tOfficial 2008 Football Recruiting Thread

[Martin Spartan]

Originally Posted by SpartanRocky

I agree, it wouldn've been nice, but Nitchman is a RS Jr. this year, so we have a bit of time to find another center.

Overall, I'm impressed with the overall quality talent we've brought in, mostly 3* which means that we'll have some quality depth in the coming years. The gamebreakers will come eventually, but I think you win more with developing your mid-level talent and complimenting it with 1 or more "gamebreakers".

It seemed Bobby would get about 1/3 or 1/4 of the class in the 4/5* range and then just fill in the rest with lower quality talent. When a starter would go down, we'd be relatively screwed, especially along the lines.

It seems that we don't have the high ceiling of a Smoker/Rogers/Duckett, but the overall quality of talent seems to be improving, we saw frosh and back-ups (Nitchman, Cironi, Oren Wilson, of course Jones and Gordon) step in and make solid contributions.

Just my 2 cents, but I think we'll be looking good in the coming years.

*Note: Star system used as a general reference point, well aware that it's far from accurate.

Agreed. I think we will struggle next season to some extent because of this approach, but is building a great base. Honestly if we make a bowl game again next season I think deserves a big raise. My expectations will be raised starting 09-10.

[SpartanRocky]

Originally Posted by DantonIzzo

As long as our fanbase doesn't get spoiled by the consistency, I think will deliver a lot of 7-5/8-4 type seasons with decent bowl games. Sometimes better, but very rarely worse. Kids who never quit and play hard.

I don't expect MSU to ever become a traditional championship contender, but considering our track record, could really make us more competitive than we've been on a regular basis in a long, long time. That's in my book, but some unrealistic Spartans may wonder why the trophies and BCS games aren't rolling in on a yearly basis.

I believe when he was hired "everyone" on the board would have been fine with 8 win seasons with contending for Championships every 4-5 years. I think starting in year 3 (2009 season) we should make that goal year in and year out. As long as doesn't jump for another job (which I hope isn't likely) we should be in good shape.

Next year I realistically believe we'll win 7games again, with the Cal game being a swing game that could put us at 8. I think we go 4-4 in the B11, same wins/losses as last year, but beating SCum and NW and losing to PSU. We could go 5-3 if we can handle Iowa, I think Wisky will be better next year.

We'll see though, I would love to get Hill, Ingram, Perry and another OL, but we'll see how we close out this class.

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by SpartanRocky

I believe when he was hired "everyone" on the board would have been fine with 8 win seasons with contending for Championships every 4-5 years. I think starting in year 3 (2009 season) we should make that goal year in and year out. As long as doesn't jump for another job (which I hope isn't likely) we should be in good shape.

Next year I realistically believe we'll win 7games again, with the Cal game being a swing game that could put us at 8. I think we go 4-4 in the B11, same wins/losses as last year, but beating SCum and NW and losing to PSU. We could go 5-3 if we can handle Iowa, I think Wisky will be better next year.

We'll see though, I would love to get Hill, Ingram, Perry and another OL, but we'll see how we close out this class.

I think 7-5 (4-4) with an Alamo Bowl bid is a pretty realistic option for next year, but how many fans will already start to express their "disappointment" in that? To me, it'd be an incredible accomplishment, considering how many significant senior starters we're losing and how little depth had to work with when he took over the program.

[spartanNTX]

Originally Posted by DantonIzzo

I think 7-5 (4-4) with an Alamo Bowl bid is a pretty realistic option for next year, but how many fans will already start to express their "disappointment" in that? To me, it'd be an incredible accomplishment, considering how many significant senior starters we're losing and how little depth had to work with when he took over the program.

I can't imagine many would- We haven't had back to back winning seasons in what, 20 or 30 years?

[msuferd]

Originally Posted by Ozymandias

You know who else was out-recruiting MSU earlier in the year and everyone started getting pissed about? Nebraska.



You concern yourself too much with the decisions and actions of HS kids that aren't your own.

Yeah, as you say to the guy who's never had a premium membership at Rivals or Scout. I spend every minute just trying to find out what the next comment might be from 17 year old. Better check in the mirror first.

