Alex Austen - Aptos High School

 

Though most of our recruiting is done with early commits, we did add a few through Regular Decision that we're extremely excited about.  I'll be highlighting them in the coming days.

The first is Alex Austen, from Aptos High in northern California.  Alex played primarily as a left guard as a senior, but he did take snaps at right tackle as well.  Standing an impressive 6'05" and weighing in at 311 pounds, Alex brings much needed size to the interior of our offensive line.  A punishing run blocker, we're excited for the impact he'll have up front.  He also plans to throw for the track and field team in the spring.   He just recently broke 50 feet in the shot put, and has hovered around 140 feet all year in the disc.  Alex is a great get for us, and we can't wait to get him here in the Scarlet and Black! 

Alex Austen highlights: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5445676/59a1ce99386e0e22081d7359

Connor Carson - Foundation Academy

Connor is a versatile offensive lineman from Foundation Academy in the Orlando, Florida-area.  As a senior he played primarily as a center, though he also played some right tackle and left tackle, and even some nose.  He'll be a nice addition anywhere along our offensive line!  Connor helped lead his team to 22 wins in three years and we're excited to add him to what is turning into a very good class of '22.  Can't wait to get you up here Connor!

Connor Carson Highlights: https://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/6254450/video

Former Pioneer Harpreet Singh

This video was forwarded to me recently and I had to share it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=pNf9ZPa6QbQ&app=desktop

Harpreet was a member of the class of 2012 and played slot receiver for us.  It's difficult to put into words just what Harpreet meant to the teams of that era, but he was always a positive force and a positive energy, and he was always excited to be a part of it all.  Knowing Harpreet's background, and where he came from, it is borderline unbelievable that he's going to be a doctor.  But knowing Harpreet himself, I wouldn't have expected anything less.

Harpreet with the Service Award at the Honor G Banquet in 2012

I'm happy for your Harpreet, and I'm so proud of you man.  GC Pride all the way!!

Link to Hapreet's senior profile in Nov. of 2011:
http://grinnellcollegefootball.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-senior-profiles-harpreet-singh.html

Daniel Carter - Marquette University High

Daniel Carter is a running back from Marquette University High in Wisconsin.  A very good all-purpose back, Daniel is equally adept running the ball or making catches out of the backfield.  He rushed for over 1000 yards on the season, including a school record 330 yards in a single game.  Whoa!  With the graduation of our own multi-purpose back, Carson Dunn, Carter is a great get for us.  Can't wait to see what he can do in the Scarlet and Black next fall!

http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/4618850/video

Matt Siff - Montgomery Blair High School

Matt is a quarterback from Montgomery Blair in Silver Spring, Maryland.  An all-county selection, Matt throws a very nice deep ball and is a master of play action.  He's a natural leader and a student of the game.  We're very excited to get him on campus and getting to work!

http://www.hudl.com/profile/5391284/Matt-Siff

Dustin Saia - Sioux City West

Dustin is a wide receiver and defensive back from Sioux City West.  We will likely use him primarily as an offensive player, but I love his versatility.  Dustin is a good route runner, is good with the ball in his hands, and is an effective blocker on the perimeter.  He'll be a great fit with what we do offensively, and I can't wait to get him on board! 
http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/6088317/video

Stephen Lemmon - St. Stephens Episcopal

Stephen is a versatile defensive player form St. Stephens Episcopal in Austin, TX.  He has played defensive end, outside linebacker, and even a little inside linebacker.  He's indicated that he prefers to play with his hand on the ground, and you gotta love that attitude!  Stephen has a great frame and a high motor, we're very excited to add another piece to our rapidly improving defense.  Can't wait to get you here, Stephen!

Will Borda - Tower Hill School

Will is a versatile offensive player that could line up as a wing, in the slot, or out wide.  He even played quite a bit of defensive end as a senior.  I love the versatility he brings, he should be a great addition to our offense, but I also love the character he'll bring to the team.  Recently he was recognized at the Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association All-State Banquet, where he was presented with the DIFCA Sportsmanship Award.  Congratulations on your award Will, can't wait to get you here as part of the family!

https://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/4413080/video

Patrick Goldammer - Waterford Union High School

Patrick is our first two-sport commit of 2018.  He's an outstanding kicker, as well as a very good baseball player.  Patrick finished 45/46 on extra points and 5/5 on field goals as a senior, and was  named first-team all-conference, all-county, and all-area.  Patrick will provide a nice boost to our kicking game, we're very excited to add him to the Family. 

https://a.hudl.com/profile/5543708/Patrick-Goldammer

Prescott Miller - Hinsdale Central

Prescott Miller played on both the offensive and defensive lines at Hinsdale Central, and will most likely play on the offensive line for us.  Hinsdale won a combined 18 games in the past two years, and Prescott was a staple for them over that time.  He's got good feet and a nice frame, and I can't wait to get him playing up front for us!  Welcome to the Pioneer Family, Prescott!

