2024 Toledo Rockets

[Bucky]

Since 2005, Toledo has started 8, 9, 9, 9, 8, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 6, 6, 9, 3, 6, 7, and 8 white players. In 2023, they project to start 9. This year drops down to 8

OFFENSE

QB Tucker Gleason RJr. 6’3 245

TE Anthony Torres RSr. 6’6 250

LG Carter Fouty RJr. 6’4 295

C Jakob Jones RSr. 6’5 300

RG Ethan Spoth RSo. 6’4 300

RT Garrett Schweibert RJr. 6’7 305

DEFENSE

MLB Daniel Borden RSr. 6’1 242

SS Maxen Hook Sr. 6’0 205 from @Phall
Write up last year !

Senior Maxen Hook is up for the Bronco Nagurski award (defensive player of the year) and is one of just six MAC players on the Senior Bowl watch list. If he somehow doesn't get a draft grade, he should have plenty of suitors for a graduate year in a power conference. Hook was Indiana's Defensive Back Mr. Football in 2019, but his Big Ten offers must've gotten lost in the mail.

Hook, a junior safety, earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2022 and third-team all-conference recognition in 2021. He was third on the team with 81 tackles last year to go with two interceptions and four pass breakups. He was second on the team and 12th in the MAC with 95 tackles in 2021.

Backups: FS Dylan Hohler, LB Chris D’Appolonia, OL Grant Zimmerly, QB John Alan Richter.

 

[Phall]

Toledo went 11-3 last year and should again be one of the MAC favorites. Despite the drop in white starters and defenders, they're probably more palatable this year with a white quarterback in the saddle.

Daniel Bolden is the younger brother of former Michigan LB Joe Bolden, who went undrafted back in 2016 and currently coaches LBs for Nevada.

Maxen Hook missed 5 games last season with injury, which kept him off the national awards lists and out of the pre-draft process. He still made first-team all-MAC for the second straight year.

Here's an article estimating the "prices" for luring away quality starters, taken with a grain of salt:

Inside the college football NIL market: How much players at each position are actually getting paid​

DB market range: $120,000 to $225,000​

There are some schools that really value this position and are willing to spend up on it, but by and large, it is one of the cheaper positions in which to acquire starting talent. The top end of the cornerback market for surefire, elite starters is in the $250,000-$400,000 range, according to multiple sources.


Safeties aren't quite as in demand as top cornerbacks, but when an elite player like No. 1 overall transfer Caleb Downs (from Alabama to Ohio State) becomes available, multiple programs are willing to spend beyond the typical range.

I am nearly certain that Toledo's NIL program is virtually non-existent. It's not always just about money: that said, I'm surprised that nobody lured Hook away.

Georgia Tech transfer QB Gleason, Bolden, TE Torres, and Hook are four of the Rockets' five team captains this year.

 

[Leonardfan]

Toledo defeat Miss State last Saturday. Pretty big win for a MAC team vs an SEC team. Tucker Gleason played really well. Seems like the MAC will be decided between Toledo and NIU this year.

Gleason was named MAC Offensive player of the week.

https://bvmsports.com/2024/09/16/tucker-gleason-and-dylan-cunanan-earn-mac-football-weekly-awards/

 

[Bucky]

Good win for Toledo and screw Mississippi State!

 

[TwentyTwo]

After 3 games RB #24 Connor Walendzak (Soph.) 5'-11" 208 is currently the team's 2nd Leading Rusher despite not on Ourlads depth chart ...had 8 carries 39 yards & TD at SEC / Miss. State ; almost had 2nd TD on a nice run ; but fumbled at goal-line
,
Was sure to add Maxen Hook to the DB thread! Expect to see him in a Future NFL camp!

Toledo embarassing Mississippi State 41 - 17 in Starkville was eye opening for sure!