SoCon Off-season thread - 2023-2024

[FUBeAR]

Yeah - it’s early, but 2024 Schedules are being released…

https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/schedule/2024

* Presbyterian @ Home to open - nice
* Bethune-Cookman in Daytona - love it!
* Bye after Week 5 & 3 straight SoCon games (2 on the road) - not bad
* Princeton in Macon for Game 6 - breaking up SoCon games into 3 & 5 - love it!
* @ Alabama - game 11 - um…OK
* back Home for regular season finale against Furman - both Teams @ 11-0 and tied for 1st in FCS Rankings & SoCon Standings

a lot to like about Mercer’s 2024 schedule

[wcugrad95]

Partial schedule for WCU - https://catamountsports.com/sports/football/schedule/2024

August 31st - @ NC State
September 7th - CAMPBELL
September 14th - @ Elon
September 21st - @ Montana
October 26th - @ Mercer
November 9th - @ ETSU


Lots of early-season opportunities for the Cats to help (or hurt) the SOCON's reputation. Additional home games will be against Chattanooga, Citadel, Wofford, and VMI. Away will be at Furman and Samford. Tough schedule for the Cats.

[FUBeAR]

Partial schedule for WCU - https://catamountsports.com/sports/football/schedule/2024

August 31st - @ NC State
September 7th - CAMPBELL
September 14th - @ Elon
September 21st - @ Montana
October 26th - @ Mercer
November 9th - @ ETSU


Lots of early-season opportunities for the Cats to help (or hurt) the SOCON's reputation. Additional home games will be against Chattanooga, Citadel, Wofford, and VMI. Away will be at Furman and Samford. Tough schedule for the Cats.
So … that’s 4 SoCon & 3 OOC away games… 7 Away & 5 home … less than ideal, huh?

[kdinva]

ETSU released theirs last week:

https://etsubucs.com/sports/football/schedule


Yeah - it’s early, but 2024 Schedules are being released…

https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/schedule/2024

* Presbyterian @ Home to open - nice
* Bethune-Cookman in Daytona - love it!
* Bye after Week 5 & 3 straight SoCon games (2 on the road) - not bad
* Princeton in Macon for Game 6 - breaking up SoCon games into 3 & 5 - love it!
* @ Alabama - game 11 - um…OK
* back Home for regular season finale against Furman - both Teams @ 11-0 and tied for 1st in FCS Rankings & SoCon Standings

a lot to like about Mercer’s 2024 schedule

[FUBeAR]

ETSU released theirs last week:

https://etsubucs.com/sports/football/schedule

ETSU’s OOC…



https://www.anygivensaturday.com/images/logos/uva-wise.png?width=80&height=80&mode=maxAug 31 (Sat) Appalachian State - Boone, NC
Sep 7 (Sat) UVA Wise (http://www.uvawisecavs.com/) - Johnson City, TN
Sep 14 (Sat) North Dakota State - Johnson City, TN
Sep 21 (Sat) Elon University (http://www.elonphoenix.com/) - Elon, NC



Then 8 straight SoCon with bye after 3rd SoCon game

[PaladinNation]

Christmas comes early tomorrow…
Expecting to welcome a new class of DINS tomorrow.

[PaladinNation]

Sorry to pollute this thread this morning, but our board (GoPaladins) has been down since yesterday. And DINS are asking for updates.


Trey Hedden QB 6-3 205 Tampa Catholic - chose the DINS over APP, USF, Toledo, and many other FCS schools.

Devin Hester, Jr WR 5-10 165 Cedar Shoals - chose the DINS over APP, GeorgiaSo, Liberty, Kent St, Eastern Mich, Wake Forest.

Malaki Dobbins BANDIT/DE 6-3 230 Southern Nash - chose the DINS over Navy, Air Force, Valpo

Bruce Knauber DT/NG 6-2 300 Greenville - chose the DINS over UAB, Kent St, MTSU, Wofford, Citadel, Chatty, APSU, and many other FCS schools

Jeremiah Gavin Hall RB 5-11 180 Gainseville - chose the DINS over Marshall, Army, Navy

Steven O'Dell OT 6-7 305 Broome - over 23 offers, including UAB, JMU, and a bunch of FCS offers

Chase Gregorek OT 6-5 290 TL Hanna - chose the DINS over Army, and the Citadel

Jackson Pryor TE 6-5 210 Watagua - chose the DINS over Wofford, GWU, and others

Santino (Tino) Varnell WR 6-3 180 Canyon View, Arizona - chose the DINS over Bowling Green, Air Force, Army, Navy, UC Davis, North Dakota

Jordan Miller DB 5-11 170 Arabia Mountain, GA - chose the DINS over Navy, Wofford, Samford, and SEMO

Den Johnson DB/S 6-1 170 Pelham, GA - chose the DINS over Army, Air Force, Penn, and Columbia

A few thoughts on the Furman signing class so far.

Furman's recent success last year and this year appears to be paying off into another very good looking on paper recruiting class. This might seem odd to those of you outside of South Carolina. Furman getting Knauber, O'Dell, and Gregok to sign is a big deal as far as in-state goes. It's a struggle for Furman to keep players that get FBS offers from out-of-state. Knauber, is local, and he got his offers from UAB, and MTSU after he committed to Furman. O' Dell is probably one of the highest recruited lineman Furman has signed, getting him over a slew of Sun Belt teams was a coup.

Adding more offensive firepower.

Jeremiah Gavin Hall was Furman's first commit, JGH is fast, I believe one of the fastest high school running backs chip recorded this season at 22.26.
The next get was Hedden, another coup getting him over Appy and South Florida, Hedden lead to Hester another speedster, and then to Varnell a big body receiver recruited by MAC, Big Sky, and MVC schools. Furman continues to recruit and sign tall, athletic tight ends, that have IMO basketball skills ( example: Mason Pline, and his matchup problems for Montana). Pryor is another 6-5 TE joining last year's two TE recruits that go 6-5 and 6-7.

https://twitter.com/Jghall12/status/1692948008768315403

[ElonFirefighter]

So … that’s 4 SoCon & 3 OOC away games… 7 Away & 5 home … less than ideal, huh?

Elon and ETSU are at least close away games for them. Though playing Elon at our place is never easy. For some reason recently we are a different home team than away

[FUBeAR]

Sorry to pollute this thread this morning, but our board (GoPaladins) has been down since yesterday. And DINS are asking for updates.

Tampa QB Trey Hedden started the sigining day off first;
Trey Hedden QB 6-3 205 Tampa Catholic - chose the DINS over APP, USF, Toledo, and many other FCS schools.

Devin Hester, Jr WR 5-10 165 Cedar Shoals - chose the DINS over APP, GeorgiaSo, Liberty, Kent St, Eastern Mich, Wake Forest.

Malaki Dobbins BANDIT/DE 6-3 230 Southern Nash - chose the DINS over Navy, Air Force, Valpo

Bruce Knauber DT/NG 6-2 300 Greenville - chose the DINS over UAB, Kent St, MTSU, Wofford, Citadel, Chatty, APSU, and many other FCS schools

Jeremiah Gavin Hall RB 5-11 180 Gainseville - chose the DINS over Marshall, Army, Navy

Steven O'Dell OT 6-7 305 Broome - over 23 offers, including UAB, JMU, and a bunch of FCS offers

Furman Message Board was no doubt hacked into and sabotaged by (um, other) Griz fans, who didn’t like FUBeAR posting the 14+ screenshots of the 7 (uncalled) Blocks-in-Backs/Holds on the Montana KoR TD vs FU and the 4 (uncalled) Blocks-in-Backs on the Montana PR TD vs FU or the 3 (uncalled) Blocks-in-Backs on the Montana PR TD vs NDSU. That also prevents all of us from laughing at the associated, humorous post-foul “Hands Up. Don’t Flag!” screenshots.

Who knows - the Refs for the Championship game could gain access to those screenshots and be prepared to not allow Montana to score the game-difference-making-points in the Championship Game that the CAA and SoCon Officials allowed them in the Griz’ QF and SF OT wins over FU & NDSU.


BTW - Malaki Dobbins looks kinda SMALL … to FUBeAR. Is he the right TYPE of player? :D - Ah, see that you ‘fixed’ it - kinda ruins FUBeAR’s joke - see … in the original post - for some reason- the typeface for Dobbins was much … oh nevermind

[FUBeAR]

Elon and ETSU are at least close away games for them. Though playing Elon at our place is never easy. For some reason recently we are a different home team than away
CAA though … shouldn’t be a problem for a SoCon Team.

[FUBeAR]

GoPaladins.com is back up … for now - until the Griz CyberCrime Organization takes it back down again.

[kdinva]

Keydets with EIGHTEEN (by my count).....so far;

Richard Mulhern, 6'4", 285, OL, Manasass, VA

Jo Jo Crump, 6'1", 195, QB, Oak Hill, Tn

Thomas Leible, 6'6", 290, OL, Bensalem PA.

Gavin Kamody; 6'1", 185, athlete, Cranberry Township, PA

Leo Boehling, 5'11", 215, RB, Richmond.

Aslin Shipe, 5'10", 180, RB, Ashburn, VA

Noah Grevious; 6'1", 190, athlete, Charlottesville.

Malik McNeely, 6'4", 190, WR, Huntington, WV

Owen Sweeney, 6'3", 185, WR, Roanoke.

Aiden Jones, 6'3", 290, Lineman, Chester, VA

Britin Witt, 6'2", 280, OL/DL, Forest, VA.

Thomas Leible, 6'6", 290, OL, Bensalem PA.

Ayanle Farah, 6'4", 265, OL, Potomac, VA

Uriah Harris, 6'3", 230, DE, Richmond

Camron Watkins, 6'2, 205, WR/OLB, Wingate, PA

D J Jones, 6'1", 215, LB, Charlotte, NC

Robert Powell, 5'9", 175, athlete, Morgantown, WV

Asa Locks, 6'1", 190, DB, Patuxent, MD/FUMA

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR thinks Mercer felt getting a QB (or 4) in this signing class was important…



NAME
POS
HT
WT
CL
HOMETOWN
ST
HIGH SCHOOL
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
REPORTED OFFERS


Cole Shaw (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10798)
WR
6-2
195
FR
Thomasville
GA
Thomasville


Air Force, Fordham, Albany State


Pierson Sears (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10804)
OL
6-1
260
FR
Canton
GA
Creekview


Tennessee Tech, WCU, Stetson, Reinhardt, Sewanee, UVa-Wise, Wingate, Limestone


Carmelo O'Neal (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10810)
DB
6-4
200
FR
Atlanta
GA
Westlake


Navy, IT-Martin, Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, Alabama State, Mississippi Valley State, Valdosta State, Leonor-Rhyne, UNC-Pembroke, Emory & Henry


Luke Schultz (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10802)
OL
6-7
295
FR
Birmingham
AL
Briarwood Christian


Marshall, Old Dominion, UAB, Jacksonville State, Samford, UT-Martin, Southeast Missouri


Michael Horton (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10805)
OL
6-4
280
FR
Macon
GA
Westside


Air Force, Army, Sewanee


Whitt Newbauer (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10803)
QB
6-6
225
FR
Raleigh
NC
Cardinal Gibbons


Central Michigan, Samford, Wofford, Bethune-Cookman, Houston Christian


Neko Fann (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10809)
QB
5-10
175
FR
Moultrie
GA
Colquitt County


Middle Tennessee State, Navy, Samford, East Tennessee State, North Alabama, Austin Peay, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Alabama State


Lonnie Ratliff IV (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10801)
QB
5-11
210
R-SO
Duluth
GA
Duluth
Holmes CC / Louisiana Tech
HS Offers - Army, Louisiana Tech
CC Offers - Judson University


Khalil Moody (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10806)
DB
6-2
180
FR
Sumter
SC
Crestwood

Charlotte, Navy, The Citadel, Lenoir-Rhyne, Newberry, Wingate


D.J. Smith (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10800)
QB
6-2
200
JR
Greenwood
MS
Greenville Christian
Jones JC
HS Offers - Arkansas State, Delta State


Kai Reyes
DB
5-11
190
FR
Neptune Beach
FL
Fletcher

Georgia Southern, Florida A&M


Kurt Armstrong (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10811)
OL
6-4
325
FR
Baker
FL
Baker

Unknown


Tyshawn Hurst (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10812)
OL
6-4
300
R-JR
Compton
CA
Lynwood
Marshall / Snow College
Unknown

[wcugrad95]

That looks more like WCU's typical class! And that Newbauer kid is huge for a high school QB.

WCU with only 7 officially so far, so I'll wait to post when we think we are closer to finished. Not sure what our target was for high school signees.

[wcugrad95]

Day 1 early signings for WCU:

Secrea Algie
6-5, 300 lbs, Offensive Line
Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played offensive and defensive line as a prep … Named to the second-team AJC All-Region team on offense for Region 4-7A and an honorable mention for All-Gwinnett County … High school coach was Philip Jones, and his offensive line coach was Zach Underwood … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024.
Personal: Is the son of Sonya Smith.

Nate Blair
6-4, 185 lbs., Quarterback
Jacksonville, Fla. (Episcopal School of Jacksonville)
Prior to Western Carolina: Two-sport standout as a prep playing football and basketball … Led Episcopal to four winning seasons as a prep … High school coach was Marcus Wells … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024.
Personal: Is the son of Andrea and Stacy Blair.

Brett Gray
6-3, 275-lbs., Offensive Line – R-Jr.
Vancouver, Wash. (Valparaiso / Skyview HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Mid-season transfer from Valparaiso where he was on the roster for three seasons … At Valpo: Played in 22 games over three seasons with 11 starts as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 … Saw action as a reserve in 10 games during the 2022 season; At Skyview HS: Three-year varsity letter winner who served as a team captain as a senior … Was listed as a two-star prospect as a defensive lineman by 247Sports coming out of high school … Two-sport prep athlete playing football and basketball for two years.
Personal: Is the son of Marta and Darren Gray … Has a twin sister, Olivia … Was a trumpet soloist at Skyview High.

Dale Greene
6-3, 285-lbs., Offensive Line
Flowery Branch, Ga. (Buford HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Interior offensive lineman … High school head coach was Bryant Appling and his offensive line coach was Matt Winslette … Three-sport athlete as a prep including football, track & field, and wrestling … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024.
Personal: Full name is Michael Dale Greene, but prefers to go by his middle name … Is the son of LuAnn and Mike Greene.

Edwin Moore, Jr.
6-3, 265-lbs., Defensive Line
Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Finished the 2023 regular season with 63 total tackles including 24.5 tackles for loss with six sacks in helping Columbia High go 7-3 and make Georgia’s AA playoffs … Added a PBU, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery … As a junior in 2022, totaled 37 tackles with 14.5 TFLs with a sack … High school head coach was Greg Barnett … Is listed as a three-start recruit by 247Sports … Expected to enroll early in the spring 2024.
Personal: Is the son of Latoya Moore and his grandmother is Pamela Martin.

Na’Koma Simpson
5-10, 160-lbs., Defensive Back
Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Played defensive back – safety and corner – as a prep … High school head coach was Karl Calhoun … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024
Personal: Is the son of Ebony and Na’Koma Simpson … Is the brother of current Catamount, Bo Simpson.

Beady Waddell V
5-11, 200-lbs., Linebacker
Charlotte, N.C. (West Mecklenburg HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time all-conference and all-state performer … Finished the 2023 season second in the Queen City 3A/4A Conference with 872 rushing yards and was second defensively with 109 tackles … Three-sport athlete as a prep including football, wrestling, and track … Expected to enroll early in the spring 2024.
Personal: Is the son of Topee and Beady Waddell IV ... His father, a 2023 R.B. Stall Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, coached him in high school.

Caleb Williford
6-4, 280-lbs., Offensive Line
Buford, Ga. (Cherokee Bluff HS)
Prior to Western Carolina: Three-time first-team All-Region 8-4A selection along the offensive line … High school head coach was Tommy Jones … Will enroll at WCU in the Fall 2024.
Personal: Is the son of Connie and Duane Williford.

[gofurman]

CAA though … shouldn’t be a problem for a SoCon Team.

Furman 31 - Elon 6. Playoffs 2022. Easy pickins man. Easy pickins.

[bonarae]

ETSU's first ever signing class (at least half) for Coach Lamb -- we get 32 in all, three-fourths are TRANSFERS:

TRANSFERS

JaQuan Adams – 6-5 – 290 – OL – Raleigh, N.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Played one season at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to the 2023 Big South/OVC championship
Freshman All-American by Phil Steele
Second Team All-Big South/OVC
Played one season at Monroe College (N.Y.)
Played in six games for the Mustangs in 2022 where he was a preseason junior college All-American selection
Attended Sanderson (N.C.) High School where he played for Coach Jeremy Buck
First team all-area as a senior from the Raleigh News & Observer
An All-Cap 7 Conference selection

Ty Anderson – 6-1 – 210 – LB – Thomasville, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
2022 Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year
Totaled 90 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 21 games
Scored two defensive touchdowns – 45-yard interception return in 2022 at Marshall which led to him earning Big South Freshman of the Week and STATS Perform National Player of the Week Honorable Mention
Played for Coach Zach Grage at Thomasville High School in Georgia
Rated as a three-star prospect and the nation's No. 24 inside linebacker by Rivals
Recorded 493 career tackles, 26 sacks and 60 tackles for loss en route to being a two-time finalist for Class 2A State Player of the Year

Jai Barnes – 6-2 – 300 – DL – Cedartown, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Posted 25 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 16 games with the Runnin' Bulldogs
Totaled 22 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two hurries in 2023
Attended Cedartown High School (Ga.) where he played for Jamie Abrams
Registered 73 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a senior in 2021
Named first team Class 4A All-State from RecruitGeorgia.com
Named Region 7-4A Defensive Lineman of the Year and Polk Sports Wire Defensive Player of the Year

Ryan Barrett – 6-1 – 185 – DB – Marietta, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Member of Gardner-Webb's 2023 conference championship team
Did not see any action as a freshman this past season at Gardner-Webb
Played for Coach Bobby May at Kell (Ga.) High School
Two-time all-region selection for the Longhorns
Totaled 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and four pass break ups as a senior at Kell … Also forced two fumbles
Scored three touchdowns on offense for the Longhorns
Earned all-area honors from the Marietta Daily Journal in 2022

Jimmy Bowdry – 5-11 – 185 – DB – Thomasville, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he helped lead the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Played in all 12 games in 2023 where he recorded 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and five pass break ups
Played in four games his freshman season in 2022 – posting six tackles
Teammate of Ty Anderson at Thomasville (Ga.) High School under Coach Zach Grage
Earned Class 2A All-State honors by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and RecruitGeorgia.Com
Named Region 1-AA Co-Player of the Year
Finished with 68 tackles, five interceptions and 19 passes defended in 2021
Younger brother Jay Bowdry played safety at Georgia Southern

Jonathan Burns – 6-4 – 235 – TE – Aiken, S.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 10 games in 2023 and posted 23 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown
Nine catches for 62 yards and a touchdown against Elon
Played in all 13 games in 2022 where he caught 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns
Named Big South Freshman of the Week (Oct. 31)
Red-shirted the 2021 season
Played for Coach Chris Hamilton at South Aiken (S.C.) High School
Earned honorable mention Class 4A All-State honors
Posted 23 catches for 365 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 and added 27 catches for 406 yards and four catches his junior season

Cole Doyle – 5-10 – 175 – QB – Glendale, Calif. (Saint Francis)

Transferring from Saint Francis where he played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Red Flash
Played in 17 games where he threw for 2,977 yards and 34 touchdowns, while rushing for 579 yards and two touchdowns
Named 2022 Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and All-NEC first team
2022 Walter Payton Award Finalist
Second Team All-NEC in 2023
Led the NEC in completion percentage (.575), ranked second in touchdown passes (15) and fourth in passing yards (1,475) in 2023
Played one season at College of Canyons where he threw for 1,882 yards and 17 touchdowns in nine games … Rushed for 346 yards and three touchdowns

Ephraim Floyd – 5-10 – 190 – WR – Vero Beach, Fla. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he helped lead the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Played in 10 games with eight receptions for 112 yards in 2022 and totaled 35 receptions for 407 yards and one touchdown in 2023
Led Gardner-Webb in receiving yards and ranked second in receptions in 2023
Had two kickoff returns for 32 yards in 2023
Rated as one of the nation's top-300 wide receiver prospects coming out of Vero Beach High School
Two-star prospect via 247Sports.com
Recorded 70 receptions for 1,017 yards and 15 touchdowns his senior season where he was named a finalist for 2021 Florida Class 8A State Offensive Player of the Year
Caught 50 passes for 688 yards and seven touchdowns in his junior season

Justin Franklin – 5-8 – 160 – WR – Douglasville, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 14 games where he totaled 40 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns, while adding four rushes for 45 yards and completed two passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns
Played in all 11 games as a freshman and registered 37 receptions for 562 yards and four touchdowns
Led the team in receiving yards in 2021 and caught at least one pass in all 11 games
Named Big South Freshman of the Week after catching six passes for 72 yards and a touchdown and passing for a 50-yard touchdown at Georgia Southern
Had a 76-yard touchdown pass at North Carolina A&T
Preseason All-Big South by the coaches and media in 2022
Suffered season-ending injury in 2022 season opener
Played at Douglas County (Ga.) High School under Coach Johnny White
Rated a three-star prospect via 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com
One of the top-75 senior prospects in Georgia
Rated the No. 62 prospect nationally in the athlete category by 247Sports.com
Named to the 2021 Sports Illustrated All-America Watch List

Willie Harris – 6-1 -280 – DL – Cochran, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 31 games totaling 53 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery at Gardner-Webb
Played at Bleckley County (Ga.) High School for Coach Von Lassiter
First team Class 2A All-State selection via Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Named Region 3-AA Defensive Player of the Year
Finished his senior season with 88 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks

Dailen Howard – 6-1 – 260 – DL – Athens, Ga. (Georgia Military College)

Transferring from Georgia Military College
Played in 11 games in 2023
Recorded 30 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks
Season-high eight tackles with four tackles for loss and two sacks against Lackawanna College
Had sacks in three straight games from Sept. 30-Oct. 21
Posted tackles in 10 of his 11 games played, including multiple tackles in seven games

Nick Hunter – 6-5 – 215 – DL – Atlanta, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 22 games at Gardner-Webb where he registered 28 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five hurries and one forced fumble
Played for Coach Winston Gordon at Hapeville Charter Career (Ga.) Academy
First team Class 4A All-State selection by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First team All-Metro selection by Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Finished his senior season with 55 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks

AJ Johnson – 6-3 – 195 – WR – New Orleans, La. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where was on back-to-back conference championship teams with the Runnin' Bulldogs
Red-shirted the 2022 season
Played in nine games in 2023 where he totaled 20 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns
Averaged 14.2 yards per catch
Recorded catches in seven games and had multiple receptions in his last six games of the season
Season-high five catches in the playoff game at Mercer and against Bryant
Hauled in touchdown catches against Eastern Kentucky, Bryant and Charleston Southern
Played his senior season for Coach Adam Ratkevich at Western (Fla.) High School in Davie, Fla.
Chosen to play in the Under Armour All-American Game
Rated as a four-star prospect and nation's No. 20 wide receiver in the Class of 2022 by Rivals.com
Rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com

Jaylen King – 6-3 – 210 – QB – Folkston, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to the 2023 Big South/OVC conference championship
Played in nine games where he completed 107 passes for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns
Rushed for 401 yards and five scores
Started the last seven games of the season
Had a season-high 108 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Bryant
Posted a season-high 231 passing yards and 21 completions in the playoff game at Mercer
Passed for three touchdowns against Tennessee Tech
Played at Charlton County (Ga.) High School for Coach Russ Murray
Passed for 2,234 career yards and 17 touchdowns in a run-heavy system
Rushed for 551 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons
First team all-region selection in 2022

Will McCraw – 6-4 – 265 – OL – Tiger, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Started all 12 games in 2023
Played in nine games in 2022
Made his first collegiate start against No. 16 Mercer in 2022
Played for Coach Jaybo Shaw at Rabun County (Ga.) High School
Two-time all-region selection
Preseason Class 2A All-State selection in 2021

Tyson Moorer – 6-4 – 280 – OL – Charlotte, N.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Red-shirted the 2023 season at Gardner-Webb
Played at Providence Day (N.C.) School for Coach Chad Grier
Led Chargers to back-to-back NCISAA Division I State Championships
Selected to play in the Carolina Bowl Senior Showcase and Queen City Senior Bowl
Led Providence Day to a 12-1 record and an offense that averaged 425.0 yards per game and scored 50-plus points five times
Providence Day went 8-3 his junior season, including winning the final seven games to capture the state title

Karim Page – 6-0 – 178 – WR – Dalton, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Played in 18 games over the last two season, totaling 55 catches for 581 yards and three touchdowns
Led Gardner-Webb with 37 receptions in 2023
Set season highs with seven receptions against Elon and Bryant
Season-high 72 receiving yards versus Elon
Touchdown receptions against UT Martin, Tennessee Tech and Mercer
Played at Dalton (Ga.) High School for Coach Kit Carpenter
Rated as the No. 7 senior prospect in Northwest Georgia
First team all-region 5-AAAAAA selection
Earned honorable mention Class 6A All-State honors
Recorded 53 catches for 832 yards and nine touchdowns his senior season

Tywan Royal – 6-0 – 180 – DB – Norcross, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Spent the 2023 season at Gardner-Webb where he played in one game
Played his senior season at Norcross (Ga.) High School for Coach Keith Maloof
First team all-region for 7-7A in 2022
Totaled 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions in 12 games in 2022 … Also broke up 16 passes and blocked a punt
Played two seasons at Lanier (Ga.) High School
Had 36 tackles and broke up eight passes in his junior season … Also had two interceptions and forced two fumbles

Cam Sims – 6-2 – 185 – DB – Memphis, Tenn. (Mercer)

Transferring from Mercer where he spent the last two season with the Bears
Played in 14 games at Mercer, posting 38 tackles, two interceptions and three pass break ups
Played in three games in 2023 where he recorded eight tackles and one tackle for loss
Had 30 tackles and two interceptions in 2022
Had a 67-yard pick-six at Gardner-Webb in 2022
Spent three seasons at Georgia State from 2019-21 where he played in 11 games
Attended Lausanne Collegiate where he helped guide them to state titles in 2016 and 2017, including 39 straight wins before falling in the 2018 semifinals
Three-star recruit from 247Sports.com

Micah Sumpter – 6-4 – 300 – OL – Knightdale, N.C. (Charlotte)

Transferring from Charlotte where he was a freshman in 2023
Did not play in any games in 2023
Attended Knightdale High School where he was a four-year varsity player
Three-star recruit via Rivals.com and On3
Led Knightdale to the 2022 NCHSAA 4A Playoffs

