FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[D3fanboy]

https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/12/22/mount-union-football-team-2023-roster-stagg-bowl-national-championship-geoff-dartt/69738452007/

The Raiders have many prominent players eligible for another season if they wish. Some of those include:

QUARTERBACK:Braxton Plunk.
RUNNING BACKS: DeAndre Parker, KJ Redmon, Lance Mitchell.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: Wayne Ruby Jr., Jaden Manley, Edwin Reed, Orreon Finley, Chase Lawson, Evan Weygandt.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Carson Barrett, Davis Ward, Taizhun Chisolm.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jake Scott.
LINEBACKERS: Mason McMillen, Kaleb Detellem, Landon Jenkins.
CORNERBACKS/SAFETIES: Ian Sexton, Jesse Vail, Josh Jones, Derrick Bradley, Dow Cameron, Jevanni Witter, Aaron Hawk.

[WRMUalum13]

Take this with a grain of salt because it's computer rankings but in the most recent Massey Ratings, North Central was ranked #163 of all NCAA schools. It puts them above Jackson State in FCS and above every single D2 school except for 4 of them.  Mount Union is at #212.

Looking historically the D3 champ typically ends up in the 160s, but North Centrals 163 is the lowest I can find.

https://masseyratings.com/cf/5199

Mount was ranked 144 in '97, 151 in '03, 156 in '07, 162 in '06 and 163 in '02

Woah... did not know Massey had a summary page like that, I was going through manually. Clearly wasn't thorough enough.

Also now that more games have been played NCC has slid to 169 and Mount to 226. Guess I need to wait till end of season for Apples to Apples comparison anyway.

[WRMUalum13]

https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/12/22/mount-union-football-team-2023-roster-stagg-bowl-national-championship-geoff-dartt/69738452007/

The Raiders have many prominent players eligible for another season if they wish. Some of those include:

QUARTERBACK:Braxton Plunk.
RUNNING BACKS: DeAndre Parker, KJ Redmon, Lance Mitchell.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: Wayne Ruby Jr., Jaden Manley, Edwin Reed, Orreon Finley, Chase Lawson, Evan Weygandt.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Carson Barrett, Davis Ward, Taizhun Chisolm.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jake Scott.
LINEBACKERS: Mason McMillen, Kaleb Detellem, Landon Jenkins.
CORNERBACKS/SAFETIES: Ian Sexton, Jesse Vail, Josh Jones, Derrick Bradley, Dow Cameron, Jevanni Witter, Aaron Hawk.

Wow, had no idea that many had eligibility.

[D3fanboy]

https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/12/22/mount-union-football-team-2023-roster-stagg-bowl-national-championship-geoff-dartt/69738452007/

The Raiders have many prominent players eligible for another season if they wish. Some of those include:

QUARTERBACK:Braxton Plunk.
RUNNING BACKS: DeAndre Parker, KJ Redmon, Lance Mitchell.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: Wayne Ruby Jr., Jaden Manley, Edwin Reed, Orreon Finley, Chase Lawson, Evan Weygandt.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Carson Barrett, Davis Ward, Taizhun Chisolm.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jake Scott.
LINEBACKERS: Mason McMillen, Kaleb Detellem, Landon Jenkins.
CORNERBACKS/SAFETIES: Ian Sexton, Jesse Vail, Josh Jones, Derrick Bradley, Dow Cameron, Jevanni Witter, Aaron Hawk.

Wow, had no idea that many had eligibility.

the "COVID rule" has really changed the landscape of D3FB

[robertgoulet]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

[BillyRayJimBob]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

[rscl70]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

When the NCAA announced that players would get an extra year because of COVID I thought it was a good thing, but my thinking has changed.  While the extra year seems fair to those who can take advantage, it is unfair to those who came into the program after them.  They, in effect, are losing a year by being behind a returning 5th year player.  And it could potentially harm the program when talented underclassmen leave for other schools where they have a better chance of playing.  As much as I've enjoyed watching these seniors play, I hope they will elect to get on with their lives.

[Raider 68]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

When the NCAA announced that players would get an extra year because of COVID I thought it was a good thing, but my thinking has changed.  While the extra year seems fair to those who can take advantage, it is unfair to those who came into the program after them.  They, in effect, are losing a year by being behind a returning 5th year player.  And it could potentially harm the program when talented underclassmen leave for other schools where they have a better chance of playing.  As much as I've enjoyed watching these seniors play, I hope they will elect to get on with their lives.

Well said, time to move on for those seniors.

[formerd3db]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

When the NCAA announced that players would get an extra year because of COVID I thought it was a good thing, but my thinking has changed.  While the extra year seems fair to those who can take advantage, it is unfair to those who came into the program after them.  They, in effect, are losing a year by being behind a returning 5th year player.  And it could potentially harm the program when talented underclassmen leave for other schools where they have a better chance of playing.  As much as I've enjoyed watching these seniors play, I hope they will elect to get on with their lives.

