[2024] MAC Crooting Review, Week 8

[Jieret]

We at the MAC Network changed the title slightly, in order to better reflect what's actually happening in the article!  It's still the same content though.  Sorry.

 

Reminder:

Top-300 recruits will have their overall rank noted.
New commits since the previous article are italicized.
Previous articles:  

• Week 4
• Week 6

 

Akron Zips ( @Skye [We think? The Zips aren't marked as available.])

Class Stats:
Ranking: #84 Overall (+66 from previous national ranking), 9th MAC (-2 from previous conference ranking)
Signees: 7

Scores:
Composite: 1
ESPN: 541    Rivals: 0    24/7: 118.74
 

Current Class:
3* QB Chad Judd [Pocket] C/A
3* WR Perry Levy [Possession] C/A-
3* DT Jeffrey Riley [Nose Tackle] C/C+
3* OT James Rothermel [Run Blocking] C/C+
3* OT Raul Bustamante [Run Blocking] C/C
3* OLB Frank Hinson [Speed] C/C+
3* K James Wike [Power] C/B-

A quartet of solid 3* players signed with the Zips over the last couple of weeks.  Both tackles and Hinson provide badly needed underclassmen depth, although both Rothermel and Bustamante are very different players from last year's blue-chip tackle Rafael Garza.  Wike is a bit more of a head-scratcher as kicker isn't a position that most teams want to recruit yearly, but perhaps with a redshirt and decent progressions it would give Akron some time before they feel the need to get another placekicker.

Looking ahead: Deep in the heart, the Zips try to woo Texan DE Aaron Vanhoy to Ohio.  He's open to the idea, but the likes of Syracuse and Rhode Island have also showed interest. 

 

 

Ball State Cardinals ( @npklemm )

Class Stats:
Ranking: #9 Overall (+1), 2nd MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 9

Scores:
Composite: 2.23
ESPN: 801    Rivals: 201.3    24/7: 202.8
 

Current Class:
#23 5* DE Matthew Babich [Balanced] B/C+
#75 4* CB Chi Son [Man Coverage] B/B-
#83 4* CB Thomas Mauro [Man Coverage] B/C
#138 4* SS Gregory Saul [Zone Coverage] B/C+
#255 4* ATH Stanley Dirig [Weakside] C/B-
4* DE Carl Victor [Run Stopper] C/C+
#73 4* DT Rodney Duerr [Nose Tackle] B/C+
4* OLB Dennis Bethune [Pass Rush] C/B+
4* OLB Francisco Sagrero [Pass Rush] C/C+

Just in case you didn't think the Cardinals were serious about building their defense, their new trio all plays, yup, on the stop side of the ball.  They're only missing a FS and another ILB away from recruiting an entire starting defense (if you moved Dirig to inside linebacker).  Ball State's coaching staff clearly was not impressed with the state of their defensive underclassmen and took serious steps to rectify that.  They did lose a rare battle of an offensive player though, as local center Jorge Lee will cross the border to NIU.

Looking ahead: Ball State tries to keep their signing day luck going, as they and the Fighting Illini of Illinois are the other team that will have their hat on the table at 4* punter Bradford Smith's commitment ceremony.  This one could go either way, and this is a player the Cardinals could badly use - K Alex Parker is pulling double duty as the punter, but has only landed 15 of his 35 attempts inside the 20.

 

 

Bowling Green Falcons ( @PoopyRhinoPickle)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #1 Overall (+2), 1st MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 11

Scores:
Composite: 2.58
ESPN: 990    Rivals: 196.5    24/7: 247
 

Current Class:
#5 5* CB Nat Turner [Ball Hawk] B/B-
#52 5* RB Dale Lamb [Speed] B/C
#65 4* OT John Willhite [Run Blocking] B/C+
#233 4* WR Harold Sanford [Speed] B/C+
4* QB Sergio Cano [Pocket] C/A-
4* OLB Charles Tinner [Speed] C/A
4* DT William White [Pass Rusher] C/B
#200 4* RB Manuel Ponce [Receiving] B/B-
4* OG David Harris [Run Blocking] C/B
4* ILB Gerard Lockhart [Coverage] C/C
4* SS Orville Decker [Run Stopper] C/B+

Look, you know the deal with Falcon commits at this point.  Great players, unlikely to see immediate playing time because of a deep roster.  It does make us wonder, though.  How long until this class causes transfers away from BGSU in search of playing time?

