Gagliardi Trophy

[seventiesraider]

  I know I have not seen some of these other guys play but I dont think there is a more talented player in the country.

It's not strictly an All-Star award.

[K-Mack]

  I know I have not seen some of these other guys play but I dont think there is a more talented player in the country.

It's not strictly an All-Star award.

Voters are reminded, however, that it's a football award first.

But yes, if it were top player only, Tony Sutton (Wooster) probably would have won in '04. And maybe Kleppe in '06.

Regardless, not knowing much about the other guys but proclaiming there isn't a more talented player in the country contributes very little to the discussion.

[labart96]

Looks like the mini-Heisman (aka only QBs and RBs need apply) vs. a "football" award.  But that's just me.

I, for one, was a bit disappointed to see zero defensive players on the list of the Top 10 candidates (but that's obviously par for the course for these types of awards at other levels of football).

[Ryan Tipps]

Looks like the mini-Heisman (aka only QBs and RBs need apply) vs. a "football" award.  But that's just me.

I, for one, was a bit disappointed to see zero defensive players on the list of the Top 10 candidates (but that's obviously par for the course for these types of awards at other levels of football).

Last year, an offensive guard and three linebackers were in the final 10. In 2006, two linebackers, a defensive tackle and a safety made the list.

I didn't go back any further than that, but my guess is that this year's heavy crop of QBs and RB is the exception rather than the norm.

[K-Mack]

Looks like the mini-Heisman (aka only QBs and RBs need apply) vs. a "football" award.  But that's just me.

I, for one, was a bit disappointed to see zero defensive players on the list of the Top 10 candidates (but that's obviously par for the course for these types of awards at other levels of football).

Last year, an offensive guard and three linebackers were in the final 10. In 2006, two linebackers, a defensive tackle and a safety made the list.

I didn't go back any further than that, but my guess is that this year's heavy crop of QBs and RB is the exception rather than the norm.

You guys are both right.

Last year, Derek Blanchard accomplished about everything an O-Lineman could possibly accomplish, plus he had stellar off-field credentials. He deserved serious consideration for the top spot.

You probably have to take the nomination process into effect. And to be honest, the nominators might use TGP's logic in thinking "can my guy really win?" (or maybe they just nominate who deserves it, who knows?)

I think in '06 Kleppe had the biggest effect on the D3 season and probably should have won it, but probably 25 or 30 members of the selection committtee watch less than two D3 games a year, despite it being a virtual who's-who of D3. So you have to take that into account too, that a lot of the voting is strictly done off their paper credentials, and if you don't have the stats to compete, you might not have a shot.

I mean Dan Whalen's probably a great QB, but someone who doesn't know a Case from a 12-pack is going to look at Boltus' numbers next to his and pick him every time.

[dlippiel]

Looks like the mini-Heisman (aka only QBs and RBs need apply) vs. a "football" award.  But that's just me.

I, for one, was a bit disappointed to see zero defensive players on the list of the Top 10 candidates (but that's obviously par for the course for these types of awards at other levels of football).

Last year, an offensive guard and three linebackers were in the final 10. In 2006, two linebackers, a defensive tackle and a safety made the list.

I didn't go back any further than that, but my guess is that this year's heavy crop of QBs and RB is the exception rather than the norm.

You guys are both right.

Last year, Derek Blanchard accomplished about everything an O-Lineman could possibly accomplish, plus he had stellar off-field credentials. He deserved serious consideration for the top spot.

You probably have to take the nomination process into effect. And to be honest, the nominators might use TGP's logic in thinking "can my guy really win?" (or maybe they just nominate who deserves it, who knows?)

I think in '06 Kleppe had the biggest effect on the D3 season and probably should have won it, but probably 25 or 30 members of the selection committtee watch less than two D3 games a year, despite it being a virtual who's-who of D3. So you have to take that into account too, that a lot of the voting is strictly done off their paper credentials, and if you don't have the stats to compete, you might not have a shot.

I mean Dan Whalen's probably a great QB, but someone who doesn't know a Case from a 12-pack is going to look at Boltus' numbers next to his and pick him every time.

