THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No behind the scenes talk of some of the recruits having promise that they've had in previous years? Or do you think word is out that you shouldn't go there because you will get recruited over by transfer mercenaries? Marchitelli or Horn don't have any positive reviews through the grapevine?

I'd have to assume opposing coaches spin it hard when they are recruiting the same QBs. It's been a long, long time since a high school-recruited QB started a game for IUP. Even Lenny, technically, was a transfer (although he started 4 years). I take that back. Javon Davis did make two starts although he was just filling in for Harry while he had Covid.

They signed two high school QBs this year. Odds are one of them will be gone after next season.

Horn was a 'program guy' and was never expected to be a starter. He was a serviceable backup but there was never any expectation he'd take over the job. He still left early even after they knew Sexton was leaving so what's that tell you.

Marchitelli is a bit different case. He played his post-grad year at The Kiski School (which is a high-end all boys' school not far from IUP). They play other prep schools (no WPIAL games as they have many post-grad players). He's also from (I think) Colorado, so between Kiski Prep being kind of off the typical radar of PSAC schools (most kids don't go to KP for $55,000/year to attend a state school) and being from out of the area ... he may have kind of fell through a bit. He's a big dude, physically, with a big arm and is mobile.

As somebody else mentioned, the transfer from Mars Hill may be a nice signing. He had some injury issues in high school and fell off the radar a bit. He has a really nice arm and can also really run.

All of that said, the 2023 starter isn't signed yet. They'll find him.

[Ram040506]

IUP had the luxury of Sexton going through Spring Ball with the team. That's a huge bonus. Of course, Maxwell and Woodberry weren't here for the Spring and they did just fine.

I'm confident they'll find a good one. Sooner or later they'll miss on one of these QB imports. Let's just hope it isn't this year. It would be nice not to go through this yearly. If anything, they are going to have much better QB depth this Fall than in a long time.

No behind the scenes talk of some of the recruits having promise that they've had in previous years? Or do you think word is out that you shouldn't go there because you will get recruited over by transfer mercenaries? Marchitelli or Horn don't have any positive reviews through the grapevine?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The difference is that we went from knowing what we've got to not knowing. It will be someone new.

The guy from Mars Hill could be a diamond in the rough. Apparently, some people thought he might have been the best QB in Central Florida as a senior but he was outside of the major media markets and didn't get a lot of attention. Also, I think his junior year he missed a lot of time due to injury. He's a dual-threat QB. So is Marchitelli. Hey, we could go back to the freshman Lenny offense.

They are both young, though. If IUP could land a high-profile transfer like they have in the past, he could be the missing piece in what could be a very big season.

I know, I know, everybody thinks the SR1 programs can't compete. If all of the pieces come together they could go far. Hopefully, Stewart and Lockhart recover from their injuries.

IUP had the luxury of Sexton going through Spring Ball with the team. That's a huge bonus. Of course, Maxwell and Woodberry weren't here for the Spring and they did just fine.

I'm confident they'll find a good one. Sooner or later they'll miss on one of these QB imports. Let's just hope it isn't this year. It would be nice not to go through this yearly. If anything, they are going to have much better QB depth this Fall than in a long time.

[IUPalum]

Not true, always said he was solid but never the best ever don’t make things up. Probably third best out of last 4 starters who were all good players.

If I had the time to go back and quote you I would... you now changed your tune.

[Iupgh]

God, now Sexton is replaceable? Just a few months ago you were saying he was the best QB to ever play at IUP. Hypocrite!

Not true, always said he was solid but never the best ever don’t make things up. Probably third best out of last 4 starters who were all good players.

[iupgroundhog]

They'll find somebody. They found Maxwell and then Harry and then Mak.

Whomever it is will be walking in to a fantastic situation and great skill players and (as of yesterday) a monster OL.

It could be the Romano kid from Mars Hill. We'll see.

They also signed two high school QBs yesterday, although we clearly don't want a true freshman QB in the Fall.

The difference is that we went from knowing what we've got to not knowing. It will be someone new.

The guy from Mars Hill could be a diamond in the rough. Apparently, some people thought he might have been the best QB in Central Florida as a senior but he was outside of the major media markets and didn't get a lot of attention. Also, I think his junior year he missed a lot of time due to injury. He's a dual-threat QB. So is Marchitelli. Hey, we could go back to the freshman Lenny offense.

They are both young, though. If IUP could land a high-profile transfer like they have in the past, he could be the missing piece in what could be a very big season.

