In Toderick's article today (sorry no link) it is amazing the general feeling of the prospective recruits regarding the vibe with the new staff. I think Ash will deliver big time. Amateur hour is over.
Gotta love the Jr. Day recruits comments
- Thread starter B0ski
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let's see how we feel on signing day... way early, but definitely not bad news.
How long has it been since we've heard jersey recruits excited about a bunch of them staying home and doing big things? Again doesn't sound like anyone wants to be the first big name to commit...Hansard is the key, if he commits early I think there could be a wave of jersey kids committing, if he starts to seriously consider other big ten or SEC schools I think he has the same effect as Gary and Walker,
Other top jersey recruits will
Look at those schools he looks at. I think Tverdov is one of the next to commit.
Other top jersey recruits will
Look at those schools he looks at. I think Tverdov is one of the next to commit.
The juniors have been Tweeting VERY positively. Mike Tverdov even tweeted a photo of all of the handwritten thank you's from each coach. EACH COACH HAND WROTE A THANK YOU.
The quotes Todderick got are just awesome
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...ni.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
The quotes Todderick got are just awesome
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...ni.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
seems like a lot of excited recruits. Like reppin_jerz stated, Hansard is KEY. Then i think the dominoes will fall.... he seems to be leaning out way even with big time offers.
Reppin_Jerz, you asked when was the last time a bunch of kids talked about staying home and making good things happen in NJ, well, I believe it was last year at this time when the dream team class of 2016 had their junior day and all the talk and tweets were about staying in NJ. None did, Flood couldn't keep them here. The difference will be if this group of coaches can seal the deal and keep them here, let's hope they get it done. Could be the start of something big but let's not get carried away by their comments. The recruits always say nice things about their visits regardless of the school. there is a long long way to go.
Mike Tverdov - talking about strength & conditioning & Kenny Parker said -
"That guy will turn you into a machine and give you the mental toughness of a Navy seal"
- - which is interesting, because I have been getting the impression that Ash is implementing an approach that really moves in this direction - that the guys who join this team will have to be willing to commit about like Navy seals / Special Operations Forces - Ash wants TOTAL commitment - and in return, Ash offers TOTAL COMMITMENT from his staff and the university - Ash does not want guys who are just looking to 'play football in college' he is looking for guys who will embrace the idea of total immersion in a program that will change their lives in all aspects & instill discipline, professionalism & skills that will stay with them for as long as they live.
"That guy will turn you into a machine and give you the mental toughness of a Navy seal"
- - which is interesting, because I have been getting the impression that Ash is implementing an approach that really moves in this direction - that the guys who join this team will have to be willing to commit about like Navy seals / Special Operations Forces - Ash wants TOTAL commitment - and in return, Ash offers TOTAL COMMITMENT from his staff and the university - Ash does not want guys who are just looking to 'play football in college' he is looking for guys who will embrace the idea of total immersion in a program that will change their lives in all aspects & instill discipline, professionalism & skills that will stay with them for as long as they live.
Sorry I thought the sarcasm in my rhetorical question was obvious...I just don't see a guy like Hansard commiting before he sees the product on the field, especially an improved defense. If the defense shows improvement and the scheme is more aggressive then I can see Hansard starting a dominoe effect, but I've also seen him say nice things about going to PSU, apparently he is very close to the current QB commit.
I apologize for misunderstanding. But I am an optimist at heart and maybe this year and this staff will make it happen.
If every recruit in that room has a more positive impression of Rutgers than before and has no reason to lose that impression over the next year, then things Will be great. Obviously, a season with several wins would go the longest way.
Some of you guys have been so beaten down into the ground, it's going to take a long time to free yourself from that negative mental and emotional bondage.
Ash is the total game changer, book it.
Ash is the total game changer, book it.
I was about to relay the same quote too. Kenny Parker seems like the real deal for strength and conditioning to make our guys compete in the B1G. I don't care what anyone else says or what trolls come on here to spew rhetoric. I'm so optimistic for the future of Rutgers football with this new staff. Pass me some more of that kool-aid.
I heard all kinds of positive remarks last year too. I will reserve judgement until we win games and start getting big time recruits.
Big difference between the polite comments of last year from the comments this year.
Last year, and the year before that, all the visitors at the Junior Days said the same things: they loved Flood, they loved Rutgers, they loved the facilities, they wanted to rep New Jersey, they would create a championship team in NJ, and so on, and so on. Some, like Rashan Gary, had visited Rutgers dozens of times, and all we heard was how much he loved it here. It all sounded great, but we know how it all ended.
Before we get too excited, let's temper our exhuberance with some perspective. There are still over 350 days before any of this becomes a reality. Ash and company may turn out to be great recruiters and great coaches, but fantastic Junior Days don't tell us much at this early stage, although it does sound encouraging.
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Let's hope that all this rhetoric leads to actual commitments. I have a good feeling about this staff, but we shall see.
Its great to hear no doubt but I really don't care who says what until signing day. This year, proved that and not just for RU, all schools are seeing more and more de-commits. I believe Ash will turn that around but only if we start showing some improvements on the field.
One thing that was certainly different about the 2016 version of Junior Day had to do with the overwhelming number of prospects who were impressed with the very apparent change in culture and energy that have taken place in the program in a short period of time. -And I have a feeling the new environment that's now in place is going to pay real dividends in the not too distant future.
Way too early to care about what juniors are saying. Of course there is going to be a positive vibe coming from such a gathering. When was the last time have seen negative quotes coming from a kid who attended one of these? If people want to get excited and think Ash is making a huge difference at this point in the recruiting cycle then fine. I hope he proves to be an effective closer and that he and his staff can start turning the tide and get kids seriously thinking about RU when more reputable schools come calling. I have been through too many regime changes to get worked up 12 months out from signing day.
Didn't Schiano have the same talk with kids from the equivalent of the 2016 class right after he was hired? Not sure why this is any different. I don't think things have to be different and we need to put our best foot forward with the local kids but the approach of trying to create a vision of what could happen if they stick together at home is not new. Heck Flood had one class believing it but then it blew up on him.
Growing up in New Brunswick, I've followed RU football since about the age of 4, so that means I have around 54 years in as a Rutgers fan, so I've seen the good, the bad, the really bad, and the absolutely abominable...and I like what I'm hearing from these kids. This is more than lip service by these prospects. The new staff has, and is, implementing changes across the board that were desperately needed to get things back on track after the last regime's ineptitude. -And if nothing else, those changes, in and of themselves, are something to get excited about.
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What is different about what Ash is telling these kids vs what Flood told the "2016 dream team" kids? I'm curious to hear quotes from the 2016 jersey recruits NOW as to the reasons they chose NOT to stay home. If Flood was such a bad coach and terrible recruiter, why didn't more kids give Ash and Co a bigger look once they came on board, as others have said, Ash had to have some relationships built with the top jersey kids coming over from a school that heavily recruits Jersey. Really interested to know if there is something deeper than just coaching relationships holding kids back? Facilities? Campus life? Immediate potential for on field team success?
Well I think you have me beat with your very early start. I did not become fully invested until Dick Anderson although I certainly followed and admired what Frank Burns was doing while going undefeated and other results against the likes of Tenn, Florida and Alabama. I truly hope you are right but not sure how you can tell this is more than lip service from texts and quotes to Todderick.
You and me both, rufeelinit...you and me both. -And believe me, I feel your pain. But I have a sense that the new staff really does know how to get it done and will get it done, and that will be a great thing for every Rutgers fan. -And particularly for those like you, me, and many others who've followed the team for decades, (literally), and who've seen a lot of bad and would really love to see a whole lot of good.
I get what some of you are saying and there is no need to argue that point. We have seen this before and we will not know if it changes for another year...or maybe it takes two years. The best comment to me was by Tverdov:
"As soon as I got there, I just felt a different type of vibe. No disrespect to the old staff because those guys were good, but there is a different feeling around that place. It is full of positive energy...."
Here we have a 17 year old kid showing the class and dignity that some 50 year old fans are unable to do. Let go of the past if you did not like it and embrace this new positive culture. We need to purge the negativity around this program. If you are unable to just be excited for this new staff at this time then please do some soul searching. Dredging up the past and laying blame is a weakness. Be strong RU fans. I am amped about this new staff. I cannot wait to see how they bring out the best in our players. We have some kids that can play and the positive energy can close some gaps..
"As soon as I got there, I just felt a different type of vibe. No disrespect to the old staff because those guys were good, but there is a different feeling around that place. It is full of positive energy...."
Here we have a 17 year old kid showing the class and dignity that some 50 year old fans are unable to do. Let go of the past if you did not like it and embrace this new positive culture. We need to purge the negativity around this program. If you are unable to just be excited for this new staff at this time then please do some soul searching. Dredging up the past and laying blame is a weakness. Be strong RU fans. I am amped about this new staff. I cannot wait to see how they bring out the best in our players. We have some kids that can play and the positive energy can close some gaps..
I'm sure the message was similar, just they didn't believe the old staff like they now do. When you have multiple quotes from kids pretty much bashing the old staff, that's enough for me to know things are different this year and that NJ kids are actually listening rather than being polite.
Wouldn't you be more comfortable believing this when they actually start committing? I'm disappointed not one player committed on this trip...until some of the top guys commit I won't go so far as saying "i know things are different"
If you expected kids to commit during this gathering then I'm not sure you know what you're talking about.
Are you kidding? Plenty of kids commit during junior days. Kids commit because of adrenaline rushes from these types of events...where other commits get them pumped up about playing together.
If you think this is out of the ordinary I would suspect you should pay more attention. Maybe it hasn't happened at Rutgers recently but t happens at other rising programs
R epping no need to have kids committed a year in advance. If the coaches can get the best out of the kids on the roster (I think they will ) than the commits will take care of themselves
Wasn't Snead and or Pollock committed for close to a year? I believe it's important for a guy like Tverdov to commit early before some of these top players start to build better relationships with other school coaching staffs, as we said before need some kids to start the dominoe effect.
Armin, I'm not disagreeing with that point but kids commit for more than just the staff, pride in having an offer, liking the facilities being close to home, how many times did Oden meet "the staff" before committing?
Armin, do yourself a favor. Put that putz on ignore. He's an admitted PSU fan who has come here to agitate
Here you go again Husky, calling names, you must be a real pleasant person to be around.
Believe Krimin committed on or close to last years Junior Day...RU needs something like that to get this ball rolling...
You have to let relationships build with new coaches and they are off to a blazing start from yesterday. Things just don't happen because you want them to.
I'll take the fact that we went from not even on some kid's radars, to the top of their list.
Actually multiple sources were saying it was possible. I didnt expect it but was hoping.
