The dominoes are starting to fall with LR players hitting the portal

[FootballCoach]

Also, Penick just received 3 offers in 24 hours. Davenport, Mississippi Valley State and Tiffin

Miquel Mason has also entered the portal and received an offer from Bluefield State. There is a RUMOR that several players have been removed from the team in the past week. Not sure if this is fact though so I will not say any names.

Jakobe Lane has entered the portal. The rumor seems to be true. There is one other name that I have also heard on the DL.

[Eagle74]

Jakobe Lane has entered the portal. The rumor seems to be true. There is one other name that I have also heard on the DL.

Are there many left?

[BearFan1]

The below rankings are strictly my OPINION. Feel free to disagree and I honestly would love to hear your thoughts! Ranked 1-5. 5 Being the best. Reasoning stated after...

Jon Ross Maye - Utah State. (Helped 5/5). G5 school that I think he has the ability to start games at. They have not been the greatest recently but have been a consistent bowl team. They seem to have a good fan base with a great game day atmosphere. I think this is a great pick by Jon Ross!

C'Darius Kelley - Wake Forest. (Helped 5/5). Chance to play in the ACC... Why not?! Wake Forest was down last year but I think this gives him a better shot at becoming a starter. From what I have seen at LR games, C'Darius is a lock down corner at the D2 level. Will this carry over to a P4 school? I guess we will see! Regardless, this will be an amazing experience for this young man!

Malachi Sumner - Virginia Union. (Helped 5/5). I have spoken with Malachi since he entered the portal and he said he left for 3 reasons. 1. To go to a school that offered his grad school major. 2. To see life outside of Hickory (Hickory HS grad). 3. to have the opportunity to be THE GUY. I believe this choice gives him all 3 and also the ability to play for a championship contending program!

Dwayne McGee - Mercer. (Helped 4/5). Already knows the offense. Their starting RB graduated. Their 2nd leading rusher was the QB. I think he has a good chance of starting for Mercer at the FCS level which I think he can be productive at. Out of his choices, I think he made the right decision!

Xavier Jennings - Mercer. (Helped 4/5). I gave this a 4/5 because I don't understand turning down some of the G5 offers. Although Michigan State offers players 30K NIL just to be on the team, I don't think he is good enough to play there. I understand that one. G5? I think he could play and have a really cool experience. Xavier SHOULD start at Mercer. Their OL was awful, giving up 29 sacks last season. He will know the offense and should be an FCS starter. Good choice.

Kelin Parsons - Mercer. (Helped 4/5). Similar reasoning to McGee and Jennings. Top 2 WR's graduated. No one else had significant Receiving yards or catches. He already knows the offense so he SHOULD be able to come in and start at the FCS level.

Joel Hunt - ECSU. (Helped 3/5). Hunt got very little playing time while at LR. I believe he could see significant PT which is a win for him even if it is for a subpar team. I believe he also graduated from LR so he is continuing to get his masters degree paid for (probably more than he was at LR). Good choice. 3/5 only because they stink.

Ryan Frans - Valdosta State (Helped 3/5). This is a good decision only if he was not starting at LR. If he had earned a starting job at LR, then this is not a good move for him. Valdosta State's OL was their week spot last year and could never establish any kind of run game. I think he could earn a starting job there. If he does and was not starting at LR then this helps him. Valdosta State has a rich history and should continue to be a contender.

Will Montgomery - Winston Salem State (Helped 3/5). Similar reasons to Joel. Will never saw any meaningful playing time while at LR. Even though WSSU has been down, they are historically a good team and a well known HBCU. If he can get playing time here, I think this helps him.

Malachi Howell - Chowan. (Helped 3/5). Chowan stinks but I don't even remember seeing him on the sidelines and don't think I saw him at practice either when I stopped by. Was he even on the team this fall? Regardless of whether Chowan wins a game or not, at least this gives him a chance to play.

Luke Gilbertson - Gardner Webb. (Hurt 2/5). Did not play his first season at LR other than in garbage time and some special teams. I do not think he is good enough to play at GWU. I think he will be a career bench rider here on an average (yes I know they have won conference with the last staff) FCS team with worse facilities, location and game day experience.

