As high school seasons begin to slowly come to a close across the east coast and Mid-Atlantic, some players are starting to pick up their recruiting efforts. Robert Morris' big unofficial visit day was two weeks ago against Duquesne, but RMU had a couple players check out the game against Bryant.

ColonialsCorner has a few updates on them as well as some updates involving other players on Robert Morris' radar.

QB Jacob Heath (DeWitt High School - Michigan)
Heath is an interesting story. He lost the starting quarterback gig to a sophomore last year right before the season but played well in relief when the sophomore was hurt. He was the back-up again this year, but once again stepped in due to injury and has helped keep DeWitt undefeated. Heath is a 6-foot-4, 198 pound quarterback and he was 15-for-18 for 342 yards and five touchdowns a couple weeks ago.

It's unclear how long Heath will remain the starter, but it appears he has enough on film to interest Robert Morris. Akron and a few other schools are also interested. Heath was at Saturday's game and visited with the coaches afterward.

ATH Zach Pate (Hurricane High School - West Virginia)
The pipeline that brought the Cooper Bros. to Robert Morris may be a resource for the Colonials again in 2014. Pate may be a sign that the Colonials are going to open up the offense under John Banaszak, as he's a traditional slot receiver/slotback. He's 5-foot-8, 173 pounds and he's generally all over the place for Hurricane. The team uses him as a main option at receiver and at running back, and he also plays special teams.

Pate has played corner in the past but is being used exclusively on offense this year. Good thing, too, because he's been pretty dynamic. Pate has 71 carries for 643 yards, 22 catches for 410 yards and 18 total touchdowns as of a week or so ago. He visited RMU this past weekend.

WR Javonn Curry (Paint Branch High School - Maryland)
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver has had a breakout season in his final year. He has 45 catches for 742 yards and 12 touchdowns during Paint Branch's 9-1 season. He's starting to circulate his midseason highlight tape, and that's where some new interest is coming from, including from Robert Morris. Along with RMU, Curry's recently picked up interest from Towson, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Stony Brook. He does not have a scholarship offer yet, but look for him to be a sought after recruit in December and January before signing day.

OL Sean Plunkett (Erie Community College - New York)
A 6-foot-6, 280-pound tackle, Plunkett is originally from Canisius High School in Buffalo. It's rare for Robert Morris to go after junior college linemen - they usually like to bring those guys along in the system and have them for more than two years - but Plunkett obviously caught their eye. He's also caught a few others, as he claims offers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, Florida A&M and Temple.

As always, keep checking back to ColonialsCorner for more recruiting news, especially as the season winds down and RMU hits the trails to try to reel in its Class of 2014.

This post was edited on 11/4 11:15 PM by Andrew_Chiappazzi

WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THE WILDCATS RUN ALL OVER YOU, BROTHER? WE'VE BEEN EATING OUR VEGETABLES AND SAYING OUR PRAYERS AND NOW KENTUCKY IS READY TO UNLEASH OUR FIGURATIVE 22 INCH PYTHONS OVER BOBBY MO!!!!!

What is with this bench clapping jive,that went out in junior high

Here's hoping for a clean game, no injuries, and for the Colonial players to have a good (but not too good) time at Rupp.


fyi, it's a shooter's gym for the opposition. one of your guys is prob gonna hit 4 or 5 threes lol



best of luck, and if you're visiting Lexington, enjoy the autumn weather! stop by the horse park

a Lane Kiffin contract extension
Antoine Walker's financial advisor
healthcare.gov

How many consecutive national titles would Robert Morris have to win in order to tie Kentucky's NCAA tourney win total?








Answer: 18 straight titles (followed by a Sweet Sixteen)

Think about how far this program has really come. Let this marinate, the program has lost alot of good players, but the players here now/are coming in the next few years, RMU has simply never been able to recruit. One day we will look back and thank Chappell/Jones/Lee and say wow NOW look at the guys we are able to secure.

Great win on the road against a good team. Karvel was amazing down the stretch, Lucky played very well and we got huge contributions from Juanie and Appolon. Andy's switch to zone late really made the difference. Does anyone know why Stewart didn't play?

At least one early hoops commitment is officially in the fold for the 2014-2015 season. New York point guard Jafar Kinsey officially signed his letter of intent at an after-school ceremony at his high school.

Kinsey is a 6-foot-1 point guard who has some similarities, at least on offense, to Velton Jones. Kinsey can pull up and shoot a little bit better, at least from the footage I've seen, but Velton had some mid-range capabilities. Ideally, though, Kinsey is driving the lane either to finish at the rim or dish off to a teammate.

