Hurst is Home: Mercyhurst Boasts Small Outgoing Transfer Class, Plenty of Defensive Experience

It’s not an uncommon phrase to hear out of Erie, but perhaps this offseason it’s the most telling one.

“We have a saying here,” Coach Sydeski told NECBlitz.com yesterday. “It’s Hurst is home.”

Whatever the Lakers have done to retain much of a successful 2025 team, it’s created an environment where the roster by and large has stayed home.

Players like Dylan Evans likely had opportunities elsewhere had they chosen to pursue them. In the midst of a coaching change, turmoil and roster turnover was probably to be expected. It’s not what happened in Erie, though.

General Manager Mike Waring pointed out that promoting from within to maintain stability was certainly helpful. It would seem that more than that would have had to be at play here. Only 9 Lakers hit the portal. With a roster that contains plenty of players from out of the area- the Lakers have recruited California well in the past several seasons- they were able to maintain the team and reload for another campaign in 2026.

The running back room will look different this year and there is a 3 man competition at quarterback. The defense will have some more experience than previously, though, after a good showing last year. Young talent like Mookie Gamble looks ready to emerge.

The NEC is so competitive this year. Any prediction is practically a guess. But there’s plenty of reason to believe the Lakers aren’t a one hit wonder.