It wouldn't bother me if we only used freshmen and sophomores. If juniors and seniors want to play fine but getting the maximum experience for next year's team should be the priority. I really don't care if we finish ranked 5th or 15th.
The first bowl game (Bahamas) has hardly any fans except families of the players. I imagine the sponsors can take a tax write off. Not unusual but sad at the same time.
I feel the following article from Coach Day revels a lot and how all FS! coaches are trying to deal with now days. From 11 Warriors.com:
There was an article about the outstanding Army LB, Andre Carter II, who is projected as a 1st round draft pick. But there is a bill headed to Bidens desk that would not allow him to avoid his 5 years of service that all Academy grads owe for their education. Trump had given Academy grads options to play professional sports. I don't really know how I feel about it as is so rare that one of these kids Academy playes actually have a chance to play Pro Football and they all know what is required of them when they graduate. He can opt to go to reserve duty after 2 years, which seems reasonable. Heck Roger Staubach served, David Robinson served and a few others I think but can't recall their names. I think the Cowboys also had a DL from the Air Force Academy.
Any wonder why Alabama is #1 in recruiting, AGAIN. Well besides all the winning, the NC's, the NFl draft picks etc. It's pretty clear that they also put out the effort. As this list of the top 10 recruiters. 4 of the top 10 are Alabama recruiters no other team has even 2 on the list. 2023 Recruiter Rankings 1 Freddie Roach 2 Ja'Juan Seider 3 Brian Hartline 4 Nick Eason 5 Alex Mirabal 6 Holmon Wiggins 7 Jeff Banks 8 Robert Gillespie 9 Charles Kelly 10 Sean Spencer
Both Bryce Young and Will Anderson are back for practice today. Saban says he doesn't expect any opt-outs for the bowl game. That makes me happy. I am proud of the players that are.showing up. I still hope that the younger players get the bulk of the reps in practice and game experience but I am pretty sure Saban doesn't know how to do anything but compete at the most intense level.
Yeah, I haven't seen anything from them in person but it is pretty cool that they want to play. It obviously can't be to improve their draft position. Hopefully it is loyalty to their teammates.
I watched a lot of the Miami/UAB game and it was a good game. Watching Incarnate Word (San Antonio) vs North Dakota State and it's a really good game as well.
Kudo's to Will Anderson and Bryson Young for not quitting on their teammates and finishing the season. Now I don't mean to be esp negative about the kids who have opted out they have to do what they think is best and it's become very common for kids to opt out to prepare for the NFL or to enter the Portal but I just think it's cool when kids finish what they started. I just hope none of them have a career threatening injury like Jaylon Smith had against the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl.
I will be interested to see what happens when the playoffs get expanded to 12 teams. No player in the playoffs has ever opted out to prepare for the NFL or entered the Transfer Portal. I wonder if that will hold up when we go to 12 teams.
North Dakota State wins. I have to question Incarnate Word going for it on 4th and 4 instead of kicking the FG. But it all ends on a pick by NDSU. Great game though!
Consider that players now often choose a school for NIL money. Do we think that the possibility of losing out on big NFL money won't be a consideration? The choice probably won't be the player's or the coach's, it will be the agent's. (and if you're an NFL GM just what are your thoughts about a player that doesn't care about championships but only money?)
To be honest Mike I doubt the NFL gives a rats ass about that, they have film and scouting on a player for at leat 3 years of college and that's what they'll make their decision on. Heck they draft players who have shown poor character and been arrested or suspended, etc. Who was that RB that Kansas City cut loose because of domestic violence, and wasn't he picked up by Cincy or Cleveland and still playing. How about Deshaun the pervert Watson, still making big bucks in Cleveland. I think the only thing that counts for the NFL is can you play. I think 100% of the kids who opt out will say that they aren't doing it for the money but to prepare for the NFL and to avoid the risk of injury that might impact their NFL prospects. Also I can't think of a single player since this trend of players opting out started whose NFL draft status was negatively impacted because GM"s thought they'd quit on their teams.
Don are you seeing anything about the QB in your 2023 class, Dylan Raiola, not signing and going to Nebraska instead?
The Lions drafted an O lineman in the first round out of Wisc. named Gibson who had hurt his shoulder late in the season. He didn't get it fixed and didn't tell anyone of the injury, and got drafted. He "hurt" his shoulder in the very first scrimmage. He didn't play that season because of the operation and never gave much effort. He was a player who the minute he signed his big contract lost all desire to pay the price that the NFL requires. Often when you see a first round draft pick turn into a bust, it's that he just didn't want to give the effort after he had a big bank account. I think we'll start seeing that with college players who get big NIL deals too.
I see that the NCAA has issued a waiver allowing red-shirt athletes to participate in all bowl games, including the playoff games.
I think that is in response to the portal and opt outs. That way kids who played 4 games during the season can now play in the bowl and boost the numbers available. I seem to remember last year that some team had no QB available to play unless they played a freshman who would lose a year of eligibility for playing in the bowl. I can't remember who that was, and if they played him or not. But that worry is out the door now.