FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[gridiron]

After an objective assessment of capabilities some of Cosgrove's coaches will be in different roles, as will some of his returning players. A fresh start with existing resources.

[amh63]

Seems Amherst Athletics is launching its own sports network under NSN...check the particulars on the Amherst website.  For me who prefers hard copy publications, etc. after a career in high tech areas...if it makes my viewing easier, I'm happy.
Harlequinfarm...interesting handle ...I will stick my nose in your world a bit. Congrats to son's acceptance into Williams!  He is an EPH now and forever.  At Amherst, all FY football players are listed on the roster.
Will be up in the Ithaca area next week.  In years past, I sometimes got the chance to check out some Cornell football...maybe I can this time.

[NBC93]

Amh63
Where do you see the FYs listed on the roster? On the website I only see 2017 as the most current list.

[amh63]

NBC93....if I confused you, my apology.  When Amherst's roster for 2018 comes up....in about 2 plus weeks, all FY players recruited and other new players are listed...as in past years.

[harlequinfarm]

Amh63 my son will be coming in with class of '23 as he just committed.  In my role as parent I have been poring over every tea leaf and entrail trying to divine likely recruiting outcome and pitfalls.  Position strength on roster was sign I was eager to incorporate into my unified model of recruitment potential.  Alas, coach offered and son accepted before that could be done.

As a Vassar grad myself I've not had a personal rooting interest in CFB.  Now that I will be an EPH parent, I'm really looking forward to this next chapter of fandom.

[JoeBag]

Amh63 my son will be coming in with class of '23 as he just committed.  In my role as parent I have been poring over every tea leaf and entrail trying to divine likely recruiting outcome and pitfalls.  Position strength on roster was sign I was eager to incorporate into my unified model of recruitment potential.  Alas, coach offered and son accepted before that could be done.

As a Vassar grad myself I've not had a personal rooting interest in CFB.  Now that I will be an EPH parent, I'm really looking forward to this next chapter of fandom.

Welcome to the board! If I am interpreting your post correctly your son is a rising senior in HS?
If so, I just want to caution you about any commitments that are made prior to admissions in the NESCAC.
I am not trying to be a downer or sway you in any way, just want to make sure you are well informed.
https://www.nescac.com/admissions/admissions

[nescac1]

harlequinfarm, if you want to list your position, I can offer some semi-informed analysis from an Eph perspective. 

More generally, the reality is, despite Williams' success last year, Williams remains thin at just about every position outside of maybe QB (Maimaron has three years left and I'd say is a lock to start so long as he remains healthy, and there will likely be three other frosh/soph QBs of indeterminate quality on this year's roster, and of course only one QB can play at a time).  The Ephs will need another two full recruiting cycles to recover from the prior regime, so Williams isn't going to even have a full 75 man roster until 2019 at the earliest, as opposed to some other NESCAC powers who have to cut down to get to 75.  This fall, Williams has in my view really strong talent returning at every starting spot except center and defensive tackle, which is a giant unknown (all four guys who saw PT last year graduated).  But depth is a huge question mark everywhere.  I think most of this year's frosh, and probably many of next year's, will start out no worse than second on the depth chart at most positions if they are really talented.  It's not like Trinity where you might come in 3rd or 4th on the depth chart even as a stud recruit.

For example, Williams had only one healthy full-time TE last year, and he saw nearly every snap it seemed like on offense ... the two other guys who played snaps in that the spot were a FB/TB/TE and a FB/LB/TE.   OL, last year Williams went basically seven guys' deep, and I doubt it will be much different this year.  And so on ...

[harlequinfarm]

Amh63 my son will be coming in with class of '23 as he just committed.  In my role as parent I have been poring over every tea leaf and entrail trying to divine likely recruiting outcome and pitfalls.  Position strength on roster was sign I was eager to incorporate into my unified model of recruitment potential.  Alas, coach offered and son accepted before that could be done.

As a Vassar grad myself I've not had a personal rooting interest in CFB.  Now that I will be an EPH parent, I'm really looking forward to this next chapter of fandom.

Welcome to the board! If I am interpreting your post correctly your son is a rising senior in HS?
If so, I just want to caution you about any commitments that are made prior to admissions in the NESCAC.
I am not trying to be a downer or sway you in any way, just want to make sure you are well informed.
https://www.nescac.com/admissions/admissions

Absolutely appreciate the heads up.  I am aware that until the acceptance letter is in hand that nothing is certain.  We have been informed that the formalities have been followed to this point and that support will be extended for ED. If anyone has specific cautions please IM me.

[harlequinfarm]

harlequinfarm, if you want to list your position, I can offer some semi-informed analysis from an Eph perspective. 

