Quote from: nescac1 on December 05, 2024, 02:52:14 PMThe most dominant defensive lineman I've seen has to be Ethan Scott, who of course went on to a long NFL career after switching to offense.  He had no business being in D3 with his speed / size combo, but had a massive growth spurt after his final year of high school football.

Others in the conversation: Alex Bernstein, Amherst, who also played in the NFL; Helbig; Andrew Yamin.  That would be my Mount Rushmore from 1995 forward.  I think I'd put Kenary next after that group, right around the Yamin level, followed by Michael Blair. 

N1-
Ethan Scott no doubt had the best pro career and has to be at or near the top of the list.

Make that Ethan Brooks.

Whoops - and d'oh!  I'll edit, I of course mean Ethan Brooks!

I would also add that he played along side Bobby Walker, who was every bit as good. Coach Farley moved Bobby to LB, in part so that he could get NFL exposure. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury throwing the hammer his senior year. Something to think about when talking about Spring FB practice: Neither Bobby nor Ethan would have enrolled had they not been able to be play multiple sports. Coach Farley was a master at exploiting this recruiting advantage, particularly vis a vis the Ivies. Virtually all (if not all) all of the pantheon-Perry, Keenan, Scott Farley, Brooks, Walker and a few others I will attempt to remember and share were multi sport athletes. 

Lots of guys participate in other sports at schools where spring practice is allowed. None more prominent than the Gagliardi Trophy winner, Luke Lehnen, who also plays outfield for North Central as well as quarterback.

Congratulations to Wesleyan LB Ben Carbeau who was named the winner of the Joseph P. Zabilski Award which is given to the defensive player of the year for D2/D3 in New England by the New England Football Writers Association.

He is the 3rd Cardinal to win the award joining Jake Bussani in 2015 and Nick Helbig in 2022.

https://athletics.wesleyan.edu/news/2024/12/3/football-ben-carbeau-honored-with-joseph-p-zabilski-award.aspx

Ted Rogers was a monster for Williams in the early 90s

Quote from: nescac1 on December 05, 2024, 02:52:14 PMThe most dominant defensive lineman I've seen has to be Ethan Brooks, who of course went on to a long NFL career after switching to offense.  He had no business being in D3 with his speed / size combo, but had a massive growth spurt after his final year of high school football.

Others in the conversation: Alex Bernstein, Amherst, who also played in the NFL; Helbig; Andrew Yamin.  That would be my Mount Rushmore from 1995 forward.  I think I'd put Kenary next after that group, right around the Yamin level, followed by Michael Blair. 

Quote from: oldezra on December 05, 2024, 04:33:58 PMI would also add that he played along side Bobby Walker, who was every bit as good. Coach Farley moved Bobby to LB, in part so that he could get NFL exposure. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury throwing the hammer his senior year. Something to think about when talking about Spring FB practice: Neither Bobby nor Ethan would have enrolled had they not been able to be play multiple sports. Coach Farley was a master at exploiting this recruiting advantage, particularly vis a vis the Ivies. Virtually all (if not all) all of the pantheon-Perry, Keenan, Scott Farley, Brooks, Walker and a few others I will attempt to remember and share were multi sport athletes. 

Not quite pantheon level player but any time a multi sport athlete comes up I always think of Jon Dolan who led the team in tackles and started at linebacker on some really good teams from 03-07, and was a 4x All League and 3x All American wrestler. He said he would give himself "almost 48 hours after the Amherst game" to rest and recover.

Bonus points to anyone here who can name his wrestling coach

Quote from: SpringSt7 on December 06, 2024, 08:54:24 AM

Quote from: oldezra on December 05, 2024, 04:33:58 PMI would also add that he played along side Bobby Walker, who was every bit as good. Coach Farley moved Bobby to LB, in part so that he could get NFL exposure. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury throwing the hammer his senior year. Something to think about when talking about Spring FB practice: Neither Bobby nor Ethan would have enrolled had they not been able to be play multiple sports. Coach Farley was a master at exploiting this recruiting advantage, particularly vis a vis the Ivies. Virtually all (if not all) all of the pantheon-Perry, Keenan, Scott Farley, Brooks, Walker and a few others I will attempt to remember and share were multi sport athletes. 

Not quite pantheon level player but any time a multi sport athlete comes up I always think of Jon Dolan who led the team in tackles and started at linebacker on some really good teams from 03-07, and was a 4x All League and 3x All American wrestler. He said he would give himself "almost 48 hours after the Amherst game" to rest and recover.

Bonus points to anyone here who can name his wrestling coach

That would be Coach DiCenzo, we believe.

