ADVERTISEMENT

Elijah Johnson decommits

Kid is a decommit to Ash only in the sense of the word. Would have been nice to have him, but he never committed to Ash. Ash tried to keep him in the fold, but didn't. It happens.

Next.
 
You guys seriously need to stop following every commit and decommitt like this stuff is real. It's all bullshit until NSD.
 
Wake me up on NLOI day. Do these kids have any guidance at home? If my kid was being recruited I would tell him to keep his mouth shut until he is 100% sure of where he wants to go.

The problem with that is the whole 'recruiting thing' is as new to the parent as it is the kid.....hence parents having Illusions of grandeur, and in lots of cases filling the kids head with ****
 
We have a portion of our fan base that is very insecure and can't accept rejection, therefore, they continuously look to spin any decommit as somehow we soured on the kid, or the kid didn't want to face competition, or he has a character flaw, etc., etc. There are some who just don't understand why a kid wouldn't want to play in the B1G given the chance because in their dreams they would die for the opportunity. There is no logic to their posts, just pure emotion. They have been rejected and they are angry and upset.
spinmasters here need to look at facts and say losing recruits to Temple and BC when you line up against OSU,Michigan,Michigan State Penn state every year wont work along with a class ranked in the 60s..drama..no..reality yes..this class is a mess.
 
spinmasters here need to look at facts and say losing recruits to Temple and BC when you line up against OSU,Michigan,Michigan State Penn state every year wont work along with a class ranked in the 60s..drama..no..reality yes..this class is a mess.

I don't view this class as a "mess". -There's been a much needed change in regime that's bringing in a completely different style of play and a totally different attitude where there's going to be true competition at every position. Nobody is going to be handed anything. If you get playing time you're going to have to earn it...and continue to show that you deserve your spot. -Some kids will be up for that, others won't. Those who are will stick, those who are looking for a different path will look elsewhere.

The real mess was left behind by the former HC and staff. The damage they did is going to take a while to clean up. -Still, they were given 4 years to work their "magic" before finally being shown the door.

The new staff, on the other hand, has had around 2 months to try to get things rolling in the right direction again, and I believe they will, but they have to be given a legitimate opportunity to do it. -And as far as any de-commits are concerned, there's no guarantee that some of these kids wouldn't have bailed even if the old staff was kept. -But thank the football gods above it wasn't.
 
Last edited:
This is disappointing. Kid is a major project but has great potential, more so than some other OL recruits. But we previously hired a coach to retain a recruiting class and that blew up in our face. I'll be watching to see what type of class Ash lines up in Feb 2017 (keeping in mind that schools have already been developing relationships with juniors and RU is already behind) and then see upward movement as each year goes by. Bottom line, recruiting will make or break a coaching regime. There are exceptions, but it is very tough to compete when the other team has bigger/faster/stronger athletes. But those who want to crush Ash for the 2016 class are very much misguided.
 
The big decommit was Russo...... Ash and Staff went out and found a replacement who fits there style of play.

Now, the staff needs to find WR who can create separation and break tackles.
I am sure Mehringer knows what type of OL he needs to be successful at this level.
I have never revaluated recruits but it seems like we are no worse for the wear after the change in coaching staffs.
That in itself is a plus.

I am hoping we can redshirt our QB so he has a year to lean the playbook.

Does anyone think Dare has a shot for QB next year? Gio?
 
guys decommiting the last week or two before LOL just suck.
I used to think that it sucked when they'd de-commit, now I just think we fans have become too emotionally invested in the recruiting process, especially when a verbal "commitment" is the real-world equivalent of, I might go there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUpop
You guys seriously need to stop following every commit and decommitt like this stuff is real. It's all bullshit until NSD.
----------
you must be new here....it is what we do....and I would guess if you visit any active fan board of any program, much the same..... it is just that this year we have had a lot of turnover, more to discuss.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NickyNewark51
spinmasters here need to look at facts and say losing recruits to Temple and BC when you line up against OSU,Michigan,Michigan State Penn state every year wont work along with a class ranked in the 60s..drama..no..reality yes..this class is a mess.

Very few people here know the "facts".

Here are the facts:
Some kids were close to the old staff and listened to their advice
Some kids were not comfortable with the uncertainty of the changes and decided to go with schools with whom they had a good relationship with also
Some kids were looking to bail no matter what - Rutgers was simply a placeholder
Some kids were used as pawns to "stick it" to Ash and Rutgers

and here is an important one, pay attention (hint hint):
Some kids were not a good fit, in terms of what Ash and his staff are looking for.
ALIGNMENT - it applies to the players too not just the coaches.
 
Let's look at Pitt as an example to use. They brought in Narduzzi, a defensive coach from a very good Big Ten team, he struggled somewhat in his first abbreviated year recruiting as HC. His first full year at Pitt he is getting a top 30-35 class. I think that is the expectation we should use to judge Ash. If Ash beats Penn State his first year that would be a good accomplishment even if the overall record is not glowing. Here is how I look at progress, competitive games vs the big boys and a top 35-40 recruiting class next year.
 
Let's look at Pitt as an example to use. They brought in Narduzzi, a defensive coach from a very good Big Ten team, he struggled somewhat in his first abbreviated year recruiting as HC. His first full year at Pitt he is getting a top 30-35 class. I think that is the expectation we should use to judge Ash. If Ash beats Penn State his first year that would be a good accomplishment even if the overall record is not glowing. Here is how I look at progress, competitive games vs the big boys and a top 35-40 recruiting class next year.
--------
sounds fair
 
RU Scout. #67.
RU Rivals # 71 .
RU 24/7 # 68..

Two days to go.....
 
Let's look at Pitt as an example to use. They brought in Narduzzi, a defensive coach from a very good Big Ten team, he struggled somewhat in his first abbreviated year recruiting as HC. His first full year at Pitt he is getting a top 30-35 class. I think that is the expectation we should use to judge Ash. If Ash beats Penn State his first year that would be a good accomplishment even if the overall record is not glowing. Here is how I look at progress, competitive games vs the big boys and a top 35-40 recruiting class next year.

I feel the same way. With Rutgers' resources and potential I would argue it is reasonable to expect a top 35 class and 3 of the NJ top 10 every year. With that said, this class had no chance of cracking the top 60. The current staff bares no blame for this. Let's go get 5-7 wins next season and revisit the topic.
 
RU Scout. #67.
RU Rivals # 71 .
RU 24/7 # 68..

Two days to go.....


Fans like you-#212
:thumbsdown:


Look at his join date and his posts seem to suggest that he knows much about this board. This is likely an alias ID of another poster or someone trolling for shock value or because they supported Flood or another HC candidate.

Big deal, RU's recruiting rankings are low 1.5 months after a complete staff do-over. It's about if/how Ash can renovate this program over the next several years....not just in one month.
 
meh, I'm perfectly fine with guys who de-commit this year. Maybe it was something that Ash said, like "You're going to have to bust your balls and give it 110%". Not everyone is cut out for it.
 
Maybe it was something that Ash said, like "You're going to have to bust your balls and give it 110%".
That's pretty much the message of every college football coach, everywhere, isn't it? What coach would not insist on that?
 
That's pretty much the message of every college football coach, everywhere, isn't it? What coach would not insist on that?

Eh.. I strongly suspect that the last Rutgers HC did not necessarily do so, for starters.
 
There's nobody trashing this kid as a person in this thread that I can see. People are either somewhat overly dramatic about the impact the loss of this recruit will have...or they simply don't care. No one has said anything about Johnson's character, family, etc.

Personally, I'm in the "don't care" category. This young guy is perfectly free to go wherever he wants, but there's a new regime at Rutgers, so you either buy in...or you bail out.

Not in this thread but the one about the TE to BC there is a lot.
 
Not in this thread but the one about the TE to BC there is a lot.

I think the BC flip was actually a very different kind of situation. -With the Johnson de-commit, it's been rumored for quite a while the kid was looking around and that it wasn't a given that he'd stick. Also, he had upwards of 20 FBS offers, so it wasn't like he didn't have other opportunities available to him. Turns out the rumors were correct, but that's the way it goes in recruiting, and I don't think most people held it against him. ...I know I didn't. If he felt the attitude and direction of the new coaching staff wasn't for him, it was better for all concerned that he left now.

The Idrizi kid, on the other hand, had zero FBS offers prior to RU extending one and raved about how he believed in what the new coach was doing and how he wanted to be a part of it. Then a few days later, out of nowhere, he flips to BC after making it sound in the articles about his Rutgers commit that it was one of the greatest things ever in his life.

The way he went about the whole thing was classless, and it didn't come as a surprise that the kid took some heat. -When you shaft people, you can't be shocked if they don't throw roses your way.
 
Last edited:
Let's look at Pitt as an example to use. They brought in Narduzzi, a defensive coach from a very good Big Ten team, he struggled somewhat in his first abbreviated year recruiting as HC. His first full year at Pitt he is getting a top 30-35 class. I think that is the expectation we should use to judge Ash. If Ash beats Penn State his first year that would be a good accomplishment even if the overall record is not glowing. Here is how I look at progress, competitive games vs the big boys and a top 35-40 recruiting class next year.

Agree

Recruiting results this year for Ash is not indicative of what he may be able to accomplish next year.

Some thought Narduzzi would not be a good recruiter because of his first year results.

However, at this point in time Narduzzi is recruiting reasonably well.

Rivals Ranking (at this point):

Penn State #23
Pitt #28
Nebraska #29
Wisconsin #31

What helped Narduzzi was the fact that he was able to win 8 games in his first year at Pitt.

If Ash is able to win at least 6 games next year and go to a minor bowl, his recruiting numbers should improve significantly.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rutino and lilphilw
Agree

Recruiting results this year for Ash is not indicative of what he may be able to accomplish next year.

Some thought Narduzzi would not be a good recruiter because of his first year results.

However, at this point in time Narduzzi is recruiting reasonably well.