If Ingram doesn't come here, fine. IMO, it's a a bad reflection of the coaching staff for not landing a legacy recruit from your own back yard. You may disagree, and that's fine, I won't lose any sleep over it.

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by spartanNTX

I can't imagine many would- We haven't had back to back winning seasons in what, 20 or 30 years?

In theory, you're right.

I just hope the meatheads and derelicts on this board are a very, very, very small, irrational and pathetic sample of our fanbase, because some of the anti-Hoyer/coordinators crap I read on here this season was nothing short of horrible (considering where the program has been in recent years and how far we actually came this season).

[Scully60]

Originally Posted by m_sell31

Agreed. I think we will struggle next season to some extent because of this approach, but is building a great base. Honestly if we make a bowl game again next season I think deserves a big raise. My expectations will be raised starting 09-10.

I expect a 9 win season. Why don't you? You win the Big Ten with defense. We were held together with band-aids this year on D. Our defense will be better with a year of experience. Our linebackers will be thin, so we need a good recruiting class in that area.

Losing Devin Thomas on O will hurt, but can overcome it because it is a position of strength. We have a good stable of backs. My concern would be the development of the offensive line. Hoyer should be smarter in year 2.

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by msuferd

Yeah, as you say to the guy who's never had a premium membership at Rivals or Scout. I spend every minute just trying to find out what the next comment might be from 17 year old. Better check in the mirror first.

If Ingram doesn't come here, fine. IMO, it's a a bad reflection of the coaching staff for not landing a legacy recruit from your own back yard. You may disagree, and that's fine, I won't lose any sleep over it.

If you were Ingram, would you go to MSU because it was expected of you and because you were a legacy recruit, or would you commit to a place where you'd have a legitimate chance of starting from day one?

As I've said before, it's bad timing with him and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he chose Iowa. That doesn't mean this staff -- especially the one who spent December preparing for a bowl game instead of hitting the recruiting trail like Iowa's because they had nothing better to do -- gets "outworked" for his services.

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by Scully60

I expect a 9 win season. Why don't you? You win the Big Ten with defense. We were held together with band-aids this year on D. Our defense will be better with a year of experience. Our linebackers will be thin, so we need a good recruiting class in that area.

Losing Devin Thomas on O will hurt, but can overcome it because it is a position of strength. We have a good stable of backs. My concern would be the development of the offensive line. Hoyer should be smarter in year 2.

You're right -- we're "only" losing Saint-Dic (stats speak for themselves), Baldwin (best defensive player on the team), Davis (at times a DE), Thornhill (not for talent, but experience), Tabachnick (laugh if you must, but he was huge the last two games), Key (captain, emotional leader) and Warrick (heavy hitter, but probably the most replaceable). Why wouldn't the D be significantly better?

[Martin Spartan]

Originally Posted by Scully60

I expect a 9 win season. Why don't you? You win the Big Ten with defense. We were held together with band-aids this year on D. Our defense will be better with a year of experience. Our linebackers will be thin, so we need a good recruiting class in that area.

Losing Devin Thomas on O will hurt, but can overcome it because it is a position of strength. We have a good stable of backs. My concern would be the development of the offensive line. Hoyer should be smarter in year 2.

We lose way to much. The only D unit that should be improved is DB's. I think if the DL can maintain what we did this season that’s a big victory, but I don't think they will. They were great this season, I expect them to be solid next season. The LB's should be similar to this season. We have MAC talent at the middle linebacker spot, and asking a true freshman to walk in and be the leader of the LB core is asking a lot. We are way to thin at LB.

We lose a ton on the other side of the ball. QB is the unit not losing anyone and Hoyer is still not consistent enough to win 8 games with decreased talent to work with. I think 6-6 is realistic, 7-5 would be a successful season.

[AASpartan]

Originally Posted by m_sell31

We lose way to much. The only D unit that should be improved is DB's. I think if the DL can maintain what we did this season that’s a big victory, but I don't think they will. They were great this season, I expect them to be solid next season. The LB's should be similar to this season. We have MAC talent at the middle linebacker spot, and asking a true freshman to walk in and be the leader of the LB core is asking a lot. We are way to thin at LB.

