Princeton Tigers
Overall Rank: #29
#1 Ivy
Princeton was last seen in 2019 when they finished 8-2 overall and 5-2 in Ivy League play. It was another solid season, but late season losses to Dartmouth and Yale cost them at least a share of the Ivy League title. Some of the key pieces from two years ago are gone, but this is still a relatively experienced squad that has the talent to win the conference title.
2020-21 Record: 0-0, 0-0
2020-21 Postseason: None
Coach: Bob Surace (56-44 at Princeton, 74-47 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Willis
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Verbit
Returning Leaders: (2019 stats)
Rushing: Collin Eaddy, RB, 799 yards
Passing: Dylan Classi, WR, 34 yards
Receiving: Jacob Birmelin, WR, 767 yards
Tackles: James Johnson, LB, 67
Sacks: Samuel Wright, DL, 4.5
Interceptions: Sultaan Shabazz, DB, 3
Other Key Returnees: TE Carson Bobo, OL Henry Byrd, LB Jeremiah Tyler, DB Delan Stallworth, P Will Powers
Key Losses: RB Ryan Quigley, QB Kevin Davidson, WR Andrew Griffin, OL Alex Deters, DB TJ Floyd, DL Joey DeMarco, K Tavish Rice
Offense:
Princeton should be ready to move on after losing quarterback Kevin Davidson. There is not much experience, which is true of most programs that did not play in 2020, but there is talent. Brevin White spurned Alabama when he signed with Princeton and Coach Bob Surace will find an effective option to lead the offense. Jacob Birmelin and Dylan Classi are still around to give the new quarterback a couple proven receiving options. In 2019 Birmelin led the Tigers with 60 receptions for 767 yards. Classi added 34 catches for 495 yards. While Princeton is retooling the air attack, Collin Eaddy could see a larger load. In 2019 he rushed for 799 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Defense:
In those losses to Dartmouth and Yale, the Tigers allowed 39 points per game. The offense struggled too, but the defense needs to do better against the good teams in the Ivy League. Returning James Johnson and Jeremiah Tyler in the middle of the defense is a great place to start. Those are two very experienced linebackers who led the Tigers in tackles in 2019. Samuel Wright highlights the defensive front after tallying a team high 4.5 sacks two years ago. The secondary has a quality playmaker in Sultaan Shabazz and a former All-Ivy honoree in Delan Stallworth.
The Bottom Line:
The Princeton defense should be solid. The offense has a big question at quarterback, but there are enough weapons and talent around to turn that into a non-issue within a few weeks. By the time we get to November and Dartmouth and Yale show up the schedule, this will be a dangerous Princeton team that has a balanced offense and a defense that can keep the team in any game.
Projected Postseason: None
2020-21 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: na
Passing Offense: na
Total Offense: na
Scoring Offense: na
Rushing Defense: na
Pass Defense: na
Total Defense: na
Scoring Defense: na
Turnover Margin: na
Sacks: na
Sacks Allowed: na
