Mark J. Sullivan @Coach_MJS

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🔥🚒🏈🏉🚨 Massachusetts Show Day: “Worcester Academy” Standouts, Offers, Skill Notes @WAfootball1834 @BandytheCoach scoutingnewengland.com/massachusetts-…

2026 Schedule Drop. #SharpenTheSword

Congrats to Jeremy Knief for being selected as a 2026 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award Winner. #gotigers

Running back pass protection is one of the most overlooked traits in football evaluation, but from both a coaching and scouting perspective, it is one of the biggest indicators of whether a back can truly become an every down player A running back who can consistently identify pressure, step up in protection, maintain leverage, and protect the quarterback earns trust quickly inside a locker room and meeting room Coaches trust backs who can keep the offense on schedule in critical passing situations, while scouts evaluate pass protection as a direct reflection of toughness, football IQ, competitiveness, technique, and willingness to do the dirty work that rarely shows up in the stat sheet From a coaching perspective, pass protection is far more than simply “getting in the way.” It requires disciplined footwork, proper hand placement, balance, leverage, eye discipline, communication, and the ability to react under pressure against athletes often bigger, longer, and more explosive Great backs understand protections pre snap, recognize blitz indicators, stay square, keep active feet, and protect the inside out path to the quarterback. One missed protection can end a drive, create a turnover, or get your quarterback hit ✅ Blitz recognition and communication matter ✅ Technique and leverage must stay consistent ✅ Active feet and balance are critical in space ✅ Protecting the quarterback is protecting the offense ✅ Trust in pass pro leads to more snaps and bigger roles ✅ Third down value often starts with protection ability From a scouting perspective, pass protection separates complete backs from situational players. Evaluators want to see: ✅ Willingness to block ✅ Blitz recognition and processing speed ✅ Ability to anchor vs power ✅ Foot quickness vs speed rushers ✅ Consistent leverage and hand usage ✅ Competitiveness in obvious passing situations The reality is simple: if a coaching staff cannot trust a running back in pass protection, it becomes difficult to keep that player on the field during critical downs The backs who embrace pass pro give offenses flexibility, protect quarterbacks, extend drives, and create value far beyond touches and statistics

Quarterback play starts before the football is ever snapped. One of the biggest separators at every level of football is a quarterback’s ability to confidently identify fronts, leverage, rotations, pressure looks, and coverage structure pre snap. Physical traits matter, but processing speed, recognition, and decision making are what consistently elevate quarterback play From a coaching perspective, strong pre snap identification allows offenses to operate faster, cleaner, and more efficiently Quarterbacks who can diagnose defensive intent early help offenses stay ahead of the chains, avoid negative plays, and create better opportunities for explosive production. It also allows coaches to trust the quarterback with more responsibility at the line of scrimmage. From a scouting perspective, pre snap confidence is one of the clearest indicators of long term quarterback development. Evaluators study how quickly a quarterback processes information, communicates adjustments, recognizes leverage, and handles late defensive movement. The best quarterbacks are not simply reacting after the snap they are solving problems before the play even starts ✅ Identifies fronts, leverage, and coverage structure early ✅ Helps set protections and manage pressure looks ✅ Eliminates hesitation and late reactions ✅ Improves timing, rhythm, and offensive efficiency ✅ Reduces turnovers and mental mistakes ✅ Allows quarterbacks to control tempo and command the offense ✅ Creates favorable matchups through checks and audibles ✅ Helps offenses stay ahead of down and distance situations ✅ Shows football IQ, poise, and situational awareness Confident quarterbacks do not let the defense dictate the game. They diagnose, communicate, adjust, and attack before the ball is ever snapped

⚾Milestone Alert ⚾ Congrats to @fsufalconsbaseball senior Joseph Abt, who was named to the 2026 NCAA DIII ABCA/Rawlings All-Region II Third Team as announced by the ABCA this afternoon. #FearTheFlock

Then and Now! From walking onto campus for Freshman Orientation in 2022 to walking across the commencement stage in 2026—four years flew by in the blink of an eye! 💚💛🎓 #FitchburgState2026 #FitchburgState

Linebacker play at a high level starts with the ability to strike, separate, and disengage from blocks consistently The “strike and shed” process is one of the most important fundamentals in front seven play because it directly impacts run defense, gap integrity, pursuit angles, and overall defensive efficiency From a coaching perspective, block destruction is about timing, leverage, hand placement, pad level, and body control Great linebackers coordinate their hands and feet together, strike with proper hand placement inside the frame, and maintain leverage through contact to create separation One of the most overlooked details in block destruction is maintaining a slight bend in the elbows on contact. Too much bend forces the defender to absorb power and essentially try to “bench press” a larger blocker (trying to get off the block), while full lockout can limit flexibility, leverage adjustment, and the ability to redirect efficiently ➡️ The strongest position is just before lockout, allowing the linebacker to maximize leverage, power transfer, and control at the point of attack. From a scouting perspective, evaluators closely study how linebackers handle contact in traffic and operate in confined space. Linebackers who consistently shock, separate, and disengage without getting washed out generally translate better to higher levels because they can stay clean in the box and impact the football consistently Key coaching points: • Hands and feet work together • Strike inside the blocker’s frame • Maintain leverage through contact • Keep a strong base and pad level • Separate before disengaging • Finish with proper pursuit angles Key scouting traits: • Violent initial strike • Functional play strength • Ability to stack and shed • Hand usage and leverage control • Short-area quickness after disengage • Consistency rep to rep • Ability to stay clean vs traffic Winning at linebacker is not just about making tackles. It starts with winning the point of attack first

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ - Cleveland: O Line Communication...

Peyton Manning said something about leadership that explains why most leaders fail. The biggest mistake leaders make isn't poor strategy - it's that they don't know how to influence others. He revealed the ONE foundation every leader needs. Here are the 6 P's that build it:

ALABAMA DEFENSIVE RESPONSIBILITIES Credit: @mrlongshore

I’ve posted this a couple of times before but I believe it’s worth repeating — I know I need the constant reminder.

Twice as nice! Liam Bourassa of @FSU_Falcons earns double All-American honors in the javelin and hammer throw while Grace Inacio of @bsubears nabs second team All-A honors for her second-ever award at the NCAA OTF Championships. mascac.prestosports.com/sports/mtrack/… #D3tf #MASCACpride

Today we honor all the fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The university is closed today, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

Quarterback pressure response is often discussed broadly. Pocket awareness and escapability are connected, but they solve different problems within the position. Pocket awareness is an inside-the-pocket skill. It preserves timing, spacing, progression discipline, and protection integrity. The quarterback subtly climbs, replaces pressure, maintains his launch point, and keeps the concept alive on schedule. Minimal movement. Maximum efficiency. Escapability begins after structure breaks down. It becomes survival, extension, creativity, and risk management outside the design of the play. Different movement patterns. Different decision-making. Different consequences. The important distinction is this: Elite quarterbacks do not immediately flee clean pockets simply because they are athletic. They understand when the play still has structure and when the structure is gone. Pocket awareness protects the offense. Escapability rescues the offense. Command is knowing which one the moment demands.

Thanks to Coach Sullivan for stopping in at Linwood Ave today. @FSUFalconsFB @Since_1896

James Franklin was fired from Penn State after 12 years. He didn't take a year off or feel sorry for himself. He looked in the mirror and owned what he had responsibility for. Now he's rebuilding VT with the same philosophy. Here's how he builds a program: (📌Bookmark this)