle was quite impressive in his, sadly, brief debut last season. He made a couple of mistakes against CIT, but as a rook, that’s understandable. They were Favre-ish type mistakes...tryin’ too hard to make a play.

That said, he will be on his 3rd QB Coach & 3rd OC in his 3 years @ Mercer. That sort of situation is rarely beneficial to developing a young QB, but I hope he can overcome that adversity...and the adversity of coming off a fairly serious injury to his throwing mechanism. I know of a HS QB (helped his fam with his recruiting) who had the same injury & it took him a couple of years to get his full throwing capabilities (zip) back. He ended up going to Michigan & Starting there; so it worked out, but it did take time. Finally, there’s no certainty that Mr. Riddle will be Mercer’s Starting QB in 2019. He’s now competing for the job with a 16 game starter (played in 19 games), who was almost the hero of a comeback win (almost) over a SoCon Champion while playing, pretty much, on 1 leg. Kaelan Riley isn’t going to give Mr. Riddle the Starting job without a fight.

[PaladinFan]

I hope you are right. Mr. Riddle was quite impressive in his, sadly, brief debut last season. He made a couple of mistakes against CIT, but as a rook, that’s understandable. They were Favre-ish type mistakes...tryin’ too hard to make a play.

That said, he will be on his 3rd QB Coach & 3rd OC in his 3 years @ Mercer. That sort of situation is rarely beneficial to developing a young QB, but I hope he can overcome that adversity...and the adversity of coming off a fairly serious injury to his throwing mechanism. I know of a HS QB (helped his fam with his recruiting) who had the same injury & it took him a couple of years to get his full throwing capabilities (zip) back. He ended up going to Michigan & Starting there; so it worked out, but it did take time. Finally, there’s no certainty that Mr. Riddle will be Mercer’s Starting QB in 2019. He’s now competing for the job with a 16 game starter (played in 19 games), who was almost the hero of a comeback win (almost) over a SoCon Champion while playing, pretty much, on 1 leg. Kaelan Riley isn’t going to give Mr. Riddle the Starting job without a fight.

Riddle's a good looking player. Riley is too, but I presume the coaching staff started Riddle over him for a reason.

Riley played well against Furman, but he was a distant second to Devezin in the "almost hero" award in my opinion. Devezin just about single-handedly carried the Bears offense that game.

[UpstateBison]

Will Grainger or Riddle be FUBears better QB next fall? Inquiring minds want to know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FUBeAR]

Riddle's a good looking player. Riley is too, but I presume the coaching staff started Riddle over him for a reason.

Riley played well against Furman, but he was a distant second to Devezin in the “almost hero” award in my opinion. Devezin just about single-handedly carried the Bears offense that game.
Nope. Your opinion is wrong (again).

It’s true that RB Devezin was dominant the entire game...on 2 good legs...and he was, essentially, FORCED, to carry the Bears Offense...until Riley entered the game...on his 1 good leg. Devezin was Mercer’s Player of the Game, but Riley WAS the “Hero of the Game”...almost.

Before Riley entered the game with 3:02 to play in the 3rd quarter, Mercer was 7 for 21 (33%) passing for 120 yards with 1 TD. The QB had been sacked 3 times, thrown 0 completions in 6 attempts in the 2nd half, was 0 for 6 on 3rd down passes for the game, and had just fumbled at the Mercer 27, setting Furman up for a score to put the Paladins up by 12 points. The outlook for a comeback was rather dim.

On Riley’s 1st series, he was 2 for 3 for 29 yards and a TD. His 2nd series was similar - 2 for 3 for 37 yards & a TD. So 4 for 6 (66%) for 63 yards & 2 TD’s on 2 possessions AND he brought Mercer from 2 scores down to taking the lead in only 6:35 of clock time...on 1 leg. If we extrapolate those stats out for the whole game, we would get 36 for 54 for 567 yards & 18 TD’s. Ridiculous? Probably. Telling about the extreme difference he made as soon as he entered the game? DEFINITELY!

After those Riley HEROICS, Mercer’s Defense gave up the game-deciding score and Furman was able to bleed almost a total of 9 minutes off the clock in that scoring drive & the subsequent one, which began after a Mercer ‘3 & Out’ on a dropped pass on 3rd down.



3rd and 9 at MER26
Kaelan Riley pass incomplete to Tyray Devezin, dropped pass.



And, I did say “almost” (2x), as he did have a chance to lead the Bears to again come from behind for the win...on 1 leg...with 1:28 to play & just 1 timeout & 96 yards to go. He went 5 for 9 for 39 yards on that final drive, converting a 4th down & 6 pass...and even ran for 4 yards...on 1 leg, when he was flushed from the pocket the play before he converted the 4th down pass. The final play, with 00:02 on the clock, from the Furman 38 did not end well...and that’s why this tale (and my initial post) included the word “almost”...(2x).

If it “ended well,” Riley would have been the Player hoisted upon their shoulders & carried off the field in celebration by his Teammates; not Mr. Devezin, even as well as he played. They couldn’t have carried him anyway...he too THICK!

[FUBeAR]

Will Grainger or Riddle be FUBears better QB next fall? Inquiring minds want to know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkor Riley...and, FUBeAR was a big fan of Jamar Lincoln; hated to see it not work out for him at FU.

Mr. Grainger is VERY new to the position of QB, which gives him a greater opportunity to utilize his natural talents to leverage a more rapid & more marked level of improvement than others who have played QB all their lives. That is exactly what he will have to do to put himself at or above the level of any of the returning SoCon QB’s next season. FUBeAR has great faith that there is no better set of Coaches in the whole U-nited World to enable him to make those kinds of strides than the ones who will be working with him there in Travelers Rest, SC.

FUBeAR will answer your question after the Bears & Paladins face off in January of 2020 in Frisco, TX.

[SU DOG]

Face-off in Frisco? WOW! I hope that is videoed. I honestly didn't know that either of those schools even fielded an Ice Hockey Team.

[FUBeAR]

Face-off in Frisco? WOW! I hope that is videoed. I honestly didn't know that either of those schools even fielded an Ice Hockey Team.
They don’t.

[SU DOG]

Where's your sense of humor today FUB?:)

[FUBeAR]

Where's your sense of humor today FUB?:)Coach Billy Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”

And we all know those are words that FUBeAR’s always lives by...as evidenced in the witty response to your post.

[Reign of Terrier]

Interesting developments with announced schedules:

Wofford, Furman, Samford and the Citadel have not announced their schedules, but working backwards from the schedules announced, there's a good chance that Wofford will play Samford toward the beginning of the year and the Citadel as the last game of the year

[PaladinFan]

Interesting developments with announced schedules:

Wofford, Furman, Samford and the Citadel have not announced their schedules, but working backwards from the schedules announced, there's a good chance that Wofford will play Samford toward the beginning of the year and the Citadel as the last game of the year

I have a pretty over the top chart on Furman's forum. My guess is Furman and Wofford play Nov. 16 in Spartanburg.

[kdinva]

I have a pretty over the top chart on Furman's forum. My guess is Furman and Wofford play Nov. 16 in Spartanburg.

doesn't Furman have two OOC games to announce? based on FBSchedules.com, both Furman and Presby. have an open weekend, Labor Day weekend........just askin'

[PaladinFan]

doesn't Furman have two OOC games to announce? based on FBSchedules.com, both Furman and Presby. have an open weekend, Labor Day weekend........just askin'

Nothing is officially official at this point, but Furman will start with three OOC games - Charleston Southern, Ga. State, and VT. Clay Hendrix confirmed in his signing day press conference that Furman will open at home against CSU. They are yet to announce a "mystery team" that we will likely play November 23. Speculation is that this will be a lower division team.

Furman has been trying to get the 12th game. While the program doesn't owe anyone anything, Furman had a home game canceled last year, not made up, and ended up playing 6 consecutive road games to conclude 2017 and to begin 2018.

I am glad to see Furman's administration doing what it can to get a 6th home game in 2019.

[longtimemocfan]

I have heard that 3*** dual threat QB Gio Richardson visited UTC this past weekend. He may be headed to FAU, but if the Mocs can land him that would be BIG IMO. it looks like UTC coaches have done really well for their very late start.
Gio Richardson did flip from FAU and has committed to Chattanooga.




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[longtimemocfan]

Sorry Mocs123, didn’t see your previous post.


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[PaladinFan]

Furman still getting a lot of reported commits for guys that are PWO types.

With the advent of twitter, it's a little easier to track these guys, but it certainly seems like this is a heavy focus for Furman's recruiting in 2019.

Also worth noting that Furman has a couple of commits out of Texas. To my knowledge, Texas is relatively uncharted territory in SoCon recruiting. It'll be interesting over the next few years if Furman can start developing pipelines into the Dallas metro area.

[PaladinFan]

When the story on the 2019 season is written, Furman can look back at predawn practice in 20 degrees in February as where it began.

https://twitter.com/AaronCheslock/status/1088967098146131968

[kdinva]

From footballscoop.com; Bill Legg (VMI O-Line in '94 & '95 w/Tommy Haskins) will be Mercer's new Off. Coord.

[Bisonoline]

When the story on the 2019 season is written, Furman can look back at predawn practice in 20 degrees in February as where it began.

https://twitter.com/AaronCheslock/status/1088967098146131968

Why are you starting spring practice so early?

[PaladinFan]

Hendrix likes to start spring practice early to get it over with before spring break. He wants the team to come back from break and focus solely on conditioning and weight training.

Early in the morning because Furman's football team works around class schedules and the lacrosse practices. Essentially, the team can practice early in the morning or in the evening to ensure maximum attendance, so they choose mornings.

[Milktruck74]

Hendrix likes to start spring practice early to get it over with before spring break. He wants the team to come back from break and focus solely on conditioning and weight training.

Early in the morning because Furman's football team works around class schedules and the lacrosse practices. Essentially, the team can practice early in the morning or in the evening to ensure maximum attendance, so they choose mornings.

Lacross practice? is the interference a logistical one to get the field space? or do you have FB players participation on the LAX team? I know at a bunch of D3 schools about half the LAX team is basically football players, but didn't think it would be an issue at the FCS level.

[Milktruck74]

Hendrix likes to start spring practice early to get it over with before spring break. He wants the team to come back from break and focus solely on conditioning and weight training.

Early in the morning because Furman's football team works around class schedules and the lacrosse practices. Essentially, the team can practice early in the morning or in the evening to ensure maximum attendance, so they choose mornings.

Also, I like the idea of getting out of the way early. It gives plenty of time to rehab any injuries prior to starting Summer camp.

[FUBeAR]

From footballscoop.com; Bill Legg (VMI O-Line in '94 & '95 w/Tommy Haskins) will be Mercer's new Off. Coord.
Hmmm...

* MissState as Off. Consultant - 2018
* Marshall OC - 2010-2017 - also Coached QB’s (some) & TE’s/OT’s (some) & OL (some) while serving as OC
* FIU OC & QB’s - 2008-2009
* Purdue OL - 2003-2007
* Marshall OL & Recruiting Coord - 2001-2002
* West Virginia OC & OL - 2000
* West Virginia OL - 1995-1999
* VMI OL -1994
* Eastern Illinois OL - 1989-1993
* West Virginia Tech OC - 1988
* West Virginia - 1986-1987 GA (TE’s & Special Teams)

A four-year starting center for West Virginia from 1981 to 1984, Legg was head coach Don Nehlen's first recruit with the Mountaineers. He played in four bowl games, and as a senior received the Ira E. Rodgers Award for being the player who has "shown high leadership and academic qualities as well as football performance." Legg was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League and subsequently had a brief stint with the Washington Redskins in 1995.

Lots of experience, particularly Coaching (and playing) OL. Prior to Coach Joe Pizzo’s 1 year stint as Mercer’s OC & QB Coach before he took a step down to UTC this off-season, Mercer’s OC was their OL Coach, whose title last year was OL Coach & Running Game Coord. Have to wonder if we could see another move there & bring in a top-flight (hopefully) up-and-coming QB Coach to work with Mercer’s talented (& crowded) QB cadre (Riddle, Riley, & Fromm (the younger)). Mercer still needs to backfill ILB & OLB Coaches (maybe...not sure what, if any, position the new as-yet-unannounced, but Twitter-self-ID’d as Mercer DC will Coach), and a CB Coach. Current OL Coach has been OL Coach since 2012 & was OL Coach @ Colgate prior, but he played DE (OLB?) in college. I could see him moving over to the other side of the ball to Coach OLB’s & new OC Coaching OL.

It’s called a carousel for a reason, ain’t it?

[Milktruck74]

Hmmm...

* MissState as Off. Consultant - 2018
* Marshall OC - 2010-2017 - also Coached QB’s (some) & TE’s/OT’s (some) & OL (some) while serving as OC
* FIU OC - 2008-2009
* Purdue OL - 2003-2007
* Marshall OL & Recruiting Coord - 2001-2002
* West Virginia OC & OL - 2000
* West Virginia OL - 1995-1999
* VMI OL -1994
* Eastern Illinois OL - 1989-1993
* West Virginia Tech OC - 1988
* West Virginia - 1986-1987 GA (TE’s & Special Teams)

A four-year starting center for West Virginia from 1981 to 1984, Legg was head coach Don Nehlen's first recruit with the Mountaineers. He played in four bowl games, and as a senior received the Ira E. Rodgers Award for being the player who has "shown high leadership and academic qualities as well as football performance." Legg was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League and subsequently had a brief stint with the Washington Redskins in 1995.

Lots of experience, particularly Coaching (and playing) OL. Prior to Coach Joe Pizzo’s 1 year stint as Mercer’s OC & QB Coach before he took a step down to UTC this off-season, Mercer’s OC was their OL Coach, whose title last year was OL Coach & Running Game Coord. Have to wonder if we could see another move there & bring in a top-flight (hopefully) up-and-coming QB Coach to work with Mercer’s talented (& crowded) QB cadre (Riddle, Riley, & Fromm (the younger)). Mercer still needs to backfill ILB & OLB Coaches (maybe...not sure what, if any, position the new as-yet-unannounced, but Twitter-self-ID’d as Mercer DC will Coach), and a CB Coach. Current OL Coach has been OL Coach since 2012 & was OL Coach @ Colgate prior, but he played DE (OLB?) in college. I could see him moving over to the other side of the ball to Coach OLB’s & new OC Coaching OL.

It’s called a carousel for a reason, ain’t it?

How is leaving a sinking ship a step-down? haha. Get out while the getting is good!!!! Lamb is in the hot seat, he has to produce. Legg may be the guy to cool things down, hope so...I like BL and think he is a good rep of the conference....but I can't see Mercer keeping him around too much longer without a playoff appearance.

[PaladinFan]

Lacross practice? is the interference a logistical one to get the field space? or do you have FB players participation on the LAX team? I know at a bunch of D3 schools about half the LAX team is basically football players, but didn't think it would be an issue at the FCS level.

The Lacrosse team plays in the football stadium. My guess is they have dibs on afternoon practice time as they are in-season. So, the football team has evenings or mornings, so they go mornings.

I do not believe the practice fields at Furman have lights. If you play in the early morning or evening in January you need lights, which Paladin Stadium has.

[FUBeAR]

Why are you starting spring practice so early?Furman used to have a trimester system & Winter Term was 8 weeks (Jan & Feb). In 1979, Coach Dick Sheridan dispensed with ‘traditional’ Winter Workouts & started ‘Spring’ Practice the 2nd week of January. In those days, the rule was 20 practices in 30 days, so we were able to get all the practices in before exams started & we had “Spring Workouts” for a much longer period of time in March - May than previously. This was before S&C Staffs, so Coaches led those workouts.

Bottom line - same # of Spring Practices + added workouts with Coaches in warmer weather = better prepared / better conditioned / stronger / faster Players. More time for Coaches to work with their Players.

A residual benefit that hadn’t even been considered was additional rehab time window prior to the start of the following season for any Players injured in “Spring Practice.”...and we hit full contact / tackle to the ground in all 20 of those practices.

Furman won 4 straight SoCon Championships & played in the Nat’l Champ. Game, after switching to “Spring Practice” in the Winter. Coach Hendrix was on those Teams & I believe that practice continued until Coach Sheridan went to NC State in 1986, so he likely always had it in the winter as a Player & he (Coach Hendrix) went to NCSU as a GA, where they continued with “early” Spring Practice.

So, I think Coach Hendrix just believes this is when it should be and the injury recovery time horizon benefit still holds true along with the continuity of off-season physical training.

