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RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

ST_Lawson — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:13:27 GMT

Picked up three more:
Leathernecks Add Three to Football Signing Class

Two DLs, one from Florida, one from California, and an OL from Crystal Lake, IL.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Iowa NeckFan — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:08:45 GMT

I'm not sure how we would quantify this, but it seems to me like we have a very talented and deep recruiting class this year. I don't remember a year when we picked up talent this deep, at so many positions. Does anyone agree?

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

ST_Lawson — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:22:09 GMT

I wonder if this kid just doesn't want to stay in Macomb, or if he hasn't talked to our coaching staff (I find that pretty hard to believe though). I don't blame him if he's got a legitimate shot at a Big 10 school, but he's got Illinois State and Missouri State listed as well, and I hate seeing good local talent go to other schools at the same level as Western.
Talented Guard Waits For First Offer
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/football/recruiting/player-Nick-Severs-115697

Also noticed that the guy he's talking to at Michigan is someone we know...former Leathernecks QB Jeff Hecklinski

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Iowa NeckFan — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:17:54 GMT

Now we have to find out who can throw it to the big man and let him go get it.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

catch212 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:27:34 GMT

I've always been hoping for a tall WR and now we have one. Let's just hope the boy can move well.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

vatusay — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:43:52 GMT

Seems like they got some stand out players at the skill positions in this class

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

ST_Lawson — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:15:56 GMT

vatusay (3/2/2012)
Signed a 6'6" reciever out of hawaii sounds like a stud in football and basketball.

Wow, I completely missed the part that he's 6'6". Was watching his highlight video and it looks like they'd throw the ball to him even if he was covered, knowing that he has a pretty decent height advantage over most of the guys trying to cover him, and more often than not, he'll come down with the ball.

For comparison, he's 3 inches taller than Lito Senatus. Not saying that height alone makes a good football player, but it's going to definitely help when he's going up for a ball against someone else. For example, just did a quick scan of some rosters and against anyone that would be defending him: Illinois State, 4" advantage; UNI, 5" advantage, SIU, 5" advantage.

Sounds like a great kid. I just hope he doesn't get here, play one season...realize what it's like playing here in November and decide to go somewhere south.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

ST_Lawson — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:38:25 GMT

For those of you curious, here's the full info:
Leatherneck Football Signs Malik Johnson

Interesting fact #3...or really more of a coincidence, since I doubt it had anything to do with him deciding to come to Western...
The band director at Punahou (the school that Malik and Obama attended) is Jason Sivill.
The same Jason Sivill was the Georgia soloist the first year or two that I was in the marching band.
This is him and an alumnus playing the Georgia "solo" at Homecoming in '96.

So, all the way out in Hawaii...not only is the kid's dad a Leatherneck, so is the band director of the marching band that would play at halftime of his HS football games.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU712 — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:29:45 GMT

Two interesting facts regarding the new recruit from Hawaii:

1. He goes to the same high school as President Obama.

2. His dad played football for Western.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

vatusay — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:10:58 GMT

Signed a 6'6" reciever out of hawaii sounds like a stud in football and basketball.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

letsgonecks — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:47:45 GMT

The other day coach Ware gave a shoutout tweet to Twyner on landing another recruit. Anyone know about this?

Would copy the link but on my phone.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

catch212 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:44:46 GMT

Thanks for the article, Iowa.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Iowa NeckFan — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:31:43 GMT

Let's Go Western! I'd love to see everyone rally around Coach Hendrickson, his staff and the team this year! We have some pieces in place to have an exciting and successful team in '12. Game days should be an event on campus. I'd love to see some additional improvements to Hanson Field. We've heard rumors of a Football Building and overhaul of the west side bleachers. We come up and tailgate for 2-3 games a year. We love what they've done with the Q Lot.

Come out & support our Fighting Leathernecks!

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU712 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:03:51 GMT

Thanks, Iowa Neck Fan!

Great article!

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Iowa NeckFan — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:54:29 GMT

I was able to read it. The kid looks like a winner. Here it is:

Northern Chooses Western Illinois
Scott Roberts sroberts@reporter-times.com
February 9, 2012

MARTINSVILLE

Martinsville High School senior quarterback Hayden Northern said there were a lot of factors that went into his decision on where to play collegiate football. He decided on the certainty of a scholarship and the family atmosphere of a smaller Division I school, instead of the uncertainty of trying to walk on at a bigger one.

