Yale Update

Egu vs. Pace

If there’s been a bigger “Jekyl and Hyde” like team in this league, I’m really not aware of it.

I’ll get deeper into why I think the Elis can be a solid team one weak and a stinker the next when I post my complete preview of the Ivy season in about two weeks.

For now, here’s what you need to know:

The QB Situation is Still Mostly Unsettled

Head Coach Tony Reno says the job right now belongs to Clemson transfer Morgan Roberts. But close on his heels is Logan Scott, yes THAT Logan Scott the guy who committed to Columbia and then changed his commitment to Yale a few weeks later.

Neither one has a lot of experience, but they’re total neophytes either.

My guess is that Roberts will hold the job if he stays healthy.

Yale Looks Stacked at RB

The next big question in New Haven is: “Will Tyler Varga be healthy for the season?”

So far, the answer seems to be “yes,” and that’s great news for the Bulldogs.

But Varga isn’t the only talent they have at tailback.

Columbia fans learned that first-hand last season when BOTH Khalil Keys and Candler Rich, (yes, that’s “Candler” without an “H”), ran for 100+ yards against the Lions at the Yale Bowl.

Keys is probably the better of the two, but it’s an embarrassment of riches at RB for Yale.

The O-line loses some talent, but is still mostly intact with three starters returning.

So why fret too much over the QB situation when the Elis have so much rushing talent?

I suppose the fact that the super-talented WR Deon Randall is back is one reason to worry about who will get him the ball. But hey, he can run a lot of reverses like he did last year and still do plenty of damage.

Lord knows Carm Cozza wouldn’t have hesitated a moment to run the ball 40+ times a game with this crew.

But will Reno be smart enough to do the same?

Don’t Be Fooled. Yale’s Defense is Pretty Good

So the Yale defense is very young.

Big deal… it’s also very talented.

The headliner on defense is still DE Victor Egu, who did not disappoint as a freshman last year. Egu was one of the most-hyped incoming recruits in Ivy history after de-committing from CAL, (we could call Yale the “All De-Commit Team” couldn’t we?), and he put in good numbers and impact for a freshman. That included a sack against Columbia. Now he’s a seasoned soph and I think he could have a big season.  

The linebacking crew is very experienced, and that’s a commodity on this team with so many sophomore starters. One of those senior LB’s is Will Vaughan who had a strong game against the Lions last year. He also made All Ivy Honorable Mention.

The secondary is filled with super young talent.

Foyesade Oluokun seems like the real deal at corner. The sophomore was All Ivy 2^nd Team last year as a frosh.

The “old man” is junior safety Cole Champion who killed Columbia last year among a few other teams. He’s a rising star too.

It all comes Down to Reno

There’s enough talent and even experience on this Yale team for it do some serious damage this year.

But to do so, Reno needs to make all the right decisions at game time.  He’s proven to be a great recruiter, but not so great at using the talent wisely.