FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[MammothDad]

... We've seen what a couple of down years in recruiting can do to a program with the current woes of Amherst. Hope they're able to figure it out.

What are the woes of Amherst recruiting?  Is it just what you see on the field 2-3 years later or is there a way to fairly assess incoming talent in any type of objective process?

[The Mole]

Chuckie, I do not see a DL from Fordham listed below, got a name or information to share? Latest updated link of FCS players in the portal at bottom.

Brandon Spencer (DB) — Fordham
DeQuece Carter (WR) — Fordham
Grant Wilson (QB) — Fordham (Committed to Old Dominion)
Michael Bernard (K) — Fordham
MJ Wright (WR) — Fordham
Tom Callahan (LS) — Fordham
Tom Sharkey (QB) — Fordham

https://www.redshirtsports.xyz/2023-fcs-transfer-portal-tracker

[Pat Coleman]

Chuckie, I do not see a DL from Fordham listed below, got a name or information to share? Latest updated link of FCS players in the portal at bottom.

Brandon Spencer (DB) — Fordham
DeQuece Carter (WR) — Fordham
Grant Wilson (QB) — Fordham (Committed to Old Dominion)
Michael Bernard (K) — Fordham
MJ Wright (WR) — Fordham
Tom Callahan (LS) — Fordham
Tom Sharkey (QB) — Fordham

https://www.redshirtsports.xyz/2023-fcs-transfer-portal-tracker

Tom Callahan is listed as a defensive lineman on the Fordham roster.

[The Mole]

Thanks Pat! I will try and validate this as "I know people" on both ends of this possibility

[lumbercat]

Sources say a solid FCS long snapper who wants to get on the field as a DL in D3.

[Scoops]

I'm just saying that, of the kids I've seen, there's not much for Tufts to feel good about. Granted I've only seen the kids who have posted commitments on Twitter. They could very well have some hidden gems who haven't put it out there, but I'm not impressed with what I've seen. Definitely not the quality they've had the last handful of years, and a tough time to have a down year considering they graduated so many key guys.

I think you're absolutely right about the previous few Tufts recruiting classes. Which is why this year's class so far is so disappointing. They have a ton of talented guys from out of region, and it seems like this year they went back to the local strategy that kept them at the bottom of the league for so long. In seeing some of the Twitter commitments and watching the tape, there's really only one or two kids who look at all impressive this far. Granted there's plenty of time for that to change, but I have a hard time believing this is their best work. Especially after seeing the previous few years guys hit their collegiate prime.

Scoop-

I wouldn't jump the gun on evaluating the Tufts recruiting class. We are not even through ED1 yet. At this point last year this board was lit up with comments indicating Tufts was behind the curve, struggling with recruiting etc etc. Way too soon to evaluate.

Tufts is often later in finalizing their recruiting class. Believe this is driven by admissions protocols which might differ a bit from other NESCAC schools. Over the years some schools have differed in their ED1 approach with less official commitments included/announced in the ED1 timeline yet they make the same assurances to recruits as other schools but announce the official commitment at ED2 or later.

From the knowledge I do have of this recruiting cycle at Tufts I don't think you will be disappointed. Civetti's greatest coaching attribute is recruiting. He has masterfully put together a great recruiting approach as "Boston's NESCAC Team"  combined with facility enhancements which make for an easy sell. He's not going to miss on many recuits he wants.

[Scoops]

I don't think I'm speaking out of school when I say that Amherst has a particularly noticeable lack of talent compared to their norm. They clearly haven't had much success recruiting, particularly on offense. The guys who were freshmen when Ollie et al were seniors should've been coming into their own this past season. Clearly didn't happen.

... We've seen what a couple of down years in recruiting can do to a program with the current woes of Amherst. Hope they're able to figure it out.

What are the woes of Amherst recruiting?  Is it just what you see on the field 2-3 years later or is there a way to fairly assess incoming talent in any type of objective process?

[The Mole]

He will certainly have an opportunity to compete. Despite some thinking the DL is thin due to graduation, there are 3 players returning with starting experience (one all NESCAC). One got injured on the 3rd play last year and missed the season. A freshman and sophomore that return both got rotational snaps last year and made some plays as well. There is also a  junior that would have seen significant snaps last year at DT that got injured in camp and missed the year. That is 6 DL with depth and experience, not including others on the roster that could develop.

