National Signing Day 2018

[MadBird]

If you didn't see Spack's press conference, posted on the football website, you have to do it. A good 20 minute investment. He has some interesting stuff to say, altho sometimes those questions are hard to hear. I think he was really touting the Bussone kid from Normal as a potential impact this fall - he's talking about someone 6'2 300 lbs. who "explodes" and is his (Spack's) kind of nose tackle. Gave a very interesting couple of minutes on the "salary cap" - compared the ability to give partial schollies to having a salary cap, you have 63 schollies to spread over up to 85 guys, so you have some choices to make. Talked about being able to "reward" people with partials who improve, so you can move them up. At FBS levels, it's all or nothing, so some walk-ons never get any dough because you have to give them the whole amount. Interesting discussion. He also praised someone named Cindy in the football office who keeps the money straight and in compliance. I'm sure some of you know who that is.

Anyway, he also talked about the Bennyhoff kid, and also the WR from E. St. Louis (and really praised the new WR coach for being able to get him). Had some interesting things to say about the new staff.

Check it out!! :clap:

 

[isuquinndog]

http://www.goredbirds.com/watch/?Archive=6636

 

[cpacmel]

First letter is in!

https://twitter.com/RedbirdFB/status/961249379280674816

https://twitter.com/RedbirdHDTV/status/961251187893919744

According to Hero Sports, Mike is our highest ranked recruit. #25 of all FCS Signings. Had offers from Indiana, Nevada, and Fresno State.

 

[Total Red]

Mike Gardner was the only player I had on our verbal commits list that committed before the early signing period but waited for the Feb signing period to sign. I figured he was lost but he came through. As you mentioned he had 3 known FBS offers. Maybe he was hoping for a P5 offer from a Texas school. We'll have to get him a game in Frisco, Tx. Maybe more than 1.

Fun fact - The top rated FCS recruit was a Calif QB signed by Princeton. He had several FBS offers including Alabama! Roll Ivy

https://sports.yahoo.com/despite-late-charge-alabama-4-star-qb-brevin-white-sticks-princeton-222305690.html

 

[JHBird]

If you didn't see Spack's press conference, posted on the football website, you have to do it. A good 20 minute investment. He has some interesting stuff to say, altho sometimes those questions are hard to hear. I think he was really touting the Bussone kid from Normal as a potential impact this fall - he's talking about someone 6'2 300 lbs. who "explodes" and is his (Spack's) kind of nose tackle. Gave a very interesting couple of minutes on the "salary cap" - compared the ability to give partial schollies to having a salary cap, you have 63 schollies to spread over up to 85 guys, so you have some choices to make. Talked about being able to "reward" people with partials who improve, so you can move them up. At FBS levels, it's all or nothing, so some walk-ons never get any dough because you have to give them the whole amount. Interesting discussion. He also praised someone named Cindy in the football office who keeps the money straight and in compliance. I'm sure some of you know who that is.

Anyway, he also talked about the Bennyhoff kid, and also the WR from E. St. Louis (and really praised the new WR coach for being able to get him). Had some interesting things to say about the new staff.

Check it out!! :clap:

Last night he talked about some of the ways you can get kids more money. Like he talked about a TE they got who was going to get a full athletic scholarship. The kid is not only a talented football player but has a 4.0+ GPA. He said the kid is set to get a presidential academic scholarship from ISU, and when that happens he can hand 1/2 of his football scholarship back to the program (to use on one us more academically challenged). So getting a smart player really pays off for the team.

Did you see him wink about there might be another WR coming to this group. I'm hoping it's a transfer type person with some experience. Somebody that is really good...I think that's why he winked.

 

[StLRedbird]

Mike Gardner was the only player I had on our verbal commits list that committed before the early signing period but waited for the Feb signing period to sign. I figured he was lost but he came through. As you mentioned he had 3 known FBS offers. Maybe he was hoping for a P5 offer from a Texas school. We'll have to get him a game in Frisco, Tx. Maybe more than 1.

