'14 AL RB Bo Scarbrough (Alabama Verbal)

[Luckylucci]

True. That's probably the only angle that anemic Gator offense has going for it. Maybe a UT or UK upset of the Gators in a few weeks will show Bo the light. Or, Bo really wants to be the go to rb like you say and didn't warm to Saban's slot position ideas. It all may be moot with his grades anyway.

Forgot about that. UF does look like this could be a flop year.

 

[Luckylucci]

We have cracked the top 5 and should receive an official visit. Was going to OV for Oklahoma but USC should line up better nothing set yet but they sound optimistic. Wiltfong still says Alabama. Loy doesn't think he ends up at Alabama but isn't willing to say that its ND though either. I think the real positive here is that he's in pretty constant contact with Alford.

 

[rtrn2glory]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sZfZ8uWaOFI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Luckylucci]

A poster on BGI asked about Bo and the transfer to that sketchy IMG and Wiltfong replied "When I think of IMG the word sketchy does not come to mind. First class everything there."

-Not sure if his response has anything to do with academics.

 

[Emcee77]

A poster on BGI asked about Bo and the transfer to that sketchy IMG and Wiltfong replied "When I think of IMG the word sketchy does not come to mind. First class everything there."

-Not sure if his response has anything to do with academics.

Wiltfong just published an article on IMG's football program (not sure if free or not):

IMG Academy Begins Prep School Football Program

It definitely sounds like a first-class organization. This is not 20 boys in a church basement like some of those basketball academies you read about. They seem to be pretty organized there, so I have to imagine that the kids are getting their core credits in.

The kids work out at 6 am, then they are in hardcore class mode from 7:30 to 12 noon. Then they go to lunch and tutoring till 2 ... then practice. At first that didn't seem like enough class time, but then I thought about it ... I was in class from 8-3 in high school, and that included lunch and religion courses (Catholic school) as well as some other electives, so when you subtract those other things that's roughly 5.5 hours of core class time, just like the IMG kids.

 

[ulukinatme]

I was in class from 8-3 in high school, and that included lunch and religion courses (Catholic school) as well as some other electives, so when you subtract those other things that's roughly 5.5 hours of core class time, just like the IMG kids.

****, if your class schedule looked like mine some semesters, you had two study halls, woodworking, gym, and art. That only left two actual classes that required work the rest of the day. IMG may study harder academically than some high schools.

 

[ACamp1900]

The last semester of my Senior year I had two TAs... an English class and i honestly think that may have been it...

 

[Emcee77]

****, if your class schedule looked like mine some semesters, you had two study halls, woodworking, gym, and art. That only left two actual classes that required work the rest of the day. IMG may study harder academically than some high schools.

Haha, yep. I think you may be right.

Wiltfong's article was actually really interesting. These guys are basically living a ND football player's lifestyle without being in college yet. Well, minus the college social life, obviously, but they do have dances and trips off-campus to the mall and stuff like that. It sounds like a really intriguing experiment in scholastic athletics.

 

[NDWorld247]

A poster on BGI asked about Bo and the transfer to that sketchy IMG and Wiltfong replied "When I think of IMG the word sketchy does not come to mind. First class everything there."

-Not sure if his response has anything to do with academics.

Speaking from first hand experience, IMG is world-class in everything, including academics. I don't mean that in the sense it's the hardest, most rigorous academic HS in America, but it's designed to prepare student-athletes for the next level and students pay about $70,000/year to attend. The people paying that kind of money to send their children there expect a decent education. I haven't sit in on any classes, but I get the impression it's superior to your average public HS.

The type of kids that go there are: a.) decently talented with rich parents, b.) world-class athletes with sponsorship from their respective National Federations and c.) 6'2", 220lbs running backs with a 4.4. 40-time that get a "scholarship" to attend and boost their first-year prep football program (i.e. Bo).

Bo is going to school with the next Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Yao Ming, etc. I've been there several times with the highlight being a lunch date with Hope Solo. Well, it wasn't really a date but she was sitting at the table next to me and we made eye contact several times. I know she was feeling the spark I felt. (Side note: As strange as it sounds, that lunch was the most star struck I've ever been and I've spent a lot of time around NFL and college players, celebrities, etc and NEVER get star struck.)

Haha, yep. I think you may be right.

Wiltfong's article was actually really interesting. These guys are basically living a ND football player's lifestyle without being in college yet. Well, minus the college social life, obviously, but they do have dances and trips off-campus to the mall and stuff like that. It sounds like a really intriguing experiment in scholastic athletics.

