San Jose State Against Jose Linebacker

NCAA Football Betting Lines

After going 1-12 and 0-8 in the WAC in his first season with the Spartans in 2010, San Jose State improved drastically in 2011, going 5-7 and 3-4 in conference play.

 

Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For a second straight offseason, football recruiting at the University of Rhode Island may be the toughest job in CAA Football, yet the easiest in the Northeast Conference. A year ago, URI head coach Joe Trainer and his staff faced having to assemble their first recruiting class since the university announced two summers ago it would leave the CAA to join the smaller NEC for the 2013 season.

 

Trainer said he didn't sense reservation from last year's incoming players about the impending switch, and after the newcomers showed promise this past season, URI is clearly inching closer toward being a NEC contender from a CAA also-ran.

 

URI expects to bring in 13 or 14 recruits in a signing class that can be announced Wednesday on National Letter of Intent Day.

 

The CAA allows for the full 63 scholarships on the FCS level, but URI has to shed some in moving down to the NEC, where 40 will be allowed in 2013. In addition to the athletic grants, NEC programs are allowed to offer need-based aid.

 

Trainer kept his recruiting class to 12 last year. It produced a gem in gritty junior college transfer Doug Johnson, a linebacker who was second on the team with 79 tackles and first with six sacks and two interceptions. He was named to the All-CAA third team.

 

"I know personally I take a lot of pride in evaluating players," Trainer said. "You know I think I'm probably a better evaluator than I am a coach. Whatever kids you get, you hope you're doing a better job developing them than some of the big teams you compete against."

 

With fewer scholarships, but a chance to have more impact players in the NEC than the CAA, the Rams can be selective in recruiting. As Keith Croft, the veteran head coach of Rhode Island's top-ranked 2011 high school team, Division I state champion Bishop Hendricksen in Warwick, points out, the Rams don't necessarily have to find talent that possibly slipped through the FBS cracks. They can focus on players ready to be performers on the FCS level.

 

"I think it's a positive. I think the people in Rhode Island, especially the high school coaches, are excited about URI moving to this new league."

 

The Rams were an original member of the Yankee Conference, now the CAA. In their final season in the conference this fall, they hope to build off their 7-3 home record over the last two seasons, which included victories over CAA stalwarts Delaware and William & Mary last season.

 

Quarterback Bob Bentsen, a Rhode Island native who threw for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns in a part-time role, will return for his junior season with an improved command of the offense.

comments

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•    Ashlee gotta play linebacker, RB, or Center So she can get in #DatPosition

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•    One last episode of season 2 of Arrested Development. I never want this show to end!

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•    West Coast ruckman Nic Naitinui has resumed full training after undergoing post-season shoulder surgery last #October #afl #eagles #goeagles

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•    At the half, Fresno State MBB trails La Tech 29-21. WBB tip off at 7 p.m. vs. San Jose State at the SMC.

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•    ...So do you acknowledge the state's glorious omnipotence, or should we just throw you in Hell forever?" And that's yr cue to sing, dance.

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•    a few days before you get your salaray, your wallet is at its most pitiful state.

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•    He say, " RAms, man dem scrams, get them scrams outtah hurr

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•    I LOVE the last scene of season 1, episode 4. #gossipgirl

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•    My mama says she gone call me BB instead of LB from now on (BB= BubbleButt)(LB=LineBacker).... I swear she kills me!

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