MAC Crooting Thoughts, Week 15

[Jieret]

Previous entries:

• Week 6
• Week 8
• Week 10
• Week 12

 

This will be the last one until the Recruiting Cycle is over.  Also, we’ve removed the Looking Ahead section: Honestly, you really want to hear about what two-star is being fought over way too much?

 …you do?  Well, too bad.  

Freaking degenerates.

New commits for Weeks 13-15 are bolded.

Akron Zips ( @Skye)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 127 (-33)
Signees: 13

Scores:
Composite: 1.09
ESPN: 1029    Rivals: 11.2    247: 204.76

Current Class:
#188 4* FS Christopher Moore [Ball Hawk] Albuquerque, NM (C OVR/B- POT)
4* OT Rafael Garza [Pass Blocking] Bradenton, FL (C/B-)
4* ILB Elton Williams [Coverage] Lima, OH (C/B-)
4* K Edgar Culbertson [Balanced] Cuyahoga Falls, OH (C/C+)
3* QB Gregory Kaufhold [Field General] Bushnell, FL (C/C-)
3* TE Chun Chen [Receiving] Guthrie, OK (C/B-)
3* TE Glenn Johnson [Vertical Threat] Carthage, TX (C/B+)
3* OG Miguel Bello [Pass Blocking] Pleasant Grove, UT (C/C+)
3* C Miguel Lina [Balanced] Severn, MD (C/B)
3* OLB Nicholas Fitzgerald [Pass Rush] Rockwall, TX (C/B)
3* CB Jeremy Flores [Zone Coverage] Atherton, CA (C/B-)
3* WR Lester Gibbs [Route Runner] Chelsea, AL (C/C)
2* WR Lawrence Brisco [Speed] Medina, OH (C/C+)

Two wideouts are the Zips’ haul over the last three weeks, the last ones before new coach Skye (presumably) takes over recruiting.  Neither will blow anyone’s socks off, but this late in the cycle there aren’t likely to be many gems out there.  But I think that for position balance purposes at the very least, grabbing Gibbs and Brisco are good moves.

 

Ball State Cardinals (  @npklemm)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 57 (-1)
Signees: 17

Scores:
Composite: 1.43
ESPN: 1364    Rivals: 12.4    247: 269.54

Current Class:
#254 4* FS Donald Horst [Zone Coverage] Liberty, MO (C/A-)
#268 4* ILB Michael Albanese [Field General] Melville, NY (C/C+)
4* QB Kevin Johnson [Scrambler] Oak Park, MI (C/B)
4* RB Kenneth Curry [Speed] Marietta, GA (C/A-)
4* WR Ralph Nieter [Possession] Oskaloosa, IA (C/B+)
4* TE Joshua Osorio [Vertical Threat] Plant City, FL (C/C+) 
3* QB Jeffrey Mona [Scrambler] Ripon, CA (C/B-)
3* RB Louis Dolan [Power] Arlington Heights, IL (C/B)
3* WR Nick Klemm [Speed] Elkhart, IN (C/B)
3* OG Eric Morris [Run Blocking] Dexter, MI (C/C)
3* OG Lee Hayes [Run Blocking] Holliday, TX (C/C+)
3* C Guillermo Tomas [Run Blocking] Avon, OH (C/C+)
3* CB Charles Coleman [Man Coverage] Albany, GA (C/C)
3* CB Cesar Mateo [Man Coverage] Goliad, TX (C/C+)
3* OT Jerome Harris [Pass Blocking] Hinesville, GA (C/B-)
2* OG Eliseo Baker [Balanced] Hampton, GA (C/B)
2* CB William Boggs [Man Coverage] Rossville, GA (C/B-)

The Cardinals hit the South hard these last few weeks. Especially the Peach State, as three of their newest players come from there.  Harris is a bit of a scheme mismatch, but again, this late you take talent when you can and worry about scheme later.

 

Bowling Green Falcons ( @PoopyRhinoPickle)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 48 (+2)
Signees: 17

