Missed Opportunties-NDSU v. U of M

[Sportsfan24]

Whoa. That is a little bit out in left field man. I can not see where you saw ANY evidence that we would have won more games with Brew the last two years than Kill. That's crazy. After 2010, which was god awful until Brewster got canned, I would argue he would have won HALF as many games as Kill. Brewster probably would have had another fire sale of Coordinators and Asst's after the 2010 season and we would've had a group of new Coordinators again and starting fresh with new Offensive and Defensice schemes. To argue otherwise is just silly.

After you lose to the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, not SOUTH DAKOTA STATE, USD, which was absolutely pathetic, there is no way Brew would've won anymore games than Kill has. No chance.

I can't argue against your point...its a strong one.

This is were I'm coming from. I believe the previous staff understood what they had and we would have been more stable at the QB position with Shortel/Parrish running a scheme that fit their abilities with at least one NFL wr/te/Gray to throw to. I think we would have had a better run game because NFL borderline rb, Bennet and the 2012 rb's would not have had to run against 15 man (smile) fronts. I think Brew finally had a staff in place; don't compare Brewster to Kill as a X's and O's coach. Kill would win with both hands and one leg tied behind his back. I compare the staffs as a whole. From a defensive scheme stand point I don't see how they (current team) are ever going to stop a run game.....maybe when a linebacker sues the U for abuse

Like I said, you make a strong case: I just believe that while the current staff may be better long term, there have been growing pains that I don't attribute to lack of talent.

 

[e.bigelow]

I can't argue against your point...its a strong one.

This is were I'm coming from. I believe the previous staff understood what they had and we would have been more stable at the QB position with Shortel/Parrish running a scheme that fit their abilities with at least one NFL wr/te/Gray to throw to. I think we would have had a better run game because NFL borderline rb, Bennet and the 2012 rb's would not have had to run against 15 man (smile) fronts. I think Brew finally had a staff in place; don't compare Brewster to Kill as a X's and O's coach. Kill would win with both hands and one leg tied behind his back. I compare the staffs as a whole. From a defensive scheme stand point I don't see how they (current team) are ever going to stop a run game.....maybe when a linebacker sues the U for abuse

Like I said, you make a strong case: I just believe that while the current staff may be better long term, there have been growing pains that I don't attribute to lack of talent.

Fair enough.

HAHA. I do like the point about stopping the run. Gotta agree with you there. As, I think it is going to be one of our toughest areas to improve on and be consistent in the coming years.

 

[gopherdudepart2]

The lack of feeder programs in Minneapolis and St Paul will continue to plague the U

don't call me Sid Hartmen. A consistent detriment to the U program is going to be the lack of feeder programs from Parks and Rec leagues,
to middle school to High School from our two largest cities. This is not just a myth it is a real problem the lack of youth football prorgams and strong neighborhood feeder programs to the largest City schools. Most if not all of the best athletes end up transferring to sububrban schools.
Our problems run so deep systematically in our largest population cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the public school system you cannot even begin the fight without one arm tied behind your back. Most of the best players that do develop or are coached at a young age end up transferring to Suburban programs that have youth feeder programs from 5th 6th grade on up. The best all end up recruited to Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins and the private schools CDH, Holy Angels etc... If more kids grew up playing together loyal like the couple of guy's at Washburn now through the youth programs you would see a lot more talent emerge just from the two largest central city's.
You can see it many guy's in the Minneapolis and St Paul public high schools get to 9th grade, have barely played organized football, they have the raw talent and the want to but lack the repetitions and years of playing together. The few guy's I know that have coached with city programs say it is a lose lose battle, because of the lack of Friday night lights and youth programs. Many guy's get to the high level and 9th grade is the first time there putting on pads and playing on an organized team. Foggie is running in to some of the same problems at Park Center HS, you get a lot of raw talented athletes but many with little coaching or instruction growing up.
There are exceptions to this norm, as I think St Paul central and Minneapolis Washburn are starting to build on past success and some continuity within there programs, and growing there youth programs but these two schools and neighborhood areas are the exception to the rest of the two City's.
All you have to do is visit the rec programs and the various park leagues, a good protion of the the kids are playing soccer because it is cheaper, and parents perceptions are it's safer and has less of the stigmatisim from the media in relationship to concusions. Add to that some of the transient nature to the housing in the neighborhoods and you get the idea, not a lot of ways to build youth football programs.

