FB: American Southwest Conference

[GillCJ1]

Great read, Warren.  It's always interesting to learn about TX football history on any level.

[Warren Thompson]

Great read, Warren.  It's always interesting to learn about TX football history on any level.

Thanks for your kind words.

[crufootball]

I have seen some 2015 football schedule pop up recently and man it has me excited about the upcoming season. UMHB has new teams on the schedule with Ohio Wesleyan and Belhaven. Speaking of Belhaven, looks like they are going big in their first season in D3 as they welcome UW-W to start the season. Another fun game will be when Hardin-Simmons and McMurry line for the first time since McMurry left D3.

In other news, I know it was mentioned that UMHB lost Coach Branscom who was part of the first UMHB football team, but today he was replaced by other founding member of the Cru in Jack Johnson who had been at Bridgewater College in Virginia the last 9 years and had been the DC.

[GillCJ1]

It's always neat to see former players coming back to coach the next generation.  Hope he brings a unique outside perspective from his experiences at Bridgewater.

[CruFrenzy]

VERY BIG TIME UMHB QB Commit that I read/heard about today.
Zane Boles (Henderson High School) 4A
6'6" 220lbs
4.53 40 yard dash

Boles fielded several scholarship offers before officially deciding to join the cru next fall, most notably he turned down full scholarship offers from both Lamar (D1-FCS), and Henderson State in Arkansas(d2). 

http://etsn.fm/hendersons-zane-boles-receives-first-two-offers-lamar-henderson-state/

Was impressed with the film I saw on him as well. Somewhat of a short arm style release, but he's very accurate for the most part, gets rid of the ball quickly, and DEFINITELY has Division 1 arm strength. His arm strength was evident on some deeper comeback routes and even on some corner routes that he zipped in between the cover 2 window on the sideline. Excellent Deep ball, saw several throws 50yd+ that were right on the money(a lot of deep passes towards the end of the tape), stays relaxed in the pocket and really has a smooth release on the deeper balls.

Expected to see him sit back and be more of a pocket passer but was more than impressed with his running ability as well. He looks somewhat mobile initially and then looks even faster when as he's leaving secondary players behind him in the open field . Much better at running the football than I expected and surprised me with his break away speed. Lead his team to the regional finals and lost in a competitive game 34-14 to eventually state champion Navasota. Here's his film:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/520583/highlights/164878376/v2

After watching years of the Cru lose deep in the playoffs against teams with superior QB play, it's exciting to see someone like this on the way in. He may end up being the "championship caliber" QB that we've been missing. I'm not rooting for anyone in particular, I just hope someone steps up to the plate and gets it done. Whether it's Zach Anderson, Blake, or this kid. But I believe UMHB got a snag here and I'm hopeful that this kid can adjust quickly to college ball in camp and step in and compete. I would be very surprised if he isn't in the mix early, and I'm sure he expects to compete as well, after turning down some excellent offers elsewhere.

[GillCJ1]

^ He sounds like a very promising recruit.  Solid QB play is #1 on my wish list for this team!

[GillCJ1]

I meant to post this last month, but I forgot about it.  ASC and D3 football related.

A big congrats to David Twilleager (UMHB) for winning the D-III National Video Coordinator of the Year award!  Keep up the great work, my friend.  Go Cru!

https://csva.com/2015/03/congratulations-to-the-2014-2015-conference-video-coordinators-of-the-year/
http://cruathletics.com/news/2015/3/27/GEN_0327151949.aspx?path=general

[DFWCrufan]

Could Zane also be a Eric Nelson fill in...Height, size, hands and speed...

[Andy Archibald]

QB Tobyn Tannehill, the youngest brother of Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, tweeted last night that he has committed to play football at UMHB.

Maxpreps.com lists him as a 6'2" 180lbs duel threat QB

He leaves Big Spring as their all time leader in total yards. A three year starter he passed for 6060 yards (173 yards per game) and rushed for another 3830 yards (109 yards per game).

With the news of Boles last week and Tannehill this week, it is looking like the QB position will be a fun battle to watch the next few years.