Sources say a solid FCS long snapper who wants to get on the field as a DL in D3.

[NESCACFball24/7]

I'm just saying that, of the kids I've seen, there's not much for Tufts to feel good about. Granted I've only seen the kids who have posted commitments on Twitter. They could very well have some hidden gems who haven't put it out there, but I'm not impressed with what I've seen. Definitely not the quality they've had the last handful of years, and a tough time to have a down year considering they graduated so many key guys.

I think you're absolutely right about the previous few Tufts recruiting classes. Which is why this year's class so far is so disappointing. They have a ton of talented guys from out of region, and it seems like this year they went back to the local strategy that kept them at the bottom of the league for so long. In seeing some of the Twitter commitments and watching the tape, there's really only one or two kids who look at all impressive this far. Granted there's plenty of time for that to change, but I have a hard time believing this is their best work. Especially after seeing the previous few years guys hit their collegiate prime.

Scoop-

I wouldn't jump the gun on evaluating the Tufts recruiting class. We are not even through ED1 yet. At this point last year this board was lit up with comments indicating Tufts was behind the curve, struggling with recruiting etc etc. Way too soon to evaluate.

Tufts is often later in finalizing their recruiting class. Believe this is driven by admissions protocols which might differ a bit from other NESCAC schools. Over the years some schools have differed in their ED1 approach with less official commitments included/announced in the ED1 timeline yet they make the same assurances to recruits as other schools but announce the official commitment at ED2 or later.

From the knowledge I do have of this recruiting cycle at Tufts I don't think you will be disappointed. Civetti's greatest coaching attribute is recruiting. He has masterfully put together a great recruiting approach as "Boston's NESCAC Team"  combined with facility enhancements which make for an easy sell. He's not going to miss on many recuits he wants.

So far I can only find 8 kids who have announced they are committed to tufts so far.
James Thom-OL(ct)
John Carey-OL(MA)
Justin Slabaugh-DL(NJ)
Johnny Ferrelli-LB(FL)
Gabe Fitzgerald-TE(MA)
Caden Lawlor-K(WA)
Justin Keller-QB(CT)

Keller, Ferrelli and Thom all look like they are pretty quality gets for them and my guess is that ED1 come back in the next week or so you will get some more kids added to that list. Especially since we all know they have been recruiting out of state maybe they will be some out of region kids not on our radars.

[JEFFFAN]

I don't think I'm speaking out of school when I say that Amherst has a particularly noticeable lack of talent compared to their norm. They clearly haven't had much success recruiting, particularly on offense. The guys who were freshmen when Ollie et al were seniors should've been coming into their own this past season. Clearly didn't happen.

... We've seen what a couple of down years in recruiting can do to a program with the current woes of Amherst. Hope they're able to figure it out.

What are the woes of Amherst recruiting?  Is it just what you see on the field 2-3 years later or is there a way to fairly assess incoming talent in any type of objective process?

I think you are spot on, Scoops.   As I have posted before, EJ didn't forget how to coach and anyone watching the worst Amherst offense in 50+ years could see the lack of talent on that side of the ball.   No one here probably cares about why ... a combination of a new admissions director from a school without football, a president who moved the bar as far left as she could, and the lacrosse publicity maybe.

[Scoops]

Just in looking at the tape on the guys I've seen, the only guy who looks on par with their previous classes is the OL from Darien HS, Thom. Frankly that kid looks like he should've had some higher level opportunities. It is early but I'm personally not very impressed with the rest of their group to this point.

I'm just saying that, of the kids I've seen, there's not much for Tufts to feel good about. Granted I've only seen the kids who have posted commitments on Twitter. They could very well have some hidden gems who haven't put it out there, but I'm not impressed with what I've seen. Definitely not the quality they've had the last handful of years, and a tough time to have a down year considering they graduated so many key guys.