[FUBeAR]

How is leaving a sinking ship a step-down? haha. Get out while the getting is good!!!! Lamb is in the hot seat, he has to produce. Legg may be the guy to cool things down, hope so...I like BL and think he is a good rep of the conference....but I can't see Mercer keeping him around too much longer without a playoff appearance.
Just a little ‘Easter Egg’ I threw in there to see if y’all are reading FUBeAR’s stuff. Gotcha!

[Milktruck74]

Just a little ‘Easter Egg’ I threw in there to see if y’all are reading FUBeAR’s stuff. Gotcha!


As DJT would say #fakenews!!! hahaha.

[Milktruck74]

Looks like Rusty and Company keep adding some serious talent to the Mocs....We got a commitment from a super speedster RB out of GA and a MASSIVE 6'4" DB.....This staff is pulling together a top-notch class... the City is excited to see what happens...Now, just need to get the ink on the docs on 2/6!!!!

[JSUSoutherner]

Looks like Rusty and Company keep adding some serious talent to the Mocs....We got a commitment from a super speedster RB out of GA and a MASSIVE 6'4" DB.....This staff is pulling together a top-notch class... the City is excited to see what happens...Now, just need to get the ink on the docs on 2/6!!!!

Neat. :)

[PaladinFan]

How is leaving a sinking ship a step-down? haha. Get out while the getting is good!!!! Lamb is in the hot seat, he has to produce. Legg may be the guy to cool things down, hope so...I like BL and think he is a good rep of the conference....but I can't see Mercer keeping him around too much longer without a playoff appearance.

It is unfortunate Mercer is changing coordinators again. They might have the most talented stable of QBs in the league but haven't really been able to see much stability.

I also wonder the thought process behind overlooking someone like Carter Barfield. Barfield played for Lamb at Furman, has been on the coaching staff at Mercer since the doors opened, and has Macon family ties. Seems like he'd be a logical choice if Lamb were looking for stability at the position.

[FUBeAR]

It is unfortunate Mercer is changing coordinators again. They might have the most talented stable of QBs in the league but haven't really been able to see much stability.

I also wonder the thought process behind overlooking someone like Carter Barfield. Barfield played for Lamb at Furman, has been on the coaching staff at Mercer since the doors opened, and has Macon family ties. Seems like he'd be a logical choice if Lamb were looking for stability at the position.Total speculation, but I’m not sure the decision to go in a different direction in terms of an OC, made after the 2017 season, nor the desired profile for the hire was 100% initiated/determined by Coach Lamb. The individual hired for the role then, Coach Pizzo, had many years of Coaching experience as an OC at several different programs. As I read some of the info about Coach Legg, it seemed quite familiar to me, so I believe he must have been rumored to be in the mix before Coach Pizzo was hired. So, as the hiring profile that was used in the previous search/hire worked well in 2018, I imagine the same profile is being sought this time.

Couldn’t like a person more than I like Coach Barfield AND he has done a fantastic job Coaching Mercer’s RB’s. Anyone realize that Mercer had the leading RB rusher in the SoCon last year AND also had 2 of the top 3 in an Offense that called passes on over 61% of their plays AND none of the Bears RB’s had a single lost fumble all season? That said, Coach Barfield’s experience includes 2 years as a GA at UT-Martin, 1 year as a GA at Kentucky, 1 year as an Off QC Coach at Kentucky, 1 year as QB Coach at UTM (before he went to UK as a GA) & now 7 years as the RB’s Coach at Mercer. So, he now has 11 years of Coaching tenure, BUT he’s never had on-field responsibility for more than 1, maybe 2, guys that are on the field at the same time. BIG jump going from being responsible for 1 to having ‘all 11.’

Just now, looking at Mercer’s Coaches Roster, I see that Coach Barfield has had added the title of “Co-Recruiting Coordinator” to his area of responsibilities. That title was formerly held by Coach Cain, who recently departed for JMU. Coach Barfield, then, has received a promotion this off-season. So, I don’t think “overlooking” is the reason Coach Barfield will not get the OC gig at Mercer, rather it’s just that he doesn’t fit the right profile for the role for 2019. “Stability” is, I would imagine, relatively low on Mercer’s priority list with this hire. Winning THIS YEAR would be the 1st item on that list. No time for someone to be growing into the role while ‘on the job.’ 12 years as an OC, 11 of that in FBS Programs seems to fit that “Win in 2019” priority a bit more “logically.” Don’t you agree?

[PaladinFan]

Total speculation, but I’m not sure the decision to go in a different direction in terms of an OC, made after the 2017 season, nor the desired profile for the hire was 100% initiated/determined by Coach Lamb. The individual hired for the role then, Coach Pizzo, had many years of Coaching experience as an OC at several different programs. As I read some of the info about Coach Legg, it seemed quite familiar to me, so I believe he must have been rumored to be in the mix before Coach Pizzo was hired. So, as the hiring profile that was used in the previous search/hire worked well in 2018, I imagine the same profile is being sought this time.

Couldn’t like a person more than I like Coach Barfield AND he has done a fantastic job Coaching Mercer’s RB’s. Anyone realize that Mercer had the leading RB rusher in the SoCon last year AND also had 2 of the top 3 in an Offense that called passes on over 61% of their plays AND none of the Bears RB’s had a single lost fumble all season? That said, Coach Barfield’s experience includes 2 years as a GA at UT-Martin, 1 year as a GA at Kentucky, 1 year as an Off QC Coach at Kentucky, 1 year as QB Coach at UTM (before he went to UK as a GA) & now 7 years as the RB’s Coach at Mercer. So, he now has 11 years of Coaching tenure, BUT he’s never had on-field responsibility for more than 1, maybe 2, guys that are on the field at the same time. BIG jump going from being responsible for 1 to having ‘all 11.’

Just now, looking at Mercer’s Coaches Roster, I see that Coach Barfield has had added the title of “Co-Recruiting Coordinator” to his area of responsibilities. That title was formerly held by Coach Cain, who recently departed for JMU. Coach Barfield, then, has received a promotion this off-season. So, I don’t think “overlooking” is the reason Coach Barfield will not get the OC gig at Mercer, rather it’s just that he doesn’t fit the right profile for the role for 2019. “Stability” is, I would imagine, relatively low on Mercer’s priority list with this hire. Winning THIS YEAR would be the 1st item on that list. No time for someone to be growing into the role while ‘on the job.’ 12 years as an OC, 11 of that in FBS Programs seems to fit that “Win in 2019” priority a bit more “logically.” Don’t you agree?

It is a good question. This article is not exactly glowing on Legg's tenure as OC at Marshall (https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/marshall_university/marshall-offensive-coordinator-bill-legg-resigns/article_ac51b995-9877-5803-a744-fe77fcf50dca.html).

He "stepped down" from a program in his home state where he had a long association with the head coach after another coach was promoted to "co-coordinator." Fans complained of an offense that was "stagnant and predictable." He takes a consultant position at Miss State, which I imagine is a step back from an OC at an FBS school.

If you look at Legg's career, he appears to be a guy that has had both good seasons and bad seasons. Sometimes his offenses are league best. Sometimes they are near the league worst. I do not know how Marshall's talent level compares to that of the rest of C-USA (i.e., is he doing less with more?)

Does he have an "experience" factor over Barfield? Sure. I don't make these decisions, of course, but if I am Mercer, I would go with the good young coach with local connections over the well-traveled older guy without any discernible connections to either the university or the recruiting area.

To your first point, though, I am not sure it is good if Mercer is hiring coaches without the full blessing of Coach Lamb. I'm not sure that sends the best message.

[Milktruck74]

A very loud message. I hate it, because I like BL. I think he is a solid coach, but you gotta keep stepping up. First is putting up Ws and next is making the playoffs. Mercer has been sitting on that plateau of Putting up Ws....BL has to make the playoffs in 19.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FUBeAR]

It is a good question. This article is not exactly glowing on Legg's tenure as OC at Marshall (https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/marshall_university/marshall-offensive-coordinator-bill-legg-resigns/article_ac51b995-9877-5803-a744-fe77fcf50dca.html).

He "stepped down" from a program in his home state where he had a long association with the head coach after another coach was promoted to "co-coordinator." Fans complained of an offense that was "stagnant and predictable." He takes a consultant position at Miss State, which I imagine is a step back from an OC at an FBS school.

If you look at Legg's career, he appears to be a guy that has had both good seasons and bad seasons. Sometimes his offenses are league best. Sometimes they are near the league worst. I do not know how Marshall's talent level compares to that of the rest of C-USA (i.e., is he doing less with more?)

Does he have an "experience" factor over Barfield? Sure. I don't make these decisions, of course, but if I am Mercer, I would go with the good young coach with local connections over the well-traveled older guy without any discernible connections to either the university or the recruiting area.

To your first point, though, I am not sure it is good if Mercer is hiring coaches without the full blessing of Coach Lamb. I'm not sure that sends the best message.

Jeez - you should consider a career with one of the blatantly biased media organizations (on both/either of the sides).

Your last sentence is NOT what I said. I SPECULATED that the decision to hire & the profile of the hire MAY not have rested 100% entirely with Coach Lamb. I’m sure every Coach hired has the full 100% “blessing” of Coach Lamb with regard to the ‘who’ of the hiring decision and the support provided to that Coach following the hire.

Yep - Coach Legg has had some years leading the nation & some years being pilloried by Marshall Fans. Marshall Fans? Have you been to Huntington, PaladinFan? Are those the peeps you want to cite for their capacity of intellectual assessment and evaluation? Similar comments are available from Coach Pizzo’s 2 year stint as OC at NC A&T. To be honest, the full game video I watched of one of his games as OC at North Greenville in 2017, literally, made me shudder in fear. It was, possibly, the worst execution of an Offense since Mercer’s game with Samford that same year.

I decided to just wait & see with Coach Pizzo. I still don’t, especially, like his philosophy, but execution was very solid, play-calling seemed mostly good (although they ARE all drawn up to score every time, y’know)l and I felt he really showed his value once Riley went down and he was able to beat Chatt & darn-near beat 2 of the 3 SoCon Tri-Champions with a walk-on QB, who didn’t even start for his HS Team, leading an Offense that throws over 61% of the time.

I’ll take the same approach with Coach Legg (if he is named Mercer’s OC)...and, by ALL accounts, he is an outstanding man, who has been a wonderful influence on the Players who have played for him. Unlike many fans, FUBeAR ascribes significant value to that quality.

Your “choice” might turn out to be the greatest Coaching decision of all time & Coach Barfield could be the next Coach Dabo or Saban, but, if you don’t see that it is the FAR riskier choice in this situation, then you just aren’t thinking objectively (again).

[FUBeAR]

A very loud message.NOT what I said..

False premise -> False conclusion

Don’t buy into PaladinFan’s attempt at being a #FakeNews OpEd “reporter.”

Every Head Coach receives advise, counsel, suggestions, and, on occasion, direction from their AD’s and sometimes from Executive Leadership of their institutions. That, is what FUBeAR SPECULATED MAY have precipitated the OC change for Mercer after 2017; not PaladinFan’s twisted and erroneous version of the process.

[Milktruck74]

I’m just thinking BLs seat is a lot warmer than you want to believe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PaladinFan]

Jeez - you should consider a career with one of the blatantly biased media organizations (on both/either of the sides).

Your last sentence is NOT what I said. I SPECULATED that the decision to hire & the profile of the hire MAY not have rested 100% entirely with Coach Lamb. I’m sure every Coach hired has the full 100% “blessing” of Coach Lamb with regard to the ‘who’ of the hiring decision and the support provided to that Coach following the hire.

Yep - Coach Legg has had some years leading the nation & some years being pilloried by Marshall Fans. Marshall Fans? Have you been to Huntington, PaladinFan? Are those the peeps you want to cite for their capacity of intellectual assessment and evaluation? Similar comments are available from Coach Pizzo’s 2 year stint as OC at NC A&T. To be honest, the full game video I watched of one of his games as OC at North Greenville in 2017, literally, made me shudder in fear. It was, possibly, the worst execution of an Offense since Mercer’s game with Samford that same year.

I decided to just wait & see with Coach Pizzo. I still don’t, especially, like his philosophy, but execution was very solid, play-calling seemed mostly good (although they ARE all drawn up to score every time, y’know)l and I felt he really showed his value once Riley went down and he was able to beat Chatt & darn-near beat 2 of the 3 SoCon Tri-Champions with a walk-on QB, who didn’t even start for his HS Team, leading an Offense that throws over 61% of the time.

I’ll take the same approach with Coach Legg (if he is named Mercer’s OC)...and, by ALL accounts, he is an outstanding man, who has been a wonderful influence on the Players who have played for him. Unlike many fans, FUBeAR ascribes significant value to that quality.

Your “choice” might turn out to be the greatest Coaching decision of all time & Coach Barfield could be the next Coach Dabo or Saban, but, if you don’t see that it is the FAR riskier choice in this situation, then you just aren’t thinking objectively (again).

Oh, I'm sure that Marshall, like Georgia Southern, is very much run by the Queen of Hearts. Someone is constantly the fall guy.

Legg's resume is probably best summed up as "consistently inconsistent." He has a number of good years and a number of less good years. I had forgotten that he was replaced at FIU by Scott Satterfield, though.

As far as Barfield, I do not necessarily see what Mercer has to lose. They are grinding out .500 seasons, which is eerily similar to how Lamb's tenure are Furman ended. Legg almost assuredly isn't coming to Mercer for the long haul and, like Pizzo, will probably take the first train out of Dodge. I could be misreading it, of course, but it wouldn't shock anyone if Mercer was looking for another OC this time next year.

Sure, there's a risk in going with Barfield. There's risk with Legg too. Barfield's young, but he isn't THAT young. I do not believe he'd even be the youngest coordinator in the SoCon - Siefkes at Wofford, I think, is still in his 20s. Barfield is the same age as Shiel Wood, who was Wofford's DC. Joe Harasymiak was named Maine's head coach at 30, I think.

While I think FCS teams should be looking for market inefficiencies (like a young coach or an undersized player) the fact that Mercer is not perhaps suggests that Lamb is outside the risk-taking part of his Mercer tenure. That is, he doesn't have the flexibility to make a big risk/reward hire and needs instead to go with the safer bet.

[FUBeAR]

I’m just thinking BLs seat is a lot warmer than you want to believe.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkYou don’t really believe that FUBeAR is uninformed, underinformed, and/or unrealistic, do you?

[FUBeAR]

Oh, I'm sure that Marshall, like Georgia Southern, is very much run by the Queen of Hearts. Someone is constantly the fall guy.

Legg's resume is probably best summed up as "consistently inconsistent." He has a number of good years and a number of less good years. I had forgotten that he was replaced at FIU by Scott Satterfield, though.

As far as Barfield, I do not necessarily see what Mercer has to lose. They are grinding out .500 seasons, which is eerily similar to how Lamb's tenure are Furman ended. Legg almost assuredly isn't coming to Mercer for the long haul and, like Pizzo, will probably take the first train out of Dodge. I could be misreading it, of course, but it wouldn't shock anyone if Mercer was looking for another OC this time next year.

Sure, there's a risk in going with Barfield. There's risk with Legg too. Barfield's young, but he isn't THAT young. I do not believe he'd even be the youngest coordinator in the SoCon - Siefkes at Wofford, I think, is still in his 20s. Barfield is the same age as Shiel Wood, who was Wofford's DC. Joe Harasymiak was named Maine's head coach at 30, I think.

While I think FCS teams should be looking for market inefficiencies (like a young coach or an undersized player) the fact that Mercer is not perhaps suggests that Lamb is outside the risk-taking part of his Mercer tenure. That is, he doesn't have the flexibility to make a big risk/reward hire and needs instead to go with the safer bet.
You’re on trial for capital murder. Of course, you are not guilty, but the ‘people’ don’t bring such charges unless they have some kind of case to make.

Do you hire the amazing young, but experienced attorney, who has done outstanding, absolutely stellar work gaining acquittals for defendants charged with felony assault to defend you?

Or do you hire the grizzled veteran of many capital murder trials, who has won some noteworthy accolades for his work in such cases, but, over his long career, he’s lost a few too; even some that some family members of the defendant feel he should have won?

I know (and you know) what you would do...regardless of how you respond.

[FUBeAR]

Just noticed an interesting new commitment for Mercer...3 Star (per 247) DE from Atlanta. Claims 31 offers on his Twitter page, with the most recent from Syracuse. Also cites Coastal Carolina, Rutgers, Buffalo, Navy, Bowling Green, Louisiana Lafayette, AppSt, Eastern Michigan, MTSU, Air Force, Kent State, Georgia State, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, Troy, and FAU. 17 FBS offers listed & I think he ‘forgot’ to Tweet an offer from Tulane

SoCon offers from ETSU, WCU, Samford, and Mercer. Many other FCS offers including JaxSt, EKU, NC A&T, et al.

