roster changes

[fourthandshort]

I don't see birch as a long-term running back. I look for him to be moved at some point to safety or undersized outside linebacker.

I don't know .. as of now he is #3 of just 3 RBs .. if Robinson or Smith get banged up, he is next man up in a 2 man rotation.

 

[saxman210]

Illinois State linebacker Brannon Barry has announced on Twitter he does not intend to return for his fifth year and final season of eligibility with the Redbirds.

Per Randy

 

[Seeing Red]

Here's a link to his Twitter feed and his letter to the program.

https://twitter.com/bran_barry/status/952955323639353345

 

[fourthandshort]

well that sucks for us !!

good for him though .. must have been very difficult decision to make knowing he could have come back for one last semester. Been a model student athlete and heck of versatile player ... full accounting ... college WR turned TE turned DE turned LB, not to mention lot of special teams play .. you dun real good and will definitely be missed !!

p.s. please feel free to change your mind !!

 

[Total Red]

:shock: Didn't see that one coming. Good luck to Brannon in all future endeavors.

 

[MadBird]

I get graduating and moving on with your life, but I don't get being a graduate transfer next fall. If you were gonna play, wouldn't you want to come back and play with your "brothers"??

That said, he contributed a lot over his career, and was willing to play where he was needed. That says a lot about the kind of kid he is.

 

[Seeing Red]

He has Texas Roots and want's to move down south after graduation to pursue his opportunities.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

A lot of his mates on the front seven graduated and Nowinsky left, too, so I get it. Change is in the air, and Brannon is going to see where the wind takes him. Why limit your options by ruling out grad transfer? File this in same category as Mikyle.

 

[DannyCooksey]

I loved watching him play. dude was balls out 100 mph every snap. damn good player.

best of luck Brannon. congrats on getting your degree. big shoes to fill.

 

[cpacmel]

I loved watching him play. dude was balls out 100 mph every snap. damn good player.

best of luck Brannon. congrats on getting your degree. big shoes to fill.

:text-+1:

One of my favorite players!

 

[fourthandshort]

oh dang .. read that too fast and missed the "I'm open to graduate transfer possibly" thing ... hmmm, not so sure I like that. Doesn't make a lot of sense if he still wants to play .. will be interesting to see if he winds up at Miami of Ohio.

 

[saxman210]

oh dang .. read that too fast and missed the "I'm open to graduate transfer possibly" thing ... hmmm, not so sure I like that. Doesn't make a lot of sense if he still wants to play .. will be interesting to see if he winds up at Miami of Ohio.

Had the same thought about Miami of Ohio.

 

[Seeing Red]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/linebacker-barry-opts-not-to-return-to-isu/article_2d4c6797-c756-5eee-83e3-9f888f5b550d.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

Good article on this by Randy R and happy to know that both Barry and ISU are leaving on good terms. Sounds like he wants to head south and keep the options open whether it be grad school or the "real world".

 

[JHBird]

oh shoot .. my bad !!!!!!!!

Very glad to still have Birch on roster .. dude is a load and can move. Similar RB size and style as Corbin.

When Birch hurdled that defender, might have been the best play of the year. Big kid too, gotta like that.

 

[JHBird]

well that sucks for us !!

good for him though .. must have been very difficult decision to make knowing he could have come back for one last semester. Been a model student athlete and heck of versatile player ... full accounting ... college WR turned TE turned DE turned LB, not to mention lot of special teams play .. you dun real good and will definitely be missed !!

p.s. please feel free to change your mind !!

I'll never forget a few years back, when we had a shortage of DE's due to injuries. He was a TE back then, and they stuck him in at DE and he had a couple sacks in his first game. Really thought he found his position at DE, but I guess he wasn't big enough to stay there. I thought he was a good LB, but definitely a versatile player. Awesome on special teams as well.

Classy guy, wish him the best!

 

[Adunk33]

Not our roster, but SIU added a handful of FBS transfers. http://siusalukis.com/news/2018/1/15/football-salukis-add-six-mid-year-transfers.aspx

Matt Quarells (WR, Iowa), Nate Strong (RB, Missouri), and Jaylen Waters (LB, Minnesota), Titus Booker (CB, Wisconsin), Madre Harper (CB, Oklahoma State)

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

He has Texas Roots and want's to move down south after graduation to pursue his opportunities.

Classy comment and congrats on his upcoming graduation. If he can get the right gig at a p5 university with powerful alumni he could open doors for employment far beyond what the ISU network could offer...especially if he wants to land in Texas. Sounds like a smart and strategic move.

 

[Total Red]

The more I think about Barry leaving the less I like it. He was ready to settle in at LB'er and I think he was poised to have a really good season. We'll never know.

I really like the new coaching hires but it may be more than we can handle. On offense the new OC has already worked with our starting QB in the past so that could be rather smooth. Defense is more of a concern. We'll have lots of new faces on defense and lots of new faces coaching those new faces. You expect to have some turnover every season but this may be a bit much.