'12 IN QB Gunner Kiel (Cincinnati Transfer)

[Emcee77]

The statement that this transfer " is a step back for the ND program" is simply ridiculous.

We just brought in one of the TOP classes in the country. We are coming off an UNDEFEATED season and our first appearance in a national title game in over a QUARTER CENTURY. We have a QB that our coaches love who had the BEST first year production of any underclassman since Terry Hanratty. And we are likely heading toward another STELLAR recruiting cycle this year.

To see a SINGLE transfer by a player UNLIKELY to start, as a big step back for this program, is totally over the top.

I understand that there are some who were rooting for KIEL , who were anticipating the day golson would get a little banged up and GUNNER would come in, throw 5 TDS and hold the job for the rest of his career. That was always a grass is always greener hope IMO.

Kiel would have a battle this season to simply WIN the #2 spot , with no guarantee he could displace tommy there , a senior who has the coaches confidence and who has WON alot of games. Kiel was squeezed and made his judgment ---a judgement that i think was likely in HIS BEST INTEREST even if we all would like the luxury of a 5 star on the bench if needed.

The ND program is ROLLING FORWARD with Golson and the sky is the limit. We have a great young QB with a seasoned veteran behind him and a flashy youngster (Malik) taking the role of PROTEGE.

Kiel did what he thought was best---it is absolutely NOT a step back for the ND program.

Many good points in here, but if this is a reaction to BGIF's post I'd venture to say that he didn't mean "step back for the program" in quite the way you took it.

At least I understood BGIF to be saying just that the team is weaker for having lost Kiel. He's a talented player at a position where the starter in 2012 showed flashes of brilliance but also some inconsistency -- the inconsistency can be chalked up to inexperience, growing pains, etc., but I don't think you can say for certain that Golson is the next Vince Young (college Vince Young) based on what we saw this year.

I DON'T think BGIF meant that that it is likely that the program will be significantly less successful in future years than it would have been with Kiel. We've got Rees and Hendrix at least for next year, maybe in 2014 for Hendrix, and we've got Malik, and we should definitely be able to snag a 2014 QB or two coming off such a great season. This isn't a "step back" in the sense that we won't be able to address the QB need or that the program will plainly suffer due to poor QB play ... it's a step back in the sense that we had a 5 star QB on our roster who had the potential to become our starter, and now we don't.

 

[NDBoiler]

Sorry if this was mentioned already, but I didn't see where, there is a Rivals article that lists "Possible landing spots could include Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois and Cincinnati". I'm surprised there aren't any bigger names on that list.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Sorry if this was mentioned already, but I didn't see where, there is a Rivals article that lists "Possible landing spots could include Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois and Cincinnati". I'm surprised there aren't any bigger names on that list.

If Kiel is indeed transferring primarily for playing time, then picking a less competitive program makes a lot of sense. He wouldn't be able to transfer into any of the top BCS programs and expect to immediately win the starting job.

 

[Ironman8]

If Kiel is indeed transferring primarily for playing time, then picking a less competitive program makes a lot of sense. He wouldn't be able to transfer into any of the top BCS programs and expect to immediately win the starting job.

Feldman's opine that going to a JUCO and then restarting the recruiting process (if impressive) would be the only way any of the top BCS programs would be looking at him right now sounds about right to me. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[In Lou I Trust]

Sorry if this was mentioned already, but I didn't see where, there is a Rivals article that lists "Possible landing spots could include Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois and Cincinnati". I'm surprised there aren't any bigger names on that list.

I wouldn't be surprised if that list were accurate. Backed out of two commitments and then plans to transfer after one year. I imagine a lot of people look him as a bit of a flight risk. Best of luck to him, though.

 

[Rocket89]

Excellent post!

We were 80th in scoring offense last year. 80th with 2 Senior NFL backs and a 1st round TE to boot. I support whomever is behind center.

However Golson was WILDLY inconsistent last year. In my mind he wasn't anything near a sure thing to start in 2013.

The offense was purposely very conservative last year. I wouldn't necessarily call Wood and Riddick NFL backs quite yet, either.

Even if Golson was wildly inconsistent last year (he was not) that's to be expected with a redshirt freshman. Were you not impressed with Golson last year? It's just really hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that people thought EG wasn't a sure thing to start in 2013.

