Kicker next season

[McPeePants]

So did Wettstein (jr) take the job from Hawthorne (soph)?

 

[GophersInIowa]

No, they will compete for the job this spring and next fall.

 

[GoldenRodents]

Hawthorne was injured. But, Wettstein showed real moxy this year.

 

[goldengophers]

Wettstein please.

 

[Killjoy]

Interesting Question

I am sure we have a lot of experts here with the answer to your question but several things need to be resolved in order to clarify the situation.

First is Jordan Wettstein going to return next year? He is listed as a junior on the roster but I believe he was included in the senior group for the last game. I suspect what this means is that he has a year of eligibility left but he could or may graduate this school year.

Second is Coach Kill going to give him a scholarship for next year? Jordan is the kind of player that a coach like Kill has to love. It is a great story that will help promote the walk-on program that Kill is building. If Jordan wants to come back it may be hard not to give him a scholarship.

Third is I am sure Kill wants Hawthorne engaged since he has two years left. Therefore I can't imagine that Kill is going to name anybody as the number one kicker. He will say they have to earn it this spring and coming fall.

So the real question is which kicker do we think will "earn" it. I would go with Jordan if he returns since he has shown that he can perform under pressure.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Wettstein is set to graduate and he is a walk on, so he'd have to pay for a 5th year to come back and kick for us. It's certainly possible, but I think they announce every walk on who is set to graduate with the Seniors because of the very real possibility that they enter the workforce.

Wettstein is interesting though, he is a pretty talented kid. Him being a SR walk on, he might be a kid (if a scholarship opens up at the very end) that we might throw a scholarship his way. What I mean is that with Walkon SRs, you don't lose anything by giving them a scholarship that opens up late because they will graduate and that scholarship will be open again for the next recruiting class. It'd essentially be wasted if not given to a walk on (if it's late).

 

[Lakeville Goldy]

Him being a SR walk on, he might be a kid (if a scholarship opens up at the very end) that we might throw a scholarship his way. What I mean is that with Walkon SRs, you don't lose anything by giving them a scholarship that opens up late because they will graduate and that scholarship will be open again for the next recruiting class. It'd essentially be wasted if not given to a walk on (if it's late).

The only thing is, how late is late? Wettstein would have to know he's coming back in time to register for classes, get accepted in a post-graduate program, take the GRE, etc. It might be hard for him to wait that out rather than finding a job.

Besides, who's to say if he did want to keep playing he wouldn't just transfer to Wisconsin? Sorry, couldn't resist the Wilson reference...

 

[zambam]

The only thing is, how late is late? Wettstein would have to know he's coming back in time to register for classes, get accepted in a post-graduate program, take the GRE, etc. It might be hard for him to wait that out rather than finding a job.

Besides, who's to say if he did want to keep playing he wouldn't just transfer to Wisconsin? Sorry, couldn't resist the Wilson reference...

Best part about that reference is, Wettstein wouldn't do it! Life long Gopher fan despite being from WI!

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

The only thing is, how late is late? Wettstein would have to know he's coming back in time to register for classes, get accepted in a post-graduate program, take the GRE, etc. It might be hard for him to wait that out rather than finding a job.

Besides, who's to say if he did want to keep playing he wouldn't just transfer to Wisconsin? Sorry, couldn't resist the Wilson reference...

Here is where it gets tricky. Now, I might have my info incorrect, but if Wettstein wants to stay at his same school (not transfer to WI) he doesn't have to take the GRE and get into a Post Grad program. That is for players who want to leave a school where they are under scholarship and go to another school where they will be under scholarship without having to sit out (and obviously running out of eligibility). It's a transfer exception. The idea is that a kid wants to get on with his education and go to grad school.

Wettstein's situation is a little different. He merely has to be enrolled in school. If you remember Matt Leinart only took Ballroom Dance his 5th season at USC. That can be easily attained. I'm not sure if he needed the class in order to graduate or not. I'd guess not, but even if he did, that could be easily attained. Wettstein would only have to leave 1 small class available to be taken first semester next year, and he'd be good to go.

If he wanted to go elsewhere to kick, he'd have to go the grad school route though.

 

[zambam]

Here is where it gets tricky. Now, I might have my info incorrect, but if Wettstein wants to stay at his same school (not transfer to WI) he doesn't have to take the GRE and get into a Post Grad program. That is for players who want to leave a school where they are under scholarship and go to another school where they will be under scholarship without having to sit out (and obviously running out of eligibility). It's a transfer exception. The idea is that a kid wants to get on with his education and go to grad school.

Wettstein's situation is a little different. He merely has to be enrolled in school. If you remember Matt Leinart only took Ballroom Dance his 5th season at USC. That can be easily attained. I'm not sure if he needed the class in order to graduate or not. I'd guess not, but even if he did, that could be easily attained. Wettstein would only have to leave 1 small class available to be taken first semester next year, and he'd be good to go.

If he wanted to go elsewhere to kick, he'd have to go the grad school route though.

Does the U have some kind of coaching class like some other schools do that is taught by one of the coaches? Sounds like a cake class to me. Lol.

 

[go4rube]

I have talked to Wettstein's parents the last two weeks and he plans on coming back next year. Not sure what his plans are for school though. He is a great story in that he couldn't play on the high school football team unless he also played a position. He ended up playing 1 summer with the Green Bay Gladiators(semi-pro) and then came here to try and walk on. Got to love his drive.