QB Dwayne Haskins interview: not considering Rutgers?

[speclk19]

Curious as to opinions here on why Dwayne Haskins doesn't seem to have Rutgers in the mix right now after he had them in his final four schools originally?

This is an excerpt from an interview with him at the Under Armour game site posted today on ESPN Insider...

Where are you at with your commitment to Maryland?

Haskins: I’m still committed. I’m just looking around to make sure I’m making the right decision for me and my family. We have sat down and had a lot of heart-to-hearts, just talking.

When you sit down and talk, what are you discussing?

Haskins: Just our family values. Being around the right people, the right coaching staff and being around good players. And making sure we are comfortable with a new coaching staff at Maryland. We want to make sure that we build a relationship with the new staff, as well as the other staffs we are considering.

Is the offensive scheme what makes Florida and an SLU attractive?

Haskins: It makes them attractive, but I think all the schools I’m considering are schools I could excel at. I’m not going to consider a school I don’t think I will be able to be myself as a quarterback and person. Scheme isn’t as important as someone that can develop me. Someone that can make sure I’m ready for the NFL, or read a defense or be prepared for every play.

Do schools with coaching stability play into the final decision making process?

Haskins: I have realized through this process that coaches come and go. Most of them stay for three years and move on, so I’m just making sure that we are comfortable at the campus and fit in around the school and program. We want to be set on a decision, and not have any doubts.

Can you see yourself at more than one school right now?

Haskins: I see myself fitting at a lot of schools, but I originally committed to Maryland because I thought it was the right school for me. But now that things are different, I need to consider other options in case it doesn’t work out.

How important is Mike Locksley staying on staff in your decision?

Haskins: It’s important. We have built a relationship the last couple of years, and if he were to leave it would be an impact on my recruitment.

What visits do have you have scheduled in January?

Haskins: I have visited Florida and Ohio State. My parents and I are considering taking visits to LSU and Texas A&M. Those are the two other schools.

 

[loyalty_policia]

I was under the impression that we had a QB commit, so we likely moved on. Also, he doesn't really do anything different than our current QB commit, so I am not really following the problem here.

 

[RUwoz]

I was under the impression that we had a QB commit, so we likely moved on. Also, he doesn't really do anything different than our current QB commit, so I am not really following the problem here.

We wouldn't just move on from Haskins, he is a program changing talent for a school like us or Maryland... He will be lost at OSU amongst great QBs

 

[urbanecane]

1. As far as I know he has no relationship with our new staff
2. Said new staff is not even complete yet
3. We went 4-8 last season

 

[RU848789]

I was under the impression that we had a QB commit, so we likely moved on. Also, he doesn't really do anything different than our current QB commit, so I am not really following the problem here.

Please, he's a game changer and we'd offer him a scholarship in a heartbeat and he'd possibly start from Day One.

 

[Local Shill]

No matter how many times we hear it, I have to shake my head when kids contradict themselves by saying, "I'm committed but I'm looking around."

 

[speclk19]

I was under the impression that we had a QB commit, so we likely moved on. Also, he doesn't really do anything different than our current QB commit, so I am not really following the problem here.

This reply makes zero sense. No program in the country would ever "move on" from a 5-star QB who previously had them in his top 4 schools. In a dream scenario where both he and Russo are on the depth chart you let them compete.

 

[thad23]

But why would he consider Rutgers right now? He has no relationship with this staff. Maryland is the state he feels is home even though he lived in NJ longer. He has OSU, LSU and others knocking at his door. Rutgers has a QB commit, although I believe we would take him in a heartbeat if he wanted to be here. PS. I would love to have this young man here. I think he'll be special. I also think Russo can be very, very good as well.

Why are people surprised?

 

[rubaseball78]

No matter how many times we hear it, I have to shake my head when kids contradict themselves by saying, "I'm committed but I'm looking around."

He committed to a different coaching staff. I don't blame any kid from looking around if the staff you committed to is no longer there.

 

[Local Shill]

This reply makes zero sense. No program in the country would ever "move on" from a 5-star QB who previously had them in his top 4 schools. In a dream scenario where both he and Russo are on the depth chart you let them compete.

Many of the things that poster writes make zero sense.

 

[RU205]

We wouldn't just move on from Haskins, he is a program changing talent for a school like us or Maryland... He will be lost at OSU amongst great QBs

I disagree that he would be lost at OSU or other schools. He would redshirt, which I believe is in the best interest for almost all college QBs, and would compete for the starting position as a red shirt freshman or 3rd year soph season.

 

[RUinPAC10land]

This guy can do for Rutgers what Teddy Bridgewater did for Louisville.

