Lets review where we are with the defensive line:

DE
Dezaun Brooks 6'3 250 R-Fr
Jose Ramirez 6'2 250 R-So
Carter Stagner 6'4 240 So
Grant Truman 6'3 230 R-Jr
Turan Rush 6'1 250 Sr
Clay Holford 6'2 260 Sr
Mikah Coleman 6'5 230 Fr

DT without Crawford

Aaron Hamilton 6'2 275 R-Fr
Mike Haney 6'4 280 So
Alex Merritt 6'2 270 R-Fr
Samari Saddler 6'2 300 So
Ty Eddington 6'3 330 Sr
Woo Scott 6'2 310 Sr
DJ Jackson 5'11 330 Jr.

walk -ons

Vincent Boyd 6'3 255 Sr
Tommy Wright-Hodges 6'3 285 R-Fr.

(06-04-2020 05:15 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Lets review where we are with the defensive line:

DE
Dezaun Brooks 6'3 250 R-Fr
Jose Ramirez 6'2 250 R-So
Carter Stagner 6'4 240 So
Grant Truman 6'3 230 R-Jr
Turan Rush 6'1 250 Sr
Clay Holford 6'2 260 Sr
Mikah Coleman 6'5 230 Fr

DT without Crawford

Aaron Hamilton 6'2 275 R-Fr
Mike Haney 6'4 280 So
Alex Merritt 6'2 270 R-Fr
Samari Saddler 6'2 300 So
Ty Eddington 6'3 330 Sr
Woo Scott 6'2 310 Sr
DJ Jackson 5'11 330 Jr.

I thought I read they moved Haney to the end.

(06-05-2020 07:51 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 05:15 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Lets review where we are with the defensive line:

DE
Dezaun Brooks 6'3 250 R-Fr
Jose Ramirez 6'2 250 R-So
Carter Stagner 6'4 240 So
Grant Truman 6'3 230 R-Jr
Turan Rush 6'1 250 Sr
Clay Holford 6'2 260 Sr
Mikah Coleman 6'5 230 Fr

DT without Crawford

Aaron Hamilton 6'2 275 R-Fr
Mike Haney 6'4 280 So
Alex Merritt 6'2 270 R-Fr
Samari Saddler 6'2 300 So
Ty Eddington 6'3 330 Sr
Woo Scott 6'2 310 Sr
DJ Jackson 5'11 330 Jr.

I thought I read they moved Haney to the end.

That may be true

(06-05-2020 08:05 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:51 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 05:15 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Lets review where we are with the defensive line:

DE
Dezaun Brooks 6'3 250 R-Fr
Jose Ramirez 6'2 250 R-So
Carter Stagner 6'4 240 So
Grant Truman 6'3 230 R-Jr
Turan Rush 6'1 250 Sr
Clay Holford 6'2 260 Sr
Mikah Coleman 6'5 230 Fr

DT without Crawford

Aaron Hamilton 6'2 275 R-Fr
Mike Haney 6'4 280 So
Alex Merritt 6'2 270 R-Fr
Samari Saddler 6'2 300 So
Ty Eddington 6'3 330 Sr
Woo Scott 6'2 310 Sr
DJ Jackson 5'11 330 Jr.

I thought I read they moved Haney to the end.

That may be true

No stars, but a lot of players who can be in the 2-deeps.

(06-04-2020 02:11 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Branham Jr is football's Rafus Jr

Not to worry we have talent in the backfield and a solid offensive line if we can prove we have a passing attack we will have a productive running game

That kid just looked lost on the court. Never saw the talent that must have been hidden inside.

(06-05-2020 08:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:05 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:51 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 05:15 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Lets review where we are with the defensive line:

DE
Dezaun Brooks 6'3 250 R-Fr
Jose Ramirez 6'2 250 R-So
Carter Stagner 6'4 240 So
Grant Truman 6'3 230 R-Jr
Turan Rush 6'1 250 Sr
Clay Holford 6'2 260 Sr
Mikah Coleman 6'5 230 Fr

DT without Crawford

Aaron Hamilton 6'2 275 R-Fr
Mike Haney 6'4 280 So
Alex Merritt 6'2 270 R-Fr
Samari Saddler 6'2 300 So
Ty Eddington 6'3 330 Sr
Woo Scott 6'2 310 Sr
DJ Jackson 5'11 330 Jr.

I thought I read they moved Haney to the end.

That may be true

No stars, but a lot of players who can be in the 2-deeps.

I agree, no one like POC or Maxx, but a lot of solid players and mix of young guys and vets. Hopefully they can find a solid rotation.