I think Boltus is a stud and it must be taken into account he had very little around him. Phelan is a good athlete whom Boltus made into an awesome reciever. I have heard many asking the question; what if Boltus played for Mount or others? I think the answer is simply if you have seen him play. He would be even more of a stud than he is now and his team would be simply unstoppable! I think he deserves serious consideration here because of his talent, achievements on the field, and ability to take a very poor team into the NCAA's in 07. I wish all the players the best of luck and respect them all.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

What else does Boltus bring to the table?

This is not the DIII Heisman.  It also includes Academic and Volunteer guidelines.

Hard to think that Micheli isn't the favorite with his 3.84 GPA in Math and Physics along with being a Draddy Award Semifinalist to go along with his on the field performances.

[K-Mack]

Well personally I haven't done my vote yet because I think I owe it to Micheli, Rupp and Swallow to consider what they do on Saturday.

I think from a D3-in-the-know standpoint, guys like Boltus and Joseph are going to finish very high, but Micheli's total package is hard to top.

That said, there's no telling how many D3 Games Pete Metzelaars or Billy White Shoes Johnson have seen this season, if any, or how much attention Robin Roberts or Bernie Kukar pays. I'm sure they take their role as voters seriously, but they might have strictly the voter packets to go on.

I actually find the recommendations from coaches & school presidents to be very compelling too.

[frank uible]

Given the very large sized pool of candidates and the limited resources of the voters, the outcome will almost surely be very approximate.

[labart96]

I'd go with Micheli.  His track record (completion %, efficiency, etc) speaks for itself.  Even today - he made the play of the game IMO.

Critical 3 and long on the opening drive that could have ended in a 4 and out, giving Cortland the ball (likely near MUC territory) and a chance to tie early in the 3rd qtr.

Instead he nails a great pass (in 20-25 winds/flurries) and keeps the drive alive.  A few plays later, MUC scores to go up by 13 and that was pretty much it.

I don't recall the final stats, but Micheli was 14 for 19 at one point.  Pretty impressive kid, especially when you throw in the GPA.

[union89]

I'd go with Micheli.  His track record (completion %, efficiency, etc) speaks for itself.  Even today - he made the play of the game IMO.

Critical 3 and long on the opening drive that could have ended in a 4 and out, giving Cortland the ball (likely near MUC territory) and a chance to tie early in the 3rd qtr.

Instead he nails a great pass (in 20-25 winds/flurries) and keeps the drive alive.  A few plays later, MUC scores to go up by 13 and that was pretty much it.

I don't recall the final stats, but Micheli was 14 for 19 at one point.  Pretty impressive kid, especially when you throw in the GPA.

Obviously, as others have said, this is the award that takes off the field accomplishments into affect more than almost any other.

Take nothing away from Micheli, but he is obviously not even the best player on his own team.

Just to be nominated for this award speaks volumes for these young men.

[K-Mack]

Just to be nominated for this award speaks volumes for these young men.

Yeah, you read some of these bios -- and you know the kid isn't gonna win it and you're still like wow, this guy is awesome. I mean to be one of the 10 best in a pool of 18,000 give or take; no slouches at all.

I think last year I was really beating myself up over it, because it's not like you just pick a guy, you rank them 1 to 10, so you can spend an hour trying to figure out who No. 5 is even if you know your No. 1 off top.

Something just occurred to me though ... with nine of them being QBs this year, this should actually be pretty easy, since their stats will compare. Maybe not total yards, but when I do all region, I look pretty heavily at completion percentage and TD-to-INT ratio, that helps negate the difference in offenses a little.

As mentioned too, I find the coaches recommendations pretty compelling, especially coming from the more respected longer tenured guys who say they've coached maybe one other player as good or something.

I don't think Rupp or Swallow helped himself much today, so I'm going to hammer out my final vote right now actually.

[seventiesraider]

Take nothing away from Micheli, but he is obviously not even the best player on his own team.

However if you read the qualifications for the award which includes academics and public service, he easily rates in the top three. Anybody who has watched Kmic knows he s/b player of  the year and will graduate with an arm load of All-Division and DIII records. The best players on the team may very well be on the defense.

[ADL70]

Meaningless and inconsistent use of "regions" rears its ugly head once again.  The Gagliardi folks will announce four "regional  winners" on Dec 11.  They don't say how the regions are comprised, but if they use the NCAA football DIII evaluation regions there are 5 finalists in the North, two each in the West and South, and but one in the East.

Perhaps they'll use the playoff brackets and move Micheli "East."