Looking ahead: Bowling Green isn't done looking for high-end talent.  Top-300 linebacker Sam Thiers's recruitment is currently a battle between the Falcons and the Wisconsin Badgers, with a lot of other top teams having varying levels of interest.

 

 

 

Buffalo Bulls ( @anonemuss)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #195 Overall (-41), 12th MAC (-2)
Signees: 3

Scores:
Composite: 0.43
ESPN: 235    Rivals: 0    24/7: 50.86

Current Class:
3* DT Jose Campos [Pass Rusher] Ocala, FL C/B
3* DT Christopher Colburn [Pass Rusher] C/B+
3* OT Gregg Minard [Balanced] C/A

In an upset, Iowa tackle Minard signed with the Bulls.  He is a crucial pickup; a high-ceiling player who gives the team a lot of flexibility.  Not just on the line where he can play on the left and right, but also with the coaching staff's OL plans.  Minard could either take a redshirt and give him time to acclimate to the college game, or be exposed to the fire sooner by joining the two-deeps immediately.  The Bulls have enough players in the OT room to use either option, so Coach anonemuss's hands aren't tied.

Colburn will join Jose Campos in being integral parts of an (assumed) eventual switch to a 43-style defense.

Looking ahead: Georgia State seems to be in the lead for OLB Mariano Ramirez.  Is Buffalo cooling on the pass rusher due to scheme concerns?  But things do look more promising for the Bulls to sign in-state 3* guard Jose Castillo.

 

 

Central Michigan Chippewas (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #20 Overall (-4), 4th MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 1.75
ESPN: 675    Rivals: 141.3    24/7: 159.94

Current Class:
#85 4* OT Nicholas Hancock [Run Blocking] B/C
#102 4* OT Charles McGee [Pass Blocking] B/D+
#108 4* OG Juan Villanueva [Pass Blocking] B/D
#191 4* DE George Kyles [Run Stopper] B/D+
4* RB Andrew Mitchell [Power] C/C
4* WR Larry Feltmann [Red Zone Threat] C/B-
3* QB Garland Mainardi [Pocket] C/B-
3* WR Fred Blackwood [Route Runner] C/B

A pair of signees for Central Michigan, but more of the "floor-raising" type than projected future stars.  They won't threaten for starting positions any time soon, but they should provide perfectly cromulent play if/when needed.

Looking ahead: A triple threat match with New Mexico State and FAU is in the cards for the Chips.  Scranton (PA) safety Francis White is likely to commit in the next week or two, and while the few recruiting crystal balls placed point to CMU, none have a terribly high level of confidence.

 

 

Eastern Michigan Eagles (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #70 Overall (+48), 8th MAC (+1)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 1.11
ESPN: 624    Rivals: 0    24/7: 127.8

Current Class:
3* RB Ian Stapleton [Speed] C/B
3* WR Willis Porcelli [Red Zone Threat] C/A-
3* QB Freddy Moore [Pocket] C/C-
3* RB Marino Rodriguez [Speed] C/C+
3* WR Gerald Martin [Red Zone Threat] C/B
3* DE Daniel Santos [Balanced] C/B
3* ILB Ronald Dyson [Run Stopper] C/C+
3* FS Mark Bell [Run Stopper] C/B

The Eagles really picked up the pace over the last couple of weeks, going from two commits to eight!  While most of these recruits feel like that of the "floor-raising" variety, the roster has so many looming holes that the Eagles playing at a "decent floor" level in the future is a welcome sight.  For example, take a look at EMU's underclassman RB room.  It is NOT pretty.  This is a team that would welcome the opening of the Transfer Portal, that's for sure.

Looking ahead: The Eagles lost out on tackle Tracey Carter to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.  But closer to home they should be getting some good news soon, as Ohio TE Ronald Davis looks ready to put pen to paper and commit to Eastern.

 

 

Kent State Golden Flashes (AI)

Class Stats:

Ranking: #67 Overall (+34), 8th MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 1.13
ESPN: 621    Rivals: 0    24/7: 132.04

Current Class:
3* FS Alfred Gray [Ball Hawk] C/D+
3* DT Zhen Vang [Nose Tackle] C/C
3* FB John Peterson [Balanced] C/C+
3* WR Hector Bucci [Red Zone Threat] C/A+
3* DE Joseph Goodwin [Balanced] C/B-
3* DE Philip Roby [Balanced] C/C+
3* OLB Walter Mccain [Pass Rush] C/A-
3* OLB Garry Barber [Speed] C/C

Take what we said about the EMU roster and multiply that by about 300%.  That's Kent State.  All of the four defensive players picked up over the last two weeks should be primary backups immediately, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that one or two might start.  Nothing against any of the new commits, but it says something about the team talent level when 3* C players enroll and immediately get on the two-deeps.  Bucci would be best served by getting a redshirt, but he is an unpolished gem that quite frankly we're surprised the Golden Flashes were able to pull out of Alabama.

