[2024] MAC Crooting Review Week 10 (with Special Guest)

[Jieret]

Halfway through the crooting season.

 

Reminder:

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

• Week 4
• Week 6
• Week 8

 

Akron Zips ( @Skye)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #80 Overall (+4 from previous national ranking), 8th MAC (+1 from previous conference ranking)
Signees: 10

Scores:
Composite: 1.18
ESPN: 775    Rivals: 0    24/7: 165.34
 

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

3* DE Aaron Vanhoy [Run Stopper] C/B+
3* OLB Daniel Moore [Run Stopper] C/B
3* P John Reedy [Accuracy] C/C

Another solid trio of players committed to the Zips over the last two weeks.  The defensive players should slot into the two-deeps immediately (Reedy probably should take a redshirt), and depending on the defensive scheme the Zips settle on in the future, Moore and Vanhoy could possibly start in 2026.

Akron's class is not one that will wow anybody.  But it is so far a cromulent class that patches some roster holes and provides a good foundation.

Looking Ahead: The Zips battle Indiana for Honolulu wideout Douglas Matos. We should find out in the next week or two if Akron can pull off the upset, as most crystal balls forecast the Hoosiers to sign him.

 

Ball State Cardinals ( @npklemm )

Class Stats:
Ranking: #22 Overall (-13), 3rd MAC (+/-1)
Signees: 9

Scores:
Composite: 1.82
ESPN: 801    Rivals: 201.3    24/7: 202.8
 

Current Class:
#23 5* DE Matthew Babich [Balanced] B/C+
#73 4* DT Rodney Duerr [Nose Tackle] 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+
4* OLB Dennis Bethune [Pass Rush] C/B+
4* OLB Francisco Sagrero [Pass Rush] C/C+

A few flips seemed to go against Ball State this period.  Most notably, 4* punter Bradford Smith decided the grass was greener on the other side of the State Line, leaving the state of Indiana behind to play for Illinois.  This is still a very, very solid class even with the goose egg, but one has to wonder if the Cardinals are near the end of their high-priority targets and if their lower-priorities are still interested. 

Looking Ahead: There's still unsigned blue chippers halfway through the cycle?  News to us!  4* WR Fernando Lopez is a crucial recruit to this coaching staff - remember that all of the Ball State commits are on the defensive side of the ball so far.  Tulane and Purdue are their primary rivals here, and no one seems to have any idea who Lopez will pick.  Some sources claim even he may not know himself until he puts that hat on at the signing ceremony!

 

Bowling Green Falcons ( @PoopyRhinoPickle)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #4 Overall (-3), 1st MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 13

Scores:
Composite: 2.35
ESPN: 1166    Rivals: 196.5    24/7: 274.24

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+
#200 4* RB Manuel Ponce [Receiving] B/B-
#233 4* WR Harold Sanford [Speed] B/C+
4* QB Sergio Cano [Pocket] C/A-
4* OG David Harris [Run Blocking] C/B
4* DT William White [Pass Rusher] C/B
4* OLB Charles Tinner [Speed] C/A
4* ILB Gerard Lockhart [Coverage] C/C
4* SS Orville Decker [Run Stopper] C/B+

#244 4* ILB Sam Thiers [Speed] C/B+
4* WR Kevin Soares [Possession] C/B-

Ho-hum.  Another two-week period, another Top-300 recruit that signs with the Falcons.  But despite Sam Thiers' talent (and fellow new commit Kevin Soares is no slouch himself), the pair of four-stars are almost certainly looking at a redshirt and a couple of years of primarily special teams, as is tradition. 

Looking ahead: Into the Sunshine State the Falcons dive, trying to sign 3* kicker Stavros Thomas.  The California Golden Bears also want to sign Thomas, who doesn't seem ready to commit one way or the other.
(Yes, that says 3-star.  No, this is not a typo.  Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, do not adjust your set.)

 

 

Buffalo Bulls ( @anonemuss)

Class Stats:
Ranking: # Overall (-34), 12th MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 5

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

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

3* OLB Mariano Ramirez [Pass Rush] C/C
3* ILB Brent Smith [Run Stopper] C/B+

Kudos to the Bulls coaching staff for keeping Ramirez home, when it looked like he would make his way to Georgia Southern just a couple of weeks ago.  Neither he nor Smith are raging needs for Buffalo, but how late anonemuss entered the recruiting cycle is a big consideration when analyzing the class for fit and balance.  (aka Just get what you can)

Looking ahead: Pennsylvania wideout Gregory Fontaine has favored the Bulls for weeks now, and if Buffalo continues to make him a priority they have to feel pretty good about getting his commitment.

