2015 Football Recruiting

[historyman]

Welcome aboard, Oghbeicae9.  Are you, per chance, related to OB1Canobie?   

If Oghbeicae9 said no, he was from St Joe, in division one.


I would say R2 -- D-II.   

[VULB#62]

Interesting article on what big public colleges spend on football recruiting (and the cost per win).

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2015/02/03/college-football-recruiting-signing-day-sec-power-conferences/22813887/

I wonder how we match up   heh, heh, heh.

Hint: Tennessee spent $1.2 million

[bbtds]

I thought I'd place this here: the 2015 football schedule has been released: http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/schedule/2015-16/#.VNDkjNLF-yU

God forbid we lose to College of Faith. That must be the Homecoming game. Correct?

[valpotx]

I thought that the 2014 season was the first for College of Faith football?  I remember seeing them lose by 70 or so every game, including against some of our opponents.

Apparently they have multiple campuses with recent football programs:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/08/29/5138201/college-of-faith-hoping-to-extend.html#.VNHJt3lgOUk

[LaPorteAveApostle]

God forbid we lose to College of Faith

There's nothing worse than losing your Faith.

This should be their 3rd year...Ave Maria blew them out down here in 2013, 52-0...and we are just NAIA-II, I think.
http://www.avemariagyrenes.com/news/2013/10/19/FB_1019135250.aspx

First time AMU ever pitched a shutout.  13 yards of total offense for CoF...

[vumsb]

I thought I'd place this here: the 2015 football schedule has been released: http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/schedule/2015-16/#.VNDkjNLF-yU

God forbid we lose to College of Faith. That must be the Homecoming game. Correct?

San Diego is our Homecoming game.

[VULB#62]

I thought that the 2014 season was the first for College of Faith football?  I remember seeing them lose by 70 or so every game, including against some of our opponents.

Apparently they have multiple campuses with recent football programs:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/08/29/5138201/college-of-faith-hoping-to-extend.html#.VNHJt3lgOUk

To my knowledge there are three "__X__ of Faith" institutions.  Last year the COF in Charlotte began their FB program and got hammered by a couple of PFL teams.  There is a University of Faith someplace in Florida and now the COF - Arkansas is starting up.  After hard games against EKU and SHU, this should be similar to a scrimmage for VU and a chance to get more players onto the field, rest injured players, etc. etc. before we open up the PFL season.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

San Diego is our Homecoming game.

i think he was joking based on the poor quality of opponent.  obviously homecoming would be a conference game, although a cupcake would be nicer!

Just a reminder to those following the coaches' tweets today, you can embed them in posts here (please!) by simply doing this:

[ t w e e t ] INSERT THE LONG NUMBER AT THE END OF THE TWEET AFTER THE SLASH HERE [ / t w e e t ]

obviously without the spaces

[LaPorteAveApostle]

To my knowledge there are three "__X__ of Faith" institutions.

well, i heard that VU is welcoming to many different Faiths

[covufan]

God forbid we lose to College of Faith. That must be the Homecoming game. Correct?

Have you no faith?!!?

[covufan]

We open a week later than in the past  with 11 games and no bye weeks to lick wounds.

We have one bye week - All Hallows' Eve.

[VU2624]

Team doesn't really need RBs other than for depth or down the road with Hall, Bastin and Hutson all returning. Jarrett Morgan was a back in HS as well, I believe and he may line up all over the place as I'm not sure he's a pure receiver.

Offensively, the upcoming season will be a challenge for Coach C and Coach Miran. Ryan Clarke would seem to be the choice at QB but he only played in mopup duty. The returning QB who played didn't play well and Stokes was redshirted. They did a great job with Lehman last year through the course of the season despite some limitations with the player but they are still dealing with a ton of inexperience at the position. In addition, there's a rumor of a potential eligible transfer who may be a choice.

WRs have three 2nd year players (1 RS soph and 2 sophs if you count Morgan) after graduating virtually everyone else who was on the roster at the end of the year. There is also one upper classman in Etzler who didn't see a lot of action. It appears they are bringing in a number of WRs but, as with all Valpo commits, sometimes they don't always make it to camp and the offense does not usually allow for players hitting the field right away. In addition, there were a number of WRs who were signed for 2013 of which 1 remains for a variety of reasons. Right now the numbers don't work here. The 3 guys who played were slots last year and the offense is geared towards at least one outside position. So either a new guy is playing or at least one of the 3 is moving outside. TEs are not really receiving threats. So filling the WR position is important for the offense.

