FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[pradierguy]

Does anybody have a prediction for surprise breakout player for this season?

Not sure if he counts because he made some big plays last year, but I think Tim Kennedy is going to be an X Factor this season

[Dr. Acula]

I would respectfully disagree with Count Dracula about the Raiders QB situation. They have two great prospects in Roman Namdar and Tourice Scott, and both have proven themselves, at least to their teammates. Scott is D3's answer to Braxton Miller; super fast and I predict he will break the QB single season rushing record for Mount quarterbacks this season. Namdar impressed none other than LK as a pocket QB. Kevin Burke was simply magic and we can't expect to see his like again, but that's what I said when the Great Number 7 Bill Borchert graduated. I don't see anyone in the OAC who will be competitive with the Purples and I don't think we will know how good the Raiders are until the national semi-finals.

I'm sure the guys on the team have confidence in their QB's.  They have numerous talented kids and a HOF coach tutoring that position group.  We as fans have confidence in the QB's too.  But none of them are proven yet.  They're talented and they've looked good, but no one on that roster has taken a meaningful snap or converted a big 3rd down.  Yet.  They will.  My point was just that VK has had the luxury of not even worrying about QB until now.  It's a change for him.

[Dr. Acula]

Does anybody have a prediction for surprise breakout player for this season?

Not sure if he counts because he made some big plays last year, but I think Tim Kennedy is going to be an X Factor this season

I think Jared Ruth will be an emerging star at WR.  On D I think Furda has a big year.

[hsbsballcoach7]

On offense for the Purple Raiders, I see Kennedy or Brian Gainer as players that step up. I also think we will see Jamal Johnson continue to improve and earn more carries to make an impact. As mentioned before, whoever plays QB will be solid, but it will take them a little time to get a feel for things at game speed.

On defense I think Furda will make some big plays and continue to get better like he showed in the playoffs. I've also looked through many of the highlights from the incoming group of players and I could definitely see some freshman defensive players begin to make a name for themselves by the end of the season. Hopefully they get the opportunity for game reps if the offense can produce.

What do you all think about ONU's big QB recruit Richardo Johnson III? Will he make a big enough impact to push them to compete with UMU? He  won't be a typical 1st year player as he played JUCO and he looks to be talented (even turned down a D1 offer and walk on opportunities according to sources).

[bceagle80]

I agree Furda will step up his game. I think you will see a lot of guys step up. It is their time to shine.

I know for a fact a lot of guys have been working hard over the summer. They are working hard and in good shape. They are the core of the team.

[SaintsFAN]

On offense for the Purple Raiders, I see Kennedy or Brian Gainer as players that step up. I also think we will see Jamal Johnson continue to improve and earn more carries to make an impact. As mentioned before, whoever plays QB will be solid, but it will take them a little time to get a feel for things at game speed.

On defense I think Furda will make some big plays and continue to get better like he showed in the playoffs. I've also looked through many of the highlights from the incoming group of players and I could definitely see some freshman defensive players begin to make a name for themselves by the end of the season. Hopefully they get the opportunity for game reps if the offense can produce.

What do you all think about ONU's big QB recruit Richardo Johnson III? Will he make a big enough impact to push them to compete with UMU? He  won't be a typical 1st year player as he played JUCO and he looks to be talented (even turned down a D1 offer and walk on opportunities according to sources).

Kid showed great mechanics in HS... who knows what the year at JUCO did for/to him.  Personally, I love how he stands up on his toes in the pocket.  He throws a nice ball.

http://therecruitinsider.com/ricardo-johnson-iii-commits-to-ohio-northern/

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

On offense for the Purple Raiders, I see Kennedy or Brian Gainer as players that step up. I also think we will see Jamal Johnson continue to improve and earn more carries to make an impact.

Gainer wasn't listed on the Spring Roster.  I'm not sure he's still on the team.

