I feel like since the Kappas and Burke hires, Mount has added some needed online presence with podcast interviews, a spring alumni day, Mount Union coaches clinic, and spring announcements (online clothing store and student intern graphic). Just feels like there's more energy around the program! Seems like some good recruiting momentum with incoming freshmen and guys returning. It'll be interesting to see if there are any bigger impact transfers.

Here's what I find for Mount Union recruits so far.

HS Recruits
Matt Bodnar QB Easton, PA (Notre Dame HS)
Logan Schmittle LB Dekalb, IL
Grady Fast DE Alliance, OH
Tyson Hunka QB Green, OH
Noah Kacimi DL Bradenton, FL
Michael Hatfield OL/DL Grove City, OH
Keshan Talbert RB Kent, OH
Marcus McMahon RB Grafton, OH
Cooper Gray RB Wadsworth, OH
Hendrix Sickels LB Copley, OH
Joseph Mahoney CB Lamar, TX
Landon Gilmore OLB Canton, OH (GlenOak)
Brennan Funyak RB/DB Hudson, OH
JJ Holloway LB Heath, OH
Michael Rogers WR Melbourne, FL
Wesley Lundell LB Orange, CA
Cole Cook OL Conroe, TX
Markese Wise S/QB Painesville, OH
Austyn Benton OL Carlisle, OH
Charlie Levak QB CVCA
Chris Burt RB/WR Painesville, OH
Deven Smith DT Mentor, OH (Elyria Catholic)
Jeremiah Thomas WR/RB West Branch, OH


Transfers
Jaedon Alston RB Charleston, SC (West Liberty)
William Anglen WR Cleveland, OH (Ohio Valley CCC)
Colson Conrad LB Byron Center, MI (Trine)

Quote from: raiderpa on February 19, 2026, 04:36:15 PMThe week off will give Hamilton time to heal. He is key, IMO, for a tourney run.  Allows for Casenheiser to roam and get shots.  Dunbar has proven to be a beast when he is in there and provides some "juice" as he calls it.  Fuline has definitely made himself a near legend in the basketball history of Mount, I only hope we can keep him for years to come.  Perhaps he should receive some NIL funds...hah

The current rotations they are running  are smooth. Both the first and second groups, variety, tempo, and juice are awesome to watch! A different guy steps up each game lately and you can't stop them all right now.

Quote from: D3fanboy on February 12, 2026, 10:17:33 AMRick Hairston is going to be the first Women's flag football coach at Mount.  The HOF MUC alum is a former great Timken and McK basketball coach, and I thought currently at GlenOak?  He's a pretty top notch coach with lots of ties to the local Stark County high schools.  Not a bad selection

I don't see how this is anything other than positive with his experience and relationships around the county. I wonder if he'll dabble with the men's team too?

Quote from: Dr. Acula on February 07, 2026, 03:51:56 PMI'm sure it's not even on his radar, but congrats to Coach Fuline on notching another 20 win season.  That's now 6 of the last 7 full seasons with 20+ wins.  The program is 130 years old.  It has nine 20 win seasons ever.  Fuline has eight of them.

Wow... Great stat to share! I know one thing... They didn't win 20 games when I was in school at Mount... To be fair, those 1920's and 30's teams were barn burners with great records, but didn't get a chance to win 20 games bc they never played 20 games

Quote from: raiderpa on February 01, 2026, 11:09:47 AMA classic in Westerville. A defensive masterpiece.  Both teams were aggressive, physical and left it all out on the court.  When the Raiders play this defense, they are tough to beat, but Otterbein was up to it. Refs let them play and the guards got mauled all day, but stayed strong.  I thought Ott did a fantastic job of taking away the "3" and we struggled to get an open trifecta. This kept them in the game. Not many subs for Mount, but those who played were excellent. Taylor is and will become more special in the future. His quickness is like a cobra, and he gets off the floor faster than anyone, with an amazing vertical. Collier has shown his value, Vaden makes a difference, and Dunbar plays his rear off with some amazing assists as well as a fine shot. I was remarking to one in the know about Mount's strong season and roster, and he said, "Just wait til next year."  WOW! The future is bright. I hope we are paying Fuline enough to keep him from looking bigger.

