Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on January 08, 2025, 09:33:20 PM

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on January 08, 2025, 06:17:08 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on January 08, 2025, 02:47:54 PMK & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

I've started the research. K got married last Friday so we've been busy recently.

Congrats on the wedding!!

Recruiting and development is the life blood of each program. You've got to have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete with the big boys (figuratively and literally). One you get to the final 8 teams, you've got to have the strength, size and quickness.

Many of those bigger safeties and DEs who would get after opposing offenses now go to Walsh, Ashland, Tiffin,etc or walk on at Akron, Kent, Ohio U, Toledo, Pitt, etc. This is why Mount still must go out of state for guys.

Good point, one of our best ever DEs was a Pitt transfer... who has a big coaching interview coming up!

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on January 08, 2025, 10:27:36 PM

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on January 08, 2025, 09:33:20 PM

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on January 08, 2025, 06:17:08 PM

Quote from: Raider 68 on January 08, 2025, 02:47:54 PMK & J Dad,

Time to look what the Raiders have coming back for 2025, you're on!

I've started the research. K got married last Friday so we've been busy recently.

Congrats on the wedding!!

Recruiting and development is the life blood of each program. You've got to have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete with the big boys (figuratively and literally). One you get to the final 8 teams, you've got to have the strength, size and quickness.

Many of those bigger safeties and DEs who would get after opposing offenses now go to Walsh, Ashland, Tiffin,etc or walk on at Akron, Kent, Ohio U, Toledo, Pitt, etc. This is why Mount still must go out of state for guys.

Good point, one of our best ever DEs was a Pitt transfer... who has a big coaching interview coming up!

I'm not sure what specific eras we're talking about in this discussion but Mount definitely had some big fast defenders in the VK era, 2013-2019.

Here's a few that come to mind (had to look up their measurables though)

Austin White DB - 6-3 215
Mike Vidal DL     6-4  235
Nick Brish DB     6-0  210
Trey Williams LB  6-2 260

I think these are all guys from the 2017 defense, which also included danny robinson and charlie dear who I think were both like 5-11 220 or something which is a good sized LB too

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 08, 2025, 04:10:37 PM

Quote from: emma17 on January 08, 2025, 03:32:55 PMFrom a Mt outsider perspective, I was honestly a bit surprised with the reduced amount of football talent I had come to expect. Past Mt teams had stud receivers that made the offense dangerous from anywhere on the field. They typically had mobile QB's that could throw or pocket passers w great accuracy (and receiving weapons). I was also surprised with the lack of defensive playmakers. I know Moore is AA, but did I miss something? I remember great Mt safeties that would ball hawk and tackle and D ends that would create havoc.
This isn't a knock on Mt as I see the same at UWW. I think Pat mentioned the disbursement of talent that now exists in the WIAC and I assume some of the same for Mt. NCC has managed to capture the market on talent, including the all important offensive line.

I wonder if some of the struggles aren't more related to recruiting losses to other programs more than coaching decisions.

North Central's offensive starters come almost exclusively from Illinois, which is not typically a big source of Mount Union student-athletes.

The defense is a little more geographically dispersed.

Mount Union's backyard has more D-II schools than it used to, even with the demise of Notre Dame (Ohio).

It is impressive how well NCC does in recruiting IL talent. Naperville is in a hotbed of high school talent.

My question regarding "recruiting losses" is meant more toward- are the current coaching staffs at places like Mt and UWW not as effective as staffs in the past. When the WIAC board was more active, I remember UWW posters talking about the success Zweifel had in bringing talent in leading up to LL. With LL's staff, they hit home run after home run. Recruiting is like sales, it pays incredibly well to the better salespeople.

https://x.com/Matt81Anderson/status/1877389184689648127

Starting Mount TE Matt Anderson entering the portal

Quote from: emma17 on January 09, 2025, 02:07:53 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 08, 2025, 04:10:37 PM

Quote from: emma17 on January 08, 2025, 03:32:55 PMFrom a Mt outsider perspective, I was honestly a bit surprised with the reduced amount of football talent I had come to expect. Past Mt teams had stud receivers that made the offense dangerous from anywhere on the field. They typically had mobile QB's that could throw or pocket passers w great accuracy (and receiving weapons). I was also surprised with the lack of defensive playmakers. I know Moore is AA, but did I miss something? I remember great Mt safeties that would ball hawk and tackle and D ends that would create havoc.
This isn't a knock on Mt as I see the same at UWW. I think Pat mentioned the disbursement of talent that now exists in the WIAC and I assume some of the same for Mt. NCC has managed to capture the market on talent, including the all important offensive line.

I wonder if some of the struggles aren't more related to recruiting losses to other programs more than coaching decisions.

North Central's offensive starters come almost exclusively from Illinois, which is not typically a big source of Mount Union student-athletes.

The defense is a little more geographically dispersed.

Mount Union's backyard has more D-II schools than it used to, even with the demise of Notre Dame (Ohio).

It is impressive how well NCC does in recruiting IL talent. Naperville is in a hotbed of high school talent.

My question regarding "recruiting losses" is meant more toward- are the current coaching staffs at places like Mt and UWW not as effective as staffs in the past. When the WIAC board was more active, I remember UWW posters talking about the success Zweifel had in bringing talent in leading up to LL. With LL's staff, they hit home run after home run. Recruiting is like sales, it pays incredibly well to the better salespeople.

