FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NESCACFball24/7]

Agreed. The two best receivers coming back have to be up for grabs between Richardson at Tufts and Wood at Midd. Wood was their clear cut #1 so got a lot more targets but will be interesting to see how they compare this year with richardson being the #1 for berluti with lutz gone.

Any idea who will replace Johnson at running back for the jumbos?

I certainly don't think Tufts will be hurting to replace Lutz if the rumors of his departure are true. Their receiving group was pretty deep this season, and they had some pretty impressive skill group classes the last few years that should be coming into their own. With Lutz and Tomlinson gone, they still have arguably the best receiver in the league in Jayden Richardson. Easily the biggest snub from the all-conference list.

Seems like things are going very well so far for Logan Tomlinson at UNH:

https://news.yahoo.com/division-iii-transfer-tomlinson-stars-035900570.html

In other transfer news, former Tufts tight end Joshua Meriwether has transferred to Tennessee State, I believe as a grad transfer.  He has not played much for Tufts, maybe injured? 

https://twitter.com/J_Meriwether81/status/1631677281272733696

Meriwether is a grad Transfer with 2 years of eligibility (covid year and injured this year). He started for them in 2021 but was mostly used as a blocking tight end. Looks like he's from Nashville so that seems like a natural move.

In other news I was told that Lutz told the team over the weekend that he will be at Delaware next year. Any ideas on who will pick up the slack for them with him gone?

[nescac1]

As long as Tufts has Berlutti, clearly the best player in NESCAC, they are going to put up big offensive numbers.  But I do think the combined losses of Lutz, Tyler Johnson (assuming he is not back, he does have another year of eligibility remaining, so has it been confirmed that he's done?) and Jackson Butler (another guy with another year of eligibility if he chooses to stick around), if they all don't return, would be a lot to overcome for Tufts.  That's three of the top four offensive weapons for Berlutti potentially gone including the OPOTY.  Richardson is a star for sure, but he will now be the guy facing a lot of double-coverage that used to shade towards Lutz.  Lutz was just unreal and Butler was hugely overqualified to be a third WR.  Tufts also loses some of its very veteran OL unit though how much returns remains to be seen depending on who takes fifth years. 

I think Tufts will be in fine shape with Aundre Smith as the top TB, he averaged 5.5 ypc last year and has been a star returning for two years, though at his size they will surely need to find another back to carry some of the load.  At WR, Cade Moore is another guy with great size who put up good numbers (mostly in garbage time but still) as a soph so presumably he is the next man up ...

[Scoops]

While I do think that they have lots of potential talent on the roster, I believe it's inevitable that the Tufts offense will have to take somewhat of a step back. Richardson is the real deal, and I think they have potential playmakers in waiting. I hope they will be able to replace the graduating talent among a few guys, but frankly I think Berlutti is a bit overrated. A lot of his stats are big plays that were primarily Lutz and company creating after the catch. I get the feeling he's fairly similar to Ollie Eberth at Amherst in terms of his actual ability. If the guys around him can't equal the cast he had this year (which is a lot to ask), I think he will struggle similarly to Eberth in his final season.

As long as Tufts has Berlutti, clearly the best player in NESCAC, they are going to put up big offensive numbers.  But I do think the combined losses of Lutz, Tyler Johnson (assuming he is not back, he does have another year of eligibility remaining, so has it been confirmed that he's done?) and Jackson Butler (another guy with another year of eligibility if he chooses to stick around), if they all don't return, would be a lot to overcome for Tufts.  That's three of the top four offensive weapons for Berlutti potentially gone including the OPOTY.  Richardson is a star for sure, but he will now be the guy facing a lot of double-coverage that used to shade towards Lutz.  Lutz was just unreal and Butler was hugely overqualified to be a third WR.  Tufts also loses some of its very veteran OL unit though how much returns remains to be seen depending on who takes fifth years. 

I think Tufts will be in fine shape with Aundre Smith as the top TB, he averaged 5.5 ypc last year and has been a star returning for two years, though at his size they will surely need to find another back to carry some of the load.  At WR, Cade Moore is another guy with great size who put up good numbers (mostly in garbage time but still) as a soph so presumably he is the next man up ...

[quicksilver]

Coach Mills is a proven top notch Head Coach. For my money he's the best in the league.

The word around the Amherst Football program is the Administration at Amherst has changed their direction in terms of their support for Football and male helmet/contact sports in general. I have no first hand knowledge of this from 100 miles away but have heard this repeatedly from those connected over the last couple of years.
. . .