Truly enjoying the Mt Rushmore of modern-history NESCAC D-Line discussion. I see Helbig has been mentioned as a notch above Mike Blair. I'd love to hear Trinity 9-0 (or Coach DiCenzo's) comparison of these behemoths.

For those unaware of Blair's accomplishments, he was a 4-time All-American Heavyweight for the Bantams (125-10 career record) and generally considered their cornerstone for the Defense that led all of D3 in multiple defensive categories (scoring, rushing yards, etc.) for each of the 8-0 years. The team was 31-1 when he was on the field.

He was the NESCAC rookie of the year (2002), NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year (2005), D2/D3 Defensive Player of the Year (2005) and AFCA All-American (2005).

Simply put, from his Freshman year forward, he was the most disruptive force for what is likely the greatest defense in NESCAC-history (4.9 points per game allowed over a 3 year period, 24 wins/0 losses...6.8 ppg if you add in the 2002 stats, 31 wins/1 loss).

His speed was likely the hinderance from sincere looks at the next level, though it would have been quite interesting to see an NFL team bring his weight up to 290 lbs. and move him to OG. His wrestling talent (balance/leverage), natural power and pugnacity would have given him a reasonable chance to make a roster.

4.9 points per game over 3 years and 7 ppg over 4 years is NUTS!!!

Thank you for mentioning Ted Rogers Definitely a pantheon level DE and another two sport kid for whom Lacrosse was not at all an afterthought. Went down to the final cut with the Redskins, I believe. I would also include Jamal Pollock. Under sized but a National Champ in wrestling (?). Best balance I ever saw in a NESCAC RB. Taking the way back machine, I would include Bill Drummond, W.C. "68, 6'5" 235 LB. TE and basketball PF. And, Of course, Jack Maitland, WC '70 FB and BB, and the only NESCAC player with a Super Bowl Ring. Or did Joe Shields from Trinity pick one up with the Packers, as well
?

Ezra
Pretty sure Doug Swift Ameherst won a Super Bowl ring with the undefeated Miami Dolphins.
Shields didn't win one- short career with a bad Packers team.
When did Maitland win one? Colts?

Thanks, Lumbercat. Indeed he does. I also checked on Jean Fugett from AC. He played in one Super Bowl, but the Cowboys lost to the Steelers.

Quote from: 8i Technique on December 06, 2024, 11:13:07 AMTruly enjoying the Mt Rushmore of modern-history NESCAC D-Line discussion. I see Helbig has been mentioned as a notch above Mike Blair. I'd love to hear Trinity 9-0 (or Coach DiCenzo's) comparison of these behemoths.

For those unaware of Blair's accomplishments, he was a 4-time All-American Heavyweight for the Bantams (125-10 career record) and generally considered their cornerstone for the Defense that led all of D3 in multiple defensive categories (scoring, rushing yards, etc.) for each of the 8-0 years. The team was 31-1 when he was on the field.

He was the NESCAC rookie of the year (2002), NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year (2005), D2/D3 Defensive Player of the Year (2005) and AFCA All-American (2005).

Simply put, from his Freshman year forward, he was the most disruptive force for what is likely the greatest defense in NESCAC-history (4.9 points per game allowed over a 3 year period, 24 wins/0 losses...6.8 ppg if you add in the 2002 stats, 31 wins/1 loss).

His speed was likely the hinderance from sincere looks at the next level, though it would have been quite interesting to see an NFL team bring his weight up to 290 lbs. and move him to OG. His wrestling talent (balance/leverage), natural power and pugnacity would have given him a reasonable chance to make a roster.

Mike Blair was the single best athlete that I ever played with/against. He has more career sacks (23.5) and tackles for loss (37.5) than Helbig who had 21 and 33.5 respectively. However Blair did play in five more games. As noted, Blair also benefitted from playing on a FAR superior defense. My former roommate, Jamie Creed who graduated two years before Blair actually holds the Trinity record for career sacks with 24 and is second to Blair in TFLs with 35. Safe to say that defensive line was formidable.

The 2003 Trinity team allowed just 30 points for the entire season. There were 17 NESCAC games this past year where a team allowed more than 30 points.

One final note on Blair, who was inducted into Trinity's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. He was the first wrestler in New England Division III history to earn All-American four times and he was also an All New England thrower for the track team.

Ted Rogers had an absolutely insane 37.5 sacks for the Ephs from 1987-'90 (including 13.5 in '89). Even if he played every game for our years that's still over a sack per game in an era when NESCAC teams weren't passing nearly as much.