THE IUP Football Thread

[Ram040506]

I think you guys are going to like Kai Jones LB out of Dematha Catholic in Maryland. Pretty strong program, and he was a leader for them. I'll be surprised if he isn't a name to remember as his career progresses.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think you guys are going to like Kai Jones LB out of Dematha Catholic in Maryland. Pretty strong program, and he was a leader for them. I'll be surprised if he isn't a name to remember as his career progresses.

IUP did very well in the East.

Our typical trolls only know names from the Yinzerlands (where IUP doesn't overly recruit and the rest create bidding wars for so-so prospects).

[IUPNation]

IUP did very well in the East.

Our typical trolls only know names from the Yinzerlands (where IUP doesn't overly recruit and the rest create bidding wars for so-so prospects).

IUP shouldn’t be competing with Slimey Pebble for the slim pickings in the Yinzerlands..it should be going after whoever Kutztown is recruiting in the East….where there are far more options.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP shouldn’t be competing with Slimey Pebble for the slim pickings in the Yinzerlands..it should be going after whoever Kutztown is recruiting in the East….where there are far more options.

That's exactly why IUP goes so light in the WPIAL. They have, in fact, for years. This isn't anything new.

They have a handful of WPIAL schools with direct ties to the program (namely IUP people coaching those teams).

The WPIAL is also much thinner in talent across the board. The league isn't pumping out the overall depth of talent it used to.

They had a strong overall class - and got some really good players from Eastern PA and the DMV. Their limited WPIAL haul was also strong. Arguably, they got the top offensive and top defensive players (D2) from the WPIAL on Signing Day.

Put it this way, if there was a D2 Signing Day draft, I'd bet $10,000 Tort's QB was going No. 1 overall.

The New Castle LB would have likely been the first drafted defensive player.

Several of the players Tort signed from outside the WPIAL would have been superstars in the Yinzerlands league.

As always, this is a down the road conversation. Almost none of these incoming freshmen will be ready to actually play come the Fall. The jump is huge and they need a year to grow, get stronger, adjust to the speed, etc.

Teams that play true freshmen generally have major issues. The best 1-2 may play some and not redshirt. But the vast majority at IUP, as usual, will redshirt.

[iupgroundhog]

That's exactly why IUP goes so light in the WPIAL. They have, in fact, for years. This isn't anything new.

They have a handful of WPIAL schools with direct ties to the program (namely IUP people coaching those teams).

The WPIAL is also much thinner in talent across the board. The league isn't pumping out the overall depth of talent it used to.

They had a strong overall class - and got some really good players from Eastern PA and the DMV. Their limited WPIAL haul was also strong. Arguably, they got the top offensive and top defensive players (D2) from the WPIAL on Signing Day.

Put it this way, if there was a D2 Signing Day draft, I'd bet $10,000 Tort's QB was going No. 1 overall.

The New Castle LB would have likely been the first drafted defensive player.

Several of the players Tort signed from outside the WPIAL would have been superstars in the Yinzerlands league.

As always, this is a down the road conversation. Almost none of these incoming freshmen will be ready to actually play come the Fall. The jump is huge and they need a year to grow, get stronger, adjust to the speed, etc.

Teams that play true freshmen generally have major issues. The best 1-2 may play some and not redshirt. But the vast majority at IUP, as usual, will redshirt.

I think it's a high quality class. Usually when you say it's a high quality class there aren't this many signees. It's a pretty big high quality class, actually. I think the LB might get right into the mix and the WR from New Jersey could see some early playing time. There are some DL signees who could, too, depending on whether they sign some additional transfers for the defense, which I think they have to.

[Iupgh]

IUP shouldn’t be competing with Slimey Pebble for the slim pickings in the Yinzerlands..it should be going after whoever Kutztown is recruiting in the East….where there are far more options.

Most of Kutz top guys are actually from New Jersey.

[Fightingscot82]

IUP shouldn’t be competing with Slimey Pebble for the slim pickings in the Yinzerlands..it should be going after whoever Kutztown is recruiting in the East….where there are far more options.

Cal and Slippery Rock have always dominated WPIAL recruiting but there have been a few years when IUP was able to cause some chaos & damage. Something that's always impressed me about IUP is that no matter how much the coaching staff turns over, they seem to always pull impact kids from SEPA and the DMV. I know its not a huge number but I feel like IUP has had a dozen All Americans just from DeMatha.

[Ram040506]

Cal and Slippery Rock have always dominated WPIAL recruiting but there have been a few years when IUP was able to cause some chaos & damage. Something that's always impressed me about IUP is that no matter how much the coaching staff turns over, they seem to always pull impact kids from SEPA and the DMV. I know its not a huge number but I feel like IUP has had a dozen All Americans just from DeMatha.

I've always wondered why Shepherd has struggled recruiting the WCAC kids down in the DMV. This is Shepherd's prime recruiting area, yet they don't seem to get much traction with the private schools down here. I can remember maybe 1 or 2 Dematha or Good Counsel kids on Shepherd's team in the last 20 years.

[Tdobson]

I've always wondered why Shepherd has struggled recruiting the WCAC kids down in the DMV. This is Shepherd's prime recruiting area, yet they don't seem to get much traction with the private schools down here. I can remember maybe 1 or 2 Dematha or Good Counsel kids on Shepherd's team in the last 20 years.

I always wonder why Martinsburg football players don't go there. It's right down the road. I would have a recruiter there at every game. I find it unusual because Martinsburg is one of the best football teams in the state each and every year.

[IUPFan69]

I saw on Twitter that IUP recently hired Michael Tortorella as an offensive assistant. What’s the relationship between him and the head coach?

[Fightingscot82]

I saw on Twitter that IUP recently hired Michael Tortorella as an offensive assistant. What’s the relationship between him and the head coach?

Its his son.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Two IUP targets signed with others.

Derry's big OL got a very late PWO offer from Pitt and he took it.

Jeannette's QB (who will play WR in college) signed with Bobby Mo.

I'd guess we may still see them some day.

[Fightingscot82]

Boy imagine how far down the depth chart you'd have to be now that rosters are up to 120 and you still don't get a scholarship.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Boy imagine how far down the depth chart you'd have to be now that rosters are up to 120 and you still don't get a scholarship.

There will be an awful lot of kids on rosters that have no business making a college football team and most of them will never see a snap. The trickle down effect for camps, showcases, recruiting services, etc. will be good though because more “dreams will come true.” I don’t want to pick on a kid that truly has a dream to be on a roster, but it sure would be interesting to see what some of these families spend on time and money chasing it, only to have it crash land with no scholarship and being the 7th right tackle on the depth chart at Swashbuckle Tech for $60k per year.

[Tdobson]

I remember when Cignetti Sr. would raid the Pitt football teams for kids who didn't play. He got some great athletes that way.

I know its nice to play D1, but there are many great athletes doing D2 and D3.