Talking about he's too short, low touchdown percentages, poor red zone play, etc.

I just can't believe that there's this many Irish fans who are so lukewarm on Golson. Do we have to see 40 TD's and 4,000 passing yards to go along with a 12-0 record to believe we have a special player at quarterback?

 

[Grahambo]

Sorry if this was mentioned already, but I didn't see where, there is a Rivals article that lists "Possible landing spots could include Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois and Cincinnati". I'm surprised there aren't any bigger names on that list.

Bruce Feldman had a tweet yesterday that said essentially he was told by a coach at a big 'AQ' school that DECLINED the Kiel's interest. Not that they wouldn't entertain it but flat out denied them. This is from his Friday Mailbag:

"As I reported Thursday, I spoke to one coach at a big-time program who said Kiel's representative approached them about transferring but they declined his interest. The feeling from that coach is that Kiel doesn't have the kind of grit or competitiveness they're looking for in a quarterback."

Mailbag: On Auburn rebounding; Driskel's potential and Kiel's options - CBSSports.com

 

[Irish Houstonian]

It's probably like looking at a good employee who's bounced around a lot on their resume -- sometimes you don't want to take that chance if they're flaky or a flight risk.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

"As I reported Thursday, I spoke to one coach at a big-time program who said Kiel's representative approached them about transferring but they declined his interest. The feeling from that coach is that Kiel doesn't have the kind of grit or competitiveness they're looking for in a quarterback."

Following Feldman's brief interview, the coach in question returned to grazing on his football field.

 

[Cackalacky]

Bruce Feldman had a tweet yesterday that said essentially he was told by a coach at a big 'AQ' school that DECLINED the Kiel's interest. Not that they wouldn't entertain it but flat out denied them. This is from his Friday Mailbag:

"As I reported Thursday, I spoke to one coach at a big-time program who said Kiel's representative approached them about transferring but they declined his interest. The feeling from that coach is that Kiel doesn't have the kind of grit or competitiveness they're looking for in a quarterback."

Mailbag: On Auburn rebounding; Driskel's potential and Kiel's options - CBSSports.com

Kinda fits what I was saying above.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Just a thought -- since players don't have agents, how do they express "interest" in other teams? Call them right up? Have a relative do it? Could be a little awkward/risky, depending.

 

[ThePiombino]

Following Feldman's brief interview, the coach in question returned to grazing on his football field.

My thoughts as well.

 

[Grahambo]

Following Feldman's brief interview, the coach in question returned to grazing on his football field.

My thoughts as well.

Well, Kiel is a 'flight risk' (H/T Irish Houstonian) right now so maybe not out of the question. Coaching circles are tight so word could have spread around.

IDK

 

[aaronb]

The offense was purposely very conservative last year. I wouldn't necessarily call Wood and Riddick NFL backs quite yet, either.

Even if Golson was wildly inconsistent last year (he was not) that's to be expected with a redshirt freshman. Were you not impressed with Golson last year? It's just really hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that people thought EG wasn't a sure thing to start in 2013.

Talking about he's too short, low touchdown percentages, poor red zone play, etc.

I just can't believe that there's this many Irish fans who are so lukewarm on Golson. Do we have to see 40 TD's and 4,000 passing yards to go along with a 12-0 record to believe we have a special player at quarterback?

EG was ok for a Freshman I suppose. However he had excellent talent all around him. We also had arguably the best defense in CFB.

I was thrilled with how last year turned out. However I do believe it was a little bit "smoke and mirrors". USC and Stanford were down. Oklahoma wasn't as good as past Oklahoma teams also.

With a defense like 2010's and without some dandy relief work from Rees earlier in the season. We most likely would have been an 8-9 win team last year.

I like the way we are trending....I love the job BK is doing....We still aren't in the elite/Perennial NC contenders tier just yet IMHO.

 

[DillonHall]

Bruce Feldman had a tweet yesterday that said essentially he was told by a coach at a big 'AQ' school that DECLINED the Kiel's interest. Not that they wouldn't entertain it but flat out denied them. This is from his Friday Mailbag:

"As I reported Thursday, I spoke to one coach at a big-time program who said Kiel's representative approached them about transferring but they declined his interest. The feeling from that coach is that Kiel doesn't have the kind of grit or competitiveness they're looking for in a quarterback."

