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Post by BearDownMU on Jun 3, 2016 12:34:45 GMT -5
Alright gang, time to start talking about some football again. I'm eating a burrito at work and looking at Twitter and it looks like some offers has been going out. I'll try to post them here with links to highlights, if they have them. These are self-reported offers from the student athletes themselves. Non of this is from the University. Just me looking around online. Justin Hall - WR - Alexander HS - Douglasville, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4272698/justin-t-hallMonty Montgomery - LB - Norcross HS, Norcross, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/3937214/monty-montgomeryVictor Heyward - LB - Mill Creek HS - Hoschton, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/3275863/victor-heywardGage Blackston - OL - Benedictine Academy - Savannah, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4645307/gage-blackstonTucker Schroeder - OL - Harmony HS, Harmony, FL www.hudl.com/athlete/3940963/tucker-schroederTrae Barry - OL - Spanish Fort HS, Spanish Fort, AL www.hudl.com/athlete/2605039/trae-barryAmari Colbert - WR - Houston County HS - Warner Robbins, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/2451300/amari-colbertCaleb Etheridge - OL - Mary Persons HS - Forsyth, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/2881809/caleb-etheridge |
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Post by BearDownMU on Jun 3, 2016 12:35:16 GMT -5
There are more, but I gotta go do some work. I'll try to post more, or feel free to add on if you're feeling research-y. lol
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Post by FUBeAR on Jun 4, 2016 3:48:03 GMT -5
Reed Blankenship QB/FS, 6-2,180, 2017 West Limestone HS, Lester, AL www.hudl.com/athlete/3739775/reed-blankenshipPeyton Woulard, FS/SS, 6-1, 170, 2018 Collins Hill HS, Suwanee, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4550883/peyton-woulardTramel Walthour, DT, 6-4, 270, 2018 Liberty County HS, Hinesville, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4060765/tramel-walthourGunnar Watson, QB, 6-2, 190, 2018 Taylor County HS, Butler, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4499192/gunnar-watsonGiovanni Hightower, TE/DE, 6-6, 240, 2017 McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN www.hudl.com/athlete/1942195/giovanni-hightowerMonty Montgomery, OLB/MLB, ?,?, 2017 Norcross HS, Norcross, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/3937214/monty-montgomeryVictor Heyward, OLB, 6-2, 195, 2017 Mill Creek HS, Hochston, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/3275863/victor-heywardGage Blackston, T/G, 6-5, 280, 2017 Benedictine, Savannah, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4645307/gage-blackstonTucker Schroeder, G/C/T, 6-4, 309, 2017 Harmony HS, Harmony, FL www.hudl.com/athlete/3940963/tucker-schroederJustin Hall, WR/SB, 5-10, 170, 2017 Alexander HS, Douglasville, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/4272698/justin-t-hallTrae Berry, QB/TE/WR, 6-7, 210, 2018 Spanish Fort HS, Spanish Fort, AL www.hudl.com/athlete/2605039/trae-barryAmari Colbert, WR/FS, 6-3, 197, 2017 Houston County HS, Warner Robins, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/2451300/amari-colbertBraylon Sanders, ATH, 6-0, 172, 2017 Callaway HS, Hogansville, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/3880457/braylon-sandersLogan Schaefer, OLB/WR, 6-2, 215, 2017 Deltona HS, Deltona, FL www.hudl.com/athlete/3865407/logan-schaeferCaleb Etheridge, OG, 6-3, 285, 2017 Mary Persons HS, Forsyth, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/2881809/caleb-etheridgeMarcus Jones, CB/WR, 5-9, 172, 2017 Enterprise HS, Enterprise, AL www.hudl.com/athlete/3452906/marcus-jonesMyles Thomas, FS, 6-0, 205, 2017 Enterprise HS, Enterprise, AL www.hudl.com/athlete/3851070/myles-thomasCincere Mason, SS, 6-0, 190, 2017 South Cobb HS, Austell, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/5110390/cincere-masonDaniel Charles, SS/WR, 6-1, 190, 2017 Campbell HS, Smyrna, GA www.hudl.com/athlete/5530648/daniel-charlesD.J. Baxter, CB/WR, 5-11, 170, 2017 Chattanooga Central HS, Harrison, TN www.hudl.com/athlete/2836858/dj-baxterMarkenzy Pierre, RB/SS, 6-0, 210, 2017 Liberty HS, Kissimmee, FL www.hudl.com/athlete/4299062/markenzy-pierreBailey Shepherd, DE/TE, 6-5, 265, 2017 Brandon HS, Brandon, FL www.hudl.com/athlete/3924827/highlights...and many more...looks to be about 200 claimed offers per Tweets. Sorry for the repeats BearDown; couldn't see the ones you had posted while I was doing this on my phone |
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Post by jackal on Jun 6, 2016 12:45:08 GMT -5
I had not realized Mercer had so many seniors on the roster (I count 29). I won't even begin to guess how those roster spots are divided up scholarship wise.
