FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[RollConts18]

Welcome! Great thing about the NESCAC (as a former player here) is that in most situations, any team can beat any team. There are obviously some exceptions, but take a look at Hamilton vs. Amherst in 2019; great example of the "any given Saturday" attitude.
Recruiting is interesting. I definitely played with a lot of "Big fish small pond" guys. They're usually more raw (for a variety of reasons, including reliance on pure size in high school and crappy coaching). Guys out of more well-known programs are usually more equipt to play immediately.

[The Mole]

Interesting points here with respect to geographical recruiting. Tufts 2021 roster listed 104 (I could be off a few) players from 19 different states and DC. The breakdown: MA 25, CA 11, CT & FL 10 each, NJ 8, GA 7, NY & IL 6 each, PA & TX 4 each, WY 3 (looks like 3 triplets from HI but HS in Wyo), VA 2, DC/ID/MD/OH/LA/RI/TN/WA 1 each

Truly diverse geographically. As long as they are the right players, it works. Civetti is 37-47 overall. Started out 0-24, so 37-23 since is pretty good. The 34 total players from CA FL GA and IL is a big number, clearly emphasis being placed in those states. 43 from MA CT NJ still largest part of the roster, worth pondering if the sprawl of recruiting will continue if the rosters sizes are squeezed again. Heard may be 90 but still only dress 76 for game day.

My point is that Tufts has always landed a number of E Mass and greater Boston kids by default--- just on location. However, Civetti has now put together a great recruiting strategy that appeals to kids nationwide. They have more to offer than any other NESCAC school. The light bulb went on in Medford a few years after Civ took over.

Instead of relying on dominance in Eastern Mass and Ct/NJ he's expanded his recruiting radius beyond the traditional Tufts recruiting comfort zone. Thats why the Emass recruiting numbers have declined at Tufts. Tufts will win on the national D3 recruiting venue now that they have figured out how to get into the game.

Civetti will continue to get his share of the the top Eastern Mass recruits but he will take less local kids because he's got so many more prospects from other parts of the country.  Tufts admissions loves that so its a win-win for Tufts football.

Used to think Civetti was destined for the Ivies or Patriot league but the next few years will tell. Gotta get some W's in his stacked situation in Medford which other NESCAC coaches would die for.

[The Mole]

Trinity also shows 104 on 2021 roster. 14 states but 88 of them are from MA (37) CT (33) NY (11) and NJ (7). 3 each to PA & MD, 2 each to FL and ME and singles for CA MI NH RI TX and VA.

They don't need to recruit nationally, and I am not trying to stir the pot. They are taking full advantage of their advantages and do not need to apologize for it.....

[LochNescac]

As far as '26 class, looks like every school's Twitter account has incoming athlete profiles up.  (Two exceptions; Williams & Amherst.)

Nice little glimpse into each new class, for what it's worth.

Pretty easy to see who's coming & from where...almost every kid has stats in MaxPreps, but probably most important aspect is who best filled their "positional needs"??

Looking forward to following the teams!

[Jonny Utah]

Trinity also shows 104 on 2021 roster. 14 states but 88 of them are from MA (37) CT (33) NY (11) and NJ (7). 3 each to PA & MD, 2 each to FL and ME and singles for CA MI NH RI TX and VA.

They don't need to recruit nationally, and I am not trying to stir the pot. They are taking full advantage of their advantages and do not need to apologize for it.....

Not sure if I told this story here before but about 8 years ago in Boston I see this kid with a football jacket from a New England prep school.  I start talking with him about HS football and ask him if he wants to play in college.  Straight up he tells me Bates is his dream school and he wants to go there and play football.  4 years later I check his name online and he is a 3 year starter and all NESCAC at Trinity.  Always made me chuckle for some reason.

[lumbercat]

Trinity also shows 104 on 2021 roster. 14 states but 88 of them are from MA (37) CT (33) NY (11) and NJ (7). 3 each to PA & MD, 2 each to FL and ME and singles for CA MI NH RI TX and VA.

They don't need to recruit nationally, and I am not trying to stir the pot. They are taking full advantage of their advantages and do not need to apologize for it.....

Couldn't agree more on Trinity Mole.

[The Mole]

What is most interesting is that there does not appear to be any correlation of geographic diversification of rosters with success on the field.

I have numbers that go into the weeds a little, but directionally it does not appear to matter. Teams below with number of states on the 2021 roster (Bowdoin is 2022):

Bates--12
Williams --13 & DC
Trinity--14
Hamilton--15 & DC
Wesleyan--19
Colby--19 + Canada
Tufts--19 + DC
Amherst--20 + DC
Middlebury--20 + DC
Bowdoin--22 + DC + Sweden

[lumbercat]

Interesting Mole, great info.