We’ll see if he signs & if he makes an impact in 2019. Video looks good, but it’s AA ball and his Team was 3-7...so a little hard to assess. Nice frame though.

[Reign of Terrier]

Interesting developments with announced schedules:

Wofford, Furman, Samford and the Citadel have not announced their schedules, but working backwards from the schedules announced, there's a good chance that Wofford will play Samford toward the beginning of the year and the Citadel as the last game of the year


I have a pretty over the top chart on Furman's forum. My guess is Furman and Wofford play Nov. 16 in Spartanburg.

And with that, Wofford just announced our 2019 schedule. All of the aforementioned predictions came true. The highlights:
>Wofford plays Citadel and Furman for the last two games of the year
>two bye weeks
>we open the year against SC State in Orangeburg and I will definitely be going and I am VERY excited
>we play Samford two weeks later. I'm excited for that one because we'll have the bye, Samford won't have Hodges and I don't think they'll have as much time to prepare as us
>Even if we lose to Samford, there's a good bit of margin of error for the first month of the season: we play VMI, GW, and SC State and should be favored in all of them. That's going to be key for player development.

[FUBeAR]

And with that, Wofford just announced our 2019 schedule. All of the aforementioned predictions came true. The highlights:
>Wofford plays Citadel and Furman for the last two games of the year
>two bye weeks
>we open the year against SC State in Orangeburg and I will definitely be going and I am VERY excited
>we play Samford two weeks later. I'm excited for that one because we'll have the bye, Samford won't have Hodges and I don't think they'll have as much time to prepare as us
>Even if we lose to Samford, there's a good bit of margin of error for the first month of the season: we play VMI, GW, and SC State and should be favored in all of them. That's going to be key for player development.So, Wofford is AT Mercer the week after they are AT Clemson and the week before they play arch-rivals Furman (in a revenge game) and then AT The Citadel - 3 out of 4 weeks on the road and Mercer sandwiched in between all of the those games against in-state rivals and this year's defending FBS Champions.

Hmmmm....Wofford is the only SoCon Team that Mercer has yet to beat since its re-birth. The last 2 games in Macon have been very late 1 point victories that Wofford just squeaked out (1 on a missed XP in OT). If Mercer can't find a way to beat the PorchYappers in 2019 in Macon, they may never do it.

[FUBeAR]

Bill Legg Named Bears’ Offensive Coordinator
West Virginia native will also coach Mercer's quarterbacks
https://mercerbears.com/news/2019/1/28/football-bill-legg-named-bears-offensive-coordinator.aspx

"Bill is going to be a terrific addition to our coaching staff," Lamb said. "He has an innovative offensive mind with an impressive track record of high-profile offensives wherever he's been. Bill was our first choice for the offensive coordinator position in 2018 and I'm thrilled to have him on our staff now."

[walliver]

So, Wofford is AT Mercer the week after they are AT Clemson and the week before they play arch-rivals Furman (in a revenge game) and then AT The Citadel - 3 out of 4 weeks on the road and Mercer sandwiched in between all of the those games against in-state rivals and this year's defending FBS Champions.

Hmmmm....Wofford is the only SoCon Team that Mercer has yet to beat since its re-birth. The last 2 games in Macon have been very late 1 point victories that Wofford just squeaked out (1 on a missed XP in OT). If Mercer can't find a way to beat the PorchYappers in 2019 in Macon, they may never do it.

I hope we don't have a letdown after beating Clemson

[FUBeAR]

I hope we don't have a letdown after beating Clemson
Samford sure did after they beat Florida State last year.

[PaladinFan]

So, Wofford is AT Mercer the week after they are AT Clemson and the week before they play arch-rivals Furman (in a revenge game) and then AT The Citadel - 3 out of 4 weeks on the road and Mercer sandwiched in between all of the those games against in-state rivals and this year's defending FBS Champions.

Hmmmm....Wofford is the only SoCon Team that Mercer has yet to beat since its re-birth. The last 2 games in Macon have been very late 1 point victories that Wofford just squeaked out (1 on a missed XP in OT). If Mercer can't find a way to beat the PorchYappers in 2019 in Macon, they may never do it.

I like that Furman/Wofford/Citadel will be set up near the end of the season.

Not sure I'd want to catch Furman late, though. Under Clay Hendrix, Furman is 11-2 in October/November, with the two losses coming to the same team (Samford).

The Paladins have gotten out of the blocks slow the last two seasons, but have been tough later in the season. The good news is, despite starting 3-6 in September under Hendrix, Furman has not lost a home conference game in that month. They'll have two such games in 2019 (ETSU and Mercer).

[FUBeAR]

The good news is, despite starting 3-6 in September under Hendrix, Furman has not lost a home conference game in that month. They'll have two such games in 2019 (ETSU and Mercer).True & very well-spun

[Milktruck74]

You don’t really believe that FUBeAR is uninformed, underinformed, and/or unrealistic, do you?

You had me i a corner....right up to the unrealistic part!!!!! Ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FUBeAR]

You had me i a corner....right up to the unrealistic part!!!!! Ha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkyou know what you see if you look up “realist” in the dictionary, don’t you?

https://nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Eeyore_3-615x461.jpg

[Reign of Terrier]

So, Wofford is AT Mercer the week after they are AT Clemson and the week before they play arch-rivals Furman (in a revenge game) and then AT The Citadel - 3 out of 4 weeks on the road and Mercer sandwiched in between all of the those games against in-state rivals and this year's defending FBS Champions.

Hmmmm....Wofford is the only SoCon Team that Mercer has yet to beat since its re-birth. The last 2 games in Macon have been very late 1 point victories that Wofford just squeaked out (1 on a missed XP in OT). If Mercer can't find a way to beat the PorchYappers in 2019 in Macon, they may never do it.

Mercer would be a spectacular rival for us if they ever beat us when it mattered in the two money sports. Last year kind of epitomized it in basketball. Mercer sweeped us during the regular season (against a good/decent but not spectacular team) and then got pile-driven in the tourney.

I think our luck with Mercer is slipping. How long this streak will go is anyone's guess. But then again, no one saw us beating the Citadel 17 times in a row in the early 2000s. I think the prediction of it happening @ Mercer is a better guess than not.

[PaladinFan]

Mercer would be a spectacular rival for us if they ever beat us when it mattered in the two money sports. Last year kind of epitomized it in basketball. Mercer sweeped us during the regular season (against a good/decent but not spectacular team) and then got pile-driven in the tourney.

I think our luck with Mercer is slipping. How long this streak will go is anyone's guess. But then again, no one saw us beating the Citadel 17 times in a row in the early 2000s. I think the prediction of it happening @ Mercer is a better guess than not.

Just my observations, but Wofford has pretty close games with a lot of teams.

I think the bigger question for Wofford is whether their defensive edge they've had the last two years will begin to slip and those close wins become close losses.

[Reign of Terrier]

Just my observations, but Wofford has pretty close games with a lot of teams.

I think the bigger question for Wofford is whether their defensive edge they've had the last two years will begin to slip and those close wins become close losses.

We didn't have that many last year. I mean, literally all of our games but Kennesaw and Wyoming were settled by double digits, win or lose.

[PaladinFan]

It appears Furman's schedule is set, but not announced. https://fbschedules.com/furman-football-schedule/

The mystery 12th game will likely be Point University, an NAIA school in West Point, GA headed by former Furman coach Julius Dixon.

Seems to work out well. Furman needed another home game and we knew it was likely a lower division school. Point has played a number of FCS scholarship teams over the years, mostly from the Big South.

[PaladinFan]

I like the Paladins schedule. While I don't love back to back FBS games in September, having a winnable FCS home game to start off is a luxury Furman has not seen much of. I also like that they will just about put the entire OOC schedule behind them before seeing a conference game. Get the kinks out.

VT and GSU are not world beaters. Winning either would be an upset, but GSU is essentially a good FCS team and would be a nice barometer for where Furman might be. I'm also looking forward to seeing Furman play in Turner Field.

After GSU, the Paladins enter what I think will be the toughest stretch of the season - ETSU, Mercer, Samford. They get two of three at home and lead into a mid-season bye.

The bye week is nicely timed before facing two of the quirkier offenses in the league - the Citadel and WCU. They'll get VMI at home right before Wofford. They'll wrap up with Point, which I assume will likely end up an "empty the bench" type of game.

[PaladinFan]

So, Wofford is AT Mercer the week after they are AT Clemson and the week before they play arch-rivals Furman (in a revenge game) and then AT The Citadel - 3 out of 4 weeks on the road and Mercer sandwiched in between all of the those games against in-state rivals and this year's defending FBS Champions.

Hmmmm....Wofford is the only SoCon Team that Mercer has yet to beat since its re-birth. The last 2 games in Macon have been very late 1 point victories that Wofford just squeaked out (1 on a missed XP in OT). If Mercer can't find a way to beat the PorchYappers in 2019 in Macon, they may never do it.

Wofford's schedule certainly feels like it'll be tough.

The Terriers have a really early bye week (week 2). That will benefit them against Samford most likely, though I'm sure they would prefer to take an off week later in the season.

While the early schedule is going to be relatively light with a MEAC team, GWU, VMI, and an off week, the last few weeks look brutal.

[kdinva]

....so.., just waitin' on Samford & The Citadel to announce their skeds......Citadel and Chuck South date is still "TBA".....could be Sept. 21 or 28....

[SU DOG]

Wait...Furman is playing Point? I sure hope that doesn't hurt the SoCon's reputation.xlolx

[FUBeAR]

Wait...Furman is playing Point? I sure hope that doesn't hurt the SoCon's reputation.xlolx
Probably will help...

POINT -VS- REINHARDT



Team
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Total


Point (Ga.)
0
3
7
0
10


Reinhardt (Ga.)
0
7
7
14
28



Only down 4 points heading into the 4th quarter vs. perennial powerhouse, Reinhardt, last year.

[Milktruck74]

Although they were all D1 schools, the Mocs had a pretty weak OOC schedule last year....we are making up for it this year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SU DOG]

Probably will help...

POINT -VS- REINHARDT



Team
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Total


Point (Ga.)
0
3
7
0
10


Reinhardt (Ga.)
0
7
7
14
28



Only down 4 points heading into the 4th quarter vs. perennial powerhouse, Reinhardt, last year.

Yeah, you can throw out the scorebooks when those 2 powerhouses meet, although you failed to mention that the Point Skyhawks also held Stetson to under 50 - losing 48-7.

[FUBeAR]

Yeah, you can throw out the scorebooks when those 2 powerhouses meet, although you failed to mention that the Point Skyhawks also held Stetson to under 50 - losing 48-7.
Jeez...Stetson was 8-2, including a win over Drake, who, as you know, almost beat Iowa State, who beat West Virginia, who beat Texas, who beat Georgia. Did you really expect Point to hang with a Team that is clearly that near to SEC Championship caliber?

Meanwhile, Shorter, once again, finished 0-11, beating nobody, who beat nobody...who beat nobody.

[SU DOG]

Stetson near SEC Championship caliber xlolx. Whatever happened to that online simulator that showed how your team could wind up beating any team including the Tide?

[FUBeAR]

Stetson near SEC Championship caliber xlolx. Whatever happened to that online simulator that showed how your team could wind up beating any team including the Tide?https://myteamisbetterthanyourteam.com/path



NAIA
Point
beat
Bluefield VA
14-9


NAIA
Bluefield VA
beat
Cumberland TN
26-14


NAIA
Cumberland TN
beat
Lindsey Wilson
24-21


NAIA
Lindsey Wilson
beat
Pikeville
69-14


NAIA
Pikeville
beat
Livingstone
52-23


II
Livingstone
beat
Lincoln PA
30-0


II
Lincoln PA
beat
Eliz. City St
21-20


II
Eliz. City St
beat
Central St OH
19-10


II
Central St OH
beat
Tuskegee
40-36


II
Tuskegee
beat
Albany GA
20-0


II
Albany GA
beat
Catawba
35-21


II
Catawba
beat
Tusculum
55-37


II
Tusculum
beat
Carson-Newman
41-28


II
Carson-Newman
beat
Wingate
31-14


II
Wingate
beat
West Georgia
41-31


II
West Georgia
beat
West Florida
27-7


II
West Florida
beat
North Alabama
24-19


I - FCS
North Alabama
beat
Jackson St
24-7


I - FCS
Jackson St
beat
Florida A&M
18-16


I - FCS
Florida A&M
beat
NC A&T
22-21


I - FCS
NC A&T
beat
Jacksonville St
20-17


I - FCS
Jacksonville St
beat
ETSU
34-27


I - FCS
ETSU
beat
Chattanooga
17-14


I - FCS
Chattanooga
beat
Samford
27-20




Therefore, Point is better than Samford in 24 rounds by a combined score of 731-426


#TRUTH

[SU DOG]

Thanks. I had forgotten that link. Fun site to play with.

[FUBeAR]

Though not explicitly stated in this article, sounds like the SoCon will be seeing yet another 3-man-front base D as the bellhops change DC’s.

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/citadel-football-s-brent-thompson-talks-new-defense-new-coaches/article_dac2d51e-1da2-11e9-96a7-9f7fe4d6a8f9.html

Are Samford & WCU the only 4-3 D’s remaining?

[FUBeAR]

Speaking of the bellhops, lurking on their message board, I see that last year’s leading rusher (by far), JR Lorenzo Ward, has a ‘red line’ marked through his name on a pic of a 2018 CIT 2-deep that was posted...indicating he (and the others ‘red-lined’) would not be returning for 2019.

Is that correct?

Grad Transferring to where his Dad might land as a Coach to finish up his playing career on the same sideline, perhaps? I’m hearing rumors Coach Ward may be returning to the SoCon. Several D position Coaching jobs open. I don’t think Chatt has announced a DC yet & Mercer hasn’t officially announced theirs, although it appears from Twitter that they do have one.

What’s the scoop CIT peeps?

[PaladinFan]

Though not explicitly stated in this article, sounds like the SoCon will be seeing yet another 3-man-front base D as the bellhops change DC’s.

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/citadel-football-s-brent-thompson-talks-new-defense-new-coaches/article_dac2d51e-1da2-11e9-96a7-9f7fe4d6a8f9.html

Are Samford & WCU the only 4-3 D’s remaining?

Base 3-4 defenses make a lot more sense at the FCS level. Linebacker/safety types are far more available in recruiting at this level than defensive linemen.

I don't know about other teams, but while Furman is listed as a 3-4 defense, they spend a lot of time in 4 man fronts with a linebacker up on the line of scrimmage. Furman's Bandit linebacker (Adrian Hope) is essentially an undersized defensive end playing in a two-point stance.

Example:

https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/1046107996630200320 (https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/1046107996630200320)

I realize Furman is a 3-4, but I'm not sure how an offense would view this as anything other than an even man front. No DL covering the center and both ends are outside the OTs.

[Mocs123]

We (Chattanooga Fans) are not sure whether we will stay a 3 man front, as we have played the past two years, or go back to a 4 man front as we had when Rusty was here as an assistant coach.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer makes it official, announcing their new DC, who will also Coach ILB’s.

https://mercerbears.com/news/2019/1/31/football-lamb-names-mike-adams-as-defensive-coordinator.aspx

Think the Bears still need an OLB Coach & a CB Coach...and to name an ST Coord. or Co-Coord.

[ElCid]

Speaking of the bellhops, lurking on their message board, I see that last year’s leading rusher (by far), JR Lorenzo Ward, has a ‘red line’ marked through his name on a pic of a 2018 CIT 2-deep that was posted...indicating he (and the others ‘red-lined’) would not be returning for 2019.

Is that correct?

Grad Transferring to where his Dad might land as a Coach to finish up his playing career on the same sideline, perhaps? I’m hearing rumors Coach Ward may be returning to the SoCon. Several D position Coaching jobs open. I don’t think Chatt has announced a DC yet & Mercer hasn’t officially announced theirs, although it appears from Twitter that they do have one.

What’s the scoop CIT peeps?

Yeah, looks that way. Lots of guys with year remaining calling it quits. Lots of guys graduating on time. Unfortunate, but a good problem to have, that is, players getting their diploma in 4 years and moving on with life. Not sure of the final count, that list was rumor still. But probably close. Hit harder on D than O.

[kdinva]

..... Lots of guys with year remaining calling it quits. Lots of guys graduating on time. Unfortunate, but a good problem to have, that is, players getting their diploma in 4 years and moving on with life.....

this hit VMI hard, too...........Keydets had nine 4th-year Juniors last fall........six will graduate and move on (2 to the military).