Scores:
Composite: 1.50
ESPN: 1379    Rivals: 47.4    247: 269.78

Current Class:
#169 4* DE Ray Wise [Run Stopper] Hilliard, OH (C/A-)
#196 4* C Douglas Springsteen [Line Captain] Houston, TX (C/A-)
#213 4* WR Donald Hairston [Possession] Philadelphia, MS (C/B-)
4* RB Todd Marriott [Balanced] Strongsville, OH (C/B-)
4* FS Krishna LaBrie [Run Stopper] Wall, TX (C/B+)
4* SS Philip Quiton [Run Stopper] Camarillo, CA (C/C)
3* QB Timothy Bush [Pocket] West Branch, IA (C/B)
3* TE Francisco Ocampo [Blocking] Chula Vista, CA (C/B-)
3* OT David James [Run Blocking] North Canton, OH (C/B)
3* WR Frank Tilghman [Route Runner] Bauxite, AR (C/B+)
3* DE Paul Riggs [Speed Rusher] Prescott Valley, AZ (C/A-)
3* ILB Michael Mora [Coverage] Lakeville, MN (C/B-)
3* OLB Armando Flores [Pass Rush] Rio Linda, CA (C/B-)
3* ILB Travis Jimenez [Field General] Needham, MA (C/C+)
3* OG David Gorton [Balanced] Gallipolis, OH (C/B-)
3* OG Ravindra Clark [Balanced] Orlando, FL (C/C+)
3* CB Larry Einhorn [Man Coverage] North Fort Myers, FL (C/C+)

Four three-star commits are about realistically as good as you can ask for over these last three weeks, but honestly if any of these guys see significant playing time during their BGSU careers something went seriously wrong.  Not a knock on any of them, just a testament to the strength of the Falcons roster.

 

Buffalo Bulls (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 70 (-6)
Signees: 18

Scores:
Composite: 1.32
ESPN: 1366    Rivals: 0    247: 235.98

Current Class:
3* QB Lawrence Fair [Pocket] Tuscaloosa, AL (C/C+)
3* QB Kenneth Peterson [Field General] Houston, TX (C/B-)
3* RB Erich Patterson [Balanced] Ocilla, GA (C/C)
3* WR Stanley Dollar [Speed] Lexington, KY (C/C+)
3* OT Kent Baublitz [Balanced] Avondale, AZ (C/C+)
3* C Timothy Grube [Pass Blocking] Fort Myers, FL (C/A-)
3* DE Daniel Patella [Run Stopper] Algona, IA (C/D+)
3* DT Michael Luck [Nose Tackle] Avon, IN (C/C+)
3* ILB Nathan Breland [Coverage] Orlando, FL (C/C+)
3* OLB Dwight Decker [Run Stopper] Spring Valley, CA (C/B-)
3* OLB Bradley Sarkissian [Run Stopper] Eatonton, GA (C/B)
3* CB Alan Strickland [Ball Hawk] Norfolk, VA (C/A)
3* CB Abelardo Barrientos [Man Coverage] Pageland, SC (C/C+)
3* FS Gregory Rusak [Ball Hawk] Cashion, OK (C/B-)
3* RB Stuart Christensen [Balanced] Rochester, NY (C/C)
3* OG Ernest Stover [Pass Blocking] Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (C/C+)
2* SS Jesse Reavis [Run Stopper] Lakewood, WA (D/C-)
1* FB Anthony Hamilton [Blocking] Wyncote, PA (D/A-)

Not only are Stover and Christensen the headliners of this latest group of commits due to their star ratings, they also provide much needed depth to the Bulls roster.  Buffalo really needed a second RB commit alongside Erich Patterson to balance out the RB room, and they just needed a guard period.  Including Stover, Buffalo only has five guards next year and two are seniors.
Reavis is the equivalent of the “Break in Case of (Extreme) Emergency” button, and Hamilton is a lottery ticket you bought and then put in your glove compartment.  You’ll forget about him, and if he does anything useful it’s a bonus.

 

Central Michigan Chippewas (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 169 (-10)
Signees: 12

Scores:
Composite: 0.92
ESPN: 908    Rivals: 0    247: 171.99

Current Class:
3* QB Ralph Nunez [Scrambler] McKinney, TX (C/C)
3* WR Tommy Pennington [Possession] Cumberland, MD (C/B-)
3* OT Katarzyna Meunier [Pass Blocking] Massillon, OH (C/C+)
3* DT Kurt Almond [Balanced] Killen, AL (C/B-)
3* DT Herman Bridges [Pass Rusher] Houston, TX (C/B-)
3* CB Teddy Perez [Zone Coverage] Tampa, FL (C/C+)
3* CB Joseph Mullen [Man Coverage] Hudsonville, MI (C/C)
3* FS Joseph Gander [Ball Hawk] Mentor, OH (C/C+)
3* P Richard Durrance [Balanced] Portland, OR (C/C)
3* FB James Behnke [Blocking] Logan, UT (C/C)
2* RB Mark Jones [Balanced] Portland, MI (D/C+)
2* OT Benny Bracken [Pass Blocking] Ann Arbor, MI (D/B)

Remember when the move to AI from an inactive coach did wonders for Central’s recruiting?  Those were the good old days, weren’t they?