Gabe Thompson – 6-3 – 310 – OL – Spartanburg, S.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2019-23 and led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference titles
Two-time all-conference selection
Started 25 games the last two seasons
Started 13 games at center in 2022 where he held GWU rush for 2,323 yards
Started 12 games this season where the Runnin' Bulldogs averaged 174.1 rushing yards per game in conference play
Started nine games in 2021 – five at right guard and four at center
Started four games at right guard in the spring 2021 season
Redshirted the 2019 season
Played at Dorman (S.C.) High School for Coach Dave Gutshall
Second team all-area selection by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal in 2018
Graded out at 89 percent and registered 38 pancake blocks his senior season … Cleared a path for 3,169 rushing yard and 39 touchdowns in 2018

Rashad Whitehead – 6-3 – 255 – DL – Atlanta, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Spent the 2023 season at Gardner-Webb where he helped guide the Runnin' Bulldogs to the 2023 Big South/OVC championship
Played in all 12 games where he posted 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack
Also had two pass break ups and two quarterback hurries
Spent time at Liberty from 2020-22 where he played in seven games for the Flames
Played in five games in 2021 with seven tackles and played in two games in 2020
Season-high four tackles against UMass in 2021 and played against Eastern Michigan in the Lending Tree Bowl
Graduated from B.E.S.T. Academy in Atlanta
Three-star recruit from 247Sports.com
Had 151 tackles and 16 sacks as well as posting 45 receptions for 385 yards and seven touchdowns

Seth Williams – 6-4 – 300 – OL – Statesville, N.C. (Appalachian State)

Transfer from Appalachian State where he played from 2020-23
Played in 13 games for the Mountaineers
Saw action in six games in 2023, two games in 2022 and five games in 2021
Played at Statesville High School
Three-year starter on the offensive line with 150 pancake blocks as Statesville went 30-8 in those three seasons
First team all-state selection via NCPreps.com
Earned all-conference honors as a senior where he led Statesville to a 12-1 record
Team captain in 2019 with 62 pancakes
Played center and offensive tackle at Statesville

Jaden Woods – 6-0 – 205 – DB – Decatur, Ga. (Akron)

Transfer from Akron where he spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons
Played in 12 games in 2022 and four games in 2023 where he totaled 31 tackles and had two pass break ups for the Zips
Season-high 10 tackles vs. Central Michigan in 2022
Prior to Akron, played in 23 games over three seasons at Eastern Kentucky
Totaled 53 tackles, two interceptions, six pass break ups at EKU
Named Phil Steele third team all-ASUN in 2021 where he started all 11 games with 35 tackles and two interceptions
Had 80 tackles, 13 pass break ups and five interceptions in his last two seasons at South Gwinnett High School
Team captain at South Gwinnett and was named Gwinnett Scholar-Athlete of the Year


The lucky 8 first-year players for the Bucs next fall:
FRESHMEN SIGNEES

Jordan "JC" Anderson – 6-3 – 196 – WR – Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast)

Three-star recruit via 247Sports.com
Rated top-300 player in the state of Florida
Multi-sport sport athlete – lettered in football and basketball

Jeremiah Curry – 5-11 – 205 – LB – Bluffton, S.C. (Bluffton HS)

First-team all-region selection in 2023
Registered 108 tackles during the regular season his senior season at Bluffton HS
Selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North/South Bowl

Reece Fountain – 6-0 – 189 – QB – Rome, Ga. (Rome HS)

Threw for over 11,000 yards and 99 touchdowns for his career
Went 41-7 as a starter and led Rome to consecutive 11-win seasons as a junior and senior
2023 Region 6-AAAAAA Player of the Year
Had 44 passing touchdowns and completed 74 percent of his passes as a senior
Led an offense that averaged 47.5 points per game – the fourth-highest mark in school history
Named Robbie Hunter MVP following a win over Langston Hughes
Played in the Georgia Elite Classic three times

Isaiah Hall – 6-3 – 270 – OL – LaGrange, Ga. (Troup County Comprehensive HS)

Lettered in football and track and field at Troup County
Four-year starter for the Troup Tigers
Two-time first team all-region selection
Named to All-State Academic Team

Taylor McClure – 6-1 – 210 – LB – Hayesville, N.C. (Hayesville High School)

Multi-sport athlete from Hayesville High School
Played linebacker and running back at Hayesville
Played football for his dad, Coach Chad McClure
Won a state championship in basketball with Hayesville going 28-0
Broke his dad's school record in the shot put with a mark of 49-6

Javon Richardson – 5-11 – 160 – WR – Mableton, Ga. (South Cobb HS)

Played for Coach Thomas Hanson at South Cobb High School
Two-time Offensive Player of the Year
Two-time first team all-region

Travien Watson – 5-11 – 175 – WR – Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville HS)

Named Region-8 6A Specialist of the Year
Led Gainesville to a 12-1 record in 2023
Led Gainesville to back-to-back Georgia 6A region championships in 2022 and 2023
Had 688 receiving yards with six receiving touchdowns as a junior

Braxton Wilson – 6-4 – 275 – DL – Fayetteville, Tenn. (Fayetteville HS)

Two-sport athlete at Fayetteville High School
Lettered in football and baseball
Helped guide the Tigers to the 2020 state championship
Totaled 65 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles his senior season
Played on four region champion teams at Fayetteville
The Tigers went 10-0 in the 2022 regular season to capture the Region 5-1A title
Earned all-state and all-region honors
Played in the 2022 Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association East-West All-Star Classic

[caribbeanhen]

CAA though … shouldn’t be a problem for a SoCon Team.

Wofford

[PaladinNation]

Furman signed 12 yesterday, more to come. My guess is Furman planned on signing 15. An OLB from Alabama supposedly flipped to North Alabama. I'm not sure if that is the complete picture-anyways. I'm guessing that by the time the Regular signing period ends on April1st. Furman will add 3-4 HS graduates and 3-4 grad transfers.

The class of 12 signed yesterday, has a lot of accolades, and many of them come from programs that have produced a lot of successful college players at the FCS and FBS level. What sticks out to me is that Furman no longer is bringing in under-sized linemen. Under Clay Hendrix the athletic ability of Furman linemen on both sides of the ball has been overhauled.

Noah Akinsola, OL
6-5, 285, Freshman
Frisco, Texas
Reedy High School
Played offensive tackle..was a unanimous first team all-district selection as a senior after earning second team honors his junior year...helped lead Reedy to a 12-1 season in 2023 that included area and district championships...member of 2022 team that went 10-2 and earned bi-district title...made 25 starts in his career...also played basketball and competed in the shot put and discus.

Malaki Dobbins, DE
6-3, 235, Freshman
Elm City, N.C.
Southern Nash High School
Played defensive end and outside linebacker...totaled 65 tackles, 25 tackles for-loss, six sacks, and four forced fumbles in helping lead Southern Nash to a 10-2 record and conference championship in 2023...selected to play in East-West All-Star Game in Greensboro...also competed in baseball and was a member of his school's swim team.

Chase Gregorek, OL
6-4, 275, Freshman
Anderson, S.C.
T.L. Hanna High School
Played offensive tackle...earned All-Region 1-5A and all-state honors in 2023 after helping lead T.L. Hanna to a 10-2 season and second round playoff appearance before falling to eventual state champion Dutch Fork, 31-28...participated in South Carolina's North vs. South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach...also starred in lacrosse, earning all-region honors his junior season.

Gavin Hall, RB
5-9, 185, Freshman
Gainesville, Ga.
Gainesville High School
Played quarterback and running back...spent his senior year at Gainesville after transferring from Hebron Christian (3A) High School...earned Region 8-6A Player of the Year honors after helping lead Gainesville to a 12-1 record and state quarterfinal playoff appearance...rushed for 1,609 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2023, averaging 7.8 yards per carry...also caught 22 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns...finished fourth in the state in rushing as a junior at Hebron Christian, totaling 2,547 yards and 32 touchdowns (9.8 ypc)...also passed for 1,790 yards and 18 TDs.

Trey Hedden, QB
6-3, 220, Freshman
Tampa, Florida
Tampa Catholic High School
Will enroll at Furman in January and take part in spring practice...played quarterback...completed 120-of-197 passes for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for seven scores as a senior...threw for 1,896 yards and 27 scores in 9-2 junior campaign that included a district championship...also starred in track...region finalist as a junior in the 400m hurdles and 4x800m.

Devin Hester, Jr., WR
5-10, 165, Freshman
Athens, Ga.
Cedar Shoals High School
Played wide receiver...combined for 96 receptions for 1,623 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior and senior...50 catches for 953 yards and 16 TDs his junior year represented new school standards, as did 1,461 all-purpose yards...three-time all-region selection and all-state pick as a junior (senior year yet to be announced)...also starred in track, competing in the long jump and 400m, 4x100m, 4x200m, and 4x400m.

Den Johnson, CB
6-1, 175, Freshman
Pelham, Ga.
Pelham High School
Played defensive back and quarterback...rushed for 589 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023, helping Pelham to a second round playoff apearance...first team all-region selection as a quarterback and second team laurels as a safety...ran for 1,069 yards and 16 touchdowns in his final two seasons.

Bruce Knauber, DL
6-2, 295, Freshman
Greenville, S.C.
Greenville High School
Played defensive line...helped lead Greenville to consecutive 10-3, 10-4, and 10-4 campaigns that resulted in Upper State runner-up finishes all three years...credited with 94 tackles, including 21 for-loss, and 8.5 sacks in 2023 campaign that ended with a 42-35 overtime loss to Westside, the eventual state champion...participated in South Carolina's North vs. South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach...two-time all-region and all-state selection...member of two state championship track & field teams at Greenville.

Jordan Miller, DB
5-11, 170, Freshman
Conyers, Ga.
Arabia Mountain High School
Played defensive back, wide receiver, and return specialist....three-time first team all-region selection as a defensive back, with first coming in 6-4A and junior and senior year recognition at the 4-5A classification...added second team all-county honors in 2023 after helping lead Arabia Mount to a 9-2 record and region championship...accounted for 60 tackles, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his prep tenure...also a standout in track, winning county championships in the 300m hurdles and long jump while finishing as a state finalist in the 4x100m relay in 2002, his sophomore year.

Steven O'Dell, OL
6-7, 297, Freshman
Jonesville, S.C.
Broome High School
Played offensive line...helped lead Broome to a 9-3 record in 2023, including the program's first playoff win in five years...named 2023 3A Upperstate Lineman of the Year...three-time all-region selection, two-time all-county pick, and two- time all-state honoree...selected to play in North vs. South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach..also starred in track & field..region shot put champion.

Jackson Pryor, TE
6-5, 210, Freshman
Boone, N.C.
Watauga High School
Played tight end...two-time all-conference selection and Western North Carolina All-Star his senior year...helped lead Watauga to a 10-2 record and conference championship his junior year and 12-1 campaign and another conference title his senior year...also starred in basketball, earning all-conference laurels as a junior.

Santino Varvel, WR
6-3, 180, Freshman
Goodyear, Ariz.
Canyon View High School
Played wide receiver...three-time all-region wide receiver and all-state pick as a junior (senior year yet to be announced)...caught 44 passes for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023...helped lead Canyon View to a region championship as a sophomore and to three state playoffs in his prep career...also starred in track, setting school records and twice earning all-state honors in the 110 and 300m hurdles...won the state 300m hurdles and finshed fourth in the 110m hurdles in 2022.

[ElonFirefighter]

CAA though … shouldn’t be a problem for a SoCon Team.

we are talking western not Furman, Different purple

[FUBeAR]

we are talking western not Furman, Different purple
An infinitely more feminine lilac shade of purple, yes … but same result … another CAtAstrophe for the Formerly Fightin’ Former Christians. Or the WCU fans might prefer CATastrophe.

Hey - FUBeAR just realized that you can’t spell “catastrophe” without a CAA. Y’all probably realized that about the time JMU departed. A Bear of very little brain, FUBeAR is a bit slow on the uptake, but he will file that one away for future use.

[wcugrad95]

Before we had some transfer portal casualties, I would have said WCU was going to be loaded next season. I still expect we will have a lot of very talented athletes and will continue to be a handful on offense assuming we don't lose our QB. With a healthy offensive line WCU has been a 38 or so points/game type of offense the last 2.5 seasons. So I wouldn't count the Catamounts as an automatic W by the 2 CAA teams on our schedule. You'll probably score some points, but I expect we will, too.

[FUBeAR]

Wow - 18 Transfers from 1 school to another single school (G-W to ETSU) in a single signing class. And…y’know, there could be more after each school completes their Spring Practices.

Has to be an NCAA record. Yes?


Reckon would a University - the University, not “Athletics” per se, let’s say “Enrollment Management” instead, seek to sue another University for something such as Unfair Trade Practices (Customer Poaching https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2023/11/17/one-office-equipment-company-sues-another-claiming-it-poached-its-customers/?slreturn=20231121093847 ) or “Employee Poaching” (since the Chief Counsel of the DoL ruled last year that SA’s are “employees” of the Schools)… https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20231013/NEWS06/912360425/WTW-suing-rival-Alliant,-alleging-poaching-of-employees-Willis-Towers-Watson-Sou

[ElonFirefighter]

An infinitely more feminine lilac shade of purple, yes … but same result … another CAtAstrophe for the Formerly Fightin’ Former Christians. Or the WCU fans might prefer CATastrophe.

Hey - FUBeAR just realized that you can’t spell “catastrophe” without a CAA. Y’all probably realized that about the time JMU departed. A Bear of very little brain, FUBeAR is a bit slow on the uptake, but he will file that one away for future use.

And you can't spell SoCon with out Con(vict), though that lost its ring when crAPP left ;)

You cant spell CATastrophe with out CATamount




2006 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Kent Briggs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Briggs)
2
9
0


2007 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Kent Briggs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Briggs)
1
10
0


2008 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
3
9
0


2009 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
2
9
0


2010 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
2
9
0


2011 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
1
10
0


2012 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
1
10
0


2013 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
2
10
0




2018 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
3
8
0


2019 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
3
9
0


2020 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)*
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
1
8
0


2021 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Kerwin Bell (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerwin_Bell)
4
7
0

[ElCid]

Wow - 18 Transfers from 1 school to another single school (G-W to ETSU) in a single signing class. And…y’know, there could be more after each school completes their Spring Practices.

Has to be an NCAA record. Yes?


Reckon would a University - the University, not “Athletics” per se, let’s say “Enrollment Management” instead, seek to sue another University for something such as Unfair Trade Practices (Customer Poaching https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2023/11/17/one-office-equipment-company-sues-another-claiming-it-poached-its-customers/?slreturn=20231121093847 ) or “Employee Poaching” (since the Chief Counsel of the DoL ruled last year that SA’s are “employees” of the Schools)… https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20231013/NEWS06/912360425/WTW-suing-rival-Alliant,-alleging-poaching-of-employees-Willis-Towers-Watson-Sou

Live by the portal ... die by the portal. It'll be like trying to catch smoke.

[Milktruck74]

ETSU's first ever signing class (at least half) for Coach Lamb -- we get 32 in all, three-fourths are TRANSFERS:

TRANSFERS

JaQuan Adams – 6-5 – 290 – OL – Raleigh, N.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Played one season at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to the 2023 Big South/OVC championship
Freshman All-American by Phil Steele
Second Team All-Big South/OVC
Played one season at Monroe College (N.Y.)
Played in six games for the Mustangs in 2022 where he was a preseason junior college All-American selection
Attended Sanderson (N.C.) High School where he played for Coach Jeremy Buck
First team all-area as a senior from the Raleigh News & Observer
An All-Cap 7 Conference selection

Ty Anderson – 6-1 – 210 – LB – Thomasville, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
2022 Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year
Totaled 90 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 21 games
Scored two defensive touchdowns – 45-yard interception return in 2022 at Marshall which led to him earning Big South Freshman of the Week and STATS Perform National Player of the Week Honorable Mention
Played for Coach Zach Grage at Thomasville High School in Georgia
Rated as a three-star prospect and the nation's No. 24 inside linebacker by Rivals
Recorded 493 career tackles, 26 sacks and 60 tackles for loss en route to being a two-time finalist for Class 2A State Player of the Year

Jai Barnes – 6-2 – 300 – DL – Cedartown, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Posted 25 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 16 games with the Runnin' Bulldogs
Totaled 22 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two hurries in 2023
Attended Cedartown High School (Ga.) where he played for Jamie Abrams
Registered 73 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a senior in 2021
Named first team Class 4A All-State from RecruitGeorgia.com
Named Region 7-4A Defensive Lineman of the Year and Polk Sports Wire Defensive Player of the Year

Ryan Barrett – 6-1 – 185 – DB – Marietta, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Member of Gardner-Webb's 2023 conference championship team
Did not see any action as a freshman this past season at Gardner-Webb
Played for Coach Bobby May at Kell (Ga.) High School
Two-time all-region selection for the Longhorns
Totaled 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and four pass break ups as a senior at Kell … Also forced two fumbles
Scored three touchdowns on offense for the Longhorns
Earned all-area honors from the Marietta Daily Journal in 2022

Jimmy Bowdry – 5-11 – 185 – DB – Thomasville, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he helped lead the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Played in all 12 games in 2023 where he recorded 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and five pass break ups
Played in four games his freshman season in 2022 – posting six tackles
Teammate of Ty Anderson at Thomasville (Ga.) High School under Coach Zach Grage
Earned Class 2A All-State honors by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and RecruitGeorgia.Com
Named Region 1-AA Co-Player of the Year
Finished with 68 tackles, five interceptions and 19 passes defended in 2021
Younger brother Jay Bowdry played safety at Georgia Southern

Jonathan Burns – 6-4 – 235 – TE – Aiken, S.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 10 games in 2023 and posted 23 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown
Nine catches for 62 yards and a touchdown against Elon
Played in all 13 games in 2022 where he caught 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns
Named Big South Freshman of the Week (Oct. 31)
Red-shirted the 2021 season
Played for Coach Chris Hamilton at South Aiken (S.C.) High School
Earned honorable mention Class 4A All-State honors
Posted 23 catches for 365 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 and added 27 catches for 406 yards and four catches his junior season

Cole Doyle – 5-10 – 175 – QB – Glendale, Calif. (Saint Francis)

Transferring from Saint Francis where he played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Red Flash
Played in 17 games where he threw for 2,977 yards and 34 touchdowns, while rushing for 579 yards and two touchdowns
Named 2022 Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and All-NEC first team
2022 Walter Payton Award Finalist
Second Team All-NEC in 2023
Led the NEC in completion percentage (.575), ranked second in touchdown passes (15) and fourth in passing yards (1,475) in 2023
Played one season at College of Canyons where he threw for 1,882 yards and 17 touchdowns in nine games … Rushed for 346 yards and three touchdowns

Ephraim Floyd – 5-10 – 190 – WR – Vero Beach, Fla. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he helped lead the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Played in 10 games with eight receptions for 112 yards in 2022 and totaled 35 receptions for 407 yards and one touchdown in 2023
Led Gardner-Webb in receiving yards and ranked second in receptions in 2023
Had two kickoff returns for 32 yards in 2023
Rated as one of the nation's top-300 wide receiver prospects coming out of Vero Beach High School
Two-star prospect via 247Sports.com
Recorded 70 receptions for 1,017 yards and 15 touchdowns his senior season where he was named a finalist for 2021 Florida Class 8A State Offensive Player of the Year
Caught 50 passes for 688 yards and seven touchdowns in his junior season

Justin Franklin – 5-8 – 160 – WR – Douglasville, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 14 games where he totaled 40 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns, while adding four rushes for 45 yards and completed two passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns
Played in all 11 games as a freshman and registered 37 receptions for 562 yards and four touchdowns
Led the team in receiving yards in 2021 and caught at least one pass in all 11 games
Named Big South Freshman of the Week after catching six passes for 72 yards and a touchdown and passing for a 50-yard touchdown at Georgia Southern
Had a 76-yard touchdown pass at North Carolina A&T
Preseason All-Big South by the coaches and media in 2022
Suffered season-ending injury in 2022 season opener
Played at Douglas County (Ga.) High School under Coach Johnny White
Rated a three-star prospect via 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com
One of the top-75 senior prospects in Georgia
Rated the No. 62 prospect nationally in the athlete category by 247Sports.com
Named to the 2021 Sports Illustrated All-America Watch List

Willie Harris – 6-1 -280 – DL – Cochran, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 31 games totaling 53 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery at Gardner-Webb
Played at Bleckley County (Ga.) High School for Coach Von Lassiter
First team Class 2A All-State selection via Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Named Region 3-AA Defensive Player of the Year
Finished his senior season with 88 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks

Dailen Howard – 6-1 – 260 – DL – Athens, Ga. (Georgia Military College)

Transferring from Georgia Military College
Played in 11 games in 2023
Recorded 30 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks
Season-high eight tackles with four tackles for loss and two sacks against Lackawanna College
Had sacks in three straight games from Sept. 30-Oct. 21
Posted tackles in 10 of his 11 games played, including multiple tackles in seven games

Nick Hunter – 6-5 – 215 – DL – Atlanta, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2021-23 and was part of the back-to-back conference championship teams
Played in 22 games at Gardner-Webb where he registered 28 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five hurries and one forced fumble
Played for Coach Winston Gordon at Hapeville Charter Career (Ga.) Academy
First team Class 4A All-State selection by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First team All-Metro selection by Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Finished his senior season with 55 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks

AJ Johnson – 6-3 – 195 – WR – New Orleans, La. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where was on back-to-back conference championship teams with the Runnin' Bulldogs
Red-shirted the 2022 season
Played in nine games in 2023 where he totaled 20 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns
Averaged 14.2 yards per catch
Recorded catches in seven games and had multiple receptions in his last six games of the season
Season-high five catches in the playoff game at Mercer and against Bryant
Hauled in touchdown catches against Eastern Kentucky, Bryant and Charleston Southern
Played his senior season for Coach Adam Ratkevich at Western (Fla.) High School in Davie, Fla.
Chosen to play in the Under Armour All-American Game
Rated as a four-star prospect and nation's No. 20 wide receiver in the Class of 2022 by Rivals.com
Rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com

Jaylen King – 6-3 – 210 – QB – Folkston, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to the 2023 Big South/OVC conference championship
Played in nine games where he completed 107 passes for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns
Rushed for 401 yards and five scores
Started the last seven games of the season
Had a season-high 108 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against Bryant
Posted a season-high 231 passing yards and 21 completions in the playoff game at Mercer
Passed for three touchdowns against Tennessee Tech
Played at Charlton County (Ga.) High School for Coach Russ Murray
Passed for 2,234 career yards and 17 touchdowns in a run-heavy system
Rushed for 551 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons
First team all-region selection in 2022

Will McCraw – 6-4 – 265 – OL – Tiger, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Started all 12 games in 2023
Played in nine games in 2022
Made his first collegiate start against No. 16 Mercer in 2022
Played for Coach Jaybo Shaw at Rabun County (Ga.) High School
Two-time all-region selection
Preseason Class 2A All-State selection in 2021

Tyson Moorer – 6-4 – 280 – OL – Charlotte, N.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Red-shirted the 2023 season at Gardner-Webb
Played at Providence Day (N.C.) School for Coach Chad Grier
Led Chargers to back-to-back NCISAA Division I State Championships
Selected to play in the Carolina Bowl Senior Showcase and Queen City Senior Bowl
Led Providence Day to a 12-1 record and an offense that averaged 425.0 yards per game and scored 50-plus points five times
Providence Day went 8-3 his junior season, including winning the final seven games to capture the state title

Karim Page – 6-0 – 178 – WR – Dalton, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Played two seasons at Gardner-Webb where he led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference championships
Played in 18 games over the last two season, totaling 55 catches for 581 yards and three touchdowns
Led Gardner-Webb with 37 receptions in 2023
Set season highs with seven receptions against Elon and Bryant
Season-high 72 receiving yards versus Elon
Touchdown receptions against UT Martin, Tennessee Tech and Mercer
Played at Dalton (Ga.) High School for Coach Kit Carpenter
Rated as the No. 7 senior prospect in Northwest Georgia
First team all-region 5-AAAAAA selection
Earned honorable mention Class 6A All-State honors
Recorded 53 catches for 832 yards and nine touchdowns his senior season

Tywan Royal – 6-0 – 180 – DB – Norcross, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Spent the 2023 season at Gardner-Webb where he played in one game
Played his senior season at Norcross (Ga.) High School for Coach Keith Maloof
First team all-region for 7-7A in 2022
Totaled 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions in 12 games in 2022 … Also broke up 16 passes and blocked a punt
Played two seasons at Lanier (Ga.) High School
Had 36 tackles and broke up eight passes in his junior season … Also had two interceptions and forced two fumbles

Cam Sims – 6-2 – 185 – DB – Memphis, Tenn. (Mercer)

Transferring from Mercer where he spent the last two season with the Bears
Played in 14 games at Mercer, posting 38 tackles, two interceptions and three pass break ups
Played in three games in 2023 where he recorded eight tackles and one tackle for loss
Had 30 tackles and two interceptions in 2022
Had a 67-yard pick-six at Gardner-Webb in 2022
Spent three seasons at Georgia State from 2019-21 where he played in 11 games
Attended Lausanne Collegiate where he helped guide them to state titles in 2016 and 2017, including 39 straight wins before falling in the 2018 semifinals
Three-star recruit from 247Sports.com

Micah Sumpter – 6-4 – 300 – OL – Knightdale, N.C. (Charlotte)

Transferring from Charlotte where he was a freshman in 2023
Did not play in any games in 2023
Attended Knightdale High School where he was a four-year varsity player
Three-star recruit via Rivals.com and On3
Led Knightdale to the 2022 NCHSAA 4A Playoffs

Gabe Thompson – 6-3 – 310 – OL – Spartanburg, S.C. (Gardner-Webb)

Transferring from Gardner-Webb where he played from 2019-23 and led the Runnin' Bulldogs to back-to-back conference titles
Two-time all-conference selection
Started 25 games the last two seasons
Started 13 games at center in 2022 where he held GWU rush for 2,323 yards
Started 12 games this season where the Runnin' Bulldogs averaged 174.1 rushing yards per game in conference play
Started nine games in 2021 – five at right guard and four at center
Started four games at right guard in the spring 2021 season
Redshirted the 2019 season
Played at Dorman (S.C.) High School for Coach Dave Gutshall
Second team all-area selection by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal in 2018
Graded out at 89 percent and registered 38 pancake blocks his senior season … Cleared a path for 3,169 rushing yard and 39 touchdowns in 2018

Rashad Whitehead – 6-3 – 255 – DL – Atlanta, Ga. (Gardner-Webb)

Spent the 2023 season at Gardner-Webb where he helped guide the Runnin' Bulldogs to the 2023 Big South/OVC championship
Played in all 12 games where he posted 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack
Also had two pass break ups and two quarterback hurries
Spent time at Liberty from 2020-22 where he played in seven games for the Flames
Played in five games in 2021 with seven tackles and played in two games in 2020
Season-high four tackles against UMass in 2021 and played against Eastern Michigan in the Lending Tree Bowl
Graduated from B.E.S.T. Academy in Atlanta
Three-star recruit from 247Sports.com
Had 151 tackles and 16 sacks as well as posting 45 receptions for 385 yards and seven touchdowns

Seth Williams – 6-4 – 300 – OL – Statesville, N.C. (Appalachian State)

Transfer from Appalachian State where he played from 2020-23
Played in 13 games for the Mountaineers
Saw action in six games in 2023, two games in 2022 and five games in 2021
Played at Statesville High School
Three-year starter on the offensive line with 150 pancake blocks as Statesville went 30-8 in those three seasons
First team all-state selection via NCPreps.com
Earned all-conference honors as a senior where he led Statesville to a 12-1 record
Team captain in 2019 with 62 pancakes
Played center and offensive tackle at Statesville

Jaden Woods – 6-0 – 205 – DB – Decatur, Ga. (Akron)

Transfer from Akron where he spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons
Played in 12 games in 2022 and four games in 2023 where he totaled 31 tackles and had two pass break ups for the Zips
Season-high 10 tackles vs. Central Michigan in 2022
Prior to Akron, played in 23 games over three seasons at Eastern Kentucky
Totaled 53 tackles, two interceptions, six pass break ups at EKU
Named Phil Steele third team all-ASUN in 2021 where he started all 11 games with 35 tackles and two interceptions
Had 80 tackles, 13 pass break ups and five interceptions in his last two seasons at South Gwinnett High School
Team captain at South Gwinnett and was named Gwinnett Scholar-Athlete of the Year


The lucky 8 first-year players for the Bucs next fall:
FRESHMEN SIGNEES

Jordan "JC" Anderson – 6-3 – 196 – WR – Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast)

Three-star recruit via 247Sports.com
Rated top-300 player in the state of Florida
Multi-sport sport athlete – lettered in football and basketball

Jeremiah Curry – 5-11 – 205 – LB – Bluffton, S.C. (Bluffton HS)

First-team all-region selection in 2023
Registered 108 tackles during the regular season his senior season at Bluffton HS
Selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North/South Bowl

Reece Fountain – 6-0 – 189 – QB – Rome, Ga. (Rome HS)

Threw for over 11,000 yards and 99 touchdowns for his career
Went 41-7 as a starter and led Rome to consecutive 11-win seasons as a junior and senior
2023 Region 6-AAAAAA Player of the Year
Had 44 passing touchdowns and completed 74 percent of his passes as a senior
Led an offense that averaged 47.5 points per game – the fourth-highest mark in school history
Named Robbie Hunter MVP following a win over Langston Hughes
Played in the Georgia Elite Classic three times

Isaiah Hall – 6-3 – 270 – OL – LaGrange, Ga. (Troup County Comprehensive HS)

Lettered in football and track and field at Troup County
Four-year starter for the Troup Tigers
Two-time first team all-region selection
Named to All-State Academic Team

Taylor McClure – 6-1 – 210 – LB – Hayesville, N.C. (Hayesville High School)

Multi-sport athlete from Hayesville High School
Played linebacker and running back at Hayesville
Played football for his dad, Coach Chad McClure
Won a state championship in basketball with Hayesville going 28-0
Broke his dad's school record in the shot put with a mark of 49-6

Javon Richardson – 5-11 – 160 – WR – Mableton, Ga. (South Cobb HS)

Played for Coach Thomas Hanson at South Cobb High School
Two-time Offensive Player of the Year
Two-time first team all-region

Travien Watson – 5-11 – 175 – WR – Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville HS)

Named Region-8 6A Specialist of the Year
Led Gainesville to a 12-1 record in 2023
Led Gainesville to back-to-back Georgia 6A region championships in 2022 and 2023
Had 688 receiving yards with six receiving touchdowns as a junior

Braxton Wilson – 6-4 – 275 – DL – Fayetteville, Tenn. (Fayetteville HS)

Two-sport athlete at Fayetteville High School
Lettered in football and baseball
Helped guide the Tigers to the 2020 state championship
Totaled 65 tackles, 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles his senior season
Played on four region champion teams at Fayetteville
The Tigers went 10-0 in the 2022 regular season to capture the Region 5-1A title
Earned all-state and all-region honors
Played in the 2022 Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association East-West All-Star Classic



Will Bucky be walking around with a Bulldog at games next year? That is a Ton of GWU kids...but They had a decent team this last year, hopefully that talent will translate to SoCon!

