Crusaders Offseason Breakdown

[iceman99]

Coaching -

Crusaders shake up the coaching staff hiring former Carolina Head Coach Kent Silvanic to a one year deal, and bring back Defensive Coordinator Korey Fox.

Free Agency -

To date the team has only added 2 new players to the roster via free agency.

G Jerry Drain (BAL) and G Troy Sipes (SLC) were brought into the O-Line to provide a little stability for a unit that needs much help. With the team bringing in a big arm QB in the draft, it wont be a surprise if the team continues to add pieces to the line in Free Agency, Trades, or even the draft.

Draft -

With the 2nd pick in the first round of the 2026 IFL draft. The Chicago Crusaders select

Don Barrett - QB - Virginia Military (VMI) (Pre camp 24/79)



A potential big armed QB that the Crusaders have been looking for since management took over the team. Barrett should be a solid addition to an offense that has a few young weapons at their disposal. If the line can be built around the QB. This could be a good sign for Chicago going forward.

With the 11th pick in the first round of the 2026 IFL draft. The Chicago Crusaders select

J.C Manning - DT - Rutgers (pre camp 47/79)



Manning was actually targeted by the team as a possible selection at 1.2 as a fall back option if Barrett was taking #1 overall. But apparently it was meant for the big DT out of Rutgers to head to Chicago after all. The addition of Manning has caused the front office to pull Randell Meyer off the trade block as they have a solid young defensive line for the next few seasons.

[JesterBlaze]

Noble victory, Crusader!

[Argot]

Great pickups in the draft.

[VitoStallion]

That OG you took from us is a swing player too

I missed your bid on him, else I'd have matched it. Keep up the work slacker!

[iceman99]

Draft Continued:

With the 3rd Pick in the 2nd round the Crusader select

Alvin Sullivan - G - California (PC 39/73)



Sullivan comes from a very established program and could see himself moving outside to tackle due to his ability to get off the line and sustain blocks. With the Crusaders needing line help it is not a major surprise that they added a player of this stature at this stage in the draft.

With the 13th pick in the 2nd round the Crusader select

Leland Sherman - LB - Arizona (PC 24/74)



Sherman joins a very young defense that could very well find its identity this season. Featuring great skill, size, and strength. Sherman could be the best compliment to a defensive line built to stop opponents.

With the 25th pick in the 2nd round the Crusaders select

Heath Musselman - WR - Kentucky (PC 21/43)



Musselman (#1 above) brings size, speed and hands to an offense that is missing a few pieces. While there is no guarantee that Musselman will start right away, he could be a very interesting addition to the team 3rd and 4th WR options this season

[iceman99]

With the 2 pick in the 3rd round the Crusaders select

Broderick Green - T - Kentucky (PC 26/61)



Three straight Wildcats heading for the windy city. Green fills a big need at the T position. T was initially a position the team felt it could address with the 11th overall selection, but while they did address the T position it was on the wrong side of the ball. Green was a player targeted as a possible 2nd round selection that fell to Chicago in the top of the 3rd. He could be a big piece of the teams offense this season.

With the 22nd pick in the 3rd round the Crusaders Select

Steven Rolle - WR - Louisiana-Lafayette (20/52)



A reach pick for the Crusaders for a raw college talent with the ability to become something in the IFL. Rolle does offer decent size, and speed. But was only a special teams stand out in college. Some scouts felt he was a 4th rounder. But with needs that they feel can be addressed deeper in the draft the Crusaders took a flyer on this young WR.

[iceman99]

With the 3rd pick in the 4th round the Crusaders select

Brett Price - OLB - Boise State (PC 20/57)



Price was a player targeted by the Crusader staff early in the draft. Seen as a pass rush specialist from the weak side. The team figured they would be unable to add price as they focused on players of need in other positions. So when this selection came up they quickly grabbed the versatile Bronco.

With the 29th pick in the 4th round the Crusaders select

Tim Fabian - T - Boston College (PC 16/52)



While a G at Boston College, Fabian size and versatility he will be moved outside to help shore up the teams tackle position. This move could help address the teams need at each bookend position for the upcoming season.

With the 31st pick in the 4th round the Crusaders select

Dean Mage - ILB - Southern California (22/65)



Mage while undersized is a player that the team feels could help out in the LB department. Mage along with WR Rolfe were reach picks for a team at positions of need, but were also added to provide depth and if they happen to excel its a win for the team.

[iceman99]

With the 29th pick in the 5th round the Crusader select

Karl Heath - CB - Penn State (PC 14/56)



Heath was another player the team had targeted in the draft. But after running out of selections the team traded away an extra piece to Cleveland to acquire this pick and to allow them the chance to bring Heath into the folds. Heath figures to be a nickel and dime CB but his speed, coverage skills, and ability to read plays could also help push him into a starting role if needed.

[iceman99]

With the 24th pick in the 6th round the Crusaders select

Andre Blades - CB - Northern Arizona (PC 24/44)



The addition of Blades provides depth in the secondary but also brings in a player for the punt return team.

[VitoStallion]

I so envy your draft class

[iceman99]

With the 11th pick in the 7th round the Crusaders select

Donnie Greer - QB - Texas Tech (PC 11/48)



While QB was not exactly a major need with the addition of Barrett at 1.2, The team did have question marks going into the season about its backup options at this position. With rumors that the team is willing to move some if not all of their signed QBs that are not rookies. This move should not be a major surprise.

With the 32nd pick in the 7th round the Crusaders select

T. J. Garner - S - Auburn (PC 14/43)




Garner figures to play a role in the teams new look secondary. With 3 new pieces and multiple quality starters already in the secondary it will be interesting to see how things turn out after camp.

[Kobeck]

nice writeup

[VitoStallion]

The best draft class I've ever personally witnessed being assembled by a single GM. I've said it before, and I stand behind it. This guy can draft.

[Matt]

nice work

[zbuckley]

fun read