Loeffler Intro Presser

So, Scott Loeffler did his first game week presser today.  Always interesting to see what kind of presser coach he is...no one ever will be Gregg Brandon or even Dino Babers, but where on the scale does he fall?

First, and interestingly, he called out his strength staff.  He said that BG had guys doing 4 reps of 185 when they got here and now they are doing 20 at 225.  I've heard this too...some of the guys on the field look like different people.  Just another contrast between staffs.

Because of that, BG left camp 100% healthy, which, in our situation, is huge.  An injury-plagued practice would have ended the season right there.

He says the team is young and thin, but made great progress in the off-season.  That will be interesting to see.

He says they are coaching "complementary football" -- playing to each other's strengths.  What he means is that the offense and defense have to help each other.  An example of that not happening might have been in Dino I where the defense would get gouged, the offense would get the ball back and then be three and out in about 90 seconds elapsed time (not clock time) and then back on the field the defense goes.  Also, special teams have to be elite (Fleckalert).

He was asked about starting QB and said that "we've got an idea who is starting" but that it wasn't in our interests to say who it is.  Also, when asked about MacDonald, he said we are worrying about things we can control.

The rest was the usual stuff, except for the interesting clash of Loeffler, Wheatley and then several former Michigan players who are assistants there.  "Beyond weird," Coach said.

Also the depth chart was released.  Let's review.

There are no huge surprises.  A couple of things to point out...

• Obviously, QB is open
• Note the "12" personnel, with 1 RB, 2 WR and 2 TE.  BG has typically been in 10 over the past few years...or sometimes 11.
• With Taborn gone, Caleb Bright is playing LT and Derek Downs at RT.
• Julian Ortega-Jones had a big camp and moved into the starter position.
• Note Quintin Morris at TE from WR--but noting that those are viewed as hybrids.  If they are covered as blockers, you're supposed to run a route, and vice versa.
• Austin Dorris is the Indiana transfer at the other TE.
• Only 2 true FR on our offensive depth chart, both at TE, a position we more or less did not use last year.
• We start only 3 seniors on offense

• On defense, the biggest thing I see is the Kholbe Coleman is moved to MLB, which is kind of a surprise
• Evan Brown and Jerry Roberts are on the outside, both DB converts who are reported to have good camps.
• The D-backfield is very young, with 3 true FR in backup roles.
• NickP of The Blade said that the staff really liked JaJuan Hudson and to keep an eye on him.
• The defense has 5 true FR on the depth chart, one on the DL.
• The defense starts 6 seniors.

Special teams will start off with the same kickers and long snappers as last year.  For returns, Bryson Denley and Cedric Mitchell will return kickoffs and people are kind of excited about Jake Rogers returning punts.  He didn't make the WR depth chart, but we have fewer slots open as well.

Spring Roster Review

So, the spring roster is out.  There are a few players who were expected back who are not listed and a few new guys who are in camp, based on the roster.  We're on a transition point between coaches and it's normal to see some turnover, especially as there are attempts made to improve the culture.  I'm told that these players include some players who left the program and some who had medical issues.

We have already written about losing Josh Croslen and Kyle Junior.  Junior grad transferred to Oklahoma State, by way of an update.

Others.

Wortham--mentioned just this week as one of only four returning CBs with playing experience who were returning, Wortham will now be added to the departing CBs.  He played as a true FR and then gained a medical redshirt and played 10 games last year.

Marble--was a walk on QB from Warren MI.

Hall--walk-on RB from Jeanette, PA

Judd--a LB who would have been a R-JR.  He played in 11 games last season, with a handful of tackles.

Antwuan Johnson--a LB who was a highly ranked 3-star recruit when he came to BG. Red-shirted last year.

Fitz-Henley--also a highly recruited LB with a lot of offers.  He actually moved to TE for a while last year.

Keije Brown--a walk-on WR who actually played in the UB game to end the year, which I am betting you didn't know.

James Lachey--a recruited TE and son of football announcer.  Played for a BG grad in HS.

So, what's the take away?  Honestly, this is not a surprising turnover. LB was hit hard as a position, but just as importantly, it shows that recruiting rankings are though to judge, as are young people in HS.

There are significant deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball in terms of manpower.  You're basically losing six more guys who would have been considered to be in the pipeline when they got here.

Nick P in The Blade talked about some position changes today.  Evan Brown, from Anthony Wayne and the baseball team, came as a CB and has been moved to LB and is listed as a starter, just to illustrate the manpower issues.  RB CJ Lamar also moved to LB.  Caleb Biggers is now a CB and Sotolongo is back at S.  For other updates, definitely read the article.

There are also five new players on the roster, three of which you have heard about before.

One is Joey Carroll, the St. Francis grad who is listed as starting at TE as a true FR.  Appears to be popular with Loeffler.

Another is Jake Rogers, Medina, who was a PWO and is now listed as the starting KR.

Austin Dorris, a grad transfer from Indiana who is a TE and should contribute.  (Remember: You spell Loeffler T-I-G-H-T-E-N-D.

Najee Freeman, Kissimee--walk on WR from FL who was productive in HS...not too much out there on him.

Corey Frank, is a d-lineman from Cincinnati Reading.  His school did a cool thing.  They had a signing cermony for their top 10 students.  Of which he was one.  Also a walk-on.

So, that's the update.  Remember, we're in a process here.  I do think the offense has a shot to be decent.  They are moving guys around on the o-line and they kept a lot of good players and you have Johnson-Mack coming into the fold after transferring.  Done right, I think we might be able to score a little.

National Signing Day, Part II

So, today was national signing day, part II.  BG picked up three new guys.  On the first NSD, Coach Loeffler said we had four scholarships left, so that leaves us one...but this is always hard to track.  A walk-on might have gotten a scholarship or someone might have left.  Who knows?

