IWU football focuses on defense, depth in 2015 recruiting class

Posted on May 13, 2015

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Norm Eash returns 10 starters on offense and nine on defense next season, so the 27-year head football coach at Illinois Wesleyan University figured he’d be best to focus on quality over quantity in the Titans’ 2015 recruiting class.

“We were one step away from having a great season last year if we didn’t have all the interruptions,” Eash said of IWU’s 4-6 season. “These incoming freshman are going to have to have some patience.”

PODCAST: Listen to WJBC’s interview with Eash.

Eash said 31 freshman will be added to the roster last season, 20 of them are on defense.

“We felt like our numbers were down on the defensive side a little bit,” Eash said. “Not to say we don’t have talent, we do have talent on the defensive side, but we felt like we needed some depth.”

Eash said the Titans were much younger last season, especially on defense.

“Two years ago, we had tremendous depth, and al those kids are gone, we felt we needed to get our numbers up. So we brought in close to eight linebackers and eight defensive backs and seven defensive lineman.”

Eash said his top recruits include running back Matese Scott from Centralia, offensive lineman Carsten Anderson from Palatine, tight end Patrick Doherty from Wheaton Warrensville South, linebacker Mike Connolly from Downers Grove South and defensive lineman Chris Hawthorne from Oak Park Fenwick.

“There are some good players that are going to give us some immediate help some place on the field,” Eash said.

Eash said the coaching staff is also working to recruit four transfers who might be able to help next season.

The Titans will open the 2015 season on Sept. 5 at Franklin (Ind.).

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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