I think you're absolutely right about the previous few Tufts recruiting classes. Which is why this year's class so far is so disappointing. They have a ton of talented guys from out of region, and it seems like this year they went back to the local strategy that kept them at the bottom of the league for so long. In seeing some of the Twitter commitments and watching the tape, there's really only one or two kids who look at all impressive this far. Granted there's plenty of time for that to change, but I have a hard time believing this is their best work. Especially after seeing the previous few years guys hit their collegiate prime.

Scoop-

I wouldn't jump the gun on evaluating the Tufts recruiting class. We are not even through ED1 yet. At this point last year this board was lit up with comments indicating Tufts was behind the curve, struggling with recruiting etc etc. Way too soon to evaluate.

Tufts is often later in finalizing their recruiting class. Believe this is driven by admissions protocols which might differ a bit from other NESCAC schools. Over the years some schools have differed in their ED1 approach with less official commitments included/announced in the ED1 timeline yet they make the same assurances to recruits as other schools but announce the official commitment at ED2 or later.

From the knowledge I do have of this recruiting cycle at Tufts I don't think you will be disappointed. Civetti's greatest coaching attribute is recruiting. He has masterfully put together a great recruiting approach as "Boston's NESCAC Team"  combined with facility enhancements which make for an easy sell. He's not going to miss on many recuits he wants.

So far I can only find 8 kids who have announced they are committed to tufts so far.
James Thom-OL(ct)
John Carey-OL(MA)
Justin Slabaugh-DL(NJ)
Johnny Ferrelli-LB(FL)
Gabe Fitzgerald-TE(MA)
Caden Lawlor-K(WA)
Justin Keller-QB(CT)

Keller, Ferrelli and Thom all look like they are pretty quality gets for them and my guess is that ED1 come back in the next week or so you will get some more kids added to that list. Especially since we all know they have been recruiting out of state maybe they will be some out of region kids not on our radars.

[Charlie]

Just in looking at the tape on the guys I've seen, the only guy who looks on par with their previous classes is the OL from Darien HS, Thom. Frankly that kid looks like he should've had some higher level opportunities. It is early but I'm personally not very impressed with the rest of their group to this point.

I'm just saying that, of the kids I've seen, there's not much for Tufts to feel good about. Granted I've only seen the kids who have posted commitments on Twitter. They could very well have some hidden gems who haven't put it out there, but I'm not impressed with what I've seen. Definitely not the quality they've had the last handful of years, and a tough time to have a down year considering they graduated so many key guys.

I think you're absolutely right about the previous few Tufts recruiting classes. Which is why this year's class so far is so disappointing. They have a ton of talented guys from out of region, and it seems like this year they went back to the local strategy that kept them at the bottom of the league for so long. In seeing some of the Twitter commitments and watching the tape, there's really only one or two kids who look at all impressive this far. Granted there's plenty of time for that to change, but I have a hard time believing this is their best work. Especially after seeing the previous few years guys hit their collegiate prime.

Scoop-

I wouldn't jump the gun on evaluating the Tufts recruiting class. We are not even through ED1 yet. At this point last year this board was lit up with comments indicating Tufts was behind the curve, struggling with recruiting etc etc. Way too soon to evaluate.

Tufts is often later in finalizing their recruiting class. Believe this is driven by admissions protocols which might differ a bit from other NESCAC schools. Over the years some schools have differed in their ED1 approach with less official commitments included/announced in the ED1 timeline yet they make the same assurances to recruits as other schools but announce the official commitment at ED2 or later.

From the knowledge I do have of this recruiting cycle at Tufts I don't think you will be disappointed. Civetti's greatest coaching attribute is recruiting. He has masterfully put together a great recruiting approach as "Boston's NESCAC Team"  combined with facility enhancements which make for an easy sell. He's not going to miss on many recuits he wants.

So far I can only find 8 kids who have announced they are committed to tufts so far.
James Thom-OL(ct)
John Carey-OL(MA)
Justin Slabaugh-DL(NJ)
Johnny Ferrelli-LB(FL)
Gabe Fitzgerald-TE(MA)
Caden Lawlor-K(WA)
Justin Keller-QB(CT)

Keller, Ferrelli and Thom all look like they are pretty quality gets for them and my guess is that ED1 come back in the next week or so you will get some more kids added to that list. Especially since we all know they have been recruiting out of state maybe they will be some out of region kids not on our radars.