Northern will play football for Western Illinois University, an NCAA Division I school in Macomb, Ill., about 100 miles north of St. Louis, Mo. He will enroll in summer classes at the school in June to try to get as much practice in before the fall season as possible and get accustomed to his new surroundings. He’s unsure right now on what he will study, but is looking at business, business management, supply management or marketing.

Northern said he loved Western Illinois as soon as he visited the campus.

“When I went on my official visit, all the players and coaches were great, it seemed like they hung out together and it felt like a family,” Northern said. “I really liked that.”

Northern said he also felt like Western Illinois was good academically and he felt like the offense the Leathernecks run would be a good fit for his skill set.

“They run a spread offense and it’s high paced, a no-huddle, somewhat similar to what we ran here,” Northern said. “It’s 50 percent shotgun, 50 percent under center, so I think it will work out well.”

Martinsville football coach Fred Kutruff agrees.

“With all of the injuries, Hayden got our year right on track,” Kutruff said. “He’s a good learner and a real hard worker. He’s very talented and a great football player.”

Northern said he had walk-on offers from Big Ten schools Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana, but chose the stability of a full-ride scholarship and a guaranteed roster spot over a chance to make a team at a bigger school.

“I decided to take the scholarship and be a Leatherneck,” Northern said.

Northern said he didn’t know when he would get a chance to see game action, since Western Illinois has three senior quarterbacks right now, but he said he would work hard and wait for his chance.

“I’m just going to work hard and try to get that starting position,” Northern said.

He will participate in summer camps and seven-on-seven drills to try to get acquainted to Western’s system, and meet some more of his teammates, some of which he already met on his recruiting visit.

“I met a couple of the linemen and they were pretty cool guys,” Northern said. “Hopefully I can meet some more people there.”

Northern will see some old friends at least once a year, as he will play in the same conference as high school teammate Beau Shields, who is signed to play football at Indiana State. Both schools are part of the Missouri Valley Conference.

“It’s a big honor to play Division I football and it’s great that I’m in the same conference with him,” Northern said.

(Scout.com says he was also offered a schollie to play at Western Michigan, but was holding out for an offer from Iowa or Indiana. Both schools seemed big on him, too.)

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU712 — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:56:16 GMT

To Leatherneck Fan 12212:

Could you Copy & Paste that article ????

In order to read it, you have to "register" on that newspaper's website.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Leatherneck Fan12212 — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:57:24 GMT

Sounds like Hayden Northern is happy to be a Leatherneck

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:35:42 GMT

I would hope he would sign to Western Illinois ASAP! Perfect fit for WIU, with the size and long reach. Fits the mold of Lito Senatus, which we need. That catch at 4:49 was huge.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

theronwilson11 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:02:37 GMT

what do you think about this?

orginally had an offer from EMU but waited out to long.
6'3 175

Theron Wilson

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

FINS#1 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:08:08 GMT

Philip rivers throws a little side arm and he's not doing to bad for himself.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

catch212 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:47:02 GMT

Welcome to the board!

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Wiufootballfanatic — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:16:53 GMT

I think that Hayden Northerns release is alot better his senior year then his junior year. He does throw a little sidearm but it should be a quick fix. I'm very excited to see this kid on the field!

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

catch212 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:41:22 GMT

vatusay (2/1/2012)
What one winning season and they are the beasts of the MVFC? Lol. Didn't they have like twenty some straight losses? (I know I know the win to snap the streak was against us) but still....all I have to say is geesh.

I know, right? These are the same guys that have an "operation 10k" thread over there, talking about doing everything they can do to get 10,000 people to a game. Really...?

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

meganeck — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:55:43 GMT

thanks for posting those StLneck

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:41:21 GMT

News roundup:

http://lemont.patch.com/articles/football-lemont-s-kyle-krull-brad-uher-sign-with-western-illinois

http://www.lincolncourier.com/newsnow/x715341929/NCAA-FOOTBALL-Conrady-picks-Leathernecks

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2012/feb/01/jays-moore-signs-letter-intent-play-football-weste/

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120202/HSSPORTS/302020016

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU02 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:43:01 GMT

Has anyone else watched the highlight/youtube reel of Hayden Northern? His release is extremely low/side armed, taking a lot away from his 6'4 build. Is anyone "in-the-know" aware of our developmental help, whether through Ruse or Hendrickson? This, and his staring down of option one, is my initial concern with Hayden. The kid definitely has potential.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

vatusay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:27:19 GMT

What one winning season and they are the beasts of the MVFC? Lol. Didn't they have like twenty some straight losses? (I know I know the win to snap the streak was against us) but still....all I have to say is geesh.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

vatusay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:27:18 GMT

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

catch212 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:47:34 GMT

Trees forum on Jalen Duncan

These guys are cracking me up. Especially the guy that just "has no idea what WIU has on ISU anymore." I don't know, how about a good football program to start the discussion?