Anyway, here are the three.

Austin Dorris is a grad transfer from Indiana who plays TE.  We had more about him when he committed here.  He was a big HS recruit who has played mostly special teams and he can contribute right away there and at TE.  He's at BG now.

Anthony Johnson is an interesting verbal as well.  He's a WDE from Cleveland Heights who had offers (based on 24/7) from Georgia Tech, Ball State, Toledo, Syracuse and other FCS schools.  He's ranked as 3-stars.  He's listed as 6'4" and 230 pounds. He had played originally in PA and then his family moved to Cleveland before his senior year.

Here's some verbiage on his PA career:

In his one season at Jeannette, Johnson totaled a team-leading 134 tackles with 12 sacks to lead the Jayhawks to a PIAA Class 1A championship when they defeated Homer-Center, 42-12, at Hersheypark Stadium. Johnson was named defensive lineman of the year in the Eastern Conference.

In Cleveland he was 2nd-team All-State in Division I and he was first-team all-District.

I suspect that one thing BG offered that helped was that he is coming in at a position in extreme need of bodies and he has a chance to contribute in 2019.

The last signee is Christian Sims of Norcross, GA.  He's a 6'2" and 207 pound WR/TE who had 30 catches for 525 yards.   247 lists him as a TE with an offer from Wingate.  He played S as well in HS.  His sister is in the Air Force and she surprised him for his senior night.  He was first-team all-region in Atlanta as a TE.

You've also seen a bunch of other names coming through Twitter for players who are committed to BG.  Those guys are preferred walk-ons.  The program is working that angle hard with an eye toward getting bodies in the program.  And, we have had very good players start as walk ons at BG, Ryan Burbrink jumping to mind.  (Update: also Konowalski)

Last note.  Loeffler was interviewed in The Blade about the one thing that is lacking in the class, which is a QB.  Most programs want one a year.  Loeffler told the Blade that he needs a very long relationship before offering a QB prospect, someone he calls the CEO of the team.  He didn't feel he had that by now but I think we can assume he will be working on it.  BG did have PWOs come in at QB, however.

Four Football Verbals

There were some visits for football over the weekend, and it appears to have netted some verbal commits for the later signing period.  That NSD will be in February, so we'll learn more then, but for now these four are saying on twitter they are coming to BG.

Coach said that we had four scholarships left after signing day.  One of the four below is saying he's a preferred walk-on and others might be as well.  That's one of the things we might find out.  Also, note that all four of these young men are from our general area...certainly in the four-hour radius.  (Other note:  Max Warner, our QB Coach, was coaching HS in FLA and he has been offering players down there).

First, BG has two players from Norwalk.  The "Truckers" had a huge season.  They were 10-4 and made the DIII semi-finals, their best year in 44 seasons.

Committed🙏🏾 #GoFalcons pic.twitter.com/f4x6gi2PoO

— Jetskii Trigga🚀 (@Trevon_Raymore) January 9, 2019

The first is Treveon Raymore.  He played RB at Norwalk and was extremely productive.  Second-team all-state.  He is the school record holder for rushing attempts (40), yards (407) and touchdowns (6) in a single game; attempts in a season (349) and career (648). Raymore ran for 2,518 yards and 27 TDs in 2018.


He is 5'10 and 223, which is a pretty good sized young man.  I don't know if we project him at RB or on defense.

After a wonderful visit today. I am truly blessed and honored to announce that I am committing to Bowling Green State University to further my academic and athletic career! Thank you to everyone for your support! #gofalcons @CoachCampenni @CoachLoefflerBG @foxtodd77 pic.twitter.com/P3GPcPIZxG

— Tche (@Tche_Leroux) January 12, 2019

The other Trucker is Tche Leroux.  I assume it is pronounced "Shea" but I guarantee it is not a typo.  He was first-team all-state on the defensive line.  He had 70 tackles and 10 sacks in the regular season, while also recovering three fumbles — including one for a touchdown. He added six more sacks and more than 20 tackles in the four playoff games for the Truckers, who finished 10-4 and advanced to the state semifinals.  He's 6'3" and 225 and somewhere I saw he projects to a WDE.

In September he committed to Toledo.   No idea what was up with that.  We almost for sure have a quicker path to playing than UT does.  His brother is one year behind him, plays OL and has some big offers.

Extremely happy to announce that for my last year of eligibility, I will be attending Bowling Green State University! Let’s get to work! #MACtion #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/E69Wak3bw3

— Austin Dorris (@AustinDorris83) January 13, 2019

Austin Dorris is a graduate transfer from Indiana University.  He's 6'5" and 240 and caught 4 passes in his Hoosier career.  He is from Shadyside, Ohio, where he was all-state, playing QB and TE.  He was a 3-star recruit coming out of HS.  He played a lot of special teams, where we could also use some help.  At IU, he played for OC Mike DeBord, who Loeffler worked for at CMU. 

COMMITTED‼️ (PWO) #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/rhdjq3juf1

— Sebastien Moubarak (@sebmoubarak7) January 12, 2019

The last is Sebastien Moubarak,  He's a LB from McDowell HS, which is in Erie, PA.  That's the same HS as James Conner.  This blog has a bias for NE Ohio and Western PA recruits...they are born for football.  Based on this, he wasn't recruited until after his senior year.  The 6-0, 220 pound linebacker registered 136 tackles (85 solo), 13 tackles for loss and a sack.

That's pretty productive.  If he's a late bloomer, that's ideal for how MAC teams succeed.

Welcome to the Falcons, Tche, Treveon, Austin and Sebastien.