Here is what I found out about Haney from an interview with CC that Alex did:

"Defensively, Creighton looks to D-line

There are six seniors to represent the defensive line this year, and there’s a lot of talent behind them that warrant playing time too.

“I think that we’ll be led by our defense this year. It starts with our D-line, and our D-line is pretty good,” Creighton told me.

Turan Rush, senior end, led the team with five sacks and six QB hurries. Mikey Haney, a sophomore who moved from interior to end, is the D-line’s returning tackler with 43 total last season (2 sacks) and started in 11 games. Woo Scott started nine games, played in all 13, and recorded 40 tackles last year. C.J. Hunt, Anthoney Ransey, and Carter Stagner all played in at least 10 games for the Eagles with additional experience from Ty Eddington, Clay Holford, DeSean Boyd (moved from linebacker), Alex Merritt, and Aaron Hamilton coming back.

The D-line didn’t play in 2019 like it did in 2018 (with Maxx Crosby and Jeremiah Harris) but that’s also to say that there’s plenty of room to grow. Eddington’s season was cut short to injury, but was able to redshirt with only four games played last year. Holford’s another player that EMU was expected to graduate, but is able to have him for his sixth year with the program."

(06-05-2020 08:19 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:05 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:51 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 05:15 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Lets review where we are with the defensive line:

DE
Dezaun Brooks 6'3 250 R-Fr
Jose Ramirez 6'2 250 R-So
Carter Stagner 6'4 240 So
Grant Truman 6'3 230 R-Jr
Turan Rush 6'1 250 Sr
Clay Holford 6'2 260 Sr
Mikah Coleman 6'5 230 Fr

DT without Crawford

Aaron Hamilton 6'2 275 R-Fr
Mike Haney 6'4 280 So
Alex Merritt 6'2 270 R-Fr
Samari Saddler 6'2 300 So
Ty Eddington 6'3 330 Sr
Woo Scott 6'2 310 Sr
DJ Jackson 5'11 330 Jr.

I thought I read they moved Haney to the end.

That may be true

No stars, but a lot of players who can be in the 2-deeps.

I agree, no one like POC or Maxx, but a lot of solid players and mix of young guys and vets. Hopefully they can find a solid rotation.

Here is what I found out about Haney from an interview with CC that Alex did:

"Defensively, Creighton looks to D-line

There are six seniors to represent the defensive line this year, and there’s a lot of talent behind them that warrant playing time too.

“I think that we’ll be led by our defense this year. It starts with our D-line, and our D-line is pretty good,” Creighton told me.

Turan Rush, senior end, led the team with five sacks and six QB hurries. Mikey Haney, a sophomore who moved from interior to end, is the D-line’s returning tackler with 43 total last season (2 sacks) and started in 11 games. Woo Scott started nine games, played in all 13, and recorded 40 tackles last year. C.J. Hunt, Anthoney Ransey, and Carter Stagner all played in at least 10 games for the Eagles with additional experience from Ty Eddington, Clay Holford, DeSean Boyd (moved from linebacker), Alex Merritt, and Aaron Hamilton coming back.

The D-line didn’t play in 2019 like it did in 2018 (with Maxx Crosby and Jeremiah Harris) but that’s also to say that there’s plenty of room to grow. Eddington’s season was cut short to injury, but was able to redshirt with only four games played last year. Holford’s another player that EMU was expected to graduate, but is able to have him for his sixth year with the program."

Bottom line:

The talent base is way above last year. As indicated above, having Eddington and Holford back is a big plus. Both are good enough to start.

Add Rush, Haney, Merritt, Scott, etc. Add a couple new recruits and that is eight for a rotation. (not counting redshirts, etc.).

(06-05-2020 08:34 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:19 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:05 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:51 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  I thought I read they moved Haney to the end.

That may be true

No stars, but a lot of players who can be in the 2-deeps.

I agree, no one like POC or Maxx, but a lot of solid players and mix of young guys and vets. Hopefully they can find a solid rotation.

Here is what I found out about Haney from an interview with CC that Alex did:

"Defensively, Creighton looks to D-line

There are six seniors to represent the defensive line this year, and there’s a lot of talent behind them that warrant playing time too.

“I think that we’ll be led by our defense this year. It starts with our D-line, and our D-line is pretty good,” Creighton told me.

Turan Rush, senior end, led the team with five sacks and six QB hurries. Mikey Haney, a sophomore who moved from interior to end, is the D-line’s returning tackler with 43 total last season (2 sacks) and started in 11 games. Woo Scott started nine games, played in all 13, and recorded 40 tackles last year. C.J. Hunt, Anthoney Ransey, and Carter Stagner all played in at least 10 games for the Eagles with additional experience from Ty Eddington, Clay Holford, DeSean Boyd (moved from linebacker), Alex Merritt, and Aaron Hamilton coming back.

