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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 26, 2024 10:41:05 GMT -5
Defensive Spring Preview:
This unit is likely where many of us are cautiously optimistic. We will return 7 with starting experience while losing 4 starters (Dobbs, Springer, Spence, Haskins/Duchemin). I’m not including BV as his reps decreased over the final month of the season with a back issue or Stu Smith since Crocetti beat him out late in the year. I’m listing 12 positions as we don’t know for sure how much 4-2 v 3-3 v 3-4 we might be running.
DE - The core 3 man rotation from late in the season will all return. Christian Ross and Will Robinson as the 1s with Reynolds seeing lots of snaps as the top reserve. Spring battle b/t Joe Townsend and Ross Dansdill to round out the 2 deep. Osa Nowura is back with the team but will be physically unable to practice this spring.
DT - Bryce Stephenson returns as the 1 having seen the most snaps last season. Jovan George and Damon Danolds will compete for the other starter (George got more reps last season). Josh Williams being back is the wildcard. From all accounts and verified on social media, he looks good and came back in shape.
ILB - Monte will be the featured Mike LB. Huge spring battle b/t Sam Boyer and Drew Spinagotti to win the other ILB spot.
OLB - Matt Kane Returns as the speciality edge OLB pass rusher. Cam Santee looks to be the next Liam Anderson type that can likely play inside or outside.
CB - By far the biggest question mark of the group. Lost all 4 with most experience (Spence, Haskins, Duchemin, Scott). Comestro will likely move back to CB instead of FS which is a more natural position for him right now. Eli Thompson flashed given opportunities as a frosh. Can he be an every down CB or is he purely a slot/nickel CB in dime/dollar packages? Cam Jones looks to jump up the depth chart as does Cam Mills.
SS - Crocetti as the 1. Will he be purely a S or also play some LB/Rover based on potential BV’s schemes? Adam Due as the 2 here.
WS - Curtis Harris-Lopez returns with All PL potential. Having Jon Wood back from injury could be a big depth piece in the secondary especially if Curtis is asked to play more man coverage.
FS - Jake Jarmo as the 1 and Chisom “Chiz” O should provide nice depth after getting good run down the stretch given the injuries sustained in the secondary last season.
Big picture: This group might have to win some games this season with so much turning over offensively. While we don’t know what a Curran/BV Defense will look like exactly, my observations from watching Merrimack last 3 seasons is that they tend to attack and pressure more while leaving their corners and even safeties on islands defending in man. Do we have the personnel in the secondary to do that? When I look at this group’s young potential, plus the incoming freshman (Prichard-Sewell, Croley and Gardner especially) this year should be a bridge to perhaps one of the better FCS Defenses in 2025 and 2026.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 26, 2024 10:51:43 GMT -5
And Just an FYI per my final comment about 2025/2026. The only players listed above that will be playing their guaranteed final year of eligibility this season are Monte and Kane. That’s A LOT potentially returning in ‘25.
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Post by timholycross on Feb 26, 2024 13:59:39 GMT -5
Anyone extended into 25 is not really due to Covid; it's due to injury or not getting in games.
One caveat: I guess someone in Sluka's class could have played in 20-21, gotten injured and not played in 21-22 (or in 22-23, 23-24 or 24-25); therefore could play somewhere in 2025. If so, I doubt that somewhere will be Holy Cross as the young man will have been in school at HC at least 9 semesters.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 26, 2024 14:20:25 GMT -5
Anyone extended into 25 is not really due to Covid; it's due to injury or not getting in games. One caveat: I guess someone in Sluka's class could have played in 20-21, gotten injured and not played in 21-22 (or in 22-23, 23-24 or 24-25); therefore could play somewhere in 2025. If so, I doubt that somewhere will be Holy Cross as the young man will have been in school at HC at least 9 semesters. Correct. Jarmo and Wood have medical redshirts from last season. Harris-Lopez, Danolds and Townsend played in 4 games or less as freshman in 2021. Williams will technically have 2 years of eligibility left after 2024 (only year he’s used so far is 2022).
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Post by midwestsader05 on Feb 27, 2024 12:49:57 GMT -5
As for the offense and 4th year seniors that will have 5th year optionality in 2025....only Fuller and Shorter will have used all of their eligibility after this season since they both lettered as freshman in 2021.