To be fair, Behnke is actually a need if CMU chooses to utilize fullbacks, as Jalyn Farley will be a senior and there’s no one else there. As for Jones and Bracken, they shouldn’t be seeing the two-deeps unless attrition forces them to.

 

Eastern Michigan Eagles (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 93 (+52)
Signees: 16

Scores:
Composite: 1.20
ESPN: 1220    Rivals: 0    247: 220.7

Current Class:
3* FB Isaac Walter [Blocking] Quincy, IL  (C/A)
3* WR Joel Sheridan [Route Runner] Sparta, MI (C/C+)
3* OG Marcel Brogdon [Pass Blocking] Cedartown, GA (C/B)
3* DE Dagoberto Garcia [Balanced] Tyler, TX (C/B)
3* DE Christopher Bail [Speed Rusher] Buda, TX (C/B-)
3* DT Phil Terrell [Pass Rusher] Groveport, OH (C/B+)
3* ILB Anibal Stone [Run Stopper] Austin, TX (C/B-)
3* SS Scott Strahler [Zone Coverage] Salisbury, NC (C/C+)
3* K Matthew White [Accuracy] Minster, OH  (C/B)
3* QB Willie Hill [Pocket] Cordele, GA (C/C+)
3* QB Ryan Gates [Field General] Bremen, IN (C/C+)
3* TE Thomas Miller [Receiving] Jacksonville, FL (C/D-)
3* OT Charles Kessler [Pass Blocking] LaGrange, GA (C/C+)
2* RB Minh Shirakawa [Speed] Gibraltar, MI (D/C+)
2* C Clarence Simpson [Balanced] Monroe, NC (D/A-)
2* ILB Dan Li [Speed] Greensboro, NC (D/C)

What busy little Eaglets they’ve been!  Almost doubling their class gives EMU the Helium Award for biggest riser.  Not only that, but I especially like that only one of the new group of seven commits are at a position already crooted this year (and if Li sees significant playing time… woof).  That gives them a bit of youth spread out on the roster, always vital for an AI team.  Eastern did double-dip at QB, but frankly speaking they needed to.  The Eagles only had two non-senior QBs on the 2024 roster before Hill and Gates signed, so young blood was badly needed.  Having said that, there are serious mismatches between the primarily Scrambler-oriented room and the two new QBs. Makes you wonder how many times EMU will change schemes over the next two years.

 

Kent State Golden Flashes (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 158 (+8)
Signees: 14

Scores:
Composite: 0.97
ESPN: 1002    Rivals: 0    247: 174.77

Current Class:
4* QB Andrew Hoover [Balanced] Miamisburg, OH (C/B)
3* RB Jeffrey Eakin [Balanced] Chagrin Falls, OH (C/B)
3* WR George Campus [Red Zone Threat] Richwood, OH (C/B+)
3* OG Douglas Follett [Balanced] Madison, OH (C/C)
3* OT Robert Gardner [Balanced] New Albany, OH (C/C+)
3* DE Jose Rodriguez [Balanced] La Puente, CA (D/C)
2* RB Richard Ramirez [Balanced] Sugar Land, TX (D/D)
2* OLB Wayne Brown [Run Stopper] Lafayette, IN (D/B+)
2* CB Mark Henderson [Zone Coverage] Chambersburg, PA (D/C+)
2* WR Fletcher Kapp [Possession] Wintersville, OH (C/B)
2* DE David Warner [Run Stopper] Haverford, PA (D/B)
2* ILB James Robson [Run Stopper] Lafayette, IN (D/C+)
2* ILB Shawn Niemi [Coverage] Whitehall, OH (D/C)
2* K Benjamin Kea [Power] Huntingburg, IN (D/B)

Unless Kent State recruits another kicker before the end of next season, Kea will be the starter in 2025 by virtue of being the only place kicker on the roster. Kapp is pretty important also, he and fellow commit Campus will make up two of only three 2024 WR underclassmen.
 

Miami (OH) Redhawks (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 89 (-18)
Signees: 16