The D-line didn’t play in 2019 like it did in 2018 (with Maxx Crosby and Jeremiah Harris) but that’s also to say that there’s plenty of room to grow. Eddington’s season was cut short to injury, but was able to redshirt with only four games played last year. Holford’s another player that EMU was expected to graduate, but is able to have him for his sixth year with the program."

Bottom line:

The talent base is way above last year. As indicated above, having Eddington and Holford back is a big plus. Both are good enough to start.

Add Rush, Haney, Merritt, Scott, etc. Add a couple new recruits and that is eight for a rotation. (not counting redshirts, etc.).

I think the wildcard for a strong defense is Mikey Haney. I remember when he was a freshman on the scout team and ETough shared that Maxx thought Haney has potential. I thought Haney came on strong at the end of last season and played well against Pitt. I think he could have a big season if he could gain some quickness perhaps by losing 20-25 lbs and play DE at 255lbs.

(06-05-2020 10:25 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:34 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:19 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:10 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 08:05 AM)emu79 Wrote:  That may be true

No stars, but a lot of players who can be in the 2-deeps.

I agree, no one like POC or Maxx, but a lot of solid players and mix of young guys and vets. Hopefully they can find a solid rotation.

Here is what I found out about Haney from an interview with CC that Alex did:

"Defensively, Creighton looks to D-line

There are six seniors to represent the defensive line this year, and there’s a lot of talent behind them that warrant playing time too.

“I think that we’ll be led by our defense this year. It starts with our D-line, and our D-line is pretty good,” Creighton told me.

Turan Rush, senior end, led the team with five sacks and six QB hurries. Mikey Haney, a sophomore who moved from interior to end, is the D-line’s returning tackler with 43 total last season (2 sacks) and started in 11 games. Woo Scott started nine games, played in all 13, and recorded 40 tackles last year. C.J. Hunt, Anthoney Ransey, and Carter Stagner all played in at least 10 games for the Eagles with additional experience from Ty Eddington, Clay Holford, DeSean Boyd (moved from linebacker), Alex Merritt, and Aaron Hamilton coming back.

The D-line didn’t play in 2019 like it did in 2018 (with Maxx Crosby and Jeremiah Harris) but that’s also to say that there’s plenty of room to grow. Eddington’s season was cut short to injury, but was able to redshirt with only four games played last year. Holford’s another player that EMU was expected to graduate, but is able to have him for his sixth year with the program."

Bottom line:

The talent base is way above last year. As indicated above, having Eddington and Holford back is a big plus. Both are good enough to start.

Add Rush, Haney, Merritt, Scott, etc. Add a couple new recruits and that is eight for a rotation. (not counting redshirts, etc.).

I think the wildcard for a strong defense is Mikey Haney. I remember when he was a freshman on the scout team and ETough shared that Maxx thought Haney has potential. I thought Haney came on strong at the end of last season and played well against Pitt. I think he could have a big season if he could gain some quickness perhaps by losing 20-25 lbs and play DE at 255lbs.

Love the info and I agree. The DL was hit hard last year and they should be stout this season. We worked in younger guys last year and there is no substitute for experience. I still am looking to see who will fill the Rush End role which we need. If we don't have one, perhaps we get creative with linebackers and blitz packages.

I know our schedule looks tough but I'm more excited than any other season to watch this team specifically. I feel like we are about to see the impacts of recruits now being eligible and physically able to compete as a result of better recruiting and bowl game coverage. Very few holes on this team. Maybe no superstars but really good players that start on both sides of the Line. Have we seen more collective talent than we will have this year than in the past 5-10 years?

Maybe we should be worried about the LBs instead?

DeSean Boyd 6'2 228 Jr moving to DL?
Luke Cameron 6'1 200 Jr
Terry Myrick 6'0 223 Sr.
Konrad Dixon 6'2 2220 Jr
Tariq Silver 5'10 230 R-Jr
Matthew Buschman 6'2 220 So
Charles Brown 6'1 220 R-Fr

only recruit was Brycen Huddleston 6'0 205

So we move some cornerbacks to this position?

Haney is the only most likely player with star potential on the DL! LB's is a major concern, very little experience, the DB, and safeties look okay, but no Calhoun, or Hoying, or McGill type of talent...….Listen, I want to be positive, but this defense on paper is very average at best! The offense with A decent QB is the complete opposite! We'll need to score a lot of points! I'm ready for the responses...….5-7, or 6-6 at best! If the defense gets run over like last season 4-8!