Jusean Parks - Newberry. (Hurt 2/5). Same conference as LR but not as good of academics, facilities or football. I think Newberry will show progress this season but I do not believe they will be a contender as they have been in the past. I do not understand this move. It is a little closer to home and maybe he feels like he can play there. If he ends up starting then this could change my opinion.

Toney Black - Washburn. (Hurt 2/5). How does he even have eligibility? These covid years are wild haha Not sure why he would leave to go to Kansas to play for a bad football team. Makes no sense to me... Bad choice if he could have returned to LR.

DJ Taylor - Western Illinois. (Hurt 1/5). Probably the WORST decision I have seen. DJ had some decent choices with Alcorn State and Alabama A&M. Why he would choose to go to a program that is in the middle of no where Illinois, with worse facilities than LR, that hasn't had a winning record since 2017, I have no idea. Especially when he was one of the few players LR had on DL with playing experience. Have fun going 0-11 again!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Football Coach, Thanks for this review. I really appreciate the time and effort that you put into sharing your thoughts.
Best of luck to each of the players. At the end of the day, I hope we all hope each young man achieves their goal(s).

If you could and would, share your thoughts on the young men that are coming into the LR program via the portal. Also, any thoughts on the freshman coming in.

[Eagle74]

Hmmm, might want to research the academics and acceptance requirements of Newberry compared to LR before posting.
Western Illinois has a pretty nice stadium which holds around twice as many people as LR.
Also, take a look at tuition costs of LR compared to some of these other schools as more and more students are considering college debt in making decisions.
Take into consideration that some students just might not really like being in Hickory and are ready for other options.




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06-08-2024, 06:10 PM

Eagle, thanks again for your spot on observations and valued insight.

Please continue to post your corrections of other posts where the need of non bias research is required. You are truly an inspiration for posters looking for bonfied information about Division 2 Football;)





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06-08-2024, 06:15 PM
Eagle74




Thank you!!







.

[FootballCoach]

Opinion on Incoming Transfer Players...

Zion Agnew WR from ECU - Listed as 5'10 170. No game experience at ECU. I believe he was a scholarship player though. I liked the film I saw. Shows decent speed, good body control coming in and out of breaks. Not going to be a burner or an ELITE route runner but I think he could see some playing time this season. I don't see him beating out Songa Yates or Dearee Rogers in the slot but I think he will play. Good take, depending on scholarship money used.

Jason Campbell WR from Miami (FL) - Listed as 6' 180. Was a walk on at Miami. I don't think he will see the field as a starter this season but I could be wrong. Losing most X and Z WR's other than Dom Marshall could open up that room for a guy his size.

Nic Cheeley DB from Eastern Kentucky - Listed as 6'1 180. SAF. An absolutely AMAZING get by the Chaffee Interim staff. 4 year starter at EKU. I think he will be a force for the DB room. He will join James Ussery and Deshaun Whitmire at safety. Recorded 80 tackles, and 4 pass break ups last season. Probably my favorite take

Erik Garrett OL from North Greenville - Listed as 6'3 290. Either a 2 or 3 year starter at NGU. I have heard mixed reviews on him. Although he brings experience, I heard that he did not have a great spring. Time will tell. Worst case, he adds depth to center where LR lost 1st, 2nd and 3rd string players.

Anthony Hightower DB from JUCO - CB. Listed as 5'11 175. I think he gets playing time this season. The CB room is very weak. Wasn't the strongest last season and they lost CD Kelley and TJ Blanding (both starting CBs). I believe he moves well and makes some good plays on the ball when it is in the air. I look to see him getting significant playing time this season.

JT Black DL from Keiser - I couldnt find film

Chris Wehnert OL from Keiser - I couldnt find film

Jaelin Willis LB from Keiser (two time NAIA all American) - I would assume he would start. Lost both starting LB's from last season and a few back ups as well. No one with significant playing experience at the position and he already knows the defense. I look for him to start. I watched a little film. Seems to move decent and strike you.