Anthony Johnson - Davenport Central

Anthony Johnson is an outstanding defensive player from Davenport Central in Davenport, IA.  He's the younger brother of current Pioneer Rick Johnson, and comes to us with the versatility to play any number of positions on the defense.  Anthony has great length, is quick off the ball, diagnoses plays quickly, and is a good hitter.  It's been great to see Anthony grow from a solid player as a junior to a star for his team as a senior.  We will have the most veteran defense we've had in years, with every single starter returning, but Anthony will no doubt work his way into the rotation.  We're very excited about what he brings to the table!

http://www.hudl.com/recruiting/athleteprofile/7745302/video

Signing Day: 2018

Today is the nationally recognized signing day for college football.  High school players from across the country will be making official what school they plan to attend and where they intend to continue their playing career.  Like many other Division III institutions, our admissions timelines don't necessarily line up with signing day, but we have secured a strong group of players through the Early Decision process.  I'll be spending time throughout the day, and the coming days, to introduce the newest members of the Pioneer Football Family.  These are some great young men, and I'm very excited to have them join us next August!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In 2015 former Pioneer Charles Blake was elected to the State House of Representatives in Arkansas, representing District 36 in his hometown of Little Rock.  Charles and I were teammates for one year and I coached him for two seasons.  Always a great talker, when Blake was elected I figured the political arena would be a perfect for him.  Having gotten stuck next to him on a long bus trip to Ripon, WI, I can certainly attest to his willingness to share an opinion and to his abilities in a debate!  Charles enjoyed a fine career at Grinnell, both on the field and off, and has done well in his professional life thus far. 

I’m introducing you to Charles now because today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and for the first time the State of Arkansas will be celebrating only King today.  Since the ‘40’s, Arkansas has observed Robert E Lee Day in mid-January, and they began observing MLK Day as well.  In 1985 the state combined the two holidays, and they have observed them together since.  When Blake was elected as Representative in 2015, one of the first changes he pushed for was separating the two holidays.  It’s been a long battle, and at times he’s faced some serious opposition, but last March Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed legislation that ended the practice of honoring both on the same day.  According to AP reports, Hutchinson said the following, "I expected this debate would divide us, but instead during the debate we listened to each other and the conversation brought us together.  This is an education bill in which the discussion educated each of us, and we learned that history needs to be viewed not just from our own lens, but through the eyes and experiences of others."

I'm sure I'm not doing the story justice, but I'm excited for Blake's victory and for the shifting attitudes that it highlights.  Better days are ahead.  I'm proud to call Charles my teammate and I'm proud of the work he's doing.  We need more Pioneers like him!  Congrats Chuck!

Robbie McCarty Named the Lyle Bauman Service Award Winner

Senior offensive lineman Robbie McCarty has been named the 2017 recipient of the Lyle Bauman Service Award. For those that knew Lyle, his life was the epitome of service. Lyle worked within dining services, but his reach extended much further than that. He built relationships with students from all walks, and in particular with our student athletes. Lyle had a particular soft spot for the football team, and traditionally helped with both the block party and the block party auction. He donated his trailer grill to the football team, in hopes that we’d continue to use it and enjoy the good times with good friends, as he certainly did. We’ve honored Lyle’s memory each year since his passing in the spring of 2013. As this year's recipient, Robbie joins a special group, including teammate Jeff Keele '19.

Coming to Grinnell from Florida, Robbie stepped in and started on the offensive line from day one. Robbie started his first three seasons at center, before moving to right tackle as a senior. He was a steady, consistent presence day in and day out for four years. In 2016 he helped pave the way for the best team rushing total since 2004, and this year he helped running back Carson Dunn to the best individual rushing season since 2004.

Robbie has also spent countless hours working in the Fitness Center and the Training Room, providing valuable assistance to head trainer Sylla Lowther, and he has been a constant supporter of all our athletic teams at Grinnell. It will be tough to have an offensive line without Robbie next year, but his absence will be noticed much beyond the football team. Thank you Robbie!