It's the same style of guard that Andrew Toole has always preferred, so it's no surprise that Kinsey was a target. We'll see where his defense is when he arrives in 9 months, but for the most part he's pretty athletic.

Kinsey chose RMU over a handful of mid-majors, and he verbally committed a few months ago after an unofficial visit. He took an official visit last month and signed the paper work today.

I have not heard yet whether Andre Frederick has signed his letter of intent. The 6-foot-8 center verbally committed to RMU back in the summer but has since moved from Detroit, Michigan to Madison, Connecticut. He's taken a low profile to his recruiting process, but as we get information we'll update.

What a day! The colonials mens bball team dominated SSU to get that first win, and the football team rolled over CCSU to gain sole possession of first place. Cant complain!!

I'll have more thoughts on the hoops team once I get to watch the game (i love you NEC front row) but just looking at the box and reading some post game reactions, it appears the guys looked great.

As many of you know the colonials open up with the Savannah State Tigers (who play at pitt tonight) tomorrow night at the Sewall Center.

Cant wait for the season to start!

Some thoughts: I got Ant, Karvel, Lucky, Jeremiah Worthem, and Mike starting. That 4th spot (that I have Worthem in) will be the wildcard. aaron Tate got the start against Cal U but didnt look that great.

RMU lost to SSU last year on the road and got locked down. Thats what the Tigers do, play great D. I think RMU will have enough O in the take to get the win, and I think SSU will struggle with the new hand check rule. RMU should live at the FT line.

Karvel and Luck have solid game, while Newton comes off the bench to lead the team in scoring (15 points). Colonials get the victory!

Defense is playing it's best football of the season..If they keep it up (and get a little help) The D will lead RMU to the Playoffs!

Congratulations to the Colonials for their most complete game in the last two years! Special kudos go out to Paul Jones for turning it up field when receivers weren't open. Along with the defenses' opportunistic takeaways, Paul's 86 yards rushing were the difference Saturday. Paul kept the chains moving by tucking the ball and running up field 12 times instead of allowing swarming rushers to drag him down behind the line of scrimmage. Being more decisive with his runs will make it harder for opposing defenses to double-cover our receivers, so more decisive decisions to run the ball will ultimately open things up for Paul's predisposition for keeping his eyes down field.


The defense continues to impress, and cutting down on undisciplined penalties has been crucial to our victories this year. Now if we can mix in some quck-hitting play action passes on early downs to keep defenses from keying on the run and get our field goal kickers to strike the ball a little lower or follow through a little more, we should be able to make the playoffs and give our opponents something to worry about when we do.


Let's go Bobby Mo!!!

This post was edited on 11/4 8:18 AM by AutoB4

ESPN released its official television schedule for the college basketball season this afternoon, and Robert Morris is scheduled to be on the ESPN family of networks four times. These are ESPN original broadcasts, as ESPN3 could pick up additional games.

The first is the big one, as Robert Morris' trek to Kentucky will be on ESPN2. It's a game that's been on ESPN's radar since Kentucky established the Keightley Classic and thought about inviting RMU. This just officially confirms the tip-off (7 p.m.) and the network. Naturally, RMU's win over UK in the NIT will be a major topic of discussion.

Robert Morris' visit to another Top 25 power - Oklahoma State - will get the ESPNU treatment. That game is scheduled for December 30.

The Sewall Center will return to the ESPN airwaves when Bryant comes in on January 30. That game has actually been pushed back an hour to 8 p.m. to accommodate ESPNU's schedule.

Finally, the traditionally excellent Robert Morris-LIU Brooklyn rivalry game will get the ESPNU treatment on February 6. That game will air from the LIU campus.

The NEC should be announcing its official television schedule soon, which could include additional regional broadcasts.

stumbled upon this on twitter. looks like andy toole is going after another philly guard.

http://chroniclingthecolonials-rmu.blogspot.com/2013/10/rmu-offers-philly-guard-lamarr-kimle.html

I know it is only Tuesday but any updates.

Paul Jones
Donte Jeter
Andy Smigiera
Clay Ilkin
Kenny Davis
Caleb Stennis
David Taylor

I heard Mike Cook has a cast on his hand now after the Wagner game.

Andy Toole and Robert Morris love to recruit the Philadelphia area, especially when it comes to finding guards. They've had a lot of success mining the Philadelphia Catholic and Public Leagues for players, so it's no surprise that Toole's offered another one.