The only other school I can remember with that many seniors was Coastal Carolina back in 2006 (a few years after they started their program). I think they had over 30.
Logistically, I can only imagine this is no small task for the Bear coaching staff. Going to get some overtime in this off season.
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Post by FUBeAR on Jun 6, 2016 16:36:13 GMT -5
I had not realized Mercer had so many seniors on the roster (I count 29). I won't even begin to guess how those roster spots are divided up scholarship wise. The only other school I can remember with that many seniors was Coastal Carolina back in 2006 (a few years after they started their program). I think they had over 30. Logistically, I can only imagine this is no small task for the Bear coaching staff. Going to get some overtime in this off season. Not exactly... Of those 29, there are only a few 'pure' full-time starters. This is intentionally a vague number, as many of the guys that I wouldn't call 'pure' starters have started quite a few games...and there are younger players behind many of the 'pure' and 'non-pure' starters who played and contributed heavily in 2015, who will continue to increase their contributions in 2016. Let's look at it more closely...(I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings here, cuz I love all these guys and their families - just thought I'd ramble on and throw out some stuff (some of which may be inaccurate and some is just my opinion) to dispel the "Mercer's losing everyone after this year" that our good friend, Jackal, is now trying to peddle... QB, John Russ (1) is one of those 29 & Yep, He has started every game for Mercer Football since 1942...but even this 73 year starter is going to be pushed hard this year by former Vandy starting QB transfer and former 4-Star Recruit, Johnny McCrary...who has 2 years of eligibility remaining. Also, signee Kaelan Riley, from Calhoun, is the real deal and, if he redshirts this year, he very well could be the Bears QB thru 2021. All other QB's on the roster are eligible beyond 2016. No need to press the Recruiting Fire Alarms at the QB spot...not at all. RB's Payton Usher (2), JeTarii Donald (3), and CJ Kleckley (4) will all be missed. Usher and Donald have both started games and performed very well in the past. Donald may have moved to CB, and I think Kleckley is a DB now as well. While we may see more of Usher this season, he has been hampered by injuries in the past and we all know about Mercer's younger corps of RB's, which was bolstered in the off-season by Navy Prep transfer, 215lb Charlie Davidson. WR's Josh Jones (5) & Jordan Marshall (6) - Both very fine players who also contribute BIG in Leadership and Marshall was a dynamo on Special Teams last year. But, we've all seen Avery Ward, Marquise Irvin, Jimmie Robinson, and, oh yeah, Chandler Curtis (he's gonna be baaaaack) gain more and more playing time & touches at the WR spots over the past 2 years. I suspect we will see even more of those 4 in 2016. We also saw 'youngster' TE Sam Walker splitting out wide some late last season creating mismatches and I believe we can count on seeing more of that this Fall as well. No Fire Alarms at WR...not today. TE's Robert Brown (7) & Sam Arrington (8) will certainly be missed. From Mercer's 1st game and 1st TD since 1942, Robert Brown has been a key player in Mercer's offense. Sam Arrington started every game in 2013...at Offensive Tackle! Since he's converted to TE, he's been an outstanding lead blocker. By the way, he also played Center in 2014. That said, we all saw what Sam Walker can do toward the latter part of last season and I believe he will make a lot of noise in 2016 as well. I understand R-Freshmen Trey Peppers and Chase Westfall are cut from similar cloth as Brown and Walker AND highly recruited (3 star) TE Chris Ellington may be ready to play early...and often. OL Kirby Southard (9), Avery White (10), Mitch Payne (11), Bret Neiderreither (12), Garrett Smith (13) - Like Russ, Southard has been Mercer's starting Center since 1942 and he will certainly be missed after the 2016 season. White was a starter in '14 and played extensively in '15. He should play a lot in 2016 as well. Payne has started at OT in 2013 and was a fill-in-for-injury starter at OG in '15. Neiderreither was Mercer's MVP in '15 as a 1st year starter at OT. Garrett Smith has not played much to date. This is the other position (see Safety below) where the Bears may suffer after the 2016 season, but Caleb Yates started at OG every game in 2015 and Thomas Marchman has started every game at OT since he checked in as a FR in 2014. Mitch Mathes is highly thought of to step in at OG or C. I understand there is at least 1 transfer on the way, an OT who started every game as a True FR in an FCS program in '15 (he will sit out 2016) and perhaps another, a Center who may check in this Fall with 4 years of immediate eligibility (and had about 30 offers coming out of HS). Losing 4 players with starting experience after 2016 appears a bit daunting, but the Bears have been addressing this effectively since the 1st year they could give Ath. Schollies (2014 class). DE's/DLmen Tunde Ayinla (14) & Kelly Brooks (15) - Love both of these guys. Great motors, strong as oxen and unquestionably LEADERS. Hope Tunde comes back from injury (missed most of 2015) with an awesome Sr. year and Brooks continues to impress while he takes full advantage of every opportunity he gets for some PT. But PT may be hard to come by with Isaiah Buehler wreaking havoc the way he did in 2015, Austin Wysor coming off injury and ready to compete, Jalen Penn continuing to mature, and Destin Guillen/Dorian Kithcart coming off their redshirt years. Never can have enough good DE's/DLmen, but I think losing 2 part-time starters here is a normal to slightly below normal level of attrition. DT's Tony Perella (16) & Marvin Davis (17) - Tony has played OL as much or more than he's played DL for the Bears. His spirit, versatility, and leadership will be missed in 2017, but replacing his (anticipated) playing time will not be a major issue. Marvin has been a rock for the Bears and has been such a great contributor when he has been 'plugged in' due to injuries, etc. A real leader, fun player to watch, and a fine young man, but Mercer should be able to replace his 2016 PT in 2017 without pulling any recruiting fire alarms. LB's Corey Lockett (18), Tosin Aguebor (19), Tripp Patterson (20), Tyler Ward (21), Devin Davidson (22) - What a GREAT cadre of LB's these 5 are and their Leadership and Talent will be missed - ALL of them....BUT...Lee Bennett was Mercer's DPOY last year, Kyle Williams & Kyle Trammell have started many games and Travonte Easley may have even started a few as well. Can't wait to see Will Coneway coming off of his Redshirt year and there are others young 'cubs' coming up in that Group. No doubt these 5 guys will be missed, but unlike the Safety position, there is plenty of experience coming up behind them in this position group and there will be more after 2016. No Recruiting Fire Alarms need to be pulled here either despite the losses. DB's/Safeties Zach Jackson (23), Lendell Arnold (24), Mike Gray (25) - All 3 have started a bunch of games for the Bears and are excellent players, with Jackson being the 'headliner' in that group. Gray has even started a few games at OLB. If there's is 1 position where Sr. Losses will have an impact, Safety is it. That said, lots of younger talent in the classes behind these 3 and I'm sure we'll see more of those 'cubs' on the field in 2016. Also, CB's Sebastian Hicks (26), Nevin Harton (27), and Jabari Scruggs (28) have not played a great deal in the past, with last year's starters Alex Avant and Jeremy James holding down the starting CB slots along with Brandon Gurley, and Stephen Houzah. K/P Tyler Zielenske (29) will