Maybe I'm too simplistic on this but my contention is that nationwide diversity makes for more admissions flexibility.

Back in the day going back many years Tufts recruited a large number of eastern Ma and greater Boston prospects.

Today, I think Tufts admissions, and NESCAC admissions in general, value geographic diversity so they are much more flexible on a kid from Georgia or Texas or Oklahoma. If the Tufts staff presents another kid from Eastern Mass where they already have already accepted 8 recruits it can wear thin with admissions. They don't want 15 football players from Eastern Mass. I say Tufts admissions flexes downward a bit on academic credentials of prospects in other areas of the country to diversify the geographics of the incoming class.

It's a primary focus in all NESCAC admissions offices to bring in a diverse class from all areas of the country and I think Civetti and others are recognizing that and working in unison with Admissions toward this goal.

[The Mole]

You are probably right, lumber. The top 5 states overall for the NESCAC in order (no surprises): MA, CT, NY, NJ and PA. It is really top 4 and PA is a decent drop from NJ as the 5th. So teams are still filling 2/3 to 3/4 of their rosters, on average from those states. However, to your point, it is all over the place after that.

CA, FL, IL, NH, TX, GA, ME, TN and VA are next. With 10 teams in the league, the average is 1 to 4 players from those states on each squad. Then a bunch of states that average less than one player per team. NC, OH, RI, DC, CO are some worth noting.

Some are doing it because of admissions leeway as you bring up, some may have to to do it to draw players and some do not have to...

There is talent everywhere, but this gives some clues on where the focus lies. Certainly specific leagues and programs within those states as well.

Interesting Mole, great info.

Maybe I'm too simplistic on this but my contention is that nationwide diversity makes for more admissions flexibility.

Back in the day going back many years Tufts recruited a large number of eastern Ma and greater Boston prospects.

Today, I think Tufts admissions, and NESCAC admissions in general, value geographic diversity so they are much more flexible on a kid from Georgia or Texas or Oklahoma. If the Tufts staff presents another kid from Eastern Mass where they already have already accepted 8 recruits it can wear thin with admissions. They don't want 15 football players from Eastern Mass. I say Tufts admissions flexes downward a bit on academic credentials of prospects in other areas of the country to diversify the geographics of the incoming class.

It's a primary focus in all NESCAC admissions offices to bring in a diverse class from all areas of the country and I think Civetti and others are recognizing that and working in unison with Admissions toward this goal.

[Charlie]

You are probably right, lumber. The top 5 states overall for the NESCAC in order (no surprises): MA, CT, NY, NJ and PA. It is really top 4 and PA is a decent drop from NJ as the 5th. So teams are still filling 2/3 to 3/4 of their rosters, on average from those states. However, to your point, it is all over the place after that.

CA, FL, IL, NH, TX, GA, ME, TN and VA are next. With 10 teams in the league, the average is 1 to 4 players from those states on each squad. Then a bunch of states that average less than one player per team. NC, OH, RI, DC, CO are some worth noting.

Some are doing it because of admissions leeway as you bring up, some may have to to do it to draw players and some do not have to...

There is talent everywhere, but this gives some clues on where the focus lies. Certainly specific leagues and programs within those states as well.

Interesting Mole, great info.

Maybe I'm too simplistic on this but my contention is that nationwide diversity makes for more admissions flexibility.

Back in the day going back many years Tufts recruited a large number of eastern Ma and greater Boston prospects.

Today, I think Tufts admissions, and NESCAC admissions in general, value geographic diversity so they are much more flexible on a kid from Georgia or Texas or Oklahoma. If the Tufts staff presents another kid from Eastern Mass where they already have already accepted 8 recruits it can wear thin with admissions. They don't want 15 football players from Eastern Mass. I say Tufts admissions flexes downward a bit on academic credentials of prospects in other areas of the country to diversify the geographics of the incoming class.

It's a primary focus in all NESCAC admissions offices to bring in a diverse class from all areas of the country and I think Civetti and others are recognizing that and working in unison with Admissions toward this goal.

So in your opinion do you think HC plan is working ? We always say give it time but can you honestly see them making great strides to becoming a top tier team. They should be able to given that if I am not mistaken have the highest student body

[Charlie]

You are probably right, lumber. The top 5 states overall for the NESCAC in order (no surprises): MA, CT, NY, NJ and PA. It is really top 4 and PA is a decent drop from NJ as the 5th. So teams are still filling 2/3 to 3/4 of their rosters, on average from those states. However, to your point, it is all over the place after that.

