FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[robertgoulet]

Don't get too excited about any recruits until they actually come to camp (and stay with the team) and then  do something on the field. 

That time of year again...here's what I rounded up this morning for incoming North Central recruits:

Brad Kuchenbecker - DE/TE - Washington HS (IL) - Was first team All-Mid-Illini Conference Defense as a Junior. Broke his leg as a Senior.
http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/article/20130324/SPORTS/130329968

Jack McCoy - LB - Woodstock HS - 3 yr starter. Chose NCC over Augustana.
http://www.nwherald.com/mobile/article.xml/articles/2013/03/29/e43aa1b23eac428c971ccf657dabf55f/index.xml

Trevor Medved - RB - Triad HS (IL) - Ran for 981 yards on 77 carries (12.7-yard average) last season and led the Knights with 14 touchdowns.
http://www.bnd.com/2013/03/25/2549993/area-senior-athletes-make-decisions.html

Chase Taphorn - CB - Morton HS
http://www.mortontimesnews.com/article/20130217/SPORTS/130219867/0/blogs

Alex Ulmer - WR/DB - Valor Christian HS (CO) - fun fact about this one; he announced his commitment on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Aulmer6/status/298610394824597504

NCF - Then, we should probably disregard Mr. Goulet's preemptive post...Just making sure your apprehension applies to Naperville recruits as well. 

I don't have any "apprehension" over any recruits. I know what I've seen over the last four years. Just because a kid was a good h.s player means jack untile they actually do something on the field. Have seen too many guys quit, leave school, get career ending injuries or get removed from the team for various reasons to ever get excited over anyone at any school. On average, only about 20-25 guys have what it takes to stay with the team for four years and probably only half of that number are major contributors or three/four starters. I  laugh at the number of stories I've read about these supposed studs and then learn they quit before their freshman season is even half over. Just sayin' -that's my take on the whole process. Not tryin to knock anyone in particular

Just trying to keep this board interesting...really the only thing to talk about in the Spring is incoming recruits. 

[NCF]

Don't get too excited about any recruits until they actually come to camp (and stay with the team) and then  do something on the field. 

That time of year again...here's what I rounded up this morning for incoming North Central recruits:

Brad Kuchenbecker - DE/TE - Washington HS (IL) - Was first team All-Mid-Illini Conference Defense as a Junior. Broke his leg as a Senior.
http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/article/20130324/SPORTS/130329968

Jack McCoy - LB - Woodstock HS - 3 yr starter. Chose NCC over Augustana.
http://www.nwherald.com/mobile/article.xml/articles/2013/03/29/e43aa1b23eac428c971ccf657dabf55f/index.xml

Trevor Medved - RB - Triad HS (IL) - Ran for 981 yards on 77 carries (12.7-yard average) last season and led the Knights with 14 touchdowns.
http://www.bnd.com/2013/03/25/2549993/area-senior-athletes-make-decisions.html

Chase Taphorn - CB - Morton HS
http://www.mortontimesnews.com/article/20130217/SPORTS/130219867/0/blogs

Alex Ulmer - WR/DB - Valor Christian HS (CO) - fun fact about this one; he announced his commitment on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Aulmer6/status/298610394824597504

NCF - Then, we should probably disregard Mr. Goulet's preemptive post...Just making sure your apprehension applies to Naperville recruits as well. 

I don't have any "apprehension" over any recruits. I know what I've seen over the last four years. Just because a kid was a good h.s player means jack untile they actually do something on the field. Have seen too many guys quit, leave school, get career ending injuries or get removed from the team for various reasons to ever get excited over anyone at any school. On average, only about 20-25 guys have what it takes to stay with the team for four years and probably only half of that number are major contributors or three/four starters. I  laugh at the number of stories I've read about these supposed studs and then learn they quit before their freshman season is even half over. Just sayin' -that's my take on the whole process. Not tryin to knock anyone in particular

Just trying to keep this board interesting...really the only thing to talk about in the Spring is incoming recruits.  ;

.......this board isn't all that lively during the season

[AndOne]

A picture of North Central's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium after the recent flooding in Naperville.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130501/news/705019679/photos/AR/

[robertgoulet]

A picture of North Central's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium after the recent flooding in Naperville.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130501/news/705019679/photos/AR/

Steeplechase?

[Titan Q]

On IWU's 46-man recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/iwu-bringing-freshmen-into-football-program/article_8ce33162-b77e-11e2-8afd-0019bb2963f4.html

[79jaybird]

Very solid recruiting class for IWU.  THe number that jumps out at me the most is the 33 seniors.  The titans are going to be strong and a tough team to beat in '13.

[formerd3db]

jaybird:

Wow, 33 seniors of IWU- that is amazing.  The most I recall for a college team (at least in my career and era) is 28 that Alma College had in the late 1990's. 

BTW, hope you and family are doing well. 

[USee]

I think IWU, NCC, and Wheaton are all pretty close for this year's CCIW title race. I think I would put NCC at the top, but not by as large a margin and years past, and Wheaton/IWU are interchangeable as #2/3. IWU has a sizable advantage in hosting both Wheaton and NCC in Bloomington, albeit on successive weekends. Assuming Rob Gallik is back at full strength, this IWU group will be tough to beat at home.