[sudog03]

Though not explicitly stated in this article, sounds like the SoCon will be seeing yet another 3-man-front base D as the bellhops change DC’s.

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/citadel-football-s-brent-thompson-talks-new-defense-new-coaches/article_dac2d51e-1da2-11e9-96a7-9f7fe4d6a8f9.html

Are Samford & WCU the only 4-3 D’s remaining?

Guess it kinda depends on perspective. We play a 4-3 defense, but use a bear front against option teams. So with KSU, Wofford, Citadel, and even playing it some against Furman on the schedule last season it was just about 50-50.

[SU DOG]

SoCon recruiting news from Hero Sports. With the Mercer love, maybe even FUBeAR will finally see a post and link of mine that he likes. LOL!

https://herosports.com/fcs/recruiting-2019-football-southern-conference-socon-ajaj

[FUBeAR]

SoCon recruiting news from Hero Sports. With the Mercer love, maybe even FUBeAR will finally see a post and link of mine that he likes. LOL!

https://herosports.com/fcs/recruiting-2019-football-southern-conference-socon-ajajYep - looking pretty good for the Bears...IF you put any stock in this sort of thing. FUBeAR puts a wee little bit of stock in it, but not much.

I kinda wonder about this one...



2
WEST. CAROLINA
RB
Syheam McQueen
Laurinburg, NC
N.C. State, South Carolina, UNC



Laurinburg is in Scotland County, in the southeastern part of NC. BIG NC State, ECU, and UNC country down there, with, probably, some bleed-over of Gamecock fans across the state line. It’s about 2 hours to any of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Columbia, SC from there. It’s 4.5+ hours to Cullowhee. Unless this kid is a hard-core Mountain Man (in which case, one might expect AppSt to be in the mix), it really surprises me that he would choose WCU over 3 other state schools; ACC & SEC state schools, much closer to home, but far enough away that Mama & ‘nim can’t just pop in for a visit after supper. For example, in 40+ years, I can’t think of a single recruit who turned down Clemson or South Carolina to go to CIT (or Furman or Wofford; just used CIT since it’s a state school). It may have happened, but I don’t know about it. So, there’s either more than meets the eye to this commitment or somebody on WCU’s Coaching Staff is the greatest recruiter in the whole U-nited World! And Mr. McQueen should rewrite the SoCon Record Books before he leaves the Whee!

[PaladinFan]

Yep - looking pretty good for the Bears...IF you put any stock in this sort of thing. FUBeAR puts a wee little bit of stock in it, but not much.

I kinda wonder about this one...



2
WEST. CAROLINA
RB
Syheam McQueen
Laurinburg, NC
N.C. State, South Carolina, UNC



Laurinburg is in Scotland County, in the southeastern part of NC. BIG NC State, ECU, and UNC country down there, with, probably, some bleed-over of Gamecock fans across the state line. It’s about 2 hours to any of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Columbia, SC from there. It’s 4.5+ hours to Cullowhee. Unless this kid is a hard-core Mountain Man (in which case, one might expect AppSt to be in the mix), it really surprises me that he would choose WCU over 3 other state schools; ACC & SEC state schools, much closer to home, but far enough away that Mama & ‘nim can’t just pop in for a visit after supper. For example, in 40+ years, I can’t think of a single recruit who turned down Clemson or South Carolina to go to CIT (or Furman or Wofford; just used CIT since it’s a state school). It may have happened, but I don’t know about it. So, there’s either more than meets the eye to this commitment or somebody on WCU’s Coaching Staff is the greatest recruiter in the whole U-nited World! And Mr. McQueen should rewrite the SoCon Record Books before he leaves the Whee!

As my father will often say, if something does not make sense, you don't know the whole story.

[Milktruck74]

As my father will often say, if something does not make sense, you don't know the whole story.

Where does his girlfriend go to school?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mocs123]

Yep - looking pretty good for the Bears...IF you put any stock in this sort of thing. FUBeAR puts a wee little bit of stock in it, but not much.

I kinda wonder about this one...



2
WEST. CAROLINA
RB
Syheam McQueen
Laurinburg, NC
N.C. State, South Carolina, UNC



Laurinburg is in Scotland County, in the southeastern part of NC. BIG NC State, ECU, and UNC country down there, with, probably, some bleed-over of Gamecock fans across the state line. It’s about 2 hours to any of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Columbia, SC from there. It’s 4.5+ hours to Cullowhee. Unless this kid is a hard-core Mountain Man (in which case, one might expect AppSt to be in the mix), it really surprises me that he would choose WCU over 3 other state schools; ACC & SEC state schools, much closer to home, but far enough away that Mama & ‘nim can’t just pop in for a visit after supper. For example, in 40+ years, I can’t think of a single recruit who turned down Clemson or South Carolina to go to CIT (or Furman or Wofford; just used CIT since it’s a state school). It may have happened, but I don’t know about it. So, there’s either more than meets the eye to this commitment or somebody on WCU’s Coaching Staff is the greatest recruiter in the whole U-nited World! And Mr. McQueen should rewrite the SoCon Record Books before he leaves the Whee!

The "biggest" Mocs recuit last year, 3 star Defensive Tackle Josh Walker, who had all sorts of P5 offers, apparently wasn't good enough to see the field much last year and left for a Juco this winter looking for more playing time. Sometime the highly touted recruits work out, but I have found just as often, they don't. Some of our best players didn't have any stars and I know Keionta Davis and Davis Tull didn't have any other offers.

[sudog03]

Yeah, I don't put much stock in evaluations based on FBS "offers" claimed by the recruit on twitter.

[FUBeAR]

Where does his girlfriend go to school?


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkCrap...I'm getting old. Completely forgot about that. They say "it" is undefeated, y'know.

[Milktruck74]

It’s hard to recruit against a girl that’ll dump him before the end of the freshman year.....but


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FUBeAR]

The "biggest" Mocs recuit last year, 3 star Defensive Tackle Josh Walker, who had all sorts of P5 offers, apparently wasn't good enough to see the field much last year and left for a Juco this winter looking for more playing time. Sometime the highly touted recruits work out, but I have found just as often, they don't. Some of our best players didn't have any stars and I know Keionta Davis and Davis Tull didn't have any other offers.Not sure...and I'm not gonna confirm, but I think Howard was an ATL-metro (or somewhere in GA) who transferred down to IMG for HS. And, I believe his FBS, particularly the P5 ones, were from rather far away, maybe.

The kid that's ranked #1 on there - going to Mercer - had 1 P5 offer - Syracuse. If Georgia or GT had offered him, I don't think he'd be a Bear. He had a lot of G5 offers, including GaSou and GaSt, but he goes to a Magnet School - focused on STEM, I believe in the Atlanta Public School System...so, I'm betting academics are pretty important to him and he probably wanted to stay pretty close to home; hence, Mercer makes sense as his choice. Just hard to understand (unless it IS a GF thing) that a kid would spurn 3 P5 offers a couple of hours from home to go twice as far away to a similar-type (academically) FCS School that hasn't exactly been NDSU over the last 30+ years.

All that said, if he did have those 3 P5 Schollie offers and chose an FCS School...FUBeAR RESPECTS the HELL-O out of his decision and will not try to interview him nor @ him.

...and HOSANNAS to the WCU Coach that recruited him!

[The Cats]

SoCon recruiting news from Hero Sports. With the Mercer love, maybe even FUBeAR will finally see a post and link of mine that he likes. LOL!

https://herosports.com/fcs/recruiting-2019-football-southern-conference-socon-ajaj


THE UPSTARTS?: Western Carolina (https://herosports.com/colleges/western-carolina) is a program that could catch fire in the next week and pass some other elite programs. A couple of potential WCU signees have hit me up this week and are telling me there will be big news in Cullowhee next Wednesday. You might want to keep an eye on the Catamounts, who've had a major buzz around their recruiting all month.
HOTTEST IN JANUARY?: The busiest have been WCU, Furman and The Citadel (https://herosports.com/colleges/the-citadel). One can tell they played the waiting game to check what they should go after this month. They've been very active and one has to think that will continue into next week.

[PaladinNation]

Furman still has one big offer out there… it appears it will come down to a Wednesday announcement. IMO potentially it's the biggest get of Furman's entire 2019 recruiting class not based on stars or offers (in this case it is Furman vs several G5 schools) but the position need.

To everyone's points about how many of these 3-star and 2-star players don't pan out. Furman has two offensive linemen on this list Jumper at #3 all FCS O-line, and Pearson at #25 all FCS O-line commitments. I'd bet you right now based on what I've seen and heard that Dan Dodd a 6-4 290 OT from the sticks of Florida, and Jacob Johanning from a 2A Catholic Prep school could end being the best of this loaded O-line class. Still, anything can happen, there are no guarantees.

Jumper is already in school and is participating in spring practice at center.

[FUBeAR]

Furman still has one big offer out there… it appears it will come down to a Wednesday announcement. IMO potentially it's the biggest get of Furman's entire 2019 recruiting class not based on stars or offers (in this case it is Furman vs several G5 schools) but the position need.

To everyone's points about how many of these 3-star and 2-star players don't pan out. Furman has two offensive linemen on this list Jumper at #3 all FCS O-line, and Pearson at #25 all FCS O-line commitments. I'd bet you right now based on what I've seen and heard that Dan Dodd a 6-4 290 OT from the sticks of Florida, and Jacob Johanning from a 2A Catholic Prep school could end being the best of this loaded O-line class. Still, anything can happen, there are no guarantees.

Jumper is already in school and is participating in spring practice at center.FUBeAR’s crystal ball says you will be pleased when that announcement is made. xthumbsupx

[SU DOG]

Most rating services, including Bleacher Report rank the states' high school football talent like this: #1Texas. #2FL, #3CA, #4GA, #5AL. This can change slightly from year-to-year of course. From a regional perspective, however, the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama collectively are generally the most fertile grounds in the country for recruiting. Most of the SoCon is in prime geographical footprint to take advantage of this. Just for example, Furman currently has about 53% of players on their roster(if I counted correctly) from these 3 states. For years, JSU has been able to use this advantage to terrorize the OVC(other reasons also of course). With the available number of talented players in this region, there is really no excuse for these SoCon teams to ever have a bad recruiting year.

I'm no expert, nor have I done extensive research, but my impression is that 2019 is shaping up to be a banner year for the SoCon in recruiting. It seems the coaching staffs of every school are working harder, and landing bigger fish. I firmly believe that the near future will hold more success for already underestimated SoCon Football.

[SCPALADIN]

Word on the street is Furman DC Chad Staggs has resigned and may be the new DC at Coastal.

[Milktruck74]

Word on the street is Furman DC Chad Staggs has resigned and may be the new DC at Coastal.

That hurts. He was solid. How do you think that impacts the recruits. I know HC is much more important, but Coordinators are pretty important too.


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[SCPALADIN]

That hurts. He was solid. How do you think that impacts the recruits. I know HC is much more important, but Coordinators are pretty important too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guess we'll find out on Wednesday.

[PaladinNation]

That same word on the street is Cornerbacks coach Addison Williams will be the new DC. Also, word on the street is he was a hot property during the FCS coaching shuffle. Another rumor is AW was on the list of several SoCon schools but declined them to stay at Furman.

Staggs moving on was inevitable if not this offseason probably the next. Staggs and Chadwell have history so I think that's a big part of this decision.

As far as recruiting - Staggs had a very low-profile in Furman recruiting. Lusk, Williams, Bratton, Lamendola, Vaughn, Quarles, and Sims appear to be the ones to carry the bucket. Bratton and Lusk appear to be very good recruiters. Furman picked up another commit over the weekend from Landon Moody another linebacker, choose Furman over Rhode Island, Jacksonville U, and several others. Moody I'm guessing is a partial athletic scholarship.

Wednesday will be the big test… if Furman lures another defensive big catch.

[The Cats]

Yep - looking pretty good for the Bears...IF you put any stock in this sort of thing. FUBeAR puts a wee little bit of stock in it, but not much.

I kinda wonder about this one...



2
WEST. CAROLINA
RB
Syheam McQueen
Laurinburg, NC
N.C. State, South Carolina, UNC



Laurinburg is in Scotland County, in the southeastern part of NC. BIG NC State, ECU, and UNC country down there, with, probably, some bleed-over of Gamecock fans across the state line. It’s about 2 hours to any of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Columbia, SC from there. It’s 4.5+ hours to Cullowhee. Unless this kid is a hard-core Mountain Man (in which case, one might expect AppSt to be in the mix), it really surprises me that he would choose WCU over 3 other state schools; ACC & SEC state schools, much closer to home, but far enough away that Mama & ‘nim can’t just pop in for a visit after supper. For example, in 40+ years, I can’t think of a single recruit who turned down Clemson or South Carolina to go to CIT (or Furman or Wofford; just used CIT since it’s a state school). It may have happened, but I don’t know about it. So, there’s either more than meets the eye to this commitment or somebody on WCU’s Coaching Staff is the greatest recruiter in the whole U-nited World! And Mr. McQueen should rewrite the SoCon Record Books before he leaves the Whee!

You "kinda wonder" about anything that has Western Carolina connected to it........

[FUBeAR]

You "kinda wonder" about anything that has Western Carolina connected to it........
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30012&stc=1

Sorry, The Cats, apparently the other peeps here from WCU, from Chatt, from CIT, from Woffy, and from Samford already used up this account.

[The Cats]

http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30012&stc=1

Sorry, The Cats, apparently the other peeps here from WCU, from Chatt, from CIT, from Woffy, and from Samford already used up this account.


At least we're not still crying in our beer about stuff that happened 35 years ago.......

[FUBeAR]

At least we're not still crying in our beer about stuff that happened 35 years ago.......Ur right, when I look at my 5 SoCon Championship Rings, it does brings tears of joy to my eyes, as I’m sure it does for all of the WCU Players when they look at their SoCon Championship...oh wait...

[PaladinFan]

That same word on the street is Cornerbacks coach Addison Williams will be the new DC. Also, word on the street is he was a hot property during the FCS coaching shuffle. Another rumor is AW was on the list of several SoCon schools but declined them to stay at Furman.

Staggs moving on was inevitable if not this offseason probably the next. Staggs and Chadwell have history so I think that's a big part of this decision.

As far as recruiting - Staggs had a very low-profile in Furman recruiting. Lusk, Williams, Bratton, Lamendola, Vaughn, Quarles, and Sims appear to be the ones to carry the bucket. Bratton and Lusk appear to be very good recruiters. Furman picked up another commit over the weekend from Landon Moody another linebacker, choose Furman over Rhode Island, Jacksonville U, and several others. Moody I'm guessing is a partial athletic scholarship.

Wednesday will be the big test… if Furman lures another defensive big catch.

I'll wait to see the announcement (which may not come until after signing day).

You never like to lose good coaches. I do think as an FCS program you are doing things right when FBS programs come in and try to raid your coaching staff. If you've hired guys that other teams want, that's a good thing.

I don't know much about Williams. I do like the idea that Furman is promoting within - giving a young coach a chance for promotion and increased responsibilities. Williams has DC credentials at the D2 level and, I think, spent the last two seasons in the booth for Furman - so he's likely already been Staggs "eye in the sky."

[PaladinFan]

That hurts. He was solid. How do you think that impacts the recruits. I know HC is much more important, but Coordinators are pretty important too.


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I do agree with PaladinNation. Staggs is a key coach, but from my observation, is not one of the key recruiters for Furman.

Also, Staggs' positional responsibility is safety. Furman's top safety recruit, Austin Jones, committed in December.

[sudog03]

Coaching carousel is still pretty active up until a couple of weeks after NSD. While I see some of the positives of starting spring practice so early, the potential of a situation like this would reason enough to not do so. Losing a coordinator a week into spring practice is not ideal. It appears Furman is promoting from within, and frankly what other choice would they have? It puts you in a situation where a hurried decision has to be made, and that's too important a decision to rush. Now a new position coach on defense has to be hired in the middle of spring practice or you let a GA coach a position until spring is over and more time can be dedicated to finding an ideal candidate, oh by the way all while trying to finish a signing class out. I'm not saying this stuff can't be overcome, just seems like a self inflicted wound that could be easily avoided by moving spring practice back a few weeks.

[PaladinNation]

Coaching carousel is still pretty active up until a couple of weeks after NSD. While I see some of the positives of starting spring practice so early, the potential of a situation like this would reason enough to not do so. Losing a coordinator a week into spring practice is not ideal. It appears Furman is promoting from within, and frankly what other choice would they have? It puts you in a situation where a hurried decision has to be made, and that's too important a decision to rush. Now a new position coach on defense has to be hired in the middle of spring practice or you let a GA coach a position until spring is over and more time can be dedicated to finding an ideal candidate, oh by the way all while trying to finish a signing class out. I'm not saying this stuff can't be overcome, just seems like a self inflicted wound that could be easily avoided by moving spring practice back a few weeks.