(06-05-2020 11:42 AM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  Haney is the only most likely player with star potential on the DL! LB's is a major concern, very little experience, the DB, and safeties look okay, but no Calhoun, or Hoying, or McGill type of talent...….Listen, I want to be positive, but this defense on paper is very average at best! The offense with A decent QB is the complete opposite! We'll need to score a lot of points! I'm ready for the responses...….5-7, or 6-6 at best! If the defense gets run over like last season 4-8!

I agree that LB position needs some attention. I think this position was neglected on the recruiting trail and I was surprised we did not see more JUCO fill ins. I do disagree as I think our DL will be above average to good. Much improved from last year. Haney will be a stud. Our secondary will be fine as we recruited well and I was never thrilled with our secondary play last year.

I'm with everyone who is concerned with our LBs which will probably the weakest group on the team.

Eastern Michigan
Incoming
OL Dimitri Douglas from Michigan State. Douglas is a redshirt-sophomore and, pending an NCAA appeal, is not eligible to play in 2020.
QB Chris Helbig from Southern Utah (FCS). Helbig is a graduate transfer quarterback with two years of eligibility.
Outgoing
RB John Branham Jr.’s name is in the transfer portal.
DT C.J. Hunt to Western Illinois (FCS). Hunt has two years of eligibility.
CB Otis Jackson III’s name is in the transfer portal.
LS Tyler Shaw to Marshall.

************
https://medium.com/freeonsaturday/2020-m...1e5d1ba559

Interesting that Hunt is going FCS. Transferring down so he doesn't need to sit a year.

(06-12-2020 01:49 PM)emu steve Wrote:  Eastern Michigan
Incoming
OL Dimitri Douglas from Michigan State. Douglas is a redshirt-sophomore and, pending an NCAA appeal, is not eligible to play in 2020.
QB Chris Helbig from Southern Utah (FCS). Helbig is a graduate transfer quarterback with two years of eligibility.
Outgoing
RB John Branham Jr.’s name is in the transfer portal.
DT C.J. Hunt to Western Illinois (FCS). Hunt has two years of eligibility.
CB Otis Jackson III’s name is in the transfer portal.
LS Tyler Shaw to Marshall.

************
https://medium.com/freeonsaturday/2020-m...1e5d1ba559

Interesting that Hunt is going FCS. Transferring down so he doesn't need to sit a year.

Will be interesting to see who comes out on top for the QB battle. Helbig or Hutch or maybe Aaron Jackson? Hutch played great when given the opportunity and Helbig looks like he's got a cannon with more playing experience. Either way, they've got really good weapons this year.

(06-07-2020 08:44 PM)emu steve Wrote:  I'm with everyone who is concerned with our LBs which will probably the weakest group on the team.

While what is true, I think the biggest issue for the LBs is depth not necessarily talent. So if they stay healthy, I don't think they'll be as bad as people are making them out to be. We typically only have two linebackers on the field at a time and Terry Myrick is back, he started and played pretty well last year. Tariq Speights saw a little bit of action last year and had a great JUCO career so hopefully he'll make an impact. Luke Cameron transferred from Army and also had an offer from Air Force out of high school, so he's got some talent.

Obviously asking a whole position group to stay healthy for a year is asking a lot, and the odds of it are not great.

Now to the strongest part of the defense despite some key losses, we play 5 DBs:

Jalen Phelps 5'11 175 Sr.
Korey Hernandez 5'11 180 Jr.
Freddie McGee 5'8 180 Sr.
Cathell Flowers 6'2 195 Jr.
Jeff Hubbard 5'11 180 Sr.
Corey Thomas 5'10 170 R-Fr.
Jerodd Vines 6'0 180 So.
Mark Lee Jr. 6'0 180 R-Fr.
Noski LaFleur 6'0 195 Sr.
Robert Daniel 6'0 195 R-Fr.
Joey Hiser 6'0 180 Jr.
Blake Bogan 6'2 200 Jr.
Isiah Watson 5'10 165 So.
Timarcus Simpson 5'11 180 So.
Kempton Shine 5'11 180 R-Fr despite playing four games last year
EJ Williams 6'1 211 So.
Kendric Nowling 6'2 200 R-Fr.
TJ Peavy 5'10 190 R-Fr.
Russ Vaden 6'3 210 Jr.

Lots of guys with playing experience. Just what is the best combo?

