The Valparaiso Beacons Fan Zone Forum

Time will tell if any end up with the Crusaders...

Search results
         
DB Alex Campbell Ellsworth, Wisconsin
Ellsworth 6'2" 185 4.5  N/A N/A list
Signed with Minnesota State

QB Nick Cieslak Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Kettle Moraine 6'3" 170 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Northern Illinois


OL Aidan McNamara Madison, Wisconsin
West 6'4" 285 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Wisconsin

RB David Gaydosz Ona, West Virginia
Cabell Midland 5'10" 186 4.5 2 stars 5.2 N/A
Signed with Akron

OL Garrett Strohmaier Carmichael, California
Jesuit 6'4" 290 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Dartmouth

QB Francis Kanneh Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Robbinsdale Cooper Sr. 6'2" 203 4.5 2 stars 5.2 N/A
Signed with Southern

OL Bruce Hall Leslie, Michigan
Leslie 6'5" 255 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Brown

DB Austin Mullins Powell, Ohio
Olentangy Liberty 6'0" 192 4.6  N/A N/A
Signed with Dayton

RB Caleb Stennis Matthews, North Carolina
Jireh Prep 5'9" 170 4.4  N/A N/A
Delaware (medium)
Delaware State (medium)
Old Dominion (medium)
Richmond (medium)
Valparaiso (medium)
Wake Forest (medium)
West Virginia (medium)
Western Illinois (medium)
Wofford (medium)

DT Steven Ospina Deland, Florida
Deland 6'1" 260 N/A 2 stars 5.2 N/A
Charleston Southern (OFFER)
Elon (medium)
Georgetown (medium)
Jacksonville (medium)
Pennsylvania (OFFER)
Rice (medium)
Valparaiso (OFFER)
Yale (medium)

WR James Staten Towson, Maryland
Loch Raven Sr 6'4" 190 4.6  N/A N/A
Signed with Albright

QB Ben Diedrick Kimberly, Wisconsin
Kimberly 6'2" 190 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with St Cloud State

ATH Stephen Ezekoye Kensington, Maryland
Albert Einstein 5'9" 175 4.5  N/A N/A
Bryant (OFFER)
Dartmouth (medium)
Georgetown (medium)
Harvard (medium)
Pennsylvania (medium)
Princeton (medium)
Valparaiso (OFFER)
Yale (medium)

DT Ximi Asani Madison, Wisconsin
La Follette 6'1" 265 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Syracuse

QB Kyle Hopewell Newport, North Carolina
Croatan 6'2" 242 5.0  N/A N/A
Central Connecticut State (medium)
Columbia (medium)
Delaware (medium)
Indiana (medium)
James Madison (medium)
Massachusetts (medium)
Minnesota (medium)
North Carolina State (medium)
Princeton (medium)
TCU (medium)
Valparaiso (medium)

OL Calvin Kempken Burlington, Wisconsin
Catholic Central 6'4" 270 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Minnesota State

DB Patrick Bookman Canal Winchester, Ohio
Canal Winchester 6'0" 188 4.6  N/A N/A
Signed with Alderson-Broaddas

WR Michael Colubiale Port Orange, Florida
Spruce Creek 6'3" 205 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Central Florida (preferred walk-on)

LB Quashae Hendryx Princeton, New Jersey
The Hun School 6'1" 235 4.7  N/A N/A
Army (medium)
Connecticut (medium)
Duke (medium)
Georgia Tech (medium)
Marshall (medium)
North Carolina State (medium)
Penn State (medium)
Temple (medium)
Valparaiso (OFFER)

LB Brandon Lynch Norfolk, Virginia
Lake Taylor 6'1" 189 4.5  N/A N/A
Monmouth (medium)
Stetson (medium)
Valparaiso (medium)

DB Graham Resseguie Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln Pius X 5'11" 180 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with South Dakota

DT Brandon Doepke Madison, Wisconsin
West 6'3" 270 N/A  N/A N/A
Signed with Valparaiso!!!

WR Jack Wrangler, Warren MI
Warren 6-2, 180 N/A N/A N/A
Signed with Michigan (preferred walk-on)

LB Kyle Searloss, Lewisberry PA
Red Land 6-2, 225 N/A N/A N/A
Signed with Penn State - run-on

Probably not in the running for any of the Top 100.    I didn't check the rest of the list.    ;)

Link wouldn't work...I added the list

Had to laugh at these two in particular...

QuoteOL Bruce Hall Leslie, Michigan
Leslie 6'5" 255 N/A  N/A N/A
Ball State (medium)
Central Michigan (medium)
Michigan (medium)
Northwestern (medium)
Valparaiso (medium)

...

LB Quashae Hendryx Princeton, New Jersey
The Hun School 6'1" 235 4.7  N/A N/A
Army (medium)
Connecticut (medium)
Duke (medium)
Georgia Tech (medium)
Marshall (medium)
North Carolina State (medium)
Penn State (medium)
Temple (medium)
Valparaiso (medium)

Sesame Street - "One of these things..." (Bird seed) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueZ6tvqhk8U#)

Not sure if this link will work:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/recruit-search-results (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/recruit-search-results)

Quote from: valpo04 on January 01, 2013, 02:20:57 PMHad to laugh at these two in particular...

Quote (selected)

    OL Bruce Hall Leslie, Michigan
    Leslie 6'5" 255 N/A  N/A N/A
    Ball State (medium)
    Central Michigan (medium)
    Michigan (medium)
    Northwestern (medium)
    Valparaiso (medium)

    ...
     
    LB Quashae Hendryx Princeton, New Jersey
    The Hun School 6'1" 235 4.7  N/A N/A
    Army (medium)
    Connecticut (medium)
    Duke (medium)
    Georgia Tech (medium)
    Marshall (medium)
    North Carolina State (medium)
    Penn State (medium)
    Temple (medium)
    Valparaiso (medium)

At least Valpo is on their list.  They don't have offers from any of their schools, but Hall has a preferred walk-on status at MI. 

I think many of these kids get a letter from a University and consider themselves as being recruited, so their sights may be a little high.  With three less than mediocre years under his belt, Carlson may have some difficulty in recruiting this year.

I don't know how Coach Carlson is going to have any reasonable success recruiting this year with so many recruiting obstacles:

1)  The Coach is entering Year 4 with little success and very much on the hotseat.  Very much unrest at best (or indifference at worst) with the program among the student body and alumni base.  Hard to sell that.
2)  Immense pressure on the entire football program and everyone in it.  Hard to sell that.
3)  Likely to have continued turnover in asst. coaches and roster as many existing players chose not to return. Hard to sell that.
4)  Consistently one of the worst Division 1 football programs the last three years under current Coach.  Hard to sell that.
5)  Most games have been blowouts in the wrong direction.  Hard to sell that.
5)  Non-scholarship program.  Hard to sell that.
6)  Facilities don't over-compensate for any of the above.  Hard to sell that.
7)  Factor in that the cost of private school tuition and higher academic standards that already limits the pool of potential recruits and the picture isn't pretty.

It seems to me that Coach Carlson is going to need to bring in a large recruiting class to replace not only graduating seniors but also many returning players that simply choose not to return.  Combined with the fact that the pool of potential "qualified" recruits will likely be smaller (maybe significantly) than any of the past three years.  So what do you have to do in that scenerio?  You have to stretch for "non-qualified" or "less-qualified" recruits than past years (ugh!!!!) with the hope of "developing" them or catching a "diamond in the rough" because you have to fill out the roster.   

No question this team needs to get much better.  And how do you get much better with the recruiting variables above.  It seems to be a broken model.  It seems to be a recipe for disaster i.e getting worse (maybe signifcantly), not better.  This is an extremely difficult (almost impossible?) turnaround proposition.

Unfortunately, Valpo Football is the one weak link in the Athletic Department.  It would be great for the university to see significant improvement.......I hope Coach Carlson can do it!!!!!!!  Coach Carlson has a reputation of being a turnaround specialist..........let's hope he can somehow get the job done in these difficult circumstances!!!!!!

Quote from: Valposter on January 04, 2013, 10:54:12 AM
I don't know how Coach Carlson is going to have any reasonable success recruiting this year with so many recruiting obstacles:

1)  The Coach is entering Year 4 with little success and very much on the hotseat.  Very much unrest at best (or indifference at worst) with the program among the student body and alumni base.  Hard to sell that.
2)  Immense pressure on the entire football program and everyone in it.  Hard to sell that.
3)  Likely to have continued turnover in asst. coaches and roster as many existing players chose not to return. Hard to sell that.
4)  Consistently one of the worst Division 1 football programs the last three years under current Coach.  Hard to sell that.
5)  Most games have been blowouts in the wrong direction.  Hard to sell that.
5)  Non-scholarship program.  Hard to sell that.
6)  Facilities don't over-compensate for any of the above.  Hard to sell that.
7)  Factor in that the cost of private school tuition and higher academic standards that already limits the pool of potential recruits and the picture isn't pretty.

It seems to me that Coach Carlson is going to need to bring in a large recruiting class to replace not only graduating seniors but also many returning players that simply choose not to return.  Combined with the fact that the pool of potential "qualified" recruits will likely be smaller (maybe significantly) than any of the past three years.  So what do you have to do in that scenerio?  You have to stretch for "non-qualified" or "less-qualified" recruits than past years (ugh!!!!) with the hope of "developing" them or catching a "diamond in the rough" because you have to fill out the roster.   

No question this team needs to get much better.  And how do you get much better with the recruiting variables above.  It seems to be a broken model.  It seems to be a recipe for disaster i.e getting worse (maybe signifcantly), not better.  This is an extremely difficult (almost impossible?) turnaround proposition.

Unfortunately, Valpo Football is the one weak link in the Athletic Department.  It would be great for the university to see significant improvement.......I hope Coach Carlson can do it!!!!!!!  Coach Carlson has a reputation of being a turnaround specialist..........let's hope he can somehow get the job done in these difficult circumstances!!!!!!

