FB: American Southwest Conference

[Riley Zayas]

UMHB picks up a huge transfer commitment in Noel Wright II, who played at Carthage College last season. Wright has 3 yrs of eligibility and was a second-team All-CCIW selection in 2021. Really solid back with great speed and athleticism. Plus, it is always a positive to have a transfer who has seen significant action at the college level. And the CCIW is no joke...a lot of solid programs in there, notably Wheaton (Top 10 program last yr) and the Stagg Bowl runner-up, North Central.

https://truetothecru.com/2022/07/07/umhb-football-earns-commitment-from-all-cciw-running-back-noel-wright-ii/

[Etchglow]

UMHB picks up a huge transfer commitment in Noel Wright II, who played at Carthage College last season. Wright has 3 yrs of eligibility and was a second-team All-CCIW selection in 2021. Really solid back with great speed and athleticism. Plus, it is always a positive to have a transfer who has seen significant action at the college level. And the CCIW is no joke...a lot of solid programs in there, notably Wheaton (Top 10 program last yr) and the Stagg Bowl runner-up, North Central.

https://truetothecru.com/2022/07/07/umhb-football-earns-commitment-from-all-cciw-running-back-noel-wright-ii/

Always good to get a transfer.  But dang, that RB room is getting DEEEEP.  Not sure if Aphonso Thomas has 1 or 2 years of eligibility left, and Cormier and Miller should both have 3 years right? 

[SW1]

They should move Cormier back to LB. Bet he would be a beast on defense. Size, speed and loves contact. All great traits for a great lb.

[Reverendbiker]

I've watched Cru football since day 1 and I must say (after careful consideration) that the 2022 Cru offense could well be the best in team history. The OLine is big, talented and deep--plenty of experience, and solid backups. At QB, Kyle King is one of the best in the ASC. QB2 could be interesting, as Redding is hard to replace. I've got a sneaking suspicion that a QB from last year's JV could move up.  Plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

The WR group could be one of the best in the country. As noted, the RB group should be so stacked that Cormier could be moved back to LB. 

Defense could be interesting.  Plenty of talent returning on the DLine, and the coaches rotated them in and out so often that all of them got significant playing time. Even with the loss of Fritz, the DB's should be solid.  The LB group is a mystery. Could Cormier be switched and become another Tevin Jones? Hill and Rangel saw plenty of action last year, and both are big and talented. 

Fun things to ponder, but we'll know when we line up against Muhlenburg and Whitewater.

[Riley Zayas]

I've watched Cru football since day 1 and I must say (after careful consideration) that the 2022 Cru offense could well be the best in team history. The OLine is big, talented and deep--plenty of experience, and solid backups. At QB, Kyle King is one of the best in the ASC. QB2 could be interesting, as Redding is hard to replace. I've got a sneaking suspicion that a QB from last year's JV could move up.  Plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

The WR group could be one of the best in the country. As noted, the RB group should be so stacked that Cormier could be moved back to LB. 

Defense could be interesting.  Plenty of talent returning on the DLine, and the coaches rotated them in and out so often that all of them got significant playing time. Even with the loss of Fritz, the DB's should be solid.  The LB group is a mystery. Could Cormier be switched and become another Tevin Jones? Hill and Rangel saw plenty of action last year, and both are big and talented. 

Fun things to ponder, but we'll know when we line up against Muhlenburg and Whitewater.

All great points. The WR group is so deep and so is the RB group...Noel Wright (from Carthage) will be competing for reps from day one I would think and is a very intriguing player that I'll be keeping my eye on in fall camp. Has plenty of speed and previous college experience which are both plus-factors. Defense has the most question marks as you mentioned. LBs might need to gain some experience, but even during spring practice, they looked pretty good. Positive of playing in quite a few lopsided victories last year was that the second and third-stringers got plenty of reps. DL has two transfers in Caleb Bell (HSU) and Trevon Sims (Mount Union), plus the returners from last year, and I am excited to see how they do against the UWW O-Line. Lots to look forward to!

[umhb2001]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

[Riley Zayas]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

[Etchglow]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

I could see Jackson Tingley getting some reps in at TE as well. 

[umhb2001]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

When do players report?

[umhb2001]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

[Etchglow]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

[umhb2001]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

[UMHB03]

I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

[Etchglow]

We had some very talented LBs that were freshman last season, and several on the JV that were improving due to the spring season and being behind a great group of seniors. We had some injuries in the secondary also, so I think we will be ok.

We'll find out pretty quickly.

True 2 The Cru, any preliminary 2 Deep predictions based on probable/confirmed returners and spring practice observations?

Yeah, several positions on both sides of the ball are completely TBD right now. It is still unclear on who is coming back and who is not, something that I'll be able to figure out once fall practice begins. Just from my perspective, offensively, they'll need to replace a TE and WR. I'd expect Connor Mullins to start at TE, though that is a 50-50 for me, as Will McClintock is transferring in. I'd give Mullins the nod to start based on his performance in limited action last season and the fact that he's already learned the playbook. WR is another complete toss-up, since they have a handful of transfers coming in. Offense should look very similar to last season though.

Overall, it seemed the spring was more about development and meshing with the new coaches than anything. Personnel will be something determined  once players report in August I'd expect.

Are these seniors presumably back?

Sante Parker, Anthony Avila, Jeff Sims, Lance Jones, John Kazmierski, Adam Dobbins, Cameron Williams, Kyle King, Alex Acuna, Brenton Martin, K. J. Miller, D. J. Weaver, Brandon Jordan

Parker, Sims, King, Miller, and Jordan are coming back. 

Heck, 4 of those are captains this year lol. 

https://twitter.com/CoachJohnsonFB/status/1549824805981093889/photo/1

Avila, Jones, Kazmierski, Williams, and Weaver all have a year left.  I think

Dobbins has eligibility, but I don't think he'll be back. 

Brenton Martin is out of eligibility

Thanks!

No problem, Riley probably has more insight than I do, but that is what I managed to glean from social media and such. 

That would be cool.  I wonder if JV will be broadcast too?  Heck, I'd settle for a rewind of last year's Hardin-Simmons game.
I wonder if the Crusaders will have any full scrimmages that are broadcast online, like they've had with those teams from Mexico in the past.

[ksclegal]

My understanding is that the team reports to camp on August 3rd and that a scrimmage is likely to be held against a team from Mexico.I am excited about this offense. All signs point to a balanced but more sophisticated game plan than what we have seen in the past. The defense will have some very big shoes to fill but I think it will be more of a reload rather than rebuild on that side of the ball.