 

 

Central Michigan Chippewas (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #24 Overall (-4), 4th MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 11

Scores:
Composite: 1.79
ESPN: 908    Rivals: 141.3    24/7: 211.3

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

3* RB Otis Lewis [Receiving] C/C+
3* C Lewis Osborne [Run Blocking] C/B
3* SS Francis White [Run Stopper] C/A

We hear that WMU coach Jieret wants to complain to the Recruiting Management about AI Central Michigan's crooting prowess.  White is an absolutely critical signing, will-be junior Lawrence Bloom is the only other 2025 SS on the roster - and it's not out of the realm of possibility that White could immediately start.  Lewis and Osborne are more depth/future pieces than anything else right now, what with two upperclassmen centers ahead of Osborne and fellow Chips commit Andrew Mitchell likely to see more playing time earlier than Lewis.

Looking ahead: FS Harold Hurtubise's name just screams Louisiana, but he seems willing to leave the bayou for less swampy pastures.  CMU would be more than happy to facilitate that.

 

 

Eastern Michigan Eagles (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #83 Overall (-13), 9th MAC (-1)
Signees: 10

Scores:
Composite: 1.17
ESPN: 782    Rivals: 0    24/7: 160.62

Current Class:
3* QB Freddy Moore [Pocket] C/C-
3* RB Marino Rodriguez [Speed] C/C+
3* RB Ian Stapleton [Speed] C/B
3* WR Willis Porcelli [Red Zone Threat] C/A-
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

3* TE Ronald Davis [Vertical Threat] C/B+
3* CB Cyril Pierce [Man Coverage] C/C+

Davis could be Eastern's TE of the future if he develops well, but he certainly won't be their TE of the present, not with five other players in the TE room.  Pierce is actually a good schematic fit (we assume) and will see the field sooner than Davis, even if it's just as a dime back at first.

Looking ahead: The Eagles have a battle Close to Home; Pewamo cornerback James Davidson is considering both Eastern Michigan and Illinois, and it seems like the Illini have the advantage.

 

Kent State Golden Flashes (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #79 Overall (-12), 7th MAC (+1)
Signees: 10

Scores:
Composite: 1.19
ESPN: 777    Rivals: 0    24/7: 166.9

Current Class:
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* DT Zhen Vang [Nose Tackle] C/C
3* OLB Walter Mccain [Pass Rush] C/A-
3* OLB Garry Barber [Speed] C/C
3* FS Alfred Gray [Ball Hawk] C/D+

3* RB Ashraf Cullen [Balanced] C/B-
3* SS Luis Joiner [Run Stopper] C/A

Joiner will be Kent State's most talented SS underclassman.  He may not start for a couple of years at SS, but it's not inconceivable that he (or some other SS) slides over to FS is Gray isn't ready.  Cullen seems like a "depth and class balance" type of commit; everyone in the Golden Flashes' 2025 RB room are pretty similar skill-wise so Cullen isn't a huge need. 

Looking ahead: Cal Poly takes the lead for 3* CB Jose Martinez, but this race is far from finished.

 

 

Miami(OH) Redhawks (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #205 Overall (5), 11th MAC (-1)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 0.73
ESPN: 546    Rivals: 0    24/7: 86.56

Current Class:
2* RB John Brown [Speed] 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* K David Lambert [Balanced] D/B-

2* RB Philip Prignano [Receiving] C/B-
2* RB Patrick Fitzgerald [Speed] D/C+

This is the Redhawks' group of non-graduating RBs:

Does it look to you like what they really needed were two more 2* RBs (one a D OVR), to go with the 2* RB they already recruited this cycle?  Sigh, this AI.  They really need to poach CMU's bagman or something.

Looking ahead: Yes, the Redhawks and Toledo are still battling for two-star safety Christopher Pajor.  No, no one outside of those two schools really cares all that much.

