ARCHBISHOP HOBAN KNIGHTS
Hoban football's top returning players
- Tylan Boykin , DB-WR, 6-0, 177, Sr.
- Ace Brown, TE-DE, 6-2, 195, Jr.
- Jackson Callaway, WR-DB, 5-6, 145, Jr
- Payton Cook , WR-DB, 6-1, 180, Jr.
- Tayte Crable, TE-DE, 6-4, 195, Sr.
- Nick Crawford, DT, 5-10, 245, Sr.
- Nate Cross , OL-DL, 6-1, 272, Sr.
- Brayton Feister , RB-LB-DB, 6-1, 220, Soph.
- Sam Greer , OL, 6-7, 300, Jr.
- Elbert Hill , DB-WR, 5-11, 165, Jr.
- Eli Lee , LB, 6-2, 220, Sr.
- Tanner Mintz , LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.
- Braylin Parker, OL, 6-3, 298, Jr.
Hoban football's impact players
After finishing last season as the Division II state runner-up , Hoban will have Ohio State commit Lee back at inside linebacker on a defense featuring six returning starters. Tyrrell said Lee has ascended as a leader and already “looks like a college linebacker” after improving his sideline-to-sideline speed. … Hoban's offensive line was at its best with Cross at center last season, but a knee injury limited his time there. He'll return to the middle of the O-line with Army and Navy pursuing him. “He's a top two lineman I've ever coached,” Tyrrell said. … Boykin started at quarterback last season because Hoban had a pressing need behind center, but everyone involved understood defensive back would be his spot in college. “He's the epitome of team,” Tyrrell said. Eastern Michigan commit Boykin will play free safety, cornerback and wide receiver in 2024. … After manning nose tackle the past two seasons, Crawford has moved to three-technique D-tackle, where more pass-rushing opportunities will exist as Division II programs like Ashland, Slippery Rock, Findlay and Tiffin recruit him. “If you ask Eli Lee, Eli will tell you, 'Nick Crawford is the reason I make all the tackles,'” Tyrrell said. “He's holding up to two guys, and Eli's running free.”
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What's new with Hoban football in 2024?
The Knights will have eight starters back on offense, but their QB1 won't be among them. Based on experience, senior Ethan Roksandich is the favorite to win the QB job after starting the past two seasons at Brunswick, Tyrrell said. Sophomores James Jones and Trent Hayden, who transferred from Walsh Jesuit, and senior Victor Clark, who's also a tight end, are in the mix, too, but Tyrrell likes Roksandich's resume, mobility and size (6-1, 215 pounds). … Junior Patrick Kinsell (6-0, 230 pounds) is expected to be a force at outside linebacker after Ohio High School Athletic Association transfer rules limited him to five games with Hoban last season. He hails from Mogadore like Lee, and they're close friends. … Sophomore John Johnson (6-4, 180 pounds) will debut as a varsity starting receiver opposite Cook. Callaway will often work out of the slot. Like Boykin, Hill will dabble at WR. “This is probably the strongest receiving corps we've had since I've been here,” Tyrrell said. … Brayton Feister will be the No. 1 running back after forming a one-two punch last season with Hoban graduate Caleb Jones . Younger brother Brydon Feister (6-1, 215 pounds) is poised to become a factor in the linebacking corps as a freshman.
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Hoban football's outlook
Coming off a 7-2 loss to Massillon in the Division II state championship game , Hoban is loaded again. At least a dozen Knights have received Division I scholarship offers. ... Offered by Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama and many more, Hill is one of the most coveted juniors in the nation. He's ranked 14th and 27th in the Class of 2026 by ESPN and Rivals, respectively. … With a roster this talented, Tyrrell is aiming for familiar territory at the end of the season. Hoban has won five state titles (2015-18 and 20) and finished runner-up three times (2021-23) during his tenure. “The expectation for any season now since 2015 is it's not a good season unless we win a state championship,” Tyrrell said. … Matt Richardson left as Hoban's co-offensive coordinator this offseason to become the head coach at Warren Harding. Matt Saunders is now the full-time OC after sharing those duties with Richardson. Jacob McNeil and Mike Burns will coach the O-line and tight ends, taking the torch from longtime Hoban head coach Ralph Orsini and Justin Ray. Longtime strength and conditioning coach Mike Winkler is no longer with Hoban. Maddie Diestel gives the Knights continuity on their strength staff. … Tyrrell and his modified group of assistants will attempt to forge a team known for toughness. Three reigning state champs (Archbishop Spalding from Severn, Maryland, Glenville and St. Edward) and a 2023 state runner-up (Central York from York, Pennsylvania) await in the regular season. “The schedule is probably the hardest we've ever had,” Tyrrell said.
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Hoban football schedule for 2024
- Aug. 23 ARCHBISHOP SPALDING (MD.)
- Aug. 30 DON BOSCO PREP (N.J.)
- Sept. 6 BUCHTEL
- Sept. 13 East , at Ellet
- Sept. 20 ST. IGNATIUS
- Sept. 27 MT. VERNON (ILL.)
- Oct. 4 Walsh Jesuit
- Oct. 11 GLENVILLE
- Oct. 18 Central York (Pa.) at 6 p.m.
- Oct 25 St. Edward
Home games in all CAPS. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Archbishop Hoban Knights 2024 high school football schedule, preview
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