Anatomy of the Brew's '08 recruiting class

[ConferenceChamp]

I often hear about the Gophers' recruiting class of 2008. Much is mentioned in glowing terms, both on these boards and elsewhere, about the future impact of this particular group of football players on the Gopher program.
Apparently, this 2008 class had 31 verbal commitments heading toward NLOI Signing Day, and was initially ranked 17th in the nation, until later being revised downward for some reason or another (because not all the verbal commitments showed up in August?).

It's also understood that one cannot have a full appreciation of any football recruiting class until 3, 4, and even 5 years down the road.

So, with this class having 2 full seasons in the rear view mirror, it might be appropriate to have a look at what one might expect on the field with the class of '08.
Here are a few of the class of 2008 student-athletes (not randomly selected), and their respective status:

-4* DT Tim McGee..........never showed up
-4* WR Vince Hill............never showed up
-4* CB Tray Simmons......elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* LB Rex Sharpe..........elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* WR David Pittman.....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* LB Simoni Lawrence...elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-2* DE Cedric McKinley....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* OT Roszell Gaden......diverted from Dinkytown, went to JUCO, now heading to Auburn
-3* WR/CB J. Dandridge...transferred out last month
-2* RB/DE/LB T.Combs....gone
-3* S Tramaine Brock......gone due to academics
-3* WR Broderick Smith...transferred a year ago
-2* QB John Nance.........transferred out to play basketball
-3* RB Kevin Whaley.......repeated thuggery got him a one-way bus ticket home

There may be one or two others whose status is uncertain.

With nearly 1/2 of the class gone less than 2 years after commiting/signing with the Gopher squad, there will be significantly fewer student-athletes around in the next couple of years to make that much-anticipated impact while wearing maroon and gold.

With a 5-7 or 6-6 type season looming ahead, and perhaps not as much in the cupboard as we have been lead to believe, Mason's 38-25 record with annual, televised bowl games during his last 5 years is not looking too shabby right now.

It's difficult to believe the Brew's initial 4-year plan looked anything like what I am seeing right now.

And I'm not getting any younger.

I guess we can always cheer for the Vikings

 

[ust4life]

We get the point, you don't like Brew. There's nothing you can do about it, so your daily posts slamming him and going on and on about how "you don't think we'll ever be any good under Brew" are pointless and annoying.

Here's a thought. How about you discuss the team for once rather than trying to come up with some new, creative way to rip Brew. He's not going anywhere any time soon, so deal with it.

 

[Gophers_are_Golden]

ConferenceChamp, you have to realize that only 11 players can play on the field at one time. You can't expect every player from every recruiting class to pan out. All recruiting classes will have some disappointments. Look at Mason's recruiting classes and how many of those guys are still playing. It's amazing Brew was able to win six games with the lack of talent he was given. This class still has a TON of great players that should be able to make a big impact next year as juniors/RS sophomores.

 

[maxwellsmart]

I often hear about the Gophers' recruiting class of 2008. Much is mentioned in glowing terms, both on these boards and elsewhere, about the future impact of this particular group of football players on the Gopher program.
Apparently, this 2008 class had 31 verbal commitments heading toward NLOI Signing Day, and was initially ranked 17th in the nation, until later being revised downward for some reason or another (because not all the verbal commitments showed up in August?).

It's also understood that one cannot have a full appreciation of any football recruiting class until 3, 4, and even 5 years down the road.

So, with this class having 2 full seasons in the rear view mirror, it might be appropriate to have a look at what one might expect on the field with the class of '08.
Here are a few of the class of 2008 student-athletes (not randomly selected), and their respective status:

-4* DT Tim McGee..........never showed up
-4* WR Vince Hill............never showed up
-4* CB Tray Simmons......elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* LB Rex Sharpe..........elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* WR David Pittman.....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* LB Simoni Lawrence...elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-2* DE Cedric McKinley....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* OT Roszell Gaden......diverted from Dinkytown, went to JUCO, now heading to Auburn
-3* WR/CB J. Dandridge...transferred out last month
-2* RB/DE/LB T.Combs....gone
-3* S Tramaine Brock......gone due to academics
-3* WR Broderick Smith...transferred a year ago
-2* QB John Nance.........transferred out to play basketball
-3* RB Kevin Whaley.......repeated thuggery got him a one-way bus ticket home

There may be one or two others whose status is uncertain.