We lose a ton on the other side of the ball. QB is the unit not losing anyone and Hoyer is still not consistent enough to win 8 games with decreased talent to work with. I think 6-6 is realistic, 7-5 would be a successful season.

I swear I'm going to start banning people for saying things like this.

I don't think that we'll be having a freshman or a someone like Misch or Rouse at MIKE. They'll slide Gordon or Jones over.

[Martin Spartan]

Originally Posted by AASpartan

I swear I'm going to start banning people for saying things like this.

I don't think that we'll be having a freshman or a someone like Misch or Rouse at MIKE. They'll slide Gordon or Jones over.

I don't like to say it and thats the only position on the whole team I would say that about. but the inside linebacker position currently consists of Decker and Rouse, and they both make good deep depth, but neither should ever start a for a big 10 team. Decker and the Wr from NY, Oquendo were probably the only two JLS recruits that I said were MAC level. they were filler and had no business being recruited by us. Decker sounded like a good kid, smart and a team player type, but he should have been a prefered walk on.

I really think we need someone bigger than Jones or Gordon inside. Gordan iside and Jones and Misch on the outsides is one small set of starting LB's. The position is a weekness, period. I'm just being realistic.

[SpartanRocky]

Originally Posted by m_sell31

We lose way to much. The only D unit that should be improved is DB's. I think if the DL can maintain what we did this season that’s a big victory, but I don't think they will. They were great this season, I expect them to be solid next season. The LB's should be similar to this season. We have MAC talent at the middle linebacker spot, and asking a true freshman to walk in and be the leader of the LB core is asking a lot. We are way to thin at LB.

We lose a ton on the other side of the ball. QB is the unit not losing anyone and Hoyer is still not consistent enough to win 8 games with decreased talent to work with. I think 6-6 is realistic, 7-5 would be a successful season.

I think Jones and Gordon in their 2nd year as starters will be better than their first. I believe an arguement was made earlier this year that a blueberry muffin would be better than Thornhill at MLB.

The DL will be talented next year, but a little younger. Don't forget we have Trevor Anderson stepping in to fill one DE spot, Wilson was great as a freaking TRUE frosh, Jordon will improve (The whole JUCOs are better in year 2 than in year 1 thing), Long played well the last few games, not to mention we get Kershaw and Jeremiah back.

On the DB end, we'll miss Warrick, but he's replacable, a healthy Rucker/Weaver/Clark/Ware Quartet makes our CBs relatively deep. Wiley should rebound, he'll be fine next year barring injury.

OL and back-up RB are the 2 areas of most concern. We'll see how it plays out in spring ball.

[Martin Spartan]

Originally Posted by SpartanRocky

I think Jones and Gordon in their 2nd year as starters will be better than their first. I believe an arguement was made earlier this year that a blueberry muffin would be better than Thornhill at MLB.

OL and back-up RB are the 2 areas of most concern. We'll see how it plays out in spring ball.

Blueberry muffin for sure win over Rouse ad Decker.

RB is not even remotely a concern, TE is the big concern.

[AASpartan]

Originally Posted by m_sell31

I don't like to say it and thats the only position on the whole team I would say that about. but the inside linebacker position currently consists of Decker and Rouse, and they both make good deep depth, but neither should ever start a for a big 10 team. Decker and the Wr from NY, Oquendo were probably the only two JLS recruits that I said were MAC level. they were filler and had no business being recruited by us. Decker sounded like a good kid, smart and a team player type, but he should have been a prefered walk on.

I really think we need someone bigger than Jones or Gordon inside. Gordan iside and Jones and Misch on the outsides is one small set of starting LB's. The position is a weekness, period. I'm just being realistic.

I just hate that "MAC talent" label that people like to throw around. Linebacker is obviously a position in which we don't have a lot of quality depth at. I could easily see one of Jones or Gordon bulking up, however. I'd say that they are already pretty close to the size of the average Big Ten middle linebacker (6'2" 230-235) except for being maybe an inch or two shorter.

[TheDoctorIsIn]

Originally Posted by AASpartan

I swear I'm going to start banning people for saying things like this.