Scores:
Composite: 1.23
ESPN: 1229    Rivals: 0    247: 228.25

Current Class:
#254 4* RB Sam Taylor [Speed] Coldwater, OH (C/B-)
4* OLB Terrence Levy [Pass Rush] Thornville, OH (C/C)
3* RB Charles Townsend [Receiving] Eureka, MO (C/B-)
3* FB Omar Abbott [Balanced] Tucker, GA (C/C-)
3* WR Henry Ashe [Red Zone Threat] Peculiar, MO (C/C+)
3* TE Sang Petersen [Blocking] Gilmer, TX (C/B-)
3* OT Steven Suwyn [Pass Blocking] Bamberg, SC (C/B-)
3* OT Shane Phillips [Pass Blocking] Garden Grove, CA (C/C+)
3* C Imad Bunt [Pass Blocking] Salisbury, MD (C/C+)
3* DE Ted Shank [Speed Rusher] Taylorville, IL (C/B+)
3* DT Sebastian Cintron [Balanced] Brooksville, FL (C/C+)
3* DT Pedro Peters [Balanced] Walnut Grove, CA (C/B+)
3* CB Yang Yuan [Man Coverage] Attica, OH (C/C+)
2* WR John Mathis [Red Zone Threat] North Olmstead, OH (D/C+)
2* FS Gonzalo Otano [Zone Coverage] Daingerfield, TX (D/B)
2* FS Raymond Wilhelm [Zone Coverage] Kings Mill, OH (D/C+)

This is probably the most important trio of two-star signings you’ll ever see.  On his own, John Mathis is not a heralded signing.  But he is a crucial one, because the Redhawks WR room is even worse than Kent State’s and bodies are needed desperately.  He and Henry Ashe will see playing time sooner than many would like, but it’s not likely Best!Miami will have a choice.
Similarly, Otano and Wilhelm will be the only FS underclassmen.

Long-time readers of these articles know this is a recurring problem for AI teams.

 

Northern Illinois Huskies ( @Ape)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 50 (-1)
Signees: 19

Scores:
Composite: 1.50
ESPN: 1509    Rivals: 0    247: 277.9

Current Class:
#250 4* ILB Mario Glenn [Speed] Detroit, MI (C/B)
4* DT Jamie Powroznik [Pass Rusher] Tallapoosa, GA (C/B)
4* P Daniel Bennett [Accuracy] Shrewsbury, MA (C/C+)
3* QB Jermaine Morgan [Balanced] Grayslake, IL (C/A-)
3* RB Ruben Saucedo [Speed] Las Cruces, NM (C/B+)
3* FB Oscar Brinkley [Balanced] Yuba City, CA (C/A+)
3* WR Tommy Mcclellan [Red Zone Threat] Parkersburg, WV (C/B+)
3* TE Michael Ray [Balanced] Princeton, IL (C/B)
3* OT Cesar Flores [Pass Blocking] Morton, IL (C/B+)
3* OG Ralph Morales [Run Blocking] Romoland, CA (C/B-)
3* C David Litzinger [Pass Blocking] Kiln, MS (C/B)
3* DE Andrew Coleman [Balanced] Edwardsville, IL (C/A-)
3* OLB Mickey Kenney [Coverage] Jefferson City, MO (C/B+)
3* OLB Christopher Anderson [Coverage] Rockford, IL (C/B)
3* FS Daniel Kovacs [Zone Coverage] Montgomery, AL (C/C+)
3* QB Juan Vega [Balanced] Hiram, GA (C/C+)
3* RB Alexander Costa [Balanced] Keller, TX (C/C+)
3* WR Ryan Hester [Speed] Spring Valley, IL (C/C+)
3* K Renato Dejesus [Accuracy] Bountiful, UT (C/C+)

A four-pack of three-stars, alas, wasn’t enough to keep Northern Illinois as the number two class in the MAC, as they slipped one spot in the National rankings.  Dejesus is going to start as a redshirt freshman, while Costa, Hester, and Vega all look to be important depth.

In case you were wondering, the Michael Byers Invitational Battle Royale was won by Nebraska.

 

Ohio Bobcats ( @AFu01)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 86 (-8)
Signees: 16

Scores:
Composite: 1.24
ESPN: 1224    Rivals: 19.3    247: 219.52

Current Class:
#174 4* ILB James Oneil [Speed] Monroe, GA (C/C+)
#223 4* OT Gregory Fuller [Pass Blocking] Orange Park, FL (C/B+)
#253 4* DT David Squicciarini [Balanced] Cincinnati, OH (C/B-)
#281 4* DE Thomas Robertson [Balanced] Ashland, OH (C/C+)
3* QB Thomas Mishoe [Scrambler] Pensacola, FL (C/C+)
3* WR David Larsen [Route Runner] Nashville, TN (C/C)
3* CB Gerard Sewell [Man Coverage] Hawthorne, FL (C/C)
3* DE Nathan Wickersham [Run Stopper] Altamonte Springs, FL (C/B-)
3* FS Vincent Welch [Ball Hawk] Cincinnati, OH (C/C)
3* SS Joseph Chase [Zone Coverage] Elkhart, IN (C/B)
3* K David Brister [Power] Cincinnati, OH (D/B)
2* TE Dung Vines [Vertical Threat] Celina, OH (D/C)
2* WR James Douglas [Possession] Chandler, AZ (D/B+)
2* TE Geoffrey Kaltenberg [Blocking] Holland, PA (D/C)
2* OG William Morris [Balanced] Hiram, GA (D/C+)
2* OLB Richard Needham [Speed] Lacey, WA (D/C)

Douglas may have the highest ceiling of the four, but Morris is the most likely to be the first to reach the two-deeps because of relative depth.  Kaltenberg and Needham are not likely to see significant playing time. 