I think the defense will be very solid and may drive the results of the season which appears to provide a pretty tough schedule.

[valpochgo]

Great post VU2624.....  I don't remember his name but I heard from many of the returning players that the transfer QB that was redshirted last year is REALLY good and was a scholarship player at another university before coming to Valpo.  I think he's smaller than Ryan but has a cannon of an arm.  I also think if Ryan doesn't start next year he may move to TE or another position because he's a very versatile and talented athlete. 

[VU2624]

Great post VU2624.....  I don't remember his name but I heard from many of the returning players that the transfer QB that was redshirted last year is REALLY good and was a scholarship player at another university before coming to Valpo.  I think he's smaller than Ryan but has a cannon of an arm.  I also think if Ryan doesn't start next year he may move to TE or another position because he's a very versatile and talented athlete. 

If he's still around, he's not with the team from what I've been able to scrum together. I think they've recruited at least 2 QBs in this new class as well which would put 5 on the roster without the mystery man.

[vu72]

Day One apparently in the books. 28 kids including 7 wide receivers, 4 defensive backs, 3 defensive linemen, 3 offensive linemen, 4 linebackers, 2 tight ends, 2 quarterbacks, 1 h-back, 1 kicker and 1 running back. The come from 8 states, including 8 from Florida, 6 from Illinois, 4 from Indiana, 3 from Michigan, 2 from Texas, 3 from Missouri and one each from North Carolina and California.

[Chief Humping Dog]

I attended Davis Harbin's signing ceremony today at Orangewood.

I asked him why Valpo and his reply was, "It just felt right. When I left I knew I wanted to go back." He said he has to report on 8/1 and that the staff had already told him what was required for his fitness test on the first day of practice... 22x80 yard sprints.

Best of luck to all of you and Davis too. Again, I really proud of him and y'all have a fine young man joining your program/family.   

Today was a great day.   

[VULB#62]

From the kids' Twitter chatter I see a lot of "I am blessed".  We are doing OK.  These kids will work their tails off to contribute.

But man, I'd really like to see a few more 280 lb + guys.

[vumsb]

From the kids' Twitter chatter I see a lot of "I am blested".  We are doing OK.  These kids will work their tails off to contribute.

But man, I'd really like to see a few more 280 lb + guys.

Agree 100%. Need more big linemen. To win a championship you have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

[VULB#62]

The recruiting class got some real positive press coverage:

http://www.nwitimes.com/high-school/andrean/jim-peters-paliga-s-choice-could-open-region-roads-to/article_b333c854-c6d0-50fb-b6dc-43e5bfe857a8.html

and

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/cecchini-hopes-vu-football-recruiting-class-builds-on-program-s/article_7875d138-dc1f-530c-9438-11ea7b1839a6.html

And Paul Oren tweeted that he was enjoying the way this staff handles signing day. Gary Puetz also tweeted support.   From the article it looks like there are another 6-10 players who may join the class after the weekend.  Size might be addressed in that bunch.

[vu72]

From the kids' Twitter chatter I see a lot of "I am blessed".  We are doing OK.  These kids will work their tails off to contribute.

But man, I'd really like to see a few more 280 lb + guys.

Of the players signed yesterday, the biggest OL or DL kids are 6'6" 260#, 6'4" 260#, 6'2" 260#, and 6'4" 245#.  I suspect the coaches will want to add 20# of muscle as these kids mature.

I do like some of the size at WR and LB.  Wideouts include 6'2" 205#, 6'1" 200#, 6'2" 180#, and 6'1" 200#.  At linebacker we added 6' 218#, 6'2" 220#, 6'1" 215#, and 6' 215#.

[VU2624]

From the kids' Twitter chatter I see a lot of "I am blessed".  We are doing OK.  These kids will work their tails off to contribute.

But man, I'd really like to see a few more 280 lb + guys.

Of the players signed yesterday, the biggest OL or DL kids are 6'6" 260#, 6'4" 260#, 6'2" 260#, and 6'4" 245#.  I suspect the coaches will want to add 20# of muscle as these kids mature.

I do like some of the size at WR and LB.  Wideouts include 6'2" 205#, 6'1" 200#, 6'2" 180#, and 6'1" 200#.  At linebacker we added 6' 218#, 6'2" 220#, 6'1" 215#, and 6' 215#.