It's not really an experiment since it's a proven program/academy with other sports. The academy model has been around with other sports at IMG for 30+ years. The "experiment" is with the football program, but it's going to succeed and IMG knows this. There are enough wealthy parents with athletic children to feed the school for years to come and the talent of their international students will increase dramatically in the next few years. And of course they will attract guys like Bo that don't need to pay the ridiculous tuition costs. IMG does things at a world-class level and the program will only continue to grow.

 

[IrishLion]

How does it work in terms of competition on a state level? Who is IMG's competition?

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but I have honestly not heard any details, I've only heard the name "IMG."

 

[NDWorld247]

How does it work in terms of competition on a state level? Who is IMG's competition?

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but I have honestly not heard any details, I've only heard the name "IMG."

They play regular high schools but are an independent this year so they are not in a division or eligible for the playoffs. The competition level of their opponents ranges from division 3 to division 8 (highest in FL). I'm not real familiar with Florida's division alignments, but I don't think they're playing a killer schedule in their first year. They are currently 4-0 right now though.

 

[Emcee77]

Good God, $70K a year??? That's crazy.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

They play regular high schools but are an independent this year so they are not in a division or eligible for the playoffs. The competition level of their opponents ranges from division 3 to division 8 (highest in FL). I'm not real familiar with Florida's division alignments, but I don't think they're playing a killer schedule in their first year. They are currently 4-0 right now though.

I appreciate the commercial from Wiltfong, and your input. With all respect. This place could not schedule games in Ohio, and shouldn't be able to in any state with a decent High School Athletic Association. They should be free to play the other prep factories, Fork Union, etc. I have an old buddy who's son attended. So I got a good idea of what it was about. I think people should be able to add a "thirteenth prep year" or send a kid to a "football factory prep school" if they want. But with their entirely different method of drawing student population, they should be extremely limited in their ability to schedule competition. I still cannot see why Florida allows them to schedule any games during the season, when they make it clear that the school is not eligible for the state playoff system.

Ohio has what is still referred to as the "Faust Rule" or the "Moeller Rule." Gerry Faust coached high school football in Ohio directly before being hired as the Head Coach at Notre Dame. He claimed a half-dozen state titles, and four national high school titles during the seventies and early eighties. He had players from as many as five states playing for his Moeller teams. Ohio said no. They said no so emphatically that schools like my own old high school suffered. Located exactly eight miles from the Michigan state line, players from what were in affect the "northern suburbs" could no longer compete. Moeller, with good coaching has not been close to being able to compete at that level.

Where do you draw the line? Of course I think the NFL is a corrupt cesspool, and I wouldn't support college ball if it weren't for ND's way of doing things. High school is fine, but I have to laugh. Every parent thinks their kid is going to be a star. All things being equal, I would rather take my kid hiking, camping or canoeing.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I appreciate the commercial from Wiltfong, and your input. With all respect. This place could not schedule games in Ohio, and shouldn't be able to in any state with a decent High School Athletic Association. They should be free to play the other prep factories, Fork Union, etc. I have an old buddy who's son attended. So I got a good idea of what it was about. I think people should be able to add a "thirteenth prep year" or send a kid to a "football factory prep school" if they want. But with their entirely different method of drawing student population, they should be extremely limited in their ability to schedule competition. I still cannot see why Florida allows them to schedule any games during the season, when they make it clear that the school is not eligible for the state playoff system.

Ohio has what is still referred to as the "Faust Rule" or the "Moeller Rule." Gerry Faust coached high school football in Ohio directly before being hired as the Head Coach at Notre Dame. He claimed a half-dozen state titles, and four national high school titles during the seventies and early eighties. He had players from as many as five states playing for his Moeller teams. Ohio said no. They said no so emphatically that schools like my own old high school suffered. Located exactly eight miles from the Michigan state line, players from what were in affect the "northern suburbs" could no longer compete. Moeller, with good coaching has not been close to being able to compete at that level.

Where do you draw the line? Of course I think the NFL is a corrupt cesspool, and I wouldn't support college ball if it weren't for ND's way of doing things. High school is fine, but I have to laugh. Every parent thinks their kid is going to be a star. All things being equal, I would rather take my kid hiking, camping or canoeing.

Teams like IMG, Don Bosco Prep, etc should never be allowed to compete for state titles in open type divisions. Many states have private divisions ( DBP plays in Jersey's I believe) but they have no business playing public schools for state titles. Here in Bama it is opposite. The private school division is extremely weak while the public schools are strong. In fairness to DBP, they play several OOS teams every year and typically play the toughest teams around.

 

[Irish#1]

In Indiana, it is up to the school who they play, whether it be a member of the IHSAA in any division or a school in another state. They are limited on the out of state schools they can play, as they have a 300 mile radius rule so you can't play teams over 300 miles away. There are several schools mostly Catholic in Indy that play teams from Cincy on a regular basis.