[Sir Battlescars]

I would respectfully disagree with Count Dracula about the Raiders QB situation. They have two great prospects in Roman Namdar and Tourice Scott, and both have proven themselves, at least to their teammates. Scott is D3's answer to Braxton Miller; super fast and I predict he will break the QB single season rushing record for Mount quarterbacks this season. Namdar impressed none other than LK as a pocket QB. Kevin Burke was simply magic and we can't expect to see his like again, but that's what I said when the Great Number 7 Bill Borchert graduated. I don't see anyone in the OAC who will be competitive with the Purples and I don't think we will know how good the Raiders are until the national semi-finals.

I don't agree with this statement at all. I expect to see John Carroll duke it out with Mount Union again this year, just as they did last year (twice) and the year before. And this year JCU finally gets to play the game at home.

[hsbsballcoach7]

On offense for the Purple Raiders, I see Kennedy or Brian Gainer as players that step up. I also think we will see Jamal Johnson continue to improve and earn more carries to make an impact. As mentioned before, whoever plays QB will be solid, but it will take them a little time to get a feel for things at game speed.

On defense I think Furda will make some big plays and continue to get better like he showed in the playoffs. I've also looked through many of the highlights from the incoming group of players and I could definitely see some freshman defensive players begin to make a name for themselves by the end of the season. Hopefully they get the opportunity for game reps if the offense can produce.

What do you all think about ONU's big QB recruit Richardo Johnson III? Will he make a big enough impact to push them to compete with UMU? He  won't be a typical 1st year player as he played JUCO and he looks to be talented (even turned down a D1 offer and walk on opportunities according to sources).

Kid showed great mechanics in HS... who knows what the year at JUCO did for/to him.  Personally, I love how he stands up on his toes in the pocket.  He throws a nice ball.

http://therecruitinsider.com/ricardo-johnson-iii-commits-to-ohio-northern/

I think Johnson by himself could help bring ONU back to a high level of play with any decent line and WR play. I think his talent could really bring them up the standings in the OAC. What do you guys think? What else does ONU have coming back?
John Carroll will be good, but off the top of my head I thought they lost QB, RB, WR1 and many of the defensive players that gave Mount fits.

I also didn't know about Gainer not on the roster. I just love the ability that Mount Union has to continue success at the WR position with multiple guys that can play. Kennedy, Ruth and Hargrove, along with whichever of Namdar and Scott doesn't play QB. With a full stable of 2 very capable running backs and 1 promising future back and returning OL, I'm excited to watch the Purple Raiders offense this year!

[reality check]

Sounds like a lot of guys in here can't wait to purchase Kickoff 2015.  You can get an official answer on breakout players and a preview that comes from the coach and not just a bunch of little internet friends BS-ing on a chat board. 

Johnson's hudl film looks good.  Saintsfan, he actually reminds me a lot of the kid we just graduated that's headed to Wabash.  I know you saw his film.  Similar escapability, nice wheels.  I think my guy has a little stronger arm but I know there's bias on my part.

In closing, sign up for Kickoff 2015.  I hear the SCIAC writer is incredibly talented, intelligent, insightful and quite modest.

[Dr. Acula]

I think Johnson by himself could help bring ONU back to a high level of play with any decent line and WR play. I think his talent could really bring them up the standings in the OAC. What do you guys think? What else does ONU have coming back?
John Carroll will be good, but off the top of my head I thought they lost QB, RB, WR1 and many of the defensive players that gave Mount fits.

If I was betting blind, which in July we pretty much are, I'd still put my money on JCU to be Mount's biggest challenge.  Johnson is certainly impressive in the videos, but ONU was quite a distance from having the talent 1-22 to push Mount.  When was the last difference making WR they've had in Ada?  Evilsizor?  That was a decade ago.  Price is a nice WR and a QB like that would certainly make him even better, but IMO they need a few other guys to step up on both sides of the ball to make a serious push.

