Adding to 1987's comments, Recruiting Crystal Ball

[1987alum]

How has Ruiz played in the slot?

PS, Did anyone else notice Andrew Clarke on D for toledo last night?

Ruiz has seemed pretty good to me, though I recall him dropping a couple very catchable balls.

[Germainfitch1]

I had no idea Ruiz moved spots. I am out of the loop. I would be very interested in peoples views on Freddie Barnes, Benjy Kennedy, Aaron Davis, Winovich and Perry/Dozier and Hargrove.

[always a falcon]

How has Ruiz played in the slot?

PS, Did anyone else notice Andrew Clarke on D for toledo last night?

Ruiz has seemed pretty good to me, though I recall him dropping a couple very catchable balls.

Right you are 87. I am sure the coaches thought he would have better hands. At the Miami game- the replays showed so clearly that one of our INT's was due to Ruiz just not finishing the play. He may have worked his fanny off on all the rest of them, but TV showed him, dropping off his route and just stopping so MU got the ball. In fairness- I would hate to be shown on TV at my job!

But I am lovin o'D!

[Flipper]

I don't think Ruiz has lived up to expectations. O'Drobinak has been a great addition for the red zone offense. I loved that play we ran for him against Akron ....the defense has to respect the run action to the left and the contain guy has to stay home when the QB rolls right. That leaves nobody left to cover the TE....

[jpfalcon09]

Tight end is the most underrated position in football IMO, so it's great to see Ruben and Sean get some accolades.

[OptionQB]

I take a stab at it, in a different sort of way, like everything else I seem to do.

QB, We are just fine one way or another. With Omar back, we have one of the top 3-5 QB's in the land and Turner is a good-looking athlete, however, remember the name NATE DAVIS, as he leads Bellaire into the D-4 Regional Final tomorrow against Ironton at Peden Stadium. Hammb and I have watched Internet film of him and he is special. Top 30 in America as far as Scouts.com has him and even better as far as Rivals rates "dual-threat" QBs. We're in the running and his LOI makes Turner or Barnes a WR or RB, he "looks" to be that good.

RB, Seemingly we have depth, but no proven "homerun hitter." An early verbal from Vincent Corner had a lot to do with the coaches promising a "chance" to play early. Corner was solid in the very competitive GWOC in the Dayton area for Springfield North. Macon, Thomas and Bullock are all intriguing in different ways. I would love to see old-school, smash mouth red-zone wishbone with our QBs' ability to run and this collection of backs. Throw in Partridge and Magner and the possibilities are endless.

WR, We need a guy to step up and be a #1, after having the privledge of two #1s this year. Partridge?, Parks?, Magner?, Davis?, New Verbal?, JUCO?, it's a crapshoot, but solid talent returns here. Partridge is super solid and even moreso consistent. Parks showed glimpses of his talent before the horrible injury. Magner figures to be in the mix with the speedy Davis close behind. Brandon Jones did not make the trip to Oxford, or was under a large orange parka. Brantley is gutting out a knee injury, but neither has done anything to stand out and were beaten out of their positions by redshirt-freshmen. Verbal Derek Brighton could figure prominently here. Ruiz is still very much a question mark, but probably the happiest guy on the team. Have you ever watched anyone smile as much as he does for dropping so many balls? Where are you Luke Alexander? (Rhetorical Question, I know).

TE- O'Drobinak is a sixth OL and a solid run blocker. Improved hands have kept him on the field and Scheidler played at one of the more dominant programs in Indiana in the last decade.

OL- Using the Kent State depth chart which is still up and a little hypothesizing, let's see how much of this sticks to the wall . . .

LT- Huelsman, Kent
OG- Lichtensteiger, who needs to bounce back to last year's form, Stanford, Kevin Mahoney could also figure here, if . . .
C- Lanning, Guy Williamson, Jarrett Buckosh, Robert Solak or Kory Lichtensteiger who played C in mop-up situations as a R-Frosh.
OG- Derrick Markray, excellent size, but our line hasn't improved this year with it, Watson, Massey and Shane Steffy.
RT- Nystrom, Fink and Pollard.