I don't think that we'll be having a freshman or a someone like Misch or Rouse at MIKE. They'll slide Gordon or Jones over.

Gordon might switch over, but I just think it'd be wrong to move Jones inside. The kid is everything you want in an OLB. Very quick, nose for the ball, can play the run or pass, etc. I'm not doubting he could play inside, but he would be better utilized outside.

Don't we have a few JUCO guys on the radar who could play MLB?

[AASpartan]

Originally Posted by TheDoctorIsIn

Gordon might switch over, but I just think it'd be wrong to move Jones inside. The kid is everything you want in an OLB. Very quick, nose for the ball, can play the run or pass, etc. I'm not doubting he could play inside, but he would be better utilized outside.

Don't we have a few JUCO guys on the radar who could play MLB?

Mike Balogun is visiting this weekend, but other than that all is pretty dead on the JUCO front.

Mike Balogun - Football Recruiting

[TheDoctorIsIn]

Originally Posted by AASpartan

I just hate that "MAC talent" label that people like to throw around. Linebacker is obviously a position in which we don't have a lot of quality depth at. I could easily see one of Jones or Gordon bulking up, however. I'd say that they are already pretty close to the size of the average Big Ten middle linebacker (6'2" 230-235) except for being maybe an inch or two shorter.

You can't win with 3 star talent.

Yours Truly,
Kansas

[SpartanRahl]

I think we will land either Taylor Hill or DeAndre Jones or both and that should help with LB depth for sure. I think the critical thing to see is some action on TE position in the coming weeks for recruiting, since it looks like Graham is no longer an option...

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by SpartanRahl

I think we will land either Taylor Hill or DeAndre Jones or both and that should help with LB depth for sure. I think the critical thing to see is some action on TE position in the coming weeks for recruiting, since it looks like Graham is no longer an option...

I think that Jacquies Smith kid would be a huge get, and he could be an LB.

[Scully60]

Originally Posted by m_sell31

We lose way to much. The only D unit that should be improved is DB's. I think if the DL can maintain what we did this season that’s a big victory, but I don't think they will. They were great this season, I expect them to be solid next season. The LB's should be similar to this season. We have MAC talent at the middle linebacker spot, and asking a true freshman to walk in and be the leader of the LB core is asking a lot. We are way to thin at LB.

We lose a ton on the other side of the ball. QB is the unit not losing anyone and Hoyer is still not consistent enough to win 8 games with decreased talent to work with. I think 6-6 is realistic, 7-5 would be a successful season.

We have way too much coming back for next season to "struggle". Sorry, but that is a hard sell (get it m_sell31?) that Thornhill, Warrick, St. Dik, Baldwin, and Nwagbuo are irreplaceable.

Trevor Anderson was All-Big East defensive end. Ishmyl Johnson will more than likely beat out Brandon Long for the other DE position. OG Nwagbuo can't be replaced by Antonio Jeremiah, Oren Wilson, or Michael Jordan? Justin Kershaw is back.

Seriously, were you impressed with that tackling of Thornhill during his career? Do you think he covered a lot of field with that 4.7 40 speed? How does he become irreplaceable? Eric Gordon and Greg Jones are back. You can poo poo true freshman all you want, but where would our defense have been without the contributions of true freshman Greg Jones. There is no reason another freshman linebacker couldn't do the same thing.

DB's. We have a ton of potential players here. I happen to think CL Rucker will be an outstanding corner before he leaves. His freshman year was a good learning experience for him. Wiley is back. I think Rod Jenerette can fill in well for Warrick. You may see playing time from guys like Burrell or Trawick. Davis-Clark, Weaver, and Henderson are back at corner as well.

Offensively, I have only one concern and that is the offensive line positions. I think Rousher did a bang-up job teaching the group to run-block, and I think guys like Ceroni, Moss. and Bacon can fill-in nicely next to Nitchman, Martin, and Miller. I see no significant drop-off here.

We are loaded at receiver. We will not have a problem finding good receivers between Dell, Curry, Cunningham, Smith, and B. White.

Our running game will be good. Ringer is back and Caulcrick will be replaced by Anderson, Ray, or Ingram. I'm sorry, but this "thunder and lightening" backfield is not irreplaceable.

