FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Next Man Up]

North Central's 2021 Roster is up. https://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/football/roster/2021  They have a D-1 transfer QB from Eastern Kentucky University (FCS) named Alphonso Howard on the roster. He also played for ASA community college in Brooklyn NY. They have a total of 149 players on the roster.   

Alponso Howard looks like a grown man! His pic doesn't look like a college FB player. For what it's worth, my money is on Luke Lehnen as NCC's starting QB.

In looking at the high school stats of the QBs on the roster, most of them seem more dual-threat than Broc was. Not that Rutter was a statue, but will add a different element to the position.

If whomever assumes the NCC QB position can pass as well as Broc Rutter, he can imitate the Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer, the Great Sphinx, or any other statue any time he wants! 

[Next Man Up]

NCC is a primo spot for a transfer QB. They are loaded on offense except for that position so it's an easy sell for Coach Thorne.

Kind of late in the game to bring in a transfer, isn't it?

Perhaps at the Y intersection you guys should have taken the other fork. 🤗

North Central's 2021 Roster is up. https://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/football/roster/2021  They have a D-1 transfer QB from Eastern Kentucky University (FCS) named Alphonso Howard on the roster. He also played for ASA community college in Brooklyn NY. They have a total of 149 players on the roster.   

Alponso Howard looks like a grown man! His pic doesn't look like a college FB player. For what it's worth, my money is on Luke Lehnen as NCC's starting QB.

This is what I meant by my earlier post about taking the other fork at the intersection. Early on, the vast majority of prognosticators basically took if for granted that the 2021 starting QB for the defending National Champions would be a D1 transfer. However, my understanding from a couple of sources very much in step with the pulse of the program, was that the job was basically Luke Lehnen's to lose from early on. This was the reason I indicated it might be prudent to go in a direction other than considering a transfer-or a new incoming 2021 freshman for that manner.
Lehnen was a freshman at NCC last year and would, in all probability, have been squarely in the competition for the starting QB position last season. However, as we are all aware, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, NCC decided to forgo the 2020 season. Accordingly, Lehnen, a football, basketball, and baseball star in high school, played baseball as a freshman where he was named CCIW Newcomer of the Year, 2nd team All-Conference, and 2nd team D3Baseball All-Region as a freshman right fielder.
The arrival of Alphonso Howard might create a new scenario but so far at least, I have not heard about that being the case. We'll find out for sure on 9/11.

[SpartanHouse]

Any idea what NCC's process is for baseball/football combo athletes? Did he do spring ball for NCC last year?

[Next Man Up]

Any idea what NCC's process is for baseball/football combo athletes? Did he do spring ball for NCC last year?

I don't believe he did. Fall 2020 CCIW sports were cancelled by the conference in July. And while some CCIW teams did play some football games/exhibitions this spring, NCC chose not to play—I'm not sure when that decision was made. But, the first Cardinal baseball game was in early March and there would have been pre-season practice before that which would have coincided with football practice time prior the FB games that were played this spring. So, even if NC held some FB practices prior to deciding to forego the spring games, it seems Luke would, instead, have been practicing with the baseball team during that time.
Others may have a deeper knowledge of the answer to the question. If so, I'm sure they will share that insight.

[USee]

I don't know for sure what Luke did/didn't do but I do know the non playing CCIW teams practiced in the spring (and in the fall of 2020). I know from past years that athletes who play spring sports generally don't participate in spring football practices.

[cciwman]

I would highly doubt a player competing and eventually winning the QB job (as all expect) for the reigning National Champs did not participate heavily in Spring practice and 7 on 7s this summer.  I would guess his 3-sport background prepared him to do double duty in the Spring. 

If I am wrong he is either a huge stud or they have a significant issue at QB.

[Next Man Up]

I would highly doubt a player competing and eventually winning the QB job (as all expect) for the reigning National Champs did not participate heavily in Spring practice and 7 on 7s this summer.  I would guess his 3-sport background prepared him to do double duty in the Spring. 

If I am wrong he is either a huge stud or they have a significant issue at QB.

Lehnen has been at NCC for ONE Spring-2021, during which he played 47 baseball games from March 7th through May 22nd (after the school year had been completed). I assume some practice preparation was required prior to March 7. Given the span of dates which comprised the 2021 NCC baseball season, it seems incomprehensible as to how he could have participated "heavily" in Spring 2021 football practice while also participating "heavily" in an ongoing baseball season at the same time 🤷🏻‍♂️. Defining such an individual as a "huge stud" would seem an underestimation of his athletic capabilities. Perhaps he gave up the more mundane activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, going to classes, and studying?
Summer activity is an entirely different scenario—one in which it would seem logical that some football related training/practice would not be unexpected. 

[cciwman]

I would highly doubt a player competing and eventually winning the QB job (as all expect) for the reigning National Champs did not participate heavily in Spring practice and 7 on 7s this summer.  I would guess his 3-sport background prepared him to do double duty in the Spring. 

If I am wrong he is either a huge stud or they have a significant issue at QB.

Lehnen has been at NCC for ONE Spring-2021, during which he played 47 baseball games from March 7th through May 22nd (after the school year had been completed). I assume some practice preparation was required prior to March 7. Given the span of dates which comprised the 2021 NCC baseball season, it seems incomprehensible as to how he could have participated "heavily" in Spring 2021 football practice while also participating "heavily" in an ongoing baseball season at the same time 🤷🏻‍♂️. Defining such an individual as a "huge stud" would seem an underestimation of his athletic capabilities. Perhaps he gave up the more mundane activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, going to classes, and studying?
Summer activity is an entirely different scenario—one in which it would seem logical that some football related training/practice would not be unexpected. 

