NSU Wolves Football - 2024

[TJE_]

The Wolves just got a commitment from a D1 dual threat QB from Northern Arizona/Montana. This changes the outlook a little bit next season. I assume he is going to be the guy in the fall

I don’t think that’s the case. This guy has barely played in his three years at NAU and Montana. There is concern around all the injuries they had last year and I believe Hein wanted more depth of guys he felt were ready to play. I do know that Hein values more of the dual threat type QB that Hackel and Van Landingham brought to the table and this guy fits that mold.

[oldyellaHer69]

The Wolves just got a commitment from a D1 dual threat QB from Northern Arizona/Montana. This changes the outlook a little bit next season. I assume he is going to be the guy in the fall

Isnt the outlook always to go 6-5 plus/minus one w/l

[vikingfaithful]

Isnt the outlook always to go 6-5 plus/minus one w/l

You can add an additional plus one when the Jimbos are on the schedule.

[Matt Witwicki]

I didn’t get the impression leaving the spring game with MSU that the Wolves were real happy with their inability to stretch the field and felt like their offense might need a boost or two. Maybe that comes in the form of a dual threat QB (who’s shorter but has been a proven winner in the past)..and maybe they also look for a difference maker at wideout. I get the impression that if Hackel is good to go this Summer (he wasn’t in the spring) that he will be favored in the QB race..to compete with the new guy. Just the feel I’m getting. Both have more of the dual threat ability. If you are using your QB in that way, you put yourself in a bad spot if you don’t have a backup that you think can run that offense if needed too. Keep in mind this will be a new offensive install to some extent. So, each QB should kinda be learning things and nobody should have a big advantage with the playbook.

[BulldogFan]

The Wolves just got a commitment from a D1 dual threat QB from Northern Arizona/Montana. This changes the outlook a little bit next season. I assume he is going to be the guy in the fall

Augustana also had a bounce back QB from Utah or Utah St. that I don't think ever saw the field. The Dogs had Logan Graetz that transferred down and ended up dropping off the depth chart when Olson and Walljasper jumped ahead of him. I wonder some times with guys like that what got them from point A to point B and had they gone to "the right level" out of high school would their careers had taken a different course.

[unknown]

Augustana also had a bounce back QB from Utah or Utah St. that I don't think ever saw the field. The Dogs had Logan Graetz that transferred down and ended up dropping off the depth chart when Olson and Walljasper jumped ahead of him. I wonder some times with guys like that what got them from point A to point B and had they gone to "the right level" out of high school would their careers had taken a different course.

What atleast has me hopeful is this guy actually got playing time at his last stop. He had 6 tds in very limited action. Many D1 bounce backs never touch the field at their original school and so when they arrive, you have absolutely no idea what you are getting. If you go to 1 minute and 30 seconds of this clip, he has touchdowns on back to back plays, one rushing and one passing. I am aware they were up big but still......

https://youtu.be/nMKFxbkQUnI?feature=shared

[vikingfaithful]

What atleast has me hopeful is this guy actually got playing time at his last stop. He had 6 tds in very limited action. Many D1 bounce backs never touch the field at their original school and so when they arrive, you have absolutely no idea what you are getting. If you go to 1 minute and 30 seconds of this clip, he has touchdowns on back to back plays, one rushing and one passing. I am aware they were up big but still......

https://youtu.be/nMKFxbkQUnI?feature=shared

Augustana took in a transfer quarterback from Montana St. named Casey Bauman. After an injury plagued Sr. season he had an outstanding Grad. student season leading Augustana to a NSIC championship in 2023. He signed a rookie contract with the Los Angelas Chargers where he currently is. His right tackle Blake Larson is with the LA Rams.

So yes, D1 bounce backs can work. They didn't sign with D1 teams, unless coaching staffs saw quality in their play.

[TJE_]

Is it football season yet?????

Things seem kinda quiet at the moment with Northern.