Hoyer will have one full year of playing experience under his belt. He will be much more consistent next season.

The greatest reason we will not struggle next year is because the players have one more year in the system. They now know what to do, and can play with confidence.

Probable Starter= Bold

Quarterback(4)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)

8 Kirk Cousins QB Fr. HS 6-3/181 Holland, MI (Holland Christian High School)
10 Connor Dixon QB Fr. RS 6-4/191 South Park, PA (South Park)
17 Nick Foles QB Fr. HS 6-5/235 Austin, TX (Westlake High School)
7 Brian Hoyer QB Jr. 2V 6-2/212 North Olmsted, OH (St. Ignatius)


Running Back(9)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
28 Andre Anderson RB Fr. HS 5-8/182 Barrington, IL (Barrington High School)
45 Andrew Hawken FB So. 1V 6-2/235 Wyoming, MI (Grandville)
49 Dwayne Holmes FB Jr. 2V 6-0/275 Detroit, MI (Ford)
20 A.J. Jimmerson RB So. 1V 5-10/202 St. Louis, MO (Hazelwood Central)
32 Ashton Leggett RB Fr. HS 5-10/223 Muskegon, MI (Muskegon High School)
35 Jeff McPherson FB Jr. 1V 6-1/240 Lowell, MI (Lowell)
23 Javon Ringer RB Jr. 2V 5-9/202 Dayton, OH (Chaminade-Julienne)
47 Adam Setterbo FB Fr. HS 6-3/241 Spring Lake, MI (Spring Lake High School)
Caulton Ray RB 5-9 185 4.47 5.6 Birmingham, MI

Wide Receiver(14)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
82 Ryan Allison WR Jr. 2V 6-3/205 Lake Orion, MI (Lake Orion)
86 B.J. Cunningham WR Fr. HS 6-0/200 Westerville, OH (South High School)
84 Deon Curry WR Jr. 2V 6-1/199 Detroit, MI (Country Day)
3 Mark Dell WR Fr. HS 6-2/185 Farmington Hills, MI (Harrison)
4 Carl Grimes WR Jr. 2V 5-9/184 Detroit, MI (DePorres)
2 Diego Oquendo WR Jr. 1V 5-9/177 Staten Island, NY (Tottenville)
16 Chris D. Rucker WR Fr. HS 5-10/172 Detroit, MI (Country Day High School)
25 Blair White WR So. 1V 6-2/200 Saginaw, MI (Nouvel Catholic Central)
19 David Williams WR Fr. RS 5-9/178 Monroeville, PA (Gateway)
12 T.J. Williams WR So. 1V 6-3/184 Tallahassee, FL (Fork Union Military Academy)
Keshawn Martin WR 6-0 180 4.4 - Westland, MI
Fred Smith WR 6-2 207 4.4 5.9 Detroit, MI
Myles White WR 6-0 151 4.4 5.1 Livonia, MI

Tight End(3)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
85 Garrett Celek TE Fr. HS 6-5/233 Cincinnati, OH (Lasalle High School)
81 David Duran TE Fr. HS 6-5/226 Marietta, GA (Kell High School)
83 Charlie Gantt TE Fr. RS 6-4/240 Farmington Hills, MI (Brother Rice)



Offensive Line(15)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
60 Mike Bacon OG Jr. SQ 6-4/299 Lansing, MI (Catholic Central)
57 Rocco Cironi OT So. 1V 6-6/300 Warren, OH (Harding)
72 Jason Diehl OL Fr. RS 6-3/300 Wyantskill, NY (Milford Academy)
67 Joel Foreman OL Fr. HS 6-3/295 Highland, MI (Milford High School)
62 Abre Leggins OG Fr. RS 6-3/315 Orlando, FL (Maynard Evans)
73 Roland Martin OG Jr. 2V 6-5/325 Chicago, IL (Harper)
74 Jared McGaha OT Fr. HS 6-6/293 Powell, TN (Powell High School)
79 Jesse Miller OT Jr. 2V 6-6/307 Somerville, NJ (Somerville)
64 Brendon Moss OT So. 1V 6-6/295 Saline, MI (Fork Union Military Academy)
65 Joel Nitchman OG So. SQ 6-3/295 Kalamazoo, MI (Hackett Catholic Central)
76 Mike Schmeding OT So. SQ 6-8/315 Rutherford, NJ (St. Mary's)
91 J'Michael Deane NT Fr. RS 6-5/290 Toronto, Ont. (Newtonbrook Sec)
John Deyo OL 6-6 270 5.1 5.4 Richland, MI
Ethan Ruhland OL 6-4 262 5.2 5.7 Lake Orion, MI
Anthony Woods OL 6-4 313 5 5.5 Melvindale, MI