You have identified eight (2 #5s) very real challenges. Numbers 1- the first 5 are a reflection on the coach and staff.  The last three are commonalities shared by all private PFL schools (well, probably not the facilities challenge). Butler, Drake, USD, Dayton, Jacksonville, and Marist (the most competitive privates) don't seem to have difficulty attracting student athletes to their non-scholarship programs.  I am not familiar with the attrition rate after this past season, so I don't know how many and which still eligible players have opted not to return.  If a bunch have opted out, then the road ahead is even bleaker than anticipated.

The highlighted thought you mentioned at the end was experience in turning around programs.  In an earlier thread posters kind of concluded that turning around programs was not really his forte -- building programs from scratch was.  The general conclusion was that there are big differences between the two. Starting at square one, as would be the case in creating a program from nothing (like Stetson and Mercer are doing right now), doesn't always work in a turn-around, because of the history that has to be overcome.  To succeed in the face of that, a different approach geared to immediate success is essential.  But I, too, fervently hope that this year will show marked improvement.

VULB#62, very valid point and an important distinction.  It is much easier to build from scratch than to turn around a program.  If Coach Carlson has not had to successfully engineer a turn-around in the past (I mistakenly thought he had done so), then I certianly hope he proves capable of doing so now!!!!!!!! 

I know this sentiment has been expressed here a million times, and I know this makes me the master of the obvious, but.....America loves collgege football, and if Valpo is going to have a football program then it needs to be a source of pride rather than a source of embarrassment and frustration.  Coach Carlson, please find a way!!!!

For an idea of how a build-from-scratch scenario is being handled, check out the Mercer University web site.

http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/fball/index (http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/fball/index)

There's the countdown to kickoff clock (34 weeks +) and pictorial updates on the development of their Football/Lacrosse stadium complex, etc.

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 04, 2013, 03:22:28 PM
For an idea of how a build-from-scratch scenario is being handled, check out the Mercer University web site.

http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/fball/index (http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/fball/index)

There's the countdown to kickoff clock (34 weeks +) and pictorial updates on the development of their Football/Lacrosse stadium complex, etc.

Carlson has proven without a doubt that he can start a program from scratch.  That's not his problem.  It's a turnaround not a startup.  Big differance as the losing tradition has very deep roots.  His pitch is (only one I can think of  ???) "come be part of something historic at a special place with special people--you have a very good chance to play from your freshman year and grow from there. You could be a legend if we start winning!" That last one is a really big stretch but what the heck! That's what he has to sell!  Good Luck!!

With ya 72 on all of that.

I know for a fact that FB is the most perplexing issue facing the athletic department and that they are trying hard and paying a lot of attention to the situation. It's a VERY deep hole to climb out of. I thought for sure that the last Powerball winner would be me and that I could remove all the barriers to recruiting and retaining the talent, but, alas, it was not to be.  But, regardless, we would still have to play some friggin defense.

Quote from: Valposter on January 04, 2013, 10:54:12 AM


Unfortunately, Valpo Football is the one weak link in the Athletic Department.  It would be great for the university to see significant improvement.......I hope Coach Carlson can do it!!!!!!!  Coach Carlson has a reputation of being a turnaround specialist..........let's hope he can somehow get the job done in these difficult circumstances!!!!!!

I am curious,what sports at Valpo do you consider strong? I would say success would be going to the NCAA [ or PFL Playoff] winning the conference or maybe even being consistently in top 3rd.
I see 3-4 sports that might do this since becoming a member of the Horizon. valpo is a GREAT school & should imo be strong across the board.

new2ff, IMO, here's where we stand.

We are currently competitive in the following:  MBB, VB, MSO, Baseball, Softball, Bowling

We are emerging in:  WSO, Men's Golf
We have great promise in:  Men's tennis
Remains to be seen:  WBB

Team-wise, we are currently and consistently not competitive in: MCC, WCC, MT&F, WT&F, Men's Swimming, Women's Swimming, Women's Tennis, Women's golf (but we do have a few outstanding individuals).

We currently are very not competitive in:  Football

That's 6 pretty good, 4 in the middle and 9 not so good.

If we build the track, MCC, WCC, MT&F and WT&F  could move up to "remains to be seen" or even "have great promise."

VULB- I agree with your post.
You listed 20 sports[ 18 in Horizon] Since being in Horizon, do you know how many conference championships we have won? How many conference tourneys? How many NCAA tourneys? I know for NCAAs that on swimming,track, it might be individuals that qualify, but we still could have won conference.
IMO, the teams that have been a threat since we joined the conference are MBB, VB, baseball & softball [ VB probably won the most? ] [MBB/SB been most competitive ].

Wonder what the top schools would be in Horizon if you consider all sports? Might have been Butler?

Actually I believe its 19 and 17 (Bowling and FB are outside the HL). 2011-2012 was the breakthrough year for titles.  Prior to that the benchmark was just to have enough wins to make the cut for the post-season HL tournaments that determined who would get the NCAA slots. 

Regular Season Men's Basketball Title (2012)
Regular Season Men's Soccer Title (2011)
Regular Season and HL Tournament Women's Softball championships, Plus NCAA 1st round (2012)
Regular Season and HL Tournament Men's Baseball championships, Plus NCAA 1st round (2012)

VB has always been near the top but has never won an HL crown to my knowledge

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 04, 2013, 04:58:43 PMWith ya 72 on all of that. I know for a fact that FB is the most perplexing issue facing the athletic department and that they are trying hard and paying a lot of attention to the situation. It's a VERY deep hole to climb out of. I thought for sure that the last Powerball winner would be me and that I could remove all the barriers to recruiting and retaining the talent, but, alas, it was not to be. But, regardless, we would still have to play some friggin defense.

62, you are the greatest but I have to disagree.  Do you really think the athletic department and the university care about the football program other than to bring in prospective students?  If they would care, they would have cleaned house, which they did not not.  Instead, we hear philosophical quotes.  Nothing has been addressed after the final game shallacking.  Obviously, no actions are being taken and the athletic department needs to address this.

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 05, 2013, 01:43:04 PM

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 04, 2013, 04:58:43 PMWith ya 72 on all of that. I know for a fact that FB is the most perplexing issue facing the athletic department and that they are trying hard and paying a lot of attention to the situation. It's a VERY deep hole to climb out of. I thought for sure that the last Powerball winner would be me and that I could remove all the barriers to recruiting and retaining the talent, but, alas, it was not to be. But, regardless, we would still have to play some friggin defense.

62, you are the greatest but I have to disagree.  Do you really think the athletic department and the university care about the football program other than to bring in prospective students?  If they would care, they would have cleaned house, which they did not not.  Instead, we hear philosophical quotes.  Nothing has been addressed after the final game shallacking.  Obviously, no actions are being taken and the athletic department needs to address this.

My point is that ML is concerned and our disappointment is shared by him.  I know him too well to think he's turned his back on the program.  My belief is that they (the President and the AD) have ethics-wise committed to at least 4 years (out of the five) and there is year four still ahead.  I am not privy to the results of the post season performance review (probably only three people are -- the AD, President and the HFC), but I'd wager that unless things improve dramatically in season 4, they will make the necessary moves.

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 05, 2013, 01:16:50 PM
Actually I believe its 19 and 17 (Bowling and FB are outside the HL). 2011-2012 was the breakthrough year for titles.  Prior to that the benchmark was just to have enough wins to make the cut for the post-season HL tournaments that determined who would get the NCAA slots. 

Regular Season Men's Basketball Title (2012)
Regular Season Men's Soccer Title (2011)
Regular Season and HL Tournament Women's Softball championships, Plus NCAA 1st round (2012)
Regular Season and HL Tournament Men's Baseball championships, Plus NCAA 1st round (2012)

VB has always been near the top but has never won an HL crown to my knowledge

Thanks for info. So previous to the 2012-13 season, Valpo was in Horizon 5 seasons.
17 teams  x 5 = 85 possible titles and we have won 4. I would hope we could do better.
We could win MBB this season and have baseball & softball coming in Spring [ both strong programs since being in Horizon], any others where we could add to our total?

Need to light a fire under the total athletic picture imo. Go Valpo

Quote from: new2ff on January 05, 2013, 03:33:17 PM

Thanks for info. So previous to the 2012-13 season, Valpo was in Horizon 5 seasons.
17 teams  x 5 = 85 possible titles and we have won 4. I would hope we could do better.
We could win MBB this season and have baseball & softball coming in Spring [ both strong programs since being in Horizon], any others where we could add to our total?

Need to light a fire under the total athletic picture imo. Go Valpo

It took 4 season for the MBB program, a virtual slam dunk MCC championship  qualifier in previous years, to finally compete for the championship in the HL. And that is, no doubt, our school's flagship.  Even in the MCC most other sports, with the exception of VB I believe, were mediocre at best. 

The transition to a much more competitive HL isn't going to be complete for a while and it'll be in stages. ML has gradually improved the coaching (MSO, Baseball, Softball) in the higher profile sports so far.  The results in the targeted sports have been notable in just 5 short years.  {I offer a prayer at this point for Mike and Carin Avery to want to stay here forever and for Tracy Woodson to have the same emotional glue}.

The next wave will need to be the "non-revenue" sports (exclusive of football - later).  That's a tougher challenge -- especially with limited/non-existant facilities (i.e., a 50 year old swimming/diving facility with no spectator space, no outdoor track much less indoor training facilities) that support 6 of the 9 "not so good" teams. 

But we've seen an appreciable upsurge in men's Golf.  Men's Tennis just signed some pretty good players for 2013.  We do have the tennis facilities, so that along with an influx of scholarship $$ could help both men's and women's Tennis.  Golf, face it, is all about the recruiting and the scholarship $$ -- we have a good course to practice and play on. But these are more individual sports.  Kids who excel in these sports are also smart.  They know that a Valpo education might be the key to a great career -- so what if it is NW Indiana and it's friggin cold (don't get me started on the walk from Wehrenburg Hall to old Campus in February)

Then there is football.  It is an expensive team to put on the field even though there are no scholarships involved -- especially because the PFL spans a full continent. Annual coach's salaries might be $300K.  Travel is a few bucks.  And then there is equipment and uniforms -- lots of equipment.