Fun fact - The top rated FCS recruit was a Calif QB signed by Princeton. He had several FBS offers including Alabama! Roll Ivy

https://sports.yahoo.com/despite-late-charge-alabama-4-star-qb-brevin-white-sticks-princeton-222305690.html

Whoa. The Ivy League had 9 of the top 25 FCS recruits? And the Valley has 3? Maybe we oughta go easy on that best-conf-in-fcs stuff

 

[fourthandshort]

Mike Gardner was the only player I had on our verbal commits list that committed before the early signing period but waited for the Feb signing period to sign. I figured he was lost but he came through. As you mentioned he had 3 known FBS offers. Maybe he was hoping for a P5 offer from a Texas school. We'll have to get him a game in Frisco, Tx. Maybe more than 1.

Fun fact - The top rated FCS recruit was a Calif QB signed by Princeton. He had several FBS offers including Alabama! Roll Ivy

https://sports.yahoo.com/despite-late-charge-alabama-4-star-qb-brevin-white-sticks-princeton-222305690.html

Whoa. The Ivy League had 9 of the top 25 FCS recruits? And the Valley has 3? Maybe we oughta go easy on that best-conf-in-fcs stuff

eh ... I wonder how many of these studs are the braniac sons of an Ivy league alum or wannabe with money .. these stud signings are the exceptions, not the rule. You ever look at Ivy League nonconf schedule ? Load up on Patriot, NEC, Big South, and Pioneer games .. and usually struggle to win. They play no one ... and for good reason

p.s. guessing your just messing with us, but thought I would respond anyway

 

[fourthandshort]

Mike Gardner was the only player I had on our verbal commits list that committed before the early signing period but waited for the Feb signing period to sign. I figured he was lost but he came through. As you mentioned he had 3 known FBS offers. Maybe he was hoping for a P5 offer from a Texas school. We'll have to get him a game in Frisco, Tx. Maybe more than 1.

Fun fact - The top rated FCS recruit was a Calif QB signed by Princeton. He had several FBS offers including Alabama! Roll Ivy

https://sports.yahoo.com/despite-late-charge-alabama-4-star-qb-brevin-white-sticks-princeton-222305690.html

Desoto puts out some good football players .. liking this signing a lot !!!

Let's help this kid get a free trip to Frisco so he can see his family more !!!

 

[Total Red]

Did you see him wink about there might be another WR coming to this group. I'm hoping it's a transfer type person with some experience. Somebody that is really good...I think that's why he winked.

possibly Hereiam

 

[ISUBU]

Mike Gardner was the only player I had on our verbal commits list that committed before the early signing period but waited for the Feb signing period to sign. I figured he was lost but he came through. As you mentioned he had 3 known FBS offers. Maybe he was hoping for a P5 offer from a Texas school. We'll have to get him a game in Frisco, Tx. Maybe more than 1.

Fun fact - The top rated FCS recruit was a Calif QB signed by Princeton. He had several FBS offers including Alabama! Roll Ivy

https://sports.yahoo.com/despite-late-charge-alabama-4-star-qb-brevin-white-sticks-princeton-222305690.html

Whoa. The Ivy League had 9 of the top 25 FCS recruits? And the Valley has 3? Maybe we oughta go easy on that best-conf-in-fcs stuff

eh ... I wonder how many of these studs are the braniac sons of an Ivy league alum or wannabe with money .. these stud signings are the exceptions, not the rule. You ever look at Ivy League nonconf schedule ? Load up on Patriot, NEC, Big South, and Pioneer games .. and usually struggle to win. They play no one ... and for good reason

p.s. guessing your just messing with us, but thought I would respond anyway

There's always been individual talent in the Ivy league. It's depth and broad talent where the MVFC has the edge. You can find Ivy leaguers sprinkled throughout the NFL.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Whoa. The Ivy League had 9 of the top 25 FCS recruits? And the Valley has 3? Maybe we oughta go easy on that best-conf-in-fcs stuff

eh ... I wonder how many of these studs are the braniac sons of an Ivy league alum or wannabe with money .. these stud signings are the exceptions, not the rule. You ever look at Ivy League nonconf schedule ? Load up on Patriot, NEC, Big South, and Pioneer games .. and usually struggle to win. They play no one ... and for good reason

p.s. guessing your just messing with us, but thought I would respond anyway

There's always been individual talent in the Ivy league. It's depth and broad talent where the MVFC has the edge. You can find Ivy leaguers sprinkled throughout the NFL.

