THE IUP Football Thread

[Fightingscot82]

I wish I could remember all of the names from the past who were high school recruits that played the QB position. My personal favorites...

-Andre Druitt-Parks, who was better known here as "ADP." Came from the famous Imhotep Charter in Philly. Extremely hyped. Man was that a disappointment.

-Then there was Eddie Stockett, also known as Eddie $tockett (Where have you gone IUPCrimsonHawks - seriously, he just disappeared from the board). He was the subject of many debates regarding the QB position during the Chase Haslett experiment. At no point have I ever been more uncomfortable reading this message board. Seemed like Eddie had more than one chance to show Curt he could play well at this level. And time after time he didn't show enough. The former 2-star recruit from McKeesport eventually fizzled out and left IUP.

-Yahmir Wilkinson. He came in the same 2018 graduating class as Javon Davis. IUP was supposed to be set at QB for the next 4 years. It was to be a massive battle for the backup job that year, to then take over for Lenny in 2019. Wilkinson left IUP before the fall semester finished in 2018. Word of advice... Never recruit lefty QBs...

-An ode to my freshman year at IUP, Matteo Gazelle. He had no hype and nobody expected a darn thing, but man was that guy known around campus. He brought the swag in from Key West, FL. Maybe the biggest partier on the IUP football team. Never once stepped off the sidelines.

Yahmir Wilkinson was such an enigma. He was universally heralded as very athletic and talented at QB but unfortunately never made it. When he realized he wasn't on the right track at IUP he transferred to West Chester where he ended up with 11 total passing attempts and 38 rushing attempts over 13 games. I have to think that had he not gone to IUP and instead to a school where he had a much better chance of starting things could have been different. I don't think his dexterity has anything to do with it. Part was committing to a school that was already loaded at QB but mostly not being able to adapt to the college game. I don't think it was for a lack of talent. Hopefully he earned a degree and is enjoying a career with much less debt than the average kid.

[ironmaniup]

I wish I could remember all of the names from the past who were high school recruits that played the QB position. My personal favorites...

-Andre Druitt-Parks, who was better known here as "ADP." Came from the famous Imhotep Charter in Philly. Extremely hyped. Man was that a disappointment.

-Then there was Eddie Stockett, also known as Eddie $tockett (Where have you gone IUPCrimsonHawks - seriously, he just disappeared from the board). He was the subject of many debates regarding the QB position during the Chase Haslett experiment. At no point have I ever been more uncomfortable reading this message board. Seemed like Eddie had more than one chance to show Curt he could play well at this level. And time after time he didn't show enough. The former 2-star recruit from McKeesport eventually fizzled out and left IUP.

-Yahmir Wilkinson. He came in the same 2018 graduating class as Javon Davis. IUP was supposed to be set at QB for the next 4 years. It was to be a massive battle for the backup job that year, to then take over for Lenny in 2019. Wilkinson left IUP before the fall semester finished in 2018. Word of advice... Never recruit lefty QBs...

-An ode to my freshman year at IUP, Matteo Gazelle. He had no hype and nobody expected a darn thing, but man was that guy known around campus. He brought the swag in from Key West, FL. Maybe the biggest partier on the IUP football team. Never once stepped off the sidelines.

ADP was a huge disappointment, since he kept ending up ineligible due to academics, but did have some impressive moments. The other one was Isaiah Hankins, who impressed everyone during his first scrimmage, and then they couldn't get him to go to classes.

[IUP24]

Is it at the front of the season right after the opener with Ashland? That would be a hoot.

Speaking of Ashland... Is there any potential chance or rumor that they could move that game to the Thursday night? They did that in 2017 when they played at Miller Stadium, and I felt it was a fantastic decision. Thursday night before Labor Day weekend. People leaving town didn't leave yet. You weren't competing with the opening weekend of the D1 season. Had a great crowd with a fantastic atmosphere. I hope they do that again.

If you recall, Ashland did the same thing in 2018.

[IUP24]

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.

I wish I could remember all of the names from the past who were high school recruits that played the QB position. My personal favorites...

-Andre Druitt-Parks, who was better known here as "ADP." Came from the famous Imhotep Charter in Philly. Extremely hyped. Man was that a disappointment.

-Then there was Eddie Stockett, also known as Eddie $tockett (Where have you gone IUPCrimsonHawks - seriously, he just disappeared from the board). He was the subject of many debates regarding the QB position during the Chase Haslett experiment. At no point have I ever been more uncomfortable reading this message board. Seemed like Eddie had more than one chance to show Curt he could play well at this level. And time after time he didn't show enough. The former 2-star recruit from McKeesport eventually fizzled out and left IUP.

-Yahmir Wilkinson. He came in the same 2018 graduating class as Javon Davis. IUP was supposed to be set at QB for the next 4 years. It was to be a massive battle for the backup job that year, to then take over for Lenny in 2019. Wilkinson left IUP before the fall semester finished in 2018. Word of advice... Never recruit lefty QBs...

-An ode to my freshman year at IUP, Matteo Gazelle. He had no hype and nobody expected a darn thing, but man was that guy known around campus. He brought the swag in from Key West, FL. Maybe the biggest partier on the IUP football team. Never once stepped off the sidelines.

[Fightingscot82]

Is it at the front of the season right after the opener with Ashland? That would be a hoot.

I think middle of the season from what I remember.

[Ram040506]

Someone shared the 2024 & 2025 PSAC schedules with me and you all will be happy to know...the streak of IUP having Slippery Rock & Cal back-to-back comes to an end. The best part? It resumes in 2025.

Is it at the front of the season right after the opener with Ashland? That would be a hoot.

[Fightingscot82]

Someone shared the 2024 & 2025 PSAC schedules with me and you all will be happy to know...the streak of IUP having Slippery Rock & Cal back-to-back comes to an end. The best part? It resumes in 2025.

[Predatory Primates]

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.

His arm talent was undeniable. I was looking forward to seeing what he could do after 2 years in the same system, as that's something he never had.

[iupgroundhog]

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.

Horn might have been a "program guy" but in one of the games he played more than just mop-up duty and he looked pretty darn good. It was also mentioned that he did graduate, so we'll see. Possibly his college football days are over.

[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.