I love the idea that Valpo competes plays in the PFL. Playing at this level is all about the love of the game -- just like D-III, except it might be at a higher talent level. [Mount Union (D-III) destroys every team they play and has won about 37,000 D-III NCAA championships and could probably kick the butt of every PFL team. It's the coaching and the tradition that make it a reality.] The program requires a special HFC who can relate to this unique situation and then build something to be proud of.    In the PFL, Dayton, Drake and USD keep producing winners.  We need to emulate their processes and their approach. 

But all of this, I'm sorry to say (unless I win PowerBall) takes time.

I was just thinking about the recruiting battles our coach faces and had previously stated as few, fairly weak sales points.  I've rethought that and see an additional approach that can certainly work and probably has  with some of the better young players we've seen.

Many on our board have said that we need to emulate some D3 programs and their success.  I agree.  If Franklin (as an example), can attract players who would make us a success, then the recruiting battle needs to come down to some pretty obvious facts.  Let's look at Franklin with no disrespect intended.

Franklin is a liberal arts school of about 1000 students located about 20 minutes from downtown Indy. It is associated with the Baptist church. There is nothing I can find that would isolate Franklin as a particularly outstanding academic institution--this is not Rose-Hulman. From an athletic standpoint virtually all games are a bus ride away.

Now compare Franklin to Valpo, remembering that these young men, unlike some basketball players, do not for a moment consider whether or not playing at one place or another will be beneficial to their goal of playing at the next level.  At the D3 or D1 non-scholarship standpoint, they are playing for the love of the game while they gain an education.

Valpo offers a much more national reputation with many programs (engineering, meteorology, nursing and some business plus outstanding liberal arts) ranked very highly and thus producing a degree with much greater value going forward. You can't get an engineering degree from Franklin, you'd have to transfer.

Playing at Valpo affords the player (whether inflated, imaginary or otherwise) the ability to tell his friends and family that he did play D1 while in college.

Valpo offers players the ability to travel on planes from coast to coast to play, possibly more so than Big Ten teams. Again, to a college age kid, this is not an insignificant thing (I know, as '89 has pointed out--it offers the ability to get murdered in every time zone as well!--at least for now)

Finally, Valpo provides a campus experience at a D1 school.  There is a lot of school year left after football season. Try going to a Franklin basketball game some time.  Their recent game against arch-rival Wabash, drew 335.

If Coach Carlson can start to win a FEW games, this sales job just becomes easier. Right now, given the advantages I've just listed, Valpo should be in the hunt for every kid being chased by any D3.  If we get kids who would be "stars" at the Franklin's of the world, then we will be on our way. We don't need to be concerned with getting kids who might have walked on at a bigger D1,  but rather kids who would be all conference in Franklin's conference.

Quote from: vu72 on January 05, 2013, 05:56:07 PMFinally, Valpo provides a campus experience at a D1 school.  There is a lot of school year left after football season. Try going to a Franklin basketball game some time.  Their recent game against arch-rival Wabash, drew 335.

As someone who has visited Franklin, IN on a cold Saturday night I can tell you it's not any more exciting than Valpo on a cold Saturday night. The Franklin square around the Johnson County courthouse is no more exciting than the Porter County courthouse on the square in Valpo.

here's a thought and going outside of the box...drop football, put the funding into basketball and go all out to see if you can squeak into the Catholic 7 conference.  Butler is also looking into this.  Why not?  A Depaul - Valpo rivalry could be awesome.

Quote from: vu72 on January 05, 2013, 05:56:07 PM
I was just thinking about the recruiting battles our coach faces and had previously stated as few, fairly weak sales points.  I've rethought that and see an additional approach that can certainly work and probably has  with some of the better young players we've seen.

Many on our board have said that we need to emulate some D3 programs and their success.  I agree.  If Franklin (as an example), can attract players who would make us a success, then the recruiting battle needs to come down to some pretty obvious facts.  Let's look at Franklin with no disrespect intended.

Franklin is a liberal arts school of about 1000 students located about 20 minutes from downtown Indy. It is associated with the Baptist church. There is nothing I can find that would isolate Franklin as a particularly outstanding academic institution--this is not Rose-Hulman. From an athletic standpoint virtually all games are a bus ride away.

Now compare Franklin to Valpo, remembering that these young men, unlike some basketball players, do not for a moment consider whether or not playing at one place or another will be beneficial to their goal of playing at the next level.  At the D3 or D1 non-scholarship standpoint, they are playing for the love of the game while they gain an education.

Valpo offers a much more national reputation with many programs (engineering, meteorology, nursing and some business plus outstanding liberal arts) ranked very highly and thus producing a degree with much greater value going forward. You can't get an engineering degree from Franklin, you'd have to transfer.

Playing at Valpo affords the player (whether inflated, imaginary or otherwise) the ability to tell his friends and family that he did play D1 while in college.

Valpo offers players the ability to travel on planes from coast to coast to play, possibly more so than Big Ten teams. Again, to a college age kid, this is not an insignificant thing (I know, as '89 has pointed out--it offers the ability to get murdered in every time zone as well!--at least for now)

Finally, Valpo provides a campus experience at a D1 school.  There is a lot of school year left after football season. Try going to a Franklin basketball game some time.  Their recent game against arch-rival Wabash, drew 335.

If Coach Carlson can start to win a FEW games, this sales job just becomes easier. Right now, given the advantages I've just listed, Valpo should be in the hunt for every kid being chased by any D3.  If we get kids who would be "stars" at the Franklin's of the world, then we will be on our way. We don't need to be concerned with getting kids who might have walked on at a bigger D1,  but rather kids who would be all conference in Franklin's conference.

Yes, the draw to say that you played D-1 is huge to a lot of athletes...myself included.  After I hurt my arm before Sr year of HS, the bigger programs were no longer interested in someone with Tommy John that young (makes sense).  At that point my family and I searched out great academic schools that would still allow me to compete at the D-1 level, as I sure as heck could not do that in TX for baseball anymore lol.  Valpo, Butler, Creighton were all up there for me, before I decided on the right choice  ;)

Quote from: valpotx on January 07, 2013, 02:09:19 AM
Yes, the draw to say that you played D-1 is huge to a lot of athletes...myself included.  After I hurt my arm before Sr year of HS, the bigger programs were no longer interested in someone with Tommy John that young (makes sense).  At that point my family and I searched out great academic schools that would still allow me to compete at the D-1 level, as I sure as heck could not do that in TX for baseball anymore lol.  Valpo, Butler, Creighton were all up there for me, before I decided on the right choice  ;)

It'll work for FB as well.  As 72 points out, the key is persuading the upper level kids who are looking at top rate D-III programs to shift their sights.  But I also believe that when turning around a program, a healthy injection of JC/transfer talent is essential.  Going back to baseball, Tanner Vavra was recruited from junior college and that wasn't even a turn-around situation. Great catch (pun intended).

I fully expect Ryan Potter (CB/K, Montgomery Bell HS, Tennessee) to get a VU offer.

Highlight tape: http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/1/9/3856048/official-ryan-potter-highlight-mixtape-the-greatest-recruit-film-ever (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/1/9/3856048/official-ryan-potter-highlight-mixtape-the-greatest-recruit-film-ever)

 I know we are getting some recruits to come to visit our school ( I've seen them) but they are being recruited by other schools in our conference. In IL and IN.

We should not be losing recruits to teams we are playing against every year.. If we cant recruit in our backyard we can not win (hint)...

A bigger question that we need to ask ourselves is, why are we not getting good football recruits. We need to change/review our marketing and approach for recruiting. I have seen this happening for 3 years now. Friends of my saying there are better kid on the team but for whatever the reason are not getting on the field to play then they leave the school.. If this is the case, the problem is coaching and it need to be fixed.. We need kids who are athletic on the field  who has the  speed and strength to compete..  That is what wins.. I am sure recruits are coming to Valpo and looking at the kids we have on the team and wondering why other schools football players are stronger and bigger..

The weight room is not the best, the locker room is poorly done and maintain.. We need to working on a football field house that the kids can take pride in...where is the investment of $$$$

If it wasn't for the football program, we could play in most any other conference.. I believe, the other sports are pretty solid..

Quote from: NuPudge on January 18, 2013, 11:47:32 AM
I know we are getting some recruits to come to visit our school ( I've seen them) but they are being recruited by other schools in our conference. In IL and IN.

We should not be losing recruits to teams we are playing against every year.. If we cant recruit in our backyard we can not win (hint)...

A bigger question that we need to ask ourselves is, why are we not getting good football recruits. We need to change/review our marketing and approach for recruiting. I have seen this happening for 3 years now. Friends of my saying there are better kid on the team but for whatever the reason are not getting on the field to play then they leave the school.. If this is the case, the problem is coaching and it need to be fixed.. We need kids who are athletic on the field  who has the  speed and strength to compete..   That is what wins.. I am sure recruits are coming to Valpo and looking at the kids we have on the team and wondering why other schools football players are stronger and bigger..

The weight room is not the best, the locker room is poorly done and maintain.. We need to working on a football field house that the kids can take pride in...where is the investment of $$$$

If it wasn't for the football program, we could play in most any other conference.. I believe, the other sports are pretty solid..

[/b]

Sorry, but your post is a little confusing. First you say that we need kids that are fast and strong and then blame the lack of these attributes on the lockerroom?

Then you say "if it wasn't for the football program, we could play in most any other conference..."  Huh?  Football plays in a different conference than all of our other sports. Are you saying that if we had a better football team we would be attractive to other conferences because our other sports are pretty good?  What conference are you thinking about?

Sorry I am texting while in class.. Yes if the football program was better we could get invited to a bigger and better conference.  This could also mean more money and more TV appearances.. More enrollment into the school. Better donation from alumi etc.. College sports is a business and Valpo needs to approach it as one..

If we had better weight room and better training area then the players can become faster and stronger and better prepared for when we compete against other.. we want to be physically ready when the season starts..

I could see us joining MVC, northeast conference, Big South conference,  Patriot league, Ohio Valley conference .