With nearly 1/2 of the class gone less than 2 years after commiting/signing with the Gopher squad, there will be significantly fewer student-athletes around in the next couple of years to make that much-anticipated impact while wearing maroon and gold.

With a 5-7 or 6-6 type season looming ahead, and perhaps not as much in the cupboard as we have been lead to believe, Mason's 38-25 record with annual, televised bowl games during his last 5 years is not looking too shabby right now.

It's difficult to believe the Brew's initial 4-year plan looked anything like what I am seeing right now.

And I'm not getting any younger.



I guess we can always cheer for the Vikings

Self indulgent, intellectually dishonest post. I'm not going to waste my time breaking it down. You know why.

 

[Schnoodler]

That's as fine an example of a lack of understanding of college football recruiting as I've read in a long time.

You better make an appointment to the chiropractor, for as far as you were reaching in your cherry picking you're bound to have hurt something.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Its always helpful to look at the facts and use them to evaluate where the program under Brewster is pointed.

1. Mason track record showed that he was only able to retain about half of his recruiting classes. The following were the approximate number of Mason's Sr.s that contributed since 2001: 2001-12, 2002-10, 2003-12, 2004-9, 2005-13, 2006-8, 2007-14, 2008-10 and 2009-19. Note the average of about 11 during Masons term and elevated to about 14 since Brewster has arrived.

2. Only eight of twenty-two of Masons's 2006 recruits stayed with the program and just Alford, Brinkhaus, Buckner, Burris, Ellestad and Weber remain.

3. To date, fifteen of the remaining 2008 class have contributed and likely will continue to during their time as Gophers. That number will likely go to seventeen when Maresh and Brandon are healthy. The impact of the mentioned departed JC's can not be negated as they were brought in to make an immediate contribution.

4. Although its early, Lipscomb has been the only casualty from the 2009 class of twenty but it I think Searcy's status is uncertain and four were on the field in 2009.

5. Clearly Brewster's track record of retaining players has been much better than Masons which will allow for greater depth and experience in the coming years. Other than 2007 which is not unusual with a coaching change and Brewster grabbing whomever he could to attempt to fill the 2007 class.

6. Conference Champ is right about one thing though as the success of any recruiting class can not be validated for 3, 4 or even 5 years.

7. Compare Mason's non-conference schedule to that of Brewsters. Mason would crap his pants facing that schedule. People overlook the fact he made it to bowl games by beating up on smurfs and winning three BT games a season. That record never did impress me and I am glad Maturi finally made a change.

The jury is still out on Brewster but I believe he needs two more years to build a better foundation than what we have been used to. That is sometimes difficult as Brewster inexperience has shown. But any new coach needs adequate time to rebuild a long standing weak program.

But it appears that the level of recruits has improved and a greater number of players are sticking with the program which bodes well for the future. Now he needs to retain a staff and prove he can produce a winner which is still an unknown.

 

[minngg]

You're right, you aren't getting any younger. Of course, you aren't getting any smarter either.

 

[MBAGuy]

I believe "specious" is the appropriate word here.

 

[Ole]

I often hear about the Gophers' recruiting class of 2008. Much is mentioned in glowing terms, both on these boards and elsewhere, about the future impact of this particular group of football players on the Gopher program.
Apparently, this 2008 class had 31 verbal commitments heading toward NLOI Signing Day, and was initially ranked 17th in the nation, until later being revised downward for some reason or another (because not all the verbal commitments showed up in August?).

It's also understood that one cannot have a full appreciation of any football recruiting class until 3, 4, and even 5 years down the road.

So, with this class having 2 full seasons in the rear view mirror, it might be appropriate to have a look at what one might expect on the field with the class of '08.
Here are a few of the class of 2008 student-athletes (not randomly selected), and their respective status:

-4* DT Tim McGee..........never showed up
-4* WR Vince Hill............never showed up
-4* CB Tray Simmons......elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* LB Rex Sharpe..........elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* WR David Pittman.....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* LB Simoni Lawrence...elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-2* DE Cedric McKinley....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* OT Roszell Gaden......diverted from Dinkytown, went to JUCO, now heading to Auburn
-3* WR/CB J. Dandridge...transferred out last month
-2* RB/DE/LB T.Combs....gone
-3* S Tramaine Brock......gone due to academics
-3* WR Broderick Smith...transferred a year ago
-2* QB John Nance.........transferred out to play basketball
-3* RB Kevin Whaley.......repeated thuggery got him a one-way bus ticket home

There may be one or two others whose status is uncertain.

