And here come the LOIs!

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
47,540
4,196
78
Here's one we didn't expect: a grad transfer specialist from Western Illinois...


Seems to be a kickoff specialist based on his profile from WIU. Makes sense, as I don't know Kuhbander has the leg to step into that role right away:

JUNIOR (2016): Second Team Academic All-MVFC... handled all the kickoff duties, finishing with 31 touchbacks... WIU tied for fifth in the nation in touchbacks... Nominated for the Rhodes Scholar... will serve as President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee in 2016-17... been very active in community service, working with: CONNECKS, Rocky's Reach, Dance Marathon, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Genesis Garden, Summit League Food Fight, Alex's Lemonade Stand, St. Baldrick's, Tim Tebow's Night to Shine, Western Illinois Construction Management Association, and Leatherneck Thank-a-Thon.
 

lou v

All-Conference
Staff member
Aug 27, 2004
18,137
3,394
98

It's being reported that Spivak picked up a late offer from Michigan State, which means he turned down a scholarship from the Spartans to walk on at NU. Wow.

By the way, several commits I talked to called Spivak the funniest guy in the class.
 

lou v

All-Conference
Staff member
Aug 27, 2004
18,137
3,394
98
And here's the last new Wildcat, California state champion WR Berkeley Holman of St. John Bosco...

 

lou v

All-Conference
Staff member
Aug 27, 2004
18,137
3,394
98
And here's the last new Wildcat, California state champion WR Berkeley Holman of St. John Bosco...


And that's all, folks! The Class of 2017 is signed, sealed and delivered. It was all over by 9:16 am Central. Not bad for a morning's work.
 

phatcat_rivals223240

All-Conference
Nov 5, 2001
19,268
1,382
113
So that's it for a while. The Eastern and Central time zones are present and accounted for. The lone remaining commit is Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco WR Berkeley Holman, who is the lone class member in the Pacific time zone. He can't send his in until 9 a.m. Central.
Droski will be a fan of a kid named Berkeley from CA
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,964
2,537
113
Seems to be a kickoff specialist based on his profile from WIU. Makes sense, as I don't know Kuhbander has the leg to step into that role right away:

JUNIOR (2016): Second Team Academic All-MVFC... handled all the kickoff duties, finishing with 31 touchbacks... WIU tied for fifth in the nation in touchbacks... Nominated for the Rhodes Scholar... will serve as President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee in 2016-17... been very active in community service, working with: CONNECKS, Rocky's Reach, Dance Marathon, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Genesis Garden, Summit League Food Fight, Alex's Lemonade Stand, St. Baldrick's, Tim Tebow's Night to Shine, Western Illinois Construction Management Association, and Leatherneck Thank-a-Thon.

This kid was born to be a Wildcat, with his name combining two of the greatest names in NU sports history. Welcome, Luke Otto.
 

lou v

All-Conference
Staff member
Aug 27, 2004
18,137
3,394
98
Interesting. Is he a scholarship player?

I confirmed that he is a walkon. They feel very fortunate, as Otto just kinda dropped into their laps. He will likely be the kickoff guy, at the very least. He could potentially push Charlie Kuhbander and Hunter Niswander, as well. He may not necessarily beat either one out, but having Otto competing out there will be a positive for both of them. You know how Fitz loves "competitive depth."
 

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
22,000
2,149
113
I confirmed that he is a walkon. They feel very fortunate, as Otto just kinda dropped into their laps. He will likely be the kickoff guy, at the very least. He could potentially push Charlie Kuhbander and Hunter Niswander, as well. He may not necessarily beat either one out, but having Otto competing out there will be a positive for both of them. You know how Fitz loves "competitive depth."

Given how many TD's NU will score this upcoming season, good to have at least 2 kick-off guys. Don't want to overwork anyone!
 
Last edited:

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
786
0
I confirmed that he is a walkon. They feel very fortunate, as Otto just kinda dropped into their laps. He will likely be the kickoff guy, at the very least. He could potentially push Charlie Kuhbander and Hunter Niswander, as well. He may not necessarily beat either one out, but having Otto competing out there will be a positive for both of them. You know how Fitz loves "competitive depth."