Recruits assuming these will all redshirt

David Carter Jr. 5'11 175
Tristen Hines 5'11 170
Myles McNeal 5'10 170

(06-13-2020 04:21 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Now to the strongest part of the defense despite some key losses, we play 5 DBs:

Jalen Phelps 5'11 175 Sr.
Korey Hernandez 5'11 180 Jr.
Freddie McGee 5'8 180 Sr.
Cathell Flowers 6'2 195 Jr.
Jeff Hubbard 5'11 180 Sr.
Corey Thomas 5'10 170 R-Fr.
Jerodd Vines 6'0 180 So.
Mark Lee Jr. 6'0 180 R-Fr.
Noski LaFleur 6'0 195 Sr.
Robert Daniel 6'0 195 R-Fr.
Joey Hiser 6'0 180 Jr.
Blake Bogan 6'2 200 Jr.
Isiah Watson 5'10 165 So.
Timarcus Simpson 5'11 180 So.
Kempton Shine 5'11 180 R-Fr despite playing four games last year
EJ Williams 6'1 211 So.
Kendric Nowling 6'2 200 R-Fr.
TJ Peavy 5'10 190 R-Fr.
Russ Vaden 6'3 210 Jr.

Lots of guys with playing experience. Just what is the best combo?

Recruits assuming these will all redshirt

David Carter Jr. 5'11 175
Tristen Hines 5'11 170
Myles McNeal 5'10 170

Based on last season's performances, I would expect the top 3 CBs to be Hernandez, Vines, and McGee. Bogan and Phelps probably start at safety.

However, a lot of these young guys were high level MAC recruits. There should be a lot of competition for playing time.

On question I have; can they replace Hoying? I know he wasn't an all-american or anything like that, but I always felt Brody was a key cog in the D. Smart, versatile, leader. Are one of these young guys that type of player?

(06-14-2020 07:37 AM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(06-13-2020 04:21 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Now to the strongest part of the defense despite some key losses, we play 5 DBs:

Jalen Phelps 5'11 175 Sr.
Korey Hernandez 5'11 180 Jr.
Freddie McGee 5'8 180 Sr.
Cathell Flowers 6'2 195 Jr.
Jeff Hubbard 5'11 180 Sr.
Corey Thomas 5'10 170 R-Fr.
Jerodd Vines 6'0 180 So.
Mark Lee Jr. 6'0 180 R-Fr.
Noski LaFleur 6'0 195 Sr.
Robert Daniel 6'0 195 R-Fr.
Joey Hiser 6'0 180 Jr.
Blake Bogan 6'2 200 Jr.
Isiah Watson 5'10 165 So.
Timarcus Simpson 5'11 180 So.
Kempton Shine 5'11 180 R-Fr despite playing four games last year
EJ Williams 6'1 211 So.
Kendric Nowling 6'2 200 R-Fr.
TJ Peavy 5'10 190 R-Fr.
Russ Vaden 6'3 210 Jr.

Lots of guys with playing experience. Just what is the best combo?

Recruits assuming these will all redshirt

David Carter Jr. 5'11 175
Tristen Hines 5'11 170
Myles McNeal 5'10 170

Based on last season's performances, I would expect the top 3 CBs to be Hernandez, Vines, and McGee. Bogan and Phelps probably start at safety.

However, a lot of these young guys were high level MAC recruits. There should be a lot of competition for playing time.

On question I have; can they replace Hoying? I know he wasn't an all-american or anything like that, but I always felt Brody was a key cog in the D. Smart, versatile, leader. Are one of these young guys that type of player?

This position seems like DL, few breakout all-MAC players, but a lot of players who can play MAC ball.

Agree, we have recruited well at this position.

Brody was one of those players if God had given him more speed he would have been a real star, and probably NFL material.

He has more natural ability than speed.

Mike Glass was an impact player who could change a game in a heartbeat both with his legs and his arm. He leaves a big hole at QB. And unfortunately we did not have a full spring practice and a spring game to see how well the other QBs have progressed since last fall.

Aaron Jackson 6'2 225 So. now entering his third year in the program and was highly touted. Have not seen what he is capable of.

Issac Stiebeling 6'4 215 Sr. Has seen very limited action in his EMU career, really surprised he didn't grad transfer somewhere else.

Chris Kaminski 6'3 200 R-Fr. Walk on.

Baron May 6'0 200 Fr. Likely redshirt.

Preston Hutchinson 6'2 210 Jr. Love his arm, but one game sample size.

Chris Helbig 6'4 225 Grad Transfer-nice resume at his previous schools. Can he do it in D1?

I'm sure Grissom will take some snaps at wildcat formation.