Former Yale graduate & NFL Rookie of the year, Calvin Hill (father of NBA future Hall of famer Grant Hill)

Former Yale graduate & 1986 Superbowl XX Champion Chicago Bears Safety, Gary Fencik.

 

[fourthandshort]

Did you see him wink about there might be another WR coming to this group. I'm hoping it's a transfer type person with some experience. Somebody that is really good...I think that's why he winked.

possibly Hereiam

I saw it ... and liked it. Guessing we are very close or have one .. maybe a grad transfer that has to wait until he graduates ... I don't think we can talk about them until they graduate ??

I liked his comments about the new signing periods ... made a lot of sense and he said he likes it this way a whole lot better.

I also liked his comments about the coaching staff having a fresh new positive vibe ... and described this group of coaches as very experienced and grinders.

3 guys I think will have redshirt pulled ... DB Mike Gardner, DT Bussone, and WR Rogers ... zero coincidence that these are the 3 position groups we need or lost the most.

one of his better interviews .. seemed more resolute and direct .. thinking this new staff had given him renewed sense of purpose ... and even calm .. dare I say.

offense will be ready .. do not rule out a nice season from Kolbe with Beathard in charge. Defense is work in progress but seem to be in very good hands .. only a matter of time before Spack/Niekamp rebuild it ... need them by start of MVFC season .. fortunate that we start conf season on Sept 29th at Missouri St. But then we hit the MVFC gauntlet thereafter.

 

[fourthandshort]

Whoa. The Ivy League had 9 of the top 25 FCS recruits? And the Valley has 3? Maybe we oughta go easy on that best-conf-in-fcs stuff

eh ... I wonder how many of these studs are the braniac sons of an Ivy league alum or wannabe with money .. these stud signings are the exceptions, not the rule. You ever look at Ivy League nonconf schedule ? Load up on Patriot, NEC, Big South, and Pioneer games .. and usually struggle to win. They play no one ... and for good reason

p.s. guessing your just messing with us, but thought I would respond anyway

There's always been individual talent in the Ivy league. It's depth and broad talent where the MVFC has the edge. You can find Ivy leaguers sprinkled throughout the NFL.

another way to look at this is on the tail end .. below is the NFL Combine Invite list for FCS players ... and not one of the 19 invitees are from Ivy League.

QB – Kyle Lauletta, Richmond
RB – Chase Edmonds, Fordham
RB – Roc Thomas, Jacksonville State
WR – Jake Weineke, South Dakota State
TE – Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
OL – Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T
OL – Timon Parris, Stony Brook
OL – Greg Senat, Wagner
DL – John Franklin-Myers, Stephen F. Austin
DL – Bilal Nichols, Delaware
LB – Nick Deluca, North Dakota State
LB – Darius Jackson, Jacksonville State
LB – Darius Leonard, South Carolina State
DB – Davontae Harris, Illinois State
DB – Danny Johnson, Southern
DB – Taron Johnson, Weber State
DB – Siran Neal, Jacksonville State
DB – D’Montre Moore, Murray State

Congrats to Davontae !!!!!!

 

[Total Red]

I think he was really touting the Bussone kid from Normal as a potential impact this fall - he's talking about someone 6'2 300 lbs. who "explodes" and is his (Spack's) kind of nose tackle.

I see on John Ridgeway's twitter acct where he now describes himself as a D-Lineman
"IL state football player D Line |'21|"

Coach Spack says incoming freshman Bussone is over 300 and Ridgeway has listed his own weight as up to 318. I don't know what Podkulski and Galindo are doing over the winter but they may come back in the spring around 300 as well.

It remains to be seen if we have the talent to replace Keene/McCown but size doesn't appear to be a problem.