I get what Sportsfan 24 is saying about having talent in our own backyards, there are good athletes in this state and it is not just Minneapolis and St Paul, but if we had more youth football, and longer seasons or even Spring practices for evaluations you would see a lot more kids in our own backyard getting noticed and recruited. Damn Hockey and soccer takes to many kids as it is. Unless a kid can afford to attend a coaches camp it is hard to get noticed unless you play at the schools eveyone knows about the EP's and Wayzata's of the world.

 

[btowngopher]

don't call me Sid Hartmen. A consistent detriment to the U program is going to be the lack of feeder programs from Parks and Rec leagues,
to middle school to High School from our two largest cities. This is not just a myth it is a real problem the lack of youth football prorgams and strong neighborhood feeder programs to the largest City schools. Most if not all of the best athletes end up transferring to sububrban schools.
Our problems run so deep systematically in our largest population cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the public school system you cannot even begin the fight without one arm tied behind your back. Most of the best players that do develop or are coached at a young age end up transferring to Suburban programs that have youth feeder programs from 5th 6th grade on up. The best all end up recruited to Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins and the private schools CDH, Holy Angels etc... If more kids grew up playing together loyal like the couple of guy's at Washburn now through the youth programs you would see a lot more talent emerge just from the two largest central city's.
You can see it many guy's in the Minneapolis and St Paul public high schools get to 9th grade, have barely played organized football, they have the raw talent and the want to but lack the repetitions and years of playing together. The few guy's I know that have coached with city programs say it is a lose lose battle, because of the lack of Friday night lights and youth programs. Many guy's get to the high level and 9th grade is the first time there putting on pads and playing on an organized team. Foggie is running in to some of the same problems at Park Center HS, you get a lot of raw talented athletes but many with little coaching or instruction growing up.
There are exceptions to this norm, as I think St Paul central and Minneapolis Washburn are starting to build on past success and some continuity within there programs, and growing there youth programs but these two schools and neighborhood areas are the exception to the rest of the two City's.
All you have to do is visit the rec programs and the various park leagues, a good protion of the the kids are playing soccer because it is cheaper, and parents perceptions are it's safer and has less of the stigmatisim from the media in relationship to concusions. Add to that some of the transient nature to the housing in the neighborhoods and you get the idea, not a lot of ways to build youth football programs.

I get what Sportsfan 24 is saying about having talent in our own backyards, there are good athletes in this state and it is not just Minneapolis and St Paul, but if we had more youth football, and longer seasons or even Spring practices for evaluations you would see a lot more kids in our own backyard getting noticed and recruited. Damn Hockey and soccer takes to many kids as it is. Unless a kid can afford to attend a coaches camp it is hard to get noticed unless you play at the schools eveyone knows about the EP's and Wayzata's of the world.

I would guess this is a problem at most big cities.

 

[EliteHSscout]