 

[MOBFreehold]

1. As far as I know he has no relationship with our new staff
2. Said new staff is not even complete yet
3. We went 4-8 last season

Oh and we don't have a major contributor that can employ his father LMAO!!!

 

[hiwater]

We wouldn't just move on from Haskins, he is a program changing talent for a school like us or Maryland... He will be lost at OSU amongst great QBs

What great throwing QB's do they have? They don't have that right now.

 

[Caliknight]

He isn't committed at all to Maryland. His recruitment is wide open.

 

[loyalty_policia]

It must just be me, but it seems like our fan base is doing everything in their power to run a kid like Russo away. Haskins was never coming here and at this point it is more of a long shot than ever. We have a commit right now with a phenomenal arm and winning pedigree who went toe to toe with Haskins over the summer.

 

[RUich]

Rutgers has a history of QB's that have rarely been universally viewed as being "the guy" who stirs the drink. As for developing them, I leave any fan who has been around here for any time to think we are good at that.
Any time you have a five star player available, you just don't ignore him if you already have someone committed. I have little faith in commitments simply based on the history of too many top players who flip for one reason or another.

 

[StyleKnight]

We wouldn't just move on from Haskins, he is a program changing talent for a school like us or Maryland... He will be lost at OSU amongst great QBs

o_O So is a transcendent talent unless he goes to OSU. Okay got it. [roll]

 

[ScarletCrimson]

Any time a kid draws a line in the sand like this kas has with Maryland (ie his original recruiter), it's a problem.

What do you do?

 

[RUinPAC10land]

Oh and we don't have a major contributor that can employ his father LMAO!!!

Perhaps, we can tweet to Greg Brown and ask him to get Mr. Haskins a job at Motorola.

 

[CNJKnight]

I'm I'm glad you guys are not on the coaching staff. We wouldn't get ANY kids to come here. I'm sure Coach Ash and Mehringer have reached out to him as well as Guarantano to gauge interest. They said they want Russo still but Russo may not be comfortable with the new offensive scheme.

 

[speclk19]

It must just be me, but it seems like our fan base is doing everything in their power to run a kid like Russo away. Haskins was never coming here and at this point it is more of a long shot than ever. We have a commit right now with a phenomenal arm and winning pedigree who went toe to toe with Haskins over the summer.

Nobody's "running" Russo away. If anything I think you're underestimating how mentally tough these kids are. Programs all over the country have QB depth charts filled with 4 and 5-star guys. Everyone's so terrified of upsetting Russo. Look, Russo made it to and through the "Elite 11" competition and obviously brings a lot to the table. But to say he has a "phenomenal arm and winning pedigree", what does that even mean? Who cares what games he won in high school, and arm strength is the most overrated/mis-evaluated tool in football. All of Laviano's scouting reports said he won games and had good arm strength as well.

Rutgers is not winning the National Championship next season or the season after. As much as I'd like to see Russo competing for a starting spot at RU, if the recruiting of another kid pushes him to decommit then so be it. Life's tough and full of competition. Better to get used to it now.

 

[loyalty_policia]

Nobody's "running" Russo away. If anything I think you're underestimating how mentally tough these kids are. Programs all over the country have QB depth charts filled with 4 and 5-star guys. Everyone's so terrified of upsetting Russo. Look, Russo made it to and through the "Elite 11" competition and obviously brings a lot to the table. But to say he has a "phenomenal arm and winning pedigree", what does that even mean? Who cares what games he won in high school, and arm strength is the most overrated/mis-evaluated tool in football. All of Laviano's scouting reports said he won games and had good arm strength as well.

Rutgers is not winning the National Championship next season or the season after. As much as I'd like to see Russo competing for a starting spot at RU, if the recruiting of another kid pushes him to decommit then so be it. Life's tough and full of competition. Better to get used to it now.

You're joking right? You know I am not the one evaluating his arm and record right? So it is okay to use the experts opinion for Rettig but not Russo? Or Dodd's record, but not Russo? I am not saying Haskins isn't an elite talent.. I was one of the first on that bandwagon, but Russo can play, and their games are really similar as pocket QB's. If I came on here every week and made a thread about a dozen other kids we have no shot with, you would all go nuts, but somehow we can do it for Haskins, who has no interest whatsoever.... And we already have a QB! The real argument is for Gaurantano based on system.

 

[KingHigh]

Haskins was never coming here and at this point it is more of a long shot than ever.

He's not coming to RU, but as of the spring game weekend last year, he was about to announce the RU commitment. That Sunday and Monday is when UA got involved and everything changed from that moment.