I know, I know, everybody thinks the SR1 programs can't compete. If all of the pieces come together they could go far. Hopefully, Stewart and Lockhart recover from their injuries.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tort said Dayjure Stewart had surgery the first week of January and will likely miss the first couple games.

So, that sounds like a major surgery.

That leaves Houser and Younger in addition to the rumor of a transfer RB.

[IUPalum]

Very replaceable, good player for sure but did have some issues size, throwing picks, limited mobility if any…A great time to get a guy is May when portal opens with the guys that see the writing on the wall from spring ball. Very attractive opening, huge offensive line 2 great receivers and soon to be 2 great backs. In addition probably 8 starters returning on Defense.

God, now Sexton is replaceable? Just a few months ago you were saying he was the best QB to ever play at IUP. Hypocrite!

[Iupgh]

Mak Sexton has “entered the workforce” per Matt’s article the Gazette. That’s going to dampen expectations around here. I don’t care who they find out there, the reality is having Mak back for a second year would have been better than whatever they find on the scrap heap later this spring.

I know not everyone was fond of Mak because he did have a tendency to throw into coverage, but that kid could make throws that you see at the D1 level. His arm talent was exceptional for DII.

Very replaceable, good player for sure but did have some issues size, throwing picks, limited mobility if any…A great time to get a guy is May when portal opens with the guys that see the writing on the wall from spring ball. Very attractive opening, huge offensive line 2 great receivers and soon to be 2 great backs. In addition probably 8 starters returning on Defense.

[IUPNation]

They'll find somebody. They found Maxwell and then Harry and then Mak.

Whomever it is will be walking in to a fantastic situation and great skill players and (as of yesterday) a monster OL.

It could be the Romano kid from Mars Hill. We'll see.

They also signed two high school QBs yesterday, although we clearly don't want a true freshman QB in the Fall.

The kid from Upper Merion is from Bridgeport which is the hometown for both sides of my family so I’m already on his side.

[iupgroundhog]

Horn was never going to play at IUP pending some disaster and Krug was a D3 guy on the roster.

They'll have Marchitelli and the Mars Hill transfer for the Spring ... and will just have to make do. They signed two high school QBs yesterday and will add the likely starter soon enough. So, they will likely have (5) on the Fall roster.

Correct. It's virtually a complete turnover at the QB position. Just sayin'.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I agree with all that but right now they appear a little thin at the QB position. They lost Krug earlier and now Sexton and the article says Horn has moved on (He will probably surface as a starter somewhere in the fall). Marchitelli looked fabulous on his highlight reels. Sexton leaving makes things interesting. IUP should also have an awesome running game in '23.

Horn was never going to play at IUP pending some disaster and Krug was a D3 guy on the roster.

They'll have Marchitelli and the Mars Hill transfer for the Spring ... and will just have to make do. They signed two high school QBs yesterday and will add the likely starter soon enough. So, they will likely have (5) on the Fall roster.

[EyeoftheHawk]

One thing we’ve learned, especially in recent years, is that success is more of a year-to-year deal than in the days of building classes and having them develop through the system. Most teams will have a half dozen or more kids lining up for them in the starting lineup that played elsewhere the year before. Instead of building sustained success through the program it’s more about getting a group of strangers to play well together quickly. Your team that finished 10-0 in the previous regular season could drop to 6-4 the next if the pieces don’t fit.

I guess we’ll see how it goes but right now it’s a lot of guessing and hoping. Obviously QB is a priority. Right now the QB room is a drawer full of batteries that you don’t know if they’re good or out of juice. You might get lucky and find one or two that can do the job, but it sounds like IUP is focused on buying new. The cycle continues.

[iupgroundhog]

IUP will find a QB, heck, that QB could already be there or signed. We have no idea. For what it's worth, the offense around that position is fully loaded even with losing Brown.

I agree with all that but right now they appear a little thin at the QB position. They lost Krug earlier and now Sexton and the article says Horn has moved on (He will probably surface as a starter somewhere in the fall). Marchitelli looked fabulous on his highlight reels. Sexton leaving makes things interesting. IUP should also have an awesome running game in '23.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP will find a QB, heck, that QB could already be there or signed. We have no idea. For what it's worth, the offense around that position is fully loaded even with losing Brown.

Tort pretty much said in the paper today they are already talking to a D2 transfer QB (but didn't say much more).

IUP will be an extremely well-stocked landing spot for a transfer QB. I'm not worried about it. He also said they are adding more transfers after Spring Ball.

Perhaps he'll discuss it a bit more on his show tonight (but I doubt it).