 

Toledo Rockets (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 84 (-19)
Signees: 17

Scores:
Composite: 1.25
ESPN: 1278    Rivals: 0    247: 225.95

Current Class:
3* WR Nicholas Seals [Speed] Booneville, MS (C/C+)
3* WR Robert Ouellette [Route Runner] Brownsville, TX (C/C+)
3* WR Doyle Foreman [Route Runner] Olney, MD (C/B-)
3* TE Paul Olson [Vertical Threat] Gainesville, FL (C/C+)
3* C Humberto Perez [Pass Blocking] Fort Myers, FL (C/C-)
3* DE Juan Vargas [Run Stopped] Seminole, FL (C/C+)
3* DT Lawrence Muse [Balanced] Akron, OH (C/C)
3* ILB Ernest Bolte [Speed] Winter Haven, FL (C/A)
3* CB Lawrence Wilkinson [Man Coverage] Lynden, WA (C/C)
3* CB Gregory Smith [Man Coverage] Mableton, GA (C/C)
3* FS Mark Nye [Man Coverage] Massillon, OH (C/C+)
3* SS David Curtis [Ball Hawk] Hazlet, NJ (C/B-)
2* DE Gary Empson [Speed Rusher] Trotwood, OH (D/B+)
2* FS Roy Jones [Ball Hawk] Plainwell, MI (D/B-)
2* QB Shawn Forst [Scrambler] Haslett, MI (D/C-)
2* OLB John Lambrix [Coverage] Tulsa, OK (D/C+)
2* CB Santo Flake [Zone Coverage] Ottawa, OH (D/B-)

What’s scary is that Forst has a puncher’s chance at the starting job in 2026 the way the roster is now.  I’m sure he’s a great kid, but a trio of two-stars (Forst and 2023 freshmen Samuel Peebles and Billy Hollinger) battling for a future starting QB job is not what the Rocket faithful are looking forward to.

At least Santo Flake has a great name, if not a great scheme fit.

Western Michigan Broncos (Jieret)

Class Stats:
Ranking: 6 (-2)
Signees: 19

Scores:
Composite: 2.16
ESPN: 1614    Rivals: 247.1    247: 330.38

Current Class:
#4 5* OT Curtis Davis [Pass Blocking] Maroa, IL (B/B)
#7 5* SS Timothy Khan [Man Coverage] Madison, MS (B/B-)
#33 5* OG William Radosta [Balanced] Yorktown, VA (B/C+)
#139 4* CB Ryan Topping [Zone Coverage] Brookfield, WI (C/C+)
#232 4* RB Carlo Liu [Balanced] Arlington, MD (C/B-)
#237 4* C Richard Powley [Pass Blocking] Muskegon, MI (C/A)
#274 4* OLB David Hartshorn [Coverage] Brooksville, FL (C/B-)
4* WR Shane Morris [Red Zone Threat] Charleston, SC (C/C+)
4* OLB Anthony Reevey [Run Stopper] Montague, MI (C/C)
4* ILB Ronald Fennell [Speed] Swainsboro, GA (C/B)
4* K Alejandro Rivera [Power] Mesquite, TX (C/B-)
4* P Phan Dighe [Balanced] Greensboro, NC (C/C+)
3* QB Diego Alvarado [Balanced] Longview, TX (C/B+)
3* TE David Pause [Receiving] Van Meter, IA (C/A)
3* OT Ronald Demotte [Pass Blocking] St. Louis, MO (C/B)
3* DE Anthony Jackson [Balanced] Metairie, LA (C/B-)
3* ILB Robert Roe [Run Stopper] Parma, MI (C/A-)
3* OG Derek Garrett [Balanced] Portage, MI (C/B-)
2* DT Juan Marquez [Pass Rusher] Walton, IN (D/B+)

As expected, Portage guard Derek Garrett signed with the hometown Broncos, although not without some drama and a late offer from San Jose State.  Marquez is a pure potential play, as the WMU coaches don’t need to hurry him along.  However, they drop out of the top five due to only signing two commits during this period.
 

~~~

Edited September 9, 2023 by Jieret