don't call me Sid Hartmen. A consistent detriment to the U program is going to be the lack of feeder programs from Parks and Rec leagues,
to middle school to High School from our two largest cities. This is not just a myth it is a real problem the lack of youth football prorgams and strong neighborhood feeder programs to the largest City schools. Most if not all of the best athletes end up transferring to sububrban schools.
Our problems run so deep systematically in our largest population cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the public school system you cannot even begin the fight without one arm tied behind your back. Most of the best players that do develop or are coached at a young age end up transferring to Suburban programs that have youth feeder programs from 5th 6th grade on up. The best all end up recruited to Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins and the private schools CDH, Holy Angels etc... If more kids grew up playing together loyal like the couple of guy's at Washburn now through the youth programs you would see a lot more talent emerge just from the two largest central city's.
You can see it many guy's in the Minneapolis and St Paul public high schools get to 9th grade, have barely played organized football, they have the raw talent and the want to but lack the repetitions and years of playing together. The few guy's I know that have coached with city programs say it is a lose lose battle, because of the lack of Friday night lights and youth programs. Many guy's get to the high level and 9th grade is the first time there putting on pads and playing on an organized team. Foggie is running in to some of the same problems at Park Center HS, you get a lot of raw talented athletes but many with little coaching or instruction growing up.
There are exceptions to this norm, as I think St Paul central and Minneapolis Washburn are starting to build on past success and some continuity within there programs, and growing there youth programs but these two schools and neighborhood areas are the exception to the rest of the two City's.
All you have to do is visit the rec programs and the various park leagues, a good protion of the the kids are playing soccer because it is cheaper, and parents perceptions are it's safer and has less of the stigmatisim from the media in relationship to concusions. Add to that some of the transient nature to the housing in the neighborhoods and you get the idea, not a lot of ways to build youth football programs.

I get what Sportsfan 24 is saying about having talent in our own backyards, there are good athletes in this state and it is not just Minneapolis and St Paul, but if we had more youth football, and longer seasons or even Spring practices for evaluations you would see a lot more kids in our own backyard getting noticed and recruited. Damn Hockey and soccer takes to many kids as it is. Unless a kid can afford to attend a coaches camp it is hard to get noticed unless you play at the schools eveyone knows about the EP's and Wayzata's of the world.

It is painfully obvious that you have no idea how kids are recruited or get noticed. How was Seantrell Henderson noticed? Hmmm, he was 6'8 330lbs and could move a house. This had nothing to do with where he went to school. He could have played at "Sisters of The Poor" and he still would have been a top prospect. Do you think Michael Floyd only got noticed because he went to CDH? No, he is 6'2, runs a 4.5, jumps out of the gym and catches every in sight. A college coach is paid to find the best talent and to get that talent to play football at their school. "Feeder Program"? This is such a bunch of garbage, that I find it hard to figure out how to explain it to you or weather it is worth my time to do so. I will say this, there are virtually zero kids that play football and also have the grades, along with the talent, that are not offered or noticed. There is no possible way that you can tell me a kid didn't get noticed with dozens of college coaches scouring the state for talent each year.

 

[MNfootballfan]

I personally know many HS coaches around the metro that commented that Brewster nor his staff ever contacted them. In fact, I remember one coach telling me that one of his players that was receiving attention from Iowa, Wisconsin and some D-IAA schools, didn't even receive a letter from Brewster/Minnesota. Don't get me wrong, I am not hating on the guy, he just wasn't qualified for the job. That same coach commented that Mason and Shaw would stay in contact each year, even when he didn't have a player the Gophers were interested in. The good news is that Kill has done a very good job thus far and if he continues to do what he has at other schools, the Gophs will be in good shape.

You're flat out wrong. I coach at a small out-state school. We have produced 2 D2 players and 1 D3 player in the past 12 years. While Brewster was coach we would get mailings frequently and a phone call every spring from someone on staff. Mason's staff never once reached out to the school. Brewster did more with the state coaches in his short amount of time than Mason did total. That is a fact. I am not debating anything coaching related, but as far as trying to build a relationship with the MFCA Brewster did much more.

 

[e.bigelow]

You're flat out wrong. I coach at a small out-state school. We have produced 2 D2 players and 1 D3 player in the past 12 years. While Brewster was coach we would get mailings frequently and a phone call every spring from someone on staff. Mason's staff never once reached out to the school. Brewster did more with the state coaches in his short amount of time than Mason did total. That is a fact. I am not debating anything coaching related, but as far as trying to build a relationship with the MFCA Brewster did much more.