[Milktruck74]

My Mocs had a solid haul yesterday. Filled in some holes and got a few guys to elevate the talent already in the Scenic City. I'm especially stoked to see what the Josh Williams can do. His HS film is awesome and he could be a real force in the league for the next few years. I also think Joseph Bakhole could fill in for a tremendous loss on our DL, and fill in without much of a letdown!!! I expect to see one or two more portal guys added in the next day or two.


Position Breakdowns:
QB (0):
RB (2): *Justus Durant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/justus-durant/10559), Journey Wyche (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/journey-wyche/10562)
WR (3): Taylor Crumedy (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-crumedy/10556), *Chris Domercant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/chris-domercant/10558), Josh Williams (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/josh-williams/10564)
TE (3): *Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nathaniel-eberly-rodriguez/10553), Daniel Green (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-green/10572), John McIntyre (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/john-mcintyre/10571)
OL (4): Tracy Jackson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/tracy-jackson/10570), *Devin Lively (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/devin-lively/10560), Nicholas Paul, *Richard Pearce (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/richard-pearce/10568)
DL (4): *Joseph Bakhole (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/joseph-bakhole/10554), *Gabe Flores (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gabe-flores/10566), Leroy Harris III (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/leroy-harris-iii/10573), *Isaiah Harvey (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/isaiah-harvey/9353)
LB (2): *Amanuel Dickson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/amanuel-dickson/10557), Landon Feggins (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/landon-feggins/10567)
DB (2): Beni Mwamba (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/beni-mwamba/10574), *Taylor Smallwood (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-smallwood/10575)
PK (1): Gray Kelley (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gray-kelley/10569)
P (0):
LS (1): *Ethan Myers (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/ethan-myers/10561)
*January Enrollee

Where the Class Comes From:
Alabama (3): Taylor Crumedy (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-crumedy/10556) (Cortelyou), John McIntyre (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/john-mcintyre/10571) (Athens), Richard Pearce (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/richard-pearce/10568) (Bessemer)
Florida (1): Justus Durant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/justus-durant/10559) (Palm Bay)
Georgia (4): Isaiah Harvey (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/isaiah-harvey/9353) (Warner Robins), Gray Kelley (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gray-kelley/10569) (Acworth), Nick Paul (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nick-paul/10565) (Decatur), Taylor Smallwood (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-smallwood/10575) (Lawrenceville)
Kentucky (2): Beni Mwamba (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/beni-mwamba/10574) (Erlanger), Journey Wyche (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/journey-wyche/10562) (Louisville)
Massachusetts (1): Chris Domercant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/chris-domercant/10558) (Bellingham)Michigan (1): Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nathaniel-eberly-rodriguez/10553) (Petoskey)
Ohio (1): Gabe Flores (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gabe-flores/10566) (Cincinnati)
North Carolina (1): Joseph Bakhole (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/joseph-bakhole/10554) (Charlotte)
South Carolina (1): Josh Williams (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/josh-williams/10564) (Anderson)
Tennessee (7): Amanual Dickson (Greeneville), Landon Feggins (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/landon-feggins/10567) (Athens), Daniel Green (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-green/10572) (Jackson), Leroy Harris III (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/leroy-harris-iii/10573) (Brentwood), Tracy Jackson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/tracy-jackson/10570) (Memphis via Chicago, Ill.), Devin Lively (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/devin-lively/10560) (Lebanon), Ethan Myers (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/ethan-myers/10561) (Murfreesboro)

Where the Class Comes From:
4-year Transfer (7): Joseph Bakhole (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/joseph-bakhole/10554) (ULM), Chris Domercant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/chris-domercant/10558) (Stonehill), Justus Durant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/justus-durant/10559) (Shorter), Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nathaniel-eberly-rodriguez/10553) (Wayne State), Ethan Myers (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/ethan-myers/10561) (Austin Peay), Richard Pearce (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/richard-pearce/10568) (East Carolina), Taylor Smallwood (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-smallwood/10575) (Lafayette)

High School (15): Taylor Crumedy (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-crumedy/10556) (Leroy), Amanual Dickson (Greeneville), Landon Feggins (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/landon-feggins/10567) (McMinn Co.), Gabe Flores (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gabe-flores/10566) (Lakota West), Daniel Green (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-green/10572) (Jackson Christian), Leroy Harris III (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/leroy-harris-iii/10573) (CPA), Isaiah Harvey (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/isaiah-harvey/9353) (Northside), Tracy Jackson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/tracy-jackson/10570) (Whitehaven), Gray Kelley (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gray-kelley/10569) (Allatoona), Devin Lively (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/devin-lively/10560) (Air Force Prep), John McIntyre (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/john-mcintyre/10571) (Athens), Beni Mwamba (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/beni-mwamba/10574) (Dixie Heights), Nick Paul (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nick-paul/10565) (Clarke Central), Josh Williams (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/josh-williams/10564) (Westside), Journey Wyche (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/journey-wyche/10562) (Ballard)

Quick look at each signee:

Joseph Bakhole (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/joseph-bakhole/10554) – 6-3, 240, DE – ULM – Charlotte, N.C.
January enrollee…played nine games at ULM in 2023…26 tackles with 1.0 for loss and two QB hurries…ranked as the No. 8 defensive lineman by the Portal Report…prior stop was Coffeyville CC in Kansas…All-State and all-conference leading Myers Park to 13-2 record as a senior playing for Scott Chadwick…son of Marie Paule…five older siblings: Amanda, Jordan, Jeremy, Rebecca and Sarah…intends to major in Imperial Leadership or Construction Management.

Taylor Crumedy (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-crumedy/10556) – 5-9, 155, WR – Leroy H.S. – Cortelyou, Ala.
Played at Leroy High School….caught 37 passes for 817 yards as a senior…averaged 22.1 yards per catch…captured 10 touchdown passes…long catch was 85 yards…helped lead the Bears to the 2022 and 2023 1A AHSAA State Championship playing for Chan Lowe…LHS went 47-5 in his four years…first team All-State as a senior and second team as a junior…also played basketball and baseball…son of Maranda White…has two sisters, Makayla and Mar'le Poole, and a brother, King Poole…plans to major in Entrepreneurship.

Amanuel Dickson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/amanuel-dickson/10557) – 5-11, 200, LB – Greeneville H.S. – Greeneville, Tenn.
January enrollee…played linebacker and running back at Greeneville (Tenn.) High School…2-time TSWA 4A All-State performer…Region 1-4A Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 for Coach Eddie Spradlen…442 tackles over last three high school seasons with a high of 128 as a senior…12 career sacks and six forced fumbles…credited with 46 tackles for loss over junior and senior campaigns…2022 Greene County Defensive Player of the Year…led the Greene Devils to three District titles with a 40-7 record, 20-1 in District during his career…also played basketball at GHS…son of Manuel Dickson and Valenzia Gudger…eight siblings: Brittany, Majora, Faith, Tyrah, Aahmad, Azavier, Elynn and Elys…dad played at Mississippi State (OL).

Chris Domercant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/chris-domercant/10558) – 6-2, 180, WR – Stonehill – Bellingham, Mass.
January enrollee…24 career games played at Stonehill…10 each in 2021 and 2023 preserving redshirt status in 2022 seeing action in four contests…collected 85 passes for 1,520 yards with 16 TDs over those 24 games…averaged 17.9 yards per catch and 63.3 per game…career highs of 38 receptions, 818 yards and nine TDs came in 2021…1st team All-Northeast Conference that campaign…three 100-yard games with four recording multiple TDs…TVL All-Star at Bellingham High School…son of Marie and Jean Domercant…two siblings, Jerry and Dasha.

Justus Durant (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/justus-durant/10559) – 5-9, 180, RB – Shorter – Palm Bay, Fla.
January enrollee…2-year performer at Shorter accumulated 1,369 career rushing yards with 13 touchdowns in 21 games…ran for 792 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023…1st team All-Gulf South Conference (All-Purpose)…five career 100-yard games with a high of 202 at North Greenville…four contests with multiple scores....prepped at Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Fla.…rushed for 1,156 yards and 17 TDs in eight games as a senior for the Bears…holds Bayside's 400-meter dash record… son of Gina Nater and Talvain Durant.

Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nathaniel-eberly-rodriguez/10553) – 6-5, 240, TE – Wayne State – Petoskey, Mich.
January enrollee…two years eligibility remaining…16 games played with six starts at Wayne State…12 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown…long catch of 40 yards came at Northern Michigan in 2023…averaged 17.8 yards per catch for his career…first team all-conference in both football and baseball at Petoskey…3-year letterwinner for the Northmen...Division 3-4 All-State honorable mention and Detroit News second team…earned 1st team All-Big North Conference on both offense and defense in 2019 for coach Gavin Fralick...caught 18 passes for 341 yards and three scores as a senior...made 45 tackles as a linebacker and defensive end, while adding seven stops in the backfield along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery...60-yard touchdown reception vs. Escanaba as a senior...received 1st team All-BNC honors in baseball...served as a team captain in both football and baseball...also played basketball…son of Teresa and Zeke Eberly.

Landon Feggins (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/landon-feggins/10567) – 6-0, 215, LB – McMinn County H.S. – Athens, Tenn.
43 career games played at McMinn County…2023 Region 4-5A Defensive Player of the Year…3-time all-region and all-area selection…387 career tackles (9.0 per game)…three seasons with 100+ tackles with a high of 118 as a junior…registered four interceptions with two fumble recoveries while causing two more…honor student…also competed in basketball and track & field winning the shot put in three meets…son of Donte Feggins and Elle and Will Leonard…older brother Collin and younger sisters Maddy and Caroline…intends to major in Criminal Justice.

Gabe Flores (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gabe-flores/10566) – 6-2, 240, DL – Lakota West H.S. – Cincinnati, Ohio
January enrollee…first team All-Greater Miami Conference…played in 14 games as a senior with 45 tackles, 4.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks…11-3 in 2023 with the team captain leading the Firebirds to a 11-game win streak after an 0-2 start…2-time GMC Champ (2021-22) for Coach Tom Bolden…all-conference, all-city and 2-time all-academic…career record of 35-6, 24-1 in the GMC…son of Adena and Daniel Flores…three sisters: Amara, Alyssa and Alanna…Amara plays basketball at Transylvania University in Kentucky…interested in studying Political Science and Public Law.

Daniel Green (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/daniel-green/10572) – 6-5, 235, TE – Jackson Christian H.S. – Jackson, Tenn.
Played tight end and defensive line at Jackson Christian…2-time Division II-A All-West Region performer for Darby Palmer…caught a career-best 32 passes for 426 yards as a senior…11 career TDs…37-11 in his career…led the Eagles into the playoffs all four years with a semifinal appearance as a junior…represented the Eagles in the West Tennessee All-State game as captain…all-region as a junior (2nd) and senior (1st)...also played baseball…honor student…son of Karie and Kelly Green…an older sister, Annie, and two younger brothers, Hudson and Paxton…plans to major in Exercise Science.

Leroy Harris III (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/leroy-harris-iii/10573) – 6-5, 215, DE – CPA – Brentwood, Tenn.
3-star prospect per 247Sports…52nd-ranked player in Tennessee…played defensive end and tight end at CPA for Ingle Martin…110 career tackles with a high of 63 as a junior…career-best 7.0 tackles for loss as a senior…collected six interceptions and had nine pass breakups…all-region as a junior (2nd) and senior (1st)...also lettered in basketball and track…state champ in 4x100 relay...son of Leroy, Jr., and Christina Harris…father played at N.C. State and in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions…two siblings, Christian and Lauren.

Isaiah Harvey (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/isaiah-harvey/9353) – 6-0, 240, DL – Northside H.S. – Warner Robins, Ga.
1st team All-Region 1-6A in 2022 at Northside High School playing for Chad Alligood...66 tackles as a senior for the Eagles with three sacks a caused fumble as well as a recovery...2nd team All-Region and All-Middle Georgia following his junior season…also played keeper on the soccer team recording a 1.067 goals against average earning Region 1-5A Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

Tracy Jackson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/tracy-jackson/10570) – 6-4, 305, OL – Whitehaven H.S. – Memphis, Tenn.
Played guard and defensive tackle at Whitehaven in Memphis for Rodney Saulsberry…All-State as a senior and all-region in each of last two seasons…double-digit DI offers…ranked as No. 29 interior O-lineman by On3.com…first team All-Region 8-6A…honor student…son of Tracy Jackson (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/tracy-jackson/10570), Jr., and Reshanda Wilson…originally from Chicago, Ill.

Gray Kelley (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/gray-kelley/10569) – 6-1, 185, K – Allatoona H.S. – Acworth, Ga.
5-star per Chris Sailer Kicking ranked No. 17 in the country and No. 1 in Georgia…placekicker and punter at Allatoona…23-30 on FGs for his career with a long of 47…16 touchbacks on 25 kickoffs…3-time first team all-region performer for Coach Brad Smith..1st team all-region three times and honorable mention All-State…son of Simon and Kim Kelley…older brother Jude is a kicker on the Mocs roster…plans on majoring in Business and/or Marketing.

Devin Lively (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/devin-lively/10560) – 6-3, 275, OL – Air Force Prep – Lebanon, Tenn.
Transfer from Air Force Prep…enrolling in January with four years eligibility…began high school career at Friendship Christian in Nashville…also played soccer at FCS and finished runner up at the 2023 TSSAA Wrestling Championships…All-State on offense and defense as a senior and twice as a wrestler…won the 2022 TSSAA Division II-A Championship…forced a fumble with 2:54 left in the title game inside his own 10-yard line..also played at Knox Catholic…honor student…son of Gary and Teresa Lively.

John McIntyre (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/john-mcintyre/10571) – 6-4, 230, TE – Athens H.S. – Athens, Ala.
Totaled 1,193 all-purpose yards as a senior at Athens (Ala.) High School with 667 rushing, 503 receiving and 23 returning…scored 19 touchdowns with 14 on the ground and five in the air for Coach Cody Gross…menace on defense his sophomore and junior years accounting for 138 tackles with 20 for loss, seven sacks, 11 QB hurries and nine pass breakups…all-county and all-region in his career…also played basketball…National Honor Society and Key Club…son of Mark and Suzette McIntyre…three siblings, Sadie, Luke and Matthew…older brother Luke play at Huntingdon College (2020-21).

Beni Mwamba (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/beni-mwamba/10574) – 6-1, 190, DB – Dixie Heights H.S. – Erlanger, Ky.
Played defensive back and wide receiver at Dixie Heights for Coach Patrick Burke…second team All-Northern Kentucky as a senior…four interceptions and nine pass breakups as a senior…30 pass breakups in his final 23 high school games…top student also had Ivy League offer…also competed in track & field…son of Mwamba WaMwamba and Mimi Mwamba…looks to major in Exercise Science.

Ethan Myers (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/ethan-myers/10561) – 6-0, 211, LS – Austin Peay – Murfreesboro, Tenn.
January enrollee…two years eligibility remaining…2-year starter at long snapper for Austin Peay…All-UAC long snapper in 2023 and All-ASUN in 2022…scored a 2pt conversion against North Alabama…CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District…Dean's List and Honor Roll student…2-year starter (2022-23)…recorded a tackle in the FCS Playoffs first round loss to Chattanooga…began high school career at outside linebacker and tight end at Blackman…moved to long snapper as a sophomore playing for Coach Kit Hartsfield…Blue-Grey All-American as a senior…son of Tom and Kelly Myers…younger brother Gavin.

Nick Paul (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/nick-paul/10565) – 6-3, 295, OL – Clarke Central H.S. – Decatur, Ga.
2023 All-Region 8-5AA first team and second team in 2022…stalwart on the Clarke Central offensive line…started both at guard and tackle…last 21 games for Coach David Perno saw him at left tackle for the Gladiators…also competed in track & field…honor student…son of Fallon Locher and Alando Paul…younger brothers Neven and Newell…intending on studying Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Richard Pearce (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/richard-pearce/10568) – 6-3, 313, OL – East Carolina – Bessemer, Ala.
January enrollee…transfer from East Carolina…redshirted in 2021 playing 23 games in 2022 (13) and 2023 (10)…made three starts at left guard in 2023 …played a majority of his career on special teams...3-year region record of 17-0 at Hueytown…led an offensive line that blocked for Alabama signee Roydell Williams…played in Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic…3-star prospect per 247Sports and ranked top 50 in Alabama.

Taylor Smallwood (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/taylor-smallwood/10575) – 6-2, 198, DB – Lafayette – Lawrenceville, Ga.
January enrollee…transfer from Lafayette…43 tackles in 23 games played with six passes defensed including two interceptions…five tackles and an interception in narrow FCS Playoff loss at Delaware…Dean's List and Honor Roll student…Academic All-Patriot League…played two seasons at North Gwinnett for Coach Bill Stewart…2-time scholar-athlete award winner…son of Deishay Smallwood and Felicia Thornton…sister, Quaneisha…born and raised in Queens, N.Y.…will study Finance.

Josh Williams (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/josh-williams/10564) – 6-0, 175, WR – Westside H.S. – Anderson, S.C.
Played defensive back and wide receiver at Westside…No. 9 in the 864 Huddle Dandy Dozen…all-state and all-region performer…recorded 1,362 receiving yards and 1,738 all-purpose with 21 TDs (19 receiving/2 kick returns)...helped lead Westside to South Carolina 4A state title…24-4 record for Coach Brian Lane over last two seasons…also played basketball where he was an all-region selection as a junior…son of Cory and Andrea Williams.

Journey Wyche (https://gomocs.com/sports/football/roster/journey-wyche/10562) – 5-10, 180, RB – Ballard H.S. – Louisville, Ky.
Recorded nearly 1,700 yards from scrimmage scoring 26 TDs leading Ballard to 6A semifinals for second straight season…also played lacrosse and ran track where he was a 4x100 relay state champ…son of Ray and Andrea Wyche…plans to major in Business Management.

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR thinks Mercer felt getting a QB (or 4) in this signing class was important…



NAME
POS
HT
WT
CL
HOMETOWN
ST
HIGH SCHOOL
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
REPORTED OFFERS


Cole Shaw (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10798)
WR
6-2
195
FR
Thomasville
GA
Thomasville


Air Force, Fordham, Albany State


Pierson Sears (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10804)
OL
6-1
260
FR
Canton
GA
Creekview


Tennessee Tech, WCU, Stetson, Reinhardt, Sewanee, UVa-Wise, Wingate, Limestone


Carmelo O'Neal (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10810)
DB
6-4
200
FR
Atlanta
GA
Westlake


Navy, IT-Martin, Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, Alabama State, Mississippi Valley State, Valdosta State, Leonor-Rhyne, UNC-Pembroke, Emory & Henry


Luke Schultz (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10802)
OL
6-7
295
FR
Birmingham
AL
Briarwood Christian


Marshall, Old Dominion, UAB, Jacksonville State, Samford, UT-Martin, Southeast Missouri


Michael Horton (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10805)
OL
6-4
280
FR
Macon
GA
Westside


Air Force, Army, Sewanee


Whitt Newbauer (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10803)
QB
6-6
225
FR
Raleigh
NC
Cardinal Gibbons


Central Michigan, Samford, Wofford, Bethune-Cookman, Houston Christian


Neko Fann (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10809)
QB
5-10
175
FR
Moultrie
GA
Colquitt County


Middle Tennessee State, Navy, Samford, East Tennessee State, North Alabama, Austin Peay, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Alabama State


Lonnie Ratliff IV (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10801)
QB
5-11
210
R-SO
Duluth
GA
Duluth
Holmes CC / Louisiana Tech
HS Offers - Army, Louisiana Tech
CC Offers - Judson University


Khalil Moody (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10806)
DB
6-2
180
FR
Sumter
SC
Crestwood

Charlotte, Navy, The Citadel, Lenoir-Rhyne, Newberry, Wingate


D.J. Smith (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10800)
QB
6-2
200
JR
Greenwood
MS
Greenville Christian
Jones JC
HS Offers - Arkansas State, Delta State


Kai Reyes
DB
5-11
190
FR
Neptune Beach
FL
Fletcher

Georgia Southern, Florida A&M


Kurt Armstrong (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10811)
OL
6-4
325
FR
Baker
FL
Baker

Unknown


Tyshawn Hurst (https://mercerbears.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=10812)
OL
6-4
300
R-JR
Compton
CA
Lynwood
Marshall / Snow College
Unknown




3 ADDS (bottom 3 rows) & new info compiled by FUBeAR (far right column)

[wcugrad95]

And you can't spell SoCon with out Con(vict), though that lost its ring when crAPP left ;)

You cant spell CATastrophe with out CATamount




2006 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Kent Briggs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Briggs)
2
9
0


2007 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Kent Briggs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_Briggs)
1
10
0


2008 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
3
9
0


2009 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
2
9
0


2010 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
2
9
0


2011 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Dennis Wagner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Wagner)
1
10
0


2012 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
1
10
0


2013 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
2
10
0




2018 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
3
8
0


2019 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
3
9
0


2020 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)*
Mark Speir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Speir)
1
8
0


2021 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Western_Carolina_Catamounts_football_team)
Kerwin Bell (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerwin_Bell)
4
7
0





Somehow you left off the most important seasons - 2022 (6 wins) and 2023 (7 wins) as well as any of the other semi-successful campaigns. This past season WCU had creeped up into the top-10 in some polls before injuries hampered us down the stretch. Certainly could have been an 8 or even 9 win playoff team had the injury bug not set in. I think most who watch the SOCON closely would agree this is not the same old WCU football program.

[FUBeAR]

I think most who watch the SOCON closely would agree this is not the same old WCU football program.
You lookin’ for an honest assessment from someone who knows a li’l sumpin’ ‘bout it?

Or…y’all just want FUBeAR to keep being so nice because he has to keep keep fitting in with the wonderful personalities of his fellow Griz fans … and well, it is Christmas and all?

[ElonFirefighter]

Somehow you left off the most important seasons - 2022 (6 wins) and 2023 (7 wins) as well as any of the other semi-successful campaigns. This past season WCU had creeped up into the top-10 in some polls before injuries hampered us down the stretch. Certainly could have been an 8 or even 9 win playoff team had the injury bug not set in. I think most who watch the SOCON closely would agree this is not the same old WCU football program.

I was more going back and forth with FUBeAR. I agree that WCU is a different team. For a short time, correct me if I am wrong you were scheduling 3 FBS teams a year for the money. I started at Elon 2003, we moved to the socon 2 years later and left for the CAA in 2013. So my experience with WCU while short were the down years for you.

[SU DOG]

I used to go all bonkers over signing day, I let the stars get in my eyes then let the moon break my heart (sounds like a song) but not anymore. Why should I list Samford's signees and brag about each? Maybe I'm just getting so old that I'm lazier, IDK. However, I look at kids like Chandler Smith who was a no-stars walk-on and became one of the most dreaded receivers in the SoCon. I've also seen a 4**** or two completely fizzle out and never produce, so I'll just talk numbers here. Hatcher signed 13 players, five out of HS, four jucos, and four transfers. So, I'll just sat congrats to all the SoCon fans whose team knocked it out of the park, and if you want more Samford info, go to samfordsports.com.