Some may be a bit out of position, but that's as close as I could get. We need a big year from these guys next season as this year has been a major disappointment.

DE- Williams, Schaefer, Jakubowski, he also plays at SAM
NG- Curtis, Hardwick and Thomas James(?) . . . Curtis is a keeper
DT- Davis, Frericks and Brady Minturn . . . Davis is very solid.
DE- Parks, Mack and Michael Ream. How good is Devon Parks? Mack is solid, but underrated in my mind.
WILL- Diyral Briggs, Scott Goodwin and Cordelle Thompson . . . The LB depth is very questionable at each spot. At least who goes where? Briggs is coming on strong late in the year and his speed will be a HUGE improvement at LB next season.
MIKE- Winovich, Haneline and to borrow from the pro-wrestling world "The Charismatic Enigma" Nick Lawrence who looks HUGE on the sideline, at least height-wise. Winovich was a bit of a let down after a wasted, but solid freshman campaign. Haneline has been solid in limited action.
SAM- T. White, E. Dozier (Kent Depth Chart), Myles, Basler . . . How solid and consistent has T. White been? He's the only LB to show up every week this season and Dozier brings great athleticism if the Depth Chart holds up.
CB- Antonio Smith, big hitter, needs improved coverage skills, but he's young. Calvin Wiley was a solid recruit as a back-up
FS- Loren Hargrove, solid in relief of Deaudre Perry. Petey Hood to provide depth somewhere back here.
SS- Mike Crumpler and Nate Waldron will split time at our biggest question mark in my mind in our defense.
CB- Kenny Lewis, huge Miami game and very solid. Van Johnson, could be a solid back-up here or provide a Mayberry-esque smallish safety.

I think it's a very reasonable argument to say we get a lot more athletic next year on D. Finding a strong safety, speed at LB and a go-to #1 WR are my biggest questions. One of the RBs will distinguish themselves before long. A win on Tuesday will give us great momentum heading into recruiting as better athletes continue to be updated on both regarded sites.

[Flipper]

They have lined Mack up at DT to give the line a more athletic look. spart (Corey Partridge's dad) has said Minturn has put on a solid 40 lbs and will be a factor at DT. I was very impressed with the video of Frericks and James last year. I think they both have the quickness to be very effective in Lovett's system.

I think Briggs is staying at DE

Then there's always the spectre of Matt Leininger

I thought Nate Davis was down to UC and Toledo....I liked the look of that Hakes kid's video. He's down to us and Oregon (over Colorado State and Southern Miss). Don't sell Sheehan short...he supposedly did very well when he camped at Michigan

[Germainfitch1]

hakes?

[hammb]

QB, We are just fine one way or another. With Omar back, we have one of the top 3-5 QB's in the land and Turner is a good-looking athlete, however, remember the name NATE DAVIS, as he leads Bellaire into the D-4 Regional Final tomorrow against Ironton at Peden Stadium. Hammb and I have watched Internet film of him and he is special. Top 30 in America as far as Scouts.com has him and even better as far as Rivals rates "dual-threat" QBs. We're in the running and his LOI makes Turner or Barnes a WR or RB, he "looks" to be that good.

This kid looks SPECIAL. When I watched the highlight film of him, my jaw dropped. I don't know what our chances are of landing him, when we have Turner, but I hope we can get him. He's also got offers from UT, Indiana, Ball State, and Cincinnati. From what I can tell this kid in our offense would be another J5/Omar type player. Big time playmaker.

[Schadenfreude]

QB, We are just fine one way or another. With Omar back, we have one of the top 3-5 QB's in the land and Turner is a good-looking athlete, however, remember the name NATE DAVIS, as he leads Bellaire into the D-4 Regional Final tomorrow against Ironton at Peden Stadium. Hammb and I have watched Internet film of him and he is special. Top 30 in America as far as Scouts.com has him and even better as far as Rivals rates "dual-threat" QBs. We're in the running and his LOI makes Turner or Barnes a WR or RB, he "looks" to be that good.

