Leatherneck Nation

Looks like they updated the roster with few new names (try this again as it timed me out and didn't save)!!!!!!

OL - Andrew Nichols (Jr) - 6-5, 305
Believe we recruited him out of HS and again out of Juco. Looks like he graduated Juco in December and signed/enrolled at K-State and is now a Leatherneck.
https://mobile.twitter.com/big_nich13
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/r ... ols-160665

DL - Cal Breedlove (So) - 6-1, 275
Played in 1 game last year at NIU, recorded a sack against FCS Presbyterian. Originally signed with Air Force out of Kewanee.
https://mobile.twitter.com/calbreedlove
http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-foot ... 55203.html

DB - Jordan Gonzales (So) - 5-11, 190
Not much I could find, but looks to have played his Freshman year at Concordia (Chicago) University.
http://www.cucougars.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1442&path=

DL - Ben Meyers (R-Fr) - 6-2, 225
Took park in Spring Camp. Originally signed with Bemidji State in 2013 out of Plainfield North. Brother Matt played FB at Iowa and with ISUr in 2012 and 2013.
https://mobile.twitter.com/_benmeyers

WR - Christopher Scott (So) - 6-0, 180
Another guy I couldn't find much on.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/658990/christopher-scott

Other guys added that were previously confirmed to be signed: WR - Brandon Gaston, WR - Trev Hadachek, OL - Nathan Oquendo.

Via twitter, it looks like 2014 commit Stacey Smith Jr. is now part of the team, but not yet added. All State QB that was recruited as a WR and could be a CB.
https://mobile.twitter.com/stacey_smith13
http://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruit ... Jr.-157407

Craig Slowik, who prepped at Joliet Catholic, and played QB at University of Buffalo is transferring to WIU

I like the recruits who come from a larger FBS school. Many kids want to go to biggest school they can find, but once they are there realize they will most likely never be any more than a practice squad or special teams guy. These kids have plenty of talent for the FCS and can help out a team like ours as immediate starters to fill spots or depth that we needed. I am beyond ready for the season and there is still over a month to go! Anyone know when training camp starts?

So looks like they added the new transfers to the roster and Stacey Smith as a WR. See we also added a JC LB last month in Dillon King. Not yet added to roster as he likely wasn't enrolled in summer school, but according to his Twitter he's there working out. Rivals show he was also offered by SIU.

Was just on rivals again and see they added JC RB Charles Westbrook on the 28th. Had offers from New Mexico and Georgia State

Man I'm getting excited!!!

Anyone know why De La Cruz and Sullivan left? Hurts that two guys with that much experience are no longer there. Chemistry along the line is huge and these guys have plenty of it playing together along with Ricketts.

Both Oquendo and Nichols played C in JC.

No idea, but that does suck that we lost them. Luckily we are relatively deep enough to fill in at OL

new roster additions and looks like they've updated messurements.

Eric Carrera - DB
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/r ... era-160403
https://mobile.twitter.com/slic_ric6

Josh Faulkenberry - LS (Nebraska Transfer)
http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml ... =209543013

Dylan Wirebaugh - OL
https://mobile.twitter.com/datkidsquish

So the 2 deep is out and the position break down.

Mireles is still on the roster and as mentioned before now a DB. Not on the two deep as a CB or even return man, so assuming he's out indefinitely and we'll have to see how this plays out.

Hammonds has also moved to DB, but not making the 2 deep as a position player or return man.

Broughton moves to Safety and has found himself on the 2 deep. Knew of the switch after a tweet before the spring game that he had moved to the dark side.

Some thoughts on the 2 deep:

A lot of youth, so if this team performs as is, the future looks bright. Of the 47 position players listed, 27 are SO or FR and only 7/8 (Nichols listed as "or" with Diggs) SR getting the starting nod.

Didn't see LaChapelle getting the start or even figuring into the two deep. Good for him though and hope he comes up big. Was thinking JMP for that spot, but maybe he's not 100% as he's not even listed. That was the only surprise to me on D except again for Broughton making the list.

Not too surprised by Baldus starting over Bode as he was working with the first team most the spring.

Didn't figure Sanders as the backup, but with Hammonds moved and Nikko being a bigger back that makes sense. Thought maybe the new addition of Westbrook might find his way there.

Finally, I know Lenoir has the ability to be the best return man in the conference, but would rather someone else was back there taking the hits. Maybe put him back there late in a big game, but not every time. Acklin, Hammonds, backup RB or maybe Mireles IF he's available in a few weeks.

So they have Nikko as the starting running back then?

Definitely a lot of youth on defense in the backfield. I just checked the EIU WR corps. Lot of youngsters there as well so should be interesting to see what happens on Thurs nite. Upon further review of their 2-deep, they do have some experience so look for them to be testing the waters through the air early and often.