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:17:55 GMT

Wow that receiver looks exciting. I love getting the big receivers, the ones under six foot just don't thrill me.

Having fun watching these videos now. I think that we are getting a huge advantage over other MVC teams because apparently Jalen Duncan cannot be tackled, and only scores touchdowns.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:50:03 GMT

Nice article about J'Vaughn Williams:

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/cardinal-athlete/williams-gives-collinsville-strength-in-post/article_ab927b3a-4c37-11e1-a999-001a4bcf6878.html

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:47:25 GMT

First of all, I really apprecaite all of the effort that went into signing day this year. I thought the live chat was a nice addition to the festivities. But, a lot of the answers given were too PC. I know that he couldn't have talked up one player or another at risk of implicity putting down someone else, but I felt like there could have been a way for people to get more insight into the recruiting process, and we didn't get a lot of that. It was almost like he was afraid to say something that might be taken the wrong way or out of context. I guess I can understand that. Sorry my questions sucked

But, what we did learn was:

- J'Vaughn Williams was recruited as a QB
- There are a few more potential signees out there, including a WR
- The kicker will try out for all three positions
- The coaching changes didn't affect recruiting
- They recruited for, and will go with, a 4-3

It was strange because it took 15-30 minutes to see your question pop up, they must have been screened.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

beauspencer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:54:45 GMT

Video interview with coach Hendrickson on each of the recruits now online.
http://www.goleathernecks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205372401&DB_OEM_ID=12000

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

sealhall74 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:29:28 GMT

It seems he also nicely dodged the facilities question. I am pretty sure that was a scripted answer.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

meganeck — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:14:54 GMT

catch212 (2/1/2012)
MH is saying a whole lot of nothing in the chat on the athletics website.. nothing but the politically correct answers

I agree, reading the chat he said a bunch of nothing except confirming the switch to 4-3. Also I don't know why when someone asked about some players, all he ready said is to go the website and watch their video. Well we aren't coaches, it would have been nice to get his opinion. I know probably no other coach did this, but he really didn't say much. Anyway still appreciate him doing that.

Also when asked about the DC position he seemed kinda short. He had to know he was going to get asked about it. Could have said we hope to have an announcement next week, etc... anyway just something else I thought was weird.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:01:50 GMT

Jean-Marc Charles is a huge get... I was surprised to see his name come up. I kind of wrote him off because of the high level of interest he was getting.

Also of note is that his star rating on Rivals magically went down from three stars too...

There are 21 recruits listed, less than the 25 reported earlier. I wonder who the mystery receiver is?

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

vatusay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:21:54 GMT

reciever they picked up looks like a burner. RB out of Indiana looks like he could break one off every time he touches the ball. If Northern can l play like it looks like he is capable of id say the offense is in great shape. well as long as o-line improves alot lol

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

ST_Lawson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:24:03 GMT

I agree that for the most part politically-correct answers. There's probably a lot that he'd like to say but is either being diplomatic or can't discuss due to NCAA rules. Mostly about people playing...they've looked at tape, but there's really no way to tell how good a kid is going to be until he gets on our field with some of our players and starts running plays using our schemes. I'd imagine that there's some great talent, but it's just too early to tell who's going to be redshirted, who's going to be backup, and if there might be a couple of incoming freshman who can jump right up and start.

There was one series of comments that I particularly liked:
12:00 Comment From derek - Are you still switching to the 4-3 or will that be left up to the new DC
12:00 Coach Hendrickson: Yes - we will be aligning in 4-3 on defense.
12:35 Comment From derek - Did that change your recruiting strategy at all, going to 4-3
12:35 Coach Hendrickson: The 3 signees listed as DL - defensive lineman - were recuited with this scheme in mind.

So despite the DC situation, we're still going with the 4-3 defense. Now that I've heard that and saw who they originally were wanting to hire, it makes me really think that the retained coaching staff decided that they were going to shift to the 4-3, then worked from there to find the best available candidate to run the 4-3. So it sounds like we'll still be getting a 4-3 guy, and that they're specifically recruiting players who can fit that scheme well.

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Leatherneck Fan12212 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:23:54 GMT

Is the press conference and Beau's interview on Rocky Vision, 88.3 The Dog, etc?

RE: WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

catch212 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:52 GMT

Jean-marc Charles signed? Fantastic news.. I've seen him holding offers from schools like Minnesota and West Virginia.