[FUBeAR]

I used to go all bonkers over signing day, I let the stars get in my eyes then let the moon break my heart (sounds like a song) but not anymore. Why should I list Samford's signees and brag about each? Maybe I'm just getting so old that I'm lazier, IDK. However, I look at kids like Chandler Smith who was a no-stars walk-on and became one of the most dreaded receivers in the SoCon. I've also seen a 4**** or two completely fizzle out and never produce, so I'll just talk numbers here. Hatcher signed 13 players, five out of HS, four jucos, and four transfers. So, I'll just sat congrats to all the SoCon fans whose team knocked it out of the park, and if you want more Samford info, go to samfordsports.com.
Nearly 2/3rd’s Transfers is all FUBEAR needs to know. No change in course. Coach Hatcher burned the ships in 2022 and set off for Tierra del Oro on the Transfer Highway. Good luck with that.

[caribbeanhen]

Nearly 2/3rd’s Transfers is all FUBEAR needs to know. No change in course. Coach Hatcher burned the ships in 2022 and set off for Tierra del Oro on the Transfer Highway. Good luck with that.

learn how to work the transfer portal or die is the way things are going

I’m totally in the same place on signing day as SU DOGS ….

[FUBeAR]

learn how to work the transfer portal or die is the way things are going

I’m totally in the same place on signing day as SU DOGS ….
1) Determine the culture you want to (and can) start, have, develop, support, grow, nurture, etc. within your Football Program

2) Assess your current roster for culture alignment, talent requirements, retention (or, perhaps, reduction) issues

3) Determine your ability to recruit, develop, retain the level of High School Players that you need to land / retain to meet your definition(s) of “success” considering any milestones / deadlines that you may have

4) Determine the role(s) that Transfer Players (individually & as a group / entity / concept) can / cannot have within that culture and within the parameters of your unique academic environment

5) Work the transfer portal with 1-4 in mind “or die.”

[SU DOG]

Work hard and develop those HS players until they are game changers. Then even with lots of eligibility left watch them tell you goodbye as they head off for FBS or even P5 schools. Unfortunate way football has become in today's world.

[FUBeAR]

Work hard and develop those HS players until they are game changers. Then even with lots of eligibility left watch them tell you goodbye as they head off for FBS or even P5 schools. Unfortunate way football has become in today's world.
Maybe, but sometimes even the Transfers In are REALLY Student Athletes.

https://i.postimg.cc/0Nt7Xbzs/IMG-2471.jpg

Almost certain that all 9 of the Furman Players who have portalized themselves since the season ended have already earned their undergraduate degrees from Furman and we now know, at least one, has completed his Masters. None, other than Huff, played less than 4 seasons for the Paladins, and FUBeAR believes the majority of them played 5. It may not always be this way for FU and others could still jump in the portal, but it is this way now…and we Furman Fans are grateful that it is.

[wcugrad95]

I heard a great interview with Miami of Ohio’s coach yesterday. He talked about the opportunities now at his level to sign much better high school players than ever before because the P5 schools were signing so many transfers that really good players were now available. He certainly said it hurts when those kids become difference-makers and then get bought away 2 or 3 years later, but his stance is he is happy to get them for whatever time he can.

[wcugrad95]

You lookin’ for an honest assessment from someone who knows a li’l sumpin’ ‘bout it?

Or…y’all just want FUBeAR to keep being so nice because he has to keep keep fitting in with the wonderful personalities of his fellow Griz fans … and well, it is Christmas and all?

I would be amazed if you said WCU football isn’t better than it was at the end of the Mark Speir era or during the 6 or 7 years prior to that. Have we gotten over the hump and into the playoffs - no. But are we far more competitive and fielding a much better and deeper football team under Bell - I would say yes.

We have to get better on D to really make any noise, but I also think firing our DC at the end of the season was significant, just like firing and buying out Speir was a sign that things are a little different in Cullowhee now.

[FUBeAR]

”You lookin’ for an honest assessment from someone who knows a li’l sumpin’ ‘bout it?” - FUBeAR

I would be amazed if you said WCU football isn’t better than it was at the end of the Mark Speir era or during the 6 or 7 years prior to that. Have we gotten over the hump and into the playoffs - no. But are we far more competitive and fielding a much better and deeper football team under Bell - I would say yes.

We have to get better on D to really make any noise, but I also think firing our DC at the end of the season was significant, just like firing and buying out Speir was a sign that things are a little different in Cullowhee now.FUBeAR will take that as a “No,” then.

[Milktruck74]

I look at the signing class and see if my chosen team is filling holes left by graduation and an occasional early portal defection. At our level there are no WOW Players. Travis Hunter aside, no 5 stars are choosing your FCS school over an SEC offer...when it is all said and done, did your coaches find some guys that they can develop and hopefully hold on to for a season or two before they bolt for a G5 NIL payday?

And when I see starting Guys hit the portal after spring practice, I realize that their backup hit the weight room over the winter and jumped them, and that position is going to be stronger in the fall!!!!

[PaladinNation]

Interesting point Milltruck.
Your point about landing a player that you can develop, especially at the FCS level, is critical for our programs.

Furman early enrollee QB Trey Hedden, speaks to exactly what you're talking about. As a fan its easy for us to just think a player should pick a Furman, or a Mercer, or a Chatt. A lot goes into that young man making the decision to sign with our schools. I love Heddedn's advice to other high school players, "don't choose the bigger logo, find the right fit for you."

https://twitter.com/DaFanBoys_/status/1738320529608597988

[Milktruck74]

Interesting point Milltruck.
Your point about landing a player that you can develop, especially at the FCS level, is critical for our programs.

Furman early enrollee QB Trey Hedden, speaks to exactly what you're talking about. As a fan its easy for us to just think a player should pick a Furman, or a Mercer, or a Chatt. A lot goes into that young man making the decision to sign with our schools. I love Heddedn's advice to other high school players, "don't choose the bigger logo, find the right fit for you."

https://twitter.com/DaFanBoys_/status/1738320529608597988

Exactly, too many kids forget that they are STUDENT athletes. Students first. They need to find a school that fits them. I've had several long conversations with HS kids over the last few years . First, I ask them "would you go to that school if you were not playing (insert sport)?" Because you may get injured, and never play again, but you will still be a student. Secondly, I ask, "do you think these coaches are going to celebrate you after the recruiting process is over? IS this just the honeymoon? DO they really want you like they say now? Will they still want you in September?" And Third, "how did you feel about the guys you hung out with on your visit? because those are going to be the people you spend all your time with over the next four years."

[caribbeanhen]

Exactly, too many kids forget that they are STUDENT athletes. Students first. They need to find a school that fits them. I've had several long conversations with HS kids over the last few years . First, I ask them "would you go to that school if you were not playing (insert sport)?" Because you may get injured, and never play again, but you will still be a student. Secondly, I ask, "do you think these coaches are going to celebrate you after the recruiting process is over? IS this just the honeymoon? DO they really want you like they say now? Will they still want you in September?" And Third, "how did you feel about the guys you hung out with on your visit? because those are going to be the people you spend all your time with over the next four years."

most excellent questions indeed

[kdinva]

Exactly, too many kids forget that they are STUDENT athletes. Students first. They need to find a school that fits them. I've had several long conversations with HS kids over the last few years . First, I ask them "would you go to that school if you were not playing (insert sport)?" Because you may get injured, and never play again, but you will still be a student. Secondly, I ask, "do you think these coaches are going to celebrate you after the recruiting process is over? IS this just the honeymoon? DO they really want you like they say now? Will they still want you in September?" And Third, "how did you feel about the guys you hung out with on your visit? because those are going to be the people you spend all your time with over the next four years."

VMI coaches (and other schools, too) use the "4 for 40" approach. Where do you want to be when you turn 62? College degree and nice job and salary?

[caribbeanhen]

VMI coaches (and other schools, too) use the "4 for 40" approach. Where do you want to be when you turn 62? College degree and nice job and salary?

nope, no job because your retired and if you still need a college degree when you’re 62 you probably goofed off way to long

[Tribe4SF]

Maybe, but sometimes even the Transfers In are REALLY Student Athletes.

https://i.postimg.cc/0Nt7Xbzs/IMG-2471.jpg

Almost certain that all 9 of the Furman Players who have portalized themselves since the season ended have already earned their undergraduate degrees from Furman and we now know, at least one, has completed his Masters. None, other than Huff, played less than 4 seasons for the Paladins, and FUBeAR believes the majority of them played 5. It may not always be this way for FU and others could still jump in the portal, but it is this way now…and we Furman Fans are grateful that it is.

W&M and Furman appear to be very similar in terms of team culture and STUDENT-athlete focus. All-American DE Nate Lynn just graduated with a degree in Anthropology. Beyond NFL aspirations he wants to be a museum curator.

I'll be following this thread during the off season as the Tribe plays three SoCon teams next Fall. Let me know if you'll be following FU to Williamsburg.

[gofurman]

W&M and Furman appear to be very similar in terms of team culture and STUDENT-athlete focus. All-American DE Nate Lynn just graduated with a degree in Anthropology. Beyond NFL aspirations he wants to be a museum curator.

I'll be following this thread during the off season as the Tribe plays three SoCon teams next Fall. Let me know if you'll be following FU to Williamsburg.

I ilooked.. see you play two who struggled this year (VMI and Wofford - they went 2 and 9)... and one Furman (us) who excelled losing to Montana at Montana in OT in the quarterfinals

I do respect W&M as a good school ! I think we ought to play more home and home games. I assume this is a home and home ?

***Is Nate Lynn playing again for you all in 2024? or is he in the Portal?



I know the one guy - John Pius - was a super stud but is gone to Wisconsin...

[Tribe4SF]

I ilooked.. see you play two who struggled this year (VMI and Wofford - they went 2 and 9)... and one Furman (us) who excelled losing to Montana at Montana in OT in the quarterfinals

I do respect W&M as a good school ! I think we ought to play more home and home games. I assume this is a home and home ?

***Is Nate Lynn playing again for you all in 2024? or is he in the Portal?



I know the one guy - John Pius - was a super stud but is gone to Wisconsin...

Nate Lynn has used all eligibility and will head to the NFL. Rebuild on defense with six starters graduated and Pius gone to Wisconsin. Lots of experience and young talent back but hard to lose three All-Americans (Lynn, Pius and CB Ryan Poole). Offense returns 10 starters and gets Bronson Yoder back from injury.

This is a home and home. I believe we go to you in 2026 but not sure.
edit: Return game is Aug. 30, 2025

[caribbeanhen]

Nate Lynn has used all eligibility and will head to the NFL. Rebuild on defense with six starters graduated and Pius gone to Wisconsin. Lots of experience and young talent back but hard to lose three All-Americans (Lynn, Pius and CB Ryan Poole). Offense returns 10 starters and gets Bronson Yoder back from injury.

This is a home and home. I believe we go to you in 2026 but not sure.

You need an influx of playmakers at WR

[Tribe4SF]

You need an influx of playmakers at WR

We'll see what we get. I know we're after some guys in the portal and have two promising freshmen coming. A bit more optimistic with DreSean Kendrick coming back after missing last seven games and Hollis Mathis emerging at end of year with 6 catches for 106 yards against Richmond.

[kdinva]

nope, no job because your retired and if you still need a college degree when you’re 62 you probably goofed off way to long


??????? stay in school, graduate at 22 or 23..........etc....

[FUBeAR]

https://fbschedules.com/west-georgia-adds-five-games-to-future-football-schedules/

West Georgia adds five games to future football schedules (https://fbschedules.com/west-georgia-adds-five-games-to-future-football-schedules/)

By Kevin Kelley - December 27, 2023

The West Georgia Wolves have added five non-conference games to their future football schedules, FBSchedules.com has learned.

Copies of contracts for each game were obtained from the University of West Georgia via a state open records request. West Georgia, currently a Division II school, is moving up (https://fbschedules.com/west-georgia-to-transition-to-division-1-fcs-in-2024/) to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2024 and will compete in the United Athletic Conference (UAC).

The five games that West Georgia has added are against three different opponents. Two of the opponents are within the FCS, while one is a member of Division II.

Below are details on all five games added by West Georgia:

Samford Bulldogs (https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/samford/)
West Georgia and Samford, a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) in the FCS, will begin a home-and-home series at University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga., on Aug. 31, 2024. The series will conclude the following season at Seibert Stadium in Homewood, Ala., on Aug. 28, 2025.

ETSU Buccaneers (https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/etsu/)
The Wolves and ETSU, also a member of the SoCon, will play a home-and-home series that will kickoff in Carrollton on Sept. 13, 2025 before shifting to William B. Greene Jr. Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn., on Sept. 19, 2026.

[clenz]

Can someone please explain what the hell is going on with the Wofford AD roll?

AD was going to retire in July, a search was to be started, but he stayed in the roll to hire coaches due to too many openings, then he wanted to retire on 12/31 but then in September he said "Nah, I'm good now" and then he went "I guess I'll stay on until you find a new one" and now they announce they are suspending the search for a new AD?

WTF?

[FUBeAR]

Can someone please explain what the hell is going on with the Wofford AD roll?

AD was going to retire in July, a search was to be started, but he stayed in the roll to hire coaches due to too many openings, then he wanted to retire on 12/31 but then in September he said "Nah, I'm good now" and then he went "I guess I'll stay on until you find a new one" and now they announce they are suspending the search for a new AD?

WTF?
*pausing

https://twitter.com/woffordterriers/status/1740028794776531322

It’s the “Wofford Way” - do a bunch of weird stuff that makes no sense, while acting casually smug about everything. Meanwhile…pretty sure this guy is a Terrier…
https://duet-cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0x0:900x500/1440x960/filters:focal(450x250:451x251):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6438793/this-is-fine.jpg

[caribbeanhen]

??????? stay in school, graduate at 22 or 23..........etc....

but you kinda sorta wrote it like … have a good job when you’re 62… I say you should be retired at that age

[Mocs123]

Can someone please explain what the hell is going on with the Wofford AD roll?

AD was going to retire in July, a search was to be started, but he stayed in the roll to hire coaches due to too many openings, then he wanted to retire on 12/31 but then in September he said "Nah, I'm good now" and then he went "I guess I'll stay on until you find a new one" and now they announce they are suspending the search for a new AD?

WTF?

I'm not sure what is going on in Spartanburg. The Terriers have pretty recently had SoCon Championship football and basketball teams but there have been all sorts of weird things going on/rumors coming out recently including a rumor that Wofford was considering dropping to D3. After the Jerry Richardson money stopped flowing in and Mike Ayers retired things have not been well it seems for Wofford.

[ElCid]

I'm not sure what is going on in Spartanburg. The Terriers have pretty recently had SoCon Championship football and basketball teams but there have been all sorts of weird things going on/rumors coming out recently including a rumor that Wofford was considering dropping to D3. After the Jerry Richardson money stopped flowing in and Mike Ayers retired things have not been well it seems for Wofford.

That is interesting. Hadn't heard that rumor. Wofford was NAIA until 1987. Div II from then until 1994. And then FCS since. They were never Div III. I doubt that rumor is true. They are a seriously small school at about 1800 students, and less than 900 males. Given their academic rep, it's got to be tough. But any move down would be catastrophic. If they were forced to do anything, dropping football in favor of basketball would be more likely. But I find even that fairly unlikely. They will just have to adapt, given the loss of their equalizing edge they lost with the war on option blocking. Kind of like us. Their attendance has always been kind of low given their small alumnae base. But their is money there that other, much bigger schools would envy. If they could only tap it effectively.

I'd be surprised if there was any earth shattering changes.

[clenz]

*pausing
"pausing"

We all know college sports, and corporate lingo, well enough to know that the difference between a pause and suspension is almost entirely semantic.

If the D3 thing mentioned by Mocs123 is real then I would have to think there is some serious issues where the old/current AD stayed to hire coaches for D1 and fight for D1 and the future plans involve dropping D3 and he's fighting it.

[clenz]

That is interesting. Hadn't heard that rumor. Wofford was NAIA until 1987. Div II from then until 1994. And then FCS since. They were never Div III. I doubt that rumor is true. They are a seriously small school at about 1800 students, and less than 900 males. Given their academic rep, it's got to be tough. But any move down would be catastrophic. If they were forced to do anything, dropping football in favor of basketball would be more likely. But I find even that fairly unlikely. They will just have to adapt, given the loss of their equalizing edge they lost with the war on option blocking. Kind of like us. Their attendance has always been kind of low given their small alumnae base. But their is money there that other, much bigger schools would envy. If they could only tap it effectively.

I'd be surprised if there was any earth shattering changes.
This is going to come across as inflammatory and whatever. I don't mean it that way but it is what it is.

We hear a lot, especially on here, that "the FBS is too big and teams moving up makes it more watered down to be called FBS". The same is 100% true for FCS - and D1 as whole. Look how many D2 (D3 for St. Thomas) to D1 there have been the last 7 years or so.

We are at 366 D1 schools. There are not 366 D1 universities/athletic departments in the country. There just simply isn't. There are a significant number of D1 FCS and D1 non-football schools that absolutely have no business being D1 but moved up and fight hard to keep it simply so they have a shot to play 1 NCAA tournament game every couple years and split the share from that game with their conference mates.

Schools of 2,000 or less (honestly 5,000ish) really struggle to fit into that larger D1 mold in my eyes. Maybe I'm skewed because in Iowa we have about 36 football programs and 33 of them belong to schools that have less than 5,000 and 32 of those are schools less than 3,000. Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI are the only schools over 5,000 and Drake is the 4th at the PFL level at 4,800 students. Every other program in Iowa are D3, NAIA, or JUCO (1 D2 that was D3 until 2006 and really should still be D3 and is on the verge of just flat out closing). So I look at schools at the D1 level that match the size of the D3/NAIA in Iowa and don't understand how they are, and can continue to actually compete, at a D1 level. Yes, it happens. Yes, there are exceptions. All of that. I get it. Again, I'm not trying to be inflammatory. I just look at schools like Wartburg, Central, Dubuque, Luther, Simpson, Cornell, Mount Mercy, etc. in Iowa that are all 1,300-1,800 and realize there is no way they could actually survive at the D1 level.

I'm not saying Wofford needs to drop, or should, or anything like that. However, that truly seems like a constant threat as far as funding/competitive levels when you're that small, and a change at AD after *the donor* dies seems like the time to make that discussion be a thing. I doubt anything happens, but I can see this being a case where Johnson has been there 23 years. It's his baby. He didn't want to retire and leave major coaching hires to someone new. So he stuck around to get those done. Then he set a new retirement date and possibly backroom discussions started happening about the future feasibility of being D1 and he went "I need to stick around and find the next guy so I know it's someone I can trust not to crush the baby I built.". As time went on with that and he kept pushing the date back tensions might have boiled to where they "paused it" to get those cleared out and create a path that's acceptable for everyone before finding a new AD.

The reality is the "search" for the new AD has been going on since about May or June last year when he announced he was stepping down, initially, after the 22/23 year. It may not have been an official search yet, but they've been vetting for 8-10 months now. So for it to now be paused until February, meaning the new AD probably isn't in place until April or May, is a full year with a lame duck/no full time AD. That's not great.

[Mocs123]

If anyone under 5K enrollment needs to drop to non D1, the SoCon would lose four schools. Both VMI and Wofford are under 2K students, Furman has around 2.5K and The Citadel has around 3.5K if my memory is correct. Obviously VMI has struggled in athletics- both VMI and The Citadel has challenges that are not just enrollment based. Furman (and to some degree Wofford) has been successful in both football and basketball.

Furman and The Citadel have been members of the SoCon since 1936 - I doubt they want to go anywhere.

[clenz]

If anyone under 5K enrollment needs to drop to non D1, the SoCon would lose four schools. Both VMI and Wofford are under 2K students, Furman has around 2.5K and The Citadel has around 3.5K if my memory is correct. Obviously VMI has struggled in athletics- both VMI and The Citadel has challenges that are not just enrollment based. Furman (and to some degree Wofford) has been successful in both football and basketball.

Furman and The Citadel have been members of the SoCon since 1936 - I doubt they want to go anywhere.I wasn't proposing an enrollment cutoff line. More so looking at schools that size and going "I get why they want to be D1 and everything, but that's a massive set of built in obstacles that is going to make life more difficult that maybe it needs to be". It always been amazing to me that schools of 3k or less manage to do anything at the D1 level. Those are largely D3/NAIA schools most everywhere else in the county outside of the east coast region.

[gofurman]

I wasn't proposing an enrollment cutoff line. More so looking at schools that size and going "I get why they want to be D1 and everything, but that's a massive set of built in obstacles that is going to make life more difficult that maybe it needs to be". It always been amazing to me that schools of 3k or less manage to do anything at the D1 level. Those are largely D3/NAIA schools most everywhere else in the county outside of the east coast region.

Wake Forest was (may still be) the smallest FBS football .. and Wofford was (and still is I think) the smallest D1 FCS football school.

It really is amazing that Furman has played for 3 national titles and won one as a school of 2500 students. With very rigid academics. And had great years last year and this year.

To your point, Texas State (I believe) was D2 in Texas with FORTY THOUSAND STUDENTS for a long time. The entire state of South Carolina doesn't have a school with as many students as Texas State.

[gofurman]

Nate Lynn has used all eligibility and will head to the NFL. Rebuild on defense with six starters graduated and Pius gone to Wisconsin. Lots of experience and young talent back but hard to lose three All-Americans (Lynn, Pius and CB Ryan Poole). Offense returns 10 starters and gets Bronson Yoder back from injury.

This is a home and home. I believe we go to you in 2026 but not sure.
edit: Return game is Aug. 30, 2025

Tirbe, thanks for the information !

Wow, 10 starters return on Offense. Who was the one guy you lost on offense?

[Tribe4SF]

Tirbe, thanks for the information !

Wow, 10 starters return on Offense. Who was the one guy you lost on offense?

Actually now that I think about it we lost two. RG Marcus Crowell and RT Rian Haigler. We have a guy back who started several games at OG but he was second on depth chart.

[ElCid]

Wake Forest was (may still be) the smallest FBS football .. and Wofford was (and still is I think) the smallest D1 FCS football school.

It really is amazing that Furman has played for 3 national titles and won one as a school of 2500 students. With very rigid academics. And had great years last year and this year.

To your point, Texas State (I believe) was D2 in Texas with FORTY THOUSAND STUDENTS for a long time. The entire state of South Carolina doesn't have a school with as many students as Texas State.

Simply using student body size is not necessarily a good ruler. With schools using Internet students, night students, etc, to come up with a number, it's comparing apples to oranges. Full time, day students, who live on campus is a much better way to compare the amount of support a school will get in athletics. Most part time, non traditional students could give a crap. Why is that important? Because student fans turn into alumni fans and donors. Without a solid core of excited students, overall athletic support is tough and continuing support is impossible.

I actually don't think size is a guarantee one way or another. Commitment and organic support is just as important than mere size. Quality over quantity can do wonders. Just like it isn't "just" based on how much money a school has, which everyone loves to cite.

[Mocs123]

That's true, for example UTC has a student body of 10K students, but I imagine that less than half of them live on campus and even fewer give a crap. I work with another UTC grad and he's a UTK season ticket holder. He's never been to a UTC football game and I bet he couldn't name the HC or what conference the Mocs play in - he just doesn't care, to him and a lot of other UTC grads, it's the SEC or nothing.

[garland823]

Simply using student body size is not necessarily a good ruler. With schools using Internet students, night students, etc, to come up with a number, it's comparing apples to oranges. Full time, day students, who live on campus is a much better way to compare the amount of support a school will get in athletics. Most part time, non traditional students could give a crap. Why is that important? Because student fans turn into alumni fans and donors. Without a solid core of excited students, overall athletic support is tough and continuing support is impossible.

I actually don't think size is a guarantee one way or another. Commitment and organic support is just as important than mere size. Quality over quantity can do wonders. Just like it isn't "just" based on how much money a school has, which everyone loves to cite.

Do online students pay fees that go to the athletic department? If they do, that's a huge fundraising boost.

[clenz]

Do online students pay fees that go to the athletic department? If they do, that's a huge fundraising boost.

They pay the same fees as anyone else. Online tuition may have its own rate but fees remain constant

It’s one of the big reasons Liberty and Grand Canyon have the ability to just buy anything they want. Online diploma mills using student fees to fund their athletic departments simply because they have tens of thousands of online students. They don’t have to do what James Madison does with getting $52 million a year in student fees because they charge each student a ridiculous amount. They have so many students that even just a smaller amount creates massive income for the athletic department.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ElCid]

They pay the same fees as anyone else. Online tuition may have its own rate but fees remain constant

It’s one of the big reasons Liberty and Grand Canyon have the ability to just buy anything they want. Online diploma mills using student fees to fund their athletic departments simply because they have tens of thousands of online students. They don’t have to do what James Madison does with getting $52 million a year in student fees because they charge each student a ridiculous amount. They have so many students that even just a smaller amount creates massive income for the athletic department.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But this is just the dollar end of it. "Fees" don't attend games or generate excitement on campus, or donate 20-30 years down the road. UMass has 23K+ students. How's that working out for them? A bit over half live on campus. In Liberty's case they have 49K undergrads. About one third are on site students. So if the Internet distance learning students really do pay fees, I'd have to see the actual proof, then yeah, maybe there are extra bucks floating around Liberty. Are the fees different for resident or distant students? But in Liberty's case, they also have support from their leadership.

School administration support is onviously very important. Look at the Ivies. They got money coming out their ears, but sports is an afterthought to most of those schools.

In general, are fees paid by just undergrads or grad students as well? I never paid any students fees while getting classes via the internet at two different grad schools. Some on site classes were required as well.

In the end, I'll stand by my premise, that local onsite population and enthusiasm are more important than just bucks. People aren't excited to go to games where the venues are 1/10 full.

[SDFS]

They pay the same fees as anyone else. Online tuition may have its own rate but fees remain constant

It’s one of the big reasons Liberty and Grand Canyon have the ability to just buy anything they want. Online diploma mills using student fees to fund their athletic departments simply because they have tens of thousands of online students. They don’t have to do what James Madison does with getting $52 million a year in student fees because they charge each student a ridiculous amount. They have so many students that even just a smaller amount creates massive income for the athletic department.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The interesting thing to me about James Madison is despite the large fees - the students really support the sport programs. It doesn't seem to bother the student body at all.

[FUBeAR]

The interesting thing to me about James Madison is despite the large fees - the students really support the sport programs. It doesn't seem to bother the student body at all.
Yeah - doubt too many of those JMU undergrads that are RAH RAH Dukes types are signing the checks headed to the Bursar’s POB.

[apaladin]

Furman will have 6 home and 6 away in 2024.
8/31 at Ole Miss
9/7 Charleston Southern
9/14 Stetson
9/21 at William & Mary
Haven’t had 6 home games in years.

[FUBeAR]

Furman will have 6 home and 6 away in 2024.
8/31 at Ole Miss
9/7 Charleston Southern
9/14 Stetson
9/21 at William & Mary
Haven’t had 6 home games in years.
https://y.yarn.co/b39b515e-25cf-4b46-afa8-d2e85d9374cd_thumb.jpg
Check FUBeAR if he’s wrong, Sandy, but Furman has had 6 Home games in 3 out of 4 of the most recent full football seasons.

