Previewing the Player of the Year Race

Before I get into POY discussion, I’m happy to announce that Pete Lindholm, one of our writers from Middlebury, is going to be joining me this year as co-head of NBN. Pete has written for the site a bunch in the past, and it’s clear that he is both extremely invested and extremely talented. Thanks to Pete for agreeing to take on the role of Managing Editor this year. Again, if anyone reading this is interested in helping out with the site in any way, please shoot Pete and I an email at nothingbutnescac@gmail.com and we’d be more than happy to discuss different positions with you. Now, on to NESCAC Football….

It’s never too early to start thinking about the NESCAC Player of the Year race, so I’ve compiled a list of some of the conference’s top players here below. Some are old names, some are new ones, but one thing is true across the board: all of these guys are studs. Check out the following list of guys to keep an eye on in 2016.

Offense

RB Chance Brady ’17, Tufts

You can’t not throw the reigning POY into the conversation, but even if I wasn’t aware that Brady had won the award last year, there would be no debate that he should be in the conversation for this award. He ran for 975 yards last year, averaging 121.9 YPG on his way to scoring 11 touchdowns. The kid is an absolute grinder, and barring injury, he will be in POY consideration as we get to the end of the season.

RB Max Chipouras ’19, Trinity

 

Chipouras is the only player that gave Brady a run for his money last year, and also the only player in the conference to score more touchdowns than Brady with 12. Though he ran for about 300 yards less than Tufts’ stud back, Chipouras also had 49 less touches. Chipouras averaged 4.7 yards per carry and 81.1 yards per game last year – as a freshman no less! Now that he’s got a year of college ball under his belt, expect Chipouras to absolutely take off. I’m not saying he’s the favorite to win POY, but I’m not not saying it.

QB Sonny Puzzo ’18, Trinity

Last year, Puzzo came behind only Matt Milano ‘16 and Austin Lommen ‘16 in passing yards, both of whom graduated in May. With Amherst quarterback Reece Foy ‘18 likely out for the year after blowing out his knee, Tufts’ Alex Snyder ‘17 boasts the next highest total of passing yards, which Puzzo tops 220.1 YPG to 179.4 YPG. What held Puzzo back in 2015 was not his ability to completed passes, but rather the fact that he completed passes to opposing players at a rather high clip, totaling 8 interceptions on the year as opposed to just 5 touchdowns. If Puzzo can do a better job of taking care of the ball, he has all the tools he needs to have a POY type of season, especially if his adversaries focus most of their energy on shutting down Chipouras.

RB Jabari Hurdle-Price ’17, Colby

If you look at Hurdle-Price’s numbers in 2015, it’s hard to tell what kind of player he is. On one hand, he ran for 91.0 YPG, the second highest rushing average in the league. On the other hand, he had the most touches in the league with 189 carries, so it seems like he probably should be racking up rush yards. Even with that many carries (two more than Brady), however, Hurdle-Price was 247 yards shy of Brady in overall yards, and also had 5 less touchdowns. I have no doubt that Hurdle-Price has the ability to make a leap in efficiency this year, but that is partially up to the Colby offensive line. If the Mules can put Hurdle-Price in positions to succeed with good field position and effective blocking, their workhorse will not fail them.

WR Charles Ensley ’17, Hamilton

Throw Ensley on the championship roster and I think he gets the POY nod without question, but being on a bottom half team the last few years has definitely held him back in the POY discussion. Other than Matt Minno ‘16 of Middlebury, no one has more receiving yards or receiving touchdowns than Ensley, and he ranked just eighth in receptions last year! What that should tell you is that Ensley has absolute wheels, which is why is 78 yard reception last year against Middlebury does not surprise me whatsoever. If the Continentals find some consistency under center with either Cole Freeman ‘18 or Brandon Tobin ‘18, Ensley will be a high-end WR1 in most fantasy leagues this fall.

Honorable Mention: RB Jaylen Berry ’18, Wesleyan; WR Bryan Vieira ’18, Trinity; TE Bryan Porter ’18, Bowdoin; RB Nick Kelly ’17, Amherst; RB Tyler Grant ’17, Bowdoin

Defense

LB Mark Upton ’17, Bates

Upton finished second in tackles last season with 71 from the linebacker spot. He also added 8 TFL and 4 sacks, rounded out by 3 forced fumbles. The kid has a nose for the ball, and when he has you in his crosshairs you better brace for impact. Upton rightfully earned First Team All-NESCAC honors last season, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t at least match that performance this season.

 

LB Addison Pierce ’17, Middlebury

Another linebacker, this one hailing from Middlebury, who has a knack for penetrating the backfield. Pierce had 7 TFL last season including 2 sacks, contributing to his total of 58 tackles on the season. Pierce steps in as the leader of the Middlebury linebacker committee this season after Tim Patricia ‘16 graduated in May, and I’m anticipating a breakout season for the senior looking to build on his impressive 8.3 tackles per game average. Look for Pierce to disrupt offensive flow and create chaos behind the line of scrimmage for Coach Ritter’s defense this season.

DE Zach Thomas ’18, Tufts

While Mike Stearns’ versatility makes him the most valuable player on the Tufts defense, Zach Thomas gives him a run for his money as the best defensive player for the Jumbos. Thomas led the NESCAC with 9 sacks last season – 9! That’s over a sack a game. To put that in perspective, Gil Araujo ‘16 of Middlebury was the only other player in the league with over 5.5 sacks. If I’m an opposing coach, I’m doubling Thomas on the end whenever I can, because the kid can clearly get to the quarterback. Now in his junior year, Thomas has set the bar high for himself, but I expect him to surpass expectations and continue to anchor the Jumbos defensive line along with his classmate Micah Adickes ‘18.

FS Justin Sanchez ’17, Wesleyan

When you think of playmaking safeties around the league, you think of Justin Sanchez. The senior free safety led Wesleyan with 56 tackles last year, highlighting his ability to step up and make plays. Sanchez had 2 interceptions last season as well as 2 forced fumbles in 2015. This versatility is exactly what Wesleyan needs this year in their quest to climb back to the top of the conference. If Sanchez plays at his usual high level, opposing offensive coordinators will struggle with calling plays.

LB Liam Kenneally ’18, Trinity

Kenneally is a playmaker, end of story. His 61 tackles in 2015 was the fifth highest total in the league, and led the Trinity defense by 20 tackles!! On defense that allowed just 10.1 PPG last year, Kenneally was the glue that held them together, and he will be just that player again in his junior season this year. With such a veteran presence in the secondary, teams will likely attack the Bantams on the ground, which will give Kenneally the opportunity to step up and do what he does best – make plays. Kenneally could very well win the defensive POY award, especially if Trinity’s defense is as much a force as it was last year.

Honorable Mention: DE Brent Lobien ’17, Hamilton; DB Cameron Rondeau ’19, Bowdoin; OLB Mike Stearns ’17, Tufts; LB Evan Boynton ’17, Amherst; DB Alex Brandeis ’17, Williams