geaux_sioux

Did UND pay coaches some of the highest salaries back in the D2 days?

Damn it..... He's good be a good one.

The question was who has the ability to do it not who will next year.

Kleason Anderson McGill Edwards Darryl Brown Goodman Sparks Mollberg and whoever starts at zeke lb.

Conference teams are just the top teams in the conference slapping eachother on the backs. It has more to do with reputation (Montana) than production and skill.

From my understanding it was maturity maturity maturity and maturity. Mussman was singing Marcus' praises this year and how much he had matured from his first day on campus. Maybe he was just a little too young dumb and full of............... pride?

Fixed your post

The what if game with this team and season has too many options. What if Braden never got hurt? Do we beat Poly and EWU and NAU and SDSU? Do we make the playoffs? Or what if Marcus hadn't been in the dog house last year? Would he have been good enough for Braden to have not transferred here? O, and what if the refs noticed that Northern Colorado had 10 in the box with two CBs on that play...... I could go on all day. I'm just grateful that both guys finally got their opportunity and both did very well.

DE/DT This group came into this past season as a perceived strength of the team. As it turned out they could not stop the run or get to the passer consistently as we had all expected. The three starters were all seniors who have had great careers and been very productive while leading this program through the transition. That said, they did not live up to expectations and did not get the job done. That goes for the entire group of d-linemen. They were consistently pushed around and sealed by opposing offensive lines. The returning players need to get a hell of a lot stronger and tougher and bigger. We need a DT to step up and be a force. We also need DEs that get around the edge but also stuff the run. The LB group took most of the heat this year but in a 3-4 the d-line is responsible for giving them the ability to meet RBs and QBs in the backfield without having to deal with getting off of blocks. With some young talent coming in this group could actually be better next year. Key Losses: Ross Brenneman Jay Nelson Devin Benjamin Key Returners: EJ Welch Spencer Cummings Kyle Woodsmall Ben Henson Mike Edwards Alec Carrothers Devon Hall Seth Stanchik EJ Welch (Sr 6-3 309) came in as a JUCO transfer this past year and did not get alot of playing time. When he was in he looked pretty good and pretty strong. He never got thrown around in the tranches like some other guys but didn't get enough playing time to really know what he can do. This winter he needs to get stronger but more importantly quicker. It will be very interesting to see where he sits in the depth chart after this spring since there is now decent depth at the DT position. Spencer Cummings (Jr 6-4 283) has an enormous frame. Unfortunately he hasn't filled his frame out yet as he should easily be a lean 290. If he trims down this winter and adds alot of good muscle and quickness he could be an absolute beast next year. He has the size of a prototypical NFL 3-4 DE but doesn't seem to play fast/physical enough on a down to down basis. One play he blows up a run in the backfield. The next he's nowhere to be found. If he can get a better motor and more tenacity he can do some great things. Kyle Woodsmall (So 6-3 240) is another one of the BIG young DEs that UND has on the roster. He has a good frame and should be around 260 next spring. He has not seen enough game action to this point to have shown what he can do in a game but I would not be surprised to see him make an unexpected impact next season. Ben Henson (Jr 6-1 298) was the #2 DT this season behind Devin Benjamin this past season. He seemed to get manhandled a little bit in the trenches. Wether it was injuries or just not being strong enough I don't know. He needs to get alot stronger and just plain better and taking on blockers. He was not effective enough this year and alot of his tackles came from behind a RB which is not a good thing. He should be tackling ball carriers for losses and short gains instead of 7 yard gains. This winter he needs to make alot happen in order to be able to fill gaps effectively and be a good player in this 3-4. Mike Edwards (Fr 6-2 290) could end up being the best DT at UND since Scott Schultz. I realize that is high praise for a player who has yet to see the field but I feel it is absolutely appropriate. This young man is BIG. But he is also as quick as anyone I've seen at his size. He possesses great feet and hands which are of massive importance. At a fall camp practice this August I witnessed him, going against the 1st team offense, throw Sr C Ian McGurran out of his way and swallow the RB in the backfield. He was absolutely immovable. Coach Mussman called him 'a load inside' in an interview and was considering pulling his red shirt which speaks to his talent considering the 3 DTs already on the depth chart. If he's hungry this winter and dead set on being great there is nothing that can stand in his way. He is waht this defense has been missing in the middle. I'm extremely excited to see what he does next year and wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he is a starter from day 1. Alec Carrothers (Fr 6-4 240) will make an impact next season. He seems to be cut from the same cloth as Ross Brenneman in terms of character but is more talented. This winter he will get bigger and stonger and be ready to step on the field right away. Pair him with Mike Edwards and the future is bright on the D-line at UND. This kid is going to be special. Devon Hall (Fr 6-3 245) is another good looking FR prospect on the D-line. He already has nice size and strength for a true freshman. This next season we may not see him but he Carrothers and Edwards could end up being a three headed monster in a couple of years. Seth Stanchik (Sr 6-4 265) is a very under rated player. He was playing alot of quality minutes as a FR before breaking his leg. His Soph year he was still not 100%. This past year he regained his form and had nice games when Brenneman was injured. He has good size and decent strength but needs to continue to get stronger but more importantly quicker. He is a smart pick to be a starter going into fall camp. Next season the defense hangs on the quality of this group. Next LBs