Cam McNair and Jake Petersen both have medical red shirts from previous seasons (McNair '23 and JP '22) to use in 2025.
Joe Pesansky will also have an extra year of eligibility to use since he only played in 4 games as a freshman in 2021.
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Post by cmo on Mar 14, 2024 20:06:34 GMT -5
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Post by drjack on Mar 15, 2024 6:41:01 GMT -5
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Post by midwestsader05 on Mar 15, 2024 6:54:37 GMT -5
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Post by drjack on Mar 15, 2024 7:03:37 GMT -5
I gotta the kid over to daycare, I can paste it once in like an hour or so once I'm home and working.
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Post by drjack on Mar 15, 2024 8:01:21 GMT -5
WORCESTER – The Dan Curran era at Holy Cross officially began right around 5:30 on Thursday evening.
The Crusaders officially kicked off spring ball with a very light, yet productive hour-and-a-half of practice before heading to the women’s basketball playoff game.
While there wasn’t a whole lot of ‘real’ football, there were still a few things that stood out while watching practice. Here are five key observations…
1. Not much is different
While the overall structure was in fact different, the overall juice in the building looked and felt the same as it has under Bob Chesney. Director of Sports Performance Chris Grautski has a lot to do with that. Grautski is one of the key pieces that stayed in Worcester and whether it was the pregame stretch or just drills during indy periods, it’s very apparent who sets the tone for the program still.
2. Joe Pesansky ready to take over, other QB’s have strong arms
Last season, Pesansky was thrown into some legitimate season-on-the-line situations and flourished while Matt Sluka was injured. In his first spring as the presumed starter, he looked good during indy and team periods. While he may not be as run-oriented as Sluka was, he showed off his wheels several times during some live non-contact team periods. Tempo was big and he can still make all the throws. One particular throw really stood out as he ran to his right and threw back across his body, hitting Charly Mullaly over the middle. Josh Jenkins is an interesting lefty who throws bullets (especially on intermediate routes) and Austen Frattura also just looks like a D1 QB.
3. Skill positions have new leaders, but same look
Speed, size and skill. Holy Cross may be losing Jalen Coker, Matt Sluka and Tyler Purdy, but a quick glance at each group and it’s hard not to say ‘wow’ at the athletes that are still in the building. At receiver, Byron Shipman really stands out athletically and should finally get a chance to show he can be a WR1 while Justin Shorter is also a key piece to the puzzle too. Mullaly was very quick in and out of breaks during drills and Matt Brunelle has some good size, looks like a tight end despite being listed as a receiver. Jordan Fuller is back to lead the RB’s while senior Nyeoti Punni is pretty damn big for a running back (6’1,” 208 lbs.) and is going to be hard to bring down. Deegan Laube – brother of UNH star Dylan – Jayden Clerveaux and Sam Slade all looked good too.
4. O-line (as usual) looks big and mean
Seemingly every year Holy Cross has a massive O-line – which was also a staple for Curran while he was at Merrimack – and 2024 appears no different. Bunch of houses up front, with senior Cam McNair really standing out size wise, as did fifth-year Dalton Daddona.
5. Defense biggest question, but looks good
Last year, Chesney talked every week about having a ton of young guys on that side of the ball learning on the fly. Now one more year experienced, Curran should have a lot to work with. Up front, Jovan George and classmate Brice Stevenson are intimidating as hell. Stevenson had a ‘sack’ during a brief team period. As far as linebackers, replacing Jacob Dobbs is impossible, but junior Drew Spingoatti just looks the part and could be that next guy in line.
Bonus: The tight ends are stacked and alums still showing support.
You want to talk about a group of big boys. Luke Petitta and Jacob Petersen stand out immediately, both can catch and run too. Nathan Schillinger looks the part as well. Sluka, CJ Hanson, Terrence Spence, Malik Scott and Eric Schon were all on hand to watch practice. Good to see those guys supporting the new wave and obviously, CJ has a big day ahead next week with Pro Day.
Expectations are still very high around the program and in the time I was able to watch them on Thursday, it’s easy to see why. The right staff is in place, there’s elite talent in important positions, the leaders on the team are fully committed to Curran’s messaging and there’s a chip on everyone’s shoulder. They hear the noise that the program will be down without Chesney.