You made some good points that make sense.

Bear has gone into detail this early spring practice and its history. It's my guess that Hendrix values and feels strongly this early spring work has a higher upside for the players. Longer recovery time from injuries and more importantly longer uninterrupted strength and conditioning.

By 2020 Furman will move from a team dominated by freshmen/sophomores into a more balanced team of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Will Furman shift from this philosophy?

Furman has a history of recruiting long, lean players so I still think a longer strength/conditioning period will be favored by this coaching staff.

[Milktruck74]

I see that, but I also see that HCs have their #2 and #3 guys on speed dial. Coaching decisions happen fast. Even HCs are hired w/I a few days. So, while promoting from within looks like a necessity, it could have been the plan all along. HCs hate to lose staff, but they always know it’s coming. He probably knew about this a while back and had time to reach out to his #2....even if that was just walking down the hall to the next office.


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[PaladinFan]

Coaching carousel is still pretty active up until a couple of weeks after NSD. While I see some of the positives of starting spring practice so early, the potential of a situation like this would reason enough to not do so. Losing a coordinator a week into spring practice is not ideal. It appears Furman is promoting from within, and frankly what other choice would they have? It puts you in a situation where a hurried decision has to be made, and that's too important a decision to rush. Now a new position coach on defense has to be hired in the middle of spring practice or you let a GA coach a position until spring is over and more time can be dedicated to finding an ideal candidate, oh by the way all while trying to finish a signing class out. I'm not saying this stuff can't be overcome, just seems like a self inflicted wound that could be easily avoided by moving spring practice back a few weeks.

I have zero issue promoting from within. I think good FCS programs need a steady hand on the tiller at the head coach spot, good coordinators, and maintain upward mobility for their younger coaches. I personally think this is a better option than trying to find a journeyman coach who is still out of work the first week in February. I think internal hires expresses a confidence in the guys who are working with your program.

For spring practice, I do not think it is the end of the world. Williams coaches CBs and Staggs coaches safeties. A lot of programs just have a DBs coach. Duane Vaughn, Furman's OLB coach, used to coach Furman's safeties. In Furman's defense, the Bandit linebacker is essentially a rush defensive linemen and the Spur backer is essentially a third safety, so it wouldn't shock me if those OLBs work in with defensive linemen and safeties already. The Paladins also have some quality control guys that can likely step in as well. So, I don't think there's going to be too much of a hiccup on that front while they try to fill vacant coaching spot.

I believe just last year Furman lost their TE coach (Connor Shaw) in August right before the season. They promoted a grad assistant to that position, who, I think, did fine. Furman's TE are arguably the league's best unit at that position.

[FUBeAR]

Was thinking Mercer and/or Furman might pursue this young, former UTC DB Coach to fill their open CB Coach slots, but it looks like he’s headed back to another off-the-field role in Knoxville.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2019/feb/02/former-utc-assistant-jeremiah-wilsset-jovols/487926/

[sudog03]

I have no problem hiring from within. I just think having spring practice this early put them in a situation where that was just about their only choice given this development. You can't really reset a defensive philosophy or staff in the middle of spring practice, and I'm not suggesting they should, but if that would have been the best choice, it's basically unavailable at this point. Personally, I wouldn't really equate losing a TE coach to a coordinator. I also am not saying it's the end of the world, I just feel like it's a self inflicted wound that is pretty easily avoided.

[PaladinFan]

Was thinking Mercer and/or Furman might pursue this young, former UTC DB Coach to fill their open CB Coach slots, but it looks like he’s headed back to another off-the-field role in Knoxville.

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2019/feb/02/former-utc-assistant-jeremiah-wilsset-jovols/487926/

Social media isn't be all end all, but Coach Hendrix recently started following a DB coach from Arkansas-Monticello on twitter. He has ties, it appears, to north georgia, which is prime Furman recruiting territory.

[FUBeAR]

I have no problem hiring from within. I just think having spring practice this early put them in a situation where that was just about their only choice given this development. You can't really reset a defensive philosophy or staff in the middle of spring practice, and I'm not suggesting they should, but if that would have been the best choice, it's basically unavailable at this point. Personally, I wouldn't really equate losing a TE coach to a coordinator. I also am not saying it's the end of the world, I just feel like it's a self inflicted wound that is pretty easily avoided.
You’re not wrong. Losing Coach Staggs stinks. He’s a Defensive savant and a heckuva an option-stopping savant.

That said, as soon as Chadwell went to CCU & Moglia had that health issue or whatever, it wasn’t difficult to anticipate the dominos possibly falling as they have. Coach Williams is very highly thought of in ‘Football circles,’ but he will have to prove his mettle as a DC in the SoCon. As noted, he was DC @ Tusculum for 1 year (2016), a year they went 4-7 and gave up > 30 points in losses to Newberry, Lenoir-Rhyne, and North Greenville. I have 100% confidence in Coach Hendrix though. If he thinks Coach Williams is ready & up for the DC job at Furman, then I’m sure that he is.

Also, I have few doubts that Coach Hendrix saw this coming before deciding to start Spring Practice. His former FU & AF protege, Patrick Covington, is the OL Coach at CCU & Covington’s Dad currently holds a key role in FU’s Athletics Department. I’m sure they knew shortly after Chadwell knew, which was probably quite a while ago...like before he even went there.

All good. Nothing to see here. Move along.

By the way...How’s that renovation of Seibert Stadium coming along?

[PaladinFan]

I have no problem hiring from within. I just think having spring practice this early put them in a situation where that was just about their only choice given this development. You can't really reset a defensive philosophy or staff in the middle of spring practice, and I'm not suggesting they should, but if that would have been the best choice, it's basically unavailable at this point. Personally, I wouldn't really equate losing a TE coach to a coordinator. I also am not saying it's the end of the world, I just feel like it's a self inflicted wound that is pretty easily avoided.

I personally have no inside knowledge, but even if the reporting is accurate, I don't think you'll see a change in defensive philosophy.

Williams was the primary defensive coach in the booth for Furman. That is usually the guy that has a direct ear to the play caller and the one most intimately familiar with in-game adjustments. Williams has formerly been a defensive coordinator at the D2 level, and has run essentially the same defense since he got into coaching. He almost assuredly isn't going to make wholesale changes.

Clay Hendrix likes to have early spring practices. He inherited a 3-8 football team and had them playing for conference titles the last two years. They well may be the conference front runner in 2019. I'm not going to question him. He knows what he's doing.

[PaladinFan]

You’re not wrong. Losing Coach Staggs stinks. He’s a Defensive savant and a heckuva an option-stopping savant.

That said, as soon as Chadwell went to CCU & Moglia had that health issue or whatever, it wasn’t difficult to anticipate the dominos possibly falling as they have. Coach Williams is very highly thought of in ‘Football circles,’ but he will have to prove his mettle as a DC in the SoCon. As noted, he was DC @ Tusculum for 1 year (2016), a year they went 4-7 and gave up > 30 points in losses to Newberry, Lenoir-Rhyne, and North Greenville. I have 100% confidence in Coach Hendrix though. If he thinks Coach Williams is ready & up for the DC job at Furman, then I’m sure that he is.

Also, I have few doubts that Coach Hendrix saw this coming before deciding to start Spring Practice. His former FU & AF protege, Patrick Covington, is the OL Coach at CCU & Covington’s Dad currently holds a key role in FU’s Athletics Department. I’m sure they knew shortly after Chadwell knew, which was probably quite a while ago...like before he even went there.

All good. Nothing to see here. Move along.

By the way...How’s that renovation of Seibert Stadium coming along?

Biggest winner is the Citadel, who is like 0 for their career against Staggs.

[sudog03]

You’re not wrong. Losing Coach Staggs stinks. He’s a Defensive savant and a heckuva an option-stopping savant.

That said, as soon as Chadwell went to CCU & Moglia had that health issue or whatever, it wasn’t difficult to anticipate the dominos possibly falling as they have. Coach Williams is very highly thought of in ‘Football circles,’ but he will have to prove his mettle as a DC in the SoCon. As noted, he was DC @ Tusculum for 1 year (2016), a year they went 4-7 and gave up > 30 points in losses to Newberry, Lenoir-Rhyne, and North Greenville. I have 100% confidence in Coach Hendrix though. If he thinks Coach Williams is ready & up for the DC job at Furman, then I’m sure that he is.

Also, I have few doubts that Coach Hendrix saw this coming before deciding to start Spring Practice. His former FU & AF protege, Patrick Covington, is the OL Coach at CCU & Covington’s Dad currently holds a key role in FU’s Athletics Department. I’m sure they knew shortly after Chadwell knew, which was probably quite a while ago...like before he even went there.

All good. Nothing to see here. Move along.

By the way...How’s that renovation of Seibert Stadium coming along?

My understanding is that Chadwell himself didn't even know what changes he would be allowed to make until Mogila recently approved them. Quite a situation they have up there with a "Director of Athletics" and a "Chairman of Athletics" that the football coach reports to.

I hope to see an announcement soon on some improvements to Seibert.

[FUBeAR]

With the graduation of reliable 4 year Placekicker, Cole Fisher, Mercer will need to replace that position next year. Just announced signing of a Kicker, Devin Fosler, who claims additional offers from JaxSt and Kennesaw. Video on his Twitter feed shows him hitting 3 in a row from 60 yards. Doesn’t look (to me) as if he’s having to put too much effort into these kicks - seems to have a big leg. We’ll see...

https://twitter.com/devinfolser/status/1050513937987489792?s=21

NOTE: Caption says 3 in a row. Video only shows 2 of those

Also...here’s one of him hitting a 51 yarder in a game...looks like it would have been good from 70+ as it’s still above the top of the uprights when it passes the crossbar. WOW!

https://twitter.com/devinfolser/status/1038454065309667328?s=21

Highlight vid show hit hitting a 54 yarder in a game, booming kickoffs out of the end zone, and executing a perfect “2nd bounce SOARS” onside kick.

Sorry, FUBeAR doesn’t normally get too excited about Kickers, but this one looks like he may be kinda special.

[PaladinFan]

With the graduation of reliable 4 year Placekicker, Cole Fisher, Mercer will need to replace that position next year. Just announced signing of a Kicker, Devin Fosler, who claims additional offers from JaxSt and Kennesaw. Video on his Twitter feed shows him hitting 3 in a row from 60 yards. Doesn’t look (to me) as if he’s having to put too much effort into these kicks - seems to have a big leg. We’ll see...

https://twitter.com/devinfolser/status/1050513937987489792?s=21

NOTE: Caption says 3 in a row. Video only shows 2 of those

Also...here’s one of him hitting a 51 yarder in a game...looks like it would have been good from 70+!

https://twitter.com/devinfolser/status/1038454065309667328?s=21

Looks like a solid addition.

I find that there are three types of kickers. (1) kickers who are consistent from close range but can't hit from distance, (2) kickers that can hit from distance and close range, and (3) kickers that can hit from distance but not close range. The key is getting a guy that fits the second type.

Given roster constraints, most FCS teams seem to carry 1 scholarship kicker (who will often double as the punter). There's always a little risk in those commitments because in most instances he's gonna be "the guy" for the next four years.

[Milktruck74]

Well I think it’s interesting to see the signees come in for the Mocs. It
Looks like our new staff likes a long lean player. Two OLs at 6’5” 250 and 6’6” 255, a 6’4 230 DL....just an observation that probably means nothing.


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[PaladinFan]

Well I think it’s interesting to see the signees come in for the Mocs. It
Looks like our new staff likes a long lean player. Two OLs at 6’5” 250 and 6’6” 255, a 6’4 230 DL....just an observation that probably means nothing.


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That's been Furman's philosophy under Clay Hendrix. He is looking for long lean and athletic offensive linemen. A good strength program can add "good weight" to a big frame.

As you scan Furman's roster, there's only one player (a Bruce Fowler holdover) on the offensive line that is shorter than 6'3. Most of the guys they are brining in are 6'4-6'7

- - - Updated - - -

Side programming note -

Furman announces the commitment of Cally Chizik out of Auburn High School. That is Gene Chizik's son. It is good, I think, for a prominent national football voice to now be tightly connected to SoCon football.

[Milktruck74]

That's been Furman's philosophy under Clay Hendrix. He is looking for long lean and athletic offensive linemen. A good strength program can add "good weight" to a big frame.

As you scan Furman's roster, there's only one player (a Bruce Fowler holdover) on the offensive line that is shorter than 6'3. Most of the guys they are brining in are 6'4-6'7

Looking at the two QBs we have coming in we will be running a pro-spread (kinda like Oklahoma this year)...that leases me to believe we need an OL that can pass set and protect the pocket AND get outside to kick out and get a body on the little guys downfield too. That’s going to be a faster leaner guy.


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[FUBeAR]

That's been Furman's philosophy under Clay Hendrix. He is looking for long lean and athletic offensive linemen. A good strength program can add "good weight" to a big frame.

As you scan Furman's roster, there's only one player (a Bruce Fowler holdover) on the offensive line that is shorter than 6'3. Most of the guys they are brining in are 6'4-6'7

The core of the theory is to find the longer OL (or TE) kid that doesn’t have FBS offers, redshirt him while adding ‘good weight’ & Coaching him up. So, by the time he really starts playing (3rd year on campus, ideally), he’s still 6-5/6-6, but now weighs 280+ and can play. I think that is a very good approach, UNLESS the kid is “FBS-sized” already, i.e., 6-5 or 6-6 280+...then, except in the rarest of circumstances, the reason the kid doesn’t have FBS offers is because he’s just unathletic and/or just can’t play. REALLY hard (if not impossible) to ‘coach’ athleticism into a (probably) ‘fat kid’...who has (usually) been a ‘fat kid’ his whole life. You CAN effectively build a ‘pass blocking wall’ for a 100% full-gun O with 5 of those kids, but your run game will most likely suck & there’s not a lot you can do scheme-wise to fix it because your OLman can’t really pull, reach, or, effectively make backside cutoff blocks. You can only run Inside Zone and they may not be even even athletic enough to effectively run that.

One caveat to the theory, IMO (based on observation), it only really works for kids, in all but the rarest cases, for the kids up to 6-5...with the 6’4” kids being much more likely to work out than the 6’5” kids.

Before responding, please note that I qualified my thoughts throughout, recognizing there are certainly exceptions...and, yes, I know Furman had a 6-7 kid starting at OT last year.

BTW - The New England Patriots started a 6-2 (he’s not 6-3) Center and a 6-1 (might really be 6-0) OG last Sunday...and, most likely, would have been starting a 6-2 Left OT, if he weren’t on IR. They are a pretty good FCS Team, aren’t they?

[Milktruck74]

A guy I use to work with (circa 1998) was recruited to UT as a Georgia All-State TE. He said in his first meeting on the first day of camp, he realized there were 5 freshmen TEs in the OL meeting....that’s when he realized his days of wearing an 80something number were over. Ha.

So the idea is not new, and is a good strategy. Just not one we at Chattanooga are use to.

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[PaladinFan]

A guy I use to work with (circa 1998) was recruited to UT as a Georgia All-State TE. He said in his first meeting on the first day of camp, he realized there were 5 freshmen TEs in the OL meeting....that’s when he realized his days of wearing an 80something number were over. Ha.

So the idea is not new, and is a good strategy. Just not one we at Chattanooga are use to.

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Truthfully, it is a bit of a change in philosophy for Furman as well. The Paladins had some really good offensive lines with a rare player over 6'2.

[FUBeAR]

Truthfully, it is a bit of a change in philosophy for Furman as well. The Paladins had some really good offensive lines with a rare player over 6'2.
Glad you mentioned that. Speculative, but if you give me the 5 best 6-2 (and under) HS OLmen in the country without any FBS offers, I will guarantee you that, in 5 years, my short OL will run circles around your FCS OL made up of 5 of those 6-5/6-6 ‘projects’ from that same HS Recruiting Class.

PLAYERS CAN play. ‘Projects’ MIGHT be able to play...someday.

I get the theory and I’m not intellectually opposed to it, but if FCS Coaches are passing up Recruiting truly great 6-2 and under OL kids that can really play to, instead, only recruit developmental ‘projects’ because they are “long,” they are being very foolish. That’s what Bill Belicheck told me.