I still think it is too early Williams Early decisions are out , Trinity releasing next week as well as I think Wesleyan. Once these shake out and kids start to post commitments for D2 and Ivies we will have a better understanding of where kids are potentiall land in NESCAC. The transfer portal has really made this thing crazy and tough to interpret. Until the transfers are somehwat flushed out we can see where kids are going. I do understand your frustration with the recruits so far but if they can land couple more would be productive recruiting bassed on past history.

[BigKat]

Charlie, love the passion but I need to correct you on one thing. There are no kids waiting on D2 offers before deciding on playing Nescac football. Same piece of land but a different pond so to speak. Ivies and Patriot league-absolutely. We spend a lot of time on these incoming frosh classes but it's so rare any of them play right away. Looking back at the classes 2-3 years ago? That's where the evaluations should be graded out. 

[Charlie]

Charlie, love the passion but I need to correct you on one thing. There are no kids waiting on D2 offers before deciding on playing Nescac football. Same piece of land but a different pond so to speak. Ivies and Patriot league-absolutely. We spend a lot of time on these incoming frosh classes but it's so rare any of them play right away. Looking back at the classes 2-3 years ago? That's where the evaluations should be graded out.

I know of a few but yes I understand what you are saying it is not the norm by any means. This is why at some point because of the freshman learning curve I think the NESCAC and for that matter D3 ball needs to find a way to get these kids that extra year back like a red shirt. You can see the NESCAC landscape has changed so much as a result of the COVID. I will grant that kids lost the year but for a freshman to go to college practice get themselves acclimated to college life and even though did not play football games but practice was huge.

I know it is debate but think that if all the players for Williams did not come back for fifth year they probably would not have won championship. The same could be said for this years Trinity ball club. It shows how that extra year of practicing lifting etc was huge.

I really think the NESCAC screwed up in not allowing Spring Ball as well. I cant imagine It took away from the kids academics. Something I feel needs to be altered in terms of the NESCAC football landscape to combat loosing that year and to a smaller extent the transfer portal. The league needs to figure a way to maintain and attract players without becoming a football institution as they fear or making football a priority on there list.There has to be a way to solve both objectives while keeping up the academic integrity of the schools.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Charlie, love the passion but I need to correct you on one thing. There are no kids waiting on D2 offers before deciding on playing Nescac football. Same piece of land but a different pond so to speak. Ivies and Patriot league-absolutely. We spend a lot of time on these incoming frosh classes but it's so rare any of them play right away. Looking back at the classes 2-3 years ago? That's where the evaluations should be graded out.

I know of a few but yes I understand what you are saying it is not the norm by any means. This is why at some point because of the freshman learning curve I think the NESCAC and for that matter D3 ball needs to find a way to get these kids that extra year back like a red shirt. You can see the NESCAC landscape has changed so much as a result of the COVID. I will grant that kids lost the year but for a freshman to go to college practice get themselves acclimated to college life and even though did not play football games but practice was huge.

I know it is debate but think that if all the players for Williams did not come back for fifth year they probably would not have won championship. The same could be said for this years Trinity ball club. It shows how that extra year of practicing lifting etc was huge.

I really think the NESCAC screwed up in not allowing Spring Ball as well. I cant imagine It took away from the kids academics. Something I feel needs to be altered in terms of the NESCAC football landscape to combat loosing that year and to a smaller extent the transfer portal. The league needs to figure a way to maintain and attract players without becoming a football institution as they fear or making football a priority on there list.There has to be a way to solve both objectives while keeping up the academic integrity of the schools.

The easiest way to do this is to let them play in the playoffs. Have the kids come back two weeks earlier and play 2 non conference games against a local d3 or even a Pomona or Claremont and a conference championship game. And before people say it's too expensive, every other sport in the nescac goes and travels at least once a yr for games and for playoffs, I can almost guarantee alumni would gladly donate some money to make that type of opportunity happen. Would also help the whole league with recruiting being able to showcase their level of play (that outside of New England is often questioned).