2024 SMSU Mustangs: Year 3 of Underwood

[SW_Mustang]

I'm going to continue to go back to this....how does not a single player from Minneota land in the NSIC over and over and over again? Ryan Meagher might not have top level NSIC size or speed, but his production absolutely deserves to be recognized on the recruiting trail. I just don't get it.

I think you answered your own question with the bolded.

If he's undersized and slower than what should be expected for the NSIC average - and plays against an incredibly low level of competition, then... that's why.

Now - I'm not hating on the guy. Glad he's getting his moment, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with rooting for the hometown hero to play on. I've done it plenty of times. But what makes for an all out dominate Class A RB is probably not going to work well in the NSIC (IMO).

[Stanger86]

I think you answered your own question with the bolded.

If he's undersized and slower than what should be expected for the NSIC average - and plays against an incredibly low level of competition, then... that's why.

Now - I'm not hating on the guy. Glad he's getting his moment, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with rooting for the hometown hero to play on. I've done it plenty of times. But what makes for an all out dominate Class A RB is probably not going to work well in the NSIC (IMO).

Who are the top two RBs in Mustangs history?
Tyler Tonderum - Played 8-man football in Iowa
Zach Wysong - Played 9-man football in Minnesota

Sorry, I just don't get the idea that guys cannot play at this level just because they came from a small high school. Remember Nate Huot, greatest WR in program history? Same level of competition as Meagher.

[SW_Mustang]

Who are the top two RBs in Mustangs history?
Tyler Tonderum - Played 8-man football in Iowa
Zach Wysong - Played 9-man football in Minnesota

Sorry, I just don't get the idea that guys cannot play at this level just because they came from a small high school. Remember Nate Huot, greatest WR in program history? Same level of competition as Meagher.

I knew my response would be met with anecdotal examples - Tonderum and Huot were the two I thought of immediately.

I'm not saying it can't happen (or shouldn't for that matter) - I'm saying there are reasons why Class A talent isn't as hot of a commodity on the recruiting trail and that you provided those reasons why.

I don't watch HS football, but I do watch a lot of HS hockey and occasionally baseball - I've seen it over and over. It's just the reality. We played one kid in high school in baseball who made state headlines for accomplishing an insane feat - it was enough to get him a JUCO offer.

[CollegeFBGuy]

There will always be guys that are overlooked, as well as “misses,” at every level. With that said, with the camps and other evaluations that happen, those small school athletes have a way better chance of being seen.

Honestly? As I look at NSIC rosters, it’s remarkable how many different areas of the country are represented. Minnesota HS football is good, but other states seem to produce more talent. I think we have a lot of good football players here, but they’re not always top athletes.

i don’t know much about this RB, but based on what has been said, I don’t know that I am surprised that he’s not getting NSIC interest. This league is filled with great athletes and we see them each week in the fall, all over the league.

good luck to the young man. If he was a true sleeper, maybe that changes now, in the next month (assuming he even has an interest in college football)

[SW_Mustang]

I don't follow Minneota at all, but are any of them getting any attention from MCAC or UMAC schools? Or is just nobody landing anywhere?

[MrMustang]

TE Erik Vedoy hits the portal.

Can't say I'm familiar with the name to be honest.

Starting tight end.

Did OK for a redshirt freshman. Only leaving because we don't have his major. would have been a good kid to keep long term but school trumps football

[MrMustang]

I'm going to continue to go back to this....how does not a single player from Minneota land in the NSIC over and over and over again? Ryan Meagher might not have top level NSIC size or speed, but his production absolutely deserves to be recognized on the recruiting trail. I just don't get it.

Not sure what to say about this stud running back...

I think SMSU is recruting him. One of the few who are,.

I have heeard from one connected Minneota person he ABSOLUTELY wants to play college football. If so SMSU should absolutely offer him and land him.

I have heard from another connected Minneota person he has ZERO desire to play college football, so who knows.

I will say hard to be highly recruited if you send mixed signals (no idea if that is even true of not).

I think SMSU should absolutely recruit him and get him. He is an athlete who can play. Would be a great get for SMSU

Crazy, but in the last 20 years of the Minnesota dynasty, I can only think of 2 kids who played college football. Adam Jsephson who played linebacker for Underwood st SCSU and Will Kurka who played TE at SMSU. None of them ever play college football, even small D3 or NAIA. Just weird none do

[MrMustang]

I'm going to continue to go back to this....how does not a single player from Minneota land in the NSIC over and over and over again? Ryan Meagher might not have top level NSIC size or speed, but his production absolutely deserves to be recognized on the recruiting trail. I just don't get it.

I dont think they get overlooked. I dont think they want to play college football for whatever reason

[MrMustang]

I knew my response would be met with anecdotal examples - Tonderum and Huot were the two I thought of immediately.

I'm not saying it can't happen (or shouldn't for that matter) - I'm saying there are reasons why Class A talent isn't as hot of a commodity on the recruiting trail and that you provided those reasons why.

I don't watch HS football, but I do watch a lot of HS hockey and occasionally baseball - I've seen it over and over. It's just the reality. We played one kid in high school in baseball who made state headlines for accomplishing an insane feat - it was enough to get him a JUCO offer.

Blake Wilson and Bill Noethlich were also 9 man kids and both are top 5 all time at their position at SMSU, maybe top 3

Jason Jacobs was from Oliva -- best d lineman we ever had.

[MrMustang]

I don't follow Minneota at all, but are any of them getting any attention from MCAC or UMAC schools? Or is just nobody landing anywhere?

neaR AS I can tell non of them want to play college football for whatever reason

[MrMustang]

I have seen 5 or 6 guys in the portal. I assume will be many more

[SW_Mustang]

Starting tight end.

Did OK for a redshirt freshman. Only leaving because we don't have his major. would have been a good kid to keep long term but school trumps football

Shows how much attention I paid I guess. Kinda got to about week 4 or 5 across college football and got the hockey itch so a lot went over my head.

[SW_Mustang]

Blake Wilson and Bill Noethlich were also 9 man kids and both are top 5 all time at their position at SMSU, maybe top 3

Jason Jacobs was from Oliva -- best d lineman we ever had.

Bill was my first intro to SMSU football - was looked at by the NFL and someone shared an article about it with me. Blew my mind at the time, honestly - but I was probably a freshman in HS at that point so SMSU/NSIC wasn't on my radar yet.

Absolutely examples. Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to giving the kid a shot so long as it doesn't take up a ton of resources. And we make sure expectations are set. Lining up against Springfield is not preparation for lining up against Augustana. It's going to take work, and a lot of it.

I think that's my big concern with a lot of the small town kids - being the hometown hero means they get told they're the best, and a lot. Then they get to college where they aren't the best, or even average, and they can't handle it. Just heard a famous comedian talk about it, and I've seen it happen so many times. Not saying that doesn't happen at the big schools, but it takes a lot more work to play for/against Eden Prairie than it does BOLD or Canby.

[SW_Mustang]

neaR AS I can tell non of them want to play college football for whatever reason

I did a Google search and found a couple from around 2017 - one at Morris and one at DWU. Didn't appear either lasted too long.

Nothing wrong with playing HS football and then hitting the farm fields or the auto body school after. Not everyone is cut out to be a student athlete.

[CollegeFBGuy]

Starting tight end.

Did OK for a redshirt freshman. Only leaving because we don't have his major. would have been a good kid to keep long term but school trumps football

Just curious, but what major does he want that SMSU doesn’t have? Did he change majors or not realize they didn’t have it when he enrolled?