be missed, but he only kicked off last year after handling almost all kicking duties at some point in time since 2012. Not sure if he'll be doing All, Some, or None of that in 2016. Like DLmen, a team can never have enough good kickers/punters/kicker-offers, etc., but recruiting kickers seems to be pretty much a crap-shoot. Mercer will have someone handling those duties in 2016, 2017...and beyond. Yep - A LOT OF GREAT ONES will play their final regular season game for the Bears against Furman in Five Star Stadium on 11/19, but the Bears have planned carefully for their departure, recruited very effectively, and will be just fine going forward as their talent numbers 'flow' normalizes in 2017 and subsequent years. |
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Post by jackal on Jun 7, 2016 5:35:21 GMT -5
This is a straw man. Your response has hardly a thing to do with what I said.
If you want to address the talent Mercer has coming back, that's fine. I'm sure they, like every team, will lose some key players and return some key players. I did not make a comment about Mercer's cupboard being bare, though. I said they are graduating 29 seniors. That is a lot of seniors. You don't appear to dispute that.
I said nothing of Mercer not being fine. I said there's a lot of work for a coaching staff to prepare for the departure of 29 players at one time, regardless of whether that is the starting quarterback or the fellow that fills up the water bottles. I'm sure Mercer's staff has prepared for it. It is still a lot of players.
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Post by FUBeAR on Jun 7, 2016 6:48:32 GMT -5
This is a straw man. Your response has hardly a thing to do with what I said. If you want to address the talent Mercer has coming back, that's fine. I'm sure they, like every team, will lose some key players and return some key players. I did not make a comment about Mercer's cupboard being bare, though. I said they are graduating 29 seniors. That is a lot of seniors. You don't appear to dispute that. I said nothing of Mercer not being fine. I said there's a lot of work for a coaching staff to prepare for the departure of 29 players at one time, regardless of whether that is the starting quarterback or the fellow that fills up the water bottles. I'm sure Mercer's staff has prepared for it. It is still a lot of players. This is the only straw man I know...  ...and I resemble that remark! You're right - 29 players is a lot of turnover for a 'normal' program and, on its surface, that could appear to be huge challenge. But, that number needs context... 1) All of the players in this 29 player graduating class, with the exception of Jackson and Niederreither, came to Mercer without Athletic Scholarships. Logic dictates that the players in the classes behind this one are much more talented players. I know your response attempts to discount the impact of the talent level, but as you have elsewhere drawn comparisons to this situation and Coastal Carolina's startup; this fact is a key difference in the 2 situations. 2) Mercer's program is very accustomed to large player turnover. I believe about 60% of the 108 players on the original roster left the program before the beginning of 2014...so, around 30 departing players/year has been the norm, not the exception. 3) By my count, Mercer will have about 65 players for Spring Practice of 2017. This is a bit light (for them). That, the losses at Safety, and the possible challenge of replacing 4 players with Starting experience in the OL will be the only slightly unusual challenges faced by the Bears due to these 29 young men finishing their careers after the 2016 season. |
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Post by jackal on Jun 7, 2016 8:29:23 GMT -5
It is a lot of players to lose off a team. It is a challenge that most coaching staffs do not have to face in a single off season. That's the only point I am making.
