Get to know Tyrel Ellington, Jack Smith and the 2023 Roosevelt football team
ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS
HEAD COACH: Kardell Jackson, first year, 0-0
LAST YEAR: 3-7, 2-5 Suburban American
POSTSEASON: Division III, Region 9
RETURNING LETTERMEN (11)
Patrick Barkley, OL-DL, 6-0, 200, Jr.
Jaden Dennison, RB-FS, 6-1, 180, Jr.
Parker D’Sidocky, WR-FS, 5-10, 155, Jr.
Tyrel Ellington, WR-CB, 6-0, 185, Sr.
Carter Foreman, TE-LB, 6-2, 200, Jr.
James Lewis, WR-CB, 6-3, 195, Sr.
Teddy Maccarone, WR-FS, 5-9, 150, So.
Matt McCann, RB-LB, 6-0, 175, Sr.
Jerome Norton, OL-DL, 6-2, 210, Jr.
Jack Smith, QB-FS, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Lincoln Wade, WR-CB, 6-1, 165, Sr.
IMPACT PLAYERS: WR-CB Tyrel Ellington is poised for a breakout season at wide receiver after putting on roughly 16 pounds of muscle during the offseason. More powerfully built than ever with great hands to boot, Ellington is “taking off and owning the role,” according to coach Kardell Jackson. … WR-CB Lincoln Wade is also expected to make an impact as the senior “probably has the most experience of our guys returning,” per Jackson, and is “consistently making plays [and] picking his teammates up.” … Expect OL-DL Jerome Norton to help lead the way in the trenches after Roosevelt graduated the majority of last year’s offensive line. … A multi-sport athlete, junior Parker D’Sidocky’s “athleticism jumps off at you,” according to Jackson, with D’Sidocky likely to play a role at slot receiver and free safety.
WHAT'S NEW: QB-FS Jack Smith, the grandson of famed Rough Riders coach John Nemec, has transferred over from Stow-Munroe Falls to Roosevelt, where “he’s been a great leader for our guys” and a “student of the game,” per Jackson. In addition to being a student of the game, Smith “throws with different arm angles,” Jackson said, and also “has some athleticism that he’ll get to showcase back there as well." … The Rough Riders will also lean on a new pair of running backs, as standout Jaden Dennison moves over from receiver and sophomore Jaden Portis is “explosive and quick,” per Jackson. … Not on the team a year ago, senior WR-CB James Lewis has “been making plays for us,” Jackson said, and has “got legitimate speed.” … After ACL injuries knocked him off the football field in each of the past two seasons, TE-LB Carter Foreman has been an immediate leader in the locker room and, according to Jackson, is “showing some physicality jumping out for us on defense.”
OUTLOOK: After solid seasons in 2019 — when they finished .500 — and 2020 — when they posted a winning record and made the postseason — the Rough Riders struggled over the past two years, posting a combined record of 5-14. Injuries, including to Donovan Daetwyler, arguably Roosevelt's top player the past couple of years, played a key role. ... Enter new coach Kardell Jackson, a member of the Rough Riders' last league championship team. Jackson hasn't backed down from the alumni angle, bringing several fellow alums onto his coaching staff. ... Perhaps there's no better example of dedication to Kent than Matt McCann, who has "embraced the role" of linebacker, Jackson said, after playing quarterback the past couple of seasons. "He tries to be a leader every day and you can tell he just loves being out here," Jackson said.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Impact players, what's new and more on the Roosevelt football team
