NLI – Fansmanship https://www.fansmanship.com For the fans by the fans Fri, 12 Mar 2021 03:58:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.29 For the fans by the fans NLI – Fansmanship fansmanship.com For the fans by the fans NLI – Fansmanship http://www.fansmanship.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/Favicon1400x1400-1.jpg https://www.fansmanship.com San Luis Obispo, CA Weekly-ish Cal Poly football announces 18 signees on NLI Day https://www.fansmanship.com/cal-poly-football-announces-18-signees-on-nli-day/ https://www.fansmanship.com/cal-poly-football-announces-18-signees-on-nli-day/#respond Thu, 04 Feb 2016 02:47:14 +0000 http://www.fansmanship.com/?p=18165 On National Letter of Intent Day, Cal Poly and head coach Tim Walsh announced the signing of 17 incoming freshmen and a single junior college transfer. At the news conference in the President’s Suite at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, the focus was on players who want to be at Cal Poly, versatility, and defense. You […]]]>
It was 70-plus degrees at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on NLI day.

It was 70-plus degrees at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on NLI day.

On National Letter of Intent Day, Cal Poly and head coach Tim Walsh announced the signing of 17 incoming freshmen and a single junior college transfer.

At the news conference in the President’s Suite at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, the focus was on players who want to be at Cal Poly, versatility, and defense. You can find all the names and particulars in Cal Poly’s news release here.

Adapting to personnel

While most people think first of offense when coaches talk about adjusting schemes to personnel, Walsh and the Mustangs may be focused on applying the concept to the defense. In the 4-3 scheme they’ve employed recently, Cal Poly’s defensive line — especially on the interior — is often undersized.

It looks like the Mustangs will be moving to a 3-4 defense and at least considering getting a little more creative on that side of the ball. Part of that will be some of the concepts and ideas that Payam Saadat will bring. Walsh mentioned that, while they might not implement ALL of the ideas Saadat has, having fresh concepts and thinking is a good thing.

Saadat was a coach at Cal Poly for two stints, including under Rich Ellerson and got his master’s degree from the university. Walsh also mentioned that Saadat’s experience with Cal Poly and what it requires on and off the field was a factor that played in his favor in the hiring process.

Five of the 18 new recruits are defensive backs, including Bakersfield College’s Dominic Frasch, who will be expected to compete for playing time right away.

Versatility

While it’s no big news that great high school players often play two ways, there are a number of recruits who could end up playing multiple positions at Cal Poly.

Kelepi Lataimua, Bradley Mickey, and Cameron Crump all played two-ways in high school and figure to be defensive backs in San Luis Obispo.

A new quarterback

With Khaleel Jenkins getting some playing time as a true freshman last year, another San Diego quarterback is on his way to San Luis Obispo. Michael Austin comes from Helix High School (Reggie Bush’s alma mater) and he can freaking fly. He and Jenkins will almost certainly be battling for a starting role in 2017.

Faces

Here are some of the faces of the future for Cal Poly football, via Twitter. There are lots more out there, but here are a few.

In the cold of the winter (when it’s like 60 degrees in SLO), fans can sit and dream about what impact some of these guys will have in Cal Poly’s future. Spring practice is like two months away. The beat goes on.

 

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