The Freshmen 15

My advice to the freshmen: Start training... heavily


This is going to be a controversial post, because it will inevitably make some people mad.

But every year, people ask me the understandable question: “Which of the incoming freshmen are the best in the class?”

And with nine days to go before camp opens, it's time for me to try to answer

There are so many disclaimers I have to tick off before I can even begin to answer that question, but here are the most important ones:

1) These are all just predictions. Not rankings or scouting reports, because I am not a scout.

2) I am going to leave someone out who doesn’t deserve to be left out, but I’d like to give some recognition to the players I truly do think are especially promising.

3) To make it even more clear, this is just MY GUESS based on some facts, outside-the-Columbia program sources, and gut reactions.

4) I am very likely to overlook the player who will be the long-term biggest star in the class of 2014. I'm not a genius, far from it. That's why.


5) I suspect the REAL breakout stars this season are more likely to come from the SOPHOMORE and JUNIOR classes.


6) I am going to be woefully wrong about at least one of these kids either listed or not listed.

But first, a word about playing freshmen on the varsity vs. JV.

If you don’t think a JV program is a strong or better alternative, see Harvard and Brown. They’ve made honing youngtalent over the initial two-year period an art. Columbia’s renewed commitment to JV football since 2007 is already reaping rewards in this same way.

Another thing I’d like to do is look back at the last three seasons and point out who ended up being the best performing freshman in his initial year on the team.

In 2007, it was easy to choose: Alex Gross was a breakout star and the 2007 Ivy League Rookie of the Year. But even with Gross' super year, there were also standout performances by then-frosh Nico Gutierez, Adam Mehrer, Matt Moretto, and Andrew Kennedy. In a “non-Alex Gross” year any one of them could have been the top frosh.

In 2008, Owen Fraser emerged right away on the defensive line. He was the biggest reason why Columbia’s weak 2007 rush defense turned into a strength overnight. Kalasi Huggins and AJ Maddox made great strides as frosh, but were in Fraser’s shadow in that department.

Last season, Sean Brackett was obviously the biggest freshmen star. He started the final four games of the season at QB, winning two of them and was Ivy Rookie of the week in the finale against Brown. I thought Will Paterson also made a nice splash at the end of the season, showing some real quickness as an outside pass rusher.

If you’re alarmed by the relatively smaller number of freshmen stars since 2007, see what I wrote above about JV football and see the overall won-lost records for Harvard and Brown since 1999.

Also consider Jeff Adams, who didn’t play much more than a minute for the varsity as a frosh in 2008. But he starred on the JV and then became the top left tackle in all the Ivies in 2009.

Okay, disclaimers over.

Based on my research, here are the freshmen who just MY OPINION seem most LIKELY to be top players for us in the near and more distant future:


1) Marcorus Garrett RB

Tremendous speed and agility at a position where top-level talent is becoming harder to find in the Ivies. The upside here is almost unlimited. Could have an immediate impact.


2) Bruce Grant WR

Another speed demon, this time with local pedigree. The catch is… can he catch? He’s a converted running back who may have no trouble burning the coverage and taking a hit, but will he grab the ball on the fly?



3) Brian East LB

Starred for a top level high school program in Indiana. With some key players at linebacker graduating at the end of the season, he’s well positioned to make an impact for three years or more.


4) Nick Melka DL


Already the right size to play his position and may be coming to CU at just the right time with Lou Miller graduating last May.


5) Luke Eddy K

Nobody is denying the Lions need to shore up the kicking game right away, and Eddy looks like a real contender as a FG and PAT specialist.



6) Paul Delaney P

I thought Greg Guttas really came along as a punter last season, but Delaney comes from a top-level high school program and could challenge for this job right away.


7) Chris Rapka QB

Has a lot of the tools to be a future star, and good size too. Comes from a good competitive school and program in Florida.



8) Hamilton Garner TE

Great size and experience, and comes from a good conference in Georgia. I don’t expect him on the field this year for the varsity, but he’s a good candidate to replace Andrew Kennedy after this season.


9) Brad Losee DL

Great looking prospect from football-rich Minnesota. May need a year or so to get the right size to play up front, but he already reminds me somewhat of Lou Miller.


10) Marquel Carter DB

Outstanding athlete and the kind of guy Columbia and the Ivies would love to serve up as the poster boy for all that’s good about this league. But he’ll have to prove it on the field in a very crowded group of defensive backs for the next few seasons.


11) Duncan Dickerson OL

A top-rated long snapper, Dickerson could be seeing playing time very soon as the Lions had some troubles in this area last year.


12) Maurice Rothschild WR


Another speedy skill player who could surprise this year or next. How bulked up he is or isn't when he comes into camp may mae a big difference for him.


13) Griffin Lowry RB

Every Ivy team has a player like Lowry; a top-flight BCS-caliber recruit who becomes available at our level because of a junior or senior year injury. I am in no way opposed to bringing 1-2 of these guys on board each year, because the upside is tremendous if they recover fully. But fans need to not expect it to happen. So far, the list of players like this who have become big-time Ivy stars is small. But so is the list of HEALTHY players who become stars! This is rarefied air we’re talking about after all. It’s been years since the Lions have had a dominant fullback and Lowry could be that guy one day.


14) Zach Olinger LB

Another product from a real rich football conference who could make a difference on defense. A gym rat, Olinger is a good example to others about putting in the hard work with the weights.


15) Joey Andrada WR

At 6-2, he’s tied for the top spot as Columbia’s tallest receiver. With all the shorter, speedy guys vying for a chance to play, he may stand out.



Gutey Announcement

The athletic department has released a fuller bio piece on new DB Coach Jeff Gutekunst today. There are a lot of good tidbits about “Gutey” that I missed last week and a can’t miss funny quote from Head Coach Norries Wilson about how he’ll have to make some personal changes now that Gutekunst is on board.