Well said, time to move on for those seniors.

Not to forget mentioning the possible economical aspect of this. The cost can be a difficult challenge for some players for an extra semester let alone a possible full year if necessary , even if grants, need and/or community based scholarships are in place for them.

[Ice Bear]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

When the NCAA announced that players would get an extra year because of COVID I thought it was a good thing, but my thinking has changed.  While the extra year seems fair to those who can take advantage, it is unfair to those who came into the program after them.  They, in effect, are losing a year by being behind a returning 5th year player.  And it could potentially harm the program when talented underclassmen leave for other schools where they have a better chance of playing.  As much as I've enjoyed watching these seniors play, I hope they will elect to get on with their lives.

Ice Bear says this is a great perspective and one he hasn't thought about at all. +k from the Old Seal Buffet!

[Ice Bear]

https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/12/22/mount-union-football-team-2023-roster-stagg-bowl-national-championship-geoff-dartt/69738452007/

The Raiders have many prominent players eligible for another season if they wish. Some of those include:

QUARTERBACK:Braxton Plunk.
RUNNING BACKS: DeAndre Parker, KJ Redmon, Lance Mitchell.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: Wayne Ruby Jr., Jaden Manley, Edwin Reed, Orreon Finley, Chase Lawson, Evan Weygandt.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Carson Barrett, Davis Ward, Taizhun Chisolm.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Duke Hill, Matt Lilja, Jake Scott.
LINEBACKERS: Mason McMillen, Kaleb Detellem, Landon Jenkins.
CORNERBACKS/SAFETIES: Ian Sexton, Jesse Vail, Josh Jones, Derrick Bradley, Dow Cameron, Jevanni Witter, Aaron Hawk.

Ice says if this entire crew returns no doubt Mount starts the season at #1 or #2 and most likely ends it that way as well.

[D3fanboy]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

When the NCAA announced that players would get an extra year because of COVID I thought it was a good thing, but my thinking has changed.  While the extra year seems fair to those who can take advantage, it is unfair to those who came into the program after them.  They, in effect, are losing a year by being behind a returning 5th year player.  And it could potentially harm the program when talented underclassmen leave for other schools where they have a better chance of playing.  As much as I've enjoyed watching these seniors play, I hope they will elect to get on with their lives.

You could already see the lack of depth on the lines for Mount this year with a top 5 of all 4/5 year guys and then those guys get banged up and it's freshmen getting big time minutes.

Selfishly, I'd love to see Mount get to be the team full of 23/24 year olds for once and watch Plunk and Ruby put up stats that will never be matched.  But I'm excited for the COVID era of D3 go away and only have the WIAC schools doing their grayshirting schemes

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I spoke with a D3 HC at a recruiting fair last February.

He said that players choosing to utilize the COVID year did not have to take a full load of courses. That lessens the financial aspect of it.

[edward de vere]

I posed this question on the CCIW board wrt NCC guys maybe deciding to go ahead and move on and graduate since they won. If I were MU guys I'd be thinking the opposite. "We are CLOSE. If we all come back we may just be favorites to win it all."

As a Purple Raider fan, I say "Amen, my Brother!"
But as a Dad, putting myself in one of those player's shoes, it may be whether a path is presently unhindered, or a door is open, to a successful "real life" beyond that of a player.
I respect and love them all, and only wish them the best.  So many in the coaching ranks make me smile every Saturday and Sunday.  So many that I do not see what they are doing today would probably make that smile immensely bigger ...  if I only knew.

When the NCAA announced that players would get an extra year because of COVID I thought it was a good thing, but my thinking has changed.  While the extra year seems fair to those who can take advantage, it is unfair to those who came into the program after them.  They, in effect, are losing a year by being behind a returning 5th year player.  And it could potentially harm the program when talented underclassmen leave for other schools where they have a better chance of playing.  As much as I've enjoyed watching these seniors play, I hope they will elect to get on with their lives.

I do believe I pointed this out a couple months ago.  In trying to be fair to the old guys you're being unfair to the new guys.

[edward de vere]

Ice Bear takes a moment from eating his seal and says Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy whatever the **** you celebrate, and Happy if you celebrate nothing to JC as you just hired an excellent coach and person in Coach Behrman.

Behrman took a Union program/team that fell from the top quarter of D3 football to the very ****ing bottom and brought it back to relevance in a very short time. Ice Bear feels very happy and excited for the JC program, team, fans, and alum. Ice will be rooting for JC and is fairly confident Coach Behrman will make them a top team year in and year out.

Ice wishes Behrman and his family the very best and wishes all the mother****ers and their loved ones here on the OAC board a wonderful holiday season.

While Ice is at it he also throws his genuine congrats to the Mighty Mount faithful on what was another amazing season. Ice says while he wasn't rooting for the Purple Raiders he respects the heck out of their talent, effort, and heart this season.

Is Ice Bear any relation to Pep Band?