FUBeAR finds it interesting that the Paladins will be facing a Primary Green color Team 2 weeks in a row. Reckon has that happened before? Would likely have had to have been when the Blundering Turd was in the SoCon, if so.

GREEN UPDATE: Because FUBeAR is a Bear of little brain, is insane, and is also afflicted with functioning (barely) OCD, he reviewed each of Furman’s seasons since 1889 and has found no occasions where the Paladins faced 2 different Green Teams in consecutive weeks. The only caveat to this is that in 1918 Furman played 2 consecutive Home games against the ‘48th Infantry.’ FUBeAR could not find a record of 48th Infantry Football that indicated the color of their uniforms in 1918. We could speculate they may have been “Army green,” but the US Army was in great uniform flux in those days. Blue and Brown were still prominent Army colors…so, without documentation and without someone finding that FUBeAR missed another ‘Green squared’ occurrence, FUBeAR is ready to aver that when the Paladins take the field in StolenLandsBurg on 9/21/24, it will be the 1st time in history that Furman has faced 2 Green opponents in back-to-back weeks. As we will be facing the Green (and Gold) Social Division that day, and ‘going green’ for 2 consecutive weeks, FUBeAR thinks we (W&M & FU) should build a whole Climate Change & Sustainability promotional theme around the game. Y’all down?

[Tribe4SF]

[QUOTE=FUBeAR;3169740 As we will be facing the Green (and Gold) Social Division that day, and ‘going green’ for 2 consecutive weeks, FUBeAR thinks we (W&M & FU) should build a whole Climate Change & Sustainability promotional theme around the game. Y’all down?[/QUOTE]

I'll lobby for all gold unis to avoid that!

[FUBeAR]

I'll lobby for all gold unis to avoid that!
You may be able to purchase Gold Uniform Credits / Offsets to support your Anti-Green efforts. Doing that along with erecting a beautiful Land Acknowledgment Plaque & conducting an elaborate Contrition Ceremony should set everything right.

FUBeAR is not kidding though - Climate Change ‘sells’ these days. Market it properly and both schools could get some national publicity out of it and probably…what…a 10% Attendance bump from students who don’t normally attend and from ‘new’ locals. Heck, it’s only 2 hours from StolenLandsBurg to DC. Y’all should be able to pull at least 2k Gubmint peeps to attend the Sustainability Green Cup game.

https://www.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/2364577047/display_1500/stock-photo-green-ecology-environment-trophy-cup-award-element-isolated-background-green-ecology-environment-2364577047.jpg

[Tribe4SF]

You may be able to purchase Gold Uniform Credits / Offsets to support your Anti-Green efforts. Doing that along with erecting a beautiful Land Acknowledgment Plaque & conducting an elaborate Contrition Ceremony should set everything right.

FUBeAR is not kidding though - Climate Change ‘sells’ these days. Market it properly and both schools could get some national publicity out of it and probably…what…a 10% Attendance bump from students who don’t normally attend and from ‘new’ locals. Heck, it’s only 2 hours from StolenLandsBurg to DC. Y’all should be able to pull at least 2k Gubmint peeps to attend the Sustainability Green Cup game.

https://www.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/2364577047/display_1500/stock-photo-green-ecology-environment-trophy-cup-award-element-isolated-background-green-ecology-environment-2364577047.jpg

xlolxxthumbsupx

[kdinva]

but you kinda sorta wrote it like … have a good job when you’re 62… I say you should be retired at that age

...and using your degree at 22 or 23 should ensure that......

[caribbeanhen]

...and using your degree at 22 or 23 should ensure that......

Well as long as your good with money yes indeed

[SU DOG]

Announced today is that Samford is losing our defensive coordinator Chris Boone. He is headed to Troy to coach LBs there. He has worked with the new Troy HC previously at UTM. Our defense wasn't great under Boone, but it was definitely better than it had been. I guess also one has to question whether a really good defense can be expected with this offense that Hatcher runs?

[Milktruck74]

Announced today is that Samford is losing our defensive coordinator Chris Boone. He is headed to Troy to coach LBs there. He has worked with the new Troy HC previously at UTM. Our defense wasn't great under Boone, but it was definitely better than it had been. I guess also one has to question whether a really good defense can be expected with this offense that Hatcher runs?

Thinking through the question. I'll say MAYBE, but there are a ton of hurdles to clear. First, the Offense is the BABY of the HC, and you cant call the baby ugly...meaning if there is one scholly left in the mix and it comes down to a WR or a LB...Which one is going to get the offer? So, I would guess that more of your 63 are taken up by guys on the offense...leaving the D a bit thin...then follow that up with the fact that the Hatch Offense doesn't take much time off of the clock (be it score or 3 and out) and Defense is right back out on the turf as soon as they left. This wears a squad down (especially the big guys up front), so you need more players to sub in and out...and I'd bet a large majority of the "extra guys" are suited up on the HC's side of the ball!!! I just don't think you can get the necessary manpower to pull it off with only 63 schollys.

I do wonder if it would be different if HAtcher was just the OC under a defensive minded HC? Just one thing to ponder.

As a side, I did look up Sammy's rough Time of Possession for the last few years... -5:00 in 23, -8:00 in 22, -13:00 in 21, and -11:00 in 19. Thats the equivalent of an extra game or two during the season on those Defensive players!

[SU DOG]

Milktruck, I agree with some of your thoughts, but say no to some also. I don't think schollys are an issue at all. UTC had 43 total defensive players listed on last year's roster and Samford had 42. Also, Samford played basically a 3-man front which means we didn't have to have quite as man "bigs" upfront. I think the more important concerns would be how much practice time does the team spend on things like tackling and defensive techniques compared to time spent with the offense? I agree that TOP does have an effect on the defense. I have heard that some DCs have even made the public statement that they would never coach at a school where they ran an Air Raid Offense.

[Milktruck74]

Milktruck, I agree with some of your thoughts, but say no to some also. I don't think schollys are an issue at all. UTC had 43 total defensive players listed on last year's roster and Samford had 42. Also, Samford played basically a 3-man front which means we didn't have to have quite as man "bigs" upfront. I think the more important concerns would be how much practice time does the team spend on things like tackling and defensive techniques compared to time spent with the offense? I agree that TOP does have an effect on the defense. I have heard that some DCs have even made the public statement that they would never coach at a school where they ran an Air Raid Offense.

I understand the numbers may look the same, but how many of those kids are walk-on vs scholarship kids? I don't know...

Chattanooga also has 4 long snappers on the roster...but that doesn't mean Rusty is burning a whole bunch of his 63 equivalents on those guys!

3-4 vs 4-3 probably does help on the big boys, but those 4 LBs get just a worn down, maybe not as fast (shoot, may even be faster, because they are covering more ground...I can only speak with first hand knowledge on the more girthy men).

I still go back to my point that under the Air Raid Sammy has averaged -11:00/game TOP over the last 4 (full) seasons while Chattanooga has been around +5:00/game...extrapolate that out over an 11 game season (sure one could look at actual play count...but I ain't got that kinda time) and the Defenders from Sammy have played enough extra time than my Mocs to add up to about 11.5 games over the past 4 seasons. Essentially 5 seasons in 4. You gotta have more bodies on the D to run the Air Raid...and you gotta have scholarship bodies to have a decent defense. Again, I'm not sure How CH allocates schollys, but those guys aren't his baby!!!

And for a defensive minded coach to make a public statement about the Air Raid like that...well, that speaks LOUDLY!

[SU DOG]

Let's just agree to disagree on the scholly issue. I mean I wouldn't expect you to know walk-ons vs scholarship players on the Samford Roster. I do, however, and I can assure you we are not talking about walk-ons with that group. Samford WRs, kickers, and other special team players are a different issue with walk-ons. I have already conceded that the TOP and Air Raid itself has pertinent issues with the defense, so that is 2 of 3 that we agree on.

[Milktruck74]

Let's just agree to disagree on the scholly issue. I mean I wouldn't expect you to know walk-ons vs scholarship players on the Samford Roster. I do, however, and I can assure you we are not talking about walk-ons with that group. Samford WRs, kickers, and other special team players are a different issue with walk-ons. I have already conceded that the TOP and Air Raid itself has pertinent issues with the defense, so that is 2 of 3 that we agree on.

That's fair....I have no idea...just thinking it is something to think about...

[PaladinNation]

You guys got me curious… by my count Furman will have 45 defensive players on the roster when pre-season practice starts.
By the time the second signing period wraps up I'd expect Furman to have around 50 defensive players.

My guess is Furman up to this season had more defensive players on the roster than offensive. Furman has redshirted a lot of players the last two years on defense.
Furman appears to be wanting to add some offensive horsepower this season, eight of the twelve signing early were on offense. Based on offers still out there as well as new offers, Furman wants more; RB, WR, TEs, and OL.

The biggest influx/change for Furman in offensive recruiting is at TE and WR. Furman loses Pline but will have Chappell (6-5 240), Tormey (6-7 221), Ruckh (6-3 235), and Pryor (6-5 210). Furman has offers out to several other TEs, primarily portal guys and they're big fellas 6-5, 6-6, and 6-7.
WR is becoming quite a large pool. Furman brings in another long, track receiver Varnell (6-3) and another twitchy slot-type receiver in Hester (5-10).

Concerning walk-ons Furman has developed some walk-ons in the past that see a lot of PT. Scianna (LB) was a walk on.

[Milktruck74]

In a different era, a friend played OL at UT. HE said he entered the position room and every rookie introduced themselves and stated their position....all 6 of the new guys were TEs. Back in the early 90s (in the days before LTs were getting millions of dollars in signing bonuses for being drafted in the top 10 and nobody wanted to actually play that position) most HS coaches would put their overweight and non-athletic "Big" kids at the C/G/T position, and the "big" kids that were a little more lanky and had athletic ability were put at TE...besides a HS TE in the early 90s was really just a Tackle with an eligible number. Yep, the UT line coach knew in order to get the type of body he wanted, he had to recruit TEs to play tackle.

[FUBeAR]

https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/...ead-coach.aspx (https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/9/cronic-resigns-as-mercer-football-head-coach.aspx)

Cronic Resigns As Mercer Football Head Coach

MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Tuesday evening that Drew Cronic (https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/drew-cronic/2810) has resigned his position as football head coach to assume the offensive coordinator role with the Navy Midshipmen. A national search will begin immediately to identify Cronic's successor at MU

[OrangeAndBlack]

https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/...ead-coach.aspx (https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/9/cronic-resigns-as-mercer-football-head-coach.aspx)

Cronic Resigns As Mercer Football Head Coach

MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Tuesday evening that Drew Cronic (https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/drew-cronic/2810) has resigned his position as football head coach to assume the offensive coordinator role with the Navy Midshipmen. A national search will begin immediately to identify Cronic's successor at MU

Noooooooo! Hate to see it. Let's find a good replacement!

[FUBeAR]

Noooooooo! Hate to see it. Let's find a good replacement!
FUBeAR appreciates the offer, but he’s not considering any Head Coaching opportunities at present.

[FUBeAR]

Hey Chatt, APSU, and/or ETSU peeps …

Gleaned from ETSU AD interview on hiring of Tre Lamb that Will Healy was a finalist for the ETSU HC job.

Met Coach Healy during FUBeAR Jr’s visit to Chatt. Sized him up as young and dumb and full of, um, vigor…but really liked him. The “dumb” part was only cuz he was so young then that it was easy to see that he just didn’t know yet how much he didn’t know yet. He was prolly 26 at the time.

He had a stellar year at APSU after executing a MAJOR turnaround there. They were the worst-coached college Team FUBeAR had ever seen only a few years prior. And Healy did some good things early at CLT…but then crashed hard and burned in a blaze of inglory.

So … what y’all think? Should Mercer talk to Healy about the HC job or nah?

[FUBeAR]

Someone suggested that Mercer should go back to the same well in Hickory…

This Coach has built an impressive record of results!!

https://lrbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-jacobs/782

Career HC Totals (all D2): 74-17 (.813) / 59-10, 4 NCAA Playoff appearances - 2 Semifinals at 2 different schools.

[Milktruck74]

Hey Chatt, APSU, and/or ETSU peeps …

Gleaned from ETSU AD interview on hiring of Tre Lamb that Will Healy was a finalist for the ETSU HC job.

Met Coach Healy during FUBeAR Jr’s visit to Chatt. Sized him up as young and dumb and full of, um, vigor…but really liked him. The “dumb” part was only cuz he was so young then that it was easy to see that he just didn’t know yet how much he didn’t know yet. He was prolly 26 at the time.

He had a stellar year at APSU after executing a MAJOR turnaround there. They were the worst-coached college Team FUBeAR had ever seen only a few years prior. And Healy did some good things early at CLT…but then crashed hard and burned in a blaze of inglory.

So … what y’all think? Should Mercer talk to Healy about the HC job or nah?

Will is a good one, but I highly doubt he has interest in coaching at the FCS level right now. I know his position at UCF is basically a place holder, but he is still a pretty hot commodity and I would expect to see him land as an OC at a solid G5 school...

[FUBeAR]

Will is a good one, but I highly doubt he has interest in coaching at the FCS level right now. I know his position at UCF is basically a place holder, but he is still a pretty hot commodity and I would expect to see him land as an OC at a solid G5 school...
So … you’re calling ETSU’s AD a liar?

Not disputing that; just clarifying.

[Mocs123]

Hey Chatt, APSU, and/or ETSU peeps …

Gleaned from ETSU AD interview on hiring of Tre Lamb that Will Healy was a finalist for the ETSU HC job.

Met Coach Healy during FUBeAR Jr’s visit to Chatt. Sized him up as young and dumb and full of, um, vigor…but really liked him. The “dumb” part was only cuz he was so young then that it was easy to see that he just didn’t know yet how much he didn’t know yet. He was prolly 26 at the time.

He had a stellar year at APSU after executing a MAJOR turnaround there. They were the worst-coached college Team FUBeAR had ever seen only a few years prior. And Healy did some good things early at CLT…but then crashed hard and burned in a blaze of inglory.

So … what y’all think? Should Mercer talk to Healy about the HC job or nah?

In my opinion, Healy would be a great HC at Mercer if he was interested, but due to that fact, Mercer should not talk to Healy about the HC job. Similar to what Milktruck said, I am under the impression that Will would not be interested in FCS HC jobs at this time, but Mercer may be able to throw enough money his way to change his mind.

[FUBeAR]

In my opinion, Healy would be a great HC at Mercer if he was interested, but due to that fact, Mercer should not talk to Healy about the HC job. Similar to what Milktruck said, I am under the impression that Will would not be interested in FCS HC jobs at this time, but Mercer may be able to throw enough money his way to change his mind.
So 2 votes that ETSU’s AD is a liar…

https://podcastaddict.com/jay-keith/episode/167879267 (4:18 - 4:43)

[Mocs123]

Perhaps I'm ill informed, or perhaps Will is putting off that vibe because he wants an FBS OC job rather than an FCS HC but would take either, I really don't know. I hesitate to call anyone a liar because if Will really was a finalist for the ETSU HC job, the AD would know better than I would - of course he is a Buc so he's untrustworthy already.

Will was Huesman's top recruiter and responsible for a lot of the talent brought in under his tenure at Chattanooga. When he was hired at Austin Peay, I honestly didn't think he was ready for a HC job - having only ben an FCS WR coach/Recruiting Coordinator prior, but the turnaround he orchestrated for the Govs was nothing short of remarkable. He took the money Charlotte threw at him, but that was a tough job, and I'm not sure you could win there. Back before he left Chattanooga, I had hoped he'd become our OC and then take over for Russ Huesman when he retired (whom I thought would be at Chattanooga for the next ten years - obviously I was WAY wrong).

Tre Lamb was a good hire for ETSU (I hate to say that) and I thought Cronic was a heck of a coach. I think Will would be a good get too, but I'm hoping Mercer goes after a particular FCS TE coach that has SoCon HC experience myself.

[FUBeAR]

Perhaps I'm ill informed, or perhaps Will is putting off that vibe because he wants an FBS OC job rather than an FCS HC but would take either, I really don't know. I hesitate to call anyone a liar because if Will really was a finalist for the ETSU HC job, the AD would know better than I would - of course he is a Buc so he's untrustworthy already.

Did you listen to the podcast excerpt?

He’s obviously describing Healy’s recent ‘resume’ and clearly says he interviewed for the position, along with Lamb and he describes Chris Beatty’s ‘resume’ - https://www.chargers.com/team/coaches-roster/chris-beatty#:~:text=Chris%20Beatty%20enters%20his%20thi rd,512%20receptions%20over%20that%20span. - just before he went into Healy’s.

FUBeAR does not think he’s lying - too many specifics that sound like he read in a Search Firm’s ‘candidate capsule.’

So… once we get past that …

FUBeAR is really curious as to why ‘we’ think Healy crashed & burned so ugly after a nice start at Charlotte.



And FUBeAR doesn’t think Mercer will pursue George Quarles this go-round, but FU’s…

OC - Justin Roper - Georgia native - up & coming star with broad experience & solid results

DC - Duane Vaughn - Already a rising star; maybe just a pure star - ready for HC after years at Vandy & FU

STC - Tommy Spangler - former PC HC - FBS DC - ready for another HC shot?…


…could all be on the initial list for outreach.

[Milktruck74]

I don't know Will other than to say hi in a brief passing...however, I know several people that do know him very well. Those are the folks I am getting my info from. Things change quickly, but in the past I was told he was not interested in the FCS level at this point. As for his quick crash at CLT...I think that is a tough place to win. It is a new program without any history and while there are plenty of talented recruits in the area, there are plenty of other schools close by that are vying for that talent. Not that he didn't have the ability to branch out past the CLT metro...but there are a bunch of programs right there in the backyard....and no kid from NC or SC grows up wanting to play for THOSE 49ers!!!

[walliver]

Josh Conklin is available.

As for the Wofford AD “pause”: apparently the President wants to hire an old friend, the departing AD wants to promote from within, and others want new blood.

After two coaching disasters in the two big sports, I prefer fresh blood (but I don’t donate enough money to matter).

[Milktruck74]

This is just a rumor....but...Rumor has it that FooBear is lining up his staff at Mercer and the announcement will be made soon. His first call was obviously George Quarles, but after that he reached out to Lil' Nicky Saben to take the DFO position with the chance of an on-field position in a few years if it all works out!

[FUBeAR]

This is just a rumor....but...Rumor has it that FooBear is lining up his staff at Mercer and the announcement will be made soon. His first call was obviously George Quarles, but after that he reached out to Lil' Nicky Saben to take the DFO position with the chance of an on-field position in a few years if it all works out!

FUBeAR appreciates the offer, but he’s not considering any Head Coaching opportunities at present.
Hey - Chatt OC Pizzo has some Maconga experience. Think his hat will be in the ring?

[Milktruck74]

Well, it is just a rumor, but EVERYONE says that they aren't interested right up until the announcement is made....and Saben resigning yesterday added plenty of smoke to this possible fire...just saying


Hey - Chatt OC Pizzo has some Maconga experience. Think his hat will be in the ring?

As far as this goes, I know PLENTY of Moc Fans that would be elated if this happens.

I like Joe, I think he is solid, but many of the fans think he is too conservative and doesn't have a strategic approach to his play calling. Of Course, there is also some speculation as to how much of that vanilla calling is on Joe and how much of it is Rusty... I think some new blood in the OC slot would do well at Chattanooga, but I also think it is hard to toss out a known commodity...Rusty is very loyal, so I can't see him making a move to replace JP, but if he left on his own, it would force his hand...and maybe that would be the spark that the Mocs need to find the next level????

[Mocs123]

Hey - Chatt OC Pizzo has some Maconga experience. Think his hat will be in the ring?

Would Pizzo be interested in the Mercer HC job? I'd have to assume so - the Mercer job is a pretty good FCS HC gig - good recruiting location, good conference, nice facilities, and perhaps most importantly an administration that wants to win. The question would be is would Mercer be interested in Pizzo? Nothing against Joe, and he might do really well there if given the opportunity, but I assume the Bears will go for a higher profile hire.

That being said I remember another Mocs OC, Jason Simpson, that got hired at Martin who has done a pretty good job. I mean he's not catching the world on fire, but have you ever been to Martin? He's doing pretty well considering.

[FUBeAR]

Would Pizzo be interested in the Mercer HC job? I'd have to assume so - the Mercer job is a pretty good FCS HC gig - good recruiting location, good conference, nice facilities, and perhaps most importantly an administration that wants to win. The question would be is would Mercer be interested in Pizzo? Nothing against Joe, and he might do really well there if given the opportunity, but I assume the Bears will go for a higher profile hire.

That being said I remember another Mocs OC, Jason Simpson, that got hired at Martin who has done a pretty good job. I mean he's not catching the world on fire, but have you ever been to Martin? He's doing pretty well considering.
Hmmm....gonna add this Simpson fella to our list. Thanks!

[FUBeAR]

Well, it is just a rumor, but EVERYONE says that they aren't interested right up until the announcement is made....and Saben resigning yesterday added plenty of smoke to this possible fire...just saying



As far as this goes, I know PLENTY of Moc Fans that would be elated if this happens.

I like Joe, I think he is solid, but many of the fans think he is too conservative and doesn't have a strategic approach to his play calling. Of Course, there is also some speculation as to how much of that vanilla calling is on Joe and how much of it is Rusty... I think some new blood in the OC slot would do well at Chattanooga, but I also think it is hard to toss out a known commodity...Rusty is very loyal, so I can't see him making a move to replace JP, but if he left on his own, it would force his hand...and maybe that would be the spark that the Mocs need to find the next level????If you are able to offer FUBeAR the Alabama job, he will admit, he would be willing to consider that one.

And...it seems that you are saying...maybe...that Pizzo could be Mercer's Quarles...so to speak....not FUBeAR's opinion...just noting that your framing of a potential Pizzo from Chatt OC to Mercer HC seems to be similar to how FUBeAR has heard others framing the Quarles from FU OC to ETSU HC move.

[Catamount87]

.....They were the worst-coached college Team FUBeAR had ever seen ...

You clearly have never seen a team that dennis wagner coached. He went 8-36 at WCU with the real low point being a 54-30 home loss to D-2 Tusculum. He was so bad that he couldn't coach a drunk how to fall out of a boat and hit water. 2008-2011 them were some dark, dark, dark days in Cullowhee.

[caribbeanhen]

https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/...ead-coach.aspx (https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/9/cronic-resigns-as-mercer-football-head-coach.aspx)

Cronic Resigns As Mercer Football Head Coach

MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Tuesday evening that Drew Cronic (https://mercerbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/drew-cronic/2810) has resigned his position as football head coach to assume the offensive coordinator role with the Navy Midshipmen. A national search will begin immediately to identify Cronic's successor at MU

was this a surprise?

[BearDownMU]

was this a surprise?

Very much so.

[Milktruck74]

Hey - Chatt OC Pizzo has some Maconga experience. Think his hat will be in the ring?


If you are able to offer FUBeAR the Alabama job, he will admit, he would be willing to consider that one.

And...it seems that you are saying...maybe...that Pizzo could be Mercer's Quarles...so to speak....not FUBeAR's opinion...just noting that your framing of a potential Pizzo from Chatt OC to Mercer HC seems to be similar to how FUBeAR has heard others framing the Quarles from FU OC to ETSU HC move.

Far from it. I think Joe is a good OC. I think he would be a good HC....not great, but solid. Joe has had 35 years to cultivate his coaching tree. HE would be a good HC, because he has the ability to bring some good assistants with him.

I think the GQ hire at ETSU was somebody reading Hugh Freeze Story and thinking GQ was going to be the same thing...except with a ton more HS time. I also think ETSU felt they would OWN the state of TN (FCS level recruiting wise) with all his state contacts...and maybe they did. Maybe they got every TN kid they wanted...but there is not enough talent in TN to field a proper FCS team. You must have outside connections.

[FUBeAR]

RIP Coach. Never played for him, but he recruited FUBeAR to Furman. Forever grateful to him. He was a 1st class gentleman.
https://twitter.com/paladinfootball/status/1746632875376570747
Every Head Football Coach at Furman (Sheridan (‘78-‘85), Satterfield (‘86-‘93, Johnson (‘94-‘01), Lamb (‘02-‘10), Fowler (‘11-‘16), Hendrix (‘17-Present)), since Coach Baker arrived in 1973, has been part of Art Baker’s Coaching Tree
https://twitter.com/scfootballhof/status/1746596553039491305

.

[KPSUL]

So what's the deal with Carter Peevy, Mercer QB, tranferring to Maine?

https://www.wabi.tv/2024/01/14/mercers-carter-peevy-announces-commitment-university-maine/

[kdinva]

Rest in Peace, Coach Baker....


RIP Coach. Never played for him, but he recruited FUBeAR to Furman. Forever grateful to him. He was a 1st class gentleman.
https://twitter.com/paladinfootball/status/1746632875376570747
Every Head Football Coach at Furman (Sheridan (‘78-‘85), Satterfield (‘86-‘93, Johnson (‘94-‘01), Lamb (‘02-‘10), Fowler (‘11-‘16), Hendrix (‘17-Present)), since Coach Baker arrived in 1973, has been part of Art Baker’s Coaching Tree
https://twitter.com/scfootballhof/status/1746596553039491305

.

[caribbeanhen]

Very much so.

and the QB transferring to Maine… seems weird

[mainejeff]

and the QB transferring to Maine… seems weird

So does Delaware joining Conference USA.....yet here we are.

[caribbeanhen]

So does Delaware joining Conference USA.....yet here we are.


Haha you know very well it’s not that weird

[ElonFirefighter]

So does Delaware joining Conference USA.....yet here we are.

Not that weird look at their alumni... They heard they had good ice cream

[caribbeanhen]

Not that weird look at their alumni... They heard they had good ice cream

I’m not an alumni and not all Delaware fans like ice cream …

[mainejeff]

Some of these SoCon fans on here must have some inside info on W&M & Elon to the SoCon + Richmond football too. Any new tidbits to report?

[Milktruck74]

SOCON PORTAL NUMBERS

This may not be entirely accurate, but based on what I have found (as of 1/17), these are the outs and ins in the SoCon. I realize that the level they are from or going to doesn't always correlate to talent level, but I'm not going to sit and evaluate all 63 dudes on this list...I figure if they are going to FBS school that should be considered a team loss. I added my $0.02 also.



CHATTANOOGA
IN - 3 FCS, 2 G5
OUT - 3 FCS, 1 G5
5 in/4 out, roughly the same talent level...call it a PUSH!

FURMAN
IN - 2 P5 (GT/Vandy)
OUT - 0 so far
Once Huff officially lands somewhere, this'll change...but 2 FBS guys in and "no losses" Furple is WINNING

ETSU
IN - 23 FCS (20 from GWU), 3 G5
OUT - 0 so far
26 in and none out...ETSU talent just got a serious bump. WINNING

MERCER
IN - 1 FCS, 2 G5
OUT - 1 FCS
3 in and 1 out...Mercer is WINNING

SAMMY
IN - 3 FCS, 4 G5, 2 P5 (Ole Miss/FSU)
OUT - 1 FCS, 2 G5
9 in and 3 out, more talent coming in...Sammy WINNING

WCU
IN - 1 FCS
OUT - 3 G5
Trading 3 FBS talent for 1 FCS talent...The Cats are LOSING the portal challenge.