Defensive Line(14)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
58 Reggie Graham DE So. SQ 6-4/223 Homewood, AL (Homewood)
93 Antonio Jeremiah DT Fr. HS 6-5/322 Hillard, OH (Darby High school)
98 Michael Jordan DT So. JC 6-5/295 Lansing, MI (Eastern Arizona College)
97 Justin Kershaw DT Jr. 2V 6-4/260 Columbus, OH (Reynoldsburg)
47 Brandon Long DE Jr. 2V 6-4/245 Canton, OH (GlenOak)
89 Colin Neely DE Fr. RS 6-1/238 Bethlehem, PA (Freedom)
87 Kevin Pickelman DE Fr. HS 6-3/250 Marshall, MI (Marshall High School)
96 Patrick Rigan DT Fr. RS 6-5/244 Traverse City, MI (St. Francis)
88 John Stipek DT So. 1V 6-5/276 Macomb Twp., MI (Dakota)
59 Ryan Wheat DT Fr. HS 6-5/308 Flint, MI (Carman-Ainsworth High School)
70 Oren Wilson DT Fr. HS 6-3/290 Teaneck, NJ (Harmony Prep)
Trevor Anderson- DE Jr.
Ishmyl Johnson – DE Fr.
Tyler Hoover DE 6-7 265 4.57 5.7 Novi, MI
Chris McDonald DE 6-5 260 4.65 5.3 Sterling Heights, MI
Jerel Worthy DT 6-2 288 4.9 5.6 Huber Heights, OH









Linebacker(7)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
55 Adam Decker LB So. 1V 6-2/233 Rochester, MI (Brother Rice)
43 Eric Gordon LB Fr. RS 6-0/225 Traverse City, MI (Traverse City West)
53 Greg Jones LB Fr. HS 6-1/220 Cincinnati, OH (Archbishop Moeller High School)
36 Jon Misch LB Fr. RS 6-2/200 Waterford, MI (Orchard Lake St. Mary's)
44 Josh Rouse LB So. 1V 6-3/230 Newtown, CT (Valley Forge Military Academy)
Drew Stevens LB 6-4 203 4.53 5.2 Lewis Center, OH
Jamiihr Williams LB 6-2 224 4.65 5.4 Trotwood, OH


Defensive Back(15)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)

28 Mike Bell CB Jr. 2V 5-11/175 Shaker Heights, OH (Shaker Heights)
38 Kendell Davis-Clark CB Jr. 1V 5-11/199 Alliance, OH (Alliance)
33 Dan Fortener S So. 1V 6-1/190 Kettering, OH (Archbishop Alter )
31 Ashton Henderson CB So. 1V 5-11/183 Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln)
11 Marcus Hyde S Fr. RS 6-0/202 Fostora, OH (Fostoria)
40 Roderick Jenrette S So. 1V 6-1/196 Tampa, FL (Chamberlain)
34 Jelani Nantambu CB Jr. 2V 5-9/186 Southfield, MI (Notre Dame)
29 Chris L. Rucker CB Fr. HS 6-2/185 Warren, OH (Harding High Shool)
22 Enrique Shaw CB Fr. RS 6-1/185 Lexington, KY (Lafayette)
9 Jeremy Ware CB So. TR 5-10/191 Ft. Myers, FL (South Carolina)
37 Ross Weaver CB So. 1V 6-1/202 Southfield, MI (Southfield)
21 Otis Wiley S Jr. 2V 6-2/210 Flint, MI (Carman-Ainsworth)
Johnny Adams DB 5-11 157 4.4 5.7 Akron, OH
Charles Burrell DB 6-0 204 4.6 5.7 Detroit, MI
Trenton Robinson DB 5-10 171 4.4 5.4 Bay City, MI
Brynden TrawickDB 6-2213 4.515.5 Marietta, GA