 

 

 

Northern Illinois Huskies ( @Ape)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #42 Overall (-21), 6th MAC (-1)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 1.43
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+
#124 4* WR Rich Dust [Possession] B/D
#148 4* CB Mark Amador [Man Coverage] B/C+
#198 4* FS Adam Lively [Ball Hawk] B/B
4* RB Benito Garcia [Speed] C/B-
4* C Jorge Lee [Run Blocking] C/C+
4* SS Owen Davis [Run Stopper] C/C+

Just like Ball State, the Huskies hit a rough patch in their recruiting the last couple of weeks.  NIU is sadly 0-for-2 when it comes to Florida quarterbacks, as the Air Force Falcons were the ones to sign New Smyrna Beach's Anthony Goldade.  It was a true coin flip in the end, it just didn't go in favor of the red-and-black.  Will Northern Illinois try a third time for a QB in this cycle, or will the coaching staff decide that their resources need to be spent on cultivating their current targets?

Looking ahead: Four-star TE John "Lil' Red" Ridings hails from Franklin, the home of the Kentucky Derby.  NIU Is in a race with West Virginia and Baylor for this stud, and all we can tell you as this heads down the stretch into next week is that someone will be very happy they can add this thoroughbred to their stable.

What's that?  You're tired of the horse references?  Stop whinnying so much and whipping yourself into such a lather!  We rarely get a chance to stirrup fun like this.  We can't rein it up before it's time to do so, otherwise it would downright unneighborly of us!

...okay, we're done.

 

 

Ohio Bobcats ( @Traith Kreios)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #36 Overall (-3), 5th MAC (+1)
Signees: 10

Scores:
Composite: 1.51
ESPN: 836    Rivals: 72.8    24/7: 196.44

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+
4* ATH Philip Roberge [Field General] C/B+
3* CB William Davidson [Ball Hawk] C/B
3* FS Dwayne Givens [Zone Coverage] C/B
3* P Clarence White [Power] C/A

4* FB Michael Szalay [Blocking] C/C-
3* OLB Parminder Marri [Speed] C/B-

Win some, lose some.  Such is the circle of life way of recruiting flips.  The Bobcats got Texas backer Marri as a 48% underdog, but were upset by Known Football Recruiting Terrorists Wisconsin who made a successful late push for local running back Matthew Jones. 

Szalay and Marri won't need to see the field any time soon, but as the only underclassmen of any note at their positions, both will be very important pieces to the puzzle down the road. 

Looking ahead: Let's highlight a close battle between Ohio and Princeton.  Lorain (OH) native Stephen King set his announcement for next week, and the Bobcats and Tigers are the two finalists.  We don't know about Princeton, but it's very likely King would join fellow 2024 signee Roberge in seeing backup minutes at ILB immediately.   

 

 

 

 

Toledo Rockets (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #121 Overall (+69) (nice), 10th MAC (+1)
Signees: 11

Scores:
Composite: 1.01
ESPN: 746    Rivals: 0    24/7: 123.54

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

2* QB Lauro Cantera [Pocket] D/C+
2* RB David Schifferdecker [Speed] D/A
2* WR Daniel Merino [Possession] C/C+
2* OT Steve Smith [Pass Blocking] D/B-
2* OLB Luis Lupercio [Coverage] D/A
2* OLB Duane Baer [Run Stopper] D/C
2* FS Jason Smith [Ball Hawk] D/C+

Toledo is really going all-in on quantity over quality, so it's a good thing they're at least getting that part right.  If nothing else, it let us use the Internet's favorite number in this section, so there's that.  We're aware that some claim Schifferdecker and Lupercio are unpolished gems, but will they get enough sharpening and PT any time soon to realize that potential?  And is it a good thing if they even do? 

Looking ahead: Toledo and University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley are the leaders for Indiana defensive end Randolph Zanders.  Fun fact: The Vaqueros should not be confused with Rio Grande Valley college, a mighty nursing school also in Texas.  This caused a lot of confusion for the hapless intern that did an internet search for RGV.  Not so fun fact: Yes Zanders is a two-star player.

 

 

Western Michigan Broncos (Jieret)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #17 Overall (-6), 2nd MAC (+1)
Signees: 12

Scores:
Composite: 1.95
ESPN: 1050    Rivals: 96    24/7: 257.47

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* WR William Macie [Possession] C/A-
4* OG Aldo Alvarado [Pass Blocking] C/B-
4* OT Kevin Lowe [Pass Blocking] C/B-
4* DE Kevin Perkins [Run Stopper] C/C+
4* DE Tucker Adakwa [Run Stopper] C/B
4* DT Mikel Smith [Nose Tackle] C/B 
4* FS Warren Mohsin [Man Coverage] C/B+

4* C Joshua Bouchard [Balanced] C/C
3* ATH Steven Tharp [Strongside] C/B-

Western builds up their depth with these two new signings.  True freshman Richard Powley is currently the starter at center, and with four other players in the room and none set to graduate this seems like a position that's ripe for a transfer or two out.  Bouchard will give some long-term stability and possibly take over after Powley.  Tharp is the Broncos' first Athlete commit, and he says the coaching staff envisions using him at both DE and OLB.  The flexibility promised him is apparently what convinced him to sign with WMU instead of Air Force.