More generally, the reality is, despite Williams' success last year, Williams remains thin at just about every position outside of maybe QB (Maimaron has three years left and I'd say is a lock to start so long as he remains healthy, and there will likely be three other frosh/soph QBs of indeterminate quality on this year's roster, and of course only one QB can play at a time).  The Ephs will need another two full recruiting cycles to recover from the prior regime, so Williams isn't going to even have a full 75 man roster until 2019 at the earliest, as opposed to some other NESCAC powers who have to cut down to get to 75.  This fall, Williams has in my view really strong talent returning at every starting spot except center and defensive tackle, which is a giant unknown (all four guys who saw PT last year graduated).  But depth is a huge question mark everywhere.  I think most of this year's frosh, and probably many of next year's, will start out no worse than second on the depth chart at most positions if they are really talented.  It's not like Trinity where you might come in 3rd or 4th on the depth chart even as a stud recruit.

For example, Williams had only one healthy full-time TE last year, and he saw nearly every snap it seemed like on offense ... the two other guys who played snaps in that the spot were a FB/TB/TE and a FB/LB/TE.   OL, last year Williams went basically seven guys' deep, and I doubt it will be much different this year.  And so on ...

RB?

[nescac1]

At least in my opinion (and I have no inside info or anything), RB is DEFINITELY one position where there should be opportunities to contribute.  Currently, there are no TBs in the senior class (although one LB is a converted TB and perhaps may see some time there as a senior), one TB in the junior class who is a steady back-up type player, a returning part-time starter in the sophomore class (TJ Dozier, who looked solid as a frosh and I expect will start this year and beyond), and another sophomore who saw no action as a frosh despite the team being thin at the TB position.  I believe Williams is bringing in only one TB in the incoming frosh class, I'm not sure how highly-regarded he is but I have not heard much about him.  It's certainly a thinner position in terms of numbers than at many other contending NESCAC schools. 

In the Amherst game to end last season, Williams primarily used Ryan Pruss, a tight end who doubles as a short-yardage back, as the lone set-back, and let Maimaron do the bulk of the running behind Pruss as fearsome blocker.  Basically, by season's end the QB was viewed, it seems, as the best running threat on the team.  There are no true FBs on the team, although Pruss can fill that role as well.

So there is definitely a need at RB; I think a talented frosh could easily aspire to start out third (maybe even second if a highly sought after recruit) on the TB depth chart next year, and see some significant varsity action as an underclassman, with the realistic goal of starting as a junior.  Especially considering that most teams use at least three TBs in rotation throughout the season, and it is a position where guys often get banged up  ...

[harlequinfarm]

That is very interesting and exciting.  Thanks for sharing.  Regardless of how the roster looks I'm sure my son will be glad to be on the team and contributing anyway he can.

[gridiron]

It's good your son got the commitment for support in the early decision process now. Many find themselves waiting around to see if they can possibly latch onto an IV team so there's typically a scramble in the fall as spots get used up around the nescac league. Virtually all the players that get Ivy slots end up going.

[lumbercat]

Some strong incoming recruits this year who could have immediate impact. One is Bowdoin recruit Tomasi Fakatoumafi from Hawaii. 6'3" 270 DL could be a starter for the Bears. Said to be quite a force.

[harlequinfarm]

It's good your son got the commitment for support in the early decision process now. Many find themselves waiting around to see if they can possibly latch onto an IV team so there's typically a scramble in the fall as spots get used up around the nescac league. Virtually all the players that get Ivy slots end up going.

It was my hope that my son would land in the NESCAC, esp. after I learned about the proactive measures taken by the league to a.) put athletics in proper balance with academics while b.) promoting and supporting athletics as an important component of the college experience for both participants and the school.  You can't deny the IV brands, and hard to argue with the sentiment "if you get into Harvard you go to Harvard." But we all know there are damn good arguments why the NESCAC schools are better for the student-athlete, arguments I find persuasive. 

My son has already commented that people don't know the Williams (Bowdoin, Colby, Midd, Bates, Amherst, Trinity, Hamilton, Tufts, Wesleyan, ConnC) brand.  I just tell him "people who don't know, don't know.  But people who know, know."

[gridiron]

Even though virtually every applicant who has a choice between an Ivy league and a NESCAC chooses the Ivy, it's not because of a better overall student-athlete experience. It's really because of the brand. The NESCAC brand is an excellent one as well, just typically not as well recognized in other parts of the country as it is in the Northeast. 

I know many Ivy League graduates whose student-athlete sons and daughters attend or have attended NESCAC schools who believe, in retrospect, they would have benefited greater themselves had they attended similar schools.  The brand is a powerful attraction but does not necessarily mean a better education or experience.