I have heard this exact statement from a couple HS Football coaches as well! I am from west central Mn and am familiar with a few guys who coach out this way. They have all been coaching through out both the Mason era and Brewster era. They stated they never heard a word, EVER, from anyone on mason's staff about anything. EVER. At least from Brew's staff they would get some emails and a phone call in the spring and the fall from someone on the staff. At least there was some effort, even if it wasn't much.

 

[Sportsfan24]

It is painfully obvious that you have no idea how kids are recruited or get noticed. How was Seantrell Henderson noticed? Hmmm, he was 6'8 330lbs and could move a house. This had nothing to do with where he went to school. He could have played at "Sisters of The Poor" and he still would have been a top prospect. Do you think Michael Floyd only got noticed because he went to CDH? No, he is 6'2, runs a 4.5, jumps out of the gym and catches every in sight. A college coach is paid to find the best talent and to get that talent to play football at their school. "Feeder Program"? This is such a bunch of garbage, that I find it hard to figure out how to explain it to you or weather it is worth my time to do so. I will say this, there are virtually zero kids that play football and also have the grades, along with the talent, that are not offered or noticed. There is no possible way that you can tell me a kid didn't get noticed with dozens of college coaches scouring the state for talent each year.

My man, I was gonna blast you by calling you stupid and clueless but I'm already in the dog house so I won't do that.

I have FIRST hand knowledge about metro area football programs and schools, CDH, Seantrel Henderson (whose father I coached at....North a metro area schools), college recruitment (as a athelete and parent, friend of recruits), Mike Floyd as a player and his recruitment....basically everything you are talking about. You are wrong to the point of being....that word I said I wasn't going to use.

And to think you actually jumped on gopherdude for having no idea?

Seantrel dad is damn near the same size as Seantrel, ever hear of him? No? He played football at North. Why wasn't he recruited? Seantrel had the benefit of a great mentors, academic support and one of the best high school coaches in the country (not to mention a former gopher and NFL position coach).....plus he was coached in youth football by a former gopher great.

Mike Floyd 4.5 40 and 6'2 jump out of the gym? So what, I could take you over to North Commons, Hospitality House or the Y on Broadway and show you that 10-20times. First off Mike Floyd was a beast in what he wanted to be, 6am weight lifting sessions, January Sunday night passing sessions helped make him great. However somebody had to make those opportunites availible to him. That would be the CDH program that did that. A well funded CDH program, funded by people who believe in giving....no providing opportunities for anyone willing to do the work. Those opportunities are not readily availible in the metro area public school system....there are just too many folks in need. CDH is a must visit for every coach in the country who visits Minnesota. Going to check on a great player from Wayzata? Betcha he stops by CDH. Need to get over to Osseo to check on a TE? Again, bettcha he stops by CDH.

You said "virtually zero kids that play football and also have the grades, along with the talent, that are not offered or noticed" wrong. There is a thread out already that talks about players being undervalued, if NDSU type schools are able to get players that should be gophers.....what is happening to the players they NDSU should be getting? St. Thomas? My point is eventually someone is missed as a result of the U missing on local recruits.

A couple of questions to for you to show your ignorance. How many park board football programs are there in the largest city in Minnesota? Where do 7th and 8th graders play football at? How many levels of football are availible at the high school level in Minneapolis High schools? At CDH, Wayzata, EDP, Ect they have a 9th grade team, a 10th grade team, a JV team and a varsity.

Since your opinion is so strong I know you must have the anwsers to those questions prior to forming your opinion.

Back to scouts. Dude, don't put so much stock in the ability of scouts. Why do you think NDSU fielded teams the last 2 or 3 years the gophers would love to have.....from players in the gophers own back yard.

With all of that being said, Minnesota as a whole is being missed when it comes to talented football players.

 

[lakesgopher]

My man, I was gonna blast you by calling you stupid and clueless but I'm already in the dog house so I won't do that.

I have FIRST hand knowledge about metro area football programs and schools, CDH, Seantrel Henderson (whose father I coached at....North a metro area schools), college recruitment (as a athelete and parent, friend of recruits), Mike Floyd as a player and his recruitment....basically everything you are talking about. You are wrong to the point of being....that word I said I wasn't going to use.