All of those conferences would be a step down for us in all sports except football, outside of the MVC, so it wouldn't happen.

Quote from: NuPudge on January 18, 2013, 04:41:23 PMSorry I am texting while in class.. Yes if the football program was better we could get invited to a bigger and better conference. This could also mean more money and more TV appearances.. More enrollment into the school. Better donation from alumi etc.. College sports is a business and Valpo needs to approach it as one.. If we had better weight room and better training area then the players can become faster and stronger and better prepared for when we compete against other.. we want to be physically ready when the season starts.. I could see us joining MVC, northeast conference, Big South conference, Patriot league, Ohio Valley conference .

Dude, there is no way that Valpo should commit to a stronger football conference.   We would have to offer scholarhips and Valpo is not in a position to do this.  Honestly, I think the administration may be considering bagging football.  They are in a non-scholarship conference running it in a K-Mart manner.  We do not have the facilities, tradition, coaching, financial committment or administrative committment to be competitive at its current state. You are correct their facilities are below par, and it is likely that new programs like Mercer are going to be ahead of the game.

Regarding recruting, I am confused.  Does Valpo offer a potential player an "offer", or does the player commit to pay and play? What does it mean to get an "offer" since there is no monetry value?   Also, can any student althlete come to Valpo to try out for the team, and what are the chances they will make the team?

The listings of these players are confusing.  When interest is listed,  it is possible that a scholarship is included?

I know that it used to be that just about anyone could tryout, same with baseball.  I don't think they do the tryouts in baseball anymore, as they did away with the JV.  Twenge used the tryouts and JV to get extra people into the program, and several players went from JV to strong varsity contributors because of the opportunity given to them

Why is it a problem if Valpo decides to move to offering scholarships? It would show they want to have a FB that compete every year.. How can you ask a kid to come to Valpo and be serious about the FB program and take a chance of getting hurt and not offer them something in return unless I am missing something..

I would rather us cancel the FB program if they don't want to win..

Valpo needs to stop thinking small...

Scholarships are in the eye of the beholder.  If you think the football team all pay 45,000 a year or whatever, you are way off.  93% of Valpo students receive some financial aid and football players are no different.  In the case of scholarship athletes, they receive a sports scholarship and in the case  of basketball it is all inclusive.  In the case of baseball and other sports it may be a partial--say one-quarter. I don't think (valpotx can confirm) that it means the student can't get other aid, grade wise or need based, I don't know.

Let's say the student/football player is a Valedictorian ( about 6% of Valpo students fall into this category) and wants to study engineering at Valpo. Let's add that he is a very well rounded student with multiple interests and is a community leader as well.  The kid gets a Presidential Scholarship (full ride) if he plays football or shuffleboard.

Yes, we received partial athletic scholarships in baseball with most getting academic as well, don't know of anyone that received a full ride.  I had a mix.

In regards to scholarship football, just beacuse we don't offer scholarships, doesn't mean we aren't serious about football.  It is just too expensive to go scholarship for a school our size, where football won't be a top draw (will always be basketball).  There are plenty of schools that are not scholarship in D-1AA, that are very serious about football.  Besides, most of our players would not be recipients of the football scholarships, as a MUCH different athlete would be targeted.  Do you think players that go 0-11 and 1-10 will be getting D-1AA scholarships?  To my knowledge, hardly any, if any, of our players received athletic scholarship offers, which is why they are at VU for football.

Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2013, 03:21:51 AMYes, we received partial athletic scholarships in baseball with most getting academic as well, don't know of anyone that received a full ride. I had a mix. In regards to scholarship football, just beacuse we don't offer scholarships, doesn't mean we aren't serious about football. It is just too expensive to go scholarship for a school our size, where football won't be a top draw (will always be basketball). There are plenty of schools that are not scholarship in D-1AA, that are very serious about football. Besides, most of our players would not be recipients of the football scholarships, as a MUCH different athlete would be targeted. Do you think players that go 0-11 and 1-10 will be getting D-1AA scholarships? To my knowledge, hardly any, if any, of our players received athletic scholarship offers, which is why they are at VU for football.

This another example of thinking small again!  Why can't Valpo be good at both? Butler, Dayton and Drake are!  I get tired of hearing that this is only a basketball school.  Valpo will stay this way until its thought process changes.  We are a basketball school because that is what we keep telling ourselves.  Excellence in all endeavors should be the standard.  I know for a fact that many players on Valpos roster had scholarship offers from other schools. They may have been partial scholarships and D2 scholarships but many current players had other offers.

Quote from: willy on January 22, 2013, 10:43:50 AM

Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2013, 03:21:51 AMYes, we received partial athletic scholarships in baseball with most getting academic as well, don't know of anyone that received a full ride. I had a mix. In regards to scholarship football, just beacuse we don't offer scholarships, doesn't mean we aren't serious about football. It is just too expensive to go scholarship for a school our size, where football won't be a top draw (will always be basketball). There are plenty of schools that are not scholarship in D-1AA, that are very serious about football. Besides, most of our players would not be recipients of the football scholarships, as a MUCH different athlete would be targeted. Do you think players that go 0-11 and 1-10 will be getting D-1AA scholarships? To my knowledge, hardly any, if any, of our players received athletic scholarship offers, which is why they are at VU for football.

This another example of thinking small again! Why can't Valpo be good at both? Butler, Dayton and Drake are! I get tired of hearing that this is only a basketball school. Valpo will stay this way until its thought process changes. We are a basketball school because that is what we keep telling ourselves. Excellence in all endeavors should be the standard. I know for a fact that many players on Valpos roster had scholarship offers from other schools. They may have been partial scholarships and D2 scholarships but many current players had other offers.

Dude, Butler, Drake and Dayton at a macro view are basketball schools.  Few really care about their football programs.  I do think Valpo needs to be comitted to football, and they are not.

It isn't that I was saying we can't be good at basketball and football, just that as usc stated, we will always be looked at as a basketball school in the national eye.  Regardless of how we do in 1-AA non-scholarship football, the general view will be basketball is our sport.  Does the general population know that Butler, Dayton, and Drake are good at football??  Absolutely not, unless they look further into the schools, which rarely happens.  I fully support having a successful football program, but we are a basketball school in the thing that matters, the public/media eye.

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 22, 2013, 10:57:48 AM

Quote from: willy on January 22, 2013, 10:43:50 AM

Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2013, 03:21:51 AMYes, we received partial athletic scholarships in baseball with most getting academic as well, don't know of anyone that received a full ride. I had a mix. In regards to scholarship football, just beacuse we don't offer scholarships, doesn't mean we aren't serious about football. It is just too expensive to go scholarship for a school our size, where football won't be a top draw (will always be basketball). There are plenty of schools that are not scholarship in D-1AA, that are very serious about football. Besides, most of our players would not be recipients of the football scholarships, as a MUCH different athlete would be targeted. Do you think players that go 0-11 and 1-10 will be getting D-1AA scholarships? To my knowledge, hardly any, if any, of our players received athletic scholarship offers, which is why they are at VU for football.

This another example of thinking small again! Why can't Valpo be good at both? Butler, Dayton and Drake are! I get tired of hearing that this is only a basketball school. Valpo will stay this way until its thought process changes. We are a basketball school because that is what we keep telling ourselves. Excellence in all endeavors should be the standard. I know for a fact that many players on Valpos roster had scholarship offers from other schools. They may have been partial scholarships and D2 scholarships but many current players had other offers.

Dude, Butler, Drake and Dayton at a macro view are basketball schools. Few really care about their football programs. I do think Valpo needs to be comitted to football, and they are not.

If few people care about teams that are winning PFL championship why comitt to it.

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 20, 2013, 12:28:34 PMRegarding recruting, I am confused.  Does Valpo offer a potential player an "offer", or does the player commit to pay and play? What does it mean to get an "offer" since there is no monetry value?   Also, can any student althlete come to Valpo to try out for the team, and what are the chances they will make the team?

The listings of these players are confusing.  When interest is listed,  it is possible that a scholarship is included?

I'm guessing here, but I think an "offer" is made by the coaching staff to potential prospects after reviewing the students ability to qualify at VU academically and play for VU.  At this point, the recruit is probably in contact with admissions and financial aid people at VU, to come up with the costs for the recruit/parents.  The recruit will need to sign the NLI, mostly likely weighing all options - other Div I-AA, Div II scholarship, etc.  I think this is why VU and other PFL teams don't release the signing class until deposits are received, since the recruit has many options with pay and play.  I'm sure that the coaching staff would allow try-outs, but the chances that they will have an impact and play are small. 

The listings are confusing, and possibly for the recruits as well.  Much of each recruits 'interested' schools are tabulated during summer camps and other means, and can mean as little as a recruit receiving a letter of interest from a school, and the recruit saying "I'm interested".  You'll also see recruits with 'interested' schools that are obviously out of their league.  Yes, these lists are confusing. 

Quote from: willy on January 22, 2013, 11:57:12 AM

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 22, 2013, 10:57:48 AM

Quote from: willy on January 22, 2013, 10:43:50 AM

Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2013, 03:21:51 AMYes, we received partial athletic scholarships in baseball with most getting academic as well, don't know of anyone that received a full ride. I had a mix. In regards to scholarship football, just beacuse we don't offer scholarships, doesn't mean we aren't serious about football. It is just too expensive to go scholarship for a school our size, where football won't be a top draw (will always be basketball). There are plenty of schools that are not scholarship in D-1AA, that are very serious about football. Besides, most of our players would not be recipients of the football scholarships, as a MUCH different athlete would be targeted. Do you think players that go 0-11 and 1-10 will be getting D-1AA scholarships? To my knowledge, hardly any, if any, of our players received athletic scholarship offers, which is why they are at VU for football.

This another example of thinking small again! Why can't Valpo be good at both? Butler, Dayton and Drake are! I get tired of hearing that this is only a basketball school. Valpo will stay this way until its thought process changes. We are a basketball school because that is what we keep telling ourselves. Excellence in all endeavors should be the standard. I know for a fact that many players on Valpos roster had scholarship offers from other schools. They may have been partial scholarships and D2 scholarships but many current players had other offers.

