'13 FL RB Greg Bryant (R.I.P.)

[dshans]

Why isn't BGIF tutoring players?! He takes posters to school on the reg!

I refuse to go into detail as to why.

There are reputations at stake.

Why sully when one should salute ...

 

[irishtrain]

This guy and McGlinchey were the two pups I latched on to when they signed-too bad I feel sorry for this kid-man it must be hard in the classrooms at ND. I was just a 2.5 guy in college so I guess I couldn't have made it at ND. These stories depress me because can you imagine a stud back at an sec school having this happen over a B-vs a B+. How do you juggle this situation. I don't know. I just don't know anymore about all this. Talk me off the ledge here boys-it ruined my %$#@ day.

 

[BGIF]

Why isn't BGIF tutoring players?! He takes posters to school on the reg!

Thank you. But if I hadn't forgotten that ND successfully applied for a medical hardship waiver for GB's freshman year Sherm wouldn't have had to make a post. BGIF got schooled.


As for tutoring at ND, if Admissions ever saw my undergraduate transcript, there would be a question about ND allowing me to buy a ticket to a game much less be a tutor.

 

[BGIF]

This guy and McGlinchey were the two pups I latched on to when they signed-too bad I feel sorry for this kid-man it must be hard in the classrooms at ND. I was just a 2.5 guy in college so I guess I couldn't have made it at ND. These stories depress me because can you imagine a stud back at an sec school having this happen over a B-vs a B+. How do you juggle this situation. I don't know. I just don't know anymore about all this. Talk me off the ledge here boys-it ruined my %$#@ day.

In the Rockne years, GB would still be eligible. After Rockne's death a number of veterans left as the ND President put his foot down on athletes and academics. Hunk took the hit but he had less talent to work with.

Father Ted raised the bar after Leahy "retired". So did Ted's successor. Coaches since then can still get some questionable students in but keeping them in with a student body with an average test score over 1350 (two parts) requires considerable effort on the athletes part. Effort not required at a lot of other places.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Im not talking about passing students that barely showed up to class and earned a D-. But for christ sake a B- is already above average.

Bryant was trying to dig himself out of a deep academic hole that he undoubtedly dug himself through some poor decisions. B- wasn't enough to get out of said hole and retain his eligibility. Hopefully he'll use this setback as an opportunity to mature, kick the f*cking weed habit, and fully apply himself at ND.

 

[bigedefense]

Who are we helping by holding players to this tight of a standard? Bryant really learned his lesson! No he's gonna transfer to some school like FSU that will require him to do zero classroom work to get on the field. This also can do nothing but discourage other recruits from coming here. I understand this moral high ground i just don't think it benefits anyone.

I understand what you are saying & as a fan, I somewhat agree. However, as a retired educator and fan of Notre Dame, I am against any type of leniency for athletes. This is just my two cents, but I personally believe that the folks that were blessed athletically like Greg Bryant is (5 star out of high school I think) should be held to a higher standard. What I mean by that is, God blessed him with that talent, so it's GB's duty to do everything he can to be a 5 star in the class room. There ain't no free lunch. To those that much is given, much is expected. All those 2 dollar quotes that apply.

These guys have kids striving to be like them! That is what sets Notre Dame apart, IMO! When I hear either a current or former player from Notre Dame do an interview, I smile because you can understand every word. When I hear players from other schools do interviews, a lot of times I have to turn on closed captioning on & read what they are jibbering! Sometimes closed captioning just puts up question marks because they have no idea what they are saying. That's the importance in not grading on a curve to me.
Someone mentioned Julius Jones. He is a good example here. His grades dropped and he re focused, got his grades right & came back & tasted success on the field and got his degree. I would want my kids to follow someone like that. These players, IMO, should be held accountable for their actions on and off the field because tomorrow's leaders are watching EVERYTHING they do.

I am sorry for the long post, but I feel strongly about this topic. I coached high school ball for a long time & I told my players countless times that God gave them the ability to play this game and with that came people looking up to them. Elementary kids would ask them for their autographs at pep rallies! I would tell my guys to look at those kids! They were going to do whatever YOU do! So, make sure you earn the best grade you can make! Some won't be able to get an A in Alg, but they can squeak out a B with hard work. Also, when those little guys saw them out in public, WalMart for example, they were not a math student. THEY WERE FOOTBALL PLAYERS!!!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Good discussion. One (or two) more question(s) : If he was granted a Medical Hardship Red shirt his first year, can he apply for a sixth year? Or, does the fact that he was academically ineligible his Junior year negate that possibility?