To compete in the future with some PFL, the trenches need to be beefed up. Hopefully there are still some signings out there for the OL/DL.  The defensive scheme they use requires some pretty good athletes at LBer to give them some flexibility in terms of coverage and getting after the QB. They like to mix it up. Couple of these guys fit that mold. Most WRs who come in can catch and HS stats can be misleading because there is so much separation in HS. Once that space disappears and they have blocking assignments some of these guys disappear. I looked at some of the highlights for this group and thought it was the slot guys who were more impressive and that includes over the guy who seems to be getting the most attention out of this group. Between the choice of QB, who is almost assuredly going to be what amounts to a first year player and a WR group which includes 2 or 3 second year players and a bunch of freshmen, it will be interesting to see if the offense moves to a more ground oriented attack considering the experience at RB.

[vu72]

From the kids' Twitter chatter I see a lot of "I am blessed".  We are doing OK.  These kids will work their tails off to contribute.

But man, I'd really like to see a few more 280 lb + guys.

Of the players signed yesterday, the biggest OL or DL kids are 6'6" 260#, 6'4" 260#, 6'2" 260#, and 6'4" 245#.  I suspect the coaches will want to add 20# of muscle as these kids mature.

I do like some of the size at WR and LB.  Wideouts include 6'2" 205#, 6'1" 200#, 6'2" 180#, and 6'1" 200#.  At linebacker we added 6' 218#, 6'2" 220#, 6'1" 215#, and 6' 215#.

To compete in the future with some PFL, the trenches need to be beefed up. Hopefully there are still some signings out there for the OL/DL.  The defensive scheme they use requires some pretty good athletes at LBer to give them some flexibility in terms of coverage and getting after the QB. They like to mix it up. Couple of these guys fit that mold. Most WRs who come in can catch and HS stats can be misleading because there is so much separation in HS. Once that space disappears and they have blocking assignments some of these guys disappear. I looked at some of the highlights for this group and thought it was the slot guys who were more impressive and that includes over the guy who seems to be getting the most attention out of this group. Between the choice of QB, who is almost assuredly going to be what amounts to a first year player and a WR group which includes 2 or 3 second year players and a bunch of freshmen, it will be interesting to see if the offense moves to a more ground oriented attack considering the experience at RB.

One of the WRs was very highly regarded coming out of Bloomington South in Indiana.  Keenan Franz, 6'2" 180#, was voted Mr. Football (not THE Mr. Football) at Wide Receiver. Apparently in Indiana they give the award out by position as well as overall.  To be voted the top receiver in the state says a lot.

[bbtds]

One of the WRs was very highly regarded coming out of Bloomington South in Indiana.  Keenan Franz, 6'2" 180#, was voted Mr. Football (not THE Mr. Football) at Wide Receiver. Apparently in Indiana they give the award out by position as well as overall.  To be voted the top receiver in the state says a lot.

I thought I recognized that name. He has won some high school awards that is for sure.

[valpopal]

Excellent article by Jim Peters about Paliga's choice to commit with Valparaiso: http://www.nwitimes.com/high-school/andrean/jim-peters-paliga-s-choice-could-open-region-roads-to/article_b333c854-c6d0-50fb-b6dc-43e5bfe857a8.html#utm_source=nwitimes&utm_campaign=index-list-2&utm_medium=direct&utm_label=autoshow

...and here is Peters writing about the incoming class: http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/cecchini-hopes-vu-football-recruiting-class-builds-on-program-s/article_7875d138-dc1f-530c-9438-11ea7b1839a6.html

[covufan]

The recruiting class got some real positive press coverage:

http://www.nwitimes.com/high-school/andrean/jim-peters-paliga-s-choice-could-open-region-roads-to/article_b333c854-c6d0-50fb-b6dc-43e5bfe857a8.html

and

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/cecchini-hopes-vu-football-recruiting-class-builds-on-program-s/article_7875d138-dc1f-530c-9438-11ea7b1839a6.html

And Paul Oren tweeted that he was enjoying the way this staff handles signing day. Gary Puetz also tweeted support.   From the article it looks like there are another 6-10 players who may join the class after the weekend.  Size might be addressed in that bunch.

One of the WRs was very highly regarded coming out of Bloomington South in Indiana.  Keenan Franz, 6'2" 180#, was voted Mr. Football (not THE Mr. Football) at Wide Receiver. Apparently in Indiana they give the award out by position as well as overall.  To be voted the top receiver in the state says a lot.

I thought I recognized that name. He has won some high school awards that is for sure.

These articles and signings are very positive for Valpo football.  Congrats to Coach C and his staff.  A Region and state pipeline would be very nice.

Look forward to this fall!