I follow NESCAC hockey closely and have not noticed any noticeable fall-off in the Amherst hockey program. Amherst finished third in the NESCAC regular season in 2023 but was behind Wesleyan and Trinity by the tiniest of margins. There is a lot of parity in NESCAC hockey so Amherst ended up hosting championship weekend after 3 of the 4 top seeds fell in the quarterfinals but did not advance to the finals, losing in OT to Williams in the semifinals. That's a long way of saying that there is no evidence that Amherst has changed its direction regarding men's hockey. I believe that the men's lacrosse program is doing well this year after a few chaotic years at the coaching level. So if there has been a de-emphasis of men's helmet sports at Amherst, it would appear to be limited to football.

[NESCACFball24/7]

I can tell you now that all American Travis Cepalia and all league Blair horning will both be back for the jumbos next year. Should help berluti out but will definitely be interesting to see how he does without lutz.
If you watch most of the tufts games this year Richardson was already getting most of the double coverage. I was always surprised how little double coverage teams threw at lutz given how productive he was. Interested to see what younger guys step up for them. Aside from Moore anybody got ideas on who they have in them pipeline?

[Nescac24]

Agreed. The two best receivers coming back have to be up for grabs between Richardson at Tufts and Wood at Midd. Wood was their clear cut #1 so got a lot more targets but will be interesting to see how they compare this year with richardson being the #1 for berluti with lutz gone.

Any idea who will replace Johnson at running back for the jumbos?

I certainly don't think Tufts will be hurting to replace Lutz if the rumors of his departure are true. Their receiving group was pretty deep this season, and they had some pretty impressive skill group classes the last few years that should be coming into their own. With Lutz and Tomlinson gone, they still have arguably the best receiver in the league in Jayden Richardson. Easily the biggest snub from the all-conference list.

Seems like things are going very well so far for Logan Tomlinson at UNH:

https://news.yahoo.com/division-iii-transfer-tomlinson-stars-035900570.html

In other transfer news, former Tufts tight end Joshua Meriwether has transferred to Tennessee State, I believe as a grad transfer.  He has not played much for Tufts, maybe injured? 

https://twitter.com/J_Meriwether81/status/1631677281272733696

Meriwether is a grad Transfer with 2 years of eligibility (covid year and injured this year). He started for them in 2021 but was mostly used as a blocking tight end. Looks like he's from Nashville so that seems like a natural move.

In other news I was told that Lutz told the team over the weekend that he will be at Delaware next year. Any ideas on who will pick up the slack for them with him gone?

Lutz (Tufts) Receptions: 80
Richardson (Tufts) Receptions: 41

Wood (Midd) Receptions: 54
Livingston (Midd) Receptions: 53

Not sure if Wood was there #1 guy. Seemed pretty even in receptions and targets for both him and Livingston. In contrast to Tufts, where Lutz clearly was based on receptions/targets. With Livingston graduating, it's not a stretch to say Wood would be getting targeted somewhere near the same as Lutz.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Agreed. The two best receivers coming back have to be up for grabs between Richardson at Tufts and Wood at Midd. Wood was their clear cut #1 so got a lot more targets but will be interesting to see how they compare this year with richardson being the #1 for berluti with lutz gone.

Any idea who will replace Johnson at running back for the jumbos?

I certainly don't think Tufts will be hurting to replace Lutz if the rumors of his departure are true. Their receiving group was pretty deep this season, and they had some pretty impressive skill group classes the last few years that should be coming into their own. With Lutz and Tomlinson gone, they still have arguably the best receiver in the league in Jayden Richardson. Easily the biggest snub from the all-conference list.

Seems like things are going very well so far for Logan Tomlinson at UNH:

https://news.yahoo.com/division-iii-transfer-tomlinson-stars-035900570.html

In other transfer news, former Tufts tight end Joshua Meriwether has transferred to Tennessee State, I believe as a grad transfer.  He has not played much for Tufts, maybe injured? 

https://twitter.com/J_Meriwether81/status/1631677281272733696

Meriwether is a grad Transfer with 2 years of eligibility (covid year and injured this year). He started for them in 2021 but was mostly used as a blocking tight end. Looks like he's from Nashville so that seems like a natural move.

In other news I was told that Lutz told the team over the weekend that he will be at Delaware next year. Any ideas on who will pick up the slack for them with him gone?

Lutz (Tufts) Receptions: 80
Richardson (Tufts) Receptions: 41

Wood (Midd) Receptions: 54
Livingston (Midd) Receptions: 53

Not sure if Wood was there #1 guy. Seemed pretty even in receptions and targets for both him and Livingston. In contrast to Tufts, where Lutz clearly was based on receptions/targets. With Livingston graduating, it's not a stretch to say Wood would be getting targeted somewhere near the same as Lutz.

I would expect both Wood and Richardson targets to increase significantly. While wood was paired up with Livingston, Richardson was competing for targets with not only Lutz but also Butler and Moore, the top two options of those now having left.