I will look at incoming HS guys when I have time!

[BearFan1]

Hey Football Coach, I do not know if I will ever like you (would have to share a really good hot dog with you to know that) but I sure do appreciate the time and effort you are putting in to sharing information and opinion with the rest of us.
I was not able to get to LR for the Martha Wright event but wish I could have, especially if you were there.

Since I am beginning to believe that you are also a REAL Bear Fan, how about adding the Mt Airy Bears to your list and come share a tailgate meal with a bunch of us. First game is at 2A North Surry, second game is at home against 2A East Surry.

Invitation could be extended to other LR Fans if they would be interested.

[BEARS]

The WR pickups are interesting. For my money the WR room is the strongest returning group in the team. DeAree and Songa are incredible, it’ll be very hard to outplace those guys.

[FootballCoach]

The WR pickups are interesting. For my money the WR room is the strongest returning group in the team. DeAree and Songa are incredible, it’ll be very hard to outplace those guys.

I wish LR hadn't lost Jakobe Lane. Kid could SCOOT and his COD skills were incredible for D2. Between those 3, LR could have had the best slot WR's in D2

[FootballCoach]

Hey Football Coach, I do not know if I will ever like you (would have to share a really good hot dog with you to know that) but I sure do appreciate the time and effort you are putting in to sharing information and opinion with the rest of us.
I was not able to get to LR for the Martha Wright event but wish I could have, especially if you were there.

Since I am beginning to believe that you are also a REAL Bear Fan, how about adding the Mt Airy Bears to your list and come share a tailgate meal with a bunch of us. First game is at 2A North Surry, second game is at home against 2A East Surry.

Invitation could be extended to other LR Fans if they would be interested.

I also was not able to go. I really do appreciate this invite! I will check my game schedule and get back to you on this!

[FootballCoach]

LR HS Recruit Info... Names and HS are the only fact. The analysis is my opinion!

Mikel McClellan WR (JL Mann HS, SC) - Like the return game that he shows on film. Looks to have good speed and accel, as well as good hands. Doesn't fight the ball. Very productive kid. Size is a concern. Listed as 5'9 165. Not a huge issue but can only play slot. I like this tape

Brodie Bradburn LB (Carrolton HS, GA) - Plays with a great base and leverage. Shows tracks where he eats up space. 7A state runner up in GA. I think this kid can be productive

Andrew Attmore II QB (Dudley HS, NC)- Numbers look great. Very productive, Accurate and good decision maker. Not the most athletic build. Can take care of the ball. 145-207 (70%) 2406 yds, 30 TDs, 4 INTs. I know this kid is productive and I know this is going to be a very UNPOPULAR opinion but I do not love this kid. There is just something about his film that I'm not a huge fan of. I think he's a great HS player that will not pan out. We will see.

Trey Brenton RB (Thomas County Central HS, GA)- Power back. Love this kid. I think he will be a great addition the the RB room. Shows some speed and burst but I like his ability to run through tackles and see the hole.

Jamir Fox RB (Ashbrook HS, NC)- Good speed and burst for a heavier back. Able to run thru ankle tackles. Downhill, 1 cut runner who shows good vision between the tackles. Not the most elusive. Injuries in HS are a concern. Can he stay healthy?

Oshea Brooks DL (Lowndes HS, GA)- Explosive. Good motor and get off. Physical. Only 220 but has long arms. I like him.

Caleb Alexander WR/TE (Irmo HS, SC)- Undersized TE/ATH. Would have to play off the ball TE in my opinion bc of his build. Good overall athlete. Catches the ball well. Has good run after catch ability. Limited in the run game. If he runs well enough can play WR

RJ Flemmings DL (Woodmont HS, SC)- Great frame. Long arms, big body, has some twitch but not the best. Physical kid. I think he will do well at NG in the new odd front. He is a gap plugger for sure. Not sure about getting sacks but at nose that is rarely expected in an odd front.

