What would be your dream positions for EMU to fill from the portal/JUCO for the 2023 season?

I would love to see a real stud dual-threat QB with a strong arm, a freaky edge rusher to replace Jose Ramirez, a solid DB or two who can play opposite Shine in the strong cover that helped carry the D the second half of the season, a WR to replace Drummond (I'm counting Lassiter as a Beydoun replacement) and a couple of well-seasoned o-linemen to add depth in that position.

That might be a lot to ask for, but if I'm dreaming....

id love a big, rangy, deep threat WR.

QB to compete with Smith. DL, LB, and WR.

This is what I want:

Defense:

1. A DB that is competent and able to be a ball hawk, Brody Hoying is the closest thing we have had.
2. A DB that is able to be SHUTDOWN a side of the field
3. A DE that can replace Jose (we are actually probably getting this with Jefferson Adams, I know he hasn't committed but I have it on good authority he loves being home)
4. A LB that looks like Tarzan and Plays like Tarzan (I love Chase Kline but he looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane)
5. A DT that is big and can stop the run (I think Jaavon Brown can do that with his size of 355lbs but he didn't play this season so we have yet to know what he can do)

Offense:

1. A Guard that can replace Sidy (I thought that Evan Furntey's brother could do that but he is also transferring)
2. Another RB that is big and fast. I want someone like Samson Evans except faster.
3. We have solid WR's across the board (we still have the top WR's even with Dylan and Hassan graduating), but it is always good to bring in another one. I would like a big body WR that can stretch the field
4. A true TE1 that can both block and catch
5. I think Austin Smith and Cameron McCoy are great QB's.
(I think that Cam is actually the better QB. He not only has a cannon of an arm but has improved his accuracy. And not to mention his legs are rockets themselves.
However, Smith has shown that he can lead this team to victory even on the toughest of stages. He also is able to move the ball in the air or on the ground. I would be happy with either or both)
But I would want an experienced QB who has years on his belt because both Cam and Austin are young QB's that need someone that can help guide them.

I know it is a lot but it is a dream

I like a dominant DE and DT a couple of OL another LB a WR and another QB all to compete for starting positions.

Another Crosby, Ramirez, Hoying, and Roback, Glass type of players!

Good Discussion....

2 things are needed. I would say 3 but it sounds like Sparacio and Kline are coming back which shores up a thin LB room.

1. O-linemen. We saw what happened when Howie went down. While I'm happy his replacement got some experience, it's clear we aren't super deep. I'm assuming next year is a mixture of Dooley, Howie, Marcellus, Dmitri and Bates. Hoping Carson Lee from Colorado can step in. We need 2 more guys to come in and be instant helpers.

2. QB. I really like Austin Smith but he needs to take another step this off-season to solidify the job. I would love it if he takes it, but if he doesn't there are like 70 QB's in the portal. I'm not in favor of getting another bandaid qb, but we have a chance next year with our schedule to legit be 9-10 win team with the following guys coming back....Knue, Lassiter, Linemen mentioned above, Austin Smith at QB, both RB's, Swindle, Carter Evans, Sparacio, Kline, Shine, Peavy. I thought this year's team was deep....wow is next years team loaded

(12-06-2022 04:31 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  Good Discussion....

2 things are needed. I would say 3 but it sounds like Sparacio and Kline are coming back which shores up a thin LB room.

1. O-linemen. We saw what happened when Howie went down. While I'm happy his replacement got some experience, it's clear we aren't super deep. I'm assuming next year is a mixture of Dooley, Howie, Marcellus, Dmitri and Bates. Hoping Carson Lee from Colorado can step in. We need 2 more guys to come in and be instant helpers.

2. QB. I really like Austin Smith but he needs to take another step this off-season to solidify the job. I would love it if he takes it, but if he doesn't there are like 70 QB's in the portal. I'm not in favor of getting another bandaid qb, but we have a chance next year with our schedule to legit be 9-10 win team with the following guys coming back....Knue, Lassiter, Linemen mentioned above, Austin Smith at QB, both RB's, Swindle, Carter Evans, Sparacio, Kline, Shine, Peavy. I thought this year's team was deep....wow is next years team loaded

Yes...it appears that for the way 2023 is shaping up, the Eagles are in the position to tweak squads rather than having to fill large holes. I think DE (losing Ramirez) and TE (as previously mentioned) could use a significant pick-up. We'll have Paaske back at TE, but are losing Oakes. but otherwise, it's a matter of bolstering areas that are strong on starters, but need depth.

(12-06-2022 04:31 PM)steve4840 Wrote:  Good Discussion....

2 things are needed. I would say 3 but it sounds like Sparacio and Kline are coming back which shores up a thin LB room.

1. O-linemen. We saw what happened when Howie went down. While I'm happy his replacement got some experience, it's clear we aren't super deep. I'm assuming next year is a mixture of Dooley, Howie, Marcellus, Dmitri and Bates. Hoping Carson Lee from Colorado can step in. We need 2 more guys to come in and be instant helpers.

2. QB. I really like Austin Smith but he needs to take another step this off-season to solidify the job. I would love it if he takes it, but if he doesn't there are like 70 QB's in the portal. I'm not in favor of getting another bandaid qb, but we have a chance next year with our schedule to legit be 9-10 win team with the following guys coming back....Knue, Lassiter, Linemen mentioned above, Austin Smith at QB, both RB's, Swindle, Carter Evans, Sparacio, Kline, Shine, Peavy. I thought this year's team was deep....wow is next years team loaded

I talked to Hamze El-Zayat, Dylan Summers, and Ali Abdul Barr and they will all be ready to go next season. Our WR room is absolutely LOADED.

QB is the key - Just to echo what everyone else has said.

Austin Smith needs to develop a lot in the throw game, which may or may not happen. If we can get an excellent QB in the portal, we could make it to Detroit next year.

(12-06-2022 06:32 PM)holybovine Wrote:  QB is the key - Just to echo what everyone else has said.

Austin Smith needs to develop a lot in the throw game, which may or may not happen. If we can get an excellent QB in the portal, we could make it to Detroit next year.

I love Smith! That stated, we don't score 83 points in our in-state rivalry games if he was taking the snaps.

(12-06-2022 12:24 PM)cidbearit Wrote:  What would be your dream positions for EMU to fill from the portal/JUCO for the 2023 season?

I would love to see a real stud dual-threat QB with a strong arm, a freaky edge rusher to replace Jose Ramirez, a solid DB or two who can play opposite Shine in the strong cover that helped carry the D the second half of the season, a WR to replace Drummond (I'm counting Lassiter as a Beydoun replacement) and a couple of well-seasoned o-linemen to add depth in that position.

That might be a lot to ask for, but if I'm dreaming....

My dream? Devin Leary from NC State at QB, Dominic Lovett from Missouri at WR, Andre Carter from WMU at D-line.

We said dream right???

I think you actually nailed it Cid. An accurate, athletic QB, some pass rush help, and maybe a solid WR I think are the biggest needs.

I saw Carson Steele from Ball State along with Dante Cephas and Marquez Cooper from Kent State all hit the portal. Not sad to see them leave the conference.

For those wanting TE we just offered two JUCO TEs. See 2023 recruiting thread for more details.