Mailbag: On Auburn rebounding; Driskel's potential and Kiel's options - CBSSports.com

Was this coach's name Les Miles?

 

[DillonHall]

EG was ok for a Freshman I suppose. However he had excellent talent all around him. We also had arguably the best defense in CFB.

I was thrilled with how last year turned out. However I do believe it was a little bit "smoke and mirrors". USC and Stanford were down. Oklahoma wasn't as good as past Oklahoma teams also.

With a defense like 2010's and without some dandy relief work from Rees earlier in the season. We most likely would have been an 8-9 win team last year.

I like the way we are trending....I love the job BK is doing....We still aren't in the elite/Perennial NC contenders tier just yet IMHO.

I'd hardly call the offensive talent excellent. Eifert was the only true difference-maker last year. Riddick and Wood were had their moments, but they're barely above average in terms of talent.

And how can you say we're not a perennial contender yet? We just played in the national championship game.

 

[NDBoiler]

I'd hardly call the offensive talent excellent. Eifert was the only true difference-maker last year. Riddick and Wood were had their moments, but they're barely above average in terms of talent.

And how can you say we're not a perennial contender yet? We just played in the national championship game.

Not sure if you know the definition of "perennial", but one year in the past 25 years does not a perennial contender make. If there's a 3 or 4 year stretch of 10+ win seasons in a row, then it's different. I hope it goes that way, but it is not quite there yet.

 

[DillonHall]

Not sure if you know the definition of "perennial", but one year in the past 25 years does not a perennial contender make. If there's a 3 or 4 year stretch of 10+ win seasons in a row, then it's different. I hope it goes that way, but it is not quite there yet.

Yeah *******, I know what perennial means. Strictly speaking, obviously we have not been perennial contenders in the PAST. But unless you're saying we're going to take a significant step backwards next year, I think it's fair to call ND an elite team that will remain in the NC picture for the foreseeable future.

I'm curious, for people who like to use that term (perennial contender), who fits that definition other than Bama?

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Yeah *******, I know what perennial means. Strictly speaking, obviously we have not been perennial contenders in the PAST. But unless you're saying we're going to take a significant step backwards next year, I think it's fair to call ND an elite team that will remain in the NC picture for the foreseeable future.

I'm curious, for people who like to use that term (perennial contender), who fits that definition other than Bama?

I would say any team that has been to multiple BCS games this decade and won a few.

 

[DillonHall]

I would say any team that has been to multiple BCS games this decade and won a few.

And if you think about it and try to name specific programs using that definition, you will come up with very few teams.

 

[Irish YJ]

If Kiel is indeed transferring primarily for playing time, then picking a less competitive program makes a lot of sense. He wouldn't be able to transfer into any of the top BCS programs and expect to immediately win the starting job.

I think there are several teams in large conferences, including the SEC that would take this kid in a heartbeat (with some assumption he'd soon start). They may not be tops of their conference, but big time schools none the less. IU, Purdue, Illinois, Tennessee, Vandy, several decent ACC teams, etc..

I won't pretend to understand his motives, but honestly I don't care. I just hope he doensn't end up with the competition. Too much drama already, so I can't say I will miss the kid. If he does finally have his head on straight, hope he goes to IU or UT and helps them over the hump.

 

[Irish YJ]

Good thing you didn't go with GunnertoGreenberry.

You didn't hear about Neal?

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

Here's Golson vs Quinn and Clausen in their Sophomore Years, with Quinn and Clausen having the benefit of playing in many games their freshman years as well.


Passing Efficiency:
Quinn: 125.9
Clausen: 132.49
Golson: 131.01

Total Offense
Quinn: 215.20
Clausen: 238.38
Golson: 225.25 yds/gm

TD Passes/Int's:
Quinn: 17/10
Clausen: 25/17
Golson: 12/6

Net Rushing Yards/TD Rushes
Quinn: -4 yards/3 TD's
Clausen: -73 yds/0TD's
Golson: 295 yds/ 6 TD's

Seems to me that for a Sophomore, playing without the benefit of a full year of starting, Golson did pretty well comparativelyto Clausen and Quinn.

