2022 Roster Changes

[WIU2DC]

Well this isn’t good….


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[rocki]

Bummer.

[letsgonecks]

He should get plenty of FBS looks.  Hate to see him go, but really hoping the first 2 levels start making more of the plays and we don't need 239 tackles by our safeties.  They made plenty of plays in the box and near the line of scrimmage, but way to many that should have been made by DL and LB's.

He will be missed, but personally feel Lawson was a bigger loss.  Next guys up!!!!
 
 

[letsgonecks]

He should get plenty of FBS looks.  Hate to see him go, but really hoping the first 2 levels start making more of the plays and we don't need 239 tackles by our starting safeties (more if we add Powe's 44).  They made plenty of plays in the box and near the line of scrimmage, but way to many that should have been made by DL and LB's.

He will be missed, but personally feel Lawson was a bigger loss.  Next guys up!!!!
 
 


 

 
 

[letsgonecks]

Without any transfer safeties on the books, here is what we have, if these players are in fact back.

Ziare Williams - 4 years/3 year contributor with 6 career starts and was on 2 deep behind Powe.  Should have 2 years left with COVID year.
Alaric Wooten - 2 years Juco/2 years WIU - 10 WIU appearances and on the 2 deep behind Joiner.  Should have 1 year left.
Aiden Harrison - 2 years Mizzu / 1 year WIU - 4 appearances last year mainly on special teams and mainly played ST with Mizzu in 2019.  Can technically redshirt last year, 2020 covid, so potentially 3 year left.
Bradyn Smith - 2 years / appeared in 3 games last fall and potentially has 4 years left.
Mo Reed - New Signee and could be day 1 starter

Maybes, if we don't sign transfers: New Signee Kamal Mukarram, Ryan Crandall (projected as LB, but HS S), Tre Maronic (potential position change, good size, played DB in HS), Deshon Gavin (potential position change, believe he redshirted as Safety his first year). 

A lot of unproven, especially when you lose 3 safeties with lots of experience and plays made.  Again, need the DL and LB's to step up big time, but would need to strike oil on 2 of these guys, if we don't bring anyone in with D1 experience.

[sealhall74]

He should get plenty of FBS looks.  Hate to see him go, but really hoping the first 2 levels start making more of the plays and we don't need 239 tackles by our starting safeties (more if we add Powe's 44).  They made plenty of plays in the box and near the line of scrimmage, but way to many that should have been made by DL and LB's.

He will be missed, but personally feel Lawson was a bigger loss.  Next guys up!!!!
 
 



 

 
 

 

Not only that, but take a look at the top 50 in tackles in the Valley.  Not many _DSU players to be found.  Why is that?  No brainer.  Their offenses are so dominating, the D players are not on the field that much.  Football is a team game.  Need all phases to complement each other.

http://www.mvc.org/football/stats/ind-conf.pdf
 

[meganeck]

Really hope to see them start hitting the transfer portal

[GV Dad]

Losing DJ sucks, but that is the reality we live in today.  Schools like WIU will struggle to keep their "stars" with the new transfer rules.  Most FCS schools will.  It's to new, and still changing, to really say what the best strategies should be.  I'm all for recruiting HS players, especially in 2022, but are we just developing these kids to move on a FBS school?  I feel like a balance of HS, JUCO and FBS transfers needs to be struck to maintain a successful program.  

A point for discussion, what do you guys think about the Red Shirt rule now?  I'm of the opinion that if you have a Freshman that can help you be competitive you play them, redshirt be damned.  Why save a year for them down the road to use after they transfer?  And if a Freshman can play in the Valley then they are likely going to be a very good player; that we will risk losing down the road.  
 

[letsgonecks]

Losing DJ sucks, but that is the reality we live in today.  Schools like WIU will struggle to keep their "stars" with the new transfer rules.  Most FCS schools will.  It's to new, and still changing, to really say what the best strategies should be.  I'm all for recruiting HS players, especially in 2022, but are we just developing these kids to move on a FBS school?  I feel like a balance of HS, JUCO and FBS transfers needs to be struck to maintain a successful program.  

A point for discussion, what do you guys think about the Red Shirt rule now?  I'm of the opinion that if you have a Freshman that can help you be competitive you play them, redshirt be damned.  Why save a year for them down the road to use after they transfer?  And if a Freshman can play in the Valley then they are likely going to be a very good player; that we will risk losing down the road.  
 


 

What actually sucks are the load mouth analysts and wannabe analysts writing draft publications, who have to say "small school prospect" and dumb shit like, "haven't played top competition" or "unrefined".  FCS schools have been putting out great product and players making NFL rosters and excelling for years.  Especially the Valley, but players still have to get past that label and for some it's to take a shot at the FBS.  They need that stamp of approval and validation to move up some analysts draft board.

I know hype matters and those people help control the hype, which can then lead to getting extra looks and being drafted and/or moving up and making more on your first contract.  Sure being drafted higher even gets you more looks in camp than a late round guy or UDFA, but special talent wins.

Being in a bigger program has many advantages and can offer much more to refine your skills, but you either got it or you don't and real football scouts will find you.  We see every year and this year's no different when FCS guys kick ass at the Shrine or Senior Bowl and these analysts are shocked they didn't curl up in the fetal position when facing some Power5 dude.

Yes there's a difference playing against SEC and MVFC, but anyone with actual football knowledge and awareness can see when someone has the potential no matter who they're against.  Quinn Meinerz is one of a kind, but dude was blocking DIII competition in 2019, lost 2020 to COVID, and then starting in the NFL.  Real scouts found him and his talent was undeniable.

Sorry for the rant, but yes to your question about playing kids.  Even if they're stuck behind upperclassman on the depth charts, but can make our ST units better, they have to be played.  Made sense before to preserve that potential year to be a starter, but 1 or 2 years of really good success and they're potentially in the portal.   
 

[WIU2DC]

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