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I know that recruiting is only one element to what transpires on the gridiron, but you have to recruit the horses to perform. How would you evaluate how the MVFC schools did with this year's class?
SDSU (A-): As coach Stig said, he believes he may have found five difference makers who will be able to perform this fall. That says a lot when you look at how many returning players we have. Offensive line depth was a big need, not only excellent numbers, but a few blue chippers in the mix. We missed out on some very good ones, some to FBS schools and some to our peers in the MVFC. Defensive line was a hit! Callender is arguably the best recruit in the conference as he's the only Parade All-American to sign with an FCS school. The other d-linemen are more projects, but you've got to love the size and potential. Our linebacker corps rivals any FCS class. Brown, Hodge, Wilson, and Urbanek all have high ceilings. Getting four of them allows for a potential bust or two. Solid group of DBs and skill players on offense. Getting Ethan Bullock adds another quality QB to our stable. We've had some good ones since we've jumped to FCS. Missed out on Jordan Paup to the Huskers late and there were a number of others who ended up going FBS. But on paper before they've played a down, it would be hard to find a better class.
USD (A-): I'd argue that no school upped their talent level more than the Coyotes. For a program that has dwelled in the cellar since joining the MVFC, they made an immediate impact with this class. Losing three studs in the last few days kept them from getting an A in my book. HERO Sports ranked WR Reggie Crawford from Saint Louis as the best recruit in the MVFC. (Southern Illinois late signing of Emare Hogan could be argued as better.) This 3-star stud turned down offers from Illinois, Ball State, Wyoming and New Mexico to play in the Dakota Dome. The Yotes also added one of the best offensive linemen in this year's conference class in Tyler Ciurej. There class was complete with talent and depth on both sides of the ball.
NDSU (A-): Until proven wrong, the Bizon will continue to get talent that has few peers. It was fun to win a few more battles against the Bison this year, but we'd be lying if we said we got all the ones we wanted. Safety - Michael Tutsie, DE - Tanner Sundt, LB - Jack Begley, OG - Nash Jensen, TE - Noah Gindorff, and DE Spencer Waege are all recruits we wanted - bad! Now we will have to face them. Like the Coyotes and Rabbits, the Bison got a good QB from the Sunshine State. Losing Isaiah Hill to the Jackrabbits didn't help. One observation, TE was a key position for many schools and the Bison nabbed three including Gindorff. It appears that Dallas Goedert really altered priorities for many MVFC teams. Not only quality TE's, but tall/big safeties too.
Southern Illinois, Indiana State, Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Youngstown State all had some blue chippers. I just haven't seen the depth of their classes to give an honest opinion. Honestly saw nothing from some of the others to give any breakdown from the rest. It will be interesting to see how the addition of UND to the MVFC changes the dynamics of recruiting for SDSU, NDSU and USD. Recruits may check out the Fighting Hawks if they don't have to travel to the west coast to play a lot of their games.
I'd love to hear what others thought, including fans from other teams.
SDSU (A-): As coach Stig said, he believes he may have found five difference makers who will be able to perform this fall. That says a lot when you look at how many returning players we have. Offensive line depth was a big need, not only excellent numbers, but a few blue chippers in the mix. We missed out on some very good ones, some to FBS schools and some to our peers in the MVFC. Defensive line was a hit! Callender is arguably the best recruit in the conference as he's the only Parade All-American to sign with an FCS school. The other d-linemen are more projects, but you've got to love the size and potential. Our linebacker corps rivals any FCS class. Brown, Hodge, Wilson, and Urbanek all have high ceilings. Getting four of them allows for a potential bust or two. Solid group of DBs and skill players on offense. Getting Ethan Bullock adds another quality QB to our stable. We've had some good ones since we've jumped to FCS. Missed out on Jordan Paup to the Huskers late and there were a number of others who ended up going FBS. But on paper before they've played a down, it would be hard to find a better class.
USD (A-): I'd argue that no school upped their talent level more than the Coyotes. For a program that has dwelled in the cellar since joining the MVFC, they made an immediate impact with this class. Losing three studs in the last few days kept them from getting an A in my book. HERO Sports ranked WR Reggie Crawford from Saint Louis as the best recruit in the MVFC. (Southern Illinois late signing of Emare Hogan could be argued as better.) This 3-star stud turned down offers from Illinois, Ball State, Wyoming and New Mexico to play in the Dakota Dome. The Yotes also added one of the best offensive linemen in this year's conference class in Tyler Ciurej. There class was complete with talent and depth on both sides of the ball.
NDSU (A-): Until proven wrong, the Bizon will continue to get talent that has few peers. It was fun to win a few more battles against the Bison this year, but we'd be lying if we said we got all the ones we wanted. Safety - Michael Tutsie, DE - Tanner Sundt, LB - Jack Begley, OG - Nash Jensen, TE - Noah Gindorff, and DE Spencer Waege are all recruits we wanted - bad! Now we will have to face them. Like the Coyotes and Rabbits, the Bison got a good QB from the Sunshine State. Losing Isaiah Hill to the Jackrabbits didn't help. One observation, TE was a key position for many schools and the Bison nabbed three including Gindorff. It appears that Dallas Goedert really altered priorities for many MVFC teams. Not only quality TE's, but tall/big safeties too.
Southern Illinois, Indiana State, Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Youngstown State all had some blue chippers. I just haven't seen the depth of their classes to give an honest opinion. Honestly saw nothing from some of the others to give any breakdown from the rest. It will be interesting to see how the addition of UND to the MVFC changes the dynamics of recruiting for SDSU, NDSU and USD. Recruits may check out the Fighting Hawks if they don't have to travel to the west coast to play a lot of their games.
I'd love to hear what others thought, including fans from other teams.
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