[wheels81]

Looking at IWU recruiting class one interesting observation is an incoming tailback(Harrell) at 6'3" and 190.  Is that right?  Just an odd combination looks more like WR body than a tailback.

[Titan Q]

Looking at IWU recruiting class one interesting observation is an incoming tailback(Harrell) at 6'3" and 190.  Is that right?  Just an odd combination looks more like WR body than a tailback.

Austin Harrell is listed at either 6-3 or 6-4 depending on where you look.  Video...

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/393718/highlights/36351374

http://www.cinewsnow.com/sports/Washingtons-Austin-Harrell-is-HOI-19-AOW-169661146.html

[79jaybird]

Doing well former (TH) and yourself? Hope the family is doing well.  Been busy with my girls.    Elmhurst is in Europe and I think this is a good thing for the Jays to get some reps and gel.  I know Adam will pick up where Lester left off, but anytime there is a change- there is that grace period.  Thus, some extra reps will be good for EC. 

I had a HS coach say, "You win with Seniors" and there is a lot of truth in that. 

[shepherd]

Wheaton announces newcomers.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2013/5/14/FB_0514135549.aspx

[New Tradition]

Wheaton announces newcomers.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2013/5/14/FB_0514135549.aspx

It always amazes me how they get tons of people from all around the nation and then like 3 people from Wheaton.   

[AndOne]

New--

Why do you think Wheaton's roster is always filled with players from around the country?
Not sure what others think but my personal opinion is that, in addition to being academically strong to start with, its Wheaton's religious philosophy that brings in recruits. I'm not sure how many other schools there are of the same religious persuasion around the country, but I'm guessing not a great number. Accordingly, its always been my opinion that WC doesn't really have to do that much recruiting due to the fact I believe many kids actually recruit themselves to Wheaton rather than the usual action of the school going out and recruiting the student-athlete. Look at how many incoming kids have gone to Christian high schools. Its the same with all sports at WC, not just football. Wheaton rarely competes for the same kids with other conference schools except, in some cases, with North Park. Their primary competition for recruits is usually with other Christian colleges across the country rather than with other CCIW schools.

[Mugsy]

New--

Why do you think Wheaton's roster is always filled with players from around the country?
Not sure what others think but my personal opinion is that, in addition to being academically strong to start with, its Wheaton's religious philosophy that brings in recruits. I'm not sure how many other schools there are of the same religious persuasion around the country, but I'm guessing not a great number. Accordingly, its always been my opinion that WC doesn't really have to do that much recruiting due to the fact I believe many kids actually recruit themselves to Wheaton rather than the usual action of the school going out and recruiting the student-athlete. Look at how many incoming kids have gone to Christian high schools. Its the same with all sports at WC, not just football. Wheaton rarely competes for the same kids with other conference schools except, in some cases, with North Park. Their primary competition for recruits is usually with other Christian colleges across the country rather than with other CCIW schools.

Completely and utterly inaccurate to paint picture that "Wheaton doesn't really have to do that much recruiting..."  You are making some HUGE assumptions without knowing what the coaching staff does to recruit or what criteria is necessary.  To even consider that "kids recruit themselves to Wheaton" is an insult to the diligent, exhaustive efforts by the entire Wheaton staff.

The biggest assumption you are making is that there is a huge number of potential football players who:

• Have achieved academic excellence (top 5-10% in their class, at least a 30 on ACT, etc...) AND
• Have the monetary resources to afford an expensive liberal arts education AND
• Possess the level of athletic ability and football skill to compete at the highest levels in D3 AND
• Do not have aspirations (or unrealistic view of their ability) to compete at higher levels of NCAA AND
• Profess faith as a follower of Jesus Christ and are committed to living in a way that reflects that faith

I'm sure I'm missing additional criteria, as I type quickly at lunch. 

No doubt all CCIW football programs face the challenges represented by #1 through #4.  I believe ALL CCIW football programs need to expend a huge effort year in and year out to find the recruits that will allow them to compete for the CCIW crown, and to aspire to greater success in D3.  But #5 whittles that pot of players down significantly, despite the fact there may be a smaller number of "Christian" liberal arts schools. 

Another huge factor is expenses and budget.  What is more expensive, to find a large percentage of recruits from reasonably close geographical proximity to the school or to fan out across the US?  Sure Wheaton has a large endowment, but if you think that means the Wheaton sports programs have significant more resources & budget to work with, you are kidding yourself.  Wheaton does not have large line items in the budget to fly all over the US to scout for prospective players.

I can assure you that it is exceptionally difficult to find 25-30 players each year that fit this criteria.

I'd argue the fact Wheaton has to go all over the US to find their 25-30 recruits each year should point out the fact Wheaton is pulling from a smaller bucket of possible recruits.  Without the assistance from Alumni who know the school & know the type of person and player Wheaton is looking for, identifying potential recruits to compete for CCIW crowns would be tenuous.

Don't get me wrong, you are free to hold your own opinion.  But in this case you are making huge assumptions that in the end are not true.

I will add that it seems this topic comes up every year, along with the discussion on why it has been so hard for NPU to build a quality program.  [Note: I am not requesting for Greg to pull out his dissertation on the challenges NPU faces, even though I'm sure he has this saved out on the PC in several locations so that he doesn't need to type it up each time.  ]