 

[Irish#1]

I understand what you are saying & as a fan, I somewhat agree. However, as a retired educator and fan of Notre Dame, I am against any type of leniency for athletes. This is just my two cents, but I personally believe that the folks that were blessed athletically like Greg Bryant is (5 star out of high school I think) should be held to a higher standard. What I mean by that is, God blessed him with that talent, so it's GB's duty to do everything he can to be a 5 star in the class room. There ain't no free lunch. To those that much is given, much is expected. All those 2 dollar quotes that apply.

These guys have kids striving to be like them! That is what sets Notre Dame apart, IMO! When I hear either a current or former player from Notre Dame do an interview, I smile because you can understand every word. When I hear players from other schools do interviews, a lot of times I have to turn on closed captioning on & read what they are jibbering! Sometimes closed captioning just puts up question marks because they have no idea what they are saying. That's the importance in not grading on a curve to me.
Someone mentioned Julius Jones. He is a good example here. His grades dropped and he re focused, got his grades right & came back & tasted success on the field and got his degree. I would want my kids to follow someone like that. These players, IMO, should be held accountable for their actions on and off the field because tomorrow's leaders are watching EVERYTHING they do.

I am sorry for the long post, but I feel strongly about this topic. I coached high school ball for a long time & I told my players countless times that God gave them the ability to play this game and with that came people looking up to them. Elementary kids would ask them for their autographs at pep rallies! I would tell my guys to look at those kids! They were going to do whatever YOU do! So, make sure you earn the best grade you can make! Some won't be able to get an A in Alg, but they can squeak out a B with hard work. Also, when those little guys saw them out in public, WalMart for example, they were not a math student. THEY WERE FOOTBALL PLAYERS!!!

Well stated. Not putting anyone down, but at this point in his playing career, GB hasn't really given us anything to get excited about. The impact to the season should be minimal.

Koon go on suicide watch yet?

 

[dublinirish]

Well stated. Not putting anyone down, but at this point in his playing career, GB hasn't really given us anything to get excited about. The impact to the season should be minimal.

Koon go on suicide watch yet?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another year, another huge ND player kicked out for academics. Drives me nuts when the football factory fans say "ND is like everyone else".</p>— Jake (@IrishJake1) <a href="https://twitter.com/IrishJake1/status/628722948937912320">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish#1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another year, another huge ND player kicked out for academics. Drives me nuts when the football factory fans say "ND is like everyone else".</p>— Jake (@IrishJake1) <a href="https://twitter.com/IrishJake1/status/628722948937912320">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Referring to his anatomy? He hasn't come up huge yet Koon. lol

 

[Bogtrotter07]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another year, another huge ND player kicked out for academics. Drives me nuts when the football factory fans say "ND is like everyone else".</p>— Jake (@IrishJake1) <a href="https://twitter.com/IrishJake1/status/628722948937912320">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Michael Sullivan ‏@Sully1921 · 11h11 hours ago
@IrishJake1 a huge ND player? Most overrated recruit we have ever signed. Losing our 3rd string back will only lower our bod squad

Oh, the humanity!

Referring to his anatomy? He hasn't come up huge yet Koon. lol

Wow! That casts a smarmy pall, like a shadow, across this thread!

 

[Wingman Ray]

Well stated. Not putting anyone down, but at this point in his playing career, GB hasn't really given us anything to get excited about. The impact to the season should be minimal.

This. If you cant be successful behind NDs line, you just cant be successful. Makes you wonder what went wrong gridiron wise.

As for the grades, if you need a B+ to stay eligible, that means you made a ton of bad grades so it isnt just a fine tune here or there.

 

[dublinirish]

I think the problem for GB was that he was molly-coddled way too much in High school and never pushed hard to succeed academically. Possibly having Alford around to babysit him helped get GB on the field but with him no longer in the fold you can understand how suddenly the wheels have come off for GB

 

[PANDFAN]

the academic hurdles Bryant had were all self inflicted...according to coach D....greg just didn't like to attend classes and do the work...not about him just NOT having it upstairs

 

[dublinirish]

the academic hurdles Bryant had were all self inflicted...according to coach D....greg just didn't like to attend classes and do the work...not about him just NOT having it upstairs

seems to be a lot of current ND students on r/cfb and the word on him is that he is very lazy/unmotivated in classes:

I heard that the GA's walked all of the RB's to their summer classes to make sure they attend class. Bryant (and the other RB's) have had a hard time keeping engaged in school. I hope he gets it together, be it at Notre Dame or elsewhere.

Eh he never seemed to care in the classes I had with him. Not saying he's stupid, but he probably did need motivation

Yeah he's had an ego issue and work ethic ego since he got here from what my friends on the team have said.