 

[speclk19]

You're joking right? You know I am not the one evaluating his arm and record right? So it is okay to use the experts opinion for Rettig but not Russo? Or Dodd's record, but not Russo? I am not saying Haskins isn't an elite talent.. I was one of the first on that bandwagon, but Russo can play, and their games are really similar as pocket QB's. If I came on here every week and made a thread about a dozen other kids we have no shot with, you would all go nuts, but somehow we can do it for Haskins, who has no interest whatsoever.... And we already have a QB! The real argument is for Gaurantano based on system.

I didn't reference any "expert's opinion" for Rettig in my reply to your original post. I personally don't care how many games any high school QB has won, and I've also never read any expert refer to Russo's arm as "phenomenal", so I simply was confused as to if you were making a personal assessment of his arm or if you had read it somewhere? For what it's worth, ESPN says the following in their scouting report regarding Russo's "Release/Arm Strength":

"Methods and fundamentals are very consistent and he carries the ball nice and relaxed. He appears to have above average, not elite, arm strength, but compensates with zip, quick release and being on time. Plays pitch and catch and throws to a spot with terrific anticipation. He may not possesses a true vertical arm or make throws with consistent ease outside the numbers. He can be a bit of a touch and timing passer with good zip/anticipation to lead WRs and throws a soft, catchable ball well within the strike zone. He is very polished mechanically."

Again, Haskins had Rutgers in his original final 4 schools and has now re-opened his recruitment. How many other 4 or 5-star QB's can you presently state the same for? NONE. Certainly not Guarantano who's a hard commit at TN. Thus, your argument as to, "If I came on here every week and made a thread about a dozen other kids we have no shot with, you would all go nuts, but somehow we can do it for Haskins, who has no interest whatsoever.", makes no sense.

The genesis of this thread was to hear other people's opinions on why it appears Haskins has lost interest in a program he was once extremely interested in; not to discuss the merits of recruiting "a dozen other kids we have no shot with". Reading comprehension is hard.

 

[loyalty_policia]

I didn't reference any "expert's opinion" for Rettig in my reply to your original post. I personally don't care how many games any high school QB has won, and I've also never read any expert refer to Russo's arm as "phenomenal", so I simply was confused as to if you were making a personal assessment of his arm or if you had read it somewhere? For what it's worth, ESPN says the following in their scouting report regarding Russo's "Release/Arm Strength":

"Methods and fundamentals are very consistent and he carries the ball nice and relaxed. He appears to have above average, not elite, arm strength, but compensates with zip, quick release and being on time. Plays pitch and catch and throws to a spot with terrific anticipation. He may not possesses a true vertical arm or make throws with consistent ease outside the numbers. He can be a bit of a touch and timing passer with good zip/anticipation to lead WRs and throws a soft, catchable ball well within the strike zone. He is very polished mechanically."

Again, Haskins had Rutgers in his original final 4 schools and has now re-opened his recruitment. How many other 4 or 5-star QB's can you presently state the same for? NONE. Certainly not Guarantano who's a hard commit at TN. Thus, your argument as to, "If I came on here every week and made a thread about a dozen other kids we have no shot with, you would all go nuts, but somehow we can do it for Haskins, who has no interest whatsoever.", makes no sense.

The genesis of this thread was to hear other people's opinions on why it appears Haskins has lost interest in a program he was once extremely interested in; not to discuss the merits of recruiting "a dozen other kids we have no shot with". Reading comprehension is hard.

After this past season, you are really sitting there wondering why he isn't interested? I'll take a lack of reading comprehension over general comprehension any day of the week.

 

[speclk19]

After this past season, you are really sitting there wondering why he isn't interested? I'll take a lack of reading comprehension over general comprehension any day of the week.

If he were previously interested when the program had less direction, a lesser head coach, lesser AD and less creative offensive coordinator.....then yes, count me as curious as to why he wouldn't at least entertain the idea of sitting down with Ash.

 

[thad23]

If he were previously interested when the program had less direction, a lesser head coach, lesser AD and less creative offensive coordinator.....then yes, count me as curious as to why he wouldn't at least entertain the idea of sitting down with Ash.

He's got no relationship with Ash or the staff. That's the most important thing here, beyond speculation of shady stuff that I will not state has happened with his recruitment. He's also not a NJ kid as he identifies Maryland as his home state.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

If he were previously interested when the program had less direction, a lesser head coach, lesser AD and less creative offensive coordinator.....then yes, count me as curious as to why he wouldn't at least entertain the idea of sitting down with Ash.

I doubt that for Haskins the program had any of the "lesser" things that you mentioned. Those things are opinions that you have. Time will tell if your opinion is correct.