WOFFY
IN - 3 G5
OUT - 1 P5 (Tennessee)
3 G5 in and 1 P5 out may be a push, but losing your 2nd leading tackler...that's a PUSH...but a very poor push! Unless one of the ins is a STUD LB.

VMI
IN - 0
OUT - 1 FCS
Maybe you look at a single loss and say it's a push, but As long as there is a portal, VMI is going to be a LOSER in the portal game.

CITADEL
IN - 1 G5 QB
OUT - 0
Picking up a G5 QB could be big for the Beach Dogs, but again...the Portal is TOUGH on the Military schools....based on numbers alone...CIT is WINNING.

[FUBeAR]

SOCON PORTAL NUMBERS

FURMAN
IN - 2 P5 (GT/Vandy)
OUT - 0 so far
Once Huff officially lands somewhere, this'll change...but 2 FBS guys in and "no losses" Furple is WINNING


https://youtu.be/ySXiTknN-g0?feature=shared

DL Jack Barton OUT to GT
LS Julian Ashby OUT to Vandy
...and add a G5 OUT to Tulane (CB Micah Robinson)


Also - WCU -

"WCU
IN - 1 FCS
OUT - 3 G5"

Pitt is still in ACC...right? ACC is still P5...right?

[Mocs123]

Some of these SoCon fans on here must have some inside info on W&M & Elon to the SoCon + Richmond football too. Any new tidbits to report? - Certainly nothing but rumors and conjecture from message boards. The SoCon expansion seems to have gone quiet so I'm assuming nothing is happening. Since you came on here and asked, what have you heard?

[caribbeanhen]

Vinnie Barbarino say what? 20 from Gardner Webb?



ETSU
IN - 23 FCS (20 from GWU), 3 G5
OUT - 0 so far
26 in and none out...ETSU talent just got a serious bump. WINNING

[Milktruck74]

https://youtu.be/ySXiTknN-g0?feature=shared

DL Jack Barton OUT to GT
LS Julian Ashby OUT to Vandy
...and add a G5 OUT to Tulane (CB Micah Robinson)


Also - WCU -

"WCU
IN - 1 FCS
OUT - 3 G5"

Pitt is still in ACC...right? ACC is still P5...right?

When my 8th grade math teacher (Mrs. Martin) would wheel in the TV on the Friday of the ACC tourney..., FSU wasn't even part of the ACC.....so...Pitt...nah.....they are still part of the Big East, Right?

[caribbeanhen]

FSU part of the ACC?

I thought Brook Steppe and Georgia Tech was the latest addition

The ACC consist of hoops 7 teams
Maryland and Lefty and Brian Magid
UNC and 4 corners
NC St with Skywalker, Tommy B and Monty Towel
Clemson and Tree Rollins
Wake Forest and Skippy Brown
Duke and Giminski and Spanarkle
Virginia and wonderful Wally Walker

[Milktruck74]

FSU part of the ACC?

I thought Brook Steppe and Georgia Tech was the latest addition

The ACC consist of hoops 7 teams
Maryland and Lefty and Brian Magid
UNC and 4 corners
NC St with Skywalker, Tommy B and Monty Towel
Clemson and Tree Rollins
Wake Forest and Skippy Brown
Duke and Giminski and Spanarkle
Virginia and wonderful Wally Walker

So what color did you wear to school on that Friday of the tourny?

[caribbeanhen]

So what color did you wear to school on that Friday of the tourny?

Red and white

The Terps

[FUBeAR]

Red and white

The Terps
Or...

https://garden.spoonflower.com/c/2330040/p/f/m/g1gUr81Fy8PghLo-s15NM2KiEfhciE_GB7himjg9YiIptrbUdQ8/Maryland%20Flags.jpg

...and no NC State Fans (or otherwise) called David Thompson "Skywalker" during his days with the Wolfpack. He was simply "DT." The "Skywalker" thing came about when he was in the NBA, after Star Wars came out in '77.

[caribbeanhen]

Or...

https://garden.spoonflower.com/c/2330040/p/f/m/g1gUr81Fy8PghLo-s15NM2KiEfhciE_GB7himjg9YiIptrbUdQ8/Maryland%20Flags.jpg

...and no NC State Fans (or otherwise) called David Thompson "Skywalker" during his days with the Wolfpack. He was simply "DT." The "Skywalker" thing came about when he was in the NBA, after Star Wars came out in '77.

When did I say I was a North Carolina State fan….

have you ever heard of Brian Magid? I might be the only person left alive in Nineteen hundred and eighty five that remembers him.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer goes back to the same ‘well’…hiring Lenoir-Rhyne’s Head Coach for the 2nd time in a row.

No Furman ties this time though.

Looks like an outstanding hire!

https://mercerbears.com/news/2024/1/18/mercer-announces-mike-jacobs-as-football-head-coach

Mercer Announces Mike Jacobs As Football Head Coach

MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Thursday morning that 21-year collegiate coaching veteran Mike Jacobs has been named as the football program's 21st head coach.

Jacobs, who has compiled a 74-17 (.813) record across head coaching stops at both Notre Dame (Ohio) and Lenoir-Rhyne, boasts the nation's sixth-best winning percentage among active coaches at the NCAA Divisions I and II levels. He is fresh off of a 2023 campaign that saw him lead Lenoir-Rhyne to a 13-2 clip that was accentuated with an appearance in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

[FUBeAR]

When did I say I was a North Carolina State fan….

have you ever heard of Brian Magid? I might be the only person left alive in Nineteen hundred and eighty five that remembers him.
You’re covered under the “otherwise” component. True Wolfpack and David Thompson fans choose to remember EVERYTHING about his college days and very little about his professional career. The “Skywalker” thing was post-NCSU and has become more common. Yeah, he used it as the title of his autobiography, but all it does for FUBeAR is remind him that one of the Gods of his childhood was actually human. He’ll always be “DT” to FUBeAR … who attended summer hoops camps at NCSU during those years and got to play in some “pick-up games” with DT, Towe, Burleson, etc. at those camps. Not really games … just them messing / horsing around with some halfcourt stuff with middle school kids, really..but it was still THRILLING!

Brian Magid … sure FUBeAR remembers him … some random guy on the MD roster between the years of GREATNESS of Tom McMillan, Len Elmore, and John Lucas (Durham, NC) and the years of Albert King and Buck Williams (Rocky Mount, NC)…and then Len Bias. Magid is really your Terps call-out guy for those years? … jeez.

[Mocs123]

Not a flashy hire, but probably a good hire.

[FUBeAR]

Not a flashy hire, but probably a good hire.
74-17 (.813)

…flashy enuf for FUBeAR

Also…





Year
Standing
Bowl/playoffs


2018 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_NCAA_Division_II_football_season)
1st
NCAA Division II Seminfinal (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_II_Football_Championship)


2019 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_NCAA_Division_II_football_season)
1st
NCAA Division II Quarterfinal (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_II_Football_Championship)


2020–21 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NCAA_Division_II_football_season)
1st
No Playoffs


2021 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_NCAA_Division_II_football_season)
T–2nd
NCAA Division II First Round (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_II_Football_Championship)


2023 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_NCAA_Division_II_football_season)
1st
NCAA Division II Semifinal (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_II_Football_Championship)



…yep … that’ll do.

[caribbeanhen]

You’re covered under the “otherwise” component. True Wolfpack and David Thompson fans choose to remember EVERYTHING about his college days and very little about his professional career. The “Skywalker” thing was post-NCSU and has become more common. Yeah, he used it as the title of his autobiography, but all it does for FUBeAR is remind him that one of the Gods of his childhood was actually human. He’ll always be “DT” to FUBeAR … who attended summer hoops camps at NCSU during those years and got to play in some “pick-up games” with DT, Towe, Burleson, etc. at those camps. Not really games … just them messing / horsing around with some halfcourt stuff with middle school kids, really..but it was still THRILLING!

Brian Magid … sure FUBeAR remembers him … some random guy on the MD roster between the years of GREATNESS of Tom McMillan, Len Elmore, and John Lucas (Durham, NC) and the years of Albert King and Buck Williams (Rocky Mount, NC)…and then Len Bias. Magid is really your Terps call-out guy for those years? … jeez.

FuBeaR don’t know Brian Magid

He was a freak that barely played for Lefty, but his legend as the best outside shooter of that era and possibly of all time is why he will never be forgotten. Not an athletic type but a fan favorite. Transferred to GW and started.

Phil Ford is the player I remember being from Rocky Mount, NC

Best Captain I ever had was a NC State alumn …. Tunstall and he loved me for my awareness of Wolfpack hoops

[Mocs123]

Year
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Bowl/playoffs


John Carroll Blue Streaks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carroll_Blue_Streaks_football) (Ohio Athletic Conference (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_Athletic_Conference)) (2013–2016)


2013 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
9–2
8–1
2nd
L NCAA Division III First Round (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_III_Football_Championship)


2014 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
11–2
8–1
2nd
L NCAA Division III Quarterfinal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_III_Football_Championship)


2015 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
8–2
7–2
T–2nd



2016 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
12–2
9–0
1st
L NCAA Division III Semifinal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_III_Football_Championship)


John Carroll:
40–8
32–4




This was pretty good too, but didn't turn out that well for the Mocs. Now I realize DII isn't D3 and LR coaches have had success, but just to give you a bit of pause.

[FUBeAR]

FuBeaR don’t know Brian Magid

He was a freak that barely played for Lefty, but his legend as the best outside shooter of that era and possibly of all time is why he will never be forgotten. Not an athletic type but a fan favorite. Transferred to GW and started.

Phil Ford is the player I remember being from Rocky Mount, NC

Best Captain I ever had was a NC State alumn …. Tunstall and he loved me for my awareness of Wolfpack hoops
The Rocky Mount Gryphons were a powerhouse … won the state with Williams; not with Ford … and … you’ve ‘advantaged’ (o’er the years) your memory of Brian Magid…

Per Game


Season
School
Class
G
GS
FG
FGA
FG%
PTS


75-76 (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/1976.html)
Maryland (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/maryland/men/1976.html)
FR
21
0
1.4
2.2
.630
3.2


76-77 (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/1977.html)
Maryland (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/maryland/men/1977.html)
SO
25
1
1.6
3.3
.482
4.0



Going 1 for 2 and 1 for 3 on the average per game … before the 3 point line was in play is not really something to memorialize. Duck Hodges was a fan favorite with the Steelers, but Bradshaw and Big Ben … and even Jefferson Street Joe Gilliam are much, much more memorable.

[FUBeAR]

Year
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Bowl/playoffs


John Carroll Blue Streaks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carroll_Blue_Streaks_football) (Ohio Athletic Conference (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_Athletic_Conference)) (2013–2016)


2013 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
9–2
8–1
2nd
L NCAA Division III First Round (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_III_Football_Championship)


2014 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
11–2
8–1
2nd
L NCAA Division III Quarterfinal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_III_Football_Championship)


2015 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
8–2
7–2
T–2nd



2016 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NCAA_Division_III_football_season)
John Carroll
12–2
9–0
1st
L NCAA Division III Semifinal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_III_Football_Championship)


John Carroll:
40–8
32–4


This was pretty good too, but didn't turn out that well for the Mocs. Now I realize DII isn't D3 and LR coaches have had success, but just to give you a bit of pause.
With the exception of the PFL, D3 Football is quite unlike FCS from a Coaching perspective. Recruiting is a completely different ‘sport’ in D3 (and the PFL) from what it is in FCS and D2.

D2 Football is very much like FCS Football with 36 scholarship equivalents instead of 63.

FUBeAR has no “pause.”

Mike Jacobs has an extensive track record of success as a Head Coach at a comparable level of College Football at multiple, reasonably similar, institutions and was hired in a thorough interview process that included numerous truly outstanding Championship-winning candidates, that…according to sources “he blew them all away.”

Tom Arth was hired at Chattanooga because he used to hand a cup of water to Peyton Manning when he came off the field.

[caribbeanhen]

The Rocky Mount Gryphons were a powerhouse … won the state with Williams; not with Ford … and … you’ve ‘advantaged’ (o’er the years) your memory of Brian Magid…

Per Game


Season
School
Class
G
GS
FG
FGA
FG%
PTS


75-76 (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/1976.html)
Maryland (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/maryland/men/1976.html)
FR
21
0
1.4
2.2
.630
3.2


76-77 (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/1977.html)
Maryland (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/maryland/men/1977.html)
SO
25
1
1.6
3.3
.482
4.0



Going 1 for 2 and 1 for 3 on the average per game … before the 3 point line was in play is not really something to memorialize. Duck Hodges was a fan favorite with the Steelers, but Bradshaw and Big Ben … and even Jefferson Street Joe Gilliam are much, much more memorable.

See Brian Magid thread

[FUBeAR]

See Brian Magid thread
https://i.gifer.com/fetch/w300-preview/37/3779fcd74d85f0670c81f68b708dbd94.gif

[caribbeanhen]

https://i.gifer.com/fetch/w300-preview/37/3779fcd74d85f0670c81f68b708dbd94.gif


look look

I have so many unfocused memories on Brian Magid, but in a nutshell, he was a legendary outside shooter (before the 3) that played at Maryland in the mid-70s for Lefty Driesell, but wasn’t really athletic enough to get on the court for any serious PT. He kind of took on a pop icon status amongst ACC fans. He transferred to Georgetown and started and actually got drafted by the Pacers.

If anyone could teach these young guys how to shoot, it would be him.

I have more http://www.gohens.net/boards/download/file.php?id=1205

[Mocs123]

Mike Jacobs has an extensive track record of success as a Head Coach at a comparable level of College Football at multiple, reasonably similar, institutions and was hired in a thorough interview process that included numerous truly outstanding Championship-winning candidates, that…according to sources “he blew them all away.”

Tom Arth was hired at Chattanooga because he used to hand a cup of water to Peyton Manning when he came off the field.

I'm sure Tom Arth also carried the clipboard too, it wasn't all the water.

Not to suggest Jacobs will be another Arth (I'm not), but I remember hearing how Arth "blew them all away" in his interview too. He got the job over Jamey Chadwell (then at CSU, later at CCU) and Rusty Wright, who currently has the job. The rumor mill was the job was Jamey's until Arth smashed the interview. I'm just glad he "blew them all away" at his Akron interview a few years later.

[Sir William]

I've got a nephew who played for Jacobs at Lenoir-Rhyne. Says nothing but good things about him. Kept the train rolling at LR after Cronic left, and I suppose Mercer is hoping he'll do the same in Macon.

[FUBeAR]

I'm sure Tom Arth also carried the clipboard too, it wasn't all the water.

Not to suggest Jacobs will be another Arth (I'm not), but I remember hearing how Arth "blew them all away" in his interview too. He got the job over Jamey Chadwell (then at CSU, later at CCU) and Rusty Wright, who currently has the job. The rumor mill was the job was Jamey's until Peyton Manning told David Blackburn who to hire if he wanted to have any chance of getting the UT Knoxville AD job. I'm just glad he "blew them all away" at his Akron interview a few years later.
FYP

[Mocs123]

FYP

The sad part is there may be some truth to that. I know there was a rumor in 2016 when we were playing in what amounted to be the SoCon Championship game he was in Knoxville instead of Chattanooga. I'm not 100% sure that was true, but by that time it was obvious what his goal was.

[FUBeAR]

https://twitter.com/mercerfootball/status/1748038818408607940

[caribbeanhen]

The Rocky Mount Gryphons were a powerhouse … won the state with Williams; not with Ford … and … you’ve ‘advantaged’ (o’er the years) your memory of Brian Magid…

Per Game


Season
School
Class
G
GS
FG
FGA
FG%
PTS


75-76 (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/1976.html)
Maryland (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/maryland/men/1976.html)
FR
21
0
1.4
2.2
.630
3.2


76-77 (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/seasons/men/1977.html)
Maryland (https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/maryland/men/1977.html)
SO
25
1
1.6
3.3
.482
4.0



Going 1 for 2 and 1 for 3 on the average per game … before the 3 point line was in play is not really something to memorialize. Duck Hodges was a fan favorite with the Steelers, but Bradshaw and Big Ben … and even Jefferson Street Joe Gilliam are much, much more memorable.

Wrong! Just like his dummy coach Lefty was … who kept him on bench until final 3 of a game vs Wake and sheepishly puts him in to bail his old dumb azz out …. Why I despise coaches to this day, but hey ole Lefty ignited his legend

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/01/12/magid-greeting-shoot/fdd92e6e-ba95-433f-a888-99e8ca83df6a/

[FUBeAR]

Wrong! Just like his dummy coach Lefty was … who kept him on bench until final 3 of a game vs Wake and sheepishly puts him in to bail his old dumb azz out …. Why I despise coaches to this day, but hey ole Lefty ignited his legend

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/01/12/magid-greeting-shoot/fdd92e6e-ba95-433f-a888-99e8ca83df6a/
https://media.tenor.com/sPGE00PcxlYAAAAi/nobody-cares-text.gif

[caribbeanhen]

https://media.tenor.com/sPGE00PcxlYAAAAi/nobody-cares-text.gif


MYHRE (https://fiduciaryfactor.com/author/dmyhre943aol-com/)
https://fiduciaryfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rhettbutler.jpg (https://fiduciaryfactor.com/frankly-my-dear-i-dont-give-a-damn/)“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn“

[FUBeAR]

MYHRE (https://fiduciaryfactor.com/author/dmyhre943aol-com/)
https://fiduciaryfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rhettbutler.jpg (https://fiduciaryfactor.com/frankly-my-dear-i-dont-give-a-damn/)“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn“

Exactly

[FUBeAR]

Just something to make SU Dog’s day…

https://twitter.com/statsbylopez/status/1749868662142521608

[Sandlapper Spike]

I didn't want to clutter up the 2024 schedules thread with unofficial stuff, but as best as I can tell, I think the Furman-WCU-VMI-Samford slates will include these dates (these could be wrong, to be sure):

Furman -- Samford on September 28, The Citadel on October 5, Western Carolina on October 19, off on October 26, VMI on November 2

WCU -- The Citadel on October 12, Furman on October 19, Samford on November 23, VMI on either September 28 or November 16 (I'm guessing the latter);whichever date it is, the other is the off week

VMI -- Samford on October 5, The Citadel on October 19, Furman on November 2, WCU on either September 28 or November 16 (the other date being the off week)

Samford -- off on September 21, Furman on September 28, VMI on October 5, WCU on November 23

--

Apologies in advance if some or all of that turns out to be wrong.

[BearDownMU]

Excited about this...

https://twitter.com/MercerFootball/status/1750569639875055755

[FUBeAR]

Excited about this...

https://twitter.com/MercerFootball/status/1750569639875055755
Elevated end zone view to watch/analyze OLine play, but still close to the action…AND rapid access to FREE beer.

Doesn’t get any better than that for FUBeAR!

[SU DOG]

Just something to make SU Dog’s day…

https://twitter.com/statsbylopez/status/1749868662142521608


Thanks FUB, I needed that.

[caribbeanhen]

Thanks FUB, I needed that.

Marlin Perkins should be narrating that play

[FUBeAR]

Hey … maybe Mercer can help their good friends at The Citadel analyze the rest of their buildings …


https://den.mercer.edu/mercer-researchers-develop-new-method-to-identify-and-measure-lead-in-paint/

Mercer researchers develop faster, cheaper method to identify lead in paint

The Mercer team’s newly developed method uses a relatively inexpensive device called a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer, or pXRF, to offer fast and more economically viable measurements of lead in new paint, Dr. Seney said.
It works by standardizing the pXRF data against a more precise technique, resulting in a relationship to accurately determine concentrations of lead in new paint. This relationship leads to the rapid and quantitative identification of lead without the expense of other protocols required by more conventional methods, she said.


…then they can tear down those buildings and never rebuild them … like they did their stadium.

[SU DOG]

Call me a geek, but I love reading about basic research triumphs (that help mankind) at our SoCon Schools. Mercer University is to be applauded for such an accomplishment. Samford, through our pharmaceutical research, has provided Childrens Hospital in B'ham medication info for their cardiac patients that cut down seven IVs into one dosage. Our Marine Biology Dept. research has helped save coral reef from deteriorating in often polluted ocean waters. There are many other examples that I could cite. I am positive that more of our schools can claim similar research accomplishments though in many different areas. I realize that this forum isn't the place for this discussion and remove my reply if necessary. I have watched many many SEC games on TV, however, and seen research info ads touting their school's accomplishments. Made me think of the fact that our own SoCon folks have made many beneficial research triumphs that seem to go somewhat unnoticed.

[FUBeAR]

Call me a geek
geek

[SU DOG]

geek

Antagonist.

[SU DOG]

In more appropriate discussion it is being reported that Samford has its new Defensive Coordinator. FootballScoop says it is Adam Braithwaite from Tenn Tech and formerly the DC at UTC under Huesman. The guy seems to have an impressive bio, but I hope to hear from some Mocs posters on here for their evaluation. One thing for sure is that he will have his hands full to get a strong defense with Hatcher's offensive orientated team.

[Milktruck74]

Call me a geek, but I love reading about basic research triumphs (that help mankind) at our SoCon Schools. Mercer University is to be applauded for such an accomplishment. Samford, through our pharmaceutical research, has provided Childrens Hospital in B'ham medication info for their cardiac patients that cut down seven IVs into one dosage. Our Marine Biology Dept. research has helped save coral reef from deteriorating in often polluted ocean waters. There are many other examples that I could cite. I am positive that more of our schools can claim similar research accomplishments though in many different areas. I realize that this forum isn't the place for this discussion and remove my reply if necessary. I have watched many many SEC games on TV, however, and seen research info ads touting their school's accomplishments. Made me think of the fact that our own SoCon folks have made many beneficial research triumphs that seem to go somewhat unnoticed.

Chattanooga Alum and Professor Irvine Grote developed the active ingredient in Rolaids...A product that FooBare will utilize in bulk from all the HEARTBURN the Mocs cause all of his SoCon teams this coming season!!!

[FUBeAR]

Chattanooga Alum and Professor Irvine Grote developed the active ingredient in Rolaids...A product that FooBare will utilize in bulk from all the HEARTBURN the Mocs cause all of his SoCon teams this coming season!!!
Wow! Who knew he was a Chattanooga guy?

Always entertaining in his own kooky way.

https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1000w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2017_06/1894141/170207-irwin-corey-rhk-04.jpg

[kdinva]

Okay: still waiting for the Conf. office to fill in the blanks for the five teams who have not formally announced their skeds.....was hoping for today...


I didn't want to clutter up the 2024 schedules thread with unofficial stuff, but as best as I can tell, I think the Furman-WCU-VMI-Samford slates will include these dates (these could be wrong, to be sure):

Furman -- Samford on September 28, The Citadel on October 5, Western Carolina on October 19, off on October 26, VMI on November 2

WCU -- The Citadel on October 12, Furman on October 19, Samford on November 23, VMI on either September 28 or November 16 (I'm guessing the latter);whichever date it is, the other is the off week

VMI -- Samford on October 5, The Citadel on October 19, Furman on November 2, WCU on either September 28 or November 16 (the other date being the off week)

Samford -- off on September 21, Furman on September 28, VMI on October 5, WCU on November 23

--

Apologies in advance if some or all of that turns out to be wrong.

[Mocs123]

In more appropriate discussion it is being reported that Samford has its new Defensive Coordinator. FootballScoop says it is Adam Braithwaite from Tenn Tech and formerly the DC at UTC under Huesman. The guy seems to have an impressive bio, but I hope to hear from some Mocs posters on here for their evaluation. One thing for sure is that he will have his hands full to get a strong defense with Hatcher's offensive orientated team.

If I remember correctly he was our DC for four years - all very good defenses. I'm not sure how much of that defense was Huesman's and how much was Braithwaite's as Huesman was a defensive coordinator prior. We played a 4-3, played a straight up defense - no blitzing, no pre-snap movement, nothing fancy, just focusing on coaching fundamentals, being in the right place, etc.

[Milktruck74]

If I remember correctly he was our DC for four years - all very good defenses. I'm not sure how much of that defense was Huesman's and how much was Braithwaite's as Huesman was a defensive coordinator prior. We played a 4-3, played a straight up defense - no blitzing, no pre-snap movement, nothing fancy, just focusing on coaching fundamentals, being in the right place, etc.

Davis Tull, Issiah Mack, Keinota Davis...Taylor Reynolds...Tae Davis...Dale Warren...Kermit the Frog could have had a heck of a defense with guys like that. HE may be a great DC, but I don't think judging him on his Chattanooga tenure alone would give an accurate picture of his ability.

[SU DOG]

Samford has added Alabama State for a game on Sept 14. This completes the OOC part of the schedule with games at West Georgia (Aug 31) and Florida (Sept 7) and home games vs Tenn Tech (Nov 9) and State.

[Milktruck74]

Rusty Wright gets a contract extension. As the only coach in Mocs history to start with 5 straight winning seasons, I'd say it was well earned!!! Reality is Chattanooga is a program that hasn't had a great tradition of winning, and Rusty is building something!!!! HE loves the school and he is making the program better each and every season!!! I'm glad my friend, my teammate, and my coach is getting recognition and a well deserved extension!!!!

