I know there is another thread for general recruiting but this subject will be primarily focused on finalized signing day and impact moving forward starting with QB
Quarterback:
Lost: NA
Returning: #9 Jimmy Seewald JR.*
#14 Chris Duncan RSSO.
#11 Trey Bilinski RSFR.
#13 Ryan Markoff RSFR.
#4 Joe Mullen RSJR,
Incoming: Ben Nimz 6'3 185, Ben played for Catholic Memorial in High School displaying a nice arm and willingness to throw the long ball.
Sping outlook
Seewald projects as the clear cut #1 QB option in the spring. #14 Chris Duncan will likely resume his place as the immediate back up and could see plenty of time in out of conference games. Bilinski coaches are high on and appears to have been third quarterback as he was dressed for away games. Markoff is the real wild card, While Duncan can run, Markoff is fast, he could be seen sporadically in packages next season. Joe Mullen appeared in the Trinity game last year but appears to have been leaped over by Markoff and Bilinski. That being said been is going to have an uphill battle next year seeing the field probably resulting in a redshir season. Earliest we most likely could see Nimz may be 2020.
Runningback:
Lost: #10 Jarrett Morgan
Returning: #44 Kyle Cartales JR.
#32 Cody Boxrucker JR.
#21 Elias Earley RSJR.
#15 Doug Haugh RSFR.
Incoming: Anthony Maceo 5'9 180, Option QB in high school, very fast
Cameron Raupach 5'10 173, Spread tailback in high school, also brings great speed
Riley Allison 5'11 205, Power back for FL powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas
Spring Outlook
Gone is two year starter Jarrett Morgan (also had a year at receiver). Kyle Cartales started 2 games last year and appears to be the every down type of back that will gain the role of starting runningback. Cody Boxrucker will return to his specialist role as a short yardage back, however he could have an increase in carries due to Morgan departure. Earley is going to be back as a change of pace scat back, look for him to maybe move to slot with Navarro departure. Haugh has impressed coaches and also projects as team's long snapper, he will most likely be in mix as well. The coaches used four backs maximum last year so barring someone gets beat out or things change it odds are there will be some redshirts. Allison appears most college ready while Raupach and Maceo are reminiscent of Morgan's departing skill set.
A perusal of PFL member websites show a schedule for the 2018 season has been released. Is their some secret to Valpo not yet releasing it's 2018 schedule since the PFL portion of it is almost assuredly known and the OOC portion has probably been known for an even longer period of time?
We always seem to be behind in releasing the OOC portion of our schedule. For 2019-20I believe we do a home & home with Dartmouth, but I don't know who the other two games are in either of those two years. For 2018, all I know is that we travel to Duquesne. When? Probably the second game of the season? That leaves the traditional body bag game against an MVFC or Big Sky foe in the first week and then an NAIA or NCAA D-II team for week three. None of those have been announced to my knowledge.
This may have changed but the way it was scheduled to my knowledge is:
Guarantee game for 2018 is Youngstown State with Eastern Kentucky for 2019.
We have the second of the home and home vs. Duquense (the road portion) in 2018.
2019 and 2020 do not have a home and home opponent
Dartmouth is 2021 and 2022
The Lower Division games were unknown beyond Trinity Intl last year and maybe that is the hold up this year.
Any programs out there who want to catch a beat down?
Quote from: JD24 on February 10, 2018, 01:13:13 PM
This may have changed but the way it was scheduled to my knowledge is:
Guarantee game for 2018 is Youngstown State with Eastern Kentucky for 2019.
We have the second of the home and home vs. Duquense (the road portion) in 2018.
2019 and 2020 do not have a home and home opponent
Dartmouth is 2021 and 2022
The Lower Division games were unknown beyond Trinity Intl last year and maybe that is the hold up this year.
Any programs out there who want to catch a beat down?
No, you are right. Jacksonville is in the 19-20 Dartmouth slot, then us in 21 (@VU) and 22 (@Dartmouth).
I have never liked us playing YSU, but a paycheck is a paycheck and there are not that many FCS schools with big enoug budgets to write those guarantees. We had a decent match with EKU the last time with them. Wish we could have gone back out to Montana again — Montana State maybe.
Tight End
Lost: #16 Ryan Clarke
Returning: #84 Mason Sutter SR.
#87 Martin Petruf JR.
#40 Brannen Martin RSSO.
#31 Alex Kluck RSFR.
#80 Brett Bittner RSFR.
Incoming: Tanner Allton 6-7 190, Long receiving tight end, lined up at receiver quite a bit
Spring Outlook
Mason Sutter is returning for his fourth and final year as the clear cut starter. Brannen Martin is the lone H-back on the roster and figures to be featured in special teams and spot offensive formations. Backup tight end Ryan Clarke has graduated leaving a competition between 2017 3rd string Martin Petruf and scout offensive player of the year #31 Alex Kluck. Expect both to travel. Brett Bittner is looking to be next in line in case of injury and due to lack of weight Allton will probably redshirt. It makes sense they brought him in as a receiving tight end due to Sutter graduating after this season.
Tight End
Lost:#30 Frank Catrine
#26 Donny Navarro
# 86 Kevin Wright
Returning: #1 Jean Rene SR.
#2 Griffin Norberg SR.
#3 Parker Fox RSJR.
#12 JD Koehler RSJR.
#23 Bailey Gessinger JR,
#82 Duece Larose SO.
#19 Trey Sablein RSFR.
#33 Conor Beer RSFR.
#85 TJ Weinzimmer RSFR.
Incoming: Ollie Reese 6'3 185, Excellent film, looks to be a possible immediate contributor at area with biggest loss
Spring Outlook
Looking back on last season there were 8 traveling Wide Receivers. 5 outside (Norberg, Fox, Koehler, Catrine, Larose) and 3 inside or slots (Navarro, Gessinger, Rene). At both outside receiver spots Fox will likely keep one position while Norberg had a big year last season and looks like the other. There immediate backups would most likely be Larose and Koehler. I expect from watching film Reese has a legitimate shot to be the final traveler competing with Stablein and Weinzimmer. Rene maintains his starting position in the slot. Beer and Gessinger will most likely back him up following the Navarro departure.