Dude, Butler, Drake and Dayton at a macro view are basketball schools. Few really care about their football programs. I do think Valpo needs to be comitted to football, and they are not.

If few people care about teams that are winning PFL championship why comitt to it.

Winning a PFL title is a happy thing, but in reality Valpo has football to bring students to the school and provide it as a feature to their portfolio.  The PFL is a conference for schools who want to focus on the main attraction, which for the most part is basketball.  The PFL could be the worst Div. 1 conference in college football.

Butler, Drake and Dayton could very well go on without football, but they commit to it at a non-scholaship level and have some success.  The problem is that Valpo is not committed to football, may have blinders on with the situation and likely too loyal not to fix the problem.

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 22, 2013, 04:42:27 PM
Winning a PFL title is a happy thing, but in reality Valpo has football to bring students to the school and provide it as a feature to their portfolio.  The PFL is a conference for schools who want to focus on the main attraction, which for the most part is basketball.  The PFL could be the worst Div. 1 conference in college football.

Butler, Drake and Dayton could very well go on without football, but they commit to it at a non-scholaship level and have some success.  The problem is that Valpo is not committed to football, may have blinders on with the situation and likely too loyal not to fix the problem.

This issue has been replayed here many times over the past two years once it was apparent that with the abysmal 2010 season results (reconfirmed by 2011 and, now, 2012), it would be hard to dig ourselves out of the hole we've been in for several years. We have all accepted the fact that Valpo is not in FB for the revenue.  As USC says, it's a feature of a well-rounded campus portfolio.  It's a part of our program in much the same way that FB is part of so many D-III programs (the difference being, of course, that all our other sports are D-I).  It's a loss-leader so-to-speak, and on a Saturday afternoon in the Fall a game will currently still attract 1200 or so spectators. 

But I would expand on the definition of a "happy thing" (I like that characterization BTW) by saying that participation in the PFL is a happy thing and occasionally winning it is an even happier thing. Our goal is no different than the other PFL schools.  But as an athletic program we need to have a football program that is able to be play Butler, Drake, USD, and Dayton even up on a year-by-year basis to keep the 'happy' in the experience for all concerned. No need to fantasize about scholarship program upgrades. We don't need that at all.  If we were consistently competitive and allow the players and fans to come away from most games with some sense of accomplishment and pride, that's generally sufficient for the average Valpo fan.  It certainly would be for me.

Said it before:  Great talent makes mediocre coaches look great (check on those 'great' coaches when the well runs dry).  On the other hand, great coaching takes mediocre talent and finds ways to achieve greatness. Mediocre talent coupled with mediocre coaching goes no where.

It disturbs me to hear of more defections and the rumors/statements about still playing younger kids in year four of this program.  The ability to retain talent at whatever level is paramount to building a strong, experienced and deep roster.  Yet again relying on youth is analogous to shoveling sand against the tide.  Fact: 86% of the 2012 two deep were true freshman, RS freshmen and sophomores.  But by my reckoning, the year four 2013 team should, by all rights, reflect a senior/junior dominated two-deep positioned to break out.

It will be interesting to see the Spring team roster as well as the composition of the 2013 recruiting class.  I'm hoping that no starters have Xfered and that we see a number of JCs and Xfers coming into the program in 2013 to give us a leg up on experience, maturity and talent to get us out of the youth-dependent cycle we are in.

62, very well said.

I have to wonder what the retention rates are for non-scholarship football in general.  I would hopefully assume the primary reason these "prospective recruits" go to Valpo or any of the PFL universities is to experience a quality academic education and not to play football.  I think playing football is an experience where you grow and learn people skills, but if the primary decision to go to Valpo is to play football, then the priororites are out of whack.

I would believe there is retention at the other PFL universities that could be traced on players leaving and focusing on academics.  Playing a sport and persuing a study-intensive major takes discipline and time management and has to be a challenge for 18-22 year old adults.  I really respect those that can do both at a successful level.

I went to Valpo to combine a good education with the opportunity to continue to play FB.  They went hand-in hand.  If it was just a good education I was after, I would have stayed on the east coast. But then, as an 18 year old, it wasn't just the education -- I wanted to play football.  My son assembled a list of colleges to attend as well 34 years later.  They were all exceptionally good NESCAC D-III colleges in New England (you couldn't go wrong with any choice).  He chose the one with the best athletic fit (soccer) for him.  I mention this because the kids that wind up at PFL schools would go there anyway, because in all likelihood they will qualify regardless.  However, IMO, the kids will refine their selection on the football opportunity. Make no mistake, these kids want to play football first -- they already know that a good education is coming their way.   :twocents:

Having said that, I do believe that smart kids, as they grow a bit older, will eventually weigh the value of continued football participation versus the demands of the classroom and the value obtained from dedicated study, unfettered by the demands of a winless football program, for their long term future.  A scholarship FB program holds that (the FB scholarship) over a kid's head. At Valpo, they can walk at any time.  That is why the university must make every effort to support a winning program, because without the positive reinforcement that brings, player retention is so much more difficult and building a winning program so problematic.

Just checked the FB Twitter site.  There is a lot of chatter and enthusiasm for some of the recruits that have made verbal commitments over this past weekend. By the look of it, the FB staff is getting some of the high profile players on their shopping list.  Butcha nevah know.  Time will tell and we won't know anything for sure until the deposits are in.

Hopefully they are able to contribute past any stats they put up in HS!  I still think that Hoffman can do well for us if he is given the ability to throw normal passes, rather than the dink and dump crap we do.  This means that we need a receiver who can go vertical like Giancola did for Macchi often.  I think our RB situation can also be set with current players, if it isnt just the draw every time.  How about we try a normal offense, instead of hand-offs 6-7 yds behind the line of scrimmage each time?

Seems like everyone, including VU, is doing the same thing offensively -- even the SF 49ers with Kaepernick.

It's the D that needs all the help they can find.

Well, if I counted correctly, Valpo has added 20 recruits just since Jauary 13.  Several are "huge"  :o

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 30, 2013, 11:40:06 AM
Seems like everyone, including VU, is doing the same thing offensively -- even the SF 49ers with Kaepernick.

It's the D that needs all the help they can find.

Maybe the team name should be "Valparaiso Crusaers" until that D is found?

Quote from: vu72 on January 30, 2013, 11:56:23 AM
Well, if I counted correctly, Valpo has added 20 recruits just since Jauary 13.  Several are "huge"  :o

72 -- how'd you get that figure?  Are there names associated with the numbers? 

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 30, 2013, 02:31:51 PM

Quote from: vu72 on January 30, 2013, 11:56:23 AM
Well, if I counted correctly, Valpo has added 20 recruits just since Jauary 13.  Several are "huge"  :o

72 -- how'd you get that figure?  Are there names associated with the numbers? 

I'm not seeing the additions either.  The list that IndyValpo had at the beginning of the thread (early Jan) had 24 recruits.  I now find 25 recruits, with two new additions: James Delacenserie and Robby Mackesey, but both have already committed to Idaho State.  Jack Wrangler is no longer on Valpo's list - not sure why, he doesn't have any offers. 

I hope that retention of the two-deep roster is quite high.  Otherwise, we're in for another long season.

Quote from: covufan on January 30, 2013, 05:07:25 PMI'm not seeing the additions either.  The list that IndyValpo had at the beginning of the thread (early Jan) had 24 recruits.  I now find 25 recruits, with two new additions: James Delacenserie and Robby Mackesey, but both have already committed to Idaho State.  Jack Wrangler is no longer on Valpo's list - not sure why, he doesn't have any offers.

When I put the list out here I did not list the two guys already committed to Idaho State.  I have updated the list as more information is provided.  Wrangler was never on Rivals list.  I found him on ESPN.

Still wondering about the 20 since January 13th.  72 can you elaborate?

All we need to turn this around is 3 or 4 game changers on both sides of the ball.  Well, maybe a couple more on defense.  Jeez, I hope there are a couple of JCs and xfers in the bunch.

here is a link to ESPN's Valpo "considering" list:

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/2674/class/2013/page/considering (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/2674/class/2013/page/considering)

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 30, 2013, 02:31:51 PM

Quote from: vu72 on January 30, 2013, 11:56:23 AM
Well, if I counted correctly, Valpo has added 20 recruits just since Jauary 13.  Several are "huge"  :o

72 -- how'd you get that figure?  Are there names associated with the numbers? 

Pretty simple really.  I went to Carlson' twitter page and counted all the "...?Coach so and so just landed another great recruit!". I just added them up presuming they were all different as they were announced at different times.

Oh - OK. So huge was not in terms of the size of the players but the importance of the 'get.'

I reiterate:

All we need to turn this around is 3 or 4 game changers on both sides of the ball.  Well, maybe a couple more on defense.  Jeez, I hope there are a couple of JCs and xfers in the bunch.

;)

Quote from: VULB#62 on January 30, 2013, 07:35:29 PM
Oh - OK. So huge was not in terms of the size of the players but the importance of the 'get.'

I reiterate:

All we need to turn this around is 3 or 4 game changers on both sides of the ball.  Well, maybe a couple more on defense.  Jeez, I hope there are a couple of JCs and xfers in the bunch.

;)

So here's a couple of posts:

Alex Bailey ‏@CoachAlexBailey
Just got a HUGE commitment this morning from the great state of Ohio! Let the "Big Boys" up front lead the way! #heavyhitters #shieldsUP

and:

Kasey Teegardin ‏@CoachTee34
Yeahhhhhhh!!! Another great commitment!!! It's coming together!! @valpofb #welcometothefamily #W.I.N. #shieldsup
Retweeted by Dale Carlson

so right now it is all fluff regarding the recruiting.  Of course Carlson and Valpo will not provide an objective story regarding this.

Quote from: usc4valpo on January 31, 2013, 12:05:53 PM
so right now it is all fluff regarding the recruiting.  Of course Carlson and Valpo will not provide an objective story regarding this.

It's all relative and in the eyes of the beholder.  Us beholders only see what occurs on Fall Saturdays.

Signing Day.  I have been tracking some of the FB staff tweets to get a sense of who might be signing.

