All-Fitz team

[joncat]

NUSports.com has a promotion for voting for the All-Fitz Team, the top player at each position during his tenure.
One question for the younger, social media crowd:

I cannot find any links to contact the website for the promotion, but when you select each position, it looks like you to have to vote each time, instead once for the entire team, and it looks like you have to vote either through Twitter or Facebook. If anyone else tries it, can you confirm? I'm surprised there isn't an easier way to vote, one without going through social media (which not everyone uses).

 

[TXnumbCAT]

You mean my clicking on names didn't register those as votes? That was a screwy interface.

 

[Turk]

I voted. I just didn't put it on my twitter of FB.
QB: CJ
RB: Sutton
OL: Ryan Kennan
DL: Scott
LB: Proby
Saf: Phillips {although all great ones]
CB: McManus
SB: Dunsmore
WR: Ebert
STPlayer: Mark
Punter: I forget but I wasn't impressed with any of them

 

[catcrazy]

QB: Basanez
RB: Sutton/wright
WR: Ebert
SB/TE: Dunsmore
OL: Strief/Essex/ndukwe
DL: Wootton,Scott
LB: Proby/ a lot of good none great
DB: McManus/VanHoose
K/P: Budzien
ST: Mark
This is for past 10 years

 

[EvanstonCat]

QB: Persa
RB: Sutton
WR: Ebert
SB/TE: Dunsmore
OL: Strief
DL: Wooton, Scott
LB: Williams
DB: McManus, Campbell
K/P: Budzien
ST: Mark

 

[NJCat83588]

QB: Persa
RB: Sutton
WR: Ebert
SB/TE: Dunsmore
OL: Strief
DL: Wooton, Scott
LB: Williams
DB: McManus, Campbell
K/P: Budzien
ST: Mark

Agree with you. The thing is, several of those recruits (arguably the three best players on the list: Woot, Persa, Streif) were Walker recruits. Inability to recruit and develop top talent continues to be a concern.

 

[Gladeskat]

Agree with you. The thing is, several of those recruits (arguably the three best players on the list: Woot, Persa, Streif) were Walker recruits. Inability to recruit and develop top talent continues to be a concern.

Fitz and Co. sure did a nice job developing Persa and Wootton. I might agree with the recruiting aspect, though.

 

[mybrotha]

When Persa was healthy no QB during Fitz's tenure, Barnett's or Walkers was better. Dude was laser accurate, tough as nails and literally Houdini re-incarnated at times. His ability to put the team on his back any carry them was incredible.
Wooten was a beast and I've haven't seen anyone else who can/could create the kind of havoc in the backfield he could.
Linebacker is a bit fuzzier to me because Chi Chi made a ton of big plays for us, while Proby was the proverbial brick *&^%house in the middle. Williams was great too, but because ChiChi made so many great plays I guess he stands out to me.
I would agree with the other guys listed, although as much as I liked Ebert, Zeke had an awfully big year and was literally open 24/7.

 

[joncat]

Thanks for the responses.
Has anyone actually tried or succeeded at voiting on the site? I pretty much gave up on it, but it's nice to read people's choices.

 

[shakes3858]

When Persa was healthy no QB during Fitz's tenure, Barnett's or Walkers was better. Dude was laser accurate, tough as nails and literally Houdini re-incarnated at times. His ability to put the team on his back any carry them was incredible.
Wooten was a beast and I've haven't seen anyone else who can/could create the kind of havoc in the backfield he could.
Linebacker is a bit fuzzier to me because Chi Chi made a ton of big plays for us, while Proby was the proverbial brick *&^%house in the middle. Williams was great too, but because ChiChi made so many great plays I guess he stands out to me.
I would agree with the other guys listed, although as much as I liked Ebert, Zeke had an awfully big year and was literally open 24/7.

Correction... When Persa was healthy no PLAYER during Fitz's tenure, Barnett's or Walkers was better. With Persa in 2010, we went from beating #13 Iowa to losing to a 6-6 Illinois team by 21 points.

