DII Report: Breaking down the DII football preseason top 25 — Assumption
Let's go team by team and see why each was considered for the preseason top 25.
Welcome back to the DII Report. Today, we continue our deep dive into each DII football team in the Lindy’s preseason top 25 with a look at Assumption.
Remember, rosters in DII football quickly change from December to August. The transfer portal rages on, and while several players moved on to the FCS or Division I, there were many key in-division transfers. That being said, the preseason top 25 I had to submit back in April for publication is slightly different. So, I circled back with the coaches, got some updates, and present to you the preseason top 25.
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Assumption football 2023: What to know
Assumption had a nice season in 2022, returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. The Greyhounds opened with a defensive gem in a 3-0 win over nationally ranked Kutztown and set the tone for the season, later picking up a 14-13 upset over New Haven en route to their third NE10 title in program history. That made the Assumption No. 21 in the initial Lindy’s preseason top 25 back in April.
The Greyhounds will have a lot of those pieces back. The offense has 10 starters returning, including dual-threat quarterback, Jake Cady. Cady rushed for 635 yards and eight scores last year while adding 1,612 yards through the air with 12 more touchdowns. Berrell Neal, who was second with 585 yards rushing and six touchdowns, returns at running back, while Cady’s top receiver, Quinn Sieger (389 yards, five touchdowns) is also back.
The defense, which allowed just 15.2 points per game and dictated many of the victorious outcomes for the Greyhounds, returns seven. That includes linebacker Jael Feliz who led the team with 64 tackles and added 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. Joining him in the linebacking crew is Lorenzo Valencia, who was second on the team in tackles while recording 4.5 sacks. Up front, defensive linemen Brandon Santell (six sacks and nine quarterback hurries) and Joe MacDougall (3.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries) are back to make life tough on NE10 quarterbacks. Defensive back Dion Kuinlan will lead the secondary after finishing third on the team in tackles with a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups.
“The 2023 Assumption team is playing a challenging non-league schedule, including Kutztown and Grand Valley State in the early weeks to prepare to defend the 2022 NE10 title,” head coach Andy McKenzie told me. “We entered the [2022] NCAA playoffs as a three seed in Super Region One by playing consistently great defense and timely offense and special teams. The defense looks to continue its growth, but must replace All-American DB/RET Isaiah Huff, while the offense looks to take a huge step under second-year starter and dual-threat QB Jake Cady with an experienced offensive line.”
It will be interesting to see what Assumption does this year with both Kutztown and Grand Valley State on its non-con schedule. If the Greyhounds can enter NE10 play with a few wins under their belt, it could be a repeat title for them.
Player of the year/All-American watch:
Jake Cady, QB
Brandon Santell, DL
Tom MacDonald, OL