I am definitely interested in seeing how those two offenses as well as Weselyan's change with the departure of some of their top targets. The success of those changes could very well dictate the outcome of the league.

[Johnny Eph]

Perfect timing for one of my favorite quotes from the Civil Rights era. "The Photog," Ernest Withers was not an educated man but a simple one and this quote is just that.

"Be what you is, Because if you ain't what you is, you is what you ain't."
                                       -EW

Easy and simple concept to be real. You do you. Still some coaches try to be someone they are not. I think players can see right thru this


2nd Q analysis of Williams at Trinity coming soon. So much time these days so let's take our time. Life is best not rushed. I can tell you right now Trinity pounced on TWO massive Eph blunders in the 2Q as Williams showed a serious lack of focus on both plays. THAT COMES FROM THE TOP. Both plays came on Special Teams .

[nescac1]

Just to change it up, who would folks list as contenders for OPOTY, DPOTY, and ROTY heading into next season (the last category being massively speculative, of course). 

OPOTY, I'd say: Michael Berlutti, Spencer Fetter, Mario Fischetti, Andre Eden, Donovan Wood as the top five contenders.  Other guys to watch: Sean Clapp, Jayden Richardson, Travis Cepalia, Keon Smart. 

DPOY is a lot tougher: Tomas Kenary, Andy Skirzenski, Edward Iuteri, Cade Klarides-Ditria, Julian Young, Mike Rowan would be my top group ... but there will surely be a Trinity guy on this list, depending on who returns for a fifth year. 

I haven't listed any seniors with remaining eligibility other than Cepalia, who has been reported as returning.  I imagine some other contenders will likely be back, as well ...

[Trin9-0]

Trinity announced their team captains on Twitter:

Cade Klarides-Ditria, LB
Darren Warren, CB
Spencer Fetter, QB
Pat Donovan-Jenkins, T
Joe Lepore, DT

All but Donovan-Jenkins, a first team All-NESCAC selection, are fifth year seniors.

[nescac1]

Good news for Trinity, certainly.  I'll amend my list to add CKD to the top DPOY candidates ...

[Vandy74]

Just to change it up, who would folks list as contenders for OPOTY, DPOTY, and ROTY heading into next season (the last category being massively speculative, of course). 

OPOTY, I'd say: Michael Berlutti, Spencer Fetter, Mario Fischetti, Andre Eden, Donovan Wood as the top five contenders.  Other guys to watch: Sean Clapp, Jayden Richardson, Travis Cepalia, Keon Smart. 

A preseason injury limited Middlebury's Cole Kennon 2022 season to six games, so he wasn't included among the conference passing leaders.  If he had been, the comparative numbers would have looked like this. 

Berluti  9 games  199-287  69.3%  2752-yds  305.8/G  26-TD  3-int  177.7-efficiency

Fetter   9 games  188-279  67.4%  2401-yds  266.8/G  22-TD  5-int  162.1-efficiency

Kennon 6 games  133-222  60.5%  1854-yds  309.0/G  24-TD  4-int  163.6-efficiency

[nescac1]

The games Kennon happened to miss were against the number 2, 4, and 5 passing defenses in NESCAC, so his efficiency stats do benefit from that.  I'd nevertheless agree that Kennon is definitely one of the better returning QBs; I'd rank him third overall heading into the season.  Berlutti to me is EASILY the best when you include his impact as a runner, as well (445 yards, 5 TDs, 6.7 ypc), given that neither Kennon nor Fetter is at all fleet of foot.   

Boel, Candido and Bosselait also seem like guys to watch for potentially big years at the QB position ... Amherst, Williams, Hamilton, and Colby all have huge question marks at that position headed into the season, which is unsurprising considering that all four had disappointing seasons last year. 

[NESCACFball24/7]

Does anybody know what to expect from Wesleyan next year? Have seen a lot about departures from Tufts but I would argue Wesleyan is losing even more of its core given that Tomlinson, Helbig, Estevez & Danny Banks are all gone. In fact, including Estevez all three of Wesleyan's top backs were seniors last year and they also lost WR2 Simco along with Tomlinson.

[LochNescac]

I can tell you now that all American Travis Cepalia and all league Blair horning will both be back for the jumbos next year. Should help berluti out but will definitely be interesting to see how he does without lutz.
If you watch most of the tufts games this year Richardson was already getting most of the double coverage. I was always surprised how little double coverage teams threw at lutz given how productive he was. Interested to see what younger guys step up for them. Aside from Moore anybody got ideas on who they have in them pipeline?

Couple of productive guys departing for sure...but just looking at bodies on the roster (& discounting incoming recruits), they seem to have good numbers at WR.   Looks like four '22 freshman that will likely see some snaps.  TE numbers look good too...??

Not sure how many new recruits are listed as WR...?