With nearly 1/2 of the class gone less than 2 years after commiting/signing with the Gopher squad, there will be significantly fewer student-athletes around in the next couple of years to make that much-anticipated impact while wearing maroon and gold.

With a 5-7 or 6-6 type season looming ahead, and perhaps not as much in the cupboard as we have been lead to believe, Mason's 38-25 record with annual, televised bowl games during his last 5 years is not looking too shabby right now.

It's difficult to believe the Brew's initial 4-year plan looked anything like what I am seeing right now.

And I'm not getting any younger.

I guess we can always cheer for the Vikings

1)wait until they are upperclassmen before judging productivity
2)Mcgee, Hill, and Gayden never set foot here, why even include them, it has no point
3)Combs and Nance came here hoping for playing time, they were beat out by better players, they transferred, unfortunate, but that's reality in D1 sports.
4)Dandridge, Brock and Whaley obviously had character concerns coming in, It's risk/reward, but fairly on Brewster. I'd be willing to take a few chances every class to have a shot at talented players. Smith hopefully really did transfer for the family reasons he stated when he left.
5)The biggest issue I have with this post, is your including of JUCO players in your analysis and somehow mixing them in with nonqualifiers and character issues guys.
Just how many games do we win the last two years without the 08 JUCOs? I'd venture we don't make bowls maybe lose 1-2 more both years. JUCO recruits were very necessary in 08, mostly due to the previous coach's compete disdain for recruiting and utter laziness.

Brewster's 4 year plan obviously hasn't worked out like he had hoped, but I don't think he knew how deep of a pit was dug before he came here. JUCOs and risky recruits were necessary to even bring the level of talent up to 7-6 and 6-7. Seriously look at the 05, 06 and 07 classes. Then tell me how the 08 class stacks up.

 

[bankonit]

Why even post this? You obviously have an agenda and this is not an honest post. You are grasping at straws. Just post "I Hate Brewster" everyday, it would be much shorter and take a lot less of your time than hiding it in these posts. It also would not waste our time.

 

[Brew_recruit]

I hate hate hate people who still think Mason should not of been fired, BUT his post has a point. The meat and potatoes of that class that made everyone excited about Brewster's recruiting ability never made an impact on the field. Why does everyone jump down this throat when he made a point that was right, and should be a concern. A recruiting class doesn't mean *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!# if they never arrive on campus, or when they get here they just fail out or get kicked off which is actually worse then never showing up.

 

[KoolAid]

Just wait till next year.

That's gonna be our year.

 

[MNCH]

2)Mcgee, Hill, and Gayden never set foot here, why even include them, it has no point
QUOTE]

If one is making the argument that the Class of 2008 is overrated, and it seems that is what the OP is trying to do, then one has to include those players because they figure into the overall team rankings in recruiting. If Rivals said we had the 17th best (or whatever number it was) recruiting class in the country, then these guys contributed to that high ranking.

That being said, every college program in America suffers some attrition in recruiting classes and Minnesota is more with the norm on this rather than the exception.

 

[Ole]

2)Mcgee, Hill, and Gayden never set foot here, why even include them, it has no point
QUOTE]

If one is making the argument that the Class of 2008 is overrated, and it seems that is what the OP is trying to do, then one has to include those players because they figure into the overall team rankings in recruiting. If Rivals said we had the 17th best (or whatever number it was) recruiting class in the country, then these guys contributed to that high ranking.

That being said, every college program in America suffers some attrition in recruiting classes and Minnesota is more with the norm on this rather than the exception.

Rankings don't mean jack. Overrated can't be claimed until the class finishes it's impact after 5 years. I'd venture the JUCOs and character concern guys lead to at least 1-2 victories in 08 and 09 that wouldn't have been there otherwise. In Jan 2012 we can decide whether the 08 class was overrated or not. We do know the 05 and 06 classes were overrated.

 

[Diehardgopherman]

Bayfieldgopher

Bayfield..........Right on! Kudos on your insights here!