 

[phatcat]

• Persa strong
• Some of the names here are so far back the poster here must be including Fitz's grad assistant days.
• For Turk (or mayhem or Howland Wolf or whatever), Williams was a decent punter for 3 years then idk what happened.
• Venric, we hardly knew ye
• Jeff Budzien at the B1G media days "Hey coach, I kick for you guys!" Truly hilarious still
• Very few current players on anyone's list. Hmmm. I guess no real surprise, since you don't see many stat leaders returning this year except JJ

 

[hdhntr1]

Agree with you. The thing is, several of those recruits (arguably the three best players on the list: Woot, Persa, Streif) were Walker recruits. Inability to recruit and develop top talent continues to be a concern.

Only a couple of Fitz classes have made it through.

Agree with you. The thing is, several of those recruits (arguably the three best players on the list: Woot, Persa, Streif) were Walker recruits. Inability to recruit and develop top talent continues to be a concern.

I don't think Streif ever played for Fitz. Same with a few others in the lists and Fits has only had a couple classes graduate while Walker had 5 classes you are counting in the Fitz era.

 

[NJCat83588]

Only a couple of Fitz classes have made it through.

I don't think Streif ever played for Fitz. Same with a few others in the lists and Fits has only had a couple classes graduate while Walker had 5 classes you are counting in the Fitz era.

Huh? This will be season #10 under Fitzgerald. Walker only coached 7 seasons, so by your reasoning he would have only had 2 seasons of his own recruits.

But you are correct, Strief left after the 2005 season. The NU Sports geniuses who created the poll got that one wrong!

 

[Gladeskat]

Huh? This will be season #10 under Fitzgerald. Walker only coached 7 seasons, so by your reasoning he would have only had 2 seasons of his own recruits.

But you are correct, Strief left after the 2005 season. The NU Sports geniuses who created the poll got that one wrong!

But Fitz has only brought in 8 recruiting classes so far, unless you wish to count the 2007 class as a Fitz class. I consider that class to be 50/50 Walker and Fitz because Walker made all the initial contacts and recruited most of these kids until he died, while Fitz largely finished up and closed the recruiting Walker started. Sooo, Fitz has only had three full classes graduate compared to Walker's 7 full classes (2000-2006), and half of the 2007 class.

 

[hdhntr1]

Huh? This will be season #10 under Fitzgerald. Walker only coached 7 seasons, so by your reasoning he would have only had 2 seasons of his own recruits.

But you are correct, Strief left after the 2005 season. The NU Sports geniuses who created the poll got that one wrong!

There were a number of guys I saw listed that never played under Fitz. Wright, Baz, Nduqui, Kennan do I have to go on?

But Fitz has only brought in 8 recruiting classes so far, unless you wish to count the 2007 class as a Fitz class. I consider that class to be 50/50 Walker and Fitz because Walker made all the initial contacts and recruited most of these kids until he died, while Fitz largely finished up and closed the recruiting Walker started. Sooo, Fitz has only had three full classes graduate compared to Walker's 7 full classes (2000-2006), and half of the 2007 class.

Actually only 7 classes so far as 2015 has yet to play a game. and not everyone in the 2010 class is gone yet. But there are 6 classes credited to Walker that are included in Fitz group. And if you credit the 2007 class to Fitz then do you credit Persa to him or Dunsmore?

 

[Gladeskat]

I guess in terms of making this all-Fitz team, there are only 7 classes plus 2007. Fitz has landed 8 classes and has fried up or is frying up all but the 2015 class. He's fileting them now.

How the heck does one credit which recruit is Fitz's or Walker's aside from Persa and any other player who verballed before Walker's death. I know Vince Browne was a Fitz recruit based upon conversations with his father. The others...who knows?

 

[hdhntr1]

I guess in terms of making this all-Fitz team, there are only 7 classes plus 2007. Fitz has landed 8 classes and has fried up or is frying up all but the 2015 class. He's fileting them now.

How the heck does one credit which recruit is Fitz's or Walker's aside from Persa and any other player who verballed before Walker's death. I know Vince Browne was a Fitz recruit based upon conversations with his father. The others...who knows?