Yeah my roommate hung with him a lot and he always talked about making it to the league and shit, as if he was the greatest thing sliced bread. To be fair though, he had the chance to be. That's not to say he didn't work though. From all indication Los he was working his ass off. But idk if that was just him talking or if he was actually doing it. I thought he would be good enough to play this season. Academics is a whole other monster though.

I have a couple friends who went to high school with him at American Heritage. Apparently the whole administration/school worshiped and bent over backwards for him. The school cancelled a couple periods of class one day to have this big ceremony to honor him. It doesn't surprise me that he acts like he's the shit when he was treated like royalty back in high school.

Had a couple of classes with him last year. Not the brightest tool in the shed....

 

[Old Man Mike]

People keep talking about why this fellow didn't get more playing time and the comments mystify me. If we're dealing with an undisciplined young man [some here have even said "coddled"; I'm not privileged to know if it was that bad], AND all this academic failure and weed failure substantiates that, why does anyone seem surprised that he hasn't shown the discipline to become a totally functional back?

People continue to treat as a joke the Kelly demand that the RB consistently protect the QB by blocking --- why that is a joke is incredible to me. Bryant stunk at that task. Folston doesn't LIKE to block either, BUT HE LEARNED IT. Same thing with Cierre Wood, who became one of our best ever at it finally. Lack-of-discipline and Lack-of-dedication-to-less-enjoyable-tasks = academic failure and no reps on the field. I don't get the mystery.

If Greg gets his sh!t together, and rocks-and-rolls the classroom and the backfield, standing applause. But I don't see how he's earned too much praise so far. Time to grow up.

The difference between a "boy" and a "man" [regardless of age] is that a man wakes up in the morning with an agenda of things important for him to accomplish that day whether they are "fun" to do or not, and then gets about honestly trying to do them. A boy [regardless of age] tends to try to find ways to avoid them, and think up excuses why they aren't done ... if his social environment requires that he excuse his actions at all.

You can still be a boy growing into a man in college [and stumble making a mistake here and there], but you better start acting like you are a man if you're going to succeed. He!l, if I could overcome my lazyass self and get through Notre Dame chemistry, I think there should be hope for anybody.

 

[dublinirish]

People continue to treat as a joke the Kelly demand that the RB consistently protect the QB by blocking --- why that is a joke is incredible to me. Bryant stunk at that task. .

Nevermind pass blocking, GB would barely get his run game assignments right : dancing in the hole/trying to reverse field instead of going north/south. This is the sort of stuff high schoolers do when they are obviously much faster than their competition. I just feel like GB can't absorb any sort of advice or teaching at this point.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

People keep talking about why this fellow didn't get more playing time and the comments mystify me. If we're dealing with an undisciplined young man [some here have even said "coddled"; I'm not privileged to know if it was that bad], AND all this academic failure and weed failure substantiates that, why does anyone seem surprised that he hasn't shown the discipline to become a totally functional back?

People continue to treat as a joke the Kelly demand that the RB consistently protect the QB by blocking --- why that is a joke is incredible to me. Bryant stunk at that task. Folston doesn't LIKE to block either, BUT HE LEARNED IT. Same thing with Cierre Wood, who became one of our best ever at it finally. Lack-of-discipline and Lack-of-dedication-to-less-enjoyable-tasks = academic failure and no reps on the field. I don't get the mystery.

If Greg gets his sh!t together, and rocks-and-rolls the classroom and the backfield, standing applause. But I don't see how he's earned too much praise so far. Time to grow up.

The difference between a "boy" and a "man" [regardless of age] is that a man wakes up in the morning with an agenda of things important for him to accomplish that day whether they are "fun" to do or not, and then gets about honestly trying to do them. A boy [regardless of age] tends to try to find ways to avoid them, and think up excuses why they aren't done ... if his social environment requires that he excuse his actions at all.

You can still be a boy growing into a man in college [and stumble making a mistake here and there], but you better start acting like you are a man if you're going to succeed. He!l, if I could overcome my lazyass self and get through Notre Dame chemistry, I think there should be hope for anybody.

OMM, a chara,

Not just coddled -- "molly-coddled." It is a colloquialism that I am familiar with, and it's special meaning is right to your point :

It is a good word to describe how tear-away youths are molly coddled by the authorities of society who's soft laws allow them to get away with kids being the horrible little tyrants they are.

With my life experience, the fact that my DI's were definitely at the low end of the "molly-coddle scale," was of great benefit to me in my adult life. And the fact that I made it through that, makes me second to your conjecture about chemistry at ND!

