A-State Notes:Football

[Seminole Indian]

AStateNation reported that former Oregon 4-Star APB Kirk Merritt (5-11, 205), has signed on as a mid-term signee, and he is now listed on their list of signees.  His Rivals profile out of HS:https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2015/kirk-merritt-6932

According to 247 they currently have four HS players committed--2 CBs, a DT, and a WR, but their signing status in unclear.  All are rated 3-Star recruits, by one or more of the major recruiting sites. Some or all could all end up signing in February as part of the 2018 class, or as blue shirts and count toward 2019.

There have been reports that RB Armond Weh Weh ( 5-11, 215), and CB  Brandon Byner (5-11, 175)  could receive medical hardships, and return in 2017. Both could be major contributors if fully healthy.

Anderson was not sure about the status of  3-Star athlete Avery Johnson (6-3, 230) because of an undisclosed injury.

Although Anderson did not mention signing another RB, former GT RB Derick Mills(5-11, 200) is reportedly down to  Memphis, and A-State. Mills was highly recruited out of HS, and led GT in rushing as a true freshman.

Senior backup OL Jamal Fontenot (6-4, 314)  will transfer to another school as a grad transfer.

Some speculation that RS-FR QB Logan Bonner(6-1, 210) is considering transferring. Many thought he would beat out returning starter Justice Hansen in 2017.

A-State returns most of their skill players on offensive, a group that was already considered to be among the most talented in G5, and with the addition of Merritt,  explosive Oklahoma transfer Dahu Green(6-5, 200), and Boise WR transfer Bubba Ogbebor,(6, 190), the 2018 group could be outstanding.

Anderson has said his goal is to lead the nation in scoring in 2018.

A-State has what is generally considered the best recruiting class in the SBC in 2017.

Anderson had indicated that A-State could lose several coaches this off season but thus far only S&C Coach Kaz Kazadi, who has apparently agreed to become the S&C Coach at SMU, appears to be leaving.

Speculation on AStateNation is that former Missouri S&C Coach Pat Ivey, who was on the A-State staff this year, will replace him.

[GolfNut57]

Anderson has said his goal is to lead the nation in scoring in 2018.

Blah blah we're aiming for the cotton bowl blah blah......going after the G5 access bowl blah blah...........

I will be more impressed with him if they go out and do it. Not just talk about it. Like the other so-called promises.

[holeinthewall]

Blah blah we're aiming for the cotton bowl blah blah......going after the G5 access bowl blah blah...........

I will be more impressed with him if they go out and do it. Not just talk about it. Like the other so-called promises.

Looking at the schedule 11-1 is a possibility.  But I am sure Anderson will coach another couple losses into the season.  Turnovers and penalties.  that is on the HC.

[Seminole Indian]

They don't have a "coaching staff" at A-State , they have a "recruiting staff".

[GolfNut57]

Looking at the schedule 11-1 is a possibility.  But I am sure Anderson will coach another couple losses into the season. Turnovers and penalties.  that is on the HC.

Penalties due to undisciplined players such as unsportsmanlike type crap is on the coach. Other penalties though can't be blamed on the coach. Such as off sides or false starts. Players are taught to wait for the snap and if they screw up that is on them because they sure as hell are taught better than that from peewee ball on up. Turnovers I am not sure can be blamed on the coach no matter what. If the QB throws a pick because he threw into a crowd or just plain bad throw that is all on him. Same with a player that fumbles. The head coach isn't the one who made him drop the pigskin. Once again they are taught early on how to protect the ball when tackles are imminent.

[asuato]

AStateNation reported that former Oregon 4-Star APB Kirk Merritt (5-11, 205), has signed on as a mid-term signee, and he is now listed on their list of signees.  His Rivals profile out of HS:https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2015/kirk-merritt-6932

According to 247 they currently have four HS players committed--2 CBs, a DT, and a WR, but their signing status in unclear.  All are rated 3-Star recruits, by one or more of the major recruiting sites. Some or all could all end up signing in February as part of the 2018 class, or as blue shirts and count toward 2019.

There have been reports that RB Armond Weh Weh ( 5-11, 215), and CB  Brandon Byner (5-11, 175)  could receive medical hardships, and return in 2017. Both could be major contributors if fully healthy.

Anderson was not sure about the status of  3-Star athlete Avery Johnson (6-3, 230) because of an undisclosed injury.

Although Anderson did not mention signing another RB, former GT RB Derick Mills(5-11, 200) is reportedly down to  Memphis, and A-State. Mills was highly recruited out of HS, and led GT in rushing as a true freshman.

Senior backup OL Jamal Fontenot (6-4, 314)  will transfer to another school as a grad transfer.

Some speculation that RS-FR QB Logan Bonner(6-1, 210) is considering transferring. Many thought he would beat out returning starter Justice Hansen in 2017.

A-State returns most of their skill players on offensive, a group that was already considered to be among the most talented in G5, and with the addition of Merritt,  explosive Oklahoma transfer Dahu Green(6-5, 200), and Boise WR transfer Bubba Ogbebor,(6, 190), the 2018 group could be outstanding.

Anderson has said his goal is to lead the nation in scoring in 2018.

A-State has what is generally considered the best recruiting class in the SBC in 2017.

Anderson had indicated that A-State could lose several coaches this off season but thus far only S&C Coach Kaz Kazadi, who has apparently agreed to become the S&C Coach at SMU, appears to be leaving.

Speculation on AStateNation is that former Missouri S&C Coach Pat Ivey, who was on the A-State staff this year, will replace him.

Weh-Weh has the medical redshirt. Will be back next season. IF he gets over his mental stuff from the ACL injury then he would be a part of a nice three back rotation in the backfield with Wand, with the assumption that Merritt becomes an "A" back.

[Seminole Indian]

Failed to mention in my initial post that promising 3-Star RB/AB/WR Chauncey Mason had decided to transfer, so getting Merritt is an even  bigger deal.

Because of those concerns about Weh Weh, I would not be surprised if they added Dedrick Mills, if he does not end up at Memphis. He showed during his freshman year at GT, why  schools like Alabama, Auburn,  Florida, Florida State, Tennessee,  South Carolina, Arkansas, etc. offered him. 

While A-State now has only 2 scholarship openings left for the 2018 class, and Anderson said he wants a CB, and DE,  they signed eight players last year that counted forward, and it could happen again.

Regardless of who else signs on, they are going to be absolutely loaded at the skill positions on offense in 2018.

[Seminole Indian]

It is looking more and more like the current four unsigned commits for A-State will end up as blue-shirts if eligible. One commit, CB D'Jordan Strong, has indicated he will sign with both A-State and a JC in February.

This includes El Dorado's  3 Star DT, Terry Hampton, and Batesville's 3-Star WR, Demetrice Holiday.

It also appears that A-State is pursuing  Pulaski Academy's QB Layne Hatcher as either a walk-on, preferred walk-on, or as a blue-shirt.

A-State reportedly has one scholarship left for 2018, and according to HC Blake Anderson they will use it for a DE.

[Seminole Indian]

While A-State has only one scholarship left and is reportedly holding it for a decision by a JC DE, they still expect to sign players during Wednesdays national signing date.

3-Star CB JeMarcus Burrell has indicated he will sign with A-State Wednesday. Also expected to sign Wednesday is 3-Star ATH Nathan Page, out of Little Rock Joe T. Robinson.

3-Star WR  Demetrice Holiday appears to be headed to a JC, and 3-Star DB D'Jordon Strong has said he will sign with both a JC and A-State Wednesday.

The status of 3-Star DL Trey Hampton is unknown.

Presumably all but the DE will sign on as blue-shirts if they sign.