For college football fans, though, there's a different sense of anticipation in December - the recruitment of high school seniors to come play for their school.
I'm just one guy among a whole lot of Lehigh fans, of course, but - what would I like under Lehigh's holiday tree in terms of new recruits?
Find out - below the flip.
Here's my take on Lehigh's biggest recruiting needs for this season.
1. Running Back/Fullback.
Dear Santa:
Probably the biggest void Lehigh will feel this offseason is with the graduation of RB Keith Sherman, as both a productive back (1,000 yard rusher, good receiver out of the backfield, all Patriot League 1st team) and as a team leader on offense, but also with the expected graduation of FB Zach Hayden, whose blocking and receiving out of the backfield was also a huge reason why Lehigh had such offensive success.
With an expected FBS transfer appearing under head coach Andy Coen's Christmas tree this year (more on him in the coming week), the immediate need is lessened, but the Mountain Hawks still need more backs in the pipeline for future years, especially some with some size to get power yards or play fullback.
Please Santa, can we have one, or more, great running backs for the future?
2. Defensive Back.
Dear Santa,
With the expected graduation of at least two defensive backs, including 1st Team all Patriot League performer FS Tyler Ward, the Mountain Hawks need more bodies in here to foster competition and to help improve a unit that was 86th out of 125 FCS teams in pass yards allowed.
There is definitely some good talent returning here for next season, but nothing would make me happier than to see a shutdown corner appear in Lehigh's class of 2018.
Please, Santa, is there room in your sack for the next CB Bryan Andrews?
3. Wide Receiver.
Dear Santa,
It's not so much that there's a lack of production returning, especially with WR Stephen Sansone, WR Derek Knott, WR Derek Gaul and WR Alex Buford coming back, but it's that Lehigh will be losing one of the top receivers in all of FCS, WR Lee Kurfis, and a veteran who (when healthy) was an extremely valuable piece of the puzzle in WR Sergio Fernandez-Soto.
Two more great receivers are like getting two more great games for your XBox - in Lehigh's offense, you can never get enough of them.
Please, Santa?
There's always the stocking stuffers for the Lehigh football fans that come in - all-league offensive linemen and defensive linemen, another great linebacker, maybe a great tight end, or long snapper. But in my opinion, these are Lehigh's biggest needs.
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