Even with graduating some of the top playmakers in program history the outlook for The College of Wooster football program remains bright with a wealth of talent across every aspect of the team having the Fighting Scots poised for a big 2023. Eleventh-year head coach Frank Colaprete and staff intentionally rotate numerous players to keep everyone fresh for late-game pushes and that lends itself to the team being able to reload on an annual basis and maintain its winning ways.

Defense, where Wooster returns six starters, is the area Colaprete is confident will take big strides in 2023. Athleticism and versatility, where many of the players can contribute at both defensive line and linebacker or linebacker and defensive backfield, provides a plethora of looks and schemes within the program's base 4-2-5 system.

"We have a talented group on defense," summed up Colaprete. "Even though we are young in age at a lot of positions there is a lot of experience in terms of playing time. I look to see our defense take big strides with having time to learn and adjust to the new terminology under second-year coordinator Ben Lolli. We can do so many different things and be so multiple with the talent we have."

Colaprete relies on his line to set the tone. There, seniors Domenic DeMuth and Ben Greenwood anchor a seasoned and athletic core. Seniors Neil Clayton and Brandon Holt provide veteran leadership on the edges, while sophomores Paul Ehenger and DT Franklin quickly acclimated to the collegiate game and made a big impact as first-years. Sophomore Brandon Torres rounds out the returnees at the position.

"We have two great ones coming back in Domenic and Ben," shared Colaprete. "They know what it takes each week to get themselves and their teammates prepared. We are going to count on our other guys too. The defensive line is a strength of this program."

A similar outlook is in store for the linebackers, where seniors Andrew Armile and Kobe Nadu project to be two of the leaders. Rising junior Greysen Meyer saw a significant uptick in playing time last year and earned a start along the way, while sophomore Braydon Hudson's playmaking earned him significant time as a first-year. Elsewhere, players like sophomores Nick Bostic, Wyatt Harris, and Jonathan Lamb helped the team in numerous roles, including on special teams, while juniors Max Guorgui and Liam Regan round out the returnees at the position.

"Kobe has a lot of games under his belt," shared Colaprete. "We are looking at Andrew as more of a linebacker this year. He is one of those guys who can play in the defensive backfield and linebacker. Guys within this group played a lot on special teams and help make this area a strength of our program."

"Leading up" is the theme of the defensive backfield of late with a "couple veterans helping guys out with the terminology and what is expected of them to play the game the Wooster way," per Colaprete. That has resulted in numerous first-years making a substantial impact among the back five the past few seasons, most recently sophomores Brock Sivon, Louie Lindsay, and Tate Journell, who enter the year as projected starters. Senior Langston Williams and junior Jon Banal were on that progression earlier in their Wooster careers and have been mainstays in the defensive backfield since. Junior Tyler Miller saw a significantly expanded role as a sophomore.

Having the offense reloaded upon the graduation of record-smashing talent is something Zach Dennis and the rest of the offensive staff have excelled at, and that is once again the task this fall. They will have a watchful eye throughout camp to see who is going to "step it up and be in those skill positions," per Colaprete, who expects the offense "to do what they do to continue to put up good numbers."

Wooster will lean heavily on its offensive line early with a new regular quarterback taking the reins of the offense. Four starters return in junior left tackle Logan Pugh, senior center Bryce Kamphues, junior right guard Seth Robinson, and junior right tackle Tyler Ellsworth. Junior Jacob Johnston and sophomore Derek Moore contributed in a multitude of ways last year and senior Roman LaBrosse is coming off a "great spring," per Colaprete. Other returnees on the line include sophomore Michael Kennedy, junior Adam Noonkester, and senior Ryan Tompkins.

Quarterback will be a competition during camp, per Colaprete, who is looking for someone who will "provide consistency, playmaking, and not turn the ball over." If Wooster's new starting quarterback is able to succeed at all three, the Scots' veteran coach is confident the offense will put up plenty of points. Returnees to the program at quarterback include junior Jacob Dugas, sophomore Chanden Lee, sophomore Michael O'Brien, and sophomore Mike Spadaro.

Wide receiver is an area where Wooster was looking for an identity early on in 2022, and something the team found as the year progressed. Junior Brazos Gadler emerged as one of the top wideouts in the conference, while junior Andrew Hammer is being looked at by the staff as one of the better guys in the conference after moving back to a more natural slot position.

"We have our receivers in the positions," said Colaprete, who also noted the staff shifted senior Paul Thomas Fischer from running back to slot receiver and junior Vell Robinson from defensive back to wide receiver. "Paul Thomas feels more comfortable in the slot. He catches everything, gets open, and is smart with the ball once he gets open. Vell has always been a playmaker and we think he will be more dynamic on offense."

Other returning wide receivers include senior Cristian Amesbury, junior Vince Baioni, senior Justin Jones, sophomore Jordan Lewis, sophomore Maine Martin, and junior Zack Weber.

Sophomore Jarvis Mims Jr., Wooster's top returning running back, really came on strong late in the season, evidenced by three games with at least 75 rushing yards over the final four Saturdays. Behind Mims Jr. is a talented group competing for time.

"If Jarvis continues to build off his spring he is going to open some eyes," said Colaprete. "He works hard and gets better every day. We are excited about him and the running back room."

Wooster rates among the nation's best in terms of utilizing the tight end position as a major focal point. All-American Cole Hissong just graduated, while before him, Jacob Lewis earned all-region laurels. Senior Sebestyen Balassy and junior Hunter Arce will look to continue the excellent play from the tight end position, and Colaprete wants them to just "be themselves."

"Sebestyen and Hunter are really good at what they do and they work hard," stated Colaprete. They love the game. We are excited about the potential of them as who they are. They are good football players who are going to do some great things for the team and offense."

Two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-American® Lake Barrett headlines the special teams and is one of six seniors utilizing the extra season of eligibility from the COVID-19 waiver. His consistency is what helps set him apart per Colaprete, who is very comfortable when Barrett is out there for an extra-point try or field goal.

"We are expecting a lot of great things out of our special teams this year," summed up Colaprete. "We see Sebestyen kicking off like he has been doing and he did an amazing job this spring as our punter. We have a lot of veterans who are fast, physical, and relentless and can run down and cover kicks and return kicks. We are going to make sure our top guys are back to return kicks because we have guys who will block for them. This will be a strength of our team."

Thirty-seven talented newcomers round out this year's roster.

Wooster's season starts with a 1 p.m. game at Wilmington College on Saturday, September 2. The Scots are home for the first time on the new artificial turf a week later, as The University of Olivet visits for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, September 9. North Coast Athletic Conference play starts with a 7 p.m. game at Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday, September 16, while Black & Gold Weekend is taking place when Hiram College visits John P. Papp Stadium on Saturday, October 28.

"The NCAC is a good conference," said Colaprete. "Four different teams have won the championship the last five years. We have to be prepared for everybody."