FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Charlie]

Charlie
Bowdoin admissions more flexible with the arrival of Hammer than they were in Wells era.

Really Wow !  if this is there idea of relaxing restrictions they have real issues.

[nescac1]

One of the strong recruits for Amherst is Devin Fragale, a Paramus Catholic OL with multiple low D1 offers who just committed.  EJ always does a good job finding linemen and LBs.  Curious to hear if Amherst got some skill guys (besides the big QB from Berkshire School) because they desperately need impact players at WR, RB and QB.  They will always be solid in the trenches. 

[lumbercat]

Achaia Jones RB 5'8" 190 Satellite HS FL.

[Scoops]

Given the tape on the guys that Tufts brought in at linebacker, and their returning players at the position, I find it far more likely that Tufts didn't have any interest in the "big 3" that Trinity brought in. Doesn't even look like they offered any of them. based on tape alone though, it would appear that Tufts got the better players there. The Louisiana LB Batiste and the LB Terrell from Connecticut look VERY good on tape. Could be a very dangerous 1-2 combo in a year or two.

I agree entirely though on Civetti as a good recruiter but terrible game manager. I think it's pretty apparent that he has the talent to win on that team. But he consistently makes poor decisions in critical moments. It's really a shame they haven't been able to put it together.

Interesting nugget I got from one of the coaches in the league. It sounds like the recruiting coordinator at Tufts has been hired away. Apparently he was a major part of the talent they've brought in the last few years. If that's the case then it should be interesting to see if that changes the success they have in that regard.

With "signing day" done with, it's been interesting to see the new additions to the league based on what's been put out on social media. Early look, but I think so far Amherst has probably brought in the best talent, although they don't seem to have brought in big numbers, and seems they they didn't bring in much of any receiver talent.

Williams clearly figured out that they can't just run the ball every single play, and that starts with getting an actual quarterback. I don't think the guys they got are game changing talents, but they're more impressive than what they've got. McHugh is interesting as an athlete. He can at least go play receiver if it doesn't work out behind center.

Coach Coyne brought in impressive numbers, and a handful of fairly talented guys. I'm impressed by his effort in drawing from a lot of different areas. 14 different states by my count.

The rest of the league has been fairly unimpressive. I like the QBs that Middlebury brought into the fold. Very disappointing classes from Tufts Trinity and Wesleyan so far, but I'm sure they'll have a late surprise or two. More of the same from Hamilton, and Bowdoin.  Really disappointed in Colby. Big regression in their recruiting from what they've done the last few years. Especially when they were knocking on the door of relevancy. I'm sure there will be a few more commitments, but interesting at this stage of the game to project who could have gotten better.

Don't rely totally on Twitter and social media.
Colby incoming class is very strong and I agree with other poster on this Tufts class from what I have heard- very strong.
All of the nonsense that has been circulated on this board about Tufts recruiting struggles could not be further from the truth. While Civetti is not one of the better game managers in the league, recruiting is his strength. One of the very best in that area.

Best description I have heard about Civetti yet. Gtreat recruiter suspect game manager. As I stated I heard making a big push in the WR department. They tried on bolstering there LB Corp but could not persuade any of the top three away from Trinity. Again way to early and Tufts does not create a great deal of fanfare on recruiting.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Had a conversation with a friend close to the program today. No mention of the recruiting coordinator leaving. Was told that a couple of the best kids in that class really haven't put anything on twitter so I would say trying to evaluate that class right now using twitter is kind of a mute point. However, was told that there is a good chance we see a few of their all league seniors back next year.

[lumbercat]

Given the tape on the guys that Tufts brought in at linebacker, and their returning players at the position, I find it far more likely that Tufts didn't have any interest in the "big 3" that Trinity brought in. Doesn't even look like they offered any of them.





Lumbercat wrote

Scoops-
Typically NESCAC coaches don't voluntarily pass on top prospects. Academic and admission standards vary from school to school which often force some NESCAC programs to "pass" on certain candidates because they can't get a kid admitted. This often opens up great opportunities for recruiters at another school with more admissions flexility.

Not saying that was definitely the case here but it happens pretty frequently.

[Charlie]

Given the tape on the guys that Tufts brought in at linebacker, and their returning players at the position, I find it far more likely that Tufts didn't have any interest in the "big 3" that Trinity brought in. Doesn't even look like they offered any of them.





Lumbercat wrote

Scoops-
Typically NESCAC coaches don't voluntarily pass on top prospects. Academic and admission standards vary from school to school which often force some NESCAC programs to "pass" on certain candidates because they can't get a kid admitted. This often opens up great opportunities for recruiters at another school with more admissions flexility.

Not saying that was definitely the case here but it happens pretty frequently.

Again Batiste from Vacherie, LA is 6"0 240 and slow. Played mostly DE and was not even an all star in his repective league. The big three in MA were All Stars in their leagues multiple times and one had over 475 tackles so hard to figure where your LB assessments come from in comparison. Again all different levels but one would think a top prospect would be able to acheive All star status at their respective high schools. Again no one can predict how this all plays out at the next level. However Trinity has a keen sense at recruiting well at this position.

Another reason is that Trinity scooped them up in early summer all three had multiple offers from D2 & D3 schools and many NESCAC schools. Lumbercat is correct about the academic portion Tufts tends to make moves later in the process and their academic criteria for admissions is different then Tufts. I am sure this effected recruiting decisions.

