After finishing a set of seven spring football practices this week, coach Glenn Caruso gave perspective on his 2014 recruiting class to a crowd of more than 50 St. Thomas community members Thursday night at Plum’s Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar.
“Everyone always wants to ask, what are our position needs? And every year it’s the same: everything. We always want to make sure we’re upgrading in every position. That never changes,” Caruso said.
The 71-player class includes 40 Minnesotans, 12 Wisconsinites, 12 Illinoisans, three players from Colorado and one out of Connecticut. Connor Johnson will join the Tommies from Division-I Drake University as the year’s only transfer recruit, where he is expected to contribute as a wide receiver. Internationally, the Tommies recruited Bryan Steinsapir from Chile.
Ten recruits participated in their state’s respective All-Star game while six earned Academic All-American honors. While many players caught his eye, quarterback Thomas O’Neil out of Waseca High School was a player Caruso didn’t want to let out of his sight.
“It was a battle for him,” Caruso said. “I certainly wanted him playing for us, but I certainly didn’t want him playing against us.”
Caruso compared the calm, even-keeled O’Neil, who has “a tremendous touch on the deep ball,” to 2011 graduate quarterback Dakota Tracy. He also compared O’Neil’s running abilities to junior quarterback Matt O’Connell, who was out most of the 2013 season after injuring his leg against Gustavus last October.
“I have a huge man crush on his game,” Caruso said.
Brock Deering (Rockford, Minnesota), who Caruso called a “big-pocket passer,” and “crafty, creative” Connor Johannes (Naperville North, Florida) are also quarterback prospects joining the Tommies this fall.
On the offensive line, Matt Beck (Wayzata, Minnesota) is recovering from a recent knee surgery, but will join an experienced offense when the team opens fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 16.
Caruso called the running backs the deepest position in the whole recruiting class and highlighted Niko Anderson (Lanesboro, Minnesota), Tanner Bedard (Wayzata, Minnesota) and Joe Herbeck (Saint Thomas Academy, Minnesota) as key contributors.
Defensively, Caruso compared outside linebacker and National Football Foundation of Minnesota honoree Tobias Knight (Washburn Minnesota) to junior linebacker Tremayne Williams.
Cornerback Jack Dummer (Edina, Minnesota) is another National Football Foundation of Minnesota honoree and was 7th in the state in tackles after the 2013 season. Caruso said Dummer is “really tough” and could contribute as a safety, corner or outside linebacker.
The Tommies will open their 2014 season against Wisconsin-Eau Claire at home on Sept. 6.
Briggs LeSavage can be reached at lesa4364@stthomas.edu.