Kent State Recruiting Outlook

Kent State:

• Juantez McRae, Franklin (Reisterstown, MD), S, 5-10/170  
• P.J. Simmons, Amos P. Godby (Tallahassee, FL), RB, 5-10/181  
• Jim Jones, Amos P. Godby (Tallahassee, FL), OLB, 6-2/216  
• Carlos Pickett, Brunswick (Brunswick, GA), S, 5-11/175  
• Chase VanHoef, Grand Haven (Grand Haven, MI), OT, 6-4/285  
• Conor Brumfield, Allatoona (Acworth, GA), OT, 6-4/235  
• Myles Washington, John Curtis (New Orleans, LA), RB, 5-10/185  
• Theodore Eboigbe, Arabia Mountain (Lithonia, GA), SDE, 6-2/239  
• Nick Faulkner, McKinley (Canton, OH), ILB, 6-2/210  
• D'Andre Smart, Norland (Miami, FL), CB, 5-11/180  
• Troy Dipre, St. Edward (Lakewood, OH), ILB, 6-1/217  
• David Smith, George Washington (Charleston, WV), OG, 6-5/295  
• Michael Marinelli, Hampton (Allison Park, PA), OG, 6-4/280  
• Alex Hoag, Venice (Venice, FL), DT, 6-4/255  

The Golden Flashes head into the final days of recruiting with the 112th ranked recruiting class in the nation according to 247 sports, putting them 10th in the MAC rankings. The Golden Flashes have a small class with only 15 current commits coming from eight different states. Kent State only has two players from Ohio while seven recruits come from either Georgia or Florida. The Golden Flashes are going the high school route with all 15 commits coming from the high school ranks.

Kent State struggled in 2014 to a very disappointing 2-9 record with only wins over Army and Akron to show for the season. The Golden Flashes started the season on a six-game losing streak with the lowest point being a 66-0 beatdown by eventual national champion Ohio State. Kent State did play well after the Army game with their final three losses coming by 10 or fewer points and pulling out a season finale win over Akron.

Returning Starters (6 or more starts in 2014):
Offense (8):
Reno Reda (8 starts, OL), Nick Holley (9 starts, 516 rushing, 3 TD, 27 catches, 199 yards, 1 TD, RB), Colin Reardon (10 starts, 2,466 passing, 14 TD, 148 rushing, 2 TD, QB), Ernest Calhoun (8 starts, 33 catches, 319 yards, 1 TD, WR), Alex Nielsen (11 starts, OL), Wayne Scott (11 starts, OL), Brock Macaulay (6 starts, OL), Kris White (9 starts, 25 catches, 270 yards, WR)

Defense (7):
Demetrius Monday (8 starts, 39 tkl, 1.5 tfl, 1 INT, 7 pbu, 8 pd, DB), Elcee Refuge (10 starts, 58 tkl, 6 tfl, 1 ff, DB), Nate Holley (11 starts, 137 tkl, 4 tfl, 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 fr, 2 ff, 1st team All-MAC, DB), Jordan Italiano (11 starts, 96 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 3 INT, 2 pbu, 5 pd, 1 fr, 3 ff, DB), Darius Redmond (6 starts, 37 tkl, 2 tfl, 0.5 sacks, LB), Nate Terhune (11 starts, 35 tkl, 6 tfl, 3.5 sacks, 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 fr, DL), Jon Cunningham (8 starts, 35 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 1 sack, 1 ff, DT)