Robert Morris has offered 2015 Neumann-Goretti point guard LaMarr Kimble. It was first reported by Alex Kline of the RecruitScoop here on Rivals. It's Kimble's fourth offer, as he also holds scholarship offers from St. Peter's, Hofstra and Drexel.

Neumann-Goretti, a Catholic school that plays in Class AAA in Pennsylvania, is one of the dynamite high school programs in the state. It has multiple state titles in recent years, though it fell short last year, falling in the quarterfinals. The Saints have a history of producing top flight players, and the latest crop is no different. Kimble has had plenty of weapons to work with, including 2014 prospect JaQuan Newton, who is committed to Miami (FL).

RMU has offered Neumann-Goretti players in the past but hasn't been able to land one just yet. They're also interested in guard Troy Harper. But Kimble might be the catch outside of Newton.

Kimble averaged over 10 points per game as a sophomore and plays at a fast pace, so it's understandable what RMU liked about him. We'll see how things play out and where things go with him in his junior season.

Anything wrong with Karvel, or did he just have an off night?

Charles Oliver played very few minutes. Any insight?

It will be a whole lot easier for this team to be successful if those two guys can knock down threes consistently.

Very excited about the potential of Juanie Newton, K Stewart and Jeremiah Worthem. Hopefully, the other three newcomers
have great potential as well.

Glad to see Mike McFadden becoming more of scorer.

Cal U is a high quality D-II program. The Colonials should benefit from this game much more than if they had played a
lesser opponent and won in a blowout. Coach Toole obviously wanted to see the new guys, including in the second half, to
see how they would react in a tight game.

The Colonials have talent and potential, hopefully they pull it together to have another successful season!

Robert Morris is one of three schools that has offered Lyndhurst (Ohio) Brush 2016 ATH Jordan Overton. He visited RMU with his brother back when his brother was a recruit. Article below.

Jordan Overton article

As previously stated in articles that I have written before, I am definitely a in the trenches type of guy. I love all things between the hash marks on defense . I have attended 4 games this year and watched the other online. I have agreed and enjoyed just about everything you have written. But one part of your 3 up 3 down this week I disagree with. Forrest Mason: I have taken a special interest in watching him this season. I am a former college Player and had some opportunities to play on the next level but 5 knee surgeries wouldn't allow it. I said that because I want you to understand that I do know the game. This young man has the tools, size, speed, agility, drive to make things happen. He is constantly being double and triple teamed, no matter where they line him up. They are checking off at the line of scrimmage to constantly know where he is. Its is because he is taking on several guys in the trenches that players like Mike Cook and AJ Holderman are allowed to make big plays. Taking nothing away from those guys. But break down the film and you will see. I think Mason played hard against both VMI and Monmouth. And was in the backfield a lot and just missed several sacks. The VMI game I counted atleast four knocked down passes from him. I see this kid barring injury, making all conference very soon. Becoming RMUs all time sack leader. And before he leaves, RMUs next future all american.

For the second consecutive year, the Northeast Conference had its annual media day at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and online at NECFrontRow.com. The league issued its preseason All-NEC team and coaches poll, and once again Robert Morris is toward the top of the league.

The Colonials were picked to finish second in the NEC, receiving two first place votes. Wagner was chosen first with seven first place votes. Defending champion LIU Brooklyn, which lost star forward Julian Boyd to a knee injury for at least the first half of the season, was picked fourth.

2013-14 NEC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1. Wagner (7)
2. Robert Morris (2)
Bryant
4. LIU Brooklyn (1)
5. Central Connecticut State
6. Mount St. Mary's
7. St. Francis Brooklyn
8. Sacred Heart
9. Saint Francis U.
10. Fairleigh Dickinson

Preseason All-NEC Team
G - Jason Brickman (LIU)
G - Kyle Vinales (CCSU)
G - Dyami Starks (Bryant)
F - Alex Francis (Bryant)
F - Jalen Cannon (SFNY)

This post was edited on 10/22 1:50 PM by Andrew_Chiappazzi

Present

I am very excited that John Banaszak will be the next head coach at RMU, with one reservation. Coach Banaszak
is responsible for special teams. It seems to me that the special teams have often been a weak point in recent
years, and have made a number of costly mistakes. I do not follow special team stats and such in any detail, so I may be wrong. I would like to hear from Andrew, Original_RMC and other serious observers on this topic.
This post was edited on 10/21 12:06 PM by GoRMU

The homecoming game has become a huge recruiting tool for Robert Morris, as it is the school's blowout event of the football calendar. It's also typically the best environment to bring recruits in on unofficial visits, and that was the case again Saturday against Duquesne.