Beir bua agus beannacht,

Bogs, (the Inimitable)

 

[jimmymac]

the academic hurdles Bryant had were all self inflicted...according to coach D....greg just didn't like to attend classes and do the work...not about him just NOT having it upstairs

^^^

 

[ulukinatme]

seems to be a lot of current ND students on r/cfb and the word on him is that he is very lazy/unmotivated in classes:

Part of me wants to believe that some of those are Wolverine fans in disguise, but to be honest I'm sure some or most of them are telling the truth. That said, I backed Cam in 2013, Cam and Folston last season, and I'm behind Folston still and definitely CJ. I think CJ and Folston have the right attitudes and the right work ethic.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

We don't need to look for ways to belittle the player now that he's off the roster.

Let's all hope that Greg pulls it together, finishes his career and degree on a high note and makes it to the league.

 

[Irish#1]

We don't need to look for ways to belittle the player now that he's off the roster.

Let's all hope that Greg pulls it together, finishes his career and degree on a high note and makes it to the league.

Not sure that anyone is belittling him. Just pointing out the facts, rumors and observations that led to this unfortunate situation. I think most of us also agree with you in hoping he gets everything straightened out.

 

[irishtrain]

^^^

If true I feel better about the whole situation pertaining to ND and its posture on academics-do the work.

 

[BobbyMac]

Good discussion. One (or two) more question(s) : If he was granted a Medical Hardship Red shirt his first year, can he apply for a sixth year? Or, does the fact that he was academically ineligible his Junior year negate that possibility?

Bogs,

I can't see ND assisting him in filing a petition and the NCAA would never award a 6th year under these circumstances.

You can't use an academic issue as reason to petition. It has to be season ending injury (or non football related illness / injury from a car accident, etc.) Besides physical injury / illness, having to leave school to care for an ailing family member and or take care of siblings as the result of the death of a parent / guardian is grounds for petition.

I was awarded a 6th year based on knee injury and the deaths of my parents.



.

 

[BobbyMac]

We don't need to look for ways to belittle the player now that he's off the roster.

Let's all hope that Greg pulls it together, finishes his career and degree on a high note and makes it to the league.

Well played VDP. ;-)


.

 

[Irish Insanity]

We don't need to look for ways to belittle the player now that he's off the roster.

Let's all hope that Greg pulls it together, finishes his career and degree on a high note and makes it to the league.

He's still on the roster, no?

 

[BobbyMac]

In an unusual way, the stars are aligning for GB.

GB has the most important person in the ND Football universe not named CBK standing beside him in Malik Zaire. Any fool can see the leader MZ is on the field, I would have to believe he is that same person off the field too. If I had to bet, MZ will be on GB non-stop from this point forward.

He is going to get a year and a summer to get his academic life in order. I can tell you that the travel requirements of D1 life are tough even though football only has to miss classes associated with 6 games, maybe 7 if you're in the NC game. He will have ample time to button down the books.

Most importantly, he is going to have a year without Tarean Folston with minimal exposure to injury...as long as he can hold off the younger guys. He really has the chance to have a big one and done year for ND and then get paid on Sundays. It's really the best case scenario for Mr. Bryant.

Now all he has to do is follow the example set by his best friend, MZ... and he'll get to where he wants to go.



.

 

[woolybug25]

In an unusual way, the stars are aligning for GB.

GB has the most important person in the ND Football universe not named CBK standing beside him in Malik Zaire. Any fool can see the leader MZ is on the field, I would have to believe he is that same person off the field too. If I had to bet, MZ will be on GB non-stop from this point forward.

He is going to get a year and a summer to get his academic life in order. I can tell you that the travel requirements of D1 life are tough even though football only has to miss classes associated with 6 games, maybe 7 if you're in the NC game. He will have ample time to button down the books.

Most importantly, he is going to have a year without Tarean Folston with minimal exposure to injury...as long as he can hold off the younger guys. He really has the chance to have a big one and done year for ND and then get paid on Sundays. It's really the best case scenario for Mr. Bryant.

Now all he has to do is follow the example set by his best friend, MZ... and he'll get to where he wants to go.



.

I would prefer MZ to spend his energy being in the corner of players that care about winning and are putting in the work. Mentoring young players with desire, not suspended veterans that haven't produced on or off of the field.

 

[kmoose]

We don't need to look for ways to belittle the player now that he's off the roster.

Let's all hope that Greg pulls it together, finishes his career and degree on a high note and makes it to the league.

If he is still on scholarship and still allowed to practice with the team, wouldn't he still be on the roster?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

If he is still on scholarship and still allowed to practice with the team, wouldn't he still be on the roster?

He's not on the 85 man travel roster, which is what most of us care about. I'm simply saying it may not be the best move to post quotes of people's negative comments now that he we know he won't contribute this year (and he may decide to leave).

It's best for us to wish him well and acknowledge that Greg is still growing up.