Kickers(5)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
18 Aaron Bates P Fr. HS 6-0/190 New Concord, OH (John Glenn High School)
15 Todd Boleski K Jr. 2V 6-6/208 Dearborn, MI (Divine Child)
Matt Hau**** K Jr. 1V 5-9/176 Bridgman, MI (Bridgman)
14 Brett Swenson K So. 1V 5-8/160 Pompano Beach, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
4 Ed Wagner P Fr. RS 6-5/225 Barto, PA (The Peddie Scho

[Scully60]

Originally Posted by SpartanRahl

I think we will land either Taylor Hill or DeAndre Jones or both and that should help with LB depth for sure. I think the critical thing to see is some action on TE position in the coming weeks for recruiting, since it looks like Graham is no longer an option...

Agree. Mosely is a TE we like, but he isn't physically developed like a Graham would be (speculation). This position would be the greatest drop-off on the team for next season.

[AASpartan]

Originally Posted by Scully60

Agree. Mosely is a TE we like, but he isn't physically developed like a Graham would be (speculation). This position would be the greatest drop-off on the team for next season.

Mosely said that we were looking at him as a DE, FWIW.

[clocker]

Originally Posted by Scully60

We have way too much coming back for next season to "struggle". Sorry, but that is a hard sell (get it m_sell31?) that Thornhill, Warrick, St. Dik, Baldwin, and Nwagbuo are irreplaceable.

Trevor Anderson was All-Big East defensive end. Ishmyl Johnson will more than likely beat out Brandon Long for the other DE position. OG Nwagbuo can't be replaced by Antonio Jeremiah, Oren Wilson, or Michael Jordan? Justin Kershaw is back.

Seriously, were you impressed with that tackling of Thornhill during his career? Do you think he covered a lot of field with that 4.7 40 speed? How does he become irreplaceable? Eric Gordon and Greg Jones are back. You can poo poo true freshman all you want, but where would our defense have been without the contributions of true freshman Greg Jones. There is no reason another freshman linebacker couldn't do the same thing.

DB's. We have a ton of potential players here. I happen to think CL Rucker will be an outstanding corner before he leaves. His freshman year was a good learning experience for him. Wiley is back. I think Rod Jenerette can fill in well for Warrick. You may see playing time from guys like Burrell or Trawick. Davis-Clark, Weaver, and Henderson are back at corner as well.

Offensively, I have only one concern and that is the offensive line positions. I think Rousher did a bang-up job teaching the group to run-block, and I think guys like Ceroni, Moss. and Bacon can fill-in nicely next to Nitchman, Martin, and Miller. I see no significant drop-off here.

We are loaded at receiver. We will not have a problem finding good receivers between Dell, Curry, Cunningham, Smith, and B. White.

Our running game will be good. Ringer is back and Caulcrick will be replaced by Anderson, Ray, or Ingram. I'm sorry, but this "thunder and lightening" backfield is not irreplaceable.

Hoyer will have one full year of playing experience under his belt. He will be much more consistent next season.

The greatest reason we will not struggle next year is because the player are one more year in the system. They now know what to do and can play with confidence.

good points but ray is in the mold of ringer so i think he will most likely RS - Caulcricks replace will be Jimmerson, Anderson, Leggett (Ingram - if we get him)

[Martin Spartan]

Originally Posted by Scully60

Kickers(5)
Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)
18 Aaron Bates P Fr. HS 6-0/190 New Concord, OH (John Glenn High School)
15 Todd Boleski K Jr. 2V 6-6/208 Dearborn, MI (Divine Child)
Matt Hau**** K Jr. 1V 5-9/176 Bridgman, MI (Bridgman)
14 Brett Swenson K So. 1V 5-8/160 Pompano Beach, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
4 Ed Wagner P Fr. RS 6-5/225 Barto, PA (The Peddie Scho

Matt Hau**** name is obscene!