In the way too early category, I would definitely put Williams in my top 3 for teams in the 2025 season.

I agree that Montesano has a lot of upside for the Ephs, especially as he (presumably) fills out his massive frame a bit.  Indeed, the tight end / H-Back position for the Ephs looks loaded next year, with Montesano, O'Connell, Jaffe, Baker and in particular Johansen all returning with a lot more collective experience (such a crowded depth chart may limit Montesano's opportunities, in fact).  Although Johansen could play at any number of positions next year, including more time at QB ...

The Ephs will have to replace Tim Forth and Mario Fischetti on offense, but two rising juniors played a lot of snaps, including as starters, as injury replacements on the offensive line plus some rising sophs may contend for time, and Jon Oris is one of the top five returning tailbacks in the league (depth behind him is a big concern however). 

The bigger question for the Ephs is who the QB will be, and how effective.  McHugh looked like a potential star early in the season before some really brutal turnovers caused the coaches to lose faith.  Ideally, he can reclaim the starting role and showcase some improved decision-making, but if not, the Ephs will have to find someone to take advantage of a lot of returning weapons in the passing game (including Stahelski and Kennedy at receiver and some FY receivers who should get a chance next year).   If the Ephs are starting all over again at QB, that lowers the potential downside for the team considerably. 

The Ephs who I expect to POTENTIALLY contend for all-league honors in the years to come, besides the three returning all-league honorees, would be Montesano, Johansen, Will Gale, Ben Yedid, Andrew Kreakie, Luke Mangini, Zakkai Moore, Owen Fitzsimmons, Oris, Stahelski, and Cam Maguire. 
 

Wesleyan will have at least two returning. Declan Welch was all 2nd team All-NESCAC DL in 2023, injured most of this year. They will be loaded on the DL again returning another 7-8 guys that saw meaningful snaps last 2 seasons. Also, there could be a few additional players returning for a 5th year.

Quote from: nescac1 on November 19, 2024, 12:45:17 PMBy my quick count, Trinity returns only four of 12 all-league players and most of the rest of the league return 2-3.  Wesleyan returns only one!  NESCAC looks wide open next year. 

Want to give a shoutout to the Continentals who made All-Nescac. Especially to Jake LaMalva, who started every single game of his college career. Incredible achievement, considering he moved positions multiple times (and was dominant at each of those positions) and was a fantastic leader. Chase White is also deserving of some praise- he was truly unblockable by just about every OL in the NESCAC.

It is great for the NESCAC that Tim Forth is getting interest from the NFL.  Tomlinson is having an outstanding season at UNH and I hope he gets some opportunities to play in the NFL if that is what he would like to do.  I also hope Tighe Hoey gets an opportunity to show his skills at the next level if he has such a desire.  He is No. 2 in D3 at 44 plus yards per punt. I would like to think there is an agent who could get him some opportunities.  The same for Shuran. 

Quote from: nescac1 on November 19, 2024, 12:45:17 PMBy my quick count, Trinity returns only four of 12 all-league players and most of the rest of the league return 2-3.  Wesleyan returns only one!  NESCAC looks wide open next year. 

Actually, with all due respect N1, that is incorrect. Besides 2025 DPOTY-candidate Dylan Connors, Wesleyan returns 2023 All-NESCACer Declan Welch, who would have made All-NESCAC this year had his playing not been reduced due to playing behind two all-league guys in 2024 who were injured for a great deal of 2023. NESCAC OPOTY Chase Wilson also is eligible to return in 2025 (which is scary for opposing defenses), if he decides to not test the portal or go to law school. So Wes returns 2 guys for sure and possibly 3 guys.

NM 

Quote from: The Mole on November 19, 2024, 01:46:55 PMWesleyan will have at least two returning. Declan Welch was all 2nd team All-NESCAC DL in 2023, injured most of this year. They will be loaded on the DL again returning another 7-8 guys that saw meaningful snaps last 2 seasons. Also, there could be a few additional players returning for a 5th year.

Quote from: nescac1 on November 19, 2024, 12:45:17 PMBy my quick count, Trinity returns only four of 12 all-league players and most of the rest of the league return 2-3.  Wesleyan returns only one!  NESCAC looks wide open next year. 

Beat us to the punch, our friend!

Hats off and congratulations to the Wesleyan Football Cardinals for sweeping the major awards and honors for the 2024 NESCAC season:

-2024 Outright NESCAC Champions
-Coaching Staff of the Year: Coach Dan DiCenzo and his Coaching Staff
-Offensive Player of the Year: Chase Wilson
-Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Carbeau   

In addition, they placed 7 players on the 1st Team All-NESCAC Defense, a new league record, won their third consecutive Little 3 Championship, and tied a program record for wins. A great season.