CA, FL, IL, NH, TX, GA, ME, TN and VA are next. With 10 teams in the league, the average is 1 to 4 players from those states on each squad. Then a bunch of states that average less than one player per team. NC, OH, RI, DC, CO are some worth noting.

Some are doing it because of admissions leeway as you bring up, some may have to to do it to draw players and some do not have to...

There is talent everywhere, but this gives some clues on where the focus lies. Certainly specific leagues and programs within those states as well.

Interesting Mole, great info.

Maybe I'm too simplistic on this but my contention is that nationwide diversity makes for more admissions flexibility.

Back in the day going back many years Tufts recruited a large number of eastern Ma and greater Boston prospects.

Today, I think Tufts admissions, and NESCAC admissions in general, value geographic diversity so they are much more flexible on a kid from Georgia or Texas or Oklahoma. If the Tufts staff presents another kid from Eastern Mass where they already have already accepted 8 recruits it can wear thin with admissions. They don't want 15 football players from Eastern Mass. I say Tufts admissions flexes downward a bit on academic credentials of prospects in other areas of the country to diversify the geographics of the incoming class.

It's a primary focus in all NESCAC admissions offices to bring in a diverse class from all areas of the country and I think Civetti and others are recognizing that and working in unison with Admissions toward this goal.

So in your opinion do you think HC plan is working ? We always say give it time but can you honestly see them making great strides to becoming a top tier team. They should be able to given that if I am not mistaken have the highest student body

Has anyone else been impressed with Trinity 2026 class. I mean they are stacked from getting a coveted Defensive End , to getting on paper a clone of Girard at WR from Georgia. I would say barring injuries this team is going to be tough to stop. Especially with all coaches returning and a great mix of upperclassman and rookies

[LochNescac]

You are probably right, lumber. The top 5 states overall for the NESCAC in order (no surprises): MA, CT, NY, NJ and PA. It is really top 4 and PA is a decent drop from NJ as the 5th. So teams are still filling 2/3 to 3/4 of their rosters, on average from those states. However, to your point, it is all over the place after that.

CA, FL, IL, NH, TX, GA, ME, TN and VA are next. With 10 teams in the league, the average is 1 to 4 players from those states on each squad. Then a bunch of states that average less than one player per team. NC, OH, RI, DC, CO are some worth noting.

Some are doing it because of admissions leeway as you bring up, some may have to to do it to draw players and some do not have to...

There is talent everywhere, but this gives some clues on where the focus lies. Certainly specific leagues and programs within those states as well.

Interesting Mole, great info.

Maybe I'm too simplistic on this but my contention is that nationwide diversity makes for more admissions flexibility.

Back in the day going back many years Tufts recruited a large number of eastern Ma and greater Boston prospects.

Today, I think Tufts admissions, and NESCAC admissions in general, value geographic diversity so they are much more flexible on a kid from Georgia or Texas or Oklahoma. If the Tufts staff presents another kid from Eastern Mass where they already have already accepted 8 recruits it can wear thin with admissions. They don't want 15 football players from Eastern Mass. I say Tufts admissions flexes downward a bit on academic credentials of prospects in other areas of the country to diversify the geographics of the incoming class.

It's a primary focus in all NESCAC admissions offices to bring in a diverse class from all areas of the country and I think Civetti and others are recognizing that and working in unison with Admissions toward this goal.

So in your opinion do you think HC plan is working ? We always say give it time but can you honestly see them making great strides to becoming a top tier team. They should be able to given that if I am not mistaken have the highest student body

Has anyone else been impressed with Trinity 2026 class. I mean they are stacked from getting a coveted Defensive End , to getting on paper a clone of Girard at WR from Georgia. I would say barring injuries this team is going to be tough to stop. Especially with all coaches returning and a great mix of upperclassman and rookies

Several schools look to have some really solid recruits...at least as far as the players publicly posted on the respective schools Twitter "Welcome to XXX" threads.

Couple head scratchers from a "stats" & production point of view....maybe some beneficiaries of the old "physical attributes" eye test..??

Hard to tell, but Trinity does look good, Bates too at a few positions.  Can only assume that Williams has done well as they have no official info out there (I guess thats par for the course according to you guys?) & I wouldn't bet against the "Tufts formula" based on the '26 recruits numbers  ....