Is another Patriot League title in store? Who knows, it’s March, but there’s plenty of reason to believe the Crusaders could be in the hunt again.
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Post by efg72 on Mar 15, 2024 8:05:30 GMT -5
Hard to tell from the video, but it sounded like Coach might have some concerns about the depth in roster he inherited. Like others have suggested the junior and senior classes recruited during those Covid years might have fallen short of addressing the needed depth in the roster. Again the youngsters will be seeing the field and getting PT, making the back to back recruiting years we just completed very important to the 2024 season
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Post by HC92 on Mar 15, 2024 12:09:08 GMT -5
I hate to reveal my ignorance but is Nyeoti Punni new to the football roster? I see that he is a member of our track team but don’t recall him being discussed previously re: football.
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Post by drjack on Mar 15, 2024 13:22:29 GMT -5
I hate to reveal my ignorance but is Nyeoti Punni new to the football roster? I see that he is a member of our track team but don’t recall him being discussed previously re: football. Looks like he was on the 2023 roster as well, but not 2022.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Mar 15, 2024 13:26:46 GMT -5
Punni now on the football roster and off the track roster
Bio from last year's track roster states that he played 3 years of football and basketball in high school/. He had some success sprinting for HC
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Post by HC92 on Mar 15, 2024 13:32:02 GMT -5
Punni now on the football roster and off the track roster Interesting that he’s the second RB Stone noted after Fuller. Would be a nice surprise if he’s a strong contributor.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Mar 15, 2024 21:32:54 GMT -5
Good size, listed on the roster as 6’1”, 208lb. So, there are 5 RB’s on the roster for spring. Are there any incoming freshmen who may see playing time in the fall at RB.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Mar 15, 2024 22:08:47 GMT -5
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Post by drjack on Mar 15, 2024 23:02:53 GMT -5
Good size, listed on the roster as 6’1”, 208lb. So, there are 5 RB’s on the roster for spring. Are there any incoming freshmen who may see playing time in the fall at RB. Theres Treadwell, but I'm not sure what expectations are for him in terms of playing time this year.
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Post by rgs318 on Mar 16, 2024 8:08:08 GMT -5
Mixed feelings. Part of me is thrilled to see talent coming aboard who can play right away, another part of me is nervous that we would need them to do so...since that could indicate a lack of depth among the upperclassmen. It was great to see the football team bring such spirit to the games of hockey and women's hoops!
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Post by hcnj on Mar 16, 2024 11:11:18 GMT -5
Good size, listed on the roster as 6’1”, 208lb. So, there are 5 RB’s on the roster for spring. Are there any incoming freshmen who may see playing time in the fall at RB. Theres Treadwell, but I'm not sure what expectations are for him in terms of playing time this year. right, but Treadwell isn't in this Spring discussion an incoming. I'll be surprised if the track transfer plays more than JC but that would be a good problem
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Post by midwestsader05 on Mar 24, 2024 14:00:55 GMT -5
First week of full pads in the books through yesterday. By all accounts, very high energy and the most physical spring since even 5th years have been on campus. This should not be surprising with so much open competition. The physicality also being complimented with lots of new scheme install, especially on offense. So a ton of “mental reps” as well.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Mar 24, 2024 14:08:36 GMT -5
My two cents and pure educated guesses on incoming frosh that will have a chance to crack the 2-deep this fall.
QB - Graham WR - Cason and maybe Newton but longer shot TE/H - Schoonmaker OT - Booker
DT - Prichard-Sewell DE - Erhuanga DB - really wouldn’t shock me any of the 4 CBs (Gardner, Newsome, Coleman and Dixon) but Amari Gardner is most college ready day 1 IMO.
A Couple of these might be listed as 2-deep in name only due to a lack of upper classmen depth while others have a legit shot to play and contribute.
The Incoming frosh I’m most bullish on long term not listed is LB Croley. I think he plays a couple STs as a frosh - Kickoff and punt block/return (like Spinogatti did) - but won’t see much run at LB until 2025 and the graduation of Monte.
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Post by joutsHC77 on Mar 24, 2024 14:11:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the updates midwest! Looking forward to continued success this year!
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Post by midwestsader05 on Mar 27, 2024 21:45:57 GMT -5
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Post by hchoops on Mar 27, 2024 22:05:39 GMT -5
What an admirable student-athlete Jordan is.
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