Congratulations to the student-athletes and the coaches.

Hearing that the preliminary meeting between Forth and Tampa Bay went well- they are interested in his size and athletic ability. Main focus will be on the mass is he able to put on from now until the draft. Not surprised with any of this information. Obviously, draft is unlikely, so they will monitor the situation towards the end of the season and the spring. Still a long shot and mostly speculative, but heard that Bucs scouts were in Williamstown, so that speculation is real. Interested if anyone else in the NESCAC will gain NFL attention along with Forth and Perry. Unlikely that anyone that does not play in the trenches gathers any attention. 

Quote from: MikeJones50 on November 19, 2024, 05:11:16 PMHearing that the preliminary meeting between Forth and Tampa Bay went well- they are interested in his size and athletic ability. Main focus will be on the mass is he able to put on from now until the draft. Not surprised with any of this information. Obviously, draft is unlikely, so they will monitor the situation towards the end of the season and the spring. Still a long shot and mostly speculative, but heard that Bucs scouts were in Williamstown, so that speculation is real. Interested if anyone else in the NESCAC will gain NFL attention along with Forth and Perry. Unlikely that anyone that does not play in the trenches gathers any attention. 

Makes sense about Forth, wish him nothing but the best

Quote from: MikeJones50 on November 19, 2024, 05:11:16 PMHearing that the preliminary meeting between Forth and Tampa Bay went well- they are interested in his size and athletic ability. Main focus will be on the mass is he able to put on from now until the draft. Not surprised with any of this information. Obviously, draft is unlikely, so they will monitor the situation towards the end of the season and the spring. Still a long shot and mostly speculative, but heard that Bucs scouts were in Williamstown, so that speculation is real. Interested if anyone else in the NESCAC will gain NFL attention along with Forth and Perry. Unlikely that anyone that does not play in the trenches gathers any attention. 

Is there an echo in here?

It must be a tough winter social scene in Williamstown this year if this is what the football team is doing to keep themselves entertained in the offseason. Winter study is only weeks away, hang in there guys.

Nice to hear that Professor Smith is doing well.

Quote from: RollConts18 on November 19, 2024, 01:52:23 PMWant to give a shoutout to the Continentals who made All-Nescac. Especially to Jake LaMalva, who started every single game of his college career. Incredible achievement, considering he moved positions multiple times (and was dominant at each of those positions) and was a fantastic leader. Chase White is also deserving of some praise- he was truly unblockable by just about every OL in the NESCAC.

Yes, there is life in Clinton! Glad to see participation from NY's representative in the NESCAC.

Congratulations to the Continental student-athletes that were recognized for their efforts despite the disappointing season they had. By all rights, this team deserved to be on the winning end more than one time this year. We expect to see improvement in 2025 with one of the few returning signal callers in the league.

Hopefully, we can get Coach Murray (or Coach Dwyer) on the "9 Weeks NESCAC" podcast in 2025. It's unfortunate that the Conts were the only team that did not have a coach or player on the pod in 2024. We'll definitely work to rectify that in 2025.

NM

I would like to tip my hat to all the hard working players who don't win the awards. A player on Williams that comes to mind is Jack Dickinson. He never was quite able to lock down the starting quarterback job after Bobby left but continued to be a strong presence on the sidelines and the number one cheerleader for McHugh. He ended up being the long snapper and in one memorable sequence he subbed in at quarterback on third down and then on fourth down was the long snapper and downed the ball on the one yard line. It was really nice to see him end his career with a victory as the starting quarterback against Amherst, of course he still doubled as the long snapper!

Quote from: GroundandPound on November 19, 2024, 03:20:14 PMIt is great for the NESCAC that Tim Forth is getting interest from the NFL.  Tomlinson is having an outstanding season at UNH and I hope he gets some opportunities to play in the NFL if that is what he would like to do.  I also hope Tighe Hoey gets an opportunity to show his skills at the next level if he has such a desire.  He is No. 2 in D3 at 44 plus yards per punt. I would like to think there is an agent who could get him some opportunities.  The same for Shuran. 

G&P, I love your enthusiasm but just to level set , there are a literally a hundred punters and kickers better than both those guys who can't get a sniff in the league . It's arguably the hardest position to land at the next level. The Aussies now have a farm system of older punters coming to play at power 5 schools . Check rosters of the top 50 programs. 25pct will be Aussie punters .

Could they land a spot in arena league or CFL? Also doubtful but who knows . Hats off to both of them on great careers and being difference makers for their squads .