And to think you actually jumped on gopherdude for having no idea?

Seantrel dad is damn near the same size as Seantrel, ever hear of him? No? He played football at North. Why wasn't he recruited? Seantrel had the benefit of a great mentors, academic support and one of the best high school coaches in the country (not to mention a former gopher and NFL position coach).....plus he was coached in youth football by a former gopher great.

Mike Floyd 4.5 40 and 6'2 jump out of the gym? So what, I could take you over to North Commons, Hospitality House or the Y on Broadway and show you that 10-20times. First off Mike Floyd was a beast in what he wanted to be, 6am weight lifting sessions, January Sunday night passing sessions helped make him great. However somebody had to make those opportunites availible to him. That would be the CDH program that did that. A well funded CDH program, funded by people who believe in giving....no providing opportunities for anyone willing to do the work. Those opportunities are not readily availible in the metro area public school system....there are just too many folks in need. CDH is a must visit for every coach in the country who visits Minnesota. Going to check on a great player from Wayzata? Betcha he stops by CDH. Need to get over to Osseo to check on a TE? Again, bettcha he stops by CDH.

You said "virtually zero kids that play football and also have the grades, along with the talent, that are not offered or noticed" wrong. There is a thread out already that talks about players being undervalued, if NDSU type schools are able to get players that should be gophers.....what is happening to the players they NDSU should be getting? St. Thomas? My point is eventually someone is missed as a result of the U missing on local recruits.

A couple of questions to for you to show your ignorance. How many park board football programs are there in the largest city in Minnesota? Where do 7th and 8th graders play football at? How many levels of football are availible at the high school level in Minneapolis High schools? At CDH, Wayzata, EDP, Ect they have a 9th grade team, a 10th grade team, a JV team and a varsity.

Since your opinion is so strong I know you must have the anwsers to those questions prior to forming your opinion.

Back to scouts. Dude, don't put so much stock in the ability of scouts. Why do you think NDSU fielded teams the last 2 or 3 years the gophers would love to have.....from players in the gophers own back yard.

With all of that being said, Minnesota as a whole is being missed when it comes to talented football players.

Majority of people think that recruiting is pretty cut and dry. If a kid is big and fast everyone knows who is. Big time recruits have info sent out when they are pretty young as well as paying to get into big camps. I know of several kids that were d1 talent that waited until the summer before their senior year to start doing camps and sending their info. That gives a college coaching staff nearly no time to evaluate a kid. IMO that is the biggest problem when kids fall through the cracks. Coaches and parents need to be proactive, rivals don't have guys able to evaluate every kid at every school in every state

 

[Sportsfan24]

Majority of people think that recruiting is pretty cut and dry. If a kid is big and fast everyone knows who is. Big time recruits have info sent out when they are pretty young as well as paying to get into big camps. I know of several kids that were d1 talent that waited until the summer before their senior year to start doing camps and sending their info. That gives a college coaching staff nearly no time to evaluate a kid. IMO that is the biggest problem when kids fall through the cracks. Coaches and parents need to be proactive, rivals don't have guys able to evaluate every kid at every school in every state

Which brings me to another point. Rivals don't send scouts to high schools (for the most part). Rival "scouts" are every day dudes who may or may not have a ounce of footall experience until they decided to have a part-time job of purchase a site to make money. I ran into a couple of these "scouts" at football camps and I was not impressed with their football "knowledge".

I had the opportunity to entertain Tom Lemming in my home during a certain players recruitment. After giving an invite to the U.S. Army All Star game he had heard that a certain player was about to commit. And said if he did so this early in the game he would lose his spot on the team (you see they want to hype players and talk about were they may play and have them announce at the game to generate viewership) My point? He did all kind of "analysis" without ever seeing him play. The top high schools were they already have connections usually ignore these clowns and don't provide film to them. High school coaches trying to hlep their players may send film. Lazy coached won't bother because it's more work for them. The point? The film these inexperienced "experts" may get is usally nothing but cut-ups of the players best plays against some 5'10, 160 lb linebacker who runs a 5.2 40.

