Would like to share some leads I've picked up on through some reliable sources:
-There are a few seniors who anticipate going to grad school to play a fifth year. Running back Ryan Thermill could be off to James Madison and is looking into extending his career there. Wide receiver/running back Phil Peckich, who has been offered a grad assistant position at Robert Morris, could instead be heading to Duquesne to play a fifth year and then take a grad assistant position there.
To me, this says a few things. The offense has certainly struggled this year. Here are two seniors who are getting interest from more successful schools to play next year. It, in my eyes, would be fair to question why these two weren't used more throughout the year at RMU. Just about everyone you talk to would agree Peckich filled in well last year when he was pressed into running back duties. A Pitt transfer, Peckich even considered playing at Duquesne before coming to RMU. Thermill was banged up this season but still wasn't being used much when healthy until very recently. The coaching staff has been giving a lot of young guys a lot of chances to play, but more and more this feels like the wrong decision.
-Speaking of Thermill, he has a shoulder injury (AC joint) and may not play this weekend. If he doesn't, I'm not sure how much. Forrest Barnes could see a lot of carries Saturday. Erich Maine is another running back injured early and is healthy now. Maine looked like he was going to be RB3 going into the year but hasn't seen the field much since returning.
-QB Derik Abbott (ankle sprain) appears to be doubtful for Saturday. So does quarterback Luke Brumbaugh. I'll have updates later today, but that's just what I've been told. If that's the case, Joe Carroll will likely start with Marcus Prather and even Duane Mitchell getting wildcat reps at QB.
-Redshirt freshman OL Drew Garbenis has left the team. He was not listed on the depth chart last Saturday despite a few lineman being injured.
-I've been told CB David Taylor, who was recently benched for Drew Allen, is considering transferring. RB Caleb Stennis has also been testing the waters on other teams interested and could ask for his release once the season ends.
-OLB Kimani Smith, who was suspended from school last year because of an off-field violation, will most likely be playing at Slippery Rock next year. Smith was one of the most promising young players RMU had and was considering returning once he was reinstated to school.
-CB Marcelis Branch, who was suspended with Smith, does seem to be on the track to return next year.
-The biggest surprise: WR Luke Centofanti may not be playing football next year. Centofanti, who is not on scholarship, has come on strong to end the year as a slot receiver. He may be me more focused on his academics at this point in his career.
-There are a few seniors who anticipate going to grad school to play a fifth year. Running back Ryan Thermill could be off to James Madison and is looking into extending his career there. Wide receiver/running back Phil Peckich, who has been offered a grad assistant position at Robert Morris, could instead be heading to Duquesne to play a fifth year and then take a grad assistant position there.
To me, this says a few things. The offense has certainly struggled this year. Here are two seniors who are getting interest from more successful schools to play next year. It, in my eyes, would be fair to question why these two weren't used more throughout the year at RMU. Just about everyone you talk to would agree Peckich filled in well last year when he was pressed into running back duties. A Pitt transfer, Peckich even considered playing at Duquesne before coming to RMU. Thermill was banged up this season but still wasn't being used much when healthy until very recently. The coaching staff has been giving a lot of young guys a lot of chances to play, but more and more this feels like the wrong decision.
-Speaking of Thermill, he has a shoulder injury (AC joint) and may not play this weekend. If he doesn't, I'm not sure how much. Forrest Barnes could see a lot of carries Saturday. Erich Maine is another running back injured early and is healthy now. Maine looked like he was going to be RB3 going into the year but hasn't seen the field much since returning.
-QB Derik Abbott (ankle sprain) appears to be doubtful for Saturday. So does quarterback Luke Brumbaugh. I'll have updates later today, but that's just what I've been told. If that's the case, Joe Carroll will likely start with Marcus Prather and even Duane Mitchell getting wildcat reps at QB.
-Redshirt freshman OL Drew Garbenis has left the team. He was not listed on the depth chart last Saturday despite a few lineman being injured.
-I've been told CB David Taylor, who was recently benched for Drew Allen, is considering transferring. RB Caleb Stennis has also been testing the waters on other teams interested and could ask for his release once the season ends.
-OLB Kimani Smith, who was suspended from school last year because of an off-field violation, will most likely be playing at Slippery Rock next year. Smith was one of the most promising young players RMU had and was considering returning once he was reinstated to school.
-CB Marcelis Branch, who was suspended with Smith, does seem to be on the track to return next year.
-The biggest surprise: WR Luke Centofanti may not be playing football next year. Centofanti, who is not on scholarship, has come on strong to end the year as a slot receiver. He may be me more focused on his academics at this point in his career.