THere are a few guys on peoples lists that are likely to be superceded by guys presently on the roster. JJ could exceed what Sutton did under Fitz (Mark likely would have had he not gotten hurt but Suttons productivity was limited by injuries as well) Scott will likely exceed the productivity of Wooton under Fitz (again because of injury) Van Hoose is probably close to McManis. etc. Vitale and Dunsmore likely to be pretty close. And I put Ward up there on OL. Campbell and Phillips again pretty close. Just saying

 

[NJCat83588]

Scott will likely exceed the productivity of Wooton under Fitz (again because of injury) \Just saying

Scott can't catch Woot, as he has graduated. Just sayin'.

 

[Gladeskat]

THere are a few guys on peoples lists that are likely to be superceded by guys presently on the roster. JJ could exceed what Sutton did under Fitz (Mark likely would have had he not gotten hurt but Suttons productivity was limited by injuries as well) Scott will likely exceed the productivity of Wooton under Fitz (again because of injury) Van Hoose is probably close to McManis. etc. Vitale and Dunsmore likely to be pretty close. And I put Ward up there on OL. Campbell and Phillips again pretty close. Just saying

JJ has a chance.
Scott? You mean Tyler Scott? Scott's last season was 2013; he was not nearly as good as Wootton. Wootton would have been a 1st or 2nd rounder if he hadn't been injured in the Alamo Bowl. Scott was an UDFA.
VanHoose is good but he is nowhere near as good as McManis! I think Harris is a better cover corner. Sherrick was THE MAN! The pick against Illinois was one for the ages!
Vitale vs Dunsmore...Vitale has some ground to make up to catch Dunsmore. Dunsmore may have had the best hands of all of our receivers.
Ward was OK...nothing special. Mulroe and Netter were better OL.
Campbell is all-around better than Phillips. Both were solid hitting safeties, Phillips delivering more knockout shots.

 

[hdhntr1]

JJ has a chance.
Scott? You mean Tyler Scott? Scott's last season was 2013; he was not nearly as good as Wootton. Wootton would have been a 1st or 2nd rounder if he hadn't been injured in the Alamo Bowl. Scott was an UDFA.
VanHoose is good but he is nowhere near as good as McManis! I think Harris is a better cover corner. Sherrick was THE MAN! The pick against Illinois was one for the ages!
Ward was OK...nothing special. Mulroe and Netter were better OL.
Campbell is all-around better than Phillips. Both were solid hitting safeties, Phillips delivering more knockout shots.

Sorry, I was thinking Lowery. Not as flashy but probably more of an impact for Fitz teams by the time things are done. The operative word is if he had not been injured. Ward was pretty solid and I would have loved to see him as a 5th year senior. THe others were solid as well but they had the advantage of a 5th year. I liked McMannis but I like VanHoose a lot as well and when he finishes, I feel they will be viewed as comparable

 

[Gladeskat]

Sorry, I was thinking Lowery. Not as flashy but probably more of an impact for Fitz teams by the time things are done. The operative word is if he had not been injured. Ward was pretty solid and I would have loved to see him as a 5th year senior. THe others were solid as well but they had the advantage of a 5th year. I liked McMannis but I like VanHoose a lot as well and when he finishes, I feel they will be viewed as comparable

I don't think we've had a DE who created more havoc than Wootton in 2008. I remember the Duke punter fumbling and running backward to try to pick up and punt the ball only to have Woot closing in to destroy him. he had 10 sacks that year but he also had numerous hurries and was in the QB's head all the time. Lowry is a fine player but he's not at Woot's level in 2008. Plus he also knocked Stanzi the Panzi out for the rest of the season against Iowa.

VanHoose will have to have a ton of interceptions including a couple of game-winners this year before I would ever seriously consider him comparable to McManis. Sherrick was excellent even as a true freshman.

It's always fun to argue these "best of" lists.

 

[hdhntr1]

I don't think we've had a DE who created more havoc than Wootton in 2008. I remember the Duke punter fumbling and running backward to try to pick up and punt the ball only to have Woot closing in to destroy him. he had 10 sacks that year but he also had numerous hurries and was in the QB's head all the time. Lowery is a fine player but he's not at Woot's level in 2008. Plus he also knocked Stanzi the Panzi out for the rest of the season against Iowa.

VanHoose will have to have a ton of interceptions including a couple of game-winners this year before I would ever seriously consider him comparable to McManis. Sherrick was excellent even as a true freshman.