I feel like enjoy every year because you never know what happens with rosters and coaches each year... The starters have improved and their defense is what gets them going. The ball movement is so much better this year than last and different guys can hit a big shot. Vaden, Taylor and Collier (they butchered his name all game) have really stepped up this year into their roles and play those roles well. Taylor and Vaden make teams change their offense with how they affect shots. I'm other for Laurich to be effective on the floor, he HAS to keep his hands off guys and keep improving that mid range bunny shot (4-8 feet) bc teams will leave him open. Ball handling and free throws are noticeably better this year and all great teams must have those skills to go far.

What a nice, gutsy win for the Purple Raiders! With a tough environment, bad turnovers, and Hamilton being held all day, they pulled it out! Keep it up, earn the top seed for the conference tournament, and hopefully prepare for the NCAA tournament.

Louisville HS chose Matt Furino from Field HS to take over the Leopard program. Kyle Miller did not get the job, but I'm sure he'll still be looking for the right ones to apply for.

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 28, 2026, 12:37:36 PM

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 28, 2026, 11:28:08 AMListening to Zac Jackson's podcast from the Senior Bowl.  He said there was buzz of "who is this kid from JCU?"  Sounds like Montgomery is opening some eyes down there.  Also saw on Daniel Jeremiah's draft top 100 that the safety from Toledo is #19.  I'm curious what type of talent VK is going to be able to get to Cuse and develop.

boy are the Polian's taking a beating in the social media world the past week or so, hopefully the JCU WR can get drafted.  He is the type of athlete that can break the D3FB draft dry spell.

VK is one of the top DC in all of college football.  His 'Cuse defenses will be absolutely nasty within a couple of years.  VK is a leader of men to a tee

Haven't seen the Polian stuff. What do you mean?

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 21, 2026, 06:46:57 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 21, 2026, 02:05:58 PMa very tall member of the Mount Union coaching staff, who may or may not have played in the NFL has applied and is actively going after the Louisville HS coaching job that Kappas just left...at least that's what sources have said

Probably a safer option than bringing back Farrah since DeMarco has a good thing going at NW.  And yes, I know this is a total Stark county lifer post LOL.

Lol... As good as the teams were with Farrah, I'm not sure he'd be welcomed back and Demarco was passed over so many times in Louisville, so I doubt he'd go back. Louisville is a different place....

Does Miller feel passed over or looking for an opportunity to lead his own program?

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 19, 2026, 06:27:30 PMI know it's not OAC anymore, but JCU AD Brian Polian hiring...Brian Polian as head football coach is pretty good

Kind of odd, but I get it...I bet they were tired of being a stepping stone for someone to move up. Right now, he keeps the staff stable from just having their best season and continue recruiting. IF he's not THE guy moving forward, it gives them time to find the right person.

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on January 16, 2026, 11:50:37 AM

Quote from: purple on January 15, 2026, 11:58:54 PMDorian Grant told me on Wednesday he was returning to Mount Union.

Who the hell is Dorian Grant? I hope he's half as good as Davion Grant was. 

Doran Grant was a good CB who played at St, then OSU and I think NFL too.

Quote from: Dr. Acula on January 16, 2026, 10:59:18 AMIf they can get the ball to Ashby in space he can fly.  Not saying he's on this level, but it'd be awesome to see some Tim Kennedy-ish plays for him.

I actually believe Ashby is faster and "twitchier" than Kennedy was, but he was a great slot. Ashby has big play potential when he touches the ball, by making one man miss and beating guys.
He's also a guy that you could run trick plays through, considering his athletic background. He was a great shortstop in baseball and Mount baseball coaches want him too.

Quote from: purple on January 15, 2026, 11:58:54 PMDorian Grant told me on Wednesday he was returning to Mount Union.

Thanks for sharing and glad he's coming back to be the clear number one.

Not excited about the juice Kappas brings back? Let's take you back to 2015 when football practice took a turn..... https://footballscoop.com/2025/03/04/monday-night-raw-wwe-coaches-version-mount-union-style

Don't remember what Kevin Burke brought as a player (when we beat NCC).... https://youtu.be/INjPq2aHx3M?si=trb6R1mBvexdVaVu