Jeremiah Branscomb CB (Carver HS, GA)- Aggressive CB, tracks the ball well in the air. Has a good feel at the safety position as well reading pass concepts

There's a ton more recruits to get through but that's what I have so far!

[BEARS]

Andrew Attmore II QB (Dudley HS, NC)- Numbers look great. Very productive, Accurate and good decision maker. Not the most athletic build. Can take care of the ball. 145-207 (70%) 2406 yds, 30 TDs, 4 INTs. I know this kid is productive and I know this is going to be a very UNPOPULAR opinion but I do not love this kid. There is just something about his film that I'm not a huge fan of. I think he's a great HS player that will not pan out. We will see.

This is an unpopular opinion. You don't become the all time Greensboro area leading passer and win first team all state unless you are a special player. He'll be the QB1 soon enough. But you're right, we will see....

[FootballCoach]

Trevor Strowbridge DB (Calvary Day, GA) - Plays both CB and SAF. Phyiscal kid who wants to tackle. Needs to put on some weight. Really good coverage player. Probably will be SAF.

Javion Lammie DL (Crestwood HS, SC) - Big kid. Will have to play NG in an odd front because of his lack of ability to bend the edge. I like his size and physicality. Uses his hands well. Stiff in COD. Good get.

Quincy Smith DL (Shiloh HS, GA) - Another big body. Lands his hands well. Shows some twitch and ability to shed blocks. A lot more stiff than Javion. For that reason I like Lammie more but I don't think this kid is a bad take for the right amount of money.

Chip Coleman SAF (Cardinal Gibbons HS, NC) - Bigger DB. I like the frame. Really good closing speed and a solid tackler. Surprised this kid didn't get bigger offers. I like this kid. Could turn into an OLB.

Courtney Watson DL (Sebring HS, FL) - Stand up DE on tape. Very twitchy. Shows some stiffness in his hips. Also plays Apex at times. Physical but doesn't look great in space. Has some speed to go along with his twitch. Does hand his hands well at times. I think this is a good D2 take. I see why he didn't get bigger offers but good player

Collin Wilson OL (Mainland HS, FL) - Well... He's going to be hard to run around. Kid is MASSIVE. Listed at 6'7 320. Has terribly slow feet and could have a hard time picking up LB's at the next level. Like him. Don't love him.

Daylon Johnson LB (Greenville HS, SC) - Can come downhill QUICKLY and loves to strike you. Very physical but never actually form tackles. It will be interesting to see if that will effect him at the next level. He is VERY stiff and can't change direction. He's going to have to be an inside LB in the 3-4. Definitely could not play for the previous defensive scheme but possibly can in this scheme with him not having to track and is just coming down hill.

Deontae Starr DB (Clover HS, SC) - Plays CB. Long kid. Listed at 6'. Very long strider but has good long speed. Decent ball skills and ability to use size to high point the ball. Tackles well enough for a CB.

Amari Yelding QB (Ben C. Rain, AL) - Solid player. Clean throwing motion. Does a good job of avoiding the rush and making off schedule plays. Very strong runner and could be a +1 type player for inside zone.

Taiden Mines QB (Lexington HS, SC) - Very undersized. 5'10. Decent arm strength on intermediate passing game. CAN scramble but not elite at it. Can't throw the deep ball. Not a huge fan of this one.

Ja'Saan Faulkner CB (St. James HS, SC) - Small cat. 5'9. Not extremely fast for his size. Not the greatest COD either. Not a bad player but not LR caliber. I would assume he's a Walk on

Parker McCall OL (Northwest Guilford, NC)- Decent size. Plays center. Stops his feet on contact several times which isn't good. His "pancakes" are mostly just torquing guys to the ground. Not a fan.

Josh Krueger OL (Tuscola HS, NC)- Only film of first 3 games. Was he injured? Big kid. Decent feet in pass pro. Very much a position blocker in the run game. Probably not a guy.