[GillCJ1]

QB Tobyn Tannehill, the youngest brother of Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, tweeted last night that he has committed to play football at UMHB.

Maxpreps.com lists him as a 6'2" 180lbs duel threat QB

He leaves Big Spring as their all time leader in total yards. A three year starter he passed for 6060 yards (173 yards per game) and rushed for another 3830 yards (109 yards per game).

With the news of Boles last week and Tannehill this week, it is looking like the QB position will be a fun battle to watch the next few years.

Great news.  This is exactly what we needed.

[CruFrenzy]

Tobyn Tannehill is another fantastic signee for this years class! Excellent!
ESPN and his hudl profile had him listed at 6 foot, and based on his film that looked about right. I didn't see quite the armstrength I saw from the Boles kid, but Tannehill made some very SMART passes. Also seemed extremely accurate, made some really great back shoulder throws and was really just very consistent and accurate overall. Looked faster to me than the 4.6 that was listed on his hudl page, really quick too. Seemed to really have a knack as far as just making plays. Gonna be interesting to see what they do with these young QBs! Either way I'm sure both will be on the field somewhere! Will be a great battle..

[umhb2001]

VERY BIG TIME UMHB QB Commit that I read/heard about today.
Zane Boles (Henderson High School) 4A
6'6" 220lbs
4.53 40 yard dash

Boles fielded several scholarship offers before officially deciding to join the cru next fall, most notably he turned down full scholarship offers from both Lamar (D1-FCS), and Henderson State in Arkansas(d2). 

http://etsn.fm/hendersons-zane-boles-receives-first-two-offers-lamar-henderson-state/

Was impressed with the film I saw on him as well. Somewhat of a short arm style release, but he's very accurate for the most part, gets rid of the ball quickly, and DEFINITELY has Division 1 arm strength. His arm strength was evident on some deeper comeback routes and even on some corner routes that he zipped in between the cover 2 window on the sideline. Excellent Deep ball, saw several throws 50yd+ that were right on the money(a lot of deep passes towards the end of the tape), stays relaxed in the pocket and really has a smooth release on the deeper balls.

Expected to see him sit back and be more of a pocket passer but was more than impressed with his running ability as well. He looks somewhat mobile initially and then looks even faster when as he's leaving secondary players behind him in the open field . Much better at running the football than I expected and surprised me with his break away speed. Lead his team to the regional finals and lost in a competitive game 34-14 to eventually state champion Navasota. Here's his film:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/520583/highlights/164878376/v2

After watching years of the Cru lose deep in the playoffs against teams with superior QB play, it's exciting to see someone like this on the way in. He may end up being the "championship caliber" QB that we've been missing. I'm not rooting for anyone in particular, I just hope someone steps up to the plate and gets it done. Whether it's Zach Anderson, Blake, or this kid. But I believe UMHB got a snag here and I'm hopeful that this kid can adjust quickly to college ball in camp and step in and compete. I would be very surprised if he isn't in the mix early, and I'm sure he expects to compete as well, after turning down some excellent offers elsewhere.

Sounds very promising. As I have followed the recruiting stories this off season, UMHB has definitely filled three holes: LB, OL, and QB. All of the recruits I've seen as "signing" look to be strong, and the hiring of the former player, coach, to help with the D looks to be an attention to what Cru football has come to be known.

I've also heard that some serious attention has been paid to the lack of heart and desire in the clubhouse. Knowing Coach Fred, I'm sure he has warranted their attention and is bringing a new light to the offseason workouts.

[umhb2001]

Could Zane also be a Eric Nelson fill in...Height, size, hands and speed...

Along with Nelson, we have a couple of guys who can step in for him. We'll definitely miss the steady rock that is Nelson, but I know that we have a couple of guys to step up.

[Kelly Boggs]

Thanks, everyone, for the recruiting information. Looks like The CRU is continuing to add to the arsenal!

Counting the days (135 at the time of this post) until UMHB kicks off the 2015 season in Delaware, Ohio, against the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan. Can hardly wait!

[Kelly Boggs]

Randy Davis, running back from Henderson, Texas, and teammate of Zane Boles, has also committed to play at UMHB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPlMnTykZPs