USC recruiting and everything else

[Emcee77]

PG years are quite common for players of other sports (like lacrosse)... people take them for all kinds of reasons. Typically it's a really good soft-transition into college and gives you an extra year of development. The whole prep school thing is huge in the northeast. Sometimes... rather rarely... it's specifically to get grades up / demonstrate that you can succeed academically in order to be admitted into a school. So that might be it but I really doubt it if he was already locked in to Cal and then switched to Yale.

Ah, ok. I admit I've only heard of athletes taking postgrad years when they either a) need to work on their academics or b) need to develop physically (for instance, I knew a couple of basketball players who prepped because they hit late growth spurts and hadn't really filled out or grown into their frames yet). But based on what you've said I won't assume that it's either of those things with Egu. I have to believe you are right because Egu doesn't seem either physically or academically underdeveloped.

 

[PANDFAN]

Ah, ok. I admit I've only heard of athletes taking postgrad years when they either a) need to work on their academics or b) need to develop physically (for instance, I knew a couple of basketball players who prepped because they hit late growth spurts and hadn't really filled out or grown into their frames yet). But based on what you've said I won't assume that it's either of those things with Egu. I have to believe you are right because Egu doesn't seem either physically or academically underdeveloped.

maybe he needed more time to save for college??? idk

actually just quick googled and it appears it kind of a common thing for kids going to the ivy league

from forbes :The Ivy League is still the Ivy League. Reputation matters, and for many of the children of America's elite where you go to prep schools is just as important, if not more, than where you go to college.

it also i guess helps w/ landing jobs as being part of alumi of certain prep schools carry just as much weight

 

[IrishLax]

maybe he needed more time to save for college??? idk

actually just quick googled and it appears it kind of a common thing for kids going to the ivy league

from forbes :The Ivy League is still the Ivy League. Reputation matters, and for many of the children of America's elite where you go to prep schools is just as important, if not more, than where you go to college.

it also i guess helps w/ landing jobs as being part of alumi of certain prep schools carry just as much weight

Yup. It's actually kinda weird to me. Especially because a lot of prep schools might as well be clubs for the children of ultra rich parents... with about 20% of the populous being either really smart kids or kids who play lacrosse or something else and are honorary rich children. It's incredible networking... not just down the road for the kids, but even more so for the parents. Very high concentration of movers and shakers in a singular place...

 

[Ironman8]

Yup. It's actually kinda weird to me. Especially because a lot of prep schools might as well be clubs for the children of ultra rich parents... with about 20% of the populous being either really smart kids or kids who play lacrosse or something else and are honorary rich children. It's incredible networking... not just down the road for the kids, but even more so for the parents. Very high concentration of movers and shakers in a singular place...

It's similar with hockey to a degree, correct?

 

[IrishLax]

It's similar with hockey to a degree, correct?

Yes, very much so. Although the existence of Juniors for hockey creates a very unique dynamic that can be quite different than the traditional "PG year" you see other kids take.

 

[yankeeND]

This whole situation reminds me of Weis vs Carrol. Weis was getting stud skill players and Carrol was building depth everywhere. The shift in power has finally gotten here. I don't like that it came because of sanctions but I do think that Kiffin had a lot to do with it. Stability will be the key to our success for the next decade so I hope the staff gets what is being asked for and it will be well deserved.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Do we take PG players, or are they similar to JuCo guys in that we shy away?

 

[IrishLax]

Do we take PG players, or are they similar to JuCo guys in that we shy away?

Yes we do, completely different than JUCO. Not the same animal in the least.

 

[ulukinatme]

This whole situation reminds me of Weis vs Carrol. Weis was getting stud skill players and Carrol was building depth everywhere. The shift in power has finally gotten here. I don't like that it came because of sanctions but I do think that Kiffin had a lot to do with it. Stability will be the key to our success for the next decade so I hope the staff gets what is being asked for and it will be well deserved.

I personally don't feel like the sanctions have caused that much of a shift in power. In fact, I don't think it has affected them at all until this coming season. USC has still been pulling in good recruiting classes until this year. Even the 13 guys they've pulled in are highly ranked as well, so at the worst their depth will be hurt...but that won't prevent them from taking extra kids in the coming years to compensate.

I think the shift in balance has more to do with the arrival of Kelly and the departure of Petey. I don't like it, but Petey was a pretty good coach and recruiter. Lane is certainly not a good coach and probably cost his team a win this year against us. We didn't do a good job of putting them away considering Barkley was out again. That team still has all kinds of talent, but after this year the massive depth they always have will hurt a bit.

 

[Rocket89]

Yes, very much so. Although the existence of Juniors for hockey creates a very unique dynamic that can be quite different than the traditional "PG year" you see other kids take.

It's the existence of junior hockey that really forces most prep school hockey players to either PG or repeat a grade. I ended up repeating my sophomore year when I left for prep school after 2 years at my local public high school.

I'd estimate 85 to 90% of the serious prep school hockey players repeat or PG---with the remaining 10 to 15% being the elite of the elite who are good enough to not go down that road.

I wonder how common this was before my time (mid to late 90's) but leagues like the USHL are really creating an unequal balance in ages for hockey players. Nowadays, college hockey is flooded with ridiculously old players as the USHL and Junior B leagues in Canada become competitive enough to be like little farm clubs for colleges.

Take a look at Notre Dame's roster and about 3/4 of the players come from the USHL. There are a couple of guys like Tynan who matriculated to ND at a "normal" age but the vast majority of those players are in the USHL for 2 years and arrive in South Bend as 20-year olds. The college I went to had numerous freshmen from Canada who were 21 years old. If you're a border line D-1 recruit as many prep school kids are, it's pretty stupid not to repeat a grade when faced with this situation.

 

[GoIrish41]

I personally don't feel like the sanctions have caused that much of a shift in power. In fact, I don't think it has affected them at all until this coming season. USC has still been pulling in good recruiting classes until this year. Even the 13 guys they've pulled in are highly ranked as well, so at the worst their depth will be hurt...but that won't prevent them from taking extra kids in the coming years to compensate.

I think the shift in balance has more to do with the arrival of Kelly and the departure of Petey. I don't like it, but Petey was a pretty good coach and recruiter. Lane is certainly not a good coach and probably cost his team a win this year against us. We didn't do a good job of putting them away considering Barkley was out again. That team still has all kinds of talent, but after this year the massive depth they always have will hurt a bit.

they are thin at OL and didn't do much to change that in this cycle. I want Tuitt to break that goofy QB they got this year.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Rumors really gaining traction that Ed O is leaving for a job in the NFL. This should be interesting...

 

[Emcee77]

Rumors really gaining traction that Ed O is leaving for a job in the NFL. This should be interesting...

Shocking if true, no? His salesmanship would be wasted in the NFL.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Rumors really gaining traction that Ed O is leaving for a job in the NFL. This should be interesting...

I would also be REALLY interested to see if he went after his brother considering he was named scout.com's recruiter of the year. Really though, look at who he was assigne to target for Ole Miss this year. Wowsas.

Chris Kiffin - Ole Miss Football

 

[Booslum31]

Rumors really gaining traction that Ed O is leaving for a job in the NFL. This should be interesting...

I'd head out the first chance I got if I were him. Is it possible that he is hanging around until Lance Kiffen finally implodes for an opportunity at the Head Coaching job?

 

[GoIrish41]

I would also be REALLY interested to see if he went after his brother considering he was named scout.com's recruiter of the year. Really though, look at who he was assigne to target for Ole Miss this year. Wowsas.

Chris Kiffin - Ole Miss Football

two kiffins on one team -- that would be wonderful. does it mean they will suck twice as much?

 

[PANDFAN]

two kiffins on one team -- that would be wonderful. does it mean they will suck twice as much?

there has been since he has been head coach....monte

 

[Ndaccountant]

two kiffins on one team -- that would be wonderful. does it mean they will suck twice as much?

 

[ndfi78]

I want to put his hypothesis about having "the best 12" to the test. I bet Alabama, ND, and Ohio State have a better or comparable 12 to USC. Per 247 composite...

ND: 2, 6, 30, 45, 97, 104, 112, 113, 141, 144, 161, 168 -------> 2 top 10, 4 top 50, 5 top 100, 10 top 150
Bama: 7, 12, 17, 19, 23, 33, 42, 46, 52, 61, 65, 80 ------------> 1 top 10, 8 top 50, 12 top 100, 12 top 150
Ohio State: 27, 35, 37, 48, 58, 62, 69, 70, 85, 108, 137, 146 -> 0 top 10, 4 top 50, 9 top 100, 12 top 150

USC: 5, 9, 11, 31, 51, 54, 67, 98, 106, 129, 172, 215 ----------> 2 top 10, 4 top 50, 8 top 100, 10 top 150

So Bama's is undeniably better... like on the eyeball test it isn't close. ND is maybe a little worse... better ratings on the top end, better ratings on the back end, but USC has better ratings for the middle. Very close to a wash. Ohio State lags on the front end but certainly has a better middle-to-back of their top 12.

So... surprise!... Kiffin is basically talking out of his butt yet again.

In case anyone was wondering what the actual rankings of the top 12 players averaged out to here they are:

ND: 0.9551
USC: 0.9637
OSU: 0.9679
Bama: 0.9814 (F***S)

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Kennedy Polamalu is out as USC offensive Coordinator Ryan Abraham ‏@insidetroy

Sources: Kennedy Polamalu out as #USC offensive coordinator. USCFootball.com - More changes for USC …

 

[IrishLax]

Hilarious that Kiffin gets the coaches to sign the class and then fires them. Ty Isaac is PISSED.

 

[yankeeND]

Hilarious that Kiffin gets the coaches to sign the class and then fires them. Ty Isaac is PISSED.

He had his chance.

 

[NDinMich]

He had his chance.

Such a shady way to do business IMO. Add to that, Ed O is possibly going to leave too...

 

[yankeeND]

Such a shady way to do business IMO. Add to that, Ed O is possibly going to leave too...

What like he hasn't made it crystal clear by now that he's a slime ball?

 

[NDinMich]

What like he hasn't made it crystal clear by now that he's a slime ball?

Good point. But for some reason, some people haven't realized it yet.

 

[phork]

Standing Rule as a coach, blame everyone else. Then fire them.

 

[yankeeND]

Good point. But for some reason, some people haven't realized it yet.

I do feel bad for the kids that fall for this snake oil crap but you can lead a horse to water and so on.

He may end up having a great career and I wish him and Darby and Greenberry and Lynch and Hunter and Trattau and Anzalone nothing but sunshine and rainbows! And of coarse much greener othersides.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Lane Kiffin would fit in with congress.

 

[Emcee77]

Lol USC players are PISSED. Posted on BGI:

Michael Hutchings ‏@CaliHutch_17
My weekend has been officially ruined

Darreus Rogers✌ ‏@D_Rog5
Tell me it's not true

soma vainuku ‏@somavainuku
This can't be happening...

Stafon Johnson ‏@Stafonjohnson26
U dont get rid of coach P now how ignorant was that smh he is the best coach there #KIFFSCRAZYDECISION

Gerald Bowman ‏@Gerald_Bowman
@robertwoods it's gone be damn near all new faces around

RT @robertwoods Now why would they do that smh

Alex Holmes ‏@Trojan81
Uncle Kennedy????

RT @Gerald_Bowman: If it ain't one thing it's another.... SMDH

RT @D_Rog5: Me and @JD_22bsm going threw it right about now

Ty Isaac ‏@TyIsaac
Disappointed

 

[NDPhilly]

Amir Carlisle style?