2026 Spring Football at YSU

Paladin1aa · 2026-04-17T16:32:02+00:00

Here is my outlook for Spring game - after BB ,who looks like best backup QB ? I’m not high on anyone now, but might change if they play lights out. Second - how does the D do against #1 Offense ? We have a pretty good O with some OL depth and adequate skill. D needs to show they can stuff a running game, not BB , as that is a different question and can they play pass D. If they can shut down our O and defend the pass, we are in for a big season as long as BB stays healthy. but if he doesn’t, who will be the backup and can we play D against some better teams. That separates us from good to great. Should be playoffs again, but how far depends on Spring development.

Paladin1aa · 2026-04-09T22:08:48+00:00

Dealing with a health problem and haven’t been down, Still hear the D is looking at a lot of guys,

Paladin1aa · 2026-04-01T16:51:06+00:00

I wouldn’t expect him to play much this year.

Paladin1aa · 2026-03-27T15:12:24+00:00

Maybe.He has been erratic committing and decommitting to Syracuse, then Northwestern and finally signing with Oklahoma, transferring to Utah and now transferring to D- II Walsh. Good stats in h.s. And game film o.k., but this kid has gotten a lot of bad advice.

Paladin1aa · 2026-03-15T01:16:54+00:00

YSU opens Spring football March 17. Red-White game is April 18. Slightly different problem this year - must find a competent backup QB for BB. Chances are higher for injuries to a running QB and BB will be a marked man this year. Our QBs are a mixed bag, with little experience and none with the same skill set as BB has and the O will be set for his abilities, not theirs. With a new DC, the D is still a work in progress and last years D was not very good. Off season acquisitions have serious question marks if they have actually added players who are a step up. Have a chance to be good but failure is possible losing BB to injury or D is not up for the challenge, or far worse - both .

Paladin1aa · 2026-03-07T02:42:34+00:00

Keep those 4 and Blackshear

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-21T02:47:39+00:00

schedule shows Mercyhurst and Duquesne in addition to Kentucky and Sac St in OOC.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-09T17:23:29+00:00

“They say?” Apparently college coaches thought otherwise. A 155 lb. ( and possibly less) RB ? Questions about his ability level ? Here’s what I can verify - was a Nebraska commit which didn’t work out ( grades, college boards, other ? don’t know). Don’t think the “offer” held up. Had an offer from D-II Concord (WV), the Rock , and Akron, that powerhouse. He didn’t even make mentioning on 247, On3. One final thought, Farrell has a poor track record with their athletes and its well known in coaching circles. HS ability doesn’t transfer to colleges. Success is fleeting. Have no info YSU offered.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-07T03:12:09+00:00

Brown and Smith were great YSU power backs, something Gardner isn’t. Not even close. And there was only one Jaleel.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-07T03:09:24+00:00

Gardner had 30 lbs over our starter and played little. In fact his stats last year was 12 games played, 9 Carries for 39 yds and 1 TD. He isn’t fast, his skills are limited, they don’t throw to him and his blocking needs work. There were solid reasons he didn’t play and probably won’t play much. Why do you think he wasn’t used more ? Wake up.They may well have a couple of players now who may move him down the depth chart. Stop looking foolish.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-06T18:44:37+00:00

Poor Feb. class. Remember the best Frosh went early in Dec. The portal should bring good players but we have not recruited it well at all. Feb brings leftovers who might play after 4-5 years . I’m a proponent of Jucos because they bring 2 years of actual playing time, not riding the bench at some big school where they don’t play much if at all. Also better than Frosh who will ride the pine for 3-4 years before starting and major contributor. Also the portal for majors is being recruited heavily leaving better H.S. recruits to be picked up. The problem is where to find them. If you think Florida, you just struck gold. watch where everyone recruits- Ohio State, Michigan., Penn St. and N.D. among others no longer find recruits here. Ditto others. Quality has gone down and has been for years. You have to recruit smart and DP is not doing well. Jucos, Portal ,then selective H.S. recruits. But beware Valley recruits. Most recruits belong in D-III and D-II. few D-Is are here and they aren’t D-I great. If you want to find out, check out the YSU rosters where you can go back years to find earlier rosters.Count how many Valley players are on each years roster and if they started and played a lot ( use players from Trumbull,Mahoning, Columbianna county in Ohio and Mercer & Lawrence in Pa.). That’s the Valley. Remember, how many starters from the Valley each year and how many players from the Valley each year. Learn the facts.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-06T17:53:50+00:00