[FUBeAR]

SoCon Schedule - so far. Only game that FUBeAR has determined is 'certain' that has not been announced is WCU @ Samford in Week13 / Nov. 23. That can be derived because Samford has locked in the 4 OOC games AND they have no SoCon Teams with open dates on 9/21 which, then, has to be Samford's BYE week. AND, Samford and WCU are the only 2 Teams available to play one another on 11/23 AND Samford cannot have another BYE in order to play all 8 SoCon Teams.The other "OR's" are just based on the 5 Teams available that haven't announced their schedules and their availability. We can speculate on some games...for example, FUBeAR would bet VMI will be @ WCU in Week12 / Nov. 16 rather than both of those Teams having a BYE in the next to last week of the season, but I don't think we can say this for certain yet...because they could play each other in Week5 or Week8.See any errors? Any others we can definitely 'call?'BY WEEK


Week1
Week2
Week3
Week4
Week5
Week6
Week7
Week8
Week9
Week10
Week11
Week12
Week13


TEAM
TH 29-Aug
31-Aug
7-Sep
14-Sep
21-Sep
28-Sep
5-Oct
12-Oct
19-Oct
26-Oct
2-Nov
9-Nov
16-Nov
23-Nov


Chattanooga

@Tennessee
@ Georgia State
Mercer
BYE
Portland State
@ ETSU
@ Furman
Wofford
VMI
@ WCU
@ The Citadel
Samford
@ Austin Peay


ETSU

@ Appalachian
UVA Wise
NDSU
@ Elon
@ The Citadel
Chattanooga
Samford
BYE
@ Wofford
@Mercer
WCU
Furman
@ VMI


Furman

@ Ole Miss
Charleston Southern
Stetson
@ William & Mary
WCU or@ VMI orSamford orBYE
@ CIT or@ VMI orSamford orBYE
Chattanooga
WCU or@ CIT or@ VMI orBYE
@ CIT orSamford orBYE
@CIT or@VMI orBYE
Wofford
@ ETSU
@ Mercer


Mercer
Presbyterian

@ Bethune-Cookman
@ Chattanooga
The Citadel
@ Wofford
BYE
Princeton
@ Samford
WCU
ETSU
@VMI
@ Alabama
Furman


Samford

@West Georgia
@ Florida
Alabama State
BYE
@Furman orVMI orBYE
@Furman or@ CIT orVMI orBYE
@ ETSU
Mercer
@ Furman or@ CIT orBYE
Wofford
Tennessee Tech
@ Chattanooga
WCU


The Citadel

@ Charleston Southern
SC State
North Greenville
@ Mercer
ETSU
Furman orSamford or@ VMI orBYE
@ WCU orBYE
Furman or@ WCU@ VMI orBYE
Furman orSamford orBYE
Furman or@ VMI orBYE
Chattanooga
@ Wofford
@ Clemson


VMI

@ William & Mary
Bucknell
@ Georgia Tech
Norfolk State
Furman or@ WCU or@ Samford orBYE
Furman orCIT or@ Samford orBYE
@ Wofford
Furman or@WCU orCIT orBYE
@ Chattanooga
Furman orCIT orBYE
Mercer
@ WCU orBYE
ETSU


WCU
@ NC State

Campbell
@ Elon
@ Montana
@ Furman orVMI orBYE
Wofford
CIT orBYE
@ Furman orCIT orVMIBYE
@ Mercer
Chattanooga
@ ETSU
VMI orBYE
@ Samford


Wofford

@ Gardner-Webb
@ Richmond
William & Mary
BYE
Mercer
@ WCU
VMI
@ Chattanooga
ETSU
@ Samford
@ Furman
The Citadel
@ South Carolina


BY TEAM

WK
TEAM
Chattanooga
ETSU
Furman
Mercer
Samford
The Citadel
VMI
WCU
Wofford


1
TH 29-Aug



Presbyterian



@ NC State



1
31-Aug
@Tennessee
@ Appalachian
@ Ole Miss

@West Georgia
@ Charleston Southern
@ William & Mary

@ Gardner-Webb


2
7-Sep
@ Georgia State
UVA Wise
Charleston Southern
@ Bethune-Cookman
@ Florida
SC State
Bucknell
Campbell
@ Richmond


3
14-Sep
Mercer
NDSU
Stetson
@ Chattanooga
Alabama State
North Greenville
@ Georgia Tech
@ Elon
William & Mary


4
21-Sep
BYE
@ Elon
@ William & Mary
The Citadel
BYE
@ Mercer
Norfolk State
@ Montana
BYE


5
28-Sep
Portland State
@ The Citadel
WCU or@ VMI orSamford orBYE
@ Wofford
@Furman orVMI orBYE
ETSU
Furman or@ WCU or@ Samford orBYE
@ Furman orVMI orBYE
Mercer


6
5-Oct
@ ETSU
Chattanooga
@ CIT or@ VMI orSamford orBYE
BYE
@Furman or@ CIT orVMI orBYE
Furman orSamford or@ VMI orBYE
Furman orCIT or@ Samford orBYE
Wofford
@ WCU


7
12-Oct
@ Furman
Samford
Chattanooga
Princeton
@ ETSU
@ WCU orBYE
@ Wofford
CIT orBYE
VMI


8
19-Oct
Wofford
BYE
WCU or@ CIT or@ VMI orBYE
@ Samford
Mercer
Furman or@ WCU@ VMI orBYE
Furman or@WCU orCIT orBYE
@ Furman orCIT orVMIBYE
@ Chattanooga


9
26-Oct
VMI
@ Wofford
@ CIT orSamford orBYE
WCU
@ Furman or@ CIT orBYE
Furman orSamford orBYE
@ Chattanooga
@ Mercer
ETSU


10
2-Nov
@ WCU
@Mercer
@CIT or@VMI orBYE
ETSU
Wofford
Furman or@ VMI orBYE
Furman orCIT orBYE
Chattanooga
@ Samford


11
9-Nov
@ The Citadel
WCU
Wofford
@VMI
Tennessee Tech
Chattanooga
Mercer
@ ETSU
@ Furman


12
16-Nov
Samford
Furman
@ ETSU
@ Alabama
@ Chattanooga
@ Wofford
@ WCU orBYE
VMI orBYE
The Citadel


13
23-Nov
@ Austin Peay
@ VMI
@ Mercer
Furman
WCU
@ Clemson
ETSU
@ Samford
@ South Carolina

[kdinva]

Looks fine, just waiting on folks to pee or get off the pot....


SoCon Schedule - so far. Only game that FUBeAR has determined is 'certain' that has not been announced is WCU @ Samford in Week13 / Nov. 23. That can be derived because Samford has locked in the 4 OOC games AND they have no SoCon Teams with open dates on 9/21 which, then, has to be Samford's BYE week. AND, Samford and WCU are the only 2 Teams available to play one another on 11/23 AND Samford cannot have another BYE in order to play all 8 SoCon Teams.

The other "OR's" are just based on the 5 Teams available that haven't announced their schedules and their availability. We can speculate on some games...for example, FUBeAR would bet VMI will be @ WCU in Week12 / Nov. 16 rather than both of those Teams having a BYE in the next to last week of the season, but I don't think we can say this for certain yet...because they could play each other in Week5 or Week8.

See any errors? Any others we can definitely 'call?'




Week1
Week2
Week3
Week4
Week5
Week6
Week7
Week8
Week9
Week10
Week11
Week12
Week13


TEAM
TH 29-Aug
31-Aug
7-Sep
14-Sep
21-Sep
28-Sep
5-Oct
12-Oct
19-Oct
26-Oct
2-Nov
9-Nov
16-Nov
23-Nov


Chattanooga

@Tennessee
@ Georgia State
Mercer
BYE
Portland State
@ ETSU
@ Furman
Wofford
VMI
@ WCU
@ The Citadel
Samford
@ Austin Peay


ETSU

@ Appalachian
UVA Wise
NDSU
@ Elon
@ The Citadel
Chattanooga
Samford
BYE
@ Wofford
@Mercer
WCU
Furman
@ VMI


Furman

@ Ole Miss
Charleston Southern
Stetson
@ William & Mary
WCU or
@ VMI or
Samford or
BYE
@ CIT or
@ VMI or
Samford or
BYE
Chattanooga
WCU or
@ CIT or
@ VMI or
BYE
@ CIT or
Samford or
BYE
@CIT or
@VMI or
BYE
Wofford
@ ETSU
@ Mercer


Mercer
Presbyterian

@ Bethune-Cookman
@ Chattanooga
The Citadel
@ Wofford
BYE
Princeton
@ Samford
WCU
ETSU
@VMI
@ Alabama
Furman


Samford

@West Georgia
@ Florida
Alabama State
BYE
@Furman or
VMI or
BYE
@Furman or
@ CIT or
VMI or
BYE
@ ETSU
Mercer
@ Furman or
@ CIT or
BYE
Wofford
Tennessee Tech
@ Chattanooga
WCU


The Citadel

@ Charleston Southern
SC State
North Greenville
@ Mercer
ETSU
Furman or
Samford or
@ VMI or
BYE
@ WCU or
BYE
Furman or
@ WCU
@ VMI or
BYE
Furman or
Samford or
BYE
Furman or
@ VMI or
BYE
Chattanooga
@ Wofford
@ Clemson


VMI

@ William & Mary
Bucknell
@ Georgia Tech
Norfolk State
Furman or
@ WCU or
@ Samford or
BYE
Furman or
CIT or
@ Samford or
BYE
@ Wofford
Furman or
@WCU or
CIT or
BYE
@ Chattanooga
Furman or
CIT or
BYE
Mercer
@ WCU or
BYE
ETSU


WCU
@ NC State

Campbell
@ Elon
@ Montana
@ Furman or
VMI or
BYE
Wofford
CIT or
BYE
@ Furman or
CIT or
VMI
BYE
@ Mercer
Chattanooga
@ ETSU
VMI or
BYE
@ Samford


Wofford

@ Gardner-Webb
@ Richmond
William & Mary
BYE
Mercer
@ WCU
VMI
@ Chattanooga
ETSU
@ Samford
@ Furman
The Citadel
@ South Carolina



BY TEAM


WK
TEAM
Chattanooga
ETSU
Furman
Mercer
Samford
The Citadel
VMI
WCU
Wofford


1
TH 29-Aug



Presbyterian



@ NC State



1
31-Aug
@Tennessee
@ Appalachian
@ Ole Miss

@West Georgia
@ Charleston Southern
@ William & Mary

@ Gardner-Webb


2
7-Sep
@ Georgia State
UVA Wise
Charleston Southern
@ Bethune-Cookman
@ Florida
SC State
Bucknell
Campbell
@ Richmond


3
14-Sep
Mercer
NDSU
Stetson
@ Chattanooga
Alabama State
North Greenville
@ Georgia Tech
@ Elon
William & Mary


4
21-Sep
BYE
@ Elon
@ William & Mary
The Citadel
BYE
@ Mercer
Norfolk State
@ Montana
BYE


5
28-Sep
Portland State
@ The Citadel
WCU or
@ VMI or
Samford or
BYE
@ Wofford
@Furman or
VMI or
BYE
ETSU
Furman or
@ WCU or
@ Samford or
BYE
@ Furman or
VMI or
BYE
Mercer


6
5-Oct
@ ETSU
Chattanooga
@ CIT or
@ VMI or
Samford or
BYE
BYE
@Furman or
@ CIT or
VMI or
BYE
Furman or
Samford or
@ VMI or
BYE
Furman or
CIT or
@ Samford or
BYE
Wofford
@ WCU


7
12-Oct
@ Furman
Samford
Chattanooga
Princeton
@ ETSU
@ WCU or
BYE
@ Wofford
CIT or
BYE
VMI


8
19-Oct
Wofford
BYE
WCU or
@ CIT or
@ VMI or
BYE
@ Samford
Mercer
Furman or
@ WCU
@ VMI or
BYE
Furman or
@WCU or
CIT or
BYE
@ Furman or
CIT or
VMI
BYE
@ Chattanooga


9
26-Oct
VMI
@ Wofford
@ CIT or
Samford or
BYE
WCU
@ Furman or
@ CIT or
BYE
Furman or
Samford or
BYE
@ Chattanooga
@ Mercer
ETSU


10
2-Nov
@ WCU
@Mercer
@CIT or
@VMI or
BYE
ETSU
Wofford
Furman or
@ VMI or
BYE
Furman or
CIT or
BYE
Chattanooga
@ Samford


11
9-Nov
@ The Citadel
WCU
Wofford
@VMI
Tennessee Tech
Chattanooga
Mercer
@ ETSU
@ Furman


12
16-Nov
Samford
Furman
@ ETSU
@ Alabama
@ Chattanooga
@ Wofford
@ WCU or
BYE
VMI or
BYE
The Citadel


13
23-Nov
@ Austin Peay
@ VMI
@ Mercer
Furman
WCU
@ Clemson
ETSU
@ Samford
@ South Carolina

[BlackNGoldR3v0lut10n]

I think the GQ hire at ETSU was somebody reading Hugh Freeze Story and thinking GQ was going to be the same thing...except with a ton more HS time. I also think ETSU felt they would OWN the state of TN (FCS level recruiting wise) with all his state contacts...and maybe they did. Maybe they got every TN kid they wanted...but there is not enough talent in TN to field a proper FCS team. You must have outside connections.

I am sorry but Furman Georgie was not fit to wash Hugh Freeze's socks, let alone wear them.

[Milktruck74]

I am sorry but Furman Georgie was not fit to wash Hugh Freeze's socks, let alone wear them.

Agreed. I just think Scotty C wanted to be that way really bad!!!!

[Sandlapper Spike]

The Citadel's schedule is not official, but has been posted on the SoCon website calendar for some reason. If that is good enough for you (it is for me), this is it:

Aug 31 at Charleston Southern
Sept 7 vs SC State
Sept 14 vs North Greenville
Sept 21 at Mercer
Sept 28 vs ETSU (PD)
Oct 5 vs Furman
Oct 12 at Western Carolina
Oct 19 at VMI
Oct 26 Samford
Nov 2 [open week]
Nov 9 vs Chattanooga (HC)
Nov 16 at Wofford
Nov 23 at Clemson

[FUBeAR]

The Citadel's schedule is not official, but has been posted on the SoCon website calendar for some reason. If that is good enough for you (it is for me), this is it:

Aug 31 at Charleston Southern
Sept 7 vs SC State
Sept 14 vs North Greenville
Sept 21 at Mercer
Sept 28 vs ETSU (PD)
Oct 5 vs Furman
Oct 12 at Western Carolina
Oct 19 at VMI
Oct 26 Samford
Nov 2 [open week]
Nov 9 vs Chattanooga (HC)
Nov 16 at Wofford
Nov 23 at ClemsonYeah… that is odd. Only CIT (and the SoCon Teams CIT plays) is one there. Good enough. Editing … and seeing if that deductively gives us any other ‘definites’

[FUBeAR]

The Citadel's schedule is not official, but has been posted on the SoCon website calendar for some reason. If that is good enough for you (it is for me), this is it:

Aug 31 at Charleston Southern
Sept 7 vs SC State
Sept 14 vs North Greenville
Sept 21 at Mercer
Sept 28 vs ETSU (PD)
Oct 5 vs Furman
Oct 12 at Western Carolina
Oct 19 at VMI
Oct 26 Samford
Nov 2 [open week]
Nov 9 vs Chattanooga (HC)
Nov 16 at Wofford
Nov 23 at Clemson
If Sherlock FUBeAR is deducting correctly AND we assume that posted CIT sked is accurate, that just about locks down everything. The only unknown is will VMI and WCU play one another on 9/28 or will they both have BYE's that day OR will they play on 11/16 or both have BYE's THAT day...

BY TEAM


WK
TEAM
Chattanooga
ETSU
Furman
Mercer
Samford
The Citadel
VMI
WCU
Wofford


1
TH 29-Aug



Presbyterian



@ NC State



1
31-Aug
@Tennessee
@ Appalachian
@ Ole Miss

@West Georgia
@ Charleston Southern
@ William & Mary

@ Gardner-Webb


2
7-Sep
@ Georgia State
UVA Wise
Charleston Southern
@ Bethune-Cookman
@ Florida
SC State
Bucknell
Campbell
@ Richmond


3
14-Sep
Mercer
NDSU
Stetson
@ Chattanooga
Alabama State
North Greenville
@ Georgia Tech
@ Elon
William & Mary


4
21-Sep
BYE
@ Elon
@ William & Mary
The Citadel
BYE
@ Mercer
Norfolk State
@ Montana
BYE


5
28-Sep
Portland State
@ The Citadel
Samford
@ Wofford
@Furman
ETSU
@ WCU or
BYE
VMI or
BYE
Mercer


6
5-Oct
@ ETSU
Chattanooga
@ CIT
BYE
VMI
Furman
@ Samford
Wofford
@ WCU


7
12-Oct
@ Furman
Samford
Chattanooga
Princeton
@ ETSU
@ WCU
@ Wofford
CIT
VMI


8
19-Oct
Wofford
BYE
WCU
@ Samford
Mercer
@ VMI
CIT
@ Furman
@ Chattanooga


9
26-Oct
VMI
@ Wofford
BYE
WCU
@ CIT
Samford
@ Chattanooga
@ Mercer
ETSU


10
2-Nov
@ WCU
@Mercer
@VMI
ETSU
Wofford
BYE
Furman
Chattanooga
@ Samford


11
9-Nov
@ The Citadel
WCU
Wofford
@VMI
Tennessee Tech
Chattanooga
Mercer
@ ETSU
@ Furman


12
16-Nov
Samford
Furman
@ ETSU
@ Alabama
@ Chattanooga
@ Wofford
@ WCU or
BYE
VMI or
BYE
The Citadel


13
23-Nov
@ Austin Peay
@ VMI
@ Mercer
Furman
WCU
@ Clemson
ETSU
@ Samford
@ South Carolina



BY WEEK


WK
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13


TEAM
TH 29-Aug
31-Aug
7-Sep
14-Sep
21-Sep
28-Sep
5-Oct
12-Oct
19-Oct
26-Oct
2-Nov
9-Nov
16-Nov
23-Nov


Chattanooga

@Tennessee
@ Georgia State
Mercer
BYE
Portland State
@ ETSU
@ Furman
Wofford
VMI
@ WCU
@ The Citadel
Samford
@ Austin Peay


ETSU

@ Appalachian
UVA Wise
NDSU
@ Elon
@ The Citadel
Chattanooga
Samford
BYE
@ Wofford
@Mercer
WCU
Furman
@ VMI


Furman

@ Ole Miss
Charleston Southern
Stetson
@ William & Mary
Samford
@ CIT
Chattanooga
WCU
BYE
@VMI
Wofford
@ ETSU
@ Mercer


Mercer
Presbyterian

@ Bethune-Cookman
@ Chattanooga
The Citadel
@ Wofford
BYE
Princeton
@ Samford
WCU
ETSU
@VMI
@ Alabama
Furman


Samford

@West Georgia
@ Florida
Alabama State
BYE
@Furman
VMI
@ ETSU
Mercer
@ CIT
Wofford
Tennessee Tech
@ Chattanooga
WCU


The Citadel

@ Charleston Southern
SC State
North Greenville
@ Mercer
ETSU
Furman
@ WCU
@ VMI
Samford
BYE
Chattanooga
@ Wofford
@ Clemson


VMI

@ William & Mary
Bucknell
@ Georgia Tech
Norfolk State
@ WCU or
BYE
@ Samford
@ Wofford
CIT
@ Chattanooga
Furman
Mercer
@ WCU or
BYE
ETSU


WCU
@ NC State

Campbell
@ Elon
@ Montana
VMI or
BYE
Wofford
CIT
@ Furman
@ Mercer
Chattanooga
@ ETSU
VMI or
BYE
@ Samford


Wofford

@ Gardner-Webb
@ Richmond
William & Mary
BYE
Mercer
@ WCU
VMI
@ Chattanooga
ETSU
@ Samford
@ Furman
The Citadel
@ South Carolina

[Milktruck74]

I'd say this is official too. IT was put out by the school a week or so ago. I assume those in the SoCon office felt really bad about saddling the Mocs with 8 straight conference games without a break in 2023, so this year they decided to only do 7!!! But those 7 get bookended by two fairly successful FCS squads (recently)...

2024 Mocs Schedule

August 31: at Tennessee
Sept. 7: at Georgia State.
Sept. 14: *Mercer
Sept. 21: BYE WEEK
Sept. 28: Portland State
Oct. 5: *at ETSU
Oct. 12: *at Furman
Oct. 19: *Wofford
Oct. 26: *VMI
Nov. 2: *at Western Carolina
Nov. 9: *at The Citadel
Nov. 16: *Samford
Nov. 23: at Austin Peay

[PaladinNation]

Signing day part two. Not sure of the story here but Furman signed Demetrius Baldwin. A Big DE from Ware County, GA.

He held a slew of offers, but didn't sign early. Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Iowa State, Liberty, U Mass, Western Kentucky. Add Mercer, Wofford, APSU, and many other FCS schools.

This looks like another great defensive line pick up. Credit Coach Lewis and Vaughn for recruiting and then coaching up some talent on the Paladins d-line.
https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/1755227229980676366

[kdinva]

VMI signed five more this morning, but I counted a dozen tweets the last two weeks saying they were committed.....so maybe more PWO's to LexVegas?

https://vmikeydets.com/news/2024/2/7/vmi-football-adds-five-to-2024-class.aspx

[PaladinNation]

https://twitter.com/PaladinFootball/status/1755334500203049067

[kdinva]

Prayers for Mr. Stanfield, his family, and the Paladin nation.

[bonarae]

ETSU adds 15 more, 13 HS + 2 ex-FBS, now making 49 newcomers to the Bucs in TOTAL:

https://etsubucs.com/news/2024/2/8/football-lamb-adds-15-during-february-signing-period.aspx

[bonarae]

Prayers for Mr. Stanfield, his family, and the Paladin nation.

Update: Stanfield is gone.

https://sports.yahoo.com/furman-football-player-bryce-stanfield-dies-after-collapsing-during-workout-010626055.html

[FUBeAR]

Update: Stanfield is gone.

https://sports.yahoo.com/furman-football-player-bryce-stanfield-dies-after-collapsing-during-workout-010626055.htmlKnow you didn’t mean anything by that word choice, but FUBeAR feels like he just has to comment here.

He is definitely not “gone” and he never will be. The Furman Football Family is a little different. It is REALLY a Family. All of FUBeAR’s brothers in that family - those hundreds of brothers from 18 to 88 - are torn up over the loss of this young man. We will honor him and his legacy appropriately and he will be an everlasting part of our Family.

[OrangeAndBlack]

Know you didn’t mean anything by that word choice, but FUBeAR feels like he just has to comment here.

He is definitely not “gone” and he never will be. The Furman Football Family is a little different. It is REALLY a Family. All of FUBeAR’s brothers in that family - those hundreds of brothers from 18 to 88 - are torn up over the loss of this young man. We will honor him and his legacy appropriately and he will be an everlasting part of our Family.

Well said, FUBear.

[walliver]

Sorry to hear this. Unexpected deaths in young men are alway gut-wrenching.

[The Yo Show]

Very sad to hear the news of Bryce's passing. Prayers for the family.

[FUBeAR]

Know you didn’t mean anything by that word choice, but FUBeAR feels like he just has to comment here.

He is definitely not “gone” and he never will be. The Furman Football Family is a little different. It is REALLY a Family. All of FUBeAR’s brothers in that family - those hundreds of brothers from 18 to 88 - are torn up over the loss of this young man. We will honor him and his legacy appropriately and he will be an everlasting part of our Family.
https://thomasmcafee.com/obituary/bryce-taggart-stanfield/

Bryce Taggart Stanfield
September 19, 2002 - February 9, 2024

[ElCid]

Here is our list. Looks like we are signing 30 or so. Not a bad class. It's really Drayton's first class since he was only partially involved last year during his transition. A few look really good. The Liberty QB grad transfer might be a game changer and be what we need to get us back on track. He is from the Low Country. Also got a nice looking big running back that I hope we can develop. Time will tell.

https://citadelsports.com/news/2024/2/7/football-drayton-strengthens-2024-recruiting-class-on-national-signing-day.aspx

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/citadel/the-citadel-football-recruiting-2024-signing-class/article_c7bf0940-c5e7-11ee-8aa6-7b1b812c818f.html

The Post and Courier article is paywall, but if you hit your "X" after it starts loading, it will load completely without the paywall blocking it.

[SU DOG]

FUBeAR has there been any mention of underlying medical issues with this young man? I guess that could be private information, but it does make one wonder why it happened so suddenly, and I have not seen any details of the incident. My prayers have now turned to pleading for His grace to comfort the family and loved ones in this time of unimaginable grief.

[bonarae]

WCU alumnus and former football player donates $150K as part of the athletic department's campaign after multiple tours reveal age and sparcity of upgrades in almost 40 years.

https://catamountsports.com/news/2024/2/21/catamount-club-ex-football-player-makes-150k-gift-to-wcu-athletics-facilities-after-tour-reveals-few-upgrades-in-40-years.aspx

[PaladinNation]

It's been an emotional February for the Furman Family.
Some of you have asked if there is any update on what cause Bryce's death.
The Post & Courier has shared it had nothing to do with football practice.
Bryce's cause of death "An autopsy concluded Stanfield's cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, unrelated to football."
https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/news/furman-university-football-player-cause-of-death-practice/article_ac766f8c-d19c-11ee-aaa4-ffd2798a28cb.html
#StainfieldStrong

[FUBeAR]

It's been an emotional February for the Furman Family.
Some of you have asked if there is any update on what cause Bryce's death.
The Post & Courier has shared it had nothing to do with football practice.
Bryce's cause of death "An autopsy concluded Stanfield's cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, unrelated to football."
https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/news/furman-university-football-player-cause-of-death-practice/article_ac766f8c-d19c-11ee-aaa4-ffd2798a28cb.html
#StainfieldStrong
Since the ‘clinical’ is now ‘out there’ …

The article / the Furman spokesman might have also noted / mentioned that he was not even participating in the workout - due to the minor back strain. He was just there observing, as FUBeAR understands from first hand sources.

So, yes, he “collapsed during a team workout,” but not ‘while he was working out.’

That information would help people who might be thinking that the intensity of the workout, perhaps, caused the clot to move to his heart.

[FUBeAR]

https://twitter.com/petethamel/status/1761013840790044771
From Charlotte, huh? Is he married to one of Uncle Jerry’s daughters? FUBeAR understands that type of ‘qualification’ is the best route to a Sr. Leadership role at Woffy.

[ElCid]

Since the ‘clinical’ is now ‘out there’ …

The article / the Furman spokesman might have also noted / mentioned that he was not even participating in the workout - due to the minor back strain. He was just there observing, as FUBeAR understands from first hand sources.

So, yes, he “collapsed during a team workout,” but not ‘while he was working out.’

That information would help people who might be thinking that the intensity of the workout, perhaps, caused the clot to move to his heart.

It's really very sad. Unfortunately young people have had incidents like this for a long time. However, it does seem, from my own recollection, that there have been more recently. That may just be due to the widespread internet news. Here is a paper in the NIH library discussing a possible cause.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10303489/

It may take years to understand the how and why.

[Milktruck74]

It's really very sad. Unfortunately young people have had incidents like this for a long time. However, it does seem, from my own recollection, that there have been more recently. That may just be due to the widespread internet news. Here is a paper in the NIH library discussing a possible cause.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10303489/

It may take years to understand the how and why.

I was thinking the same thing...I realize there is not really empirical data yet, but there is plenty of case studies to see some trends... I work with two very active 30 something that have had clotting issues since their vaccine. It is nuts.

[kdinva]

VMI begins Spring Practice today.....

[Milktruck74]

VMI begins Spring Practice today.....


Chattanooga Wrapped up on Friday...Is it really SPRING practice if it end 4 days before Spring begins? Coach Wright said he really like to get it over with early because it gives a longer window to recruit any identified deficiency and he feels like he can be a bit more physical since there is a longer time for healing up before the start of the season.

[bonarae]

Chattanooga Wrapped up on Friday...Is it really SPRING practice if it end 4 days before Spring begins? Coach Wright said he really like to get it over with early because it gives a longer window to recruit any identified deficiency and he feels like he can be a bit more physical since there is a longer time for healing up before the start of the season.