The only Sophomore that I would proclaim a "stud" after watching him after his sophomore year was Terry Hanratty.

Bravo!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I would say any team that has been to multiple BCS games this decade and won a few.

And if you think about it and try to name specific programs using that definition, you will come up with very few teams.

28 teams have appeared in multiple BCS games within the last decade or so: OSU (8), OU (7), USC (7), Oregon (5), LSU (5), UF (5), Texas (5), 'Bama (4), FSU (4), Michigan (4), VT (4), Miami (3), UGA (3), ND (3), WVU (3), Wiscy (3), Stanford (3), Iowa (2), KSU (2), Utah (2), Auburn (2), PSU (2), BSU (2), UL (2), Cinci (2), TCU (2), Illinois (2), and Utah (2).

Of those, 16 have won multiple BCS games: USC (6), OSU (5), LSU (4), UF (4), Oregon (3), Texas (3), WVU (3), 'Bama (3), Miami (2), OU (2), UGA (2), Utah (2), Auburn (2), BSU (2), UL (2), and Stanford (2).

Would you consider 16 "very few"?

Source.

 

[Irish To The Core]

Yeah *******, I know what perennial means. Strictly speaking, obviously we have not been perennial contenders in the PAST. But unless you're saying we're going to take a significant step backwards next year, I think it's fair to call ND an elite team that will remain in the NC picture for the foreseeable future.

I'm curious, for people who like to use that term (perennial contender), who fits that definition other than Bama?

Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma

 

[aaronb]

Yeah *******, I know what perennial means. Strictly speaking, obviously we have not been perennial contenders in the PAST. But unless you're saying we're going to take a significant step backwards next year, I think it's fair to call ND an elite team that will remain in the NC picture for the foreseeable future.

I'm curious, for people who like to use that term (perennial contender), who fits that definition other than Bama?

I think it's very likely we take a bit of a step back this year. The odds of our defense being that good are slim to none.

The offense frankly wasn't good.

And it's improbable to expect to pull through so many tight games. I think we will be good. And I don't think last season was 2002 level smoke and mirrors. I just felt like the 2012 squad was an 8 or 9 win team that caught a ton of breaks.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think it's very likely we take a bit of a step back this year. The odds of our defense being that good are slim to none.

What's the basis for this opinion? We only lost 3 players on defense, and of those 3, only Te'o's production will be difficult to replace. Overall, we should be even better next year.

The offense frankly wasn't good.

Our offense finished 12th in FEI. No other team played against as many elite defenses as we did last year.

And it's improbable to expect to pull through so many tight games.

That's true, but those games were tight largely because of our redzone struggles and poor ST. Between the 20s, the 2012 Irish were legit on both offense and defense.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Bravo!

Incidentally, Tommy Rees' sophomore stats compare very favorably to all three of the guys he listed.

221 yds/game
20 TD, 14 INT
133.4 Rating
65.5% completion

 

[Emcee77]

And how can you say we're not a perennial contender yet? We just played in the national championship game.

Yeah *******, I know what perennial means.

Maybe you do, but surely you'll forgive Boiler for asking the question. The first statement certainly seemed to suggest that you thought perennial was a synonym of elite. You are not a perennial contender until, for a period of years, you contend each or almost each year. Playing in the national championship game one year certainly does not mean that you will be potentially capable of reaching that height for a period of many years after. It seemed like you were saying it does.

Now, I get what you were actually saying ... our program is in such good shape that we likely will be perennial contenders going forward; the fact that we played in the NCG, while not sufficient to establish that quality, is nevertheless, in our case, an indicator of it.

But what's with the churlish expletive? That was totally uncalled for. You are frequently unnecessarily rude, and it's a big downer.

 

[scUM Hater]

Here is my opinion, Will this transfer hurt the ND program? Maybe, only time will tell. Will Golson be a very good QB? Yes. He was given a vanilla offense this year as to limit his mistakes. He had some play makers around him, Eifert, Wood, Riddick and others. With the talented classes recruited the last 2 years with potential play makers..err. game changers, it could be very exciting. Wait for the game to slow down for Golson. He will be very good. He has a very strong arm that has yet to be truly unleashed. And when the game slows down, his wheels will speed up. Remember, only time will tell though.