Patriot League Class of 2011 Update

[carney2]

Now that the playoffs are down to 8 teams, the other 114 FCS teams have only recruiting announcements as the next big date on their schedules. Before moving forward however, here's a look at the latest Patriot League recruiting class and how they did in their first campaign.

The much discussed and frequently maligned Patsy Ratings lined up the League's recruiting classes in the following order:

1. Lafayette
2. Lehigh
3. Fordham
4. Colgate
5. Bucknell
6. Georgetown
7. Holy Cross

Someone may have better statistics, but the only thing that I was able to find as a gauge of the progress of this group is how many were listed on their team's two-deep for the final regular season game of the season. This is not a terribly reliable statistic. Some will say that a team that relies too heavily on freshmen is a team in trouble. Perhaps, but how do you explain Fordham (see below) who won the League championship and the League's autobid to the playoffs? In any event, it may or may not mean anything. I leave that to you. Here are the teams and the number of freshmen listed on their two-deep for the final game:

Fordham 11
Bucknell 8
Colgate 7
Lehigh 6
Lafayette 2
Georgetown (Not Available)
Holy Cross (Not Available)

[colgate13]

FWIW I was pretty darn happy with Colgate's recruits, as I've been for the past 3 years. As they get older I feel comfortable we're continuing in the right direction.

[Franks Tanks]

Now that the playoffs are down to 8 teams, the other 114 FCS teams have only recruiting announcements as the next big date on their schedules. Before moving forward however, here's a look at the latest Patriot League recruiting class and how they did in their first campaign.

The much discussed and frequently maligned Patsy Ratings lined up the League's recruiting classes in the following order:

1. Lafayette
2. Lehigh
3. Fordham
4. Colgate
5. Bucknell
6. Georgetown
7. Holy Cross

Someone may have better statistics, but the only thing that I was able to find as a gauge of the progress of this group is how many were listed on their team's two-deep for the final regular season game of the season. This is not a terribly reliable statistic. Some will say that a team that relies too heavily on freshmen is a team in trouble. Perhaps, but how do you explain Fordham (see below) who won the League championship and the League's autobid to the playoffs? In any event, it may or may not mean anything. I leave that to you. Here are the teams and the number of freshmen listed on their two-deep for the final game:

Fordham 11
Bucknell 8
Colgate 7
Lehigh 6
Lafayette 2
Georgetown (Not Available)
Holy Cross (Not Available)


Nice work here-- but may I also add that Freshman getting a lot of playting time isnt always necessarily a good thing. As much as it can indicate some very talented freshman it can also mean a lack of depth in the upperclassmen. One thing howerever is scary-- I didnt realize that Fordham is so young. They played the most Freshman last year and whipped out butts, pretty impressive.

[carney2]

may I also add that Freshman getting a lot of playting time isnt always necessarily a good thing. As much as it can indicate some very talented freshman it can also mean a lack of depth in the upperclassmen.

As I said, this cuts both ways and you are left to draw your own conclusions.

[Fordham]

it is odd since i agree that playing frosh usually equals "L"s. it's a further credit to our staff imo, that they were able to play not only so many frosh but also soph's - 14 of which are listed on the two deep from the UMASS game found here: Fordham-UMASS Game Notes (http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ford/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release.pdf) (page 13).

Going to be very interesting to see what kind of recruiting class they can pull in after this season's success and also being able to show the impact that our TX, IL and CA kids had on this season. On the one hand, it'll be easier b/c this staff has shown they can win. On the other, though, we can't sell "easy and early playing time" as we likely did with these last two classes.

Either way, we'll certainly be at or near the top of everyone's pre-season rankings next year with all that we have coming back. Certainly is going to be different being the hunted as opposed to being overlooked. Fun to be in that spot, though.

[letsgopards04]

Fordham was a big shock this year playing with so many frosh (congrats) but I know it took awhile for the Pards to find the consistent QB play (which I think Curley will bring) to be a better team. Solid, experienced QB play can make up for youth elsewhere and while a lack of QB experince can keep a team from breaking through (not that the QB play was all that the Leopards had wrong this year).

[NYHOYA]

By my unofficial count (although Im very confident that I am no more than 1-2 off) the hoyas had 14 freshman on the two deep for the final game of the season.

[carney2]

By my unofficial count (although Im very confident that I am no more than 1-2 off) the hoyas had 14 freshman on the two deep for the final game of the season.

Thanks for the info. Wish the Hoyas published the equivalent of Game Notes so we could have an "official" number.

Can any of the Holy Cross faithful give us an educated guess for the 'saders?

[ngineer]

it is odd since i agree that playing frosh usually equals "L"s. it's a further credit to our staff imo, that they were able to play not only so many frosh but also soph's - 14 of which are listed on the two deep from the UMASS game found here: Fordham-UMASS Game Notes (http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ford/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release.pdf) (page 13).

Going to be very interesting to see what kind of recruiting class they can pull in after this season's success and also being able to show the impact that our TX, IL and CA kids had on this season. On the one hand, it'll be easier b/c this staff has shown they can win. On the other, though, we can't sell "easy and early playing time" as we likely did with these last two classes.
Either way, we'll certainly be at or near the top of everyone's pre-season rankings next year with all that we have coming back. Certainly is going to be different being the hunted as opposed to being overlooked. Fun to be in that spot, though.

That's always the 'double edged sword'...tough to use that pitch with so many youngsters returnng. At the same time, it shows that whoever produces in practice, gets on the field on Saturday rather than 'politics'.

[crusader11]

About 7 freshman were on the 2 deep for HC.

[carney2]

Here's another look at how many freshmen were in the "two deep" at season's end. All numbers come from the school's Game Notes for the final regular season game unless marked with an "E which means they have been estimated by a fan of that school.

Georgetown 14 (E)
Fordham 11
Bucknell 8
Colgate 7
Lehigh 6
Holy Cross 4 (A)
Lafayette 2

(E) Estimated.

(A) I found the Holy Cross Game Notes. This is the official number.

By the way, I am counting only the 11 offensive and 11 defensive positions. No special teamers or other "specialists."

[LBPop]

By my unofficial count (although Im very confident that I am no more than 1-2 off) the hoyas had 14 freshman on the two deep for the final game of the season.


xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx xrolleyesx

[LBPop]

Thanks for the info. Wish the Hoyas published the equivalent of Game Notes so we could have an "official" number.


They do publish them, but in obscure locations. Sadly, they wouldn't help much. Often they were wrong--not sure why. By the way, the reason the Georgetown recruits are not released early is that they will not do it until admissions has blessed them. Even with a "likely letter" they won't/can't release the names.