 

[harrys ghost]

2)Mcgee, Hill, and Gayden never set foot here, why even include them, it has no point
QUOTE]

If one is making the argument that the Class of 2008 is overrated, and it seems that is what the OP is trying to do, then one has to include those players because they figure into the overall team rankings in recruiting. If Rivals said we had the 17th best (or whatever number it was) recruiting class in the country, then these guys contributed to that high ranking.

That being said, every college program in America suffers some attrition in recruiting classes and Minnesota is more with the norm on this rather than the exception.

McGhee and Gayden were not included in the Rivals rankings nor did they sign LOIs.

 

[gophmeister]

Maybe conference chump should check the wire, two players just left Iowa. Wow other schools suffer attrition!

Also, including JUCOs who completed their eligibility is hardly convincing.

 

[Monty519]

I hate hate hate people who still think Mason should not of been fired, BUT his post has a point. The meat and potatoes of that class that made everyone excited about Brewster's recruiting ability never made an impact on the field. Why does everyone jump down this throat when he made a point that was right, and should be a concern. A recruiting class doesn't mean *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!# if they never arrive on campus, or when they get here they just fail out or get kicked off which is actually worse then never showing up.

Actually, the meat and potatoes of that class to me was MarQueis Gray, Keanon Cooper, and Sam Maresh. JUCO guys, it's kinda obvious their contributions weren't expected next year. The only real disappointment to me from that class that would have had a chance to be a part of this year and was actually part of that class is Vince Hill. Still got guys like Green, Edwards, Kirksey, Stoudermire, McKnight, Tinsley, etc. That's not to say the class was all it could be, but to act like it's just been decimated is just not reality.

 

[Intheknowgopher]

anatomy

I wonder how many of the 2008 recruits made "All Big Ten Academic" team? In the past there were usually 22- 23 per season. That may decline over the next few years.

 

[bankonit]

I wonder how many of the 2008 recruits made "All Big Ten Academic" team? In the past there were usually 22- 23 per season. That may decline over the next few years.

What exactly are you trying to imply here? subtle racist tones?

 

[GopherGod]

What exactly are you trying to imply here? subtle racist tones?

And here we go again.

 

[gophmeister]

I wonder how many of the 2008 recruits made "All Big Ten Academic" team? In the past there were usually 22- 23 per season. That may decline over the next few years.

It amazes me how the Brewster detractors try to imply that somehow the Mason era was marked by excellence on the field and in the classroom. I will give Mason his due, the '99 and '03 teams were pretty good, but they blew some pretty big games (Wisconsin in '99 and the epic collapse against scUM in '03). If you would care to look, you'd see a fair number of kids who failed out or never qualified to the point where less than have the kids he signed to LOIs never completed their eligiblity for whatever reason.

 

[bankonit]

And here we go again.

Well why else would he say it? He does not believe these "thugs" and "questionable character" athletes are smart. I am not saying Brewster's guys will be all Big Ten academically but how about we give them the chance to show us before writing them off? It was not an honest question, he asked the question implying that they will not succeed.

 

[Ole]

I wonder how many of the 2008 recruits made "All Big Ten Academic" team? In the past there were usually 22- 23 per season. That may decline over the next few years.

I call BS. 22-23 per season or per class? BTW Keanon Cooper and DL Wilhite, two of Brewster's best defensive recruits to date both made that list.

 

[GopherFish]

Thanks for the thread. I also think Brew has not lived up to being the great recruiter he claimed he would be. Nobody is impressed with his coaching and if he is not a great recruiter, why is he here and even getting extended?

 

[Schnoodler]

I wonder how many of the 2008 recruits made "All Big Ten Academic" team? In the past there were usually 22- 23 per season. That may decline over the next few years.

The academics of Brewsters team has been an upgrade.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

I hate hate hate people who still think Mason should not of been fired, BUT his post has a point. The meat and potatoes of that class that made everyone excited about Brewster's recruiting ability never made an impact on the field. Why does everyone jump down this throat when he made a point that was right, and should be a concern. A recruiting class doesn't mean *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!# if they never arrive on campus, or when they get here they just fail out or get kicked off which is actually worse then never showing up.

Go back and read my post. What part of it don't you get? ".......never made an impact on the field.........." you say. Did you watch the games?

Its obvious the 08 class has made a large contribution and most saw significant PT in 09. And that will increase in 10. And the retention rate is way better than any of Mason's classes.