Put him at OLB and you've got youself a qbs nightmare coming off the edge

I kind of want to see them lose to a Big Sky team but that would mean winning some games..... I'm torn between which demise would be sweeter for them.

QB No other position group is a bigger question going into next season. This group loses two very good QBs that produced at a record level this year. It was extremely fun to watch both Hendrickson and Hanson tear it up this year. Many people will think about what could have been had Braden Hanson not been injured in the first game of the year. From Braden's tragedy came Marcus' opportunity, and he ran with it to the tune of a 6 TD performance in his first career start and followed that by nearly single handedly leading UND to their first FBS win at SDSU. Both guys had spectacular performances in their final college seasons and should be extremely proud of the way they carried the team this year. Key Losses: Braden Hanson, Marcus Hendrickson Key Returners: Joe Mollberg, Ryan Bartels Joe Mollberg (Fr 6-2 214) will have the tall task of living up to outlandish expectations that will be thrown his way as perhaps the most celebrated recruit in the past 20 years. Everyone seems to have already anointed him as the program savior and sure fire starter for next season. That said, he is a very impressive looking young man. He's built like a Mac Truck already and looks like he could easily play LB. I was lucky enough to get to see him in action a little this fall camp and I must say I came away impressed. He has a very quick and compact release and really spins the ball out of his hand. You don't notice his arm strength because he has nice soft touch on short throws. But when he uncorks it it is a sight to be seen. In a skelly session this August I saw him calmly survey the field and then flick the ball 60 yards down field to Greg Hardin. There were a few times where he made the type of throw that made practice stop for a brief moment as defenders and offensive teammates alike looked on in awe. It will be interesting to see how good of a runner he is next spring as he had a reputation to be a very effective runner in high school before he had his ankle injury. I would not be surprised if he was around 230 lbs by next fall but his main focus should be chemistry with his receivers and knowing the playbook like the back of his hand. Ryan Bartels (6-4 220) is the 'other guy' to most fans. DO NOT SLEEP ON MR. BARTELS. He also came in as a very accomplished QB and a highly rated recruit. He is a big kid and has 'prototypical' pocket passer height. He's not overly mobile but defiantly doesn't have stone feet and runs much better than Braden Hanson (before the leg). He has some serious arm strength and a very strong sturdy looking base. He doesn't seem quite as polished and poised to this point as Mollberg but that doesn't mean things can't change over the course of the winter and spring as he continues to gain comfort and respect from his teammates. His release isn't as quick as Mollberg's is but it is good and high and the ball comes out of his hand with good velocity and spin. With all of the pressure on Mr. Mollberg don't be surprised when Bartels at the very least pushes him to his limits for the starting job. This winter he will continue to mature and get stronger and quicker. The program appears to be in very good hands with these two youngsters. This will be a very entertaining QB battle in the spring and fall camp. I for one cannot wait to see what these guys can do on the field next year. Next DE/DT

DE Zach Skibinski from Sioux City IA needs to get signed. The kid is a freak.