[Scoops]

Given what I have seen across the league via Twitter postings and word from coaches/parents, there is some very good talent coming into the NESCAC this year. As I've said multiple times, the Trinity top few incoming guys are quite impressive. And that does not include the "coveted" DE, who I have serious doubts about. All things considered it sounds like Williams, Colby, and Tufts have the deepest classes top to bottom. Hamilton and Middlebury, like Trinity, have a couple of really good looking guys coming, but there's a big drop off. Bates did well considering their turnover and new HC Coyne has a lot of 'solid' kids but not enough top end guys to move the needle. Feel very similarly about Wesleyan, but they're returning so many guys that they won't need any of their young guys to play anytime soon. That team is already impressively deep. Bowdoin was fairly average, but I can't imagine things being much better with how admissions seems to give them no breaks. Amherst was a shocker. Not sure if their staff losses contributed, but their quality was really down this year. Certainly a lot of intriguing kids across the board, but I think on paper there were clear 'winners' and 'losers'

You are probably right, lumber. The top 5 states overall for the NESCAC in order (no surprises): MA, CT, NY, NJ and PA. It is really top 4 and PA is a decent drop from NJ as the 5th. So teams are still filling 2/3 to 3/4 of their rosters, on average from those states. However, to your point, it is all over the place after that.

CA, FL, IL, NH, TX, GA, ME, TN and VA are next. With 10 teams in the league, the average is 1 to 4 players from those states on each squad. Then a bunch of states that average less than one player per team. NC, OH, RI, DC, CO are some worth noting.

Some are doing it because of admissions leeway as you bring up, some may have to to do it to draw players and some do not have to...

There is talent everywhere, but this gives some clues on where the focus lies. Certainly specific leagues and programs within those states as well.

Interesting Mole, great info.

Maybe I'm too simplistic on this but my contention is that nationwide diversity makes for more admissions flexibility.

Back in the day going back many years Tufts recruited a large number of eastern Ma and greater Boston prospects.

Today, I think Tufts admissions, and NESCAC admissions in general, value geographic diversity so they are much more flexible on a kid from Georgia or Texas or Oklahoma. If the Tufts staff presents another kid from Eastern Mass where they already have already accepted 8 recruits it can wear thin with admissions. They don't want 15 football players from Eastern Mass. I say Tufts admissions flexes downward a bit on academic credentials of prospects in other areas of the country to diversify the geographics of the incoming class.

It's a primary focus in all NESCAC admissions offices to bring in a diverse class from all areas of the country and I think Civetti and others are recognizing that and working in unison with Admissions toward this goal.

So in your opinion do you think HC plan is working ? We always say give it time but can you honestly see them making great strides to becoming a top tier team. They should be able to given that if I am not mistaken have the highest student body

Has anyone else been impressed with Trinity 2026 class. I mean they are stacked from getting a coveted Defensive End , to getting on paper a clone of Girard at WR from Georgia. I would say barring injuries this team is going to be tough to stop. Especially with all coaches returning and a great mix of upperclassman and rookies

[nescac1]

I'm curious what your basis is for diminishing Amherst's class.  They have a huge (by Amherst's standard) class of 27 (all posted to Twitter) and barely any of them are local.  There are kids from Ohio, New Mexico, Washington state, Kansas, TN, AZ, etc.  Two QBs, from California and Iowa.  So I doubt anyone has any real ability to evaluate such a far-flung group other than the coaches who recruited them.  Folks talk about Tufts as looking outside New England, but only two out of 27 Amherst recruits have New England hometowns.  That's wild!  EJ may be taking big fliers on guys, but may also be unearthing some hidden gems - who knows?

They do seem to have a huge infusion of skill guys, which is what they desperately need, and I assume some get chances to play right away given they have very little returning at TB / WR.  Maybe Cato Legaspi, the TB from Andover, or Carter Jung, a WR from CA who runs a 4.4?  Among lots of others ... the Iowa QB might be interesting too ...

[amh63]

It's been a Hot day in the Md/DC area.  Been following the chatter on this board with nothing to add.....especially wrt "recruiting".  However, nescac1's last post hit a memory bell.....in particular, wrt a recruit from Iowa.  Had a classmate from Iowa that was a fine football player.  He had a younger brother that was a even better football player for Amherst.  Could the "recruit" from Iowa be another family member?.  It seems to me that a number of posters tend to forget about the Amherst "walk-ons" that became professional football players in the NFL.  Some became All-Pro too.  Amherst tends to recruit all-over...even world wide...much-like Harvard.  Will repeat a story about a classmate from Pa....before there was a Nescac.  Amherst had a "scrimmage" with Harvard in soccer.  Harvard's team was filled with a number of over-seas recruits.  Amherst's team out-played Harvard.  Harvard's HC looked into my classmate and saw he had played on a professional team in the UK.  My classmate came to the USA to get a better educational opportunity...he never played for money...lived with relatives in the Philly area.  In short, my classmate did not play on the Amherst team and Amherst dropped Harvard off their schedule.