This kid looks SPECIAL. When I watched the highlight film of him, my jaw dropped. I don't know what our chances are of landing him, when we have Turner, but I hope we can get him. He's also got offers from UT, Indiana, Ball State, and Cincinnati. From what I can tell this kid in our offense would be another J5/Omar type player. Big time playmaker.

We need to get a quarterback this year. It's time.

[Germainfitch1]

2 things.

1. Why do we need a QB? Anthony Turner was one of our top recruits beating otu major programs for his services. He will be the QB here for atleast two years. Plus Sheehan has looked good from what I have heard, anyone follow LasAlle?

2. How has Benjy Kennedy looked at WR?

[Schadenfreude]

2 things.

1. Why do we need a QB? Anthony Turner was one of our top recruits beating otu major programs for his services. He will be the QB here for atleast two years.

It would be nice to have a quarterback ready to step into the starting job as a junior when Turner leaves.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

2 things.

1. Why do we need a QB? Anthony Turner was one of our top recruits beating otu major programs for his services. He will be the QB here for atleast two years. Plus Sheehan has looked good from what I have heard, anyone follow LasAlle?

2. How has Benjy Kennedy looked at WR?

I thought the same thing gfitch, but then I thought if a couple reasons why we should go after another potential star QB.

If we recruit them this year, we are essentially grooming somebody to take over the role their redshirt junior year, because we'll have Omar and AT for the next three years assuming. So:

1. Sheehan has some injury questions. Plus even if he isn't an injury risk, it isn't wise to put all of your eggs in one QB's basket for the future, especially when our offense is so hevaily focused on QB play. Why not recruit a couple potential studs and see which one develops better?

2. We've seen this year, you're only as good as your backup QB. It's normally an NFL cliche, but it has applied to us this year.

3. If a kid is special, as Hamm and others have said, and he is showing interest in your program, you have to go after that kid hard regardless of position or situation. There just aren't that many star-caliber players that we have a shot at. We can't afford to let any go just because we think we may be set at that position.

4. Every great QB we sign, is one less available for WMU, Toledo, Miami, etc. Hiller bit us in the ass this year as one of our former recruits. I don't like hearing that.

These are a few interesting angles to look at as far as recruiting goes. QB should be our easiest position to recruit both because of the last 2 guys' success, and the MAC's history of great QB play. We should take advantage of that at every opportunity.

[Schadenfreude]

Gotta admit, I forgot about Sheehan.

[Germainfitch1]

2 things.

1. Why do we need a QB? Anthony Turner was one of our top recruits beating otu major programs for his services. He will be the QB here for atleast two years. Plus Sheehan has looked good from what I have heard, anyone follow LasAlle?

2. How has Benjy Kennedy looked at WR?

I thought the same thing gfitch, but then I thought if a couple reasons why we should go after another potential star QB.

If we recruit them this year, we are essentially grooming somebody to take over the role their redshirt junior year, because we'll have Omar and AT for the next three years assuming. So:

1. Sheehan has some injury questions. Plus even if he isn't an injury risk, it isn't wise to put all of your eggs in one QB's basket for the future, especially when our offense is so hevaily focused on QB play. Why not recruit a couple potential studs and see which one develops better?

2. We've seen this year, you're only as good as your backup QB. It's normally an NFL cliche, but it has applied to us this year.

3. If a kid is special, as Hamm and others have said, and he is showing interest in your program, you have to go after that kid hard regardless of position or situation. There just aren't that many star-caliber players that we have a shot at. We can't afford to let any go just because we think we may be set at that position.

4. Every great QB we sign, is one less available for WMU, Toledo, Miami, etc. Hiller bit us in the ass this year as one of our former recruits. I don't like hearing that.

These are a few interesting angles to look at as far as recruiting goes. QB should be our easiest position to recruit both because of the last 2 guys' success, and the MAC's history of great QB play. We should take advantage of that at every opportunity.

I overspoke again. We should recruit a QB. And if a great QB is interested we should recruit him, however, what I meant to be saying is that I don't think things are that desperate if we don't get him.

Would I turn him away, no. Do I think there is anyone out there we could get who could move Anthony Turner to another position. Not likely.