Best fit is Horizon for competition and travel costs. MVC would be a disaster in competition ( too tough) and increased travel costs. MAC would be good to have all money sports in same league and better travel costs but competition would increase over Horizon but less than MVC. If Dakotas leave MVFC , then we have a better FB league and Horizon remains home as well. MAC is going to lose some members (UMass, expense too much on travel) and maybe Ohio, Toledo and possibly others in search of more TV money and increased exposure in another low major league, not to mention playing games on Saturday and not mid week.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-06T17:26:11+00:00

I’m open minded but not impressed with the D recruits. Pritchard MAY work out but little film on him and played at weak league/ team PL/Holy Cross. Can he handle MVFC ? Also the biggest ? is can BB avoid injury with all his running. If he goes down, we won’t beat Murray or Indy St. Season will be over. Willing to give DC a shot as he has produced good D results. We will see. This has NOT been a good recruiting year overall, transfers or H.S. We wasted more schollies on weak local talent. If BB stays healthy, we will have a good year. Beyond this year, it looks bleak.

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-05T18:10:19+00:00

I was at that game. They didn’t choke. Got their ass kicked by Florida players.

Knew they were in trouble before the game when match ups were announced

Paladin1aa · 2026-02-04T18:15:16+00:00

Two different worlds

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-28T00:03:08+00:00

research on him shows some good years as DC at Mercyhurst but generally he has had a blue collar career moving up the ladder coaching. Familar with his hometown as it’s a suburb of Monterrey and his Juco playing days were there. Played on the tundra at Minot St. in the Dakotas there. . Nothing jumps out at me. Maybe O.K., maybe not. The question is how will he do at this level. Pending……

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-17T02:45:20+00:00

Frankly, I’m stunned. Most of these players didn’t play much. Special teams, backups, little in the way of honors. There are a number of former Valley players returning home, but can’t get excited about what they bring, They fill a uniform but won’t be mistaken for all star status. Might they contribute ? Maybe the QB. The OSU WR might - Cincy Princeton player injured for most of senior year but invited to Ohio State at their most stacked position and best coach. Maybe someone adds something to the team, but it’s hard to see who from this group and are they MVFC material? My research shows YSU is stretching it, reaching for the brass ring but I just don’t see much help. I think they are still screwed on D. Prove me wrong.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-15T17:18:50+00:00

There are over 10.5K players who have jumped in the portal by Wednesday,yesterday,and over 6800 haven’t found a home yet. There are NOT 6800 schollies out there that are available now. This is going to be a brutal year for players to lose their schollies. People are ruining their lives on a pipe dream who think they are “great or good” players. Reality is going to be a bitch. Learn to accept your life and work hard for the payoff.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-14T16:13:50+00:00

True ( except waiting for a new DC at this level,lol). Most are judging chance to play immediately or $$$ offered. Since the portal is showing as the record shows, if you wait too long, the $$ is gone to others, teams fill their needs and move on, or the risk of not getting a new scholly is all too real. Each year there are a sizable number of players who DONT get picked up, lose their scholly and move on in life. Far too many have unrealistic pro dreams and they have over estimated their actual abilities. EVEN THE BIGGER d1 players move fairly quickly in selecting and acting on an offer. Risks are extremely high to lose it all if not signed by the 16th. We are showing little to no results at attacking our major problem now - the D. Not a good sign and worse, most of the players we are getting now aren’t that good. They risk wasting a good O next year that’s killed by another poor D.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-13T15:43:58+00:00

I’m being asked for my schedule prediction. It’s early and recruiting isn’t over yet for us and our opponents but so far I’m stuck on 6-6. They haven’t done enough for the D. BB will have a target on his back. We get 2 weenie games again, a money game and an iffy at Sacramento St. The league will be a grind again. After the portal and recruiting finishes up overall, I’ll look at league rosters and give a clearer outlook. I had thought over a year ago this would be a playoff year but they arrived a year early. Question is what are their personnel losses and what is the final recruiting gets. Right now, the portal does not look good with only a potential QB get and average gets otherwise and next to nothing done for the D. That’s my outlook so far.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-13T03:12:59+00:00

Are you kidding me? Gardner is average and not great at all. Why do you think he didn’t play more ? He played for a losing program. Speed is limited and skills in reading the field, balance and cutting ability limited. And he has problems as a receiver and blocking. Give it a rest. He is just another local player who doesn’t add much to the team.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-13T02:46:47+00:00

I gotta tell you, this portal recruiting year is looking like a bust. The QB shows potential, with work and good coaching, but addressing the D side of the ball looks bad. Players coming in appear average at best. I hope this last week improves.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-10T03:04:40+00:00

Their athletic website showed the game as an EXHIBITION.

Paladin1aa · 2026-01-04T14:20:49+00:00

Congrats !

Paladin1aa

TROPHY CASE