Dozens of targets were invited, and while some stayed away because of the rain, a number of other recruits showed up and took in at least some of the festivities and the game against Duquesne.

This is just a partial list of confirmed players who were in attendance. We'll add any more if we get additional information.

RB Terry Swanson (Aliquippa) - The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Swanson was the headliner of the group because many believe he deserves BCS offers. Pitt's looked at him several times but hasn't pulled the trigger. The Aliquippa star shares the backfield with four-star stud Dravon Henry, but Swanson's outshined Henry in several games. He plays both ways, but he'd be ideal for a team looking for a home-run hitter at running back. Swanson already has offers from James Madison, Ohio, Stony Brook, Temple and Toledo.

RB Cole Blake (Moon) - A 5-foot-11, 195 pound back who has missed chunks of his high school career due to injury, Blake is in the middle of a strong senior season. In fact, Blake was in attendance after rushing for a school-record 343 yards the night before against New Castle. Blake would be more of a physical back, although he has above average speed.

RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Another dynamic running back, Lista-Brinza has been the lynch-pin for Central Catholic's march to an 8-0 record. He's on pace to have well over 1,000 yards once Central Catholic's season is over with. He's actually been noticed for more than just the last few years; he subbed in even as a freshman and has been a contributor ever since.

DB Owen Nearhoof (Mars) - The last name should be plenty familiar to Robert Morris fans. The youngest Nearhoof brother, Owen is a quarterback/defensive back who is likely going to play on the defensive side of the ball in college. Owen Nearhoof is certainly well known amongst the coaching staff and he no doubt has plenty of knowledge regarding Robert Morris thanks to older brothers Nolan and Ryan.

LB Justin Best (Easton) - One of several recruits in attendance from the other side of the state, Best is a 6-foot-1, 215 pound linebacker who hits like a truck. He also has interested from Rhode Island and Duquesne, and he's explored the possibility of walking on at Penn State. Best could play any of the linebacker spots for Robert Morris because of his athleticism and versatility.

DB Thomas Young (Gateway) - Robert Morris had success with Gateway when it came to landing corner Brian Jones, and this would be the year to go back to the Gators. Gateway's loaded with talent at the skill positions, and Young is a potential defensive back. He's 6-foot, 190 pounds, so he'd be a little bigger than RMU's current corners.

OL/DL Steve Wood (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - One of the big guys on Central Catholic's dominant offensive line, Wood is a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman. Wood profiles as a guard or center on offense.

OL Andres Warfel (Central Bucks West) - Robert Morris has gone big lately on the offensive line and Warfel would certainly fit the bill. He's 6-foot-5, 295-pounds and he's exceptionally strong (his dad was a power lifter). He's had some Patriot League interest, which is typical for players on the eastern side of the state.

WR Craig Thompson (New Brighton) - Thompson's been the primary receiver in New Brighton's spread offense this year, and the Colonials have a line to him with tight end D.J. Pearson, who is also a New Brighton graduate. The 5-foot-11, 170 pound Thompson could potentially be a fit at defensive back as well.

OL/DL Terrence Stanton (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Another of Central Catholic's big boys, Stanton plays on both sides of the line but projects as a potential defensive lineman in college. He's 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, which would be a good defensive end size for RMU. He's also played defensive tackle.

LB Seth Warburton (Greensburg Central Catholic) - A classic middle linebacker, Warburton is a 6-foot, 215 pound force on defense for Greensburg Central. He hits and he hits hard. He's also athletic enough to cover some guys in high school. Both Warburton and his teammate below have a connection at RMU with TE Justin Kempka.

WR/DB Jason Goulding (Greensburg Central Catholic) - A 6-foot, 175-pound two-way player, Goulding appears to be a potential corner prospect in college. He's caught a few passes this year, but not many, and his highlight film is mostly of his defensive work.

LB Justin McMahon (Mentor, Ohio) - One of a handful of out-of-state visitors, the 6-foot, 215-pound McMahon fits what Robert Morris looks for out of potential middle linebackers. He had 117 tackles for a very good team last year, and he's helped push Mentor out to a 7-1 start again this year. RMU also likes players from winners, and Mentor fits the bill.

That's the list for now. We'll add any others as we get information.