The Portal Giveth

So, some interesting incoming players from the portal. You see an immediate desire, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which is where most of the losses are.  We did have a QB in for a visit (Donovan Leary), but as of lunchtime Sunday, nothing on him.

Gideon ESPN Lampron, Dayton.  LB

This is the one that has the coaches most excited.    Should start right away.  Yes, his middle name is ESPN.

He's from Lorain County.  He played both ways in HS, with the following credits:

• Three-time First Team All-Conference

• Three-time Lorain County Defensive Player of the Year

• Three-time All-State

• Finalist for Ohio Mr. Football

• In his career, ran for 3150 yards, scored 41 TD, had 350 tackles, 19 sacks and three interceptions

He went to Dayton, redshirted and played two years...and then was an AP All-American this year.

Lampron was the most productive player on the team that has allowed fewest yards (242.9), the fewest passing yards (122.9) and the fewest first downs (12.9) in FCS football this season.   The LaGrange, Ohio native is second in FCS in tackles in the backfield (2.1 per game).  Nationally, he is also tied for sixth in blocked kicks (two total), tied for 13th in fumbles recovered (two total) and tied for 25th in solo tackles (5.1 per game).  He also led UD, and was sixth in the Pioneer Football League, in total tackles (9.0).

DL Marcus Moore, UA

Another guy providing immediate help. 

He redshirted in 23 and played sparingly in 24, being in on 31 tackles and one TFL.  He's 6'1" and 310.  PFF graded him in the mid 60's.

Three-star recruit by 247Sports at Massillon Washington High School...ranked as a Top-90 player in Ohio this recruiting cycle by 247Sports.  He was offered by Akron, Kent, Liberty, Marshall and some FCS schools.

EDGE Collins Acheampong, UCLA

This is one has us all excited.  This young man committed to UM, he flipped to Miami, where he stayed a year and then to UCLA where he also stayed a year but did not appear in a game.

He's 6'7" and 300 pound EDGE.

So, you like that.

He was highly recruited.  Consensus four-star recruit by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … checked in as No. 154 overall player nationally in 247Sports Composite Rankings … listed as No. 19 defensive lineman in country in 247Sports Composite Rankings …rated No. 165 overall in nation in ESPN300 … Ranked as No. 24 defensive end nationally by ESPN … selected to Under Armour All-America Game … totaled 14 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks in four games played as senior.

Huge upside.  Here's the thing.  He is probably pretty raw.  He grew up in Ghana and came to the US to play basketball and moved to football because the school he was at already had 2 centers. Then, COVID came and the football team was shuttered. So, he might need some time and he's in a better developmental environment here than at UCLA or Miami.  But there could be some patience needed.

WR Allen Middleton SIU

Here's a WR...another player at a position of need.  He's from Illinois and was all-state. In 23 varsity games, recorded 108 receptions, 1,916 receiving yards, 3,405 all-purpose Yards, 35 touchdowns and 126 tackles … Had eight, 100-yard receiving games.

He went to SIU, played 4 games and red-shirted as a FR.  Last year, he had 32 receptions for 422 yards and 2 TDs.   He was rated 3-star out of HS, and had mostly FCS offers, along with two service academies.

PFF ranked him in the low 70s, which is pretty good.

So Gideon, Allen, Collins, Marcus....welcome to the Falcons.