Looking ahead: The Golden Flashes are in a tight battle with Charlotte and... um, what's that logo? *checks notes* Cal Poly for California CB Jose Martinez.  This seems like a battle that could drag on for a few more weeks.

 

 

Miami(OH) Redhawks (AI)

Class Stats:

Ranking: #150 Overall (NR), 10th MAC (NR)
Signees: 6

Scores:
Composite: 0.66
ESPN: 410    Rivals: 0    24/7: 65.66

Current Class:
2* K David Lambert [Balanced] D/B-
2* TE Jose Rosenberg [Vertical Threat] D/B+
2* DT Timothy Miller [Balanced] D/A
2* CB Daniel Lopez [Zone Coverage] D/A-
2* FS Tony Muraki [Ball Hawk] C/C
2* RB John Brown [Speed] D/B-
 

"Hey! Hey all you ace recruiters and coaches! Are you bored of sleepwalking your way to double-digit win seasons?  Can you reel in a five-star player just by yawning loudly at their parents' living room table?  Sounds like you need a REAL challenge, something that stimulates and titillates and frustrates in unequal measure!  Sounds like YOU.... should be a Redhawk!"

Seriously, they need help.  Someone help them please.  It's not that their roster is trash (it certainly isn't good though), but that this group of commits feels so useless.  They'll be fine physical trainers and accountants someday, a credit to their schooling.  But they don't even fill in any holes on the roster, they're just redundant and bleh.

Looking ahead: Ugh, we didn't want to look ahead.  All of their targets are two-star players.  We... we just can't.  They might be better off not recruiting and praying for a walk-on miracle or two.

 

 

Northern Illinois Huskies ( @Ape)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #21 Overall (+18), 5th MAC (+1)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 1.74
ESPN: 699    Rivals: 120    24/7: 169.98

Current Class:
#183 4* CB Shane Hadnot [Man Coverage] B/B
#110 4* OT Grant Dotter [Run Blocking] B/D+
#148 4* CB Mark Amador [Man Coverage] B/C+
#198 4* FS Adam Lively [Ball Hawk] B/B
#124 4* WR Rich Dust [Possession] B/D
4* SS Owen Davis [Run Stopper] C/C+
4* C Jorge Lee [Run Blocking] C/C+
4* RB Benito Garcia [Speed] C/B-
 

NIU continues to pull in players that can help the team on day one.  We'll start with Rich Dust.  The #15 WR in the class, Dust will leave his mark immediately as we project him to not only start for the Huskies in 2025, but be their WR1.  Davis won't catapult all the way to the top of the list like Dust did, but he will entrench himself as Greer Howard's backup.  Garcia is a longer-term play and should redshirt, and we expect the same of Lee.

Looking ahead: Having lost once on a highly-touted Florida QB, the Huskies try once again to pry their signal caller of the future (and maybe present?) out of the Sunshine State.  4* Anthony Goldade is the prize this time, and so far it seems like a two-team race between NIU and Air Force.  This one probably rumbles on through Week 10, is our guess.

 

 

Ohio Bobcats ( @Traith Kreios)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #33 Overall (-4), 6th MAC (-1)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 1.74
ESPN: 699    Rivals: 120    24/7: 169.98

Current Class:
#61 4* ATH Keith Payne [Slotback] B/B-
#119 4* QB Jeffrey Winkler [Pocket] B/C+
4* SS Luis Torres [Run Stopper] C/B
4* C Brandon Rodriguez [Balanced] C/C+
3* CB William Davidson [Ball Hawk] C/B
4* ATH Philip Roberge [Field General] C/B+
3* P Clarence White [Power] C/A
3* FS Dwayne Givens [Zone Coverage] C/B
 

Sign five blue-chips in the cycle to date, and it's only good enough for 6th in the conference?  Brutal. 