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Post by FUBeAR on Jun 7, 2016 11:04:43 GMT -5
It is a lot of players to lose off a team. It is a challenge that most coaching staffs do not have to face in a single off season. That's the only point I am making. That's the only point you made HERE...BUT, elsewhere, you (or, rather, your alter ego) made this point: "I count 29 seniors on Mercer's roster. I don't recall a senior class that big since Furman played down at Coastal Carolina in 2006. That Coastal team had a boat load of seniors, a couple NFL prospects, and wouldn't see a winning season again until 2011."You are drawing a comparison between the 2 start-up programs. CCU started in playing '03 and made the playoffs in their 4th year - '06. Then, the Beach Chickens went 22-24 over the next 4 years after they lost a large class of players that came in to start the program. To parallel, Mercer started playing in 2013. This season is their 4th year and they are losing a large number of players. Your implication is clearly that Mercer may have a good year in 2016, as CCU did in 2003, but should then expect at least a 4 year drought as CCU had. I refute this implication based on the 3 context points made above as well as the complete analysis of the impact of the loss of each of those 29 players on their position groups. Mercer is well-positioned to have an outstanding year in 2016 AND in 2017 and 2018...etc....despite your semi-veiled, but ever-present naysaying. |
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Post by mercerfan on Jun 8, 2016 8:14:28 GMT -5
I had not realized Mercer had so many seniors on the roster (I count 29). I won't even begin to guess how those roster spots are divided up scholarship wise. The only other school I can remember with that many seniors was Coastal Carolina back in 2006 (a few years after they started their program). I think they had over 30. Logistically, I can only imagine this is no small task for the Bear coaching staff. Going to get some overtime in this off season. Not exactly... Of those 29, there are only a few 'pure' full-time starters. This is intentionally a vague number, as many of the guys that I wouldn't call 'pure' starters have started quite a few games...and there are younger players behind many of the 'pure' and 'non-pure' starters who played and contributed heavily in 2015, who will continue to increase their contributions in 2016. Let's look at it more closely...(I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings here, cuz I love all these guys and their families - just thought I'd ramble on and throw out some stuff (some of which may be inaccurate and some is just my opinion) to dispel the "Mercer's losing everyone after this year" that our good friend, Jackal, is now trying to peddle... QB, John Russ (1) is one of those 29 & Yep, He has started every game for Mercer Football since 1942...but even this 73 year starter is going to be pushed hard this year by former Vandy starting QB transfer and former 4-Star Recruit, Johnny McCrary...who has 2 years of eligibility remaining. Also, signee Kaelan Riley, from Calhoun, is the real deal and, if he redshirts this year, he very well could be the Bears QB thru 2021. All other QB's on the roster are eligible beyond 2016. No need to press the Recruiting Fire Alarms at the QB spot...not at all. RB's Payton Usher (2), JeTarii Donald (3), and CJ Kleckley (4) will all be missed. Usher and Donald have both started games and performed very well in the past. Donald may have moved to CB, and I think Kleckley is a DB now as well. While we may see more of Usher this season, he has been hampered by injuries in the past and we all know about Mercer's younger corps of RB's, which was bolstered in the off-season by Navy Prep transfer, 215lb Charlie Davidson. WR's Josh Jones (5) & Jordan Marshall (6) - Both very fine players who also contribute BIG in Leadership and Marshall was a dynamo on Special Teams last year. But, we've all seen Avery Ward, Marquise Irvin, Jimmie Robinson, and, oh yeah, Chandler Curtis (he's gonna be baaaaack) gain more and more playing time & touches at the WR spots over the past 2 years. I suspect we will see even more of those 4 in 2016. We also saw 'youngster' TE Sam Walker splitting out wide some late last season creating mismatches and I believe we can count on seeing more of that this Fall as well. No Fire Alarms at WR...not today. TE's Robert Brown (7) & Sam Arrington (8) will certainly be missed. From Mercer's 1st game and 1st TD since 1942, Robert Brown has been a key player in Mercer's offense. Sam Arrington started every game in 2013...at Offensive Tackle! Since he's converted to TE, he's been an outstanding lead blocker. By the way, he also played Center in 2014. That said, we all saw what Sam Walker can do toward the latter part of last season and I believe he will make a lot of noise in 2016 as well. I understand R-Freshmen Trey Peppers and Chase Westfall are cut from similar cloth as Brown and Walker AND highly recruited (3 