I have not heard Spivak's former Montini teammate, Mason Weisenhof (sp?), mentioned as a candidate for the place kicking job next year.that is surprising because the kid had a leg on him and made some clutch FGs in HS. Lou, do you know if he is also in the mix?
 

lou v

All-Conference
Staff member
Aug 27, 2004
18,137
3,394
98
I confirmed that he is a walkon. They feel very fortunate, as Otto just kinda dropped into their laps. He will likely be the kickoff guy, at the very least. He could potentially push Charlie Kuhbander and Hunter Niswander, as well. He may not necessarily beat either one out, but having Otto competing out there will be a positive for both of them. You know how Fitz loves "competitive depth."

I have not heard Spivak's former Montini teammate, Mason Weisenhof (sp?), mentioned as a candidate for the place kicking job next year.that is surprising because the kid had a leg on him and made some clutch FGs in HS. Lou, do you know if he is also in the mix?

I'm sure he will be.
 

Hungry Jack

All-American
Nov 17, 2008
40,052
7,771
67
Lansbury has pretty good tape for a WO. He put up video game numbers his senior year.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,964
2,537
113
Lansbury has pretty good tape for a WO. He put up video game numbers his senior year.

It's interesting that two of our most successful walk-ons ever were two receivers - Markshausen and Carr. If Lansbury's got what it takes, the coaches won't hesitate to give him a chance.
 

NewBocacat

Redshirt
Sep 27, 2001
58
2
8
So that's it for a while. The Eastern and Central time zones are present and accounted for. The lone remaining commit is Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco WR Berkeley Holman, who is the lone class member in the Pacific time zone. He can't send his in until 9 a.m. Central.

Here's one we didn't expect: a grad transfer specialist from Western Illinois...

 

Alaskawildkat

Senior
Dec 28, 2005
20,861
640
113
Nice work Lou. Now you can sleep in .... or not.

Strike up the band, its party time! Welcome to each if the SavageCats17!

 
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ricko6543211

Junior
Nov 15, 2006
4,236
239
47
Nice work Lou. Now you can sleep in .... or not.

Strike up the band, its party time! Welcome to each if the SavageCats17!

Nice pic of my bass drum line there Alaska, thanks! Those stick heights could use some work in that snapshot though... half of us are at about 9 and the other two at 15...
 

Alaskawildkat

Senior
Dec 28, 2005
20,861
640
113
Seems to be a kickoff specialist based on his profile from WIU. Makes sense, as I don't know Kuhbander has the leg to step into that role right away:

JUNIOR (2016): Second Team Academic All-MVFC... handled all the kickoff duties, finishing with 31 touchbacks... WIU tied for fifth in the nation in touchbacks... Nominated for the Rhodes Scholar... will serve as President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee in 2016-17... been very active in community service, working with: CONNECKS, Rocky's Reach, Dance Marathon, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Genesis Garden, Summit League Food Fight, Alex's Lemonade Stand, St. Baldrick's, Tim Tebow's Night to Shine, Western Illinois Construction Management Association, and Leatherneck Thank-a-Thon.

Nice pic of my bass drum line there Alaska, thanks! Those stick heights could use some work in that snapshot though... half of us are at about 9 and the other two at 15...

When I posted that I wondered if anyone on the boards would recognize themselves in the photos. I take that as a good omen for the new recruiting class members.

(By the way, which drum is yours?)
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,964
2,537
113
Get those stick heights right, for crying out loud! Make the NU bass drum section great again!
 

ricko6543211

Junior
Nov 15, 2006
4,236
239
47
Get those stick heights right, for crying out loud! Make the NU bass drum section great again!
Alaska I am Bass 1 there (the smallest one). And as for the stick heights... it's mostly defensible. For unaccented unisons on Go U (which is what that looks like to me) the technical stick height is 9 inches, which Jin and I are using.... but.... the lower drums drive the noise on those unisons (while the higher drums are more to blend there, they stand out on the faster / more challenging stuff), and especially on slow notes like that when stationary, it's pretty reasonable to put a bit more energy behind it and play at 15 / full. I think even if Jin and I had seen this pic at the time we wouldn't have had a problem with it.
 
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