Here are some names that have popped up and links to their recruiting profile:

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI, 6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI, 5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,  5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN, 5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN, 6-2 290#, OG      http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Sounds like some big dudes on the OL, good to see

I just reviewed the final 2-deep of the 2012 season to see where some of these recruits would fit in.  Some tid-bits:

Of the 46 on the two deep (by eligibility):
:-\  7 will graduate leaving 39 returning players for 2013 (85% of the 2-deep)
:-\  Of the 39 returning players:  5 will be seniors; 17 will be juniors; 17 will be sophomores
:-\  15 of 22 Starters return; 7 offensive  starters; 8 defensive starters

The offense loses 4 seniors leaving 18 returnees including:  WR Tanner Kuramata, starting LT Stuart Barkley, starting LG Tom Ehrlich, Starting RT Sam Manternach, starting TE Matt Mallon, WR Fred Gladney, both QBs Eric Hoffman and Ben Lehman, RBs Jake Hutson and Sterling Summerville *

The defense loses 3 seniors leaving 21 returnees including: starting DE Nick Moffitt, starting DE John Giovenco, starting OLB Ryan Mundy, starting OLB Pat Derbak, starting CB Dale Cook, starting FS Dylan Storm, starting SS Alex Grask, starting CB  AJ Bradley

* Gabe Ali-El (who will be a junior) was not listed for the last game due to injury

Unless the newcomers are markedly better than all the kids who are returning, they will have a hard time cracking the line-up.  One kid who might do it, however, is OG Dillon Sampson.  Watching the video, I haven't seen many HS guards (1) drive block as well nor (2) stay with their blocks so long.  This kid was either driving his man 10 yards down the field or enveloping him and driving him into the ground.  He'd have to beat out 2 out of 3 returning juniors.  But if he can play center he'd need to beat out a 6-1, 255 soph.   Derrick Estell is a really good, fast RB and you can't have enough of those.

Here is some information on Grayson Bastin from Homestead. 
He was named to The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel All-Area Preseason team.
Offense
Athlete: C.J. Jackson, North Side, Sr..
QB: Colin Brockhouse, Northrop, Jr.
RB: Grayson Bastin, Homestead, Sr.
RB: Jason Nicodemus, Churubusco, Sr.
RB: Will Knapke, Heritage, Sr.

Homestead runs a pro style offense that is very balanced running and throwing.  Bastin is a decent runner and a good receiver coming out of the backfield.  He had some huge games including a game versus Warsaw where he scored five touchdowns, including a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, as the Spartans defeated Warsaw 63-7. Bastin also had 54 rushing yards.  The following are some video interviews and highlights.

http://www.frequency.com/video/homestead-rb-gr/58734499 (http://www.frequency.com/video/homestead-rb-gr/58734499)  This is a pregame interview before Homestead played East Noble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bFW8k_ctA#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bFW8k_ctA#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzuzFnpLHNI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzuzFnpLHNI#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqfKkk2DgFk#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqfKkk2DgFk#ws)

Hudl game highlights (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/506497/highlights/16548379)  This gives you the best look at game performances.
There are other highlight compilations out on the web, I just think the the Hudl stuff is less glitz and more reality.

Bama Powell, the 6'2" 290#er from Indianapolis Warren Central is also listed as a center.

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 06, 2013, 11:48:51 AM
Signing Day.  I have been tracking some of the FB staff tweets to get a sense of who might be signing.

Here are some names that have popped up and links to their recruiting profile:

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI, 6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI, 5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,  5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN, 5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN, 6-2 290#, OG      http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

It would be great if some of you who have additional recruit names and info would add to this list.  There are a whole bunch that I couldn't trace beyond mentions of position, but some of you might have other/better sources.

BTW on some of the profile info I saw a lot of good academic history.  Also our College of Engineering seems to be a magnet that makes a bit of difference.

Some info ref. Tim Foley, #20, Tampa Jesuit ...6'0 , 186 lbs...3.72 GPA, 4.4 pro shuttle...2010 and 2011, and 2012 Senior highlights are all on HUDL...

A couple of Carmel players are looking at Valpo:

Austin Pfenninger - http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=5499628 (http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=5499628)

Loukas Sinnis - http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=6563526 (http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=6563526)

Ran across these mentions for Valpo recruits while surfing the web:

http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2013/02/04/football-recruiting-orange-lutheran-linebacker-picks-valpo/272274/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2013/02/04/football-recruiting-orange-lutheran-linebacker-picks-valpo/272274/)

http://seasonpass.suntimes.com/news_article/show/222900?referrer_id=596370 (http://seasonpass.suntimes.com/news_article/show/222900?referrer_id=596370)

UPDATED

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI, 6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI, 5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,  5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN, 5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN, 6-2 290#, OG      http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA 6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)


A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now.  Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class.  Lord knows we need help stopping people.

Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan

Connor Conzelman, LB, Jacobs; 6-1, 215#
Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210#
Jon Hammond, DL, Valparaiso ??? (Didn't show up on the VHS Roster)
Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him.
Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#

I'm told a  total of 22 NLIs were received so far by the football staff.  Given all the returnees, this is about right for a class.  The names can't be released until all deposits are in -- so it's early-mid May (?) again for the details.  By then Spring practice will be in the books and the Spring Roster will be published so we'll have a pretty good idea of what the team will look like come September

Been checking other D-IAA FB programs (obviously they're scholarship schools) for their announcements.  Most classes are generally running 15-20 recruits.  Found it interesting that of 17 recruits at Duquesne, 9 were JCs.  University of North Dakota, who we play this Fall, signed 22.  Of the 22, 9 were from Illinois ( mostly the Chicagoland area) and 4 were from Wisconsin.  Sacred Heart University in Connecticut (2-9 but beat Dartmouth in 2012), who we play in 2014, got 33 commits, but because they, like Duquesne, are in the NEC, they can give partial aid spread among all their recruits.  Indiana State signed 20 and 5 were JCs.  Only 4 kids from Indiana signed on.

Despite all its inherent limitations, there is a small benefit to being non-scholarship and that is we are not limited to how many NLIs we can get. While classes may not have the quality scholarship programs go after, in numbers we may find some diamonds in the rough -- please refer to my avitar  ::)

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 07, 2013, 06:32:19 AMI'm told a  total of 22 NLIs were received so far by the football staff.  Given all the returnees, this is about right for a class.  The names can't be released until all deposits are in -- so it's early-mid May (?) again for the details.

This is interesting because Drake announced their recruiting class yesterday.

Quote from: IndyValpo on February 07, 2013, 08:56:38 AM

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 07, 2013, 06:32:19 AMI'm told a  total of 22 NLIs were received so far by the football staff.  Given all the returnees, this is about right for a class.  The names can't be released until all deposits are in -- so it's early-mid May (?) again for the details.

This is interesting because Drake announced their recruiting class yesterday.

Interesting indeed, because Drake released all the names and player profiles.  Dayton and Stetson also had a news blurb about their recruiting class, but they were careful not to identify the players by name.  The articles talked about positions filled and geographic locations from where the recuits haled, etc., but no names were released.

This is the quote from the Stetson site:  "The players signed institutional letters of intent to enroll at Stetson University. Their official inclusion on the roster cannot be made until the students are admitted to the university and put down a deposit for the fall semester."

At this point, only Drake, Dayton and Stetson have news releases on FB recruits.

UPDATE: 
From the Valpo FB Office -- Each school's polices regarding issuing financial aid packages are different.  Drake must be issuing their official financial aid packages prior to NLI day.  The NCAA rules state that a prospect must sign their official offer for financial aid and pay their deposit before a school can comment.

Thursday's Chicago Tribune lists area high school players who signed NLI's in football and the schools with which they signed.  While most were to scholarship-granting institutions, a quick count showed five signing with Dayton and one with Butler.  Presumably these were announcements made by the high schools; if so, it's disappointing that we didn't have any on the list.

Valpo probably won't attract local kids until it begins to show a winning record.  The local press coverage probably has a dampening effect on kids staying "local"  i.e., inside of 100 miles of the campus.   :twocents:

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 06, 2013, 04:44:14 PMUPDATED Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH, 6-2, 280 OG http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson) Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC, 6-4 230 DE http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis) Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI, 6-1, 230 LB http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR) Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI, 5-8, 173# WR http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ) Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL 5-10, 175# DB http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm) Derrick Estell, Miller, MO, 5-11, 190# RB (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell) Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN, 5-7, 177#, RB (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA) http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin) Bama Powell Indianapolis, IN, 6-2 290#, OG http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577) Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA 6-1, 195#, LB (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah) http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/) A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now. Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class. Lord knows we need help stopping people. Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan Connor Conzelman, LB, Jacobs; 6-1, 215# Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210# Jon Hammond, DL, Valparaiso ??? (Didn't show up on the VHS Roster) Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him. Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#

Jon Hammond played at St. Patrick High School in Chicago.  On his Hudl film it looks like he plays with an attitude!

If Hammond signed, that would void my comment below about local signees. 

Aside from film, not much that I could find on height and weight.  Clips show he sustains his block very well and doesn't quit early on run blocks -- tough thing to teach in a youngster.  Listed as G, C or T, but I saw him at left guard in the clips I viewed.  Seems agile enough as he pulled and pancaked a couple of opponents.  Looked to be a solid maybe 6-0, 260# ???

Campbell just released their 2013 class information on 16 recruits.  Includes a QB transfer from Liberty (Scholarship FCS) who has graduated and a 6-7, 255 TE.  We open the PFL season against Campbell on September 28th (Homecoming).

Looks like a D focus...some of the highlight tapes are ootdated...Foley did commit, google search confirmed and tells more...ck out HUDL film for him, senior highlights and Derrick Estelle, and the "BAMA " kid.

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 07, 2013, 05:46:31 PMIf Hammond signed, that would void my comment below about local signees. Aside from film, not much that I could find on height and weight. Clips show he sustains his block very well and doesn't quit early on run blocks -- tough thing to teach in a youngster. Listed as G, C or T, but I saw him at left guard in the clips I viewed. Seems agile enough as he pulled and pancaked a couple of opponents. Looked to be a solid maybe 6-0, 260# ???