Looking ahead: A bit of a... mysterious race here.  Ohio RB Thomas Giumarra was thought to be a Wisconsin lean for a long time, but recently he mysteriously scrubbed all his social media references to those Known Football Recruiting Terrorists the Badgers, putting the whole situation in flux.  Purdue and WMU quickly offered and seem to be neck-and-neck in the battle, but Virginia Tech and Washington may also be in play.

 

Final thoughts for the week:

We're continuing to see that Tier stratification among the schools.  To remind you:

• (Tier 0: Bowling Green, Overall Rank: 4)
• Tier 1 (Haves): Ball State, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Western Michigan.  Ranks 17-42
• Tier 2 (Floor-raisers/Hold-steadys): Akron, Eastern Michigan, Kent State.  Ranks 79-83
• Tier 3 (Have nots and the Bulls): Buffalo, Miami(OH), Toledo.  Ranks 121-229 (We know Toledo is way ahead of the other two ranking-wise.  But 11 two-stars, would any of you really be okay with that class?).   

We maintain that Buffalo will make their way to Tier 2 shortly, and they're only in Tier 3 because of their late start to the cycle.   If we're being honest, you could consider Ohio as a Tier 1.5 - they're kind of in the position NIU was last year, except slightly ahead.  Obviously this shows how important having an actual human at the helm is to a team's future (except for CMU, because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ).  This would make the likes of the Redhawks or the Rockets true HARD MODE for a coach who relishes the challenge - or at least someone who is super-aggressive in the Transfer Portal.

 

Bonus:

Tennessee Volunteers ( @tsweezy)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #1 Overall
Signees: 13

Scores:
Composite: 2.9
ESPN: 1159    Rivals: 407.8    24/7: 286.57

Current Class:
#3 5* OT Michael Cole [Pass Blocking] B/C+
#35 5* DT David Castle [Balanced] B/C+
#66 4* WR Robert Hemphill [Speed] B/C+
#69 (nice) 4* OT Clayton Grimes [Pass Blocking] B/C
#74 4* ATH Albert Trigg [Strongside] B/B-
#84 4* RB Mitch Gentry [Receiving] B/B+
#96 4* CB Frank Crosby [Ball Hawk] B/C
#118 4* WR Marco Hernandez [Route Runner] B/C+
#173 4* FB Vincent Clark [Blocking] B/B
#202 4* QB Leonard Harlow [Pocket] B/C+
#264 4* SS William Ket [Man Coverage] C/B-
4* OLB Art Major [Speed] C/C+
4* TE David Lee [Receiving] C/C

You recruited players outside the Top 300 sweezy?  What's up with that?

We could talk about how this class will fit on the Vols roster, but you already know it will be like Bowling Green but many, many times more.  *Cue SEC slogan
Rather, we choose to amuse ourselves by listing five Volunteers who are likely to volunteer themselves to the transfer portal this offseason based on our highly scientific, proprietary algorithm (and two minutes of browsing their roster).  QB Mark Koch is a given, so we won't bother spending a slot on him.  Or on any 0/1/2-star players.

Note: All player info and stats (if any) are as of this year.

1. 3* Sr DT Brad Johnson 6'2" 289 [Balanced] B-/B+: No stats
2. 3* Jr OLB Yasmani Bradberry 6'2" 220 [Speed] B-/B+: 6 TKL, 1.5 TFL
3. 4* (So) OT Ricky Drummond 6'1" 288 [Balanced] B/C: 2 sacks allowed
4. 3* (Jr) QB Jay Ratley 6'0" 214 [Scrambler] B+/A+: 8 of 17 (47.06%) for 125 yards, 1 TD, 128.24 QBR. 5 rushes for 61 yards (12.20 YPC), 1 Rush TD.
5. 3* So WR Roland Steward 6'1" 218 [Red Zone Threat] C/C: No stats

 

 

CHART TIME!

Edited June 27 by Jieret

[PoopyRhinoPickle]

i gave this a fire emoji because you used the word cromulent