Fall Preview: Football Begins New Era with High Hopes and a Talented Roster

9/3/2026 3:03:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Credit: Tom Low, USA Foto

The Blue Streaks have plenty of reason for optimism as the Polian Era begins

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – A brand-new era of John Carroll Football has arrived.

Following the magical run to the NCAA Semifinal in 2025, a boss is ready to lead the Blue Streaks, as Brian Polian '97 has assumed the reins of the proud program.

With high hopes as the preseason pick to win the North Coast Athletic Conference and a #8 national ranking, the Blue Streaks are all set for the start of the 2026 campaign.

Here's what to expect from the Blue Streaks this season as JCU prepares for a week one challenge at Carnegie Mellon on Saturday.

Quarterbacks
How do you replace one of the best starting quarterbacks in program history?

Well, the transfer portal makes sense, considering that's how Nick Semptimphelter arrived at John Carroll. Tyler Green, a Second Team All-NCAC pick in 2025, transferred in from Denison University in the offseason. The junior won the starting gig in training camp, beating out sophomore Bryce Tubin.

Green started 19 games for the Big Red in two seasons, twice winning NCAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The Concord, North Carolina native set Denison records for single-season completions and yards as well as program game records for passing yards and completions.

At Denison, Green led an offense that passed nearly every play. In fact against John Carroll, Green's Big Red did not have one designed run play. Green will be expected to play a different role in JCU's decidedly more pro style offense.

Tubin impressed during the spring and much of camp, so the East Amherst, New York native will be ready in case he's needed.

Running Backs
In past seasons, JCU has employed a three-headed monster at running back. One member of the trifecta graduated, but Quincy Newsom and Cohen Klimak are both back.

Newsom, a rising senior, is the most veteran player at the position. With 1,413 career rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, the Twinsburg native has been quite reliable over his previous three seasons. As a junior, Newsom tied for the team lead with 7 touchdowns, finishing second on the team with 114 carries and 651 rushing yards. With good burst and an ability to ground it out between the tackles, Newsom is a trustworthy option.

Klimak burst onto the scene as a rookie. The Streetsboro native contributed immediately to the offense as a runner with 461 yards and 4 touchdowns. But just as importantly, Klimak carved out a role as a receiver, hauling in 30 catches for 238 yards and a pair of scores. A shifty back with energy, #5 is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Other options will likely emerge over the course of the season. One name to monitor is Josh Styles, who contributed some as a sophomore and has impressed as a playmaker during the preseason scrimmages. Mickey Keller and Jherek Breske are two newcomer names to perhaps remember.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Shane Lindstrom is without a doubt the top option returning, but far from the only weapon back after the graduation of Tyren Montgomery.

The senior is a slot wideout who thrived last season, making critical catches in wins at DePauw and Mount Union. The Canfield native caught 53 passes for 676 yards and 5 TDs last season as a trusty option and will no doubt serve as a security blanket again. Lindstrom is also a strong team leader and captain.

Dorian Facen Jr. returns for John Carroll this season after missing out on last season due to injury. The Buffalo native flashed as a sophomore in 2024 with 43 catches for 513 yards and 5 TDs. Having #1 back this season is bigtime.

Other returning wideouts will be asked to step into roles, namely Nico McBride, Jack McDaniels, and Owen Ellison. Deuce Jemison has worked his way into the two deep by showing some impressive playmaking skills in training camp.

Tight end is a position of strength, though losing Kenneth Rawls will hurt. Nolan Tanner is the leader of the room as a junior. William Hanson and Charlie Steinmetz to be aware of. Brendan Hernan is a youngster to watch, as the 6'6" NDCL grad could mix in soon.

Offensive Line
This position group is undoubtedly the strength of the team. After all, how often do you return all five members of your offensive line?

Grant Myers is the anchor at left tackle, back as a graduate student thanks to a medical redshirt. The team captain and Campbell Trophy nominee will be a leader of the line following an All-Region senior season (JCU's only returning All-Region honoree). Troy Mrukowski is a similarly talented veteran at right tackle, coming off an All-NCAC campaign. A nominee for the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, Mrukowski also makes an impact off the field.

Inside, three All-NCAC selections are back. Senior Ben Dehmer is a road grader at guard, a physical presence at 6'4", 285 pounds. Michael O'Rourke holds down the fort at center, working in the offseason to add some bulk to his frame. At the other guard spot, Jack McKinnon is a stout blocker back for his sophomore season. All three are key to the operation.

Cale Doyle – a 6'3", 305-pound transfer from Wake Forest – adds a weapon at the position. Doyle will add bulk to the line as fresh legs or a sixth lineman. Alexander Chuba and Kaleb Cole both got time last time and add to the depth at the position.

Defensive Line
Size has been added to the defensive line this season as the team looks to replace some strong graduates.

Hunter Kanotz is the top dog returning as a hardy defensive tackle. The senior impressed a season ago by tying for second on the team in sacks and figures to be an important playmaker up front. Also back for his senior season is Ivory Travers, who flashed at times from his spot at the Rush position. Davon Badley has been a strong player at defensive end over the last couple of seasons and expects to be a vital player up front. The Painesville native is a mature, smart player who gives the front some playmaking potential.

Dominic Blekot, Eugene Gibbons, and Moose Frombach are three upperclassmen expected to play important roles this season. As for newcomers, Cole Bayer and Jacob Mahoney bring bigtime size to the position and could mix in soon.

Linebackers
This position will look the most different from last year, as the starters have either graduated or moved spots.

Adam LaCarte is the most familiar name, as the junior from Pittsburgh has shifted up from safety. Javi Quimba has also made a position change, though a more radical one, switching from running back to linebacker.

Connor Roman is a man to watch in the middle as your prototypical MLB who can make tackles. Brady Koziara is another upperclassman hoping to contribute right away.

Tommy Tartabini and Ben Gabrich are sophomores with eyes on important roles this season.

Secondary
On the defensive side of the ball, secondary is the most loaded position.

Namely, starting cornerbacks and captains Dylan Crasi and Jacob Hufnagel are both back after All-NCAC campaigns. Crasi can lay down a big hit as well as stick with top receivers in coverage, while Hufnagel is a seasoned veteran who has proven how good he can be.

Josh Jones is back after missing time late last season, and the Floridian will be very important at the corner spot. Thomas Niederst played an important role later in the year and will be counted upon for sure.

Gino Blasini moved from linebacker to safety in the offseason and looks like an imposing figure as a 6'2" safety. The Kirtland native has the potential to be a bigtime difference maker.

The other safety spot has three players who could be ballhawks. Michael Beiersdorf got some significant time last year, while Greg Roman Jr. played here and there. Both are talented enough to start. Meanwhile, Paul Bindas could play right away as well, transferring in from Ohio Dominican.

Special Teams
Colin Schuler is the unquestioned leader of the fourth down army as a team captain. The other folks on special teams are not as seasoned.

Schuler returns as the kicker following a season in which he converted on 13 field goals, including some clutch ones. The senior will be counted on plenty this year on and off the field.

Punter is more unsettled, as Aidan Lamb is a rising sophomore with a solid leg. Tyler Wilson transferred in this fall after serving as the primary punter for St. Ambrose University last season.

Long snapper features a pair of youngsters. Sophomore Sawyer Piasecki and first year Andrew Meyers are the two players vying for the spot.

In terms of returnmen, Shane Lindstrom is the primary punt returner. McBride and Evan Nelson also figure to get time in the return game.

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