Great guess VULB #62!  You should get a job at the carnival guessing height and weight. He is 6'0" and 265 and his high school coach thinks if he were 3 inches taller he would be getting major looks.

Willy -- do you know if Hammond signed with Valpo?

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 08, 2013, 11:02:17 AMWilly -- do you know if Hammond signed with Valpo?

Yes he did.

Cool!

UPDATED

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now.  Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class.  Lord knows we need help stopping people.

Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan

Connor Conzelman, LB, Jacobs; 6-1, 215#
Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210#
Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him.
Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#

Add OL/DL Brandon Doepke 6-3 270 Madison, WS to the list of commits.

(http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

Carlson said on Twitter that they had 25 but after that they add a wideout from Florida.  Not sure but it appears they are going to have closer to 30.

UPDATED

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

Brandon Doepke, Madison, WI,  6-2, 263#  DT  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now.  Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class.  Lord knows we need help stopping people.

Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan

Connor Conzelman, LB, Jacobs; 6-1, 215#
Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210#
Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him.
Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#

Article regarding Connor Conzelman and his choice of Valpo.

http://www.mchenrycountysports.com/articles/2013/01/30/r_cywsnziaseaetr2bt8neja/index.xml (http://www.mchenrycountysports.com/articles/2013/01/30/r_cywsnziaseaetr2bt8neja/index.xml)

Seems pretty solid in his commitment to attend Valpo and play football. I guess we will wait until the recruiting class is announced for it to become official.

Quote from: vufan75 on February 12, 2013, 03:41:38 PM
Article regarding Connor Conzelman and his choice of Valpo.

http://www.mchenrycountysports.com/articles/2013/01/30/r_cywsnziaseaetr2bt8neja/index.xml (http://www.mchenrycountysports.com/articles/2013/01/30/r_cywsnziaseaetr2bt8neja/index.xml)

Seems pretty solid in his commitment to attend Valpo and play football. I guess we will wait until the recruiting class is announced for it to become official.

Thanks for the update 75.  I clipped this from the article.  Shows how important academics and the College of Engineering are in attracting quality kids.

"The PFL is a conference of NCAA Division I schools that does not award athletic scholarships. Conzelman, who scored 29 on the ACT and has a 3.85 GPA, will receive substantial academic scholarship money. He considered D-III Hamilton (N.Y.) College and D-III Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Ind. Conzelman plans on majoring in engineering at Valpo.

"When I went [to Valpo] it just felt like college," Conzelman said. "I liked Hamilton, but it was 15 hours away and it's just too far. There are former Jacobs players, Dale Cook and Sean Cook, at Valpo, so I knew a lot about it."

Conzelman will finish his high school career with seven varsity letters: two in football, two in basketball and three in baseball.

"There were some schools talking to me about baseball," Conzelman said. "Valpo was the best fit for me, they have a good engineering program."

UPDATED (Most links have Highlight Tapes)

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

Brandon Doepke, Madison, WI,  6-2, 263#  DT  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

Connor Conzelman, Carpentersville, IL,   6-1, 215#  OLB    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman)

A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now.  Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class.  Lord knows we need help stopping people.

Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan

Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210#
Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him.
Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#

Here is another....Connor Rettig 6-2 276 OL Centerville, OH

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382)

UPDATED (Most links have Highlight Tapes)

I see lots of pachyderms with high RPM motors!  And this is only half of the stated 25.

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

Brandon Doepke, Madison, WI,  6-2, 263#  DT  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

Connor Conzelman, Carpentersville, IL,   6-1, 215#  OLB    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman)

Connor Retting, Centerville, OH, 6-2, 276#, OL  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382)

A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now.  Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class.  Lord knows we need help stopping people.

Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan

Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210#
Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him.
Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#
[/quote]

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 12, 2013, 06:53:30 PMConnor Conzelman, Carpentersville, IL,   6-1, 215#  OLB    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman)

I can hear it now, "Con-Con sure can tackle."

2 more commits...both from Wiregrass HS , FLA.,

DL and a WR...

I think that brings total up to 23 or 24? possibly?

"Wiregrass Ranch WR Ryan Shea and lineman John Coyne have orally committed to Valparaiso University, the duo said Monday night.""

Quote from: bluehorseshoe on February 13, 2013, 10:13:59 AM
I think that brings total up to 23 or 24? possibly?

I think it has to be more like 26 or 27.  Coach Carlson said in his blog that they had 23 and that was dated February 8.

http://blogs.valpo.edu/football/ (http://blogs.valpo.edu/football/)

DB commit Tim Foley, #20 Jesuit Tampa...Senior film

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412)

Quote from: bluehorseshoe on February 13, 2013, 10:19:39 AM
"Wiregrass Ranch WR Ryan Shea and lineman John Coyne have orally committed to Valparaiso University, the duo said Monday night.""

Thanks Bluehorseshoe.  Here's the entire release and the link to it.  I'll update the list now.


TAMPA BAY TIMES
Mon. February 11, 2013 | Matt Baker | Email
Wiregrass Ranch WR Ryan Shea and lineman John Coyne have orally committed to Valparaiso University, the duo said Monday night.
Shea, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior, led the Bulls with 23 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns this fall. The speedster was strong in track, earning second-team all-conference honors as a junior.
Coyne tallied 15 tackles and a fumble recovery during his senior year. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound athlete was an honorable mention all-North Suncoast pick this season and was a second-team all-conference thrower in track as a junior.
Oral commitments are non-binding until recruits sign letters of intent.


http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/wiregrass-duo-headed-valpo/16604/ (http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/wiregrass-duo-headed-valpo/16604/)

UPDATED

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  5-10, 175# DB   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/H7xk4vjk9kmuV8ivArhyjA/football-fall-12/profile-tim-foley.htm)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

Brandon Doepke, Madison, WI,  6-2, 263#  DT  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

Connor Conzelman, Carpentersville, IL,   6-1, 215#  OLB    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman)

Connor Retting, Centerville, OH, 6-2, 276#, OL  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382)

Ryan Shea, Wesley Chapel, FL,  5-11, 170#,  WR  http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/JevfDDK--0exc-SvSXpW0w/football-fall-12/profile-ryan-shea.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/JevfDDK--0exc-SvSXpW0w/football-fall-12/profile-ryan-shea.htm)

John Coyne   Wesley Chapel, FL, 6-2, 260#  DL and Long Snapper   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/4MLmri0FIEO_H-OLDI3h-A/football-fall-12/profile-john-coyne.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/4MLmri0FIEO_H-OLDI3h-A/football-fall-12/profile-john-coyne.htm)

A number of some of the leads don't confirm a signing so I left them off for now.  Looks like there's some defensive emphasis so far for this class.  Lord knows we need help stopping people.

Here are the prospects listed in The Sun Times and from Covufan

Brett Fox, LB, Plainfield North; 6-2, 210#
Austin Pfenniger, WR, Carmel IN 5-8, 165# (noted that one VU coach's tweet mentioned a Wes Welker clone commit - could be him.
Loukis Sinnis, LB, Carmel, IN, 5-11, 205#

I was really skeptical aout John Coyne's stats of 15 tackles and a fumble recovery as being worthy of recruiting hype, until the updated list where he was mentioned as a long snapper too. The long snapping might be his reason he committed to Valpo, since the defensive stats certainly didn't make me get too excited about his being on our roster.

Both Shea and Coyne come from an 0-10 HS team, but it takes 22.  Shea was their leading receiver.  I think you're right on Coyne.

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 14, 2013, 12:49:03 PM
Both Shea and Coyne come from an 0-10 HS team, but it takes 22.

I hope that we found some diamonds in the rough, so to speak.  If they were on an 8-2 team, would they have been scouted by more schools, and had more scholarship choices?

Shea had some long gainers.  Referred to by the Tampa Bay paper as a 'speedster.'

Quote from: VULB#62 on February 14, 2013, 12:49:03 PM
Both Shea and Coyne come from an 0-10 HS team, but it takes 22.  Shea was their leading receiver.  I think you're right on Coyne.

Well, they'll feel right at home at Valpo. If the Crusaders happen to win more than 1 or 2 games it will be unchartered territory for those two players.  :(

Some Jesuit background; Team was 33-6 last 3 seasons in tough 5A district, they were district and regional champs last 2 of 3 seasons. 7 players signed LOI with D1 schools last Weds.  Foley film on HUDL, 4.6 40 and 4.4 shuttle...6'0" 186...one of news clips below.  Will post some more details to site when possible...


"'Jesuit DB Tim Foley commits to Valparaiso"
Posted Jan 22, 2013 by Mike Camunas
Updated Jan 22, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Jesuit DB Tim Foley said in an e-mail to the Tampa Tribune that he has committed to Valparaiso University.
"I loved the campus when I went for a visit two weeks ago and have been accepted to the D1 school and admitted to the business program where I intend to pursue a degree in International Business," Foley said in the e-mail.
The 6-foot, 180-pound safety had 23 tackles, an interception, two forces fumbles and a fumble recovery for the 7-3 Tigers this past season. Foley also had offers from University of Rochester, Bates College, Stetson and Worcester Poly Tech.
Valparaiso is a Division I program that plays football in the Pioneer League and the Crusaders went 1-10 in 2012.
Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at mike.camunas@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunas.

Checked his Hudl clip.  Nose for the ball with speed; that's good.

62, are you talking about Tim Foley?

Quote from: valporun on February 15, 2013, 11:30:03 AM
62, are you talking about Tim Foley?

Yep. As much as you can tell from hi-lite clips.

Totally off the recruiting topic, it was nice to see the Valpo Football Team cheering hard and supporting Crusader basketball. They were right between the Detroit bench and basket, 30+ deep.  Win or lose, football or basketball, these are all student athletes doing the best that they can to rep "their" and "your"university. Hopefully football will get some love this season also!

Two items:

(1)  Noted on the FB Twitter page that the class of 2013 is up to 27 commits as of the 17th.  That does not count another "top recruit" who was visiting campus on the 18th.  When all is said and done it looks like maybe 30 by the Fall. 