For the record, I'm talking about becoming a contender like JCU was last year.  If we're talking about a lower bar like supplanting Berg as #3 and possibly pushing for #2...well, I don't think that's crazy talk.  I just still think JCU finishes 2nd.

[reality check]

Certainly not informed enough to make bold predictions about taking down the machine but ONU should return a receiving corps that accounted for 19 of the 23 team receiving TD's last year.  And Devon Price was no slouch as he broke out for 65 catches and 846 yards and 7 TD.  He's 8 catches away from passing Greg Evilsizor as the career receptions leader and is top five in program history for receiving yardage.  He's better than solid compared to other Polar Bears receivers not named Vagedes.

And Magazine is a solid back both running and catching.  Reed Allen had a decent sophomore campaign opposite of Allen last year and figures to continue pushing forward in production.  Justin McCray is the wild card at TE.  He missed all of 2014 but had a decent year by TE standards in 2013.

Add Johnson to the mix and ONU just might have more offensive talent than they've put on the field the last few seasons.  Now I have no idea if they have enough to shoot up the OAC ladder again but I can certainly see pieces to make that happen.

[hsbsballcoach7]

I think Johnson by himself could help bring ONU back to a high level of play with any decent line and WR play. I think his talent could really bring them up the standings in the OAC. What do you guys think? What else does ONU have coming back?
John Carroll will be good, but off the top of my head I thought they lost QB, RB, WR1 and many of the defensive players that gave Mount fits.

If I was betting blind, which in July we pretty much are, I'd still put my money on JCU to be Mount's biggest challenge.  Johnson is certainly impressive in the videos, but ONU was quite a distance from having the talent 1-22 to push Mount.  When was the last difference making WR they've had in Ada?  Evilsizor?  That was a decade ago.  Price is a nice WR and a QB like that would certainly make him even better, but IMO they need a few other guys to step up on both sides of the ball to make a serious push.

For the record, I'm talking about becoming a contender like JCU was last year.  If we're talking about a lower bar like supplanting Berg as #3 and possibly pushing for #2...well, I don't think that's crazy talk.  I just still think JCU finishes 2nd.

I completely agree with you that ONU still has a way to go to prove they can contend, but I think they can give the top teams fits and maybe even steal some games. If they can build their offense around Johnson, 2016 can be tough.

Sounds like a lot of guys in here can't wait to purchase Kickoff 2015.  You can get an official answer on breakout players and a preview that comes from the coach and not just a bunch of little internet friends BS-ing on a chat board. 

Johnson's hudl film looks good.  Saintsfan, he actually reminds me a lot of the kid we just graduated that's headed to Wabash.  I know you saw his film.  Similar escapability, nice wheels.  I think my guy has a little stronger arm but I know there's bias on my part.

In closing, sign up for Kickoff 2015.  I hear the SCIAC writer is incredibly talented, intelligent, insightful and quite modest.

I was debating getting the Kickoff 2015 and was looking for a reason to get it, but now you convinced me. I'll be looking forward to August 25!

[Sir Battlescars]

Ya know looking back on last year, ONU finished 7 – 3 and could have possibly won 2 of those 3 losses. They lost to Heidelberg in a shootout (probably the last team you wanted to get into a shootout with), and went down to the wire with JCU (One of the top teams in country last year). Dracula makes it sound like they have a ways to go to get to the second spot in the OAC, but with all the returning starters they have coming back this year and throw in the new stud QB, it's really not much of a stretch for them to jump up to 9 - 1 this year. I think it's a real possibility.

[LadyBear]

Any information about Ricardo Johnson III?

My entire family attended ONU, my Dad and brothers all played football and while basketball is my personal interest, my brother told me about "RJ3", I googled him this morning and his media trail is pretty impressive for a guy committed to my wonderful little ONU.  I found a cool ESPN video about him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM9ptp5pQUw

Any more news on him and why his video's show him playing at St. Thomas University in MN? I am a newbie, but I Love this forum!