Totally agree with this take, that's why I brought up the examples of bigger Defensive guys from the VK era, It doesn't seem like Dartt is able to get those borderline FCS level guys as much as VK did, at least on the Defensive side of the ball (with the exception of Rossy Moore, who was a beast)

Rossy Moore Walter Camp D3 First Team AA:

https://athletics.mountunion.edu/news/2025/1/9/football-moore-named-on-first-ever-walter-camp-division-iii-all-america-team.aspx?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0fmqXtQiwr6pYhmTx-YLq-bN-kcWzEbaYyzQDfgdQ44JhxyrXBQ4nGoaem8xQBcAq2iskMMMTlc8a4FQ

https://x.com/noahbeaudrie8/status/1877505572804686010

Beaudrie transfered to Adrian College

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 09, 2025, 07:03:47 PMhttps://x.com/noahbeaudrie8/status/1877505572804686010

Beaudrie transfered to Adrian College

Mikey Maloney time.

And that was very quick.  Do we think that may mean he was healthy enough to play and Dartt stuck with DeShields?  For the record I do not blame Dartt if that's what happened.  TJ was playing well.

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 09, 2025, 07:18:12 PMAnd that was very quick.  Do we think that may mean he was healthy enough to play and Dartt stuck with DeShields?  For the record I do not blame Dartt if that's what happened.  TJ was playing well.

Beaudrie looked to be limping quite a bit on and off the field during the JHU game, but who really knows. 

Hopefully it's more that Maloney looked great in practice and has the coaches' full confidence going into '25. 

'25 seems to be a pivotal year for Mount and their current HC.  It ramps up quick with Wheaton and Grove City to start...

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 09, 2025, 08:00:24 PM

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 09, 2025, 07:18:12 PMAnd that was very quick.  Do we think that may mean he was healthy enough to play and Dartt stuck with DeShields?  For the record I do not blame Dartt if that's what happened.  TJ was playing well.

Beaudrie looked to be limping quite a bit on and off the field during the JHU game, but who really knows. 

Hopefully it's more that Maloney looked great in practice and has the coaches' full confidence going into '25. 

'25 seems to be a pivotal year for Mount and their current HC.  It ramps up quick with Wheaton and Grove City to start...

It certainly seemed that Beaudrie was frustrated with his knee during the playoff games. He could run straight forward, but appeared to be in pain and struggle with any side to side running. As much as I loved Beaudrie, I felt it was the right move to go with the healthy Deshields.

Either Maloney is the guy or hopefully there's a transfer coming in. There seemed to be a talented group that was recruited, so hopefully they pan out.

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 09, 2025, 07:03:47 PMhttps://x.com/noahbeaudrie8/status/1877505572804686010

Beaudrie transfered to Adrian College

Wow I assumed he'd have the QB spot locked up. Have to admit the offense played their best with DeShields. at least we'll get the chance at a multi-year starter now

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on January 09, 2025, 08:39:28 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 09, 2025, 08:00:24 PM

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 09, 2025, 07:18:12 PMAnd that was very quick.  Do we think that may mean he was healthy enough to play and Dartt stuck with DeShields?  For the record I do not blame Dartt if that's what happened.  TJ was playing well.

Beaudrie looked to be limping quite a bit on and off the field during the JHU game, but who really knows. 

Hopefully it's more that Maloney looked great in practice and has the coaches' full confidence going into '25. 

'25 seems to be a pivotal year for Mount and their current HC.  It ramps up quick with Wheaton and Grove City to start...

It certainly seemed that Beaudrie was frustrated with his knee during the playoff games. He could run straight forward, but appeared to be in pain and struggle with any side to side running. As much as I loved Beaudrie, I felt it was the right move to go with the healthy Deshields.

Either Maloney is the guy or hopefully there's a transfer coming in. There seemed to be a talented group that was recruited, so hopefully they pan out.

I didn't realize Maloney was such a stud in HS, 2X all state, a lot of Preferred Walk on interest from FBS schools and some non scholarship FCS offers. Pretty impressive resume

Pretty sure that Maloney will qualify for a medical hardship waiver for '24 and have four years of eligibility left. 

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on January 09, 2025, 11:44:58 PM

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on January 09, 2025, 08:39:28 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 09, 2025, 08:00:24 PM

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 09, 2025, 07:18:12 PMAnd that was very quick.  Do we think that may mean he was healthy enough to play and Dartt stuck with DeShields?  For the record I do not blame Dartt if that's what happened.  TJ was playing well.

Beaudrie looked to be limping quite a bit on and off the field during the JHU game, but who really knows. 

Hopefully it's more that Maloney looked great in practice and has the coaches' full confidence going into '25. 

'25 seems to be a pivotal year for Mount and their current HC.  It ramps up quick with Wheaton and Grove City to start...

It certainly seemed that Beaudrie was frustrated with his knee during the playoff games. He could run straight forward, but appeared to be in pain and struggle with any side to side running. As much as I loved Beaudrie, I felt it was the right move to go with the healthy Deshields.

Either Maloney is the guy or hopefully there's a transfer coming in. There seemed to be a talented group that was recruited, so hopefully they pan out.

I didn't realize Maloney was such a stud in HS, 2X all state, a lot of Preferred Walk on interest from FBS schools and some non scholarship FCS offers. Pretty impressive resume

I know it's just highlights, but if you look at Maloneys HS tape, he makes some incredible plays and it was against some of the better, big school football teams in Ohio. Let's see if that translates to college. You could see his talent when he was in the game with his arm and legs, but he appears to need more coaching on reading the defense... which I would expect of any freshman.

My worry going into next year would be replacing this great Oline and the experienced Dline (Factor, Moore).

Does anyone know if Maloney is healthy now?
Thomas coming back for another year?
Cooper is a nice WR to return, but others will need to step up.
DBs MUST improve.

Possibilities are there for another fun season, but the first 2 out of conference games are going to be tough.