I dont think you have to be worry about Tufts getting athletes at skilled positions they historically fill those well. It is more concerning for them that they recruit OL/DL to fill major voids and need a top WR to replace Lutz if that is possible.

Wesleyan is also heavily recruiting OL/DL with a great deal of signings at this position.

[NESCACFball24/7]

As far as batiste at tufts he was on a top 50 team in Louisiana so trying to compare his speed on tape or saying that he wasn't an all star down there is a hard sell given his competition being leaps and bounds above that up here in the northeast. While it may be easier for us to evaluate tape from schools up here we are familiar with, let's not be ridiculous saying that by any means the talent up here outweighs that in the south or west coast. I have said before and will continue to say that what looks like good players from those states would be great players if you stuck them in northeast conferences. There is a reason bug programs recruit those states heavier. Everyone is faster and stronger and plays better competition week in and week out as opposed to up here where there are 2-3 big programs that kids go to and even those would never schedule the best of the south or California for their own sake.

With regards to replacing lutz, there is still a shot at him coming back I am told. They also have richardson who was big time for them and was probably one of the biggest all league snubs of the year (partly because he barely played the last two games due to injury) and also Moore who was just a sophomore last year. Let's not forget they had the best receiving corp in the league last year by a landslide and while lutz was a big part of that he had a lot of help.

[NESCACFball24/7]

All American OL Travis Cepalia and starting d tackle Michael butler will also be back for the jumbos next yr.

[Charlie]

All American OL Travis Cepalia and starting d tackle Michael butler will also be back for the jumbos next yr.

On a total side note did I hear correctly that several players from NEPSAC schools have transferred to other NEPSAC schools. I believe this moving around is getting out of control it has moved down to High School transfers. I understand kids chose to re-class but to move schools simply for more exposure. This transferring is out of control.

[CC_Camels]

All American OL Travis Cepalia and starting d tackle Michael butler will also be back for the jumbos next yr.

On a total side note did I hear correctly that several players from NEPSAC schools have transferred to other NEPSAC schools...

Yes this is true, and the players who transferred together are legitimate game, and program, changers for the school where they enrolled this week.

[Charlie]

All American OL Travis Cepalia and starting d tackle Michael butler will also be back for the jumbos next yr.

On a total side note did I hear correctly that several players from NEPSAC schools have transferred to other NEPSAC schools...

Yes this is true, and the players who transferred together are legitimate game, and program, changers for the school where they enrolled this week.

Oh No doubt they are just did not think creating dream teams in high School sports was going to happen. Totally going to change landscape of High School sports.

[Jonny Utah]

All American OL Travis Cepalia and starting d tackle Michael butler will also be back for the jumbos next yr.

On a total side note did I hear correctly that several players from NEPSAC schools have transferred to other NEPSAC schools...

Yes this is true, and the players who transferred together are legitimate game, and program, changers for the school where they enrolled this week.

Oh No doubt they are just did not think creating dream teams in high School sports was going to happen. Totally going to change landscape of High School sports.

I don't think the issue of changing schools is a new thing, even at the HS level.  The thing now (as with these two CT Prep transfers) is that everyone has to "announce" what they are doing on twitter. 

"Thank you @coach for the virtual visit!"
"I'm blessed to announce that I have received a non preferred walk on opportunity at Boston State!"

[Charlie]

All American OL Travis Cepalia and starting d tackle Michael butler will also be back for the jumbos next yr.

On a total side note did I hear correctly that several players from NEPSAC schools have transferred to other NEPSAC schools...

Yes this is true, and the players who transferred together are legitimate game, and program, changers for the school where they enrolled this week.

Oh No doubt they are just did not think creating dream teams in high School sports was going to happen. Totally going to change landscape of High School sports.

I don't think the issue of changing schools is a new thing, even at the HS level.  The thing now (as with these two CT Prep transfers) is that everyone has to "announce" what they are doing on twitter. 

"Thank you @coach for the virtual visit!"
"I'm blessed to announce that I have received a non preferred walk on opportunity at Boston State!"

So true !!

[Scoops]

Couldn't have said it any better myself. While I understand that most players/alums/families/coaches in the league are local and have their local allegiance, it's ridiculous to think that the football in the northeast is on par with anywhere down south or the west coast. Think about it. How many New England/New York recruits are playing at places like Bama or Ohio State? It's not a coincidence. There's a massive talent gap between this area and the rest of the country. It's not ridiculous to think that McGowan or Toyas or many other local players in the league never even make it on the field in a real football state, let alone become an all-state player.

As far as batiste at tufts he was on a top 50 team in Louisiana so trying to compare his speed on tape or saying that he wasn't an all star down there is a hard sell given his competition being leaps and bounds above that up here in the northeast. While it may be easier for us to evaluate tape from schools up here we are familiar with, let's not be ridiculous saying that by any means the talent up here outweighs that in the south or west coast. I have said before and will continue to say that what looks like good players from those states would be great players if you stuck them in northeast conferences. There is a reason bug programs recruit those states heavier. Everyone is faster and stronger and plays better competition week in and week out as opposed to up here where there are 2-3 big programs that kids go to and even those would never schedule the best of the south or California for their own sake.

With regards to replacing lutz, there is still a shot at him coming back I am told. They also have richardson who was big time for them and was probably one of the biggest all league snubs of the year (partly because he barely played the last two games due to injury) and also Moore who was just a sophomore last year. Let's not forget they had the best receiving corp in the league last year by a landslide and while lutz was a big part of that he had a lot of help.