 

[Ironman8]

Teams like IMG, Don Bosco Prep, etc should never be allowed to compete for state titles in open type divisions. Many states have private divisions ( DBP plays in Jersey's I believe) but they have no business playing public schools for state titles. Here in Bama it is opposite. The private school division is extremely weak while the public schools are strong. In fairness to DBP, they play several OOS teams every year and typically play the toughest teams around.

Couldn't be more wrong on the DBP and New Jersey rules as they stand right now. New Jersey is one of the few states that right now does not play to a true state champion.

Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic, St. Joe's, St. Peters, etc all compete in their own private division for a state crown, as you said. Public school football was the only major sport in NJ that wasn't allowed to compete against private schools for a true state champion. The Private haven't competed with the public in any sort of playoff, however.

There is a big push now, however, to create what you don't think should be allowed from a previous era of segregation of the private vs. public, from the public schools. I believe they voted for it this past December, and have been proposing formats going forward. Below is a link to a proposed format:

Proposal drafted for New Jersey high school football championships - Philly.com

 

[Cackalacky]

Speaking from first hand experience, IMG is world-class in everything, including academics. I don't mean that in the sense it's the hardest, most rigorous academic HS in America, but it's designed to prepare student-athletes for the next level and students pay about $70,000/year to attend. The people paying that kind of money to send their children there expect a decent education. I haven't sit in on any classes, but I get the impression it's superior to your average public HS.

The type of kids that go there are: a.) decently talented with rich parents, b.) world-class athletes with sponsorship from their respective National Federations and c.) 6'2", 220lbs running backs with a 4.4. 40-time that get a "scholarship" to attend and boost their first-year prep football program (i.e. Bo).

Bo is going to school with the next Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Yao Ming, etc. I've been there several times with the highlight being a lunch date with Hope Solo. Well, it wasn't really a date but she was sitting at the table next to me and we made eye contact several times. I know she was feeling the spark I felt. (Side note: As strange as it sounds, that lunch was the most star struck I've ever been and I've spent a lot of time around NFL and college players, celebrities, etc and NEVER get star struck.)



It's not really an experiment since it's a proven program/academy with other sports. The academy model has been around with other sports at IMG for 30+ years. The "experiment" is with the football program, but it's going to succeed and IMG knows this. There are enough wealthy parents with athletic children to feed the school for years to come and the talent of their international students will increase dramatically in the next few years. And of course they will attract guys like Bo that don't need to pay the ridiculous tuition costs. IMG does things at a world-class level and the program will only continue to grow.

There is no reason why this cant work at the college/amateur level.

 

[phork]

So is Bo headed here or what?

 

[T Town Tommy]

Couldn't be more wrong on the DBP and New Jersey rules as they stand right now. New Jersey is one of the few states that right now does not play to a true state champion.

Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic, St. Joe's, St. Peters, etc all compete in their own private division for a state crown, as you said. Public school football was the only major sport in NJ that wasn't allowed to compete against private schools for a true state champion. The Private haven't competed with the public in any sort of playoff, however.

There is a big push now, however, to create what you don't think should be allowed from a previous era of segregation of the private vs. public, from the public schools. I believe they voted for it this past December, and have been proposing formats going forward. Below is a link to a proposed format:

Proposal drafted for New Jersey high school football championships - Philly.com

My high school (public) played DBP a few years back. The Ironmen had players from several states on the roster. I don't agree with them, Bergen, or any other private school playing for an open state title. We were amazed at the hometowns of the DBP players. They had something like 6-7 states represented. Just seems that if we want to put all-star teams together they should be playing in their own private division and leave the public divisions alone. Who wants to crown an all-star team who has an overwhelming number of players from states other than the one they are playing in? If Jersey wants to open up the entire state to competition are the residents also willing to open up to school voucher systems, scholarships to public schools, etc? If not, they should be left separate. Maybe this entire conversation is better suited in another thread as it has veared off course a little.

 

[Ironman8]

My high school (public) played DBP a few years back. The Ironmen had players from several states on the roster. I don't agree with them, Bergen, or any other private school playing for an open state title. We were amazed at the hometowns of the DBP players. They had something like 6-7 states represented. Just seems that if we want to put all-star teams together they should be playing in their own private division and leave the public divisions alone. Who wants to crown an all-star team who has an overwhelming number of players from states other than the one they are playing in? If Jersey wants to open up the entire state to competition are the residents also willing to open up to school voucher systems, scholarships to public schools, etc? If not, they should be left separate. Maybe this entire conversation is better suited in another thread as it has veared off course a little.

Ramsey, New Jersey is located basically right on the NY/NJ border, and only 20 minutes or so away from the Tappan Zee Bridge into CT. A large section of the student population, independent of football, comes from NY with a few from CT. Half of my best friends from Bosco were from Suffern, Nyack, Blauvelt, etc. - all towns in NY.