[Milktruck74]

My HS coach’s son went to ForkUnion, out of HS because he was 5’11” (if he stretched, a lot). He ended up at Maryland (90-94 I think) because John Shuman called in a favor....he started all 4 years at guard and never graded out under 85%. Players can play, and the Mocs have had a lot of success (mostly on DL) taking guys that have a chip on their shoulders....something to prove because they are too small (Tull, Reynolds, Davis, Mack) to play D1.


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[SU DOG]

Some good news, at least to me, I heard today. First off, Samford WILL get the new video board that is so long overdue, and it will be in place for this season. Also, the 12 game schedule will be ALL D-1. No bad D-2 or Point University on the Samford schedule. Sure hope that is also good news for some of our friends on here who have been so concerned with the past Bulldogs' schedule hurting the SoCon. The OOC opponents are YSU, Tenn Tech, Alabama A&M, and Auburn.

[PaladinFan]

Furman adds another 7 to bring the 2019 class to 16 http://furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2018-19/releases/20190206libxqu

A pleasant surprise this afternoon as Furman got a somewhat unexpected commit from Joshua Agbenou, a middle linebacker from Winder, GA. Agbenou is already listed at 6'2 227 and had offers from much of the SoCon as well as a number of FBS schools including Air Force and Colorado State.

Furman has struggled in the first few years of the Hendrix administration to develop depth at inside linebacker. A few guys departed the program or were lost to injury. The team had to play a lot of young players there to endure baptism by fire. I thought that trend was going to continue as Furman had commits and de-commits from several top linebacker prospects. Agbenou might change that trend.

[FUBeAR]

Furman adds another 7 to bring the 2019 class to 16 http://furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2018-19/releases/20190206libxqu

A pleasant surprise this afternoon as Furman got a somewhat unexpected commit from Joshua Agbenou, a middle linebacker from Winder, GA. Agbenou is already listed at 6'2 227 and had offers from much of the SoCon as well as a number of FBS schools including Air Force and Colorado State.

Furman has struggled in the first few years of the Hendrix administration to develop depth at inside linebacker. A few guys departed the program or were lost to injury. The team had to play a lot of young players there to endure baptism by fire. I thought that trend was going to continue as Furman had commits and de-commits from several top linebacker prospects. Agbenou might change that trend.FUBeAR was not at all surprised by Agbenou’s decision to become a Paladin. On the other hand, FUBeAR was completely surprised by another non-Recruiting development at FU today.

[Milktruck74]

Very pleased with the 15 guys that Rusty added to the 3 early commits. We added exactly what we needed, a few RBs, a few OLs, a monster DB, a QB and LB and DL....It isn't a flashy class, but there a few guys that could be real sleepers...Arth brought in 4 super flashy guys last year and none contributed. In fact two have left the program, because they weren't good enough to see the field. The two that stayed have a chance to make noise in the future...but Stars don't translate to on-field success. We have made a pretty good living out of guys that were under rated and had something to prove....Davis, Tull, Nunnley, Mack, Reynolds....So, I'm happy with what we got....just excited to see what they can do.

[kdinva]

Also, the 12 game schedule will be ALL D-1. No bad D-2 or Point University on the Samford schedule. .... The OOC opponents are YSU, Tenn Tech, Alabama A&M, and Auburn.

maybe sept. 21 for the Alab. A&M game?

https://fbschedules.com/samford-football-schedule/

https://fbschedules.com/alabama-am-football-schedule/

[SU DOG]

maybe sept. 21 for the Alab. A&M game?

https://fbschedules.com/samford-football-schedule/

https://fbschedules.com/alabama-am-football-schedule/

Hatcher said today at the luncheon, but I'm not sure if the BYE week is the 21st or not. I will find out soon.

[Reign of Terrier]

Staggs gone to CCU!

Huzzah!

[SCPALADIN]

Staggs gone to CCU!

Huzzah!

Staggs was instrumental in Furman's offense laying 27 points on Wofford by the 9 minute mark of the 3rd quarter...;)

[PaladinFan]

Staggs was instrumental in Furman's offense laying 27 points on Wofford by the 9 minute mark of the 3rd quarter...;)

I think that's the better argument.

No question, Furman's defense ground down the Wofford offense. The likely cause of that, though, is that Furman's offense kept putting up scores. Option offenses are pretty pedestrian when they are playing from behind. All the defense really has to do at that point is limit chunk plays.

[FUBeAR]

247 Sports Composite 2019 FCS Recruiting Class Rankings - Top Ten & SoCon



D1 Rank
FCS Rank
SoCon Rank
Team
Total Commits
3-stars
Avg
Points


115
1

Portland St
24
10
79.36
131.56


125
2

Harvard
14
10
81.06
121.09


130
3

Yale
15
9
80.18
115.75


132
4

SF Austin
13
9
80.74
113.59


133
5

Princeton
13
9
80.82
113.55


136
6

Cent. Ark.
16
5
78.44
99.46


137
7

Idaho
15
4
78.60
97.31


138
8

E Wash. U.
14
4
78.70
94.76


139
9
1
Mercer
13
5
78.81
92.53


140
10

UC Davis
10
6
80.29
90.42


151
20
2
WCU
6
4
81.42
65.38


171
38
3
Chattanooga
4
1
78.88
34.93


173
40
4
Furman
4
0
78.85
34.69


183
50
5
Wofford
5
0
76.32
30.95


207
69
6
Samford
2
1
79.48
18.90


211
72
7
ETSU
2
0
78.72
17.39


212
73
8
The Citadel
2
0
78.71
17.36


n/a
n/a
9
VMI
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a



Just noticed WCU has the highest AVG Rating of ‘listed’ commits of all of the Teams on this list; so it is most likely the highest in FCS (I’ll check and see...). If I were affiliated with the Catamounts, I think I’d be trumpeting something about being #1 in FCS Recruiting. Maybe they are...dunno. Again, nice job by WCU; looking forward to seeing Mr. McQueen run thru the SoCon in 2019 like poop thru a tin horn!

Oops...false alarm...just checked...Monmouth (88.00), Northern Iowa (82.91), Southern U. (82.65), NC Central (82.53), Stony Brook (82.19), Richmond (81.91), Texas Southern (81.66), Penn (81.65), Bethune-Cookman (81.54), and Sam Houston State (81.48) all have higher AVG’s than WCU...so WCU is #11...oh well, FUBeAR tried...

Hold on...just looked at the 6 WCU commits. McQueen is only the 3rd highest rated one on the list. #1 rated is a CB, who spurned P5 offers from Ole Miss, Syracuse, and Kansas State to sign with WCU. Welp...there goes half the field for SoCon Offenses trying to throw on WCU next year. #2 rated on the list is a big OT from GA, who only has FCS offers (10 others). Seems like a high rating for a Player with 0 FBS (P5 or G5) offers, but it is what it is...so, he sure should be mashing SoCon DLmen in 2019 & the years ahead.

Quite a haul for WCU...beating out SEC, ACC, and Big12 schools for Players. C’mon Cats Fans...spill it...what did WCU do right in Recruiting this year?

[SU DOG]

maybe sept. 21 for the Alab. A&M game?

https://fbschedules.com/samford-football-schedule/

https://fbschedules.com/alabama-am-football-schedule/

Correct on that Sept 21 date - home game vs Alabama A&M. Open dates are Sept 7 and Oct 19.

[Mocs123]

247 Sports Composite 2019 FCS Recruiting Class Rankings - Top Ten & SoCon



D1 Rank
FCS Rank
SoCon Rank
Team
Total Commits
3-stars
Avg
Points


115
1

Portland St
24
10
79.36
131.56


125
2

Harvard
14
10
81.06
121.09


130
3

Yale
15
9
80.18
115.75


132
4

SF Austin
13
9
80.74
113.59


133
5

Princeton
13
9
80.82
113.55


136
6

Cent. Ark.
16
5
78.44
99.46


137
7

Idaho
15
4
78.60
97.31


138
8

E Wash. U.
14
4
78.70
94.76


139
9
1
Mercer
13
5
78.81
92.53


140
10

UC Davis
10
6
80.29
90.42


151
20
2
WCU
6
4
81.42
65.38


171
38
3
Chattanooga
4
1
78.88
34.93


173
40
4
Furman
4
0
78.85
34.69


183
50
5
Wofford
5
0
76.32
30.95


207
69
6
Samford
2
1
79.48
18.90


211
72
7
ETSU
2
0
78.72
17.39


212
73
8
The Citadel
2
0
78.71
17.36


n/a
n/a
9
VMI
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a




Of course the way they do the ranking is skewed - it rewards large classes quite a bit. It does look like Mercer had a good class though, and I have to say Portland St's class is impressive on paper.

It will really be a couple of years before we can grade any of our classes.

[SU DOG]

Sometimes there are kids that aren't included in the NSD list. These players who don't get the full ride can sometimes be a diamond in the rough who later on will be awarded and given a full scholly. I found it interesting that Samford and Furman both got such a player(among others) that were teammates at the McCallie School in Chattanooga. Furman got Wyatt Hughes, a big OL and Samford got a tall athletic LB in Kristopher Bowman. Hughes congratulated Bowman on his signing with Samford by tweeting, "Congrats bro you've earned it. Sucks I gotta kick that butt every year tho."xlolx From video clips I've seen, however, Bowman will be one hard dude to kick. Anyhow, I always pull for these kids who don't get the limelight, but often contribute mightily to their teams.

[Mocs123]

True it shows Chattanooga had 4 commitments and we actually signed 17 HS kids.

Former Chattanooga assistant Will Healey was infamous for making sure all commitments were listed and even campaigning for more starts and that some to get stars that hadn't been rated yet. We had several signees that have zero stars even though they had several FBS (G5) offers. Like I have said before I know we currently have 3 players playing in the NFL that had zero stars coming out of HS and I know that we were the only D1 offer for two of them.

[SU DOG]

True it shows Chattanooga had 4 commitments and we actually signed 17 HS kids.

Former Chattanooga assistant Will Healey was infamous for making sure all commitments were listed and even campaigning for more starts and that some to get stars that hadn't been rated yet. We had several signees that have zero stars even though they had several FBS (G5) offers. Like I have said before I know we currently have 3 players playing in the NFL that had zero stars coming out of HS and I know that we were the only D1 offer for two of them.

They do not show the number of total signees, but include only the 247 listed ones. A listed, but no star player(or can be considered a 1*)for 247 will count as a commitment, but only 2 stars and above will give you any numerical value rating. Somebody correct me if this is not right.

[The Cats]

Hold on...just looked at the 6 WCU commits. McQueen is only the 3rd highest rated one on the list. #1 rated is a CB, who spurned P5 offers from Ole Miss, Syracuse, and Kansas State to sign with WCU. Welp...there goes half the field for SoCon Offenses trying to throw on WCU next year. #2 rated on the list is a big OT from GA, who only has FCS offers (10 others). Seems like a high rating for a Player with 0 FBS (P5 or G5) offers, but it is what it is...so, he sure should be mashing SoCon DLmen in 2019 & the years ahead.

Quite a haul for WCU...beating out SEC, ACC, and Big12 schools for Players. C’mon Cats Fans...spill it...what did WCU do right in Recruiting this year?

No doubt Coach Speir brought in a pretty good class for 2019. He added a great deal to both sides of the ball. Of course, the defense was the priority, and with the experience gained last season by a very young defense, the depth added from last season's redshirts and this year's recruiting class, we have high hopes for improvement both offensively and defensively. Sending two players to the NFL last year, and one of them playing in the Super Bowl certainly didn't hurt this season's recruiting efforts.


The 6-foot-3, 250-pound (Christian) Harris was considered the No. 58 top prospect in the state and a three-star defensive end by 247Sports.com. He also was a member of the Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen in 2018.

"It was a hard process choosing between 31 collegiate offers," said Harris, whose list included Army, Navy and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

His decision to pick the Catamounts ended up being straightforward — and forward-looking.

"I feel like they can help me get to the next level," Harris said. "They helped (defensive back) Keion Crossen get to the NFL, and he just won a Super Bowl with the Patriots."

[PaladinNation]

Not that it matters but 247 SoCon Composite keeps excluding Devonte Jones from Furman's class.
So I guess that gives Furman 5 two star players ranked by 247.
https://247sports.com/player/devonte-jones-46056461/

Anyways — I agree with SUDOG I love to see the guys and they're stories that sign but don't list on NSD.
Furman appears to bringing in between 8-10 PWO's, Partial Athletic, Partial Academic players in 2019.
One name that came out of nowhere but worth keeping an eye is safety Hugh Ryan of Dutch Fork HS.
Dutch Fork I believe has won three straight South Carolina 5A championships.

Ryan was supposed to be the Shrine Bowl backup for the SC trio of defensive backs that signed with, SC, Kentucky, and Georgia.
Ryan ended up being the starter - led South Carolina with nine tackles, one sack, one and a half tackles for loss.

Ryan chose the DINS over Wofford and a full offer from CSU.
Read more here: https://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article223045460.html#storylink=cpy

[PaladinFan]

I think it is notable that Furman did not take a QB this recruiting class. They have some PWO types, but were not really active in recruiting that position.

Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but that signals two things to me. First, Furman's coaches feel comfortable with what they have with their freshmen QBs. It also signals a change from most coaching staffs, which have opted to take a QB in every class. That avoids a backlog at the position and allows Furman to develop depth and not have to turn the reigns over to a freshman or redshirt senior, which has pretty much been the case during every transition the last ten years or so.

[PaladinNation]

I think it is notable that Furman did not take a QB this recruiting class. They have some PWO types, but were not really active in recruiting that position.

Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but that signals two things to me. First, Furman's coaches feel comfortable with what they have with their freshmen QBs. It also signals a change from most coaching staffs, which have opted to take a QB in every class. That avoids a backlog at the position and allows Furman to develop depth and not have to turn the reigns over to a freshman or redshirt senior, which has pretty much been the case during every transition the last ten years or so.

I heard the coaches only put two firm offers out in 2019 for QB, both chose Army. 2020 is not going to be the case Furman has cast a wide net for QB for next season. It also appears Furman has expanded it's recruiting outside of SC, SC, GA, FL, TN. Signing two players from Texas doesn't appear to be an outlier. A 2020 class Texas QB has already made an unofficial visit.

[walliver]

I think it is notable that Furman did not take a QB this recruiting class. They have some PWO types, but were not really active in recruiting that position.

Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but that signals two things to me. First, Furman's coaches feel comfortable with what they have with their freshmen QBs. It also signals a change from most coaching staffs, which have opted to take a QB in every class. That avoids a backlog at the position and allows Furman to develop depth and not have to turn the reigns over to a freshman or redshirt senior, which has pretty much been the case during every transition the last ten years or so.

Wofford didn't go after QB's either. It avoids a situation where you have too many QB's - a major problem for the Terriers 4-5 years ago when we played QB by committee with little success, but does put you at risk of burning redshirts like we did in 2016 when we lost our top 2 QB's very early (although under the new rules, Joe Newman would not have lost a year). I personally think option teams should bring in a QB every year. Since few high schools run the option, there is often a learning curve bring QB's up to speed.

[FUBeAR]

You’re all wrong. Here’s the way to manage your QB roster, if you want to have a Payton Award winning QB.

1) QUARTERBACK 6'3" 195 LBS 2 HUNTER HOWELL (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6204) - FRESHMAN
2) QUARTERBACK 6'3" 184 LBS 4 GRAYSON EDGEMON (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6179) - FRESHMAN
3) QUARTERBACK 6'2" 188 LBS 7 LIAM WELCH (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6240) - SOPHOMORE
4) QUARTERBACK 6'1" 210 LBS 8 DEVLIN HODGES (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6202) - SENIOR (Departing...HOORAY!!!!!!!)
5) QUARTERBACK 6'3" 179 LBS 10 COOPER CROSS (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6172) - SOPHOMORE
6) QUARTERBACK 5'10" 178 LBS 11 WILL HUDSON (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6322) - FRESHMAN
7) QUARTERBACK 6'0" 200 LBS 12 CARSON CROY (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6174) - FRESHMAN
8) QUARTERBACK 6'2" 190 LBS 15 JES SUTHERLAND (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6234) - JUNIOR
9) QUARTERBACK 5'6" 148 LBS 18 TY HATCHER (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6251) - FRESHMAN
10) QUARTERBACK 6'2" 223 LBS 26 CALEB CLARK (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6169) - FRESHMAN
11)QUARTERBACK5’10” 180 LBS - CADE BLACKMON - FRESHMAN (Signee)
12) QUARTERBACK 6’2” 184 LBS - CHRIS OLADOKUN - JUNIOR (Transfer)

[Catamount87]

247 Sports Composite 2019 FCS Recruiting Class Rankings - Top Ten & SoCon



D1 Rank
FCS Rank
SoCon Rank
Team
Total Commits
3-stars
Avg
Points


115
1

Portland St
24
10
79.36
131.56


125
2

Harvard
14
10
81.06
121.09


130
3

Yale
15
9
80.18
115.75


132
4

SF Austin
13
9
80.74
113.59


133
5

Princeton
13
9
80.82
113.55


136
6

Cent. Ark.
16
5
78.44
99.46


137
7

Idaho
15
4
78.60
97.31


138
8

E Wash. U.
14
4
78.70
94.76


139
9
1
Mercer
13
5
78.81
92.53


140
10

UC Davis
10
6
80.29
90.42


151
20
2
WCU
6
4
81.42
65.38


171
38
3
Chattanooga
4
1
78.88
34.93


173
40
4
Furman
4
0
78.85
34.69


183
50
5
Wofford
5
0
76.32
30.95


207
69
6
Samford
2
1
79.48
18.90


211
72
7
ETSU
2
0
78.72
17.39


212
73
8
The Citadel
2
0
78.71
17.36


n/a
n/a
9
VMI
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a



Just noticed WCU has the highest AVG Rating of ‘listed’ commits of all of the Teams on this list; so it is most likely the highest in FCS (I’ll check and see...). If I were affiliated with the Catamounts, I think I’d be trumpeting something about being #1 in FCS Recruiting. Maybe they are...dunno. Again, nice job by WCU; looking forward to seeing Mr. McQueen run thru the SoCon in 2019 like poop thru a tin horn!