 

[dpodoll68]

Rival "scouts" are every day dudes who may or may not have a ounce of footall experience until they decided to have a part-time job of purchase a site to make money.

This may or may not be true of some, but is absolutely 100% false for the overwhelming majority.

 

[50PoundHead]

e.bigelow's and mnfootballfan's posts are consistent with what I have heard over the years on Mason versus Brewster in reaching out to the high school football community. That's not to say that Mason didn't do well with several metro area schools and also having scattered success outside the metro area, but I've heard from more than one high school football type that Mason simply didn't lend credence to the assessment of Minnesota high school coaches when they told him about area players.

 

[Sportsfan24]

This may or may not be true of some, but is absolutely 100% false for the overwhelming majority.

Well I certainly don't know everything and this would not be the first time I was ever wrong but my statements certainly reflect the ones I have met....no offense.

Please educate me, what do you know their experience to typically be (no sarcasm, I'm serious) and how did you come to this conclusion?

 

[dpodoll68]

Well I certainly don't know everything and this would not be the first time I was ever wrong but my statements certainly reflect the ones I have met....no offense.

Please educate me, what do you know their experience to typically be (no sarcasm, I'm serious) and how did you come to this conclusion?

I'm not at all offended, I'm just saying that it's not true. Look at the bios, particularly of the guys who write the articles. Nearly, if not fully, 100% of them have drawn paychecks from at least one professional or major college football team (or both), and usually several. They're not just pulling these guys off the street (a la Bleacher Report) to write articles and make evaluations. I wouldn't be surprised if you ran into one or more uneducated schmoes off the street here in MN. Rivals doesn't really care about most HS prospects in MN, SD, ND, WY, MT, etc. - so few prospects come out of these areas that they don't really have financial incentive to care. But fallacy of composition is not a good debate tactic.

 

[Sportsfan24]

I'm not at all offended, I'm just saying that it's not true. Look at the bios, particularly of the guys who write the articles. Nearly, if not fully, 100% of them have drawn paychecks from at least one professional or major college football team (or both), and usually several. They're not just pulling these guys off the street (a la Bleacher Report) to write articles and make evaluations. I wouldn't be surprised if you ran into one or more uneducated schmoes off the street here in MN. Rivals doesn't really care about most HS prospects in MN, SD, ND, WY, MT, etc. - so few prospects come out of these areas that they don't really have financial incentive to care. But fallacy of composition is not a good debate tactic.

Great points.
I withdraw my comment which was based on personal experience from almost 8 years ago.

The bold portion of your comments goes back to the part that really annoys me (not with you), because coaches don't recruit the area and miss on talent, the assumption is there is no talent here. That was my point about rivals, be it they suck as evalutors or don't care....they are wrong when it comes to Mn football players. For 40 plus years it has been looking the U square in the face and they (not Kill) still don't get it. The answer to rebuilding the U is dependent upon the development of metro area football and leaving no stone unturned on the recruitment of Mn football players.

Yet they keep running out of state and coming back (on average) with less talent than what they have at home. I know I'm wasting my breath and should leave folks to their own demise but it's frustrating watching first hand as the cycle repeats itself.

 

[btowngopher]

So is anyone going to point out a MN kid we are missing on this year?

 

[lakesgopher]

So is anyone going to point out a MN kid we are missing on this year?

Many closet ndsu fans will wait until these "missed players" are 5th year seniors and are dominating the fcs before they let all of gopherhole know how bad we failed on evaluating in state kids

 

[btowngopher]

Many closet ndsu fans will wait until these "missed players" are 5th year seniors and are dominating the fcs before they let all of gopherhole know how bad we failed on evaluating in state kids

Exactly, just because they have success at NDSU or somewhere else does not always mean we missed. Maybe they wouldn't excel in the big10, maybe they wouldn't have fit the system here. Just as easily guys like Farrow and Mobley who were busts at big time schools may have fit in better here and been successful.

