The List so far 2024

[Adunk33]

Sorry to interrupt the fun of the Horton thread but football landed a new QB, transfer from K-State with 2 years of eligibility.


Looks like he had offers from most of the B1G 10 coming out of high school, which included Michigan.

 

[MadBird]

Sorry to interrupt the fun of the Horton thread but football landed a new QB, transfer from K-State with 2 years of eligibility.


Looks like he had offers from most of the B1G 10 coming out of high school, which included Michigan.

Very highly regarded coming out of HS. Played for Dad for 3 years, altho not a lot of games as senior for someone else - injured? Sat out as transfer??K-State bio:

HIGH SCHOOL: Played his first three years at Highlands Ranch under head coach and father T.J. Rubley... Rated as the 25th-best overall prospect in the Class of 2021 by ESPN, while the organization also rated him the third-best pocket passer in the class and the top overall prospect in the state of Iowa, where he played as a senior... Regarded as the 12th-best pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2021 by Rivals, while 247Sports rated him No. 22... Threw for 3,892 yards and 39 touchdowns to go along with 269 rushing yards and seven scores during his career at Highlands Ranch... Named to the 2020 Sports Illustrated All-America preseason watch list... Earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior... Played two games as a senior at Valley High School in Des Moines, Iowa, under head coach Gary Swenson... Threw for 356 yards and a touchdown on 33-of-57 aim for the Tigers... Also competed in track.

 

[MadBird]

I wonder how Isu recruiters strategize on these types of situations. I know it happens all the time. Recruit interested unless something better comes along and wants to wait. Unless ISU believes player is a major diamond in the rough/hidden gem I suspect they move on? That would be my philosophy as there are so many players out there so why be held hostage.

Further Also speculation but guessing (with Nil rampant) that a player who is trying to hold out now for something better maybe be more prone to hitting the portal once they do develop as the player or family/support group already felt the player is worthy of something “better”

On the other hand, you stick with a kid and treat him with "respect" and build a relationship, and if he goes FBS and it doesn't work out, maybe you've got a better shot on the rebound? Hard to say. Sure wouldn't wanna be in the recruiting business these days.

 

[Redbird222]

Very highly regarded coming out of HS. Played for Dad for 3 years, altho not a lot of games as senior for someone else - injured? Sat out as transfer??K-State bio:

TJ Rubley (his dad) was backup QB in NFL. He was a third string QB that played in game against Vikings after Favre and Detmer got hurt. He fumbled a snap with the game tied and in FG range. I think it might have been his first play. Pack got the ball back and he actually drove the Pack back to FG range and on a 3 and 1 he audible out of a QB sneak. He rolled out. There was nothing there and he kept rolling out. He eventually threw the ball across the grain and was intercepted. Viking moved for a game winning FG. I think he was cut the next week.

Anyhow I remember him getting revmcruited to KSU and he was hardly regarded.

 

[BJJ guy]

 

[Redbird222]

Hopefully him and Mr Rubley have a good connection both on and off the field

 

[ISUBird]

Hopefully him and Mr Rubley have a good connection both on and off the field

I'd have to imagine so. At least not any sort of negative relationship.

 

[cpacmel]

 

[MadBird]

Rivals says he was a verbal to WIU last summer. Change of coach, change of mind.

 

[MadBird]

Birds lose one to NIU - Sun Prairie Wisconsin's OL Logan Gross take preferred walk-on offer from Huskies. Sun Prairie is Josh Dinga's alma mater.

Why Northern Illinois is perfect fit for Sun Prairie East football senior with something to prove

Evaluators said he's undersized to play at the Division 1 level. He's eager to prove them wrong with the Huskies.

madison.com

Gross received plenty of interest with offers from NIU and Wyoming, FCS teams Lindenwood, South Dakota, Illinois State and Valparaiso, as well as a handful of Division II schools. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Large School All-State selection said the final two schools he whittled his choices to were NIU and Division II Minnesota State-Mankato.

 

[Dmills]

Transfers
Jake Rubley 6'3 217 QB Highlands Ranch HS, CO Kansas St.
Mitch Bartol 6'3 255 TE Kimberly HS, WI W. Michigan
JJ Guedet 6'7 315 OT Washington HS, IL U of Minnesota
Brandon Smith 6'4 267 OL Decatur Cent HS, Indy, IN W. Michigan

Need to add Xavier Loyd from KSU

 

[Total Red]

Need to add Xavier Loyd from KSU

I remember adding him but I must have erased him in one of my edits - Thanks!

 

[MadBird]

Looks pretty good. Checks a lot of boxes for me. A lot of home grown talent, plus a few Indiana and Missouri and Wisconsin kids for good measure. Some real productive kids, lots of state tournament guys - winners! Couple of 6'2 WR's. One HS and one transfer TE. One HS and one transfer QB. Let's hope we make it past the next portal period in decent shape.

 

[topiarydan]

Looks pretty good. Checks a lot of boxes for me. A lot of home grown talent, plus a few Indiana and Missouri and Wisconsin kids for good measure. Some real productive kids, lots of state tournament guys - winners! Couple of 6'2 WR's. One HS and one transfer TE. One HS and one transfer QB. Let's hope we make it past the next portal period in decent shape.

I agree - per Spacks presser I do think you'll see another 2 from Transfer Portal on defensive side come in. Really like Lawson and Cooper (LB) - saw both play this year - easily FCS if not FBS (MAC) players. If we can stay healthy and not lose some of the core returnees then I think we'll be a conference contender (yes you heard it)

 

[MadBird]

Comments in the South Bend Tribune about our signee Wyatt Boles from Middlebury, Indiana. One of his teammates, a running back, signed with the Bison:

Wyatt Boals, defensive lineman, Northridge

Signed: Illinois State Boals battled injuries his senior season, missing the last four games for a team that finished 9-3 overall and made it to the sectional final. A two-way starter along both lines this year, Boals is listed as a defensive lineman signee by the Redbirds. He had nine tackles and 1.5 sacks from his defensive line spot this year before the injury slowed him down. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman has been verbally committed to Illinois State since July.

 

[Birdswin]

I certainly hope there is a kick/punt returner in that group. That is an area the Birds have been lacking - it is one thing that helps to set apart the top teams from the rest of the conference. In the playoffs and several other big games - a punt return changes the game.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

I certainly hope there is a kick/punt returner in that group. That is an area the Birds have been lacking - it is one thing that helps to set apart the top teams from the rest of the conference. In the playoffs and several other big games - a punt return changes the game.

NCHS had conference OPOY this year who also returned punts and played some safety. Had some injury issues but bounced back quickly. Redbirds showed interest and should know him well due to Niekamp connection; I wonder if they circle back if their needs at RB/PR remain.

 

[Dmills]

 

[BJJ guy]

This was fun to watch. Hopefully he's as productive as his brother.

 

[glenn_ma]