Anyone who expected the 08 class to provide the basis for a BT crown, or even to compete for a title, in 09 has a huge void between their ears. By the time they graduate, the 08 class will go down as a solid class.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

I often hear about the Gophers' recruiting class of 2008. Much is mentioned in glowing terms, both on these boards and elsewhere, about the future impact of this particular group of football players on the Gopher program.
Apparently, this 2008 class had 31 verbal commitments heading toward NLOI Signing Day, and was initially ranked 17th in the nation, until later being revised downward for some reason or another (because not all the verbal commitments showed up in August?).

It's also understood that one cannot have a full appreciation of any football recruiting class until 3, 4, and even 5 years down the road.

So, with this class having 2 full seasons in the rear view mirror, it might be appropriate to have a look at what one might expect on the field with the class of '08.
Here are a few of the class of 2008 student-athletes (not randomly selected), and their respective status:

-4* DT Tim McGee..........never showed up
-4* WR Vince Hill............never showed up
-4* CB Tray Simmons......elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* LB Rex Sharpe..........elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-4* WR David Pittman.....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* LB Simoni Lawrence...elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-2* DE Cedric McKinley....elegibility just expired (JUCO)
-3* OT Roszell Gaden......diverted from Dinkytown, went to JUCO, now heading to Auburn
-3* WR/CB J. Dandridge...transferred out last month
-2* RB/DE/LB T.Combs....gone
-3* S Tramaine Brock......gone due to academics
-3* WR Broderick Smith...transferred a year ago
-2* QB John Nance.........transferred out to play basketball
-3* RB Kevin Whaley.......repeated thuggery got him a one-way bus ticket home

There may be one or two others whose status is uncertain.

With nearly 1/2 of the class gone less than 2 years after commiting/signing with the Gopher squad, there will be significantly fewer student-athletes around in the next couple of years to make that much-anticipated impact while wearing maroon and gold.

With a 5-7 or 6-6 type season looming ahead, and perhaps not as much in the cupboard as we have been lead to believe, Mason's 38-25 record with annual, televised bowl games during his last 5 years is not looking too shabby right now.

It's difficult to believe the Brew's initial 4-year plan looked anything like what I am seeing right now.

And I'm not getting any younger.

I guess we can always cheer for the Vikings

He's your coach for (Allegedly) the next five years , enjoy! No matter how much garbage you try to invent, he's still your coach for E-V-E-R-Y G-A-M-E the following two years, at least . You remind me of a toxic employee at a company who spends more time trying to get the other emplyees to be unhappy than they do trying to do their job , misery loves company & you want the rest of us to be miserable with you, we get it, but it's not going to work Crawl back into your hole Gordy or whoever you are . I look forward to you figuratively having your guts ripped out each and every game for the next five years under YOUR head coach Tim Brewster

 

[Radio Badger]

The only way to look at recruiting classes is with the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 theory planted firmly in mind. 1/3 of the recruits are going to be major contributors. 1/3 of the class are going to be contributors. And 1/3 of the class aren't going to contribute. This generally holds pretty true over a five year period. What's funny about recruiting is that you never really know where a guy is going to land.

For the Badgers, Jake Bscherer was a heavily lauded recruit who became merely a contributor. Nothing against Jake, but he never really developed into what he was "supposed" to become. There are, however, countless guys who go the other way and overachieve their ranking. It evens out.

The same thing will happen for the Gophers. You'll have guys that overachieve and underachieve. You can't get hung up on one or the other, because they are both going to occur.

 

[WAGopher]

The only way to look at recruiting classes is with the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 theory planted firmly in mind. 1/3 of the recruits are going to be major contributors. 1/3 of the class are going to be contributors. And 1/3 of the class aren't going to contribute. This generally holds pretty true over a five year period. What's funny about recruiting is that you never really know where a guy is going to land.

For the Badgers, Jake Bscherer was a heavily lauded recruit who became merely a contributor. Nothing against Jake, but he never really developed into what he was "supposed" to become. There are, however, countless guys who go the other way and overachieve their ranking. It evens out.

The same thing will happen for the Gophers. You'll have guys that overachieve and underachieve. You can't get hung up on one or the other, because they are both going to occur.

That makes way too much sense. Tell me you weren't born in Wisconsin!