AJ Pardue ATH (Starmount HS, NC)- I like this kid. I have no clue what he will actually play but he's physical and plays a ton of different positions. If LR is using a fullback, I think this is the GUY! I think he is too small to play TE but is good at blocking. His 3 point stance really bothers me though lol. Starmount rarely has guys but this is a great get by LR. The only recent Starmount guy I know of went to Losegate and was pretty dang good for them!

Jordan Gilliam DB (Catawba Ridge, SC)- Good ball skills, decent job of anticipating routes. Good many INTs. Does NOT LIKE CONTACT AT ALL. Everything else he does is super clean. Good hips and footwork

Brayden Rivenbark WR (Leesville Road, NC)- Slot WR. Looks like a possession guy. Consistent in catches. Shows he can be a threat in the intermediate passing game. Not a big vertical threat. Just an ok runner

Ryan Fletcher DL (Alpharetta HS, GA)- High motor kid. Works speed to power well. Physical and strong. Uses hands well.

Randall Crew DL (Enloe HS, NC)- Stiff and light. Doesn't fire off the ball as much as I would like to see on the first clips he shows. Not the biggest fan

Walker Broome SPEC (TL Hanna HS, SC) - didn't have film

JoJo Barrett LB/DB (Boiling Springs HS, SC)- Really good football player. Good burst and is able to close. Plays with good control and leverage. All that is great but boy is he TINY haha

Tristan Haddock OL (Bunker Hill HS, NC)- Already on campus. Not sure how he did in the spring. Great frame. Really good bend for a guy his size. Plays with good body control. HE IS GOOOOOD. Not sure how LR got him with all his offers. Possibly the best get in the OL room. Not saying he will start this year but I think he will be great during his time at LR

That concludes all of the HS players that I know of... Let me know if I missed someone!! BUT I did forget a transfer that I saw posted.

Grant Copeland from ECU. He was an OL from West Forsyth. 6'3 292 on their website!

[BearFan1]

Kaven White from Lake Norman HS, corner Back, about 6'0'', maybe 6'1", solid looking athlete and I am told has really good speed. He signed a little later in the signing season. Would like your thoughts if you can find film, Thanks Football Coach.

I saw Starmount's Pardue at least 4 times and I agree with your assessment. He is a stud of a player.

[FootballCoach]

Kaven White from Lake Norman HS, corner Back, about 6'0'', maybe 6'1", solid looking athlete and I am told has really good speed. He signed a little later in the signing season. Would like your thoughts if you can find film, Thanks Football Coach.

I saw Starmount's Pardue at least 4 times and I agree with your assessment. He is a stud of a player.

Kavin White wasn't posted that's why I didn't add him. Other names I heard were Spencer Baldwin from Mount Airy and Nigel Dula from Draughn but again, they weren't posted. Just in case, here are my notes on these 3 players.

Kavin White DB (Lake Norman HS, NC)- Plays CB. Like his speed and burst. Probably a safety in college. Seems to have some stiffness to him. Decent ball skills. Trouble getting out of breaks. Tape is from both his jr and sr years though so it is hard to really say for sure bc I don't always know which is which.

Nigel Dula RB (Draughn HS, NC)- Very productive against bad comp. Does not have a great top end but hits it quickly. I like his ability to run and break arm tackles. Came close to breaking Burke County rushing record. Got hurt his junior year. Knee injury. Might have effected his speed. Looks like a bigger kid though. I think he can add value to the RB room. 2nd or 3rd favorite though. Brenton is my top RB out of the 3.

Spencer Baldwin OL (Mount Airy HS, NC)- Tall kid. 6'6. Looks to have a good frame on film. Needs to put on a ton of weight to be able to play at the next level. I like his physicality and want to. Pass pro might be an issue simply because he never had to do it

[Eagle74]

Tristan Haddock OL (Bunker Hill HS, NC)- Already on campus. Not sure how he did in the spring. Great frame. Really good bend for a guy his size. Plays with good body control. HE IS GOOOOOD. Not sure how LR got him with all his offers. Possibly the best get in the OL room.

Nice size, and looked good against lower division small school programs. We'll see how he does when tested again bigger, faster, and stronger players. I wish him the best.