WR: Easily the best group of WRs that have ever been at UND. This next season will bring unmatched depth and experience at the position. The group losses not a single major contributor. Whoever plays QB next year is inheriting a dream scenario with playmakers all over the field that get open every play. Key Loss: RJ McGill's ACL Key Returners: Greg Hardin RJ McGill Jameer Jackson Kenny Golladay Blair Townsend Romon Bridges Anthony Fletcher Zach Oliver Casey Young Greg Hardin (Sr 5-11 167)is coming off of the second most prolific season in UND history. His stats this year were amazing, in 5 games. He was completely average for the other 6 games. He also had way too many drops this year that cost the team at least 4 TDs and multiple first downs. He was outstanding this year but was entirely too inconsistent. Had he been in every game and concentrated on every ball thrown to him his numbers would have been astronomical, possibly 1600 yards and 19 TDs. Don't get me wrong, his numbers were still fantastic this year and he opened up opportunities for all of his teammates just by being on the field. This winter he needs to get alot bigger and stronger. If he gets up around 180-185 he will be unstoppable. Imagine Hardin with enough strength to break more tackles and have one extra step to blow past defenders. Mentally he needs to find a way to stay sharp and focused on the easy catches just as he does on the spectacular ones. He has a chance to be better than Dressler, which is something most people thought wouldn't happen at UND for many more year. But that will only happen if he is hungry this off season and focuses on the little things. RJ McGill (Sr. 5-10 170) suffered a torn ACL against Cal Poly. I firmly believe that we win that game if he hadn't been injured. He was on fire and the go to guy in that game up to that point. Without him the offense sputtered. Anytime UND needed a big 3rd down conversion it seemed like RJ was wide open in the middle of the field for the first down. He was more consistent this year than last year even. He needs to get his knee healthy this winter and add some more strength. I hope he can regain all of his quickness and speed for next year. Jameer Jackson (So. 6-3 240) is the biggest receiver I have ever seen at UND. His strength and size are matchup nightmares against every DB. I was impressed with his maturation over the year as he became a very nice #2 WR and when Hardin didn't produce he stepped up and led the team with some big games. He, like Hardin, had too many drops this year. His numbers were good enough to be named for the Rice Award but they should have been much better. He is one of the only guys on the team that shouldn't gain any weight. He should get a little leaner but most of all get more flexible and quicker and faster. If you put a couple steps of quickness and a step of speed on this kid you are gonna have yourself a freak. He should have an absolute monster year next year if he focuses on every catch. Kenny Golladay (So 6-4 183) is another unprecedented WR in UND history. Just watch his catch against Poly or the blown TD call against Montana and you will see Chris Cater type ball skills. He is obviously frail and needs to hit the weights with Jake Miller and get up near 200 lbs. He also needs to get faster, which will happen with added strength. He seems to have adequate quickness and run decent routes for an 18 year old. As he continues to mature he will turn into the type of WR that we always hoped was at UND. He has special written all over him. Blair Townsend (Sr. 6-3 220) is another guy with great hands. Unfortunately he is slow as molasses. Part of that has to be due to the devastating ankle injury he suffered as a redshirt freshman. Hopefully he can get alot faster this winter because he has great size and strength and is an excellent possession receiver. He didn't get alot of opportunity this year but look at what he did in the Montana game. All you can say about that game is wow. He would start for most teams and is a big part of the ridiculous depth that we are currently blessed with at WR. With more speed and quickness he could have a much larger role more often next season. Romon Bridges (So 5-8 154) is a little waterbug type of slot receiver. He is probably the quickest player on UNDs team and possesses surprising strength as the reigning 'Beef Master'. Perhaps he will step in to RJ's role as RJ rehabs his knee. Romon is a converted RB and needs to keep improving his hands and route running. He has a great upside that we may not see until RJ and Hardin graduate and open up more room in the rotation. Anthony Fletcher (Fr 6-3 195) is a beast. Thats what I've heard when I've asked about him. He possesses nice height and great ball skills. He needs to get faster and quicker this winter while he continues to build his body. He was highly recruited out of high school and could force the coaches to put him on the field with his work ethic and undeniable talent. It will be scary to see what he becomes over the course of his career. Zach Oliver (Fr 6-3 190) is a classic possession receiver. He has great height and an amazing pair of mitts. With his size and body control he will be able to make plays without separation. He needs to get alot stronger and faster. Lots of potential, it will be up to him to make something of it. Casey Young (So 6-1 200) made an impact this year on special teams. He has yet to play as a WR but has proven valuable on KO coverage and punt coverage. Was highly recruited out of high school but has found himself surrounded by better players and is not yet in the rotation. I wouldn't sleep on his career as a WR yet. I feel that he will make a contribution later in his career after players like Hardin and McGill and Townsend graduate. Next up will be the QBs

Can't disagree with that. Never once saw a player take charge on the sideline this year and start demanding better from their teammates. When things went wrong the year before you saw guys like Dan Hendrickson get really pissed off with his teammates. Leading by example is great, but every team needs a couple generals that aren't afraid to call people out and demand excellence.

The coaches were basically recruiting with one hand tied behind their back before the nickname being voted away and getting into the big sky if you think about it.

Having a hard on for the coaching staff and knowing how to make valid comparisons are very different.

Ndsu didn't have the ncaa up their ass about their nickname and also didn't have huge questions surrounding a controversy of that scale directly determining conference affiliation as their conference was in the process of folding.

Yup thats exactly what I said. Did you copy and paste that from my post?

That wasn't a prediction its just the only way to get a fair comparison of how we are relative to years coming out of the transition. In 4 years we will have a full roster of players recruited when we were not transitioning.

They only won one more game first year out of the transition and didn't have near the schedule we did. Compair this years ndsu team to our team in 4 years.

I feel like he means over his career.

Recruiting is such an inexact science though, look at ndsu's senior class this year

That NT you speak of is in the program as we speak. As far as the coaching, you cant expect them to turn water into wine.

Yea. I forgot to throw that in at the end.