The Bobcats managed to win a battle with West Virginia for Texas punter Clarence White, and we start with the punter just to highlight that Ohio's seemed to mean regress (in a good way) on their coinflip battles and some losses earlier in the season.  Meanwhile, Georgia athlete Philip Roberge decided to end his recruitment and sign.  We project Roberge to play on defense, likely backing up James Oneil for a few years after a redshirt.  Givens and White should follow similar collegiate career paths.

Looking ahead: More crystal balls are coming in for Ohio and local RB Matthew Jones, and all indications are that he's going to commit in the next week or two.

 

Toledo Rockets (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #190 Overall (NR), 11th MAC (NR)
Signees: 4

Scores:
Composite: 0.45
ESPN: 271    Rivals: 0    24/7: 46.22

Current Class:
2* OG Shawn Evans [Pass Blocking] C/B+
2* TE Jorge Aguilera [Receiving] D/B-
2* RB Richard Kay [Balanced] D/B-
2* OLB James Hoffman [Pass Rush] D/B

Rankings are silly. Miami and Toledo's classes being ranked above Buffalo is proof of that, don't @ us with that "quantity over quality" crap.  At least compared to Miami's class, this group of two-star players has some utility.  Aguilera and Evans will both hold backup positions next season.  Whether that makes Toledo's class better than Miami's superfluous one, we leave as an exercise for the reader. 

Looking ahead: Toledo and Miami are locked in a battle for local SS Christopher Pajor, and yes he's a two-star player.  Sigh.

 

 

Western Michigan Broncos (Jieret)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #11 Overall (+3), 3rd MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 10

Scores:
Composite: 2.06
ESPN: 884    Rivals: 96    24/7: 224.68

Current Class:
#39 5* WR Ismael Leon [Red Zone Threat] B/C
#162 4* CB Ed Agosta [Zone Coverage] B/B-
#204 4* QB Solomon Walker [Balanced] B/B
4* FS Warren Mohsin [Man Coverage] C/B+
4* DE Kevin Perkins [Run Stopper] C/C+
4* DT Mikel Smith [Nose Tackle] C/B
4* OG Aldo Alvarado [Pass Blocking] C/B-
4* WR William Macie [Possession] C/A-
4* OT Kevin Lowe [Pass Blocking] C/B-
4* DE Tucker Adakwa [Run Stopper] C/B
 

Three more blue-chippers joined Bronco Nation.  The Southeast was especially good to Western, as Georgia wideout William Macie and Louisiana OT Kevin Lowe signed with WMU.  Some fans took an extra bit of schadenfreude in the fact that the Broncos lured Lowe away from Tennessee (and we here at the MAC Network can confirm that, contrary to other reports, there was no NIL "bidding war"), and Macie honored his verbal despite East Carolina jumping in at the last minute.

Speaking of honoring his verbal, lifelong fan and Battle Creek DE Tucker Adakwa fulfilled one of his dreams, signing and getting the chance to wear the brown and gold.  All three players are expected to redshirt, although we expect Adakwa and Macie to see the field sooner rather than later.

Looking Forward: Another battle for one of the few remaining local four-star players, as linebacker Lawrence Christensen is likely to decide next week between WMU and UNC.  What makes Christensen so interesting is that he was a lock for Michigan State before they pulled his offer for undisclosed reasons.
 

Final thoughts for the week:

In the conference chat, we believe it was Poopy who pointed out that the MAC seems to diverging into two tiers, which seems accurate.  Likewise, we're seeing three tiers in recruiting right now (or four, if you want to put BGSU in Tier 0): the Haves, the Floor-Raisers, and the Have-Nots.  The Haves are the top six MAC teams for recruiting are all 33rd or better nationwide.  Kent State, EMU, and Akron are the teams recruiting a bunch of 3-stars, and they're at least pulling themselves up a bit, even if the gulf between them and Tier 1 gets wider.  And the Recruiting Have-Nots?  Yikes.  With anonemuss in Buffalo there's at least hope that he can get the Bulls to the middle of the pack at least.  But consider the rankings difference between Akron (84) and the first team in Tier 3, Miami(OH) at 150.  Brutal, just brutal.

 

CHART TIME!

[Ape]

2 hours ago, Jieret said:

Look, you know the deal with Falcon commits at this point.  Great players, unlikely to see immediate playing time because of a deep roster.  It does make us wonder, though.  How long until this class causes transfers away from BGSU in search of playing time?

We’d gladly take them here at NIU