star) TE Chris Ellington may be ready to play early...and often. OL Kirby Southard (9), Avery White (10), Mitch Payne (11), Bret Neiderreither (12), Garrett Smith (13) - Like Russ, Southard has been Mercer's starting Center since 1942 and he will certainly be missed after the 2016 season. White was a starter in '14 and played extensively in '15. He should play a lot in 2016 as well. Payne has started at OT in 2013 and was a fill-in-for-injury starter at OG in '15. Neiderreither was Mercer's MVP in '15 as a 1st year starter at OT. Garrett Smith has not played much to date. This is the other position (see Safety below) where the Bears may suffer after the 2016 season, but Caleb Yates started at OG every game in 2015 and Thomas Marchman has started every game at OT since he checked in as a FR in 2014. Mitch Mathes is highly thought of to step in at OG or C. I understand there is at least 1 transfer on the way, an OT who started every game as a True FR in an FCS program in '15 (he will sit out 2016) and perhaps another, a Center who may check in this Fall with 4 years of immediate eligibility (and had about 30 offers coming out of HS). Losing 4 players with starting experience after 2016 appears a bit daunting, but the Bears have been addressing this effectively since the 1st year they could give Ath. Schollies (2014 class). DE's/DLmen Tunde Ayinla (14) & Kelly Brooks (15) - Love both of these guys. Great motors, strong as oxen and unquestionably LEADERS. Hope Tunde comes back from injury (missed most of 2015) with an awesome Sr. year and Brooks continues to impress while he takes full advantage of every opportunity he gets for some PT. But PT may be hard to come by with Isaiah Buehler wreaking havoc the way he did in 2015, Austin Wysor coming off injury and ready to compete, Jalen Penn continuing to mature, and Destin Guillen/Dorian Kithcart coming off their redshirt years. Never can have enough good DE's/DLmen, but I think losing 2 part-time starters here is a normal to slightly below normal level of attrition. DT's Tony Perella (16) & Marvin Davis (17) - Tony has played OL as much or more than he's played DL for the Bears. His spirit, versatility, and leadership will be missed in 2017, but replacing his (anticipated) playing time will not be a major issue. Marvin has been a rock for the Bears and has been such a great contributor when he has been 'plugged in' due to injuries, etc. A real leader, fun player to watch, and a fine young man, but Mercer should be able to replace his 2016 PT in 2017 without pulling any recruiting fire alarms. LB's Corey Lockett (18), Tosin Aguebor (19), Tripp Patterson (20), Tyler Ward (21), Devin Davidson (22) - What a GREAT cadre of LB's these 5 are and their Leadership and Talent will be missed - ALL of them....BUT...Lee Bennett was Mercer's DPOY last year, Kyle Williams & Kyle Trammell have started many games and Travonte Easley may have even started a few as well. Can't wait to see Will Coneway coming off of his Redshirt year and there are others young 'cubs' coming up in that Group. No doubt these 5 guys will be missed, but unlike the Safety position, there is plenty of experience coming up behind them in this position group and there will be more after 2016. No Recruiting Fire Alarms need to be pulled here either despite the losses. DB's/Safeties Zach Jackson (23), Lendell Arnold (24), Mike Gray (25) - All 3 have started a bunch of games for the Bears and are excellent players, with Jackson being the 'headliner' in that group. Gray has even started a few games at OLB. If there's is 1 position where Sr. Losses will have an impact, Safety is it. That said, lots of younger talent in the classes behind these 3 and I'm sure we'll see more of those 'cubs' on the field in 2016. Also, CB's Sebastian Hicks (26), Nevin Harton (27), and Jabari Scruggs (28) have not played a great deal in the past, with last year's starters Alex Avant and Jeremy James holding down the starting CB slots along with Brandon Gurley, and Stephen Houzah. K/P Tyler Zielenske (29) will be missed, but he only kicked off last year after handling almost all kicking duties at some point in time since 2012. Not sure if he'll be doing All, Some, or None of that in 2016. Like DLmen, a team can never have enough good kickers/punters/kicker-offers, etc., but recruiting kickers seems to be pretty much a crap-shoot. Mercer will have someone handling those duties in 2016, 2017...and beyond. Yep - A LOT OF GREAT ONES will play their final regular season game for the Bears against Furman in Five Star Stadium on 11/19, but the Bears have planned carefully for their departure, recruited very effectively, and will be just fine going forward as their talent numbers 'flow' normalizes in 2017 and subsequent years. Good work here! |
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Post by mercerfan on Jun 8, 2016 8:18:25 GMT -5
I suspect that we will also see several freshmen and redshirt freshmen ,that we may not recognize today, step up and push for playing time. It happens every year.