Oops...false alarm...just checked...Monmouth (88.00), Northern Iowa (82.91), Southern U. (82.65), NC Central (82.53), Stony Brook (82.19), Richmond (81.91), Texas Southern (81.66), Penn (81.65), Bethune-Cookman (81.54), and Sam Houston State (81.48) all have higher AVG’s than WCU...so WCU is #11...oh well, FUBeAR tried...

Hold on...just looked at the 6 WCU commits. McQueen is only the 3rd highest rated one on the list. #1 rated is a CB, who spurned P5 offers from Ole Miss, Syracuse, and Kansas State to sign with WCU. Welp...there goes half the field for SoCon Offenses trying to throw on WCU next year. #2 rated on the list is a big OT from GA, who only has FCS offers (10 others). Seems like a high rating for a Player with 0 FBS (P5 or G5) offers, but it is what it is...so, he sure should be mashing SoCon DLmen in 2019 & the years ahead.

Quite a haul for WCU...beating out SEC, ACC, and Big12 schools for Players. C’mon Cats Fans...spill it...what did WCU do right in Recruiting this year?


FUBeAR, do you have a link to that list?


Well I'm one Catamount that has learned over the years to approach recruiting class rankings with a bit of skepticism. We've seen classes that were "ranked" high nationally before only to watch those same classes fail (and fail BIG) on the field. Good grief that idiot Wagner we had as a coach had several top 5 ranked FCS recruiting classes that all ultimately sucked beyond on the field.

So, what do I think? Well 23 total commits is a good number. 13 on defense and 10 on offense sounds like stocking the cupboard a bit. Many were multi-sport stars in HS which sounds like we're getting more overall athletic too. That said, let's hope those 13 on defense aren't pressed into playing heavily before they're really ready for 1st or 2nd string duty. Last year's class was and it wasn't pretty. Hopefully, those young men will have the experience this year to be a lot better overall.

While were on the subject of defense, only 3 DL commits that average 6-3, 245 and 3 LBs that average about the same. This doesn't inspire confidence with fans in our ability to stop the run. Especially given the size of OLs in the SoCon and FCS nowadays. Which brings us to that, 5 OL averaging 6-3 and 300#s. This might be the biggest OL class we've had in a good long time. Interestingly, one played both OL and DL in HS which could come in handy at some point.

Lastly, skill positions. We've gotten away from big WRs, 3 in this class averaging 5-11 170. Only 1 RB, 6-1, 185 maybe he'll be good as a WR too. One QB, 6-4, 200# that was an ECU commit that flipped to us, was a track star in HS too. Interestingly, many of the 5 DBs we got also were WRs in HS. They're averaging 6-2, 185 so I wouldn't be surprised if we see one or two end up being WRs.

[PaladinFan]

Wofford didn't go after QB's either. It avoids a situation where you have too many QB's - a major problem for the Terriers 4-5 years ago when we played QB by committee with little success, but does put you at risk of burning redshirts like we did in 2016 when we lost our top 2 QB's very early (although under the new rules, Joe Newman would not have lost a year). I personally think option teams should bring in a QB every year. Since few high schools run the option, there is often a learning curve bring QB's up to speed.

I think a glut of QBs causes a problem that has shown up a few ways with Furman.

First, Furman has occasionally had a backlog. Furman took both PJ Blazejowski and Harris Roberts in the same recruiting class, for instance. That was a year after taking Dillon Woodruff (who would eventually play linebacker) and two years after Reese Hannon (who lost a year to injury). Hannon played most of his four years, leaving Blazejowski to start as a senior full time and then Roberts as a 5th year senior the next year. Furman will begin 2019 with its fourth straight different starting QB in four years.

I think Furman wants to get back to a spot where there is more space in that position. Ideally, it would have been nice to have Hannon turn the reigns over to Blazejowski in his junior season, who then would turn it over to Roberts in his junior season.

Let those guys spend a few years in the program, get used to the offense, and then spend two years as the starter.

[walliver]

You’re all wrong. Here’s the way to manage your QB roster, if you want to have a Payton Award winning QB.

1) QUARTERBACK 6'3" 195 LBS 2 HUNTER HOWELL (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6204) - FRESHMAN
2) QUARTERBACK 6'3" 184 LBS 4 GRAYSON EDGEMON (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6179) - FRESHMAN
3) QUARTERBACK 6'2" 188 LBS 7 LIAM WELCH (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6240) - SOPHOMORE
4) QUARTERBACK 6'1" 210 LBS 8 DEVLIN HODGES (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6202) - SENIOR
5) QUARTERBACK 6'3" 179 LBS 10 COOPER CROSS (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6172) - SOPHOMORE
6) QUARTERBACK 5'10" 178 LBS 11 WILL HUDSON (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6322) - FRESHMAN
7) QUARTERBACK 6'0" 200 LBS 12 CARSON CROY (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6174) - FRESHMAN
8) QUARTERBACK 6'2" 190 LBS 15 JES SUTHERLAND (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6234) - JUNIOR
9) QUARTERBACK 5'6" 148 LBS 18 TY HATCHER (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6251) - FRESHMAN
10) QUARTERBACK 6'2" 223 LBS 26 CALEB CLARK (https://samfordsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6169) - FRESHMAN
11) QUARTERBACK 5’10” 180 LBS - CADE BLACKMON - FRESHMAN (Signeee)
12) QUARTERBACK 6’2” 184 LBS - CHRIS OLADOKUN - JUNIOR (Transfer)



If you recruit enough QB's, you're bound to get a good one every now and then. 6 Freshmen QB's does seem a little excessive. I hope those guy have other skills.

[FUBeAR]

Hope I'm not using too much of HERO's work in this post, but I did sort them in a way that they didn't and I filtered their 300 down to the SoCon's 34 ranked Players + the 6 others they listed in the separate list of the Top 40 SoCon signees and ranked them by position....FUBeAR's finds it interesting...

HERO Sports Ranked SoCon Recruits by Position Ranking...



FCS
Rank
SoCon
Rank
SoCon
Pos
Rank
Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


236
24
1
WCU
QB
Malik Richardson
Sumter, SC
East Carolina decommit, 9 offers


265
29
2
ETSU
QB
Tyler Riddell
Tampa, FL
UCF, FAU, Akron Decommit


275
32
3
ETSU
QB
Treyvion Houston
Greer, SC
2 FBS, 10 total offers


286
33
4
Mercer
QB
Dylan Fromm
Warner Robins, GA
South Alabama, Penn, SEMO, Chatt.


n/a
38
5
Chattanooga
QB
Gio Richardson
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
FAU decommit






FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


31
4
1
WCU
RB
Syheam McQueen
Laurinburg, NC
N.C. State, South Carolina, UNC


n/a
39
2
Mercer
RB
Brandon Marshall
Jacksonville, FL
Charlotte, NDSU, 7 offers






FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


78
8
1
Samford
WR
A.J. Toney
Birmingham, AL
6 FBS offers, 25 total


110
12
2
ETSU
WR
Devontez Walker
Charlotte, NC
ECU decommit, West Virginia, 6 total


212
21
3
WCU
WR
Kasimir Absolu
Jacksonville, FL
6 FBS offers


237
25
4
Wofford
WR
Calvin Jackson
Chattanooga, TN
App State - 12 total offers


242
27
5
Wofford
WR
John Harrington
Katy, TX
Yale decommit, 3 FBS offers, 7 total


n/a
36
6
Mercer
WR
Yahsyn McKee
Stockbridge, GA
Hawaii, 3 FCS offers






FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


161
16
1
Samford
TE
Michael Vice
Vestavia Hills, AL
3 FBS offers, 10 total






FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


51
5
1
Furman
OL
Evan Jumper
Myrtle Beach, SC
Rutgers, 12 FBS, 20 total offers


153
14
2
Chattanooga
OL
Brock Bethea
Pinson, AL
2 FBS, 14 offers


186
19
3
Mercer
OL
John Thomas
Marietta, GA
3 FBS, 10 total



240
26
4
Furman
OL
Pearson Toomey
Jacksonville, FL
4 FBS, 7 total offers


254
28
5
WCU
OL
Zach Hayes
Jonesboro, GA
Texas State, 10 FCS offers


267
30
6
ETSU
OL
Blake Austin
Johnson City, TN
Coastal Carolina decommit, 12 offers







FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


7
2
1
Mercer
DL
Richard Benton
Atlanta, GA
17 FBS offers, 34 total offers


25
3
2
WCU
DL
Christian Harris
Chattanooga, TN
8 FBS offers, 31 total


53
7
3
Samford
DL
Nick Jackon
Winter Park, FL
Duke, 4 FBS, 17 total offers


80
9
4
Furman
DL
Jack Barton
Roswell, GA
8 FBS offers, 22 offers


113
13
5
Wofford
DL
Eric Mizell
Alabaster, AL
Troy, Navy, 18 total offers156


156
15
6
Furman
DL
Devonte Jones
Anderson, SC
4 FBS, 11 offers


269
31
7
The Citadel
DL
Dewey Greene
Columbia, SC
Troy, Air Force, 8 total offers






FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


5
1
1
ETSU
LB
Deven Brantley
Riverdale, GA
6 P5s, 19 FBS offers


94
10
2
Samford
LB
Trimarkus Cheeks
Hampton, GA
Pittsburgh, 4 FBS offers, 9 total


106
11
3
Furman
LB
Joshua Agbenou
Winder, GA
6 FBS offers, 14 total


210
20
4
The Citadel
LB
Hasan Black
Wyoming, OH
3 FBS, 8 total


215
22
5
Furman
LB
Bryce McCormick
Nashville, TN
15 FCS offers


298
34
6
ETSU
LB
Diandre Davis
Charlotte, NC
Marshall, Ga State, 6 FCS offers






FCS
Rank


SoCon
Rank


SoCon
Pos
Rank

Team
Pos
Player
Hometown
Other D-1 Options


52
6
1
WCU
DB
Neil Ilenrey
Alpharetta, GA
3 P5s, 7 FBS offers, 13 total


184
17
2
Chattanooga
DB
Kameron Brown
Theodore, AL
Southern Miss, 4 FBS, 6 total


185
18
3
Furman
DB
Austin Jones
Tiger, GA
2 FBS offers, 12 total offers


230
23
4
Mercer
DB
Lance Wise
Powder Springs, GA
3 FBS, 5 total


n/a
35
5
Furman
DB
Kam Brinson
Augusta, GA
Umass, Navy, VMI, CSU


n/a
37
6
Mercer
DB
Joel Girtman
Atlanta, GA
Wofford decommit, FAU, 4 total offers


n/a
40
7
WCU
DB
Jabril Muhammad
Clearwater, FL
GA. State, FIU, NDSU

[SU DOG]

Not counting our coach's son who I think is a Faculty-child situation, I find that in the last 5 years Samford has signed ONLY 3 QBs, and two of those were this year. FUBeAR's list includes young Hatcher, the graduating Hodges, and the two 2019 guys. Some of these other QBs were used on special teams, such as holders, while others were used for signaling plays and sidelines communication. We obviously have(or maybe keep) more walk-ons than many teams do, and the QBs seem to stay even when not playing. Some will probably not return, but we shall see. Not really as strange as portrayed, IMO.

[PaladinFan]

Any recruit ranking is subjective and rarely takes into account guys that are "under the radar." In my opinion, it is the under-the-radar guys that eventually make the biggest impacts.

For instance, HERO sports ranked the top 250 FCS recruits in 2017 and never listed Adrian Hope. Hope, as a sophomore, might be the most difficult-to-deal with defensive player in the SoCon.

I also think you have to look at fit. Some guys fit one roster and not another. Dominic Roberto, a 5'11 230 lbs running back, isn't going to get an offer from Samford, but he's going to be a nice fit to what Furman does offensively.

[PaladinFan]

As far as Furman goes, I am excited to see this class. One guy that really stands out is Evan Jumper. To have 20 different offers as a 240-pound offensive linemen says something about his skill set and motor.

He's already slotted in as a center in spring practice, and while we may not see him in 2019, he has the tools to anchor Furman's offensive front for a while.

[walliver]

Recruiting rankings are fairly worthless. There are a handful of high school players who are definitely big time players who make big time impact at big time schools, like Trevor Lawrence. A lot of the players making immediate impact in FCS are generally undersized players with no P5 offers, or offers to play at another position, or high school injuries which scare away the big boys. Armanti Edwards played all 4 years for App State with great success but didn't have big time offers to play QB.

I am always suspicious of players with high star ratings and multiple P5 offers who sign in FCS. There are a few who value a Harvard or other Ivy League education and may choose those options, but even then great players who aspire to higher football ambitions could do well at Stanford or Duke. As for P5 offers, a lot of the big time teams will offer 100 or more athletes at some point, but often withdraw or downgrade their offers as signing day approaches when a more attractive athlete becomes available.

Prior to Huesman, Chattanooga routinely had Top 10 recruiting classes and bad teams, similarly for WCU. It felt like the coaches were recruiting based on star ratings, and not selecting the athletes their programs really needed.

[PaladinFan]

Recruiting rankings are fairly worthless. There are a handful of high school players who are definitely big time players who make big time impact at big time schools, like Trevor Lawrence. A lot of the players making immediate impact in FCS are generally undersized players with no P5 offers, or offers to play at another position, or high school injuries which scare away the big boys. Armanti Edwards played all 4 years for App State with great success but didn't have big time offers to play QB.

I am always suspicious of players with high star ratings and multiple P5 offers who sign in FCS. There are a few who value a Harvard or other Ivy League education and may choose those options, but even then great players who aspire to higher football ambitions could do well at Stanford or Duke. As for P5 offers, a lot of the big time teams will offer 100 or more athletes at some point, but often withdraw or downgrade their offers as signing day approaches when a more attractive athlete becomes available.

Prior to Huesman, Chattanooga routinely had Top 10 recruiting classes and bad teams, similarly for WCU. It felt like the coaches were recruiting based on star ratings, and not selecting the athletes their programs really needed.

I agree with you. It is a question of market inefficiency. FCS teams are trying to find guys that, for whatever reason, bigger schools overlook. That is where you make your money, so to speak, at the FCS level.

[FUBeAR]

So...here are the 21 SoCon Players listed in HERO's 2017 (their 1st year of publishing this kind of Ranking of Individual signees) Top 252 FCS Recruits List. These Players probably have 2 years in their programs now. How did HERO do in evaluating the ones from your school?