Rivals Ranking (at this point):

Penn State #23
Pitt #28
Nebraska #29
Wisconsin #31

What helped Narduzzi was the fact that he was able to win 8 games in his first year at Pitt.

If Ash is able to win at least 6 games next year and go to a minor bowl, his recruiting numbers should improve significantly.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

Don't you have your own board. Nobody gives a shit about how great your team is.
 
Agree

Recruiting results this year for Ash is not indicative of what he may be able to accomplish next year.

Some thought Narduzzi would not be a good recruiter because of his first year results.

However, at this point in time Narduzzi is recruiting reasonably well.

Rivals Ranking (at this point):

Penn State #23
Pitt #28
Nebraska #29
Wisconsin #31

What helped Narduzzi was the fact that he was able to win 8 games in his first year at Pitt.

If Ash is able to win at least 6 games next year and go to a minor bowl, his recruiting numbers should improve significantly.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

It's amazing that it takes a Pitt fan to understand what is going on with Rutgers recruiting.
 
I think the BC flip was actually a very different kind of situation. -With the Johnson de-commit, it's been rumored for quite a while the kid was looking around and that it wasn't a given that he'd stick. Also, he had upwards of 20 FBS offers, so it wasn't like he didn't have other opportunities available to him. Turns out the rumors were correct, but that's the way it goes in recruiting, and I don't think most people held it against him. ...I know I didn't. If he felt the attitude and direction of the new coaching staff wasn't for him, it was better for all concerned that he left now.

The Idrizi kid, on the other hand, had zero FBS offers prior to RU extending one and raved about how he believed in what the new coach was doing and how he wanted to be a part of it. Then a few days later, out of nowhere, he flips to BC after making it sound in the articles about his Rutgers commit that it was one of the greatest things ever in his life.

The way he went about the whole thing was classless, and it didn't come as a surprise that the kid took some heat. -When you shaft people, you can't be shocked if they don't throw roses your way.
I think each kid, their parents, their coaches and every coach in the nation is doing what is best for them (or their program) in that moment. I don't think we should be ripping anyone for this mess. Recruiting is a huge mess and needs some reform. In the case of Idrizi, he may have stuck it to us because the Campanile's MIGHT have thought Ash strung Campanile along. Who knows. But he is gone now and I am not going to trash these kids either way. We picked up a QB Flip who we really wanted and lost a TE flip that we may have wanted but may not have needed as much in this class. We picked up a couple of grad transfers (one from BC) who can step in and add depth and leadership. We may be picking up a DT flip at a position of need for depth vs losing this OL where we are a little deeper at the moment. It is not really fair to crucify kids for flipping away from us and celebrate kids who flip our way.
 
I think each kid, their parents, their coaches and every coach in the nation is doing what is best for them (or their program) in that moment. I don't think we should be ripping anyone for this mess. Recruiting is a huge mess and needs some reform. In the case of Idrizi, he may have stuck it to us because the Campanile's MIGHT have thought Ash strung Campanile along. Who knows. But he is gone now and I am not going to trash these kids either way. We picked up a QB Flip who we really wanted and lost a TE flip that we may have wanted but may not have needed as much in this class. We picked up a couple of grad transfers (one from BC) who can step in and add depth and leadership. We may be picking up a DT flip at a position of need for depth vs losing this OL where we are a little deeper at the moment. It is not really fair to crucify kids for flipping away from us and celebrate kids who flip our way.

I'm not one for crucifying kids for changing their mind either, and nowhere in my post did I rake Idrizi over the coals.

There's a right way to do things, though, and then there's something that comes off as more or less flipping "the bird" to the school that just gave you your, (then), first and only FBS offer.

I have no problem with the way Johnson, Wright, Russo, etc., de-committed and/or flipped. It was clear that they weren't solid in their pledges to RU and they went about things correctly. But Idrizi? Not so much. ...That's just my opinion, though, and I guess we can agree to disagree on how he handled things.
 
Last edited:
It's amazing that it takes a Pitt fan to understand what is going on with Rutgers recruiting.

I'm glad you understand the point I was trying to make.

There is all the doom and gloom on the Rutgers board because recruiting is not going well this year.

The Pitt fans were in the same mode last year because of the poor recruiting following our coaching change.

Many Penn State (also some Rutgers) fans mocked Narduzzi because of this and that he can't compete with Jimmy "The Dominate the State" Franklin.

What a difference a year makes.

Pitt can compete with Penn State when it comes to recruiting.

This can happen at Rutgers next year.

Evaluate Ash's recruiting ability next year.

Some Rutgers fans need to chill.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rutino
I'm glad you understand the point I was trying to make.

There is all the doom and gloom on the Rutgers board because recruiting is not going well this year.

The Pitt fans were in the same mode last year because of the poor recruiting following our coaching change.

Many Penn State (also some Rutgers) fans mocked Narduzzi because of this and that he can't compete with Jimmy "The Dominate the State" Franklin.

What a difference a year makes.

Pitt can compete with Penn State when it comes to recruiting.

This can happen at Rutgers next year.

Evaluate Ash's recruiting ability next year.

Some Rutgers fans need to chill.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT