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Topic: Starter Guesses

Topic: Starter Guesses

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Doc Bobcat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 8:29:02 AM

I’m sure I have mostly wrong but this would be a decent group:

QB-Vezza/Davis

RB-Brune/Rosa

WR-Bowman/Dorwart/Pugh

C-Hulbert/Parson
RG-Waite/Anstead
LG-Malicevic/Cisse
LT-Shelby/Lawson
RT-Dawson/Maldonado
TE-Furtney/Metzger

DT-Dukes/Hale/Mitchell
DT-Pavey/Neubert/Reagans
DE-Hermann/Gillison
DE-Street/Ackerman/Marsh
LB-Molnar/Fries
LB-Christopher/Raymond
Nickel- Thompson/Jenkins
S-Chamberlin/Morton
S-Walker/Haskins/James-Hamilton
CB-Bannister/Mathis
CB-Sejour/Dillon/Long

Last Edited: 2/21/2026 8:32:05 AM by Doc Bobcat

RufusCat09
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Member Since: 12/14/2019
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 9:13:28 AM

Doc Bobcat wrote:

QB - As much as I'd love to see Davis/Vezza/Grand I do think Poulos is in the driver seat having been here multiple years. Personally I'd really like to see Grand or Davis get in the mix.

WR - Don't forget about Rodarte coming back off of his injury. Would love to see one of the freshman get in the mix (Hackleman, Hughbanks, Page)

TE - I love the additions here but it'll be a wait and see who comes out of the group.

DE. Ackerman, Marsh and Hermann all should be solid. Most excited about Ackerman, he was a handful in the Bowl game.

LB - Molnar/Fries/Christopher should be the one of the best groups in the MAC

CB - Bannister should be All-MAC. Sejour reminds me of Torrie Cox. Where was Mathis last year?

Excited for spring ball to get underway.

bobcatsquared
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 9:47:50 AM

RufusCat09 wrote:

Where was Mathis last year?

Saw him on the sideline at home games but I don't think he dressed all year.

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 10:07:19 AM

RufusCat09 wrote:

Doc Bobcat wrote:

Poulus certainly has first look and if he beats out tough competition we will be in good shape.

I wasn’t sure about Rodarte and his injury. One of my sleeper picks is a similar player in Ver Steeg. As far as newcomers go the QB and WR positions will have some great players to chose from. I especially like Ver Steeg and Hackelman and MC Walker….I keep wanting to type MC Hammer.

True freshman wise DL Stiggers looks like a sack machine.

bobcatgrad
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 9:36:28 PM

If we go just by actual game experience for QB, Nick Poulos (Grad. Student) would be the favorite because he has the most playing time at Ohio, followed by Jacob Winters (Redshirt Junior) who has limited game experience.

Matt Venza (Junior) could be a darkhorse candidate because he just transferred from New Hampshire where he had decent amount of experience in the FCS.

We will have to see more of what Matthew Papas (Redshirt Soph.) and Hype Grand (Redshirt Fres.) are about in spring ball.

And you have to think that Levi Davis will get redshirted with so many QBs on the roster.

bobcatsquared
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 9:59:16 PM

I gotta think Davis will be given every opportunity in the spring and pre-season to compete for playing time.

bobcatgrad
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/21/2026 10:07:32 PM

bobcatsquared wrote:

I gotta think Davis will be given every opportunity in the spring and pre-season to compete for playing time.

The current NCAA Division I rules allow players to participate in up to four games (regular season or postseason) and still retain their redshirt status for that year, preserving their eligibility. So would be good to get Davis out on the field where we can while retaining his redshirt.

SBH
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/22/2026 9:18:59 AM

Walter Bobb Jr. will be back at DE this year.

CatsUp
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/22/2026 10:51:10 AM

SBH wrote:

Walter Bobb Jr. will be back at DE this year.

I have been looking forward to seeing him on the field for a couple years but he hasn’t made it out there much. Do you know if he had injuries limit him so far?

SBH
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/22/2026 12:37:36 PM

He sat out last year due to some off field issues. He's healthy...and growing up, hopefully.

Cats5
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/22/2026 12:48:48 PM

bobcatgrad wrote:

I hope Venza gets the start. I think he fits our scheme the best.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/22/2026 3:19:15 PM

Cats5 wrote:

bobcatgrad wrote:

I hope Venza gets the start. I think he fits our scheme the best.

If so, we'll have to change the vehicle on the Toyota Drive Summary!

CatsUp
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/22/2026 4:01:45 PM

SBH wrote:

He sat out last year due to some off field issues. He's healthy...and growing up, hopefully.

Thanks! Hope so too.

M.D.W.S.T
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/23/2026 9:42:20 AM

QB1 - Vezza: Truly like his game. He looks like Parker with a better arm.
QB1A - Poulos: Two years as QB2. Make it 3. Wouldn't be surprised if Poulos was the starter at Nebraska. In fact, I think he WILL be the starter at Nebraska. And eventually Vezza takes over.
QB3 - Hype: The hype will be there, especially if anyone struggles. I just don't see him jumping Poulos, unless he really sets himself apart. Which would be amazing. He has tremendous talent, but hasn't taken game snaps in two years. They might work him in some packages, but Vezza has legs as well.
QB4 - Winters: Shoutout to my guy. I'd love nothing more than to see him starting dropping dimes all over the place. He's gonna be the last line of 5 year Bobcats.
QB5 - I would be flat out stunned if Davis takes even meaningful snaps in the spring game.

RB:
If I had to guess, it will be RB by committee at the start. Brune RB1. Rosa RB1A. MTJ occasional mop up duty. Would love to see him set himself a part as well, but it will be tough. Brown odd man out.

WR: I think it's time for Pugh. Could easily see him as WR1. Big opportunity here. 6'3". Been in the offense for two years now. Rodarte is in that same Wigs/Owen move the chains mold. Bowman just got here, but he looks talented as well. He's STURDY. 5'10" 210 is a RB. Imagine him getting those open field slants and just shouldering DB's to the ground. Dom is also a good size target at 6'2" 210. Don't forget Delany Crawford as well. Ver Steeg. Hate to state the obvious, but WR1 is gonna be whoever QB1 develops early chemistry with.

TE: Andrew Metzger, AJ Miller you're the next contestants on who wants to play at OSU.

Last Edited: 2/23/2026 9:43:58 AM by M.D.W.S.T

NWO CAT 94
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/26/2026 8:38:28 PM

RufusCat09 wrote:

Doc Bobcat wrote:

QB - Feel like Vezza has to be neck and neck with Poulos for the starting job. It’s probably coming down to do they want to stick with a guy with a bit more wiggle/style of qb play they’ve had for a few years now (w/ Vezza) or a guy that’s in the building already, has built some equity in the program, and maybe tailor the offense a bit more to a prototypical drop back play action style to fit (w/ Poulos)…wouldn’t mind seeing a guy like Hype make a push or bump someone to get QB2 at least but at least there is healthy competition here and upside with whoever wins the job. I’m high on Davis and where he will take things (P4 programs missed out), but he’s probably a stash away guy this year.

RB - Happy Brune is back, I think you hammer things with him early/often and mix in Rosa on 3rd downs but I’m all for a running back by committee situation here. Hammer the run and open things up!

WR - The Kentucky transfer should be a boost, but I’m excited to see what guys that stuck around separate themselves. I will say the freshman crop of receivers brought in is top tier, such a good mix of styles and ways to honestly get each of them in the mix. I’m most excited to see Page get out there - should be a more big body X receiver (he’s already 6’2/6’3, 195lbs) and he is slick running his routes. Page could be someone that pairs well with Hackleman in the slot and whenever Davis gets on the field watch out cause that’s your big three right there.

TE - lol I guess it’s the audition for the next OSU tight end

Defensively - Find your best four d-lineman and let them clog the lanes to then have this most likely top LB core in the MAC go to work. Agree with the Bannister take and Walker should be first team as well and maybe get some national love.

Last Edited: 2/27/2026 12:02:31 AM by NWO CAT 94

spongeBOB CATpants
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RE: Starter Guesses

Posted: 2/27/2026 3:43:07 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

I would not feel great about our chances against Nebraska if Poulos gets the job. I get Nebraska is nowhere close to OSU defensively but what we saw in Columbus last year was concerning at the least when he was in the game. Unless there is a glaring gap between Poulos and Vezza, I'm rolling with Vezza based on skill set. I didn't see any running capability out of Poulos but could be wrong.

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