(2)  Spring ball starts when the kids come back from Spring break in March.

Quote from: FloridaFootball on February 17, 2013, 10:49:30 AMTotally off the recruiting topic, it was nice to see the Valpo Football Team cheering hard and supporting Crusader basketball. They were right between the Detroit bench and basket, 30  deep. Win or lose, football or basketball, these are all student athletes doing the best that they can to rep "their" and "your"university. Hopefully football will get some love this season also!

The atmosphere at the basketball game was outstanding.  Loved seeing the football team and all the students supporting!  Would love to see some competitive games at Brown Field and more people supporting the football team.  Spring practice starts in one month, can't wait!!!!

If they win, it has been shown in the past that people will support our football team.  When we were winning while I was in school, our side was always packed.  I think we used to get 4k-5k in attendance back then?

Ran across an article mentioning another Valpo football recruit, Eric Swope, on the PFL fan message board. I don't recall seeing any mention or info about him previously so here is the article.

http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/highschoolrecruiting/3494225-74/swope-football-program#axzz2LYwHqFPj (http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/highschoolrecruiting/3494225-74/swope-football-program#axzz2LYwHqFPj)

Thanks 75.  Sounds like a really good get. Western PA kid. Good speed/size ratio. Leadership qualities and (guess what?) he wants to be a civil engineer.  Chalk up another one for the College of Eng'g!

UPDATED

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  6-0, 186# DB   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

Brandon Doepke, Madison, WI,  6-2, 263#  DT  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

Connor Conzelman, Carpentersville, IL,   6-1, 215#  OLB    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman)

Connor Retting, Centerville, OH, 6-2, 276#, OL  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382)

Ryan Shea, Wesley Chapel, FL,  5-11, 170#,  WR  http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/JevfDDK--0exc-SvSXpW0w/football-fall-12/profile-ryan-shea.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/JevfDDK--0exc-SvSXpW0w/football-fall-12/profile-ryan-shea.htm)

John Coyne   Wesley Chapel, FL, 6-2, 260#  DL and Long Snapper   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/4MLmri0FIEO_H-OLDI3h-A/football-fall-12/profile-john-coyne.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/4MLmri0FIEO_H-OLDI3h-A/football-fall-12/profile-john-coyne.htm)

Eric Swope  Harrison City, PA  6-1, 245#  DE/DT    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/pa/harrison-city/penn-trafford-high-school/eric-swope (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/pa/harrison-city/penn-trafford-high-school/eric-swope)

thanks for the updated commits...you can put in the Tim Foley HUDL film below as part of list...thanks...6'0 186lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412)

Done

Based on Twitter reports, the staff is continuing to sign kids. Just got a FLA TE.  Hope they use that position more in their offense this fall.  Gerton disappeared early on and then got hurt.

I just hope that our passing game becomes more vertical, no more 'dink and dunk' stuff.  It helps to have that occasionally, but not every pass

More hints at more signings on ValpoFB on Twitter.

Last week at the Hilltop before the b-ball game with EKU, an asst. football coach(Casey - can't remember his last name) who just joined the Staff for the  up-coming season, was making his rounds glad-handing people and talking about the program for next Fall(a few players were also doing the same) said 57 guys return next Fall and they had by far the best recruiting class since Carlson arrived. The guy sounded very up-beat and enthused about next season.  I guess time will tell.  I will  give them credit for trying to  get some interest and PR for the football program. 

UPDATE 3/3 :  Dale Carlson noted on Twitter today that the incoming class is up to 33

64, That was Kasey Teegardin.  Good chance to make a couple of points:

(1)  This is the first season in the Carlson regime where every single assistant coach from the previous season has returned.  Previous years there was quite a lot of turnover.  Here they are with the season they started at Valpo under Carlson:

Dale Carlson - HFC - 2010
Bob Muckian - OC - 2010
Rob Hanson - OL - 2010 #
Trevor Jaskiw - TEs  - 2010 *#
Steve Donovan - DL - 2011 *
Kasey Teegardin - STC - 2012
Alex Bailey - WRs - 2012
Tyson Silveus - DC - 2012
Chris Howard (No information)
Nick Malantis  - Student Assistant Coach
* Grad Assistant
# Holdover from previous staff
The Special Teams Coordinator and the DC were new last season (could explain the incredible Point Against numbers)

(2) I, too, am very impressed by the high level enthusiasm maintained among the staff despite winning only 2 games in three years and getting clocked this past season more often than not.  It's evident on Twitter and it seems to be reflected in an aggressive recruiting effort.  From what I can see among the recruits that we have IDed here on the forum, there is some good size and maybe some talent.

(3) If Teegardin is correct in stating that there are 57 returnees, the need for 30+ recruits is pretty clear.  Last year the published roster had 92 players.  There were 14 seniors and 5th year seniors on the squad.  If we subtract those 14 from the 92, we should have 78 coming back.  So there was a drop out figure of 21 lads.  Let's hope the drop outs were (a) not on the two deep and (b) were the kids who were waiting in the wings to get on the two deep.

(4) Remember that 85% of the 2012  two deep were underclassmen.

I stand corrected.  Interestingly, Coach Carlson Tweeted yesterday that they have 74 players on the active roster not including recruits.  So the drop out factor alluded to below is now moot (difference of only 4 instead of 21).  That's better news than previously thought.  My nimble mathematical brain allows me to instantly calculate that at the beginning of pre-season in August that could mean  ............... ah.................... 107 players.   :o

That's a lot of helmets and pads.

I asked at one point why, with so many on the roster, didn't the program institute a JV schedule?  Problems were: inadequate coaching staff size (compare that to the Lawrence North HS BB staff with more coaches for 42 kids than a college FB program with 107 and many more positions than 5 to coach), added expense, difficulty in finding opponents, quality of depth at  each position, and apparently, kids lose eligibility time when they play JV (but, not sure on that one).  Once the program gets on its feet and the quality of depth issue is addressed, I understand that the the JV schedule will be reconsidered.

Yes, you lose eligibility for each year of JV.  Anyone that ever played varsity in baseball with a prior JV background, still had the time used up.

About time we add someone:


UPDATED.............  again

Dillon Sampson, Huron, OH,  6-2, 280 OG   http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/oh/huron/huron-high-school1/dillon-sampson)

Matt McGinnis, Waxhaw, NC,  6-4 230 DE  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/nc/waxhaw/cuthbertson-high-school/matt-mcginnis)

Lucas Lanzon, L'Anse Creuse HS, MI,   6-1, 230 LB  http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR (http://www.thedzone.net/2013/01/lucas-lanzon-of-lanse-creuse-commits-to.html#.URKBPaWTrTR)

Nate Emminger, Plymouth, MI,   5-8, 173# WR   http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ (http://www.thedzone.net/2012/05/nate-emminger-2013-wr.html#.URKB6KWTrTQ)

Timothy Foley, Lutz, FL,  6-0, 186# DB   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/632317/highlights/25017412)

Derrick Estell, Miller, MO,   5-11, 190# RB  (4.5 40, 275 BP, 38" VL, 4.0 GPA) http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/mo/miller/miller-high-school/derrick-estell)

Grayson Bastin, Fort Wayne, IN,   5-7, 177#, RB  (Pursued by Indiana State, 4.0 GPA)   http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin (http://nationalunderclassmen.ning.com/profile/GraysonBastin)

Bama Powell  Indianapolis, IN,   6-2 290#, OG     http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577 (http://collegefootball.scout.com/a.z?s=194&p=8&c=1&nid=6131577)

Gunnar Wolfe, Orange County, CA,   6-1, 195#, LB  (Teammates signed with UCLA, Colorado, and Utah)   http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/ (http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/category/football/)

Jon Hammond, DL, Chicago, IL,   6-0, 265#  OL   http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1205656/highlights/32189376)

Brandon Doepke, Madison, WI,  6-2, 263#  DT  http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/wi/madison/madison-west-high-school-/brandon-doepke)

Connor Conzelman, Carpentersville, IL,   6-1, 215#  OLB    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/il/algonquin/harry-d-jacobs/connor-conzelman)

Connor Retting, Centerville, OH, 6-2, 276#, OL  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/949683/#highlights/7969382)

Ryan Shea, Wesley Chapel, FL,  5-11, 170#,  WR  http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/JevfDDK--0exc-SvSXpW0w/football-fall-12/profile-ryan-shea.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/JevfDDK--0exc-SvSXpW0w/football-fall-12/profile-ryan-shea.htm)

John Coyne   Wesley Chapel, FL, 6-2, 260#  DL and Long Snapper   http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/4MLmri0FIEO_H-OLDI3h-A/football-fall-12/profile-john-coyne.htm (http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/4MLmri0FIEO_H-OLDI3h-A/football-fall-12/profile-john-coyne.htm)

Eric Swope  Harrison City, PA  6-1, 245#  DE/DT    http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/pa/harrison-city/penn-trafford-high-school/eric-swope (http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/pa/harrison-city/penn-trafford-high-school/eric-swope)

Remy Linares   Chatsworth, CA   6-5, 275#   OL/DL    [ Team went 15-0, State Champs in California his junior year, 10-1 in 2012 ]  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/93880/highlights/22831374 (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/93880/highlights/22831374)

********************************************

With just 17 of the 30+ recruits who have already committed and that we have evidence for, IT'S TIME TO LOOK AT THE BEEF:

6-2   280#  OG
6-4   230#  TE
6-1   230#  LB
6-2   290#  OG
6-0   265#  OL
6-2   263#  DT
6-1   215#  OLB
6-2   276#  OL
6-2   260#  DL
6-1   245#  DL/DE
6-5   275#  OL/DL

Average BIG recruit size is:  6-2,   263#

I see a trend here (Duh, really!).  And in watching the clips on most of these kids, they did not play against Little Sisters Of The Poor High Schools. Could be that this is THE class.  But time and adversity will tell. Gotta keep that glass full.

thanks so much for the updates...as an FYI the '13 signing class with T Foley @ Tampa Jesuit also had players sign with Iowa State, Cincy, FAU, USF, Lehigh, Colgate and Occidental Ca.,