New Recruit Update

The 2014 season banquet, coaching moves and all the exciting post season news around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafting Ali Marpet '15 has kept me a little behind on updating Hobart fans around new incoming student athletes.

Although Head Football Coach Cragg will announce the incoming class this August before preseason camp opens, there were a couple of articles I found online over the past couple of months that I wanted to share with you Statesmen and D3FB fans.

The first mention from the Class of 2019 came from Shoresportsnetwork.com reporting that OL/DL Pat Cino from Red Bank Catholic (NJ) committed to attend Hobart back in February (likely via Early Decision).

Cino has great size for a HS SR, standing 6'2" and weighing in at 300+ lbs. He helped his team earn an impressive 11-1 overall record for supposedly the third best HSFB program in the state of NJ! He played in every game and tallied 35 total tackles, including one TFL and three QB hurries.

You can check out Pat's highlight reel on the attached link. Pat's size definitely helped him at the HS level but he may need to develop a faster first step in order to become a starting college player.

The Times Tribune (Scranton, PA) reported that Abington Heights HS DB/WR Jake Henzes will join Cino as part of the Statesmen FB program this fall.

Henzes had 31 receptions for 378 yards and three TDs during his 40 game HS career. He also tallied 32 tackles and two INTs on defense. While Henzes has typical D3FB size at 5'11" 175 lbs, he is pretty fast clocking in a 11 second 100m and 22.7 second 200m as a sprinter for the Comet track team this spring. He also stars on the AHHS track team and he earned All Academic honors for a 3.0+ GPA!

A link to Henzes highlight reel can be found here. The tape shows me a player with a good motor and closing speed who isn't afraid to be a physical hitter.

I will post more information on new recruits as word comes in. The second annual FB Alumni & Friends Golf outing is scheduled for July 25th in Geneva. Contact OC Coach Jon Drach for more information!

Thanks for reading and go BART!

Coach Grange Steps Down, National Search Underway

Yesterday Hobart Football announced the resignation of DC Nick Grange. This is a surprise, especially given the recent departure of former OC Kevin DeWall '00 who took the HC job at Endicott College (MA).

A national search for a replacement is underway. A link to the announcement can be read here.

The resignation ends a brief (two year) but highly successful run for the Statesmen who boasted the 11th best total defense in D3 in 2014. A lot of transition has happened this offseason but I'm confident HC Mike Cragg will be able to navigate it successfully.

Best wishes to Coach Grange and his family.

With the 61st pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Ali Marpet

It was early on in the first set that SR OL Ali Marpet appeared on the screen at the sports bar my band "Room 2" was performing as the next selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I was thrilled for him and his family first. We traded texts during my break of congratulations and pride on this awesome accomplishment. Second, Tampa's not that far from home, so it looks like I'll be attending some Bucs games this fall - hopefully with Hobart Statesmen fans and family also in attendance.

My favorite was a tweet after the selection was announced was from SR FB Dominique Ellis to my @ITHuddLLe account (in response to my saying I'm going to look into season tickets) that he and his family are already Bucs season ticket holders! Tampa's response after Ali's pick can be found here. D3football.com's reaction was equally complimentary. As usual Ali was nothing but a pro in response to the media regarding this incredible opportunity.

Words can't be written to describe how amazing this night is in the history of Hobart College and Division III football.

Good luck to Ali as he goes into rookie camp and continues his pursuit of a NFL career.

Go Bart!