 

[Killjoy]

So is anyone going to point out a MN kid we are missing on this year?

That is easy. It is the ones that go to NDSU! If you don't believe just read the posts from NDSU fans. We need to realize that they are just looking for a little love, respect and friendship from us. It is really lonely up there when those winter winds start blowing across the prairie.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I have heard this exact statement from a couple HS Football coaches as well! I am from west central Mn and am familiar with a few guys who coach out this way. They have all been coaching through out both the Mason era and Brewster era. They stated they never heard a word, EVER, from anyone on mason's staff about anything. EVER. At least from Brew's staff they would get some emails and a phone call in the spring and the fall from someone on the staff. At least there was some effort, even if it wasn't much.

I've got a cousin who was a head coach at a small school when Brewster first took over and he did say they were contacted by his staff. Not sure how often it happened but that's more than Mason's staff did.

 

[e.bigelow]

e.bigelow's and mnfootballfan's posts are consistent with what I have heard over the years on Mason versus Brewster in reaching out to the high school football community. That's not to say that Mason didn't do well with several metro area schools and also having scattered success outside the metro area, but I've heard from more than one high school football type that Mason simply didn't lend credence to the assessment of Minnesota high school coaches when they told him about area players.

I've got a cousin who was a head coach at a small school when Brewster first took over and he did say they were contacted by his staff. Not sure how often it happened but that's more than Mason's staff did.

+1 to both. Exactly. I am certainly not saying that I expect when Brew was here or Kill to be out here in West Central MN scouring the area for D1 football talent. Honestly, we rarely have those kids out here, once every ten years, maybe. I am just saying some people act like Grinnin' Glen was the greatest thing we've ever had and was so good and noticing "in-state" football products. And by "in-state", I mean metro kids.

All it really takes is just a little bit of effort, no matter how small to at least start to make some headway in those areas.

 

[wait!what?]

MN HS fb talent got picked clean by its neighbors. first, it was BT foes and then the Daks. it is still a loong way back.

 

[Gopherpride13]

That is easy. It is the ones that go to NDSU! If you don't believe just read the posts from NDSU fans. We need to realize that they are just looking for a little love, respect and friendship from us. It is really lonely up there when those winter winds start blowing across the prairie.

Agreed. For some reason they crave our acceptance. They want us to feel like we "care" about them in the sports world. It's hilarious.

 

[Eagan]

Agreed. For some reason they crave our acceptance. They want us to feel like we "care" about them in the sports world. It's hilarious.

And yet, we have a thread with over 110 replies and approaching 5,000 views discussing them and their ability to pick up talent from Minnesota.

 

[EliteHSscout]

Which brings me to another point. Rivals don't send scouts to high schools (for the most part). Rival "scouts" are every day dudes who may or may not have a ounce of footall experience until they decided to have a part-time job of purchase a site to make money. I ran into a couple of these "scouts" at football camps and I was not impressed with their football "knowledge".

I had the opportunity to entertain Tom Lemming in my home during a certain players recruitment. After giving an invite to the U.S. Army All Star game he had heard that a certain player was about to commit. And said if he did so this early in the game he would lose his spot on the team (you see they want to hype players and talk about were they may play and have them announce at the game to generate viewership) My point? He did all kind of "analysis" without ever seeing him play. The top high schools were they already have connections usually ignore these clowns and don't provide film to them. High school coaches trying to hlep their players may send film. Lazy coached won't bother because it's more work for them. The point? The film these inexperienced "experts" may get is usally nothing but cut-ups of the players best plays against some 5'10, 160 lb linebacker who runs a 5.2 40.