UC Davis had its Spring GAME last Saturday. Looks like climate change has made teams practice earlier than expected... xrulesx

[UNAPride]

From D1.ticker:

East Tennessee State AD Doc Sander joined the Inside the Dome podcast and revealed that : “...there are issues in the Southern Conference that we're not thrilled with, to be perfectly honest. We want to be proactive; we want to be forward thinking and the Southern Conference is very much stuck in the past. The private schools do not want change; they want to operate like they did 25 years ago. The Southern Conference is the only conference that doesn't allow interconference transfers because, 'Well, we've never allowed them in the past; why should we allow them now?' That's the mentality we deal with on a daily basis."

https://twitter.com/genehenley3/status/1768330199609803078

[ElCid]

From D1.ticker:

East Tennessee State AD Doc Sander joined the Inside the Dome podcast and revealed that : “...there are issues in the Southern Conference that we're not thrilled with, to be perfectly honest. We want to be proactive; we want to be forward thinking and the Southern Conference is very much stuck in the past. The private schools do not want change; they want to operate like they did 25 years ago. The Southern Conference is the only conference that doesn't allow interconference transfers because, 'Well, we've never allowed them in the past; why should we allow them now?' That's the mentality we deal with on a daily basis."

https://twitter.com/genehenley3/status/1768330199609803078

Good. They shouldn't be allowed. Why should we? Because others allow it? That's never a good reason. Sometimes being a leader means doing the right thing, even if it's hard to do.

[OrangeAndBlack]

From D1.ticker:

East Tennessee State AD Doc Sander joined the Inside the Dome podcast and revealed that : “...there are issues in the Southern Conference that we're not thrilled with, to be perfectly honest. We want to be proactive; we want to be forward thinking and the Southern Conference is very much stuck in the past. The private schools do not want change; they want to operate like they did 25 years ago. The Southern Conference is the only conference that doesn't allow interconference transfers because, 'Well, we've never allowed them in the past; why should we allow them now?' That's the mentality we deal with on a daily basis."

https://twitter.com/genehenley3/status/1768330199609803078

If they're unhappy with the SoCon, they need a better example than not being able to transfer within the conference. I would also assume this is only for football? Since a Mercer basketball player transferred to WCU this season. Regardless of that, you better list some MUCH stronger reasons if you want to publicly say the SoCon has issues.

[FUBeAR]

From D1.ticker:

East Tennessee State AD Doc Sander joined the Inside the Dome podcast and revealed that : “...there are issues in the Southern Conference that we're not thrilled with, to be perfectly honest. We want to be proactive; we want to be forward thinking and the Southern Conference is very much stuck in the past. The private schools do not want change; they want to operate like they did 25 years ago. The Southern Conference is the only conference that doesn't allow interconference transfers because, 'Well, we've never allowed them in the past; why should we allow them now?' That's the mentality we deal with on a daily basis."

https://twitter.com/genehenley3/status/1768330199609803078
https://i.giphy.com/5PtthcMNRVYhnSH4RX.webp

[FUBeAR]

Looks like the Roos are taking over Savannah this morning. Flanking / rear action (:)) movement on the bellhops?

https://i.postimg.cc/0Nm2Z0cP/image000001.jpg
Photo courtesy of FUBeAR Jr.

[FUBeAR]

FUBeAR has there been any mention of underlying medical issues with this young man? I guess that could be private information, but it does make one wonder why it happened so suddenly, and I have not seen any details of the incident. My prayers have now turned to pleading for His grace to comfort the family and loved ones in this time of unimaginable grief.
Furman’s excellent and non-whining VP & AD, Jason Donnelly, provides 3 minutes of extensive information about this situation (video should start at 42:18…fast forward to that point if it doesn’t)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBuSQvqGSdA#t=42m18s

[FUBeAR]

https://nacda.com/news/2024/3/20/nacda-nacda-announces-2023-24-athletics-directors-of-the-year.aspx

nacda 3/20/2024 11:00:00 AM
NACDA Announces 2023-24 Athletics Directors of the Year


2 from the SoCon!*



Football Championship Subdivision


Kery Davis (https://hubison.com/staff-directory/kery-davis/94)
Howard University


Jason Donnelly (https://furmanpaladins.com/staff-directory/jason-donnelly/333)
Furman University


Martin Newton (https://samfordsports.com/staff-directory/martin-newton/195)
Samford University


Chrissi Rawak (https://bluehens.com/staff-directory/chrissi-rawak/301)
University of Delaware





*0 from ETSU

[Milktruck74]

Furman’s excellent and non-whining VP & AD, Jason Donnelly, provides 3 minutes of extensive information about this situation (video should start at 42:18…fast forward to that point if it doesn’t)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBuSQvqGSdA#t=42m18s

He nailed it. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to witness medical staff reactions to some crazy situations (some even first hand, but that was back when they used leaches and drilled holes in the cranium to release demons)...but what I've witnessed has been top notch. The staffs from both teams come out to support each other. I've seen splints come off of one sideline to help a player from the other side...very professional group of people that understand it is about helping a player (regardless of team)... also, "the hard part about a tragedy is that is is sometimes just that, a tragedy!" Kids aren't suppose to die, but sometimes they do, and there is nothing that can be done to stop it.

[Milktruck74]

Interesting rumors coming out of the Chattanooga WBB coach search. It seems one of the top candidates would bring her husband in a "package deal" and he is an incredible FB coach with a great defensive mind. It may be a big step back for him, but oh, the things you do for love!!! It may be wishful thinking to get two sports impacted by a single search, but AD Mark Wharton has pulled some rabbits out of his hat with recent hires, maybe this will be another??!

[BigGreenTruck]

Interesting rumors coming out of the Chattanooga WBB coach search. It seems one of the top candidates would bring her husband in a "package deal" and he is an incredible FB coach with a great defensive mind. It may be a big step back for him, but oh, the things you do for love!!! It may be wishful thinking to get two sports impacted by a single search, but AD Mark Wharton has pulled some rabbits out of his hat with recent hires, maybe this will be another??!

As an outsider I was hoping that Chattanooga would be able to keep Shawn Poppie a few more years. He seems like a rising star in the new wave of hires in the last few years. As a fan of a school with a first year WBB Coach and one of only five wins against Chattanooga I understand how exciting it can be. The 18 point come from behind win in McKenzie Arena showed a glimpse of what Coach Kim Caldwell and Marshall could do.

[FUBeAR]

As an outsider I was hoping that Chattanooga would be able to keep Shawn Poppie a few more years. He seems like a rising star in the new wave of hires in the last few years. As a fan of a school with a first year WBB Coach and one of only five wins against Chattanooga I understand how exciting it can be. The 18 point come from behind win in McKenzie Arena showed a glimpse of what Coach Kim Caldwell and Marshall could do.
MilkTruck is a BIG Marshall fan!

[caribbeanhen]

33308

This was CH waiting for the Samford coaches to show up for my tryout back in December

those rascals never did show up

[Milktruck74]

MilkTruck is a BIG Marshall fan!

Yep, I think about them every time I eat too many salads!!!

[Milktruck74]

So what does the NCAA rule about immediate elgibility do to the SoCon rule regarding inner-conference transfers sitting out?

Seems to me, if the rule was challenged in court, the SoCon would lose...but it takes someone to challenge it.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ncaa-approves-new-transfer-rule-allowing-immediate-eligibility/ar-BB1lO3yQ) ... r-BB1lO3yQ

[ElCid]

So what does the NCAA rule about immediate elgibility do to the SoCon rule regarding inner-conference transfers sitting out?

Seems to me, if the rule was challenged in court, the SoCon would lose...but it takes someone to challenge it.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ncaa-approves-new-transfer-rule-allowing-immediate-eligibility/ar-BB1lO3yQ) ... r-BB1lO3yQ




Why? Where is it written that a conf can't have its own rules. Is that written into the constitution in some obscure article? The NCAA could have issue if it's "less" restrictive. But more restrictive? I don't think anyone challenging it would have a chance. Don't like it, don't play there. Pretty simple.

[FUBeAR]

I don't think anyone challenging it would have a chance.
https://media.tenor.com/K5plZZhM7K4AAAAM/the-joker-heath-ledger.gif

[Milktruck74]

Why? Where is it written that a conf can't have its own rules. Is that written into the constitution in some obscure article? The NCAA could have issue if it's "less" restrictive. But more restrictive? I don't think anyone challenging it would have a chance. Don't like it, don't play there. Pretty simple.

I'm thinking this through from a legal perspective...With NIL that all changes. In the past a kid transferred and still had the ability to be on the team, practice with the team, and be on scholarship. they just could not participate in games. Now with NIL, by not letting a kid participate, the conference is blocking their ability to earn income. The income piece changes the dynamics of that rule completely and if challenged in court, I do not see a win for the SoCon.

[UNAPride]

So what does the NCAA rule about immediate elgibility do to the SoCon rule regarding inner-conference transfers sitting out?

Seems to me, if the rule was challenged in court, the SoCon would lose...but it takes someone to challenge it.


(https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ncaa-approves-new-transfer-rule-allowing-immediate-eligibility/ar-BB1lO3yQ)https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... r-BB1lO3yQ




This was basically done after the court ruling in WV a few months back. So, yes, I do think it will affect the SoCon now or would just be one court challenge away from doing so.




From this ESPN article:


Previously, the NCAA's one-time transfer rule allowed athletes to play immediately at the first school they transferred to but they then had to sit out a year if they transferred again -- or apply to the NCAA for a waiver to compete immediately.


In December, the NCAA proposed this policy in reaction to a West Virginia judge's ruling intended to stop the organization from enforcing its bylaw barring athletes from transferring multiple times and playing right way. The NCAA agreed to terms on a preliminary injunction that runs through at least the end of the academic year.


In January, the U.S. Department of Justice joined the lawsuit against the NCAA's transfer rules, a suit that argues that the limitations on transfers violate antitrust law.


According to the amended complaint for injunctive relief, filed in January, the NCAA's transfer bylaw "unjustifiably restrains the ability of these college athletes to engage in the market for their labor as NCAA Division I college athletes."


https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39963389/ncaa-approves-new-transfer-rule-allowing-immediate-eligibility

[ElCid]

Destroying the sport, and destroying fans one step at a time. Again, if an organization has rules, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO MARKET YOUR, SO CALLED, LABOR. Use to be called education. Lol.

[bonarae]

Destroying the sport, and destroying fans one step at a time. Again, if an organization has rules, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO MARKET YOUR, SO CALLED, LABOR. Use to be called education. Lol.

Bring back semi-pro leagues, last seen pre-WWII?

[ElCid]

Bring back semi-pro leagues, last seen pre-WWII?

Yup! Keep the profit goons out of the schools. That's not what college football should be about. It about greed right now. Not about anyone's rights. There are lots of people pushing this simply to line their pockets. And they are trying to capture the hearts of everyone involved by trying to label it as a labor issue. They are missing the point.

[Tribe4SF]

Yup! Keep the profit goons out of the schools. That's not what college football should be about. It about greed right now. Not about anyone's rights. There are lots of people pushing this simply to line their pockets. And they are trying to capture the hearts of everyone involved by trying to label it as a labor issue. They are missing the point.

The "profit goons " have been in the schools for decades. NCAA showing up to hearings on current lawsuits with as many as 30 lawyers representing them. Seeking exemptions to anti-trust laws. NCAA, conferences, schools, businesses all raking in massive revenue while athletes do the real work. I think you have missed the point.

[garland823]

The "profit goons " have been in the schools for decades. NCAA showing up to hearings on current lawsuits with as many as 30 lawyers representing them. Seeking exemptions to anti-trust laws. NCAA, conferences, schools, businesses all raking in massive revenue while athletes do the real work. I think you have missed the point.

The schools that prioritized massive revenues over educating the athletes on their teams are the ones who missed the point.

[ElCid]

The schools that prioritized massive revenues over educating the athletes on their teams are the ones who missed the point.

Which thankfully do not include most all of FCS. I didn't miss anything. Trying to compare FBS and FCS is like trying to compare a Broadway actor and one at a community theater. One size fits all in creating and enforcing rules and interpreting players roles is going to destroy the sport. We've seen but it's beginning.

[FUBeAR]

while athletes do the real work
A false premise is an incorrect proposition that forms the basis of an argument or syllogism. Since the premise (proposition, or assumption) is not correct, the conclusion drawn may be in error.

However, the logical validity of an argument is a function of its internal consistency, not the truth value of its premises.

For example, consider this syllogism, which involves a false premise:


If the streets are wet, it has rained recently. (premise)
The streets are wet. (premise)
Therefore it has rained recently. (conclusion)

This argument is logically valid, but quite demonstrably wrong, because its first premise is false — a street cleaner may have passed, the local river could have flooded, etc. A simple logical analysis will not reveal the error in this argument, since that analysis must accept the truth of the argument's premises. For this reason, an argument based on false premises can be much more difficult to refute, or even discuss, than one featuring a normal logical error, as the truth of its premises must be established to the satisfaction of all parties.

[Tribe4SF]

Which thankfully do not include most all of FCS. I didn't miss anything. Trying to compare FBS and FCS is like trying to compare a Broadway actor and one at a community theater. One size fits all in creating and enforcing rules and interpreting players roles is going to destroy the sport. We've seen but it's beginning.

No requirement for a one size fits all solution. I think there will be multiple sizes in the end. Conferences and schools need to plan for their own level of resources and needs.

[Tribe4SF]

A false premise is an incorrect proposition that forms the basis of an argument or syllogism. Since the premise (proposition, or assumption) is not correct, the conclusion drawn may be in error.

However, the logical validity of an argument is a function of its internal consistency, not the truth value of its premises.

For example, consider this syllogism, which involves a false premise:


If the streets are wet, it has rained recently. (premise)
The streets are wet. (premise)
Therefore it has rained recently. (conclusion)

This argument is logically valid, but quite demonstrably wrong, because its first premise is false — a street cleaner may have passed, the local river could have flooded, etc. A simple logical analysis will not reveal the error in this argument, since that analysis must accept the truth of the argument's premises. For this reason, an argument based on false premises can be much more difficult to refute, or even discuss, than one featuring a normal logical error, as the truth of its premises must be established to the satisfaction of all parties.

:D Your syllogism is all wet!

[caribbeanhen]

The schools that prioritized massive revenues over educating the athletes on their teams are the ones who missed the point.


The "profit goons " have been in the schools for decades. NCAA showing up to hearings on current lawsuits with as many as 30 lawyers representing them. Seeking exemptions to anti-trust laws. NCAA, conferences, schools, businesses all raking in massive revenue while athletes do the real work. I think you have missed the point.

just shut football down in college and leave school to the scholars

athletes can go find real work some place else

[ElCid]

just shut football down in college and leave school to the scholars

athletes can go find real work some place else

Logic and what is right means nothing to the people in positions to regulate and influence this. They only see and are chasing Dollar signs. Unfortunately, the entire system will need to crumble in order to get those pushing the latest narrative out of power and correct it.

[Milktruck74]

Back on to some SoCon News...Mocs DC Whammy Ward is headed to Clemson to be part of Dabo's staff. I don't see anybody on the staff that is ready to take over that spot. I know who I'd like to see in that spot...but I trust Coach Wright to make a good hire. I'd think with the consistent influx of talent on that side of the Mocs team, there won't be a shortage of applicants.

[Mocdaddy]

Filled in house by Yeager.

[topher99]

Former Moc Buster Skrine on the run from Canadian police.

https://www.si.com/former-nfl-player-buster-skrine-run-from-police-canada-01hxfjtkqpz9

[Milktruck74]

Former Moc Buster Skrine on the run from Canadian police.

https://www.si.com/former-nfl-player-buster-skrine-run-from-police-canada-01hxfjtkqpz9

I hated to hear this when it first came out. I expect he crossed the boarder and headed to back to the ATL. He is probably hanging out at Mama's house! But he will eventually get caught and shipped back north.

[FUBeAR]

I hated to hear this when it first came out. I expect he crossed the boarder and headed to back to the ATL. He is probably hanging out at Mama's house! But he will eventually get caught and shipped back north.
Sat with “Mama” and Mr. Skrine on FUBeAR Jr’s gameday recruiting visit to Chatt. Very nice peeps. Buster had 6 tackles and 3 PBU’s that day. They were very proud of their young man. Hopefully, whatever is going on here, he can emerge out of it ASAP and get his life back on track.

[Milktruck74]

Sat with “Mama” and Mr. Skrine on FUBeAR Jr’s gameday recruiting visit to Chatt. Very nice peeps. Buster had 6 tackles and 3 PBU’s that day. They were very proud of their young man. Hopefully, whatever is going on here, he can emerge out of it ASAP and get his life back on track.

I didn't have too much contact with him when he played at Chattanooga, but that which I did, he always seemed very respectful and buttoned up. I guess he blew through his $40MM earnings and had to resort to nefarious means to keep up his lifestyle. It is a recurring theme amongst many pro athletes...and now it is about to be played out in the college ranks as well.

[FUBeAR]

Big news for the Bears…

https://twitter.com/deeweebig3/status/1790056165465809351
Transfer from Lenoir-Rhyne following the Coaching staff from there to Mercer…

Offers from East Carolina, Western Illinois, Tennessee State

McGee, Dwayne - Rushing

Season
GP
ATT
Gain
Loss
Net
AVG
TD
Long
AVG/G


Career - McGee, Dwayne
40
771
4,741
167
4,574
5.9
46
67
114.35


2023
14
226
1,572
39
1,533
6.8
12
63
109.50


2022
11
183
912
51
861
4.7
11
64
78.27


2021
11
248
1,710
41
1,669
6.7
19
67
151.73


2020 (Covid year)
4
114
547
36
511
4.5
4
22
127.75



2x All-American
4x 1st Team All South Atlantic Conference
4 year starter

[Sir William]

I've seen him play. He's the real deal.

[FUBeAR]

I've seen him play. He's the real deal.
Yep - watched a good bit of tape on him and thought he’d be the #1 ‘get’ from L-R if he wanted to follow Coach Jacobs and staff.

They had a CB who is gobbling up P5 offers, but FUBeAR thought McGee could contribute more to Mercer’s needs.

McGee reminds FUBeAR A LOT of a slightly stockier (180 vs. 175) and much more durable (so far) Desmond Reid - former WCU, now Pitt, RB.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer making some portal noise this week …

6’ 3” 210 4.5/40 P5 ACC WR Xfer … Redshirted @ Duke in ‘23 … Played in 4 games, no stats
Former Mercer Bear, now Minnesota Vikings, Ty James-type, IFBO.
Dad is HS Coach, played @ Youngstown

Offers from West Virginia, Duke, JMU, Miami (OH), Marshall, Navy, Army, Charlotte, Georgia State, Elon, ETSU, UT-Martin, Charleston Southern, Bryant, Lehigh, Dartmouth, and Mercer as 3-Star out of HS in ‘23.

Entered portal 4/29 - Offers from Grambling, Morgan State, Murray State, Youngstown State, SC State, and Mercer.
https://twitter.com/apolloscook/status/1790470513153962421

[FUBeAR]

They say good things come in 3’s. 3 BIG portal commitments for the Bears this week. Here’s the 3rd…
https://twitter.com/xavierjenning16/status/1790719020875862497
Another Lenoir-Rhyne All-Star following the current HC & Staff to Mercer…

* 6’ 3” 290 LB OLman ranked by CFN as the 11th best OT in D2 before the ‘23 season
* All-American & All-SAC
* Mercer’s last OL transfer from L-R, Jason Poe, signed with the 49er’s in ‘22 and is now with the Eagles after spending ‘23 with the Jets

* Portal Offers from: Mercer, Michigan State, BYU, Houston, Liberty, Marshall, Ohio, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Arkansas State, Akron, Old Dominion, Samford, Missouri State, Austin Peay, Rhode Island, Campbell, North Alabama, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Northern Arizona, Houston Christian, FAMU, NC Central, Grambling, and Norfolk State

* HS Offers from: Catawba, St. Augustine (NC), Johnson C. Smith, Mars Hill, Concord, Carson-Newman, Gardner-Webb, and Lenoir-Rhyne

[SteelSD]

They say good things come in 3’s. 3 BIG portal commitments for the Bears this week. Here’s the 3rd…
https://twitter.com/xavierjenning16/status/1790719020875862497
Another Lenoir-Rhyne All-Star following the current HC & Staff to Mercer…

* 6’ 3” 290 LB OLman ranked by CFN as the 11th best OT in D2 before the ‘23 season
* All-American & All-SAC
* Mercer’s last OL transfer from L-R, Jason Poe, signed with the 49er’s in ‘22 and is now with the Eagles after spending ‘23 with the Jets

* Portal Offers from: Mercer, Michigan State, BYU, Houston, Liberty, Marshall, Ohio, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Arkansas State, Akron, Old Dominion, Samford, Missouri State, Austin Peay, Rhode Island, Campbell, North Alabama, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Northern Arizona, Houston Christian, FAMU, NC Central, Grambling, and Norfolk State

* HS Offers from: Catawba, St. Augustine (NC), Johnson C. Smith, Mars Hill, Concord, Carson-Newman, Gardner-Webb, and Lenoir-Rhyne
From an outsider this is likely the biggest signing for Mercer. After watching Mercer in Brookings the issue Mercer had didn't have anything to do with skill position players but rather getting pushed around on both lines. Improvement along those fronts is vital if Mercer wants to follow the previous coach and try and win a National Championship. The blueprint seems pretty clear. So this kind of signing seems like a home run.

[caribbeanhen]

The mighty Bison of Bucknell are seeking to salvage their football program with refuge into the Southern Conference now, The recent Patriot league upgrade with Sar survivors abandoning the sinking flagship CAA have significantly upgraded the Patriot conference. Bucknell team sighted drifting south with the Gulf Stream…. :) in hope of being rescued by the SS Southern Hospitality with one Pennsylvania stowaway onboard by the name of Rip Van Rocco who was Captain of the Dali

[FUBeAR]

The mighty Bison of Bucknell are seeking to salvage their football program with refuge into the Southern Conference now, The recent Patriot league upgrade with Sar survivors abandoning the sinking flagship CAA have significantly upgraded the Patriot conference. Bucknell team sighted drifting south with the Gulf Stream…. :) in hope of being rescued by the SS Southern Hospitality with one Pennsylvania stowaway onboard by the name of Rip Van Rocco who was Captain of the Dali
Are you lost?

Seems as if you’re looking for the Big South Offseason thread.

[caribbeanhen]

Are you lost?

Seems as if you’re looking for the Big South Offseason thread.

Bumper Sticker

Support Search and Rescue… Get Lost

[FUBeAR]

Welp … not usually FUBeAR’s schtick and FUBeAR knows all too well not to get hyped about Transfers. The old “they transfer for a reason” adage, even in our NIL & Portal days, still has some measure of truth to it, but with their 4th and 5th P5-ish portal acquisition in a week or so, something’s going on in Bear Country…
https://twitter.com/dudley_brayden/status/1791970362978119698
Braden Dudley is a 6-2 255 Edge Player coming to Mercer from West Virginia. He was starting to get some PT for the Mountaineers, but then seemed to get bit by the injury bug. If he’s healed, he has 2 years of eligibility to contribute in Maconga. Coming out of Mill Creek HS in the far north ATL suburbs, he was a 3-Star with offers from West Virginia, Michigan State, UCF, Liberty, WKU, App State, ECU, Bowling Green, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kent State, Air Force, et al

https://twitter.com/victorpless1/status/1792324392774496755
Victor Pless is a 5-10 175 CB coming to Mercer from Minnesota. Pless never seemed to be able to get on the field for the Goofers after coming out of Harrison HS in the far northwest ATL suburbs as a highly decorated 3-Star with offers from Minnesota, Indiana, Boston College, Cincinnati, Houston, Louisville, Syracuse, and many, many more.

[PaladinNation]

https://twitter.com/JoshBurr9_/status/1792635468548288579

6-2 216 WR/TE
Burrell is an SC native, 3 Star, and I believe was the #3 ranked player in the state his senior year.
Offers from; FSU, Arizona St, Nebraska, GaTech, VaTech, Arkansas, Penn St, NCST, Duke, Tennessee, Syracuse, and many more
Looks like he was being recruited by many FBS schools as a big WR, Furman at TE.
Furman having TE's sign NFL contracts in back to back years - could have played a role in his decision.

[Milktruck74]

ht (https://twitter.com/JoshBurr9_/status/1792635468548288579)
Furman having TE's sign NFL contracts in back to back years - could have played a role in his decision.

But Lt. Huff was the guy getting those two the ball...and he is hanging out at Cooter's Rib Shack these days.

[PaladinNation]

But Lt. Huff was the guy getting those two the ball...and he is hanging out at Cooter's Rib Shack these days.
The Quarterback room is filled with youngsters that can sling it. I expect to see Roper air it out with these kids more than with Huff.
Carson Jones 6-2 214 SO (delivered a 17-14 league title clinching road win over Chattanooga...the next week, in his first collegiate start, threw for 226 yards and four touchdowns in a 37-3 victory over VMI)
Nehuel Garcia 6-3 197 RSFR (California product, 1,607 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior...threw for 1,305 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior)
Trey Hedden 6-3 220 FR Spring Enrolled in Jan (Completed 120-of-197 passes for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for seven scores as a senior)

[FUBeAR]

Kangaroos have a new leader hopping to the head of Athletics … former Keydet Football cornerback & Team Captain of the ‘06 Team.
https://twitter.com/vmiathletics/status/1793990351608578178
What’s going on with Woffy’s AD situation? Did the YardBarkers make a new hire yet or nah?

Oh yeah - just remembered … they did…they hired this guy.
https://twitter.com/woffordterriers/status/1761043713487229077
Any other SoCon … University / Athletics / Football Top Level Leadership roles still un-filled / un-settled?

[caribbeanhen]

I’m not googling because it’s more fun to get the facts from you southern gentleman

I heard something about the ex Mercer head coach, now at Georgia Tech as the offensive coordinator, will be installing some type of hybrid wing T offense?

help a Puerto Rican out

[FUBeAR]

I’m not googling because it’s more fun to get the facts from you southern gentleman

I heard something about the ex Mercer head coach, now at Georgia Tech as the offensive coordinator, will be installing some type of hybrid wing T offense?

help a Puerto Rican out
Coach Faulkner https://ramblinwreck.com/coach/buster-faulkner/ will be surprised to learn that he has been replaced after the Jackets 2023 Season on Offense…


In his first season with the Yellow Jackets, Faulkner directed a Georgia Tech offense that led the ACC in rushing (203.8 ypg – 12th nationally) and ranked among the conference leaders in total offense (424.6 ypg – third), scoring (31.1 ppg – fourth) and passing efficiency (139.12 – fifth). The Jackets were also tops in the ACC in fewest sacks allowed (1.15 pg – 15th nationally) and ranked second in the league in third-down conversions (.431).

[TribeNomad1]

I’m not googling because it’s more fun to get the facts from you southern gentleman

I heard something about the ex Mercer head coach, now at Georgia Tech as the offensive coordinator, will be installing some type of hybrid wing T offense?

help a Puerto Rican out


Rican J Lo may be single again.....

[caribbeanhen]

Coach Faulkner https://ramblinwreck.com/coach/buster-faulkner/ will be surprised to learn that he has been replaced after the Jackets 2023 Season on Offense…



ahhh thanks for the clue

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Tribune News Service) — By far the biggest story line of Navy football spring camp has been the installation of a new offensive by first-year offensive coordinator Drew Cronic. Cronic is implementing what he describes as the “millennial version” of the Wing-T offense. Cronic is one of the few collegiate coaches still running the unique attack, which he learned while playing quarterback for his father at East Coweta High in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/sports/2024-03-27/navy-football-new-offense-spring-practice-13439881.html#