It's always fun to argue these "best of" lists.

Wooton 2008 was special but that was one year and he was not the same when he came back. I am just saying that the overall impact over his time under Fitz may be greater because there is more time at a high level. McMannis had most of his ints his senior year. At this point I think Van Hoose is a head (though he did not start as a true frosh.. Also has a bunch of blocked kicks including the one against ND that turned that game around. He has had a couple injury problems but overall I put he and McMannis in the same group.

 

[Gladeskat]

Wooton 2008 was special but that was one year and he was not the same when he came back. I am just saying that the overall impact over his time under Fitz may be greater because there is more time at a high level. McMannis had most of his ints his senior year. At this point I think Van Hoose is a head (though he did not start as a true frosh.. Also has a bunch of blocked kicks including the one against ND that turned that game around. He has had a couple injury problems but overall I put he and McMannis in the same group.

Let's compare career stats (from sports-reference.com):
Corey Wootton (2006-2009): 153 tackles, 38 TFL, 19.5 sacks, 4 int's, 12 PD's, 3 ForcedF's . . . in 50 games (stats for 3 games in 2005 excluded)
Tyler Scott (2010-2013): 131 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 16 sacks, 3 int's, 12 PD's. 4 ForcedF's . . . in 49 games

Sherrick McManis (2006-9) 201 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 1 sack, 9 int's, 38 PD's, 4 ForcedF's . . . . . .in 46 games
Nick VanHoose (2012-2014) 114 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 5 int's, 28 PD's, 1 ForcedF's . . . . .in 32 games

Wootton started returning to 2008 form towards the end of 2009 when he recorded 4 sacks and a huge TFL and FF against Iowa in the last 5 games of the season. Keep in mind that Wootton had to play under Colby's strange, less aggressive schemes in 2006-2007 which really hurt his TFL and sack stats those years.

As fine as NVH has played, including the blocked XP against ND which was a huge play, I still put him below Sherrick McManis, who had several game-changing and game winning picks over his career; the Purdue and Illinois games in 2009 come to mind. He had another year left, though.

 

[NJCat83588]

Wootton started returning to 2008 form towards the end of 2009 when he recorded 4 sacks and a huge TFL and FF against Iowa in the last 5 games of the season. Keep in mind that Wootton had to play under Colby's strange, less aggressive schemes in 2006-2007 which really hurt his TFL and sack stats those years.
.

Walker said when Corey was a freshman that he would be "real special". Wootton was a tall skinny kid yet his potential was obvious to Randy. He was the best DE I have seen since I started following NU in '74.

 

[DaCat]

I think someone should start a thread for the most difficult names to spell in the Fitz era. Just reading through this thread I don't think anyone has spelled Dean LOWRY correctly. Same with Sherrick McManis. Corey Wootton always gets turked. Never mind alphabet soup names like Ifeadi Odenigbo, David Nwabusi, Godwin Igwebuike...

By the way Sherrick McManis > Matt Harris > Nick VanHoose. But Nick is a fine player and one my favorites on this team.

 

[Gladeskat]

I think someone should start a thread for the most difficult names to spell in the Fitz era. Just reading through this thread I don't think anyone has spelled Dean LOWRY correctly. Same with Sherrick McManis. Corey Wootton always gets turked. Never mind alphabet soup names like Ifeadi Odenigbo, David Nwabusi, Godwin Igwebuike...

By the way Sherrick McManis > Matt Harris > Nick VanHoose. But Nick is a fine player and one my favorites on this team.

Umm, that should be N-W-A-B-U-I-S-I, not "Nwabusi"

As far as most misspelled names go, I'd order them: Nwabuisi (Ha!) > Wootton > McManis > Igwebuike > Auston Anderson > McEvilly > Browne > Siemian > Lowry

 

[Deeringfish]

JJ has a chance.
Scott? You mean Tyler Scott? Scott's last season was 2013; he was not nearly as good as Wootton. Wootton would have been a 1st or 2nd rounder if he hadn't been injured in the Alamo Bowl. Scott was an UDFA.
VanHoose is good but he is nowhere near as good as McManis! I think Harris is a better cover corner. Sherrick was THE MAN! The pick against Illinois was one for the ages!
Vitale vs Dunsmore...Vitale has some ground to make up to catch Dunsmore. Dunsmore may have had the best hands of all of our receivers.
Ward was OK...nothing special. Mulroe and Netter were better OL.
Campbell is all-around better than Phillips. Both were solid hitting safeties, Phillips delivering more knockout shots.

Mulroe and Netter both took redshirt years where Ward didn't. He would have been better if he had one more year.

 

[Gladeskat]

Mulroe and Netter both took redshirt years where Ward didn't. He would have been better if he had one more year.

Do you think if I had had a redshirt year i could have been an all-American?

 

[FakeFitz]

Do you think if I had had a redshirt year i could have been an all-American?

All American bench warmer, perhaps.

 

[Gladeskat]

It would have been the only all-American NU would have had during that time period! Think about the glory!

Oh, and you can kiss my splintered all-American bench warmer ass anytime you'd like fake f'in wannabe Fitz!

Seriously dude, what exactly did you strap on when you were at NU? Were you a bottom?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Let's compare career stats (from sports-reference.com):
Corey Wootton (2006-2009): 153 tackles, 38 TFL, 19.5 sacks, 4 int's, 12 PD's, 3 ForcedF's . . . in 50 games (stats for 3 games in 2005 excluded)
Tyler Scott (2010-2013): 131 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 16 sacks, 3 int's, 12 PD's. 4 ForcedF's . . . in 49 games

Sherrick McManis (2006-9) 201 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 1 sack, 9 int's, 38 PD's, 4 ForcedF's . . . . . .in 46 games
Nick VanHoose (2012-2014) 114 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 5 int's, 28 PD's, 1 ForcedF's . . . . .in 32 games

Wootton started returning to 2008 form towards the end of 2009 when he recorded 4 sacks and a huge TFL and FF against Iowa in the last 5 games of the season. Keep in mind that Wootton had to play under Colby's strange, less aggressive schemes in 2006-2007 which really hurt his TFL and sack stats those years.

As fine as NVH has played, including the blocked XP against ND which was a huge play, I still put him below Sherrick McManis, who had several game-changing and game winning picks over his career; the Purdue and Illinois games in 2009 come to mind. He had another year left, though.

Don't forget that Sherrick was probably the best special teams player we have had in the Fitz era his true freshman year. He was (and still is) a special player.

I liken VanHoose more to Mabin -- solid, steady, multi year starter, but not really an impact player.

 

[Gladeskat]

Yup. When I read this [stuff], I wonder what team they were watching.

Bobby Douglass was a much better QB than Joe Montana! At least that's what NU fans told me,

 

[FakeFitz]

It would have been the only all-American NU would have had during that time period! Think about the glory!

Oh, and you can kiss my splintered all-American bench warmer ass anytime you'd like fake f'in wannabe Fitz!

Seriously dude, what exactly did you strap on when you were at NU? Were you a bottom?

Nothing like a little piss and vinegar to express your passion. Excellent.

 

[Deeringfish]

Do you think if I had had a redshirt year i could have been an all-American?

I think , especially on the line, a guy is usually better when he is 22 than 21. Ward got better each year, his Sr year was his best. I think an expectation of progression is reasonable.

Even for you. all-American? meh. All Turk awards, Never!

 

[DaCat]

Don't forget that Sherrick was probably the best special teams player we have had in the Fitz era his true freshman year. He was (and still is) a special player.

I liken VanHoose more to Mabin -- solid, steady, multi year starter, but not really an impact player.

I agree that Sherrick was a really good ST player but I gotta go with Venric as the top return man. He was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I agree that Sherrick was a really good ST player but I gotta go with Venric as the top return man. He was a threat to take it to the house every time he touched the ball.

Didn't say return man, said special teams player. Sherrick was absolutely lethal on coverage teams his freshman and sophomore year (and had a 21.0 KR average as a freshman to go with 23.2 KR average as a soph).

 

[NJCat83588]

Didn't say return man, said special teams player. Sherrick was absolutely lethal on coverage teams his freshman and sophomore year (and had a 21.0 KR average as a freshman to go with 23.2 KR average as a soph).

Your point is well taken. Sherrick had a longer impact. But how can you top All American status as a returner? Venric had a magical season.

 

[hdhntr1]

Let's compare career stats (from sports-reference.com):
Corey Wootton (2006-2009): 153 tackles, 38 TFL, 19.5 sacks, 4 int's, 12 PD's, 3 ForcedF's . . . in 50 games (stats for 3 games in 2005 excluded)
Tyler Scott (2010-2013): 131 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 16 sacks, 3 int's, 12 PD's. 4 ForcedF's . . . in 49 games

Sherrick McManis (2006-9) 201 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 1 sack, 9 int's, 38 PD's, 4 ForcedF's . . . . . .in 46 games
Nick VanHoose (2012-2014) 114 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 0 sacks, 5 int's, 28 PD's, 1 ForcedF's . . . . .in 32 games

Wootton started returning to 2008 form towards the end of 2009 when he recorded 4 sacks and a huge TFL and FF against Iowa in the last 5 games of the season. Keep in mind that Wootton had to play under Colby's strange, less aggressive schemes in 2006-2007 which really hurt his TFL and sack stats those years.

As fine as NVH has played, including the blocked XP against ND which was a huge play, I still put him below Sherrick McManis, who had several game-changing and game winning picks over his career; the Purdue and Illinois games in 2009 come to mind. He had another year left, though.

McMannis had 5 of his 9 interceptions in his Sr. year. At this point in their careers, NVH is slightly ahead of where McMannis was at the same point. 5 INT vs 4, I am just saying that to this point, they are pretty similar in effectiveness. Of course, NVH has to stay healthy.

Again, I did not say better, I said in the same group.

 

[Gladeskat]

McMannis had 5 of his 9 interceptions in his Sr. year. At this point in their careers, NVH is slightly ahead of where McMannis was at the same point. 5 INT vs 4, I am just saying that to this point, they are pretty similar in effectiveness. Of course, NVH has to stay healthy.

Again, I did not say better, I said in the same group.

I'll inch VanHoose a little closer to McManis, but there is still a gap, IMO. VanHoose did get scorched by Indiana in 2012, but then McManis got burned by Iowa in 2007. I still am in awe of his special teams play in 2006, including his awesome forced fumble on a punt return against Michigan. I knew he was NFL material after that hit and after the OSU game. VanHoose's blocked XP was a terrific play as well. Keep in mind that in Sherrick's senior year, he was injured and missed the first three games. Once he came back (and others became healthier), our season turned around.

 

[hdhntr1]

Don't forget that Sherrick was probably the best special teams player we have had in the Fitz era his true freshman year. He was (and still is) a special player.

I liken VanHoose more to Mabin -- solid, steady, multi year starter, but not really an impact player.

I'll inch VanHoose a little closer to McManis, but there is still a gap, IMO. VanHoose did get scorched by Indiana in 2012, but then McManis got burned by Iowa in 2007. I still am in awe of his special teams play in 2006, including his awesome forced fumble on a punt return against Michigan. I knew he was NFL material after that hit and after the OSU game. VanHoose's blocked XP was a terrific play as well. Keep in mind that in Sherrick's senior year, he was injured and missed the first three games. Once he came back (and others became healthier), our season turned around.

NVH has been injured a few times and missed games as well and will end up in fewer games than McMannis and his loss in some of those games was pretty important ( wasn't he knocked out of the Neb Hail Mary game?). I put him well above Mabin and very close to McMannis. And while McMannis may have been great on ST his Frosh year, he didn't really play there later in his career. Just saying both have been special players for us. To this point in his career, performance of NVH has been similar to McMannis. ( McMannis In his 4th season, as a senior, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after he set career highs in interceptions with five, and recorded 37 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and broke up 12 passes). Take those numbers off his totals and you can see how similar they are. NVH second.(Ints 4 vs 5, PBUs 26 vs 28, TFL 6.5 vs 8.5, tackles 164 vs 114, FF( not sure as I am not sure if any were his senior year and at least one was on ST) Does NVH have fewer tackles because he has been better at coverage so is thrown at less? It was my opinion that that was an area that NVH was better. Just saying that at this point in his career, NVH is very similar in his contribution and if he can stay healthy, likely to be drafted as well.