I do have to agree that Rivals has pretty limited knowledge. The reality is that they are in the business of making money, so the more parents they can hijack money from, making them believe that a profile on their site will increase the chances of a scholarship, they happier they are. They are similar to "recruiting services", who claim to give a athlete visibility, which will turn into a scholarship. IMO, both of these companies are a scam.
Oh, by the way, feel free to call me "stupid or clueless". I have experience with multiple levels of football and athletes across 4 states, so I am rather comfortable with my opinion and knowledge. From what I have read so far, you are obviously a genius, especially since you know where 7th graders play in Minneapolis. (No idea how that pertains to this discussion, but apparently it is important that everyone knows who, why, where and when 7th graders play football in Minneapolis, when it comes to playing in college).

 

[EliteHSscout]

So is anyone going to point out a MN kid we are missing on this year?

FINALLY! Someone asked the question!!!

 

[Killjoy]

And yet, we have a thread with over 110 replies and approaching 5,000 views discussing them and their ability to pick up talent from Minnesota.

That is because we are enablers.

 

[50PoundHead]

Oh, I could give two sh*ts about NDSU. The posts I've made are in reaction to comments about Mason, Brewster, and Kill and their ability to recognize in-state talent and their relationship with the high school football programs throughout the state.

 

[gopherdudepart2]

I will take a stab at a kid the Gophers are missing out on in class of 2013

Bridgeport Tusler the QB from Osseo for the class of 2013. Part of why he is undervalued as a player is he was playing out of position for the benefit of his high school football team.
I know they the Gopher staff evaluated him and think he is a touch or too slow, but I still think he is a guy were going to regret not having and miss out on and wish we could have gotten to take a grey shirt or PWO. This guy will be a guy that will make whatever program he ends up at very happy. Kid is flat out a winner, in any sport be it basketball and especially Football, he just makes players around him that are not necessarily as good of athletes better players, it is something that a coach or scout will eventually want. He will have school paid for and do well for himself. Gophers took a shot on an athlete Duke A from Blaine from last years class that is not as good a football player, but he has the size and the speed people want.
If I'm wrong I'm wrong, you can call me out, I don't care but I'm betting that kid is better than he is getting credit for, and will be special. Just sharing an opinion. Frankly the lack of good youth programs in Minneapolis and St Paul have effected Gophers football and recruiting for quite some time 1980 + but that is neither here nor there.

We're always going to lose kids to programs like NDSU, it's the nature of the beast but it would be nice if a few more of those guy's end up with us, on the team we all root for the Gophers than them. Scholarship money talks, and with tuition costs these days I don't blame anyone that can get aide, or ride or even any form of scholarships.

 

[lakesgopher]

Bridgeport Tusler the QB from Osseo for the class of 2013. Part of why he is undervalued as a player is he was playing out of position for the benefit of his high school football team.
I know they the Gopher staff evaluated him and think he is a touch or too slow, but I still think he is a guy were going to regret not having and miss out on and wish we could have gotten to take a grey shirt or PWO. This guy will be a guy that will make whatever program he ends up at very happy. Kid is flat out a winner, in any sport be it basketball and especially Football, he just makes players around him that are not necessarily as good of athletes better players, it is something that a coach or scout will eventually want. He will have school paid for and do well for himself. Gophers took a shot on an athlete Duke A from Blaine from last years class that is not as good a football player, but he has the size and the speed people want.
If I'm wrong I'm wrong, you can call me out, I don't care but I'm betting that kid is better than he is getting credit for, and will be special. Just sharing an opinion. Frankly the lack of good youth programs in Minneapolis and St Paul have effected Gophers football and recruiting for quite some time 1980 + but that is neither here nor there.

We're always going to lose kids to programs like NDSU, it's the nature of the beast but it would be nice if a few more of those guy's end up with us, on the team we all root for the Gophers than them. Scholarship money talks, and with tuition costs these days I don't blame anyone that can get aide, or ride or even any form of scholarships.

Aren't we loaded with young qb's? How could getting a qb that won't play above Nelson or leidner(sp) for the next 5 yrs be someone we miss on? An I missing something? If he's too slow to play qb then he is for sure too slow to be moved to wr,
What other position could he play?