Author: Moderator

The Bulldogs will begin their spring practices on April 9th at the historic Clint Frank Field.

Offensively, Yale needs to select and develop its QB of the future.   Rafe Chapple appears to be the front runner currently, however, he is still very inexperienced as he only attempted 11 passes last season, completing 5 of those for 45 yards.  Tre Moore, Lambie Lanman, Stephen Barmore and Henry Baldwin will be competing with Chapple for the starting role.

Yale has depth and skill at the running back and receiver positions.  At RB, the Bulldogs return Deshawn Salter (561 rushing yards), Dale Harris (279 rushing yards) and former starter Candler Rich (122 rushing yards) who was out with an injury last year.  The Yale receiving corps is stacked with the return of Chris Williams-Lopez, Robert Clemons III, Michael Siragusa Jr., Ross Drwal, Bo Hines, Myles Gaines, and Kyle Marcinick among others.  Leo Haenni (HM All-Ivy in 2014) will likely hold down the starting spot at TE.

Finding a replacement for Longinotti at Center will be a huge priority for Yale this offseason.  Khalid Cannon and Mason Friedline return to anchor the offensive line in addition to the experienced Karl Marback, Beau Iverson, Jeho Chang, and Jon Bezney.  As a unit, the offensive line must get stronger and play more cohesively to protect a young QB next year.  The success of the 2016 campaign will depend on this group’s ability to create holes and provide the QB with enough time to find one of our dangerous threats downfield.

The Yale defense is the strength of the team entering the spring.  1st Team All-Ivy selection Copache Tyler headlines the defensive line with experienced Marty Moesta (24 tackles and 3 sacks), Earl Chism (25 tackles) and Nicholas Crowle (25 tackles).  Captain Darius Manora returns to lead the defense with fellow linebackers Victor Egu and Matthew Oplinger (HM All-Ivy).  The secondary returns Hayden Carlson (92 tackles, 1 INT) Spencer Rymiszewski (49 tackles, 4 INT, 1st Team All-Ivy), Dale Harris (RB or DB?), Jason Alessi (39 tackles, 1 INT), Foye Oluokun (missed most of last year with injury), and Marquise Peggs (9 tackles).  If the defensive line can generate more pressure and the secondary can limit big plays, this defense could be a special one for Yale.

In other news, Yale basketball was defeated on Saturday by Duke 71-64.  Former offensive lineman Stephen Morse was spotted on camera this time supporting his alma mater.

 

 

Yale defeated Baylor 79-75 yesterday in the opening round of the NCAA tournament in Providence, RI.  Congrats to James Jones and his squad for the huge upset.  Former Yale football players Tom McCarthy, Max Newton, and Ben Meyer were spotted several times on camera sporting hilarious blue and white striped overalls!

We analyzed highlight tapes of the rumored Class of 2020 recruits and came away with the following notes on each player:

Alex Abelite-LB-displays great instincts, flows to the ball well and is a solid tackler

Tosan Agbeyegbe-DB-a playmaker with good field vision, has a knack for breaking up passes and is very quick out of breaks

Jaelin Alburg-DB/WR-speedy and shifty with solid hands, great at flipping hips

Ryan Burke-LB-a sure tackler with strength and power

Charles Callender-DE/OL-displays speed and power when pass rushing and guards can’t seem to block him when lined up inside

Stephen Cepalia-OL-plays through the whistle and is an overpowering run blocker

Abu Daramy-WR/DB-has breakaway speed, good vision, solid hands and is an overall difference maker

Quinn Dawson-TE/QB-showed arm strength and accuracy playing QB, wasn’t afraid to stay strong in the pocket despite rush

Malcolm Dixon-DB-smooth in and out of breaks, has good backpedal speed, and is a big hitter

Dieter Eiselen-OL/DT-a strong athletic force with huge growth potential, relentless effort

Julian Fraser-DE/DT-disruptive in the backfield, great at defeating blocks, and technically sound

Andrew Grinde-RB-a power runner and great blocker, could be a fullback at next level

Caden Herring-RB-has sticky hands, good vision, and patience waiting for blockers to spring him loose

JJ Howland-TE/WR-catches the ball at the high point, great leaping ability and not afraid to grab a ball in traffic

Josh Keeler-DE/OL-could make an impact on either side of the ball, powerful, and quick for his size

Reed Klubnick-WR-creates separation from defenders, has solid route running abilities and good hands

Alan Lamar-RB/DB-very fast and has great balance as a runner, lockdown cover skills as a DB

Walker Lott-DB-a power running QB that displays speed and vision that should translate to the other side of the ball

Brendan MacPhee-DB/RB-a ballhawk at DB, great in run support and a good tackler

Matt McCabe-DE-has solid pass rush moves and very fast hands, can also stuff the run

Kurt Rawlings-QB-accurate in the pocket and on the move, great decision maker

Jett Sexton-OL-a nasty downhill blocker with great foot speed

JP Shohfi-WR-a crisp route runner who racks up yards after the catch, breaks open tackles and has the vision to take it all the way

Sterling Strother-OL-blocks through the whistle and enjoys pancaking defenders

Sam Tuckerman-K-has a big leg and good accuracy

Lucas Tribble-OL-a dominant run blocker, plays with a mean streak, and gets to the second level defenders

Jack Westafer-LB/QB-shows great speed and hitting ability, defeats blocks well

Garrett White-WR-has solid hands, good leaping ability, and is a willing blocker

Alex Young-RB/WR-breaks arm tackles, displays both power and agility

 

 

Let us know if we missed any players!

In the coming days we will post an in-depth analysis of the recent recruiting class.  If you have any ideas for future stories or would like a general update on any past Yale players, feel free to contact us.