I am not saying they don't target players from 7th and 8th grade to try and get them to come to DBP, but it's not like football has kids coming from out of state when the school doesn't.

Again, it has been segregated in terms of playoff system, and it is the public schools, not the private, pushing for a unified playoff system. If they truly thought it was unfair or they stood no chance, why would they push for it?

 

[Booslum31]

So is Bo headed here or what?

The way this thread is being bumped I thought/think that he is.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Ramsey, New Jersey is located basically right on the NY/NJ border, and only 20 minutes or so away from the Tappan Zee Bridge into CT. A large section of the student population, independent of football, comes from NY with a few from CT. Half of my best friends from Bosco were from Suffern, Nyack, Blauvelt, etc. - all towns in NY.

I am not saying they don't target players from 7th and 8th grade to try and get them to come to DBP, but it's not like football has kids coming from out of state when the school doesn't.

Again, it has been segregated in terms of playoff system, and it is the public schools, not the private, pushing for a unified playoff system. If they truly thought it was unfair or they stood no chance, why would they push for it?

Don't know their reasoning other than to cash in on the larger gate it may draw. And I doubt DBP cares one way or the other. I love the fact that they will line up and play anyone, anywhere, anytime. And Coach Toal - if I spelled it right - is a tremendous football coach.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Ramsey, New Jersey is located basically right on the NY/NJ border, and only 20 minutes or so away from the Tappan Zee Bridge into CT.

DBP is in Ramsey? I attended a deposition there a few months ago. Had no idea.

 

[Ironman8]

DBP is in Ramsey? I attended a deposition there a few months ago. Had no idea.

Yup. Literally right off of Route 17. Can see it while on the highway.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Yup. Literally right off of Route 17. Can see it while on the highway.

Is the 17 one of those Extortion Expressways that are all over NJ? On my drive up to Ramsey from Newark, I somehow ended up on a toll road without a ticket. Cost me $17 just to get off the damned highway.

 

[connect the dots]

My high school (public) played DBP a few years back. The Ironmen had players from several states on the roster. I don't agree with them, Bergen, or any other private school playing for an open state title. We were amazed at the hometowns of the DBP players. They had something like 6-7 states represented. Just seems that if we want to put all-star teams together they should be playing in their own private division and leave the public divisions alone. Who wants to crown an all-star team who has an overwhelming number of players from states other than the one they are playing in? If Jersey wants to open up the entire state to competition are the residents also willing to open up to school voucher systems, scholarships to public schools, etc? If not, they should be left separate. Maybe this entire conversation is better suited in another thread as it has veared off course a little.

Don Bosco Prep, and that all-star team they have assembled, will play Miami Central Saturday(I believe the game will be televised). No outside recruits or transfers attend Miami Central. Central's roster will be all Overtown.

 

[Ironman8]

Is the 17 one of those Extortion Expressways that are all over NJ? On my drive up to Ramsey from Newark, I somehow ended up on a toll road without a ticket. Cost me $17 just to get off the damned highway.

Ha no 17 isn't a toll road. You were on the Turnpike. Worst part of Jersey right there.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Don Bosco Prep, and that all-star team they have assembled, will play Miami Central Saturday(I believe the game will be televised). No outside recruits or transfers attend Miami Central. Central's roster will be all Overtown.

We played Central a few years back as well in Miami. They beat the dog sh*t out of us. LOL

Don't know how good either Central or DBP is this year but that is two traditional heavyweights. That should be a great game. The Central speed may be a lot to overcome for the Ironmen.

 

[NDWorld247]

Don Bosco Prep, and that all-star team they have assembled, will play Miami Central Saturday(I believe the game will be televised). No outside recruits or transfers attend Miami Central. Central's roster will be all Overtown.

I'm not sure if this is sarcastic or not, and I had to look up Overtown (a Miami neighborhood) to understand what you meant, but recruiting amongst South Florida high schools is ramped. I have a good friend who is a HC in Miami and the stories he has told me are ridiculous.

Look at that Miami Northwestern team from a few years ago. I think Jacory Harris was the QB and they had like 12-13 kids go division 1. You think they all just happen to grow up in the same neighborhood?

 

[Ironman8]

We played Central a few years back as well in Miami. They beat the dog sh*t out of us. LOL

Don't know how good either Central or DBP is this year but that is two traditional heavyweights. That should be a great game. The Central speed may be a lot to overcome for the Ironmen.

The Ironmen are down this year. They will play tough D, but I don't think we beat Central. We just lost last weekend as well to Mission Viejo 28-25 out in California. That's a lot of travel and wear and tear. I don't see us taking this one down.