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Post by jackal on Jun 8, 2016 8:35:02 GMT -5
It is a lot of players to lose off a team. It is a challenge that most coaching staffs do not have to face in a single off season. That's the only point I am making. That's the only point you made HERE...BUT, elsewhere, you (or, rather, your alter ego) made this point: "I count 29 seniors on Mercer's roster. I don't recall a senior class that big since Furman played down at Coastal Carolina in 2006. That Coastal team had a boat load of seniors, a couple NFL prospects, and wouldn't see a winning season again until 2011."You are drawing a comparison between the 2 start-up programs. CCU started in playing '03 and made the playoffs in their 4th year - '06. Then, the Beach Chickens went 22-24 over the next 4 years after they lost a large class of players that came in to start the program. To parallel, Mercer started playing in 2013. This season is their 4th year and they are losing a large number of players. Your implication is clearly that Mercer may have a good year in 2016, as CCU did in 2003, but should then expect at least a 4 year drought as CCU had. I refute this implication based on the 3 context points made above as well as the complete analysis of the impact of the loss of each of those 29 players on their position groups. Mercer is well-positioned to have an outstanding year in 2016 AND in 2017 and 2018...etc....despite your semi-veiled, but ever-present naysaying. I think the Coastal Comparison is fair. Two start up programs. Early success. Both faced a season where they graduated a boatload of seniors at one time. I have no idea what Mercer is going to do going forward. We both agree that losing close to 30 players in one season is a lot. There is the completely separate issue of having to replace key players on a roster regardless of the size of the graduating class (replacing four offensive linemen, for instance, is not insignificant as you know). I see those questions as unrelated, really. At the end of the day, we won't know the effect of this exodus until later. I only bring up Coastal because it is a recent example of a team that went through a similar transition. Maybe that comparison is valid. Maybe it isn't. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Jun 8, 2016 13:39:40 GMT -5
That's the only point you made HERE...BUT, elsewhere, you (or, rather, your alter ego) made this point: "I count 29 seniors on Mercer's roster. I don't recall a senior class that big since Furman played down at Coastal Carolina in 2006. That Coastal team had a boat load of seniors, a couple NFL prospects, and wouldn't see a winning season again until 2011."You are drawing a comparison between the 2 start-up programs. CCU started in playing '03 and made the playoffs in their 4th year - '06. Then, the Beach Chickens went 22-24 over the next 4 years after they lost a large class of players that came in to start the program. To parallel, Mercer started playing in 2013. This season is their 4th year and they are losing a large number of players. Your implication is clearly that Mercer may have a good year in 2016, as CCU did in 2003, but should then expect at least a 4 year drought as CCU had. I refute this implication based on the 3 context points made above as well as the complete analysis of the impact of the loss of each of those 29 players on their position groups. Mercer is well-positioned to have an outstanding year in 2016 AND in 2017 and 2018...etc....despite your semi-veiled, but ever-present naysaying. I think the Coastal Comparison is fair. IT ISN'T