[Thunder]

I'm curious what others have for expectations for the 2024 season. In my circles, optimism is at an all-time low for NSU athletics. This is mostly due to the basketball program falling off a cliff last season, but the upcoming football season is being met with a fair amount of pessimism as well. Most people I talk to are expecting a 2-3 win season. For the first time ever, there is a nonzero chance of a winless season. This is partly due to the schedule, but there is a lot of uncertainty going into the fall. No Mary and no Moorhead this season, which are far from easy wins as we have shown over the past few seasons, but those are typically viewed as winnable games. The USD game has largely been met with bewilderment in Aberdeen. Sure, NSU is probably collecting a paycheck, but is getting a big L and getting trampled in week 0 really worth it. I've actually had conversations with people that would have preferred a home game against Jamestown instead of going to Vermillion. The optimism of a few years ago is largely gone and realism is setting in that the Wolves may never be more than a mid-tier NSIC football team. The absolute ceiling this year would be 6-5 and that would be seen as a hugely successful 2024 season.

[TJE_]

The only way Northern will be able to compete year in and year out is to start developing players out of high school. I am thinking an Iowa or Wisconsin type program. Even though they have great facilities and amazing fan support, Aberdeen is tough to recruit to. They won’t win a lot of recruiting battles for the above average players in the league. That being said, once guys get to Aberdeen they tend to like it a lot.

I think Schmidt came in a little cocky in that regard that he was really good recruiter and it became obvious pretty quick that wasn’t the case. I think he has learned a lot especially over the last couple of years. But he’s running out of time. I was told he has two more seasons to prove himself but my guess is with a losing season he will be gone.

[Thunder]

The only way Northern will be able to compete year in and year out is to start developing players out of high school. I am thinking an Iowa or Wisconsin type program. Even though they have great facilities and amazing fan support, Aberdeen is tough to recruit to. They won’t win a lot of recruiting battles for the above average players in the league. That being said, once guys get to Aberdeen they tend to like it a lot.

I think Schmidt came in a little cocky in that regard that he was really good recruiter and it became obvious pretty quick that wasn’t the case. I think he has learned a lot especially over the last couple of years. But he’s running out of time. I was told he has two more seasons to prove himself but my guess is with a losing season he will be gone.

The seat is definitely hot for Schmidt. A 4 or 5 win season may be enough as long as the losses are all competitive games. Even that won't be enough to satisfy some boosters though.

[BulldogFan]

Hopefully you guys make it out of that USD game without any injuries - other than pride. Even when you know going into a game it would take a miracle to win coming out with a beating can mess with players heads for the entire season. Couple that with a schedule that isn't helping you out at all makes 9/14 the game to circle to get that W.

[Thunder]

Hopefully you guys make it out of that USD game without any injuries - other than pride. Even when you know going into a game it would take a miracle to win coming out with a beating can mess with players heads for the entire season. Couple that with a schedule that isn't helping you out at all makes 9/14 the game to circle to get that W.

The Minot game is a must win no doubt. I think the most important game of the season might be the week before that. Home opener, at night vs USF. No doubt USF will be improved from last year, but if the Wolves can pull that one out it will do a TON for the fanbase. Hopefully we come out of the USD game healthy, both physically and mentally and can steal one from the Coo. This game might decide if we have a lame duck season or are actually building something.

[TJE_]

Hopefully you guys make it out of that USD game without any injuries - other than pride. Even when you know going into a game it would take a miracle to win coming out with a beating can mess with players heads for the entire season. Couple that with a schedule that isn't helping you out at all makes 9/14 the game to circle to get that W.

USD plays Wisconsin the following week. So they may call
off the dogs pretty quick in the game against Northern to be ready that game.

[TJE_]

The seat is definitely hot for Schmidt. A 4 or 5 win season may be enough as long as the losses are all competitive games. Even that won't be enough to satisfy some boosters though.

More losses than wins and I think he’s done.