Valid points, yet 24 of these 47 games were played in 12 days (DHs).  As close as Thorne and Rutter were in the past, I would put all my kids lunch money on the fact they have been together a ton.  The baseball field is litterally right next door and as much as I like baseball, there is plenty of down time.  Will be interesting to see what happens.

[Next Man Up]

🥪 🍟 🌭 🍎 🍪🥛
Sending some lunch. Don't want the kids to go hungry! 

[CardinalAlum]

Any idea what NCC's process is for baseball/football combo athletes? Did he do spring ball for NCC last year?

I don't believe he did. Fall 2020 CCIW sports were cancelled by the conference in July. And while some CCIW teams did play some football games/exhibitions this spring, NCC chose not to play—I'm not sure when that decision was made. But, the first Cardinal baseball game was in early March and there would have been pre-season practice before that which would have coincided with football practice time prior the FB games that were played this spring. So, even if NC held some FB practices prior to deciding to forego the spring games, it seems Luke would, instead, have been practicing with the baseball team during that time.
Others may have a deeper knowledge of the answer to the question. If so, I'm sure they will share that insight.

I can assure you that he absolutely did participate in Spring workouts.  Having two great programs that have as much appreciation for each other as NCC baseball and football do, there's no way they wouldn't have worked together on this. 

[Next Man Up]

Well, that's good news. I stand corrected. I'm glad football and baseball were able to team up for a few spins around the dance floor this Spring. The more preparation possible for a very tough upcoming season, the better! 🏈

[Dr. Acula]

I would highly doubt a player competing and eventually winning the QB job (as all expect) for the reigning National Champs did not participate heavily in Spring practice and 7 on 7s this summer.  I would guess his 3-sport background prepared him to do double duty in the Spring. 

If I am wrong he is either a huge stud or they have a significant issue at QB.

Lehnen has been at NCC for ONE Spring-2021, during which he played 47 baseball games from March 7th through May 22nd (after the school year had been completed). I assume some practice preparation was required prior to March 7. Given the span of dates which comprised the 2021 NCC baseball season, it seems incomprehensible as to how he could have participated "heavily" in Spring 2021 football practice while also participating "heavily" in an ongoing baseball season at the same time 🤷🏻‍♂️. Defining such an individual as a "huge stud" would seem an underestimation of his athletic capabilities. Perhaps he gave up the more mundane activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, going to classes, and studying?
Summer activity is an entirely different scenario—one in which it would seem logical that some football related training/practice would not be unexpected. 

Valid points, yet 24 of these 47 games were played in 12 days (DHs).  As close as Thorne and Rutter were in the past, I would put all my kids lunch money on the fact they have been together a ton.  The baseball field is litterally right next door and as much as I like baseball, there is plenty of down time.  Will be interesting to see what happens.

Looks like he plays OF.  As someone who played baseball in college with several guys playing football and baseball I can tell you that's the best position to allow him to miss baseball practice.  Our guys would just hit in the cage and lift on their own so they could go to optional football workouts.  It'd be different if he was a P and needed to throw bullpens or a SS and needed to take 50 grounders a day.  Based on his postseason awards I'm guessing the baseball coach is going to be good with any arrangement that keeps him playing baseball!    

[matblake]

If you're looking for a Big Ten team with CCIW connections, look at Michigan State. Payton Thorne (son of NCC coach) is competing for the starting QB position, and Spencer Rowland (former Wheaton player) transferred in.  Here's a video where Spencer, head coach Mel Tucker, and teammates visit a Type I Diabetes Fundraiser.  Spencer Rowland is diagnosed as a type I diabetic.  https://www.wlns.com/news/msu-football-supports-one-of-its-own-by-supporting-the-fight-against-type-1-diabetes/

Ok, last post of that other division of football.  On to the real stuff!

[SpartanHouse]

I would highly doubt a player competing and eventually winning the QB job (as all expect) for the reigning National Champs did not participate heavily in Spring practice and 7 on 7s this summer.  I would guess his 3-sport background prepared him to do double duty in the Spring. 

If I am wrong he is either a huge stud or they have a significant issue at QB.

No way he missed any in season practice for baseball. That doesn't happen

Lehnen has been at NCC for ONE Spring-2021, during which he played 47 baseball games from March 7th through May 22nd (after the school year had been completed). I assume some practice preparation was required prior to March 7. Given the span of dates which comprised the 2021 NCC baseball season, it seems incomprehensible as to how he could have participated "heavily" in Spring 2021 football practice while also participating "heavily" in an ongoing baseball season at the same time 🤷🏻‍♂️. Defining such an individual as a "huge stud" would seem an underestimation of his athletic capabilities. Perhaps he gave up the more mundane activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, going to classes, and studying?
Summer activity is an entirely different scenario—one in which it would seem logical that some football related training/practice would not be unexpected. 

Valid points, yet 24 of these 47 games were played in 12 days (DHs).  As close as Thorne and Rutter were in the past, I would put all my kids lunch money on the fact they have been together a ton.  The baseball field is litterally right next door and as much as I like baseball, there is plenty of down time.  Will be interesting to see what happens.

Looks like he plays OF.  As someone who played baseball in college with several guys playing football and baseball I can tell you that's the best position to allow him to miss baseball practice.  Our guys would just hit in the cage and lift on their own so they could go to optional football workouts.  It'd be different if he was a P and needed to throw bullpens or a SS and needed to take 50 grounders a day.  Based on his postseason awards I'm guessing the baseball coach is going to be good with any arrangement that keeps him playing baseball!   

[matblake]

Wheaton has posted their current spectator policy. 
https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/2021/8/26/2021-22-wheaton-athletics-spectator-policy.aspx