• Hi Guest,

    We've updated the site to combine all the forums that were part of the Big Sky Fans Network into one location. This will make it easier to navigate and participate in all the discussions for each school without having to have multiple accounts, etc. We are still working out some tweaks but please let us know if you notice anything.

    With the migration, in some circumstances, your username could have been merged with one of your other usernames from the other forums. If this is the case, you can request to change your username in your account details page of your profile.
  • Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!
  • Guest, do want an ad free experience on BigSkyFans.com among other benefits? Upgrade your account today!

    Simply click your profile name > account upgrades > BigSky Club > choose between the year long subscription (two free months) or month to month

    Thanks for the continued support. Cheers!

Why didn't we recruit more defensive players

R

Rjones61

Active member
I've seen some people scratching their head wondering, "If our defense was so bad last year, why wouldn't we recruit more defensive studs?" Here is your answer:

Screen_Shot_2016_02_04_at_7_35_41_AM.png


Screen_Shot_2016_02_05_at_8_16_19_AM.png


Screen_Shot_2016_02_05_at_8_18_17_AM.png


Take a look at the years on each of these position groups. We are absolutely loaded with lots and lots of young talent on our defense. We are set for next year and there is no way we should reasonable expect the high school class of 2016 to contribute with next year or even the year after that. Although there are undoubtedly talented freshman who pitch in right away, the vast majority of athletes need until their sophomore or junior year to dependably pull their weight.

That said, with such a massive class of young athletes who have taken their lumps and had their growing pains, I think we can expect to see a more prepared group of defensive players on the field this year. We were very very young last year, but I think the worst of those growing pains are behind us and we can expect to grow upward in 2016.
 
Crabcakes&Football said:
Is Jakes Gall returning next season? I thought I saw someone post that he wasn't coming back?
Click to expand...


I saw that same post. I wish that Gall's parents would log in to confirm or deny this claim. Jake seemed to thoroughly enjoy playing at EWU, so him leaving so early seemed peculiar.
 
Jake will not be returning next year. He posted on social media that he has loved every minute of football but he is now concentrating on becoming a fire fighter.
 
Great post. We have loaded up on defensive players the two recruiting classes previous to this year. We were raw this year but I strongly believe that our defense will be improved in 2016. Biggest area of concern might be safety, but Inos, Hayes, and Prunty (all redshirting this year) should make an immediate impact. A transfer with a lot of experience wouldn't hurt, either.

Losing Jake Gall hurts, bummed to see him hang up his cleats. But I think we have some good young talent in Kacmarcik and Bekkering.
 
Our LB's seem small. I glanced at PSU's class and they have 2 or 3 LB's in the 6'2" to 6'3" - 220-230 range coming in as freshmen.
 
kalm said:
Our LB's seem small. I glanced at PSU's class and they have 2 or 3 LB's in the 6'2" to 6'3" - 220-230 range coming in as freshmen.
Click to expand...

Whenever we recruit linebackers out of High School that have some size, we typically convert them to undersized DL's.
 
kalm said:
Our LB's seem small. I glanced at PSU's class and they have 2 or 3 LB's in the 6'2" to 6'3" - 220-230 range coming in as freshmen.
Click to expand...

I don't care how big they are as long as they can play. the best defensive player in the CFL is only 5 ft 9.
 
KJEagle said:
Is Ketner Kupp actually playing LB or the rover position?
Click to expand...

Ketnerbis playing LB. He was 6' 210 as a true Frosh. I wouldn't be surprised to see him playing at around 225# next year. Anyone seen him or seen if he is putting on the lbs?
 
Ketner Kupp will be a stud for us. The fact that he played as a True Freshman tells you everything you need to know about his ability. I don't know if he is still growing, but I think he could probably play several positions if needed.

I recently read an article in the SR by Jim Allen which covered the effect that Cooper had on several of this year's recruits. Several cited his involvement with the recruits during their visits and his decision to return for his Senior year as major factors for why they chose Eastern. Talk about a "program" player. I am very impressed with this young man. Maybe the best ever at EWU.
 
Jake Gall is retiring due to injury and he wants to be a fire fighter. Nothing wrong with that! Thanks Jake for your contributions to the program. I haven't seen Bekkering play yet, but have heard good things about him.
 
EagInTexas said:
Ketner Kupp will be a stud for us. The fact that he played as a True Freshman tells you everything you need to know about his ability. I don't know if he is still growing, but I think he could probably play several positions if needed.

I recently read an article in the SR by Jim Allen which covered the effect that Cooper had on several of this year's recruits. Several cited his involvement with the recruits during their visits and his decision to return for his Senior year as major factors for why they chose Eastern. Talk about a "program" player. I am very impressed with this young man. Maybe the best ever at EWU.
Click to expand...

I coached Ketner Kupp from the 8th grade all the way through his senior year in high school. GREAT person. GREAT TEAMMATE. Total Gym Rat in a football sense. Always working on some aspect of his game. The improvement he made from his freshman year in high school through his senior year in terms of body type, speed, agility and playmaking and impact on a game was AWESOME to watch. He will be a player who will get better each and every year he is at EWU and will be one of the hardest workers and a great leader by example.
 
joemon said:
kalm said:
Our LB's seem small. I glanced at PSU's class and they have 2 or 3 LB's in the 6'2" to 6'3" - 220-230 range coming in as freshmen.
Click to expand...

Whenever we recruit linebackers out of High School that have some size, we typically convert them to undersized DL's.
Click to expand...

Great. So you're saying it's kind of a double-negative there? :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top