Two DIFFERENT start up programs. Early success. Both faced a season where they graduated a boatload of seniors at one time. DON'T KNOW (OR CARE) WHAT CCU FACED, BUT MERCER IS FACING THEIR 5th SEASON IN A ROW WHERE THEY WILL SEE A BOATLOAD OF PLAYERS DEPART. EACH OF THOSE BOATLOADS, INCLUDING 2016, FOR MERCER, HAS CONSISTED OF PLAYERS WHO STARTED THEIR COLLEGE FOOTBALL CAREERS AS WALK-ON's.I have no idea what Mercer is going to do going forward. We both agree that losing close to 30 players in one season is a lot. NO - WE BOTH AGREE THAT IS A LOT OF PLAYERS FOR A 'NORMAL' (AKA NON-START-UP) PROGRAM. MERCER's EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN MORE AKIN TO A SERVICE ACADEMY WHERE THEY 'LOSE' ABOUT 30-40% OF THEIR ROSTER EVERY YEAR There is the completely separate issue of having to replace key players on a roster regardless of the size of the graduating class (replacing four offensive linemen, for instance, is not insignificant as you know). TO ADDRESS THIS COMMENT ABOUT THE OL - MERCER IS SLATED TO GRADUATE ONLY 2 OL-MEN WHO ARE STARTERS COMING OUT OF SPRING PRACTICE. THAT IS NOT ABNORMAL ATTRITION. ALSO, I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER CENTER MENTIONED ABOVE HAS COMMITTED TO MERCER AND WILL BE ON CAMPUS SOON. 2 STAR RECRUIT WITH MULTIPLE FBS OFFERS OUT OF HS & ALSO OFFERS FROM SUCH HIGH-PROFILE FCS PROGRAMS AS MONTANA AND JAMES MADISON. ARRIVING WITH 4 YEARS OF IMMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY.
I see those questions as unrelated, really. I MISSED THE QUESTION (AND, MOST LIKELY, THE EXAM, THE TEST, THE QUIZ, AND THE CLASS)At the end of the day, we won't know the effect of this exodus until later. NOT AN EXODUS (really - gettin' all Biblical on us, huh?) - JUST EXPECTED, NORMAL ATTRITION FOR THIS PROGRAMI only bring up Coastal because it is a recent example of a team that went through a similar transition. MOST LIKELY, NOT SIMILAR - AS I SAID ABOVE, I DON'T KNOW (OR CARE) WHAT CCU FACED, BUT I DO KNOW THEY STARTED WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR 1st 2 RECRUITING CLASSES AND MERCER DIDN'T. THAT CHANGES THE WHOLE DYNAMIC.Maybe that comparison is valid. Maybe it isn't. IT ISN'T |
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Post by mercerfan on Jul 21, 2016 10:47:04 GMT -5
I understand there is at least 1 transfer on the way, an OT who started every game as a True FR in an FCS program in '15 (he will sit out 2016) and perhaps another, a Center who may check in this Fall with 4 years of immediate eligibility (and had about 30 offers coming out of HS). Any update on these two guys? |
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Post by FUBeAR on Jul 21, 2016 12:28:25 GMT -5
I understand there is at least 1 transfer on the way, an OT who started every game as a True FR in an FCS program in '15 (he will sit out 2016) and perhaps another, a Center who may check in this Fall with 4 years of immediate eligibility (and had about 30 offers coming out of HS). Any update on these two guys? I believe the Xfer OT is on campus, but I don't think it worked out for the Xfer Center to come to Mercer after all. Not sure what his plans are now. Wish that one could have worked out. Appeared to be a heckuva player, a leader, and a fine young man. (Note: all of the preceding is unconfirmed and I have no additional info at this time) |
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