RK
FCS CHOICE
POS
PROSPECT
HOMETOWN
HT
WT
OTHER OFFERS


13
MERCER
QB
Robert Riddle
Chattanooga, Tenn.
6'2"
185
Ball State, West Carolina, Lafayette, UT Martin, VMI


19
ETSU
DB
Karon Delince
Phenix City, Ala.
5'9"
150
Former Jack. St. pledge, offers Kentucky, Duke, Miss. State, SoMiss,


50
SAMFORD
OL
Zach Kadum
Rome, Ga.
6'4"
300
La-Monroe, Ga. State, Austin Peay, Mercer


76
CHATTANOOGA
OL
McClendon Curtis
Harrison, Tenn.
6'8"
290
MiddTenn, Ohio U, WestKent, Umass, Ga South, App St


81
CHATTANOOGA
DB
Brandon Dowdell
Cordele, Ga.
5'10"
190
Ga. Southern, Ga. State, S. Alabama, West. Kent., Cent. Mich


83
MERCER
DB
Jamar Hall
Hoschton, Ga.
6'2"
190
Former Furman and Eastern Michigan commit


89
FURMAN
DE
London Lewis
Atlanta, Ga.
6'5"
270
Former Liberty pledge; App St, Memphis, Miami-Ohio, MiddTenn


95
MERCER
ATH
Edmond Graham
Hoschton, Ga.
5'9"
165
Vandy, Rutgers, MiamiO, CSU, Ga State, Samford, WCU


107
MERCER
LB
Michael Freeman
Hogansville, Ga.
6'2"
210
Air Force, Army, Coastal Car., Ga. State, La Monroe, Tulane


137
WESTERN CAROLINA
LB
Cam Brown
Tallahassee, Fla.
6'2"
210
Former Mercer commit, App. State, Kent State, FAMU, NC Central


145
MERCER
RB
Tyray Devezin
Woodstock, Ga.
5'8"
195
La-Monroe, Eastern Michigan, Jax State, Kennesaw, Elon


146
CHATTANOOGA
RB
Jeffery Wood
Knoxville, Tenn.
5'8"
165
Navy, Western Carolina, Austin Peay


152
WOFFORD
ATH
Slayton Wild
Chapel Hill, Tenn.
6'3"
220
Marshall, Gardner Webb, VMI, Morehead State


156
MERCER
OL
Eric Allen
Kennesaw, Ga.
6'5"
285
Buffalo, Ga. State, Char.So., EKU, Elon, TennTech, Austin Peay


195
FURMAN
OL
Cole Neely
Sandy Creek, Ga.
6'3"
260
Cincinnati, Ga. Southern, Air Force, Army, Jax St. - 11 offers


220
CHATTANOOGA
DB
Jabril Malone
Memphis, Tenn.
5'10"
190
Tennessee State, Jackson State, Tennessee Tech


221
THE CITADEL
WR
Jay Howard
Lewisburg, Tenn.
6'1"
180
Air Force, Valpo, Cornell, Morehead State


228
SAMFORD
WR
Cornelius Billups
Gordo, Ala.
6'3"
205
Western Kentucky, Mercer


246
THE CITADEL
ATH
Lane Botkin
Columbia, S.C.
6'0"
195
Ga. State, Jax State, Mercer, CSU, S.C. State


250
MERCER
OL
Trey Iorillo
Kennesaw, Ga.
6'4"
290
Former Georgia State commit, Elon


252
CHATTANOOGA
TE
Parker Mallet
Tyrone, Ga.
6'3"
220
Army, Air Force, CSU, Elon, G-W, Stetson, WIU, Wofford



As far as Mercer is concerned, HERO's Top 5 'call-outs' have all already demonstrated the ability to start and excel in the SoCon. Graham has, unfortunately, had early season-ending injuries in both years, but he showed enough to show that he can DEFINITELY play. The other 2 from Mercer on the list are OLmen that were backups last year after redshirting in their 1st year...the track you typically expect OLmen to be on. We should know after 2019 (most likely), and certainly after 2020, if they merited being included on this list.

Looking at the 'other side of the coin,' one could say that based on contributions-to-date, here are the Mercer Signees from 2017 that HERO MAY have 'missed.'



Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
Exp.
Hometown (Previous School)


BJ Bohler (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4897)
DB
5-8
180
Fr.
HS
Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee HS)


David Durden (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4900)
WR
6-2
200
Fr.
HS
Midville, Ga. (Emanuel County Institute)


Andrew Robinson (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4910)
OL
6-3
295
Fr.
HS
Birmingham, Ala. (Ramsay HS)



Of those 3, all 3 have started, but I would say that only Durden (so far) has demonstrated All-SoCon-level of performance...and he, actually didn't come in with the signing class of 2017 because he played Pro Baseball. Maybe HERO considered that possibility so reduced their ranking on him to include the likelihood that he might never play for the Bears. FUBeAR is sure glad he does! FUN Player to watch!!

So...as far as evaluating Mercer's signing class of 2017, I would say HERO gets an "A" - more or less on-the-money, IMHO.

Still too early to fairly evaluate how they did in their 2018 Rankings, methinks.

[PaladinFan]

If you look at the 2017 list, there are certainly misses for Furman.

Hope is a big one. To this point, he's been the best defensive player in the 2017 SoCon class. You can disagree with me, but you'd be wrong.

Devin Wynn is probably a miss. Tyray Devezin made the list, but Wynn didn't. Both put up pretty much identical numbers this year in conference play and I would consider them the two best all around backs in the league in that class (maybe any class).

I can understand the inclusion of London Lewis. He had a bundle of offers coming out of high school and has big-time size. Lewis has not played yet for Furman, and seems maybe to have been undergoing concussion protocol. It looks like he'll be involved in the 2019 campaign, though, and at 6'4 290 lbs could be a real impact player in Furman's DL rotation.

Cole Neely spent most of the year as Furman's starting Center.

[FUBeAR]

If you look at the 2017 list, there are certainly misses for Furman.

Hope is a big one. To this point, he's been the best defensive player in the 2017 SoCon class. You can disagree with me, but you'd be wrong.

Devin Wynn is probably a miss. Tyray Devezin made the list, but Wynn didn't. Both put up pretty much identical numbers this year in conference play and I would consider them the two best all around backs in the league in that class (maybe any class).

I can understand the inclusion of London Lewis. He had a bundle of offers coming out of high school and has big-time size. Lewis has not played yet for Furman, and seems maybe to have been undergoing concussion protocol. It looks like he'll be involved in the 2019 campaign, though, and at 6'4 290 lbs could be a real impact player in Furman's DL rotation.

Cole Neely spent most of the year as Furman's starting Center.Yep - disagree, and not wrong, because this is still the SoCon, not the NFL. I know you love the sack/qbh/ff numbers; everyone does (and should), but Hope needs to be much more of a near-every down Player before he can be proclaimed "the best defensive Player in the 2017 SoCon class." He was #7 in Tackles for FU and outside the Top 50 in the SoCon. I believe he'll have the opportunity to be much more of a 'regular' for FU this year and if his 2019 performance in those increased reps comes close to 2018, then he will, without a doubt, be the SoCon DPOY in 2019...and I'll support you claim 100%...at that time.

OTOH - FU's Elijah McKoy does have legitimate claim (right now) to the title you have bestowed upon Mr. Hope. McKoy was FU's leading tackler this year and #2 in the SoCon (behind a Sr). That followed a solid TRUE FR campaign when he started 10 games and had over 80 tackles (#3 for FU / #18 in the SoCon)...while Mr. Hope was redshirting.

Hope certainly appears to be a 'miss' by HERO, but the fact that he redshirted in 2017, IMO, to some degree, excuses that 'miss.' He didn't look, to HERO nor to FU's Coaches, that he was quite ready to play directly from HS. We clearly saw what he can do in 1 aspect of the game last year and I hope to see that he is the 'total package' this year.

McKoy is the REAL FU 'miss' not being on the 2017 HERO list...and Wynn has certainly been more productive than the only other RB on this list, who is now a WR and, apparently, has not registered a stat in 2 years.

Grayson Atkins would be another, but I don't think HERO rates Specialists at all. So...

All-in-All ... I'd give HERO an A- for FU's Class of '17...clear 'miss' on McKoy, probably a 'miss' on Wynn...excused 'misses' on Lewis, Hope, and Atkins.

AND....very good call they made on Neely...very impressed with him. Looks to follow in the mold of a LONG LINE of GREAT FU Centers...from Robbie Caldwell to Matt Schmidt...and now to Neely...with a whole host of Paladins in between (including FUBeAR...sans the "GREAT" part, of course).

A few others that could still end up being FU 'misses' by not being on the HERO 2017 list are Kearse, Lawrence, Porter, and Stokes. We'll see...

[PaladinFan]

McKoy wasn't on the list most likely because he was recruited as a safety. My recollection is he was a cornerback at Darlington and never played linebacker. He's a miss if he was a high school linebacker, in my opinion.

We can disagree on Hope. You don't need to be an every down player to affect the game as significantly as he does. Ahmad Gooden was hands down the best defensive player in the league last year and he finished 31st in the SoCon tackles. He affected the game when he was on the field regardless of how many times his name was called for the tackle.

Granted, Hope is expected to be the starter this season, so I guess we'll see what he does in a full time role. My guess is that given Furman's depth at that position, Hope will continue to rotate out pretty routinely to ensure that he stays really good at the thing he does really well - sack the QB.

[FUBeAR]

McKoy wasn't on the list most likely because he was recruited as a safety. My recollection is he was a cornerback at Darlington and never played linebacker. He's a miss if he was a high school linebacker, in my opinion.

We can disagree on Hope. You don't need to be an every down player to affect the game as significantly as he does. Ahmad Gooden was hands down the best defensive player in the league last year and he finished 31st in the SoCon tackles. He affected the game when he was on the field regardless of how many times his name was called for the tackle.

Granted, Hope is expected to be the starter this season, so I guess we'll see what he does in a full time role. My guess is that given Furman's depth at that position, Hope will continue to rotate out pretty routinely to ensure that he stays really good at the thing he does really well - sack the QB.

So...McKoy...a guy with 172 Tackles in his 1st 2 years, who is on pace to move into the Top 10 All-Time Furman Career Tackle Leaders...It’s NOT a 'miss' that he was omitted from HERO's 2017 Top Players List...thru the PaladinFan lens...NOT 1 of the 21 best SoCon Players signed in 2017...NOT 1 of the best 7 (or so) Defensive SoCon Players signed in 2017...because he didn't play the same Defensive position in HS that he has played at FU for the past 2 years...OK...strange lenses you have there.

Isaiah Mack was the SoCon DPOY in 2018; not Gooden. I don't know if he was "hands down" or not...I don't know what that means, but I know DLmen are supposed to get their "hands UP" when they can't get to the QB in time.

Anyway...
Mack was #18 (78) on the Tackles List and #2 in Sacks in 2018.
Gooden was #31 in Tackles (as you cited)(50) and #7 in Sacks in 2018 - well behind Mack in both of the key stats that matter for DE's.
When Gooden was SoCon DPOY in 2017, he was #6 in Tackles (over 100), #5 in Sacks.

For a DE/OLB to be "the best Defensive Player" in any league, EXCEPT, perhaps, the NFL (and thru the PaladinFan lens), they're gonna have to have both a solid number of Tackles AND Sacks. Hope had less than 20 non-sack Tackles in 2018. Some LB's sometimes get >20 non-sack tackles in a single game.

[SU DOG]

I think Gooden only missed the Mercer Game, however, Ahmad didn't look like the same terrorizing player from the season before. I know he had some great moments, but I think he played the 2018 season with an injury that somewhat negatively impacted his performance.

[FUBeAR]

I think Gooden only missed the Mercer Game, however, Ahmad didn't look like the same terrorizing player from the season before. I know he had some great moments, but I think he played the 2018 season with an injury that somewhat negatively impacted his performance.
*Only missed 1st half of the Mercer game

(due to targeting ejection in 2nd half of FSU game the week before...so he missed some of that game too. And didn’t he miss all or part of another game with an injury? CIT, maybe?)

[PaladinFan]

Some news out of Greenville.

As was reported, DC Chad Staggs took a gig coaching linebackers at Coastal Carolina. Addison Williams, Furman's CB coach, took a job with Auburn.

Furman announced today that Duane Vaughn, Furman's OLB coach/recruiting coordinator, will be promoted to defensive coordinator. I imagine there is an open search for coaches to handle Furman's defensive backfield.

I personally like that Furman went with an internal hire. Vaughn is a Tennesseean and former Vanderbilt player. He's young, but has been on Furman's staff for 8 seasons and was one of two coaches from Bruce Fowler's staff retained by Clay Hendrix.

So, while there was some flux, it looks like Furman will be running the same defense.

[Milktruck74]

I posted this over on the Hero Sports Thread, but it is fitting here too...

As far as their rankings of Chattanooga over the last few seasons.....



2019 - HEro Sports Ranking of #38 - Personally I'm really excited about this class and think it will turn out some real sleepers, but HS felt differently.

2018 - Hero Sports Ranking #8 - Four players mentioned in the write up: WR Genuine Potts - never played, transferred out. DL Josh Walker - Never Played, transferred out. DB Kohl Henke - RS last season still on the roster, I like this kids future. Mychael Austin - RS last season still on the roster, I hear good things about him.

2017 - HEro Sports Ranking #11 - One player mentioned was OL McClendon Curtis - Had 6 FBS offers in HS, RS in 2017, played in 10 games in 2018 but as a backup.

2016 - Hero Sports Ranking #7 - Four players mentioned in the write up: QB Zach Weatherly - Transferred to UT after one season to play DB. DL Jonathon Decker - RS in 2016, played in 3 games in 2017, not on the roster in 2018. WR Joseph Richard - Not sure he ever made it to campus. DB Jerrell Lawson - RS in 2016, played in 11 games in 2017 and 11 games in 2018, he is a solid performer.


so over the last few years, we have put together classes that look strong on paper, but none have really had an on the field impact....other than Lawson. Hero Sports Recruiting Rankings are fun to look at, but I think the worse our class ranking, the better the season ends up being!!!!

[SU DOG]

*Only missed 1st half of the Mercer game

(due to targeting ejection in 2nd half of FSU game the week before...so he missed some of that game too. And didn’t he miss all or part of another game with an injury? CIT, maybe?)

Yea, meant didn't start the Mercer Game. Memory fails me(happens often now - LOL!) as to when the injury occurred, but I do remember him having a problem with it.

[PaladinFan]

Yea, meant didn't start the Mercer Game. Memory fails me(happens often now - LOL!) as to when the injury occurred, but I do remember him having a problem with it.

I haven't checked my work, but I don't think he showed up in the stat sheet against the Citadel, which, for a player like Gooden, probably means he didn't play. That was also the game where Samford's defense fell apart in the second half, also suggesting he didn't play.

[FUBeAR]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQgXqM7tK0KEq7ehbPmimqkjIwewFw QwhuayWvtvQIMSXm9Z3Vm
Big Board
https://images.prod.meredith.com/product/37073a63ca5a0a75973810008a95d1af/1544220974933/l/dr-strangelove-war-room-big-board-classic-stanley-kubrick-24x36-poster
Also, a Big Board


https://i.postimg.cc/Ss7QVjmf/BEB3-E533-750-F-4-B7-B-A005-857274-A115-DD.jpg

REALLY, REALLY Big Board

[sudog03]

I haven't checked my work, but I don't think he showed up in the stat sheet against the Citadel, which, for a player like Gooden, probably means he didn't play. That was also the game where Samford's defense fell apart in the second half, also suggesting he didn't play.

Ahmad, and his backup were both hurt and neither played against Citadel.

[sudog03]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQgXqM7tK0KEq7ehbPmimqkjIwewFw QwhuayWvtvQIMSXm9Z3Vm
Big Board
https://images.prod.meredith.com/product/37073a63ca5a0a75973810008a95d1af/1544220974933/l/dr-strangelove-war-room-big-board-classic-stanley-kubrick-24x36-poster
Also, a Big Board


https://i.postimg.cc/Ss7QVjmf/BEB3-E533-750-F-4-B7-B-A005-857274-A115-DD.jpg

REALLY, REALLY Big Board

Nice. Ours will be a little smaller, but with it's addition plus moving it closer to the field, it will make a huge difference in gameday experience.

[FUBeAR]

Nice. Ours will be a little smaller, but with it's addition plus moving it closer to the field, it will make a huge difference in gameday experience.Cool - looking forward to seeing it. Any plans for installing escalators to/from the visiting team locker rooms? xthumbsupx

BTW - for perspective, here is a pic of Mercer's previous board...
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfutEB6FVtk/Uva27RIGgnI/AAAAAAAAGYw/nUuQhqa-S4U/s1600/mercer_stadium_IMG_20140208_130303_674.jpg

Now 6 fence columns wide with maybe 6' feet of 'overhang' on each end, instead of just 4 with no overhang...actually negative several feet overhang (underhang?) for the video board itself, and now not divided into separate scoreboard/ad boards.

The only problem is that I'll be better able to see all of the calls SoCon Officials fudge up...and lose my mind in real-time, in the stadium, instead of when I get home and review the ESPN video. Good thing for FUBeAR that they sell beer in Five Star Stadium!

[SU DOG]

No plans for installing escalators. For decades(until 2009) the Samford Team climbed those same stairs, so opponents can just get over it by getting into shape where the walk isn't a problem, or bring your own portable stair-climb machine.xlolx