New exercise

[IGNORE2]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

 

[Jaguar 88]

I am with you, but I will bite just for fun. You mentioned that the hypothetical kid has to impress to get into the NFL, so I will give you the #2 reason given by recruits on what is it that got them to commit to where they did, and that is the promise to start from the get go. I don't think Fitz does that, but if the kid is really good it is a good bet he will start by earning it. Our recruiting is really suspect right now and the more savvy kids know that. Starting at a secondary tier school will give a kid more of a shot than a bench warmer for OSU.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

Relationships. Recruiting is always all about relationships.

You actually don’t even need a hypothetical to test your case. 2023 commit Dylan Senda fits almost all of the criteria you threw out: 3-star, strong academics, Michigan offer in addition to a host of other P5’s, and yet he commits to NU while saying the following “It starts with (head coach Pat) Fitzgerald and Coach Anderson. I really like them and feel comfortable talking to them. I also love the facilities, city of Chicago, and they are one of the best schools academically in the country."

 

[IGNORE2]

I am with you, but I will bite just for fun. You mentioned that the hypothetical kid has to impress to get into the NFL, so I will give you the #2 reason given by recruits on what is it that got them to commit to where they did, and that is the promise to start from the get go. I don't think Fitz does that, but if the kid is really good it is a good bet he will start by earning it. Our recruiting is really suspect right now and the more savvy kids know that. Starting at a secondary tier school will give a kid more of a shot than a bench warmer for OSU.

I did forget this as a plus. And agree.

 

[IGNORE2]

Relationships. Recruiting is always all about relationships.

You actually don’t even need a hypothetical to test your case. 2023 commit Dylan Senda fits almost all of the criteria you threw out: 3-star, strong academics, Michigan offer in addition to a host of other P5’s, and yet he commits to NU while saying the following “It starts with (head coach Pat) Fitzgerald and Coach Anderson. I really like them and feel comfortable talking to them. I also love the facilities, city of Chicago, and they are one of the best schools academically in the country."

To you and that goofy cardiac character, every day situation changes. We have several months til season. Time for portal commits, time for portal departures. I can’t help but wonder how senda took this most recent news.

And if Turk is right, if at least two more big names depart, what cascading effect results. My hypo is not a recruit signed already, my hypo is you are today a junior in high school.

 

[StreamCat]

I’d go with Northwestern because, well, I’m a big fan.

 

[KappaKat]

All programs worth a crap has a staff that can sell there programs. You mentioned that the kid has nfl aspirations. Let's say the hypothetical kid is a Wr. Unlike in my day, it's really easy for him to perform a 2-5 year analysis of the teams you are considering. The internet and a little time can produce helpful information, such as: pass to run ratio, average pass yards, passes to players by position, pass attempts over 10 yds, etc.

So the recruit can really make an informed decision based on which school has a track record of using his type of skills and developing his position group toward nfl goal.
I hope recruits aren't analyzing NU in this fashion!!!

 

[IGNORE2]

All programs worth a crap has a staff that can sell there programs. You mentioned that the kid has nfl aspirations. Let's say the hypothetical kid is a Wr. Unlike in my day, it's really easy for him to perform a 2-5 year analysis of the teams you are considering. The internet and a little time can produce helpful information, such as: pass to run ratio, average pass yards, passes to players by position, pass attempts over 10 yds, etc.

So the recruit can really make an informed decision based on which school has a track record of using his type of skills and developing his position group toward nfl goal.
I hope recruits aren't analyzing NU in this fashion!!!

Does any of that encourage 16 ur old you to commit? The WR coach? The potential QB?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

To you and that goofy cardiac character, every day situation changes. We have several months til season. Time for portal commits, time for portal departures. I can’t help but wonder how senda took this most recent news.

And if Turk is right, if at least two more big names depart, what cascading effect results. My hypo is not a recruit signed already, my hypo is you are today a junior in high school.

Dude… I tried to have an actually reasonable discussion/response to your question and this is how you come back? Really? I honestly tried to look myself in the mirror after our spat yesterday and resolve to be more reasonable toward you because it just isn’t worth it at the end of the day, but this is the kind of garbage that I get as a response to a perfectly reasonable post?

Senda is a high-academic junior in high school who just committed to Northwestern over legitimate P5 offers and provides the exact answer to your inquiry as to why a highly-recruited kid would pick NU right now. It’s a current, live example so that you don’t even have to operate in hypotheticals. What else do you want?

 

[KappaKat]

Does any of that encourage 16 ur old you to commit? The WR coach? The potential QB?

The 16 year old me wanting a career in football 35 years ago would consider bc there was such a wide asymmetry of information. But the 2021 16 year can easily assess programs, their schemes, coaches, and players. You mean like how many WRs has Coach X mentored to the NFL? Or can the QB consistently his me on a 20yd post route? 2021 16 year old me, I'll answer the coach's call once a week, but I still looking!!

 

[NUCat320]

Personally, I’d come because Northwestern offers the best combination of big time college football and access to a great musical theater scene.

 

[IGNORE2]

Personally, I’d come because Northwestern offers the best combination of big time college football and access to a great musical theater scene.

True, NU theater is well regarded. Ironically, that was an interest I had back in my under 30 days. But doesn’t Stanford and UCLA also offer strong theater programs? Plus the proximity to Hollywood? And if the focus is the musical component, wouldn’t Rutgers offer access to NYC? Reminder, my hypo proposes an offer from a highly regarded program of your interest.

Chicago is a great place for improv, live stage, even growing in film production. But correct me if I’m wrong, the musical theater is all imported national touring companies.

 

[Rebel II]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

1. We are one year away from a West title, a fourth bowl victory in a row, and a top ten national ranking. That doesn't leave 2021 as the sole judgement of whether we are a sucky team.
2. What measure are you using to say there is no active social life? No drunken frat parties doesn't mean this generation doesn't know how to enjoy a vigorous and enjoyable social life.
3. Very few recruits and players are "bailing" in comparison to other B1G squads. Indiana has had 21 kids declare for the portal and that seems to be about average.
4. It is easy to denigrate our coaches but I would say based on a measure of recent successes they are above average. Fitz will figure it out or he will eventually be on the hot seat for sure. Good, good, bad versus bad, bad, good comes into play regardless of your pedigree.

 

[IGNORE2]

1. We are one year away from a West title, a fourth bowl victory in a row, and a top ten national ranking. That doesn't leave 2021 as the sole judgement of whether we are a sucky team.
2. What measure are you using to say there is no active social life? No drunken frat parties doesn't mean this generation doesn't know how to enjoy a vigorous and enjoyable social life.
3. Very few recruits and players are "bailing" in comparison to other B1G squads. Indiana has had 21 kids declare for the portal and that seems to be about average.
4. It is easy to denigrate our coaches but I would say based on a measure of recent successes they are above average. Fitz will figure it out or he will eventually be on the hot seat for sure. Good, good, bad versus bad, bad, good comes into play regardless of your pedigree.

1. We are zero and two years away from horrendous seasons. Nobody projects a good or bowl season next year. Nobody.
2. I went to school there and was in a frat. Twice. It’s gotten worse. Have you ever been to other major school campuses? Ever? Were you a valedictorian? Ever play a sport? Did you get laid at the prom? Did you go to prom? Yup, I’m outta touch on social life.
3, we have lost a few from the top, not the bottom. Don’t care about IU isolated - how about ND, Stanford, Clemson, Duke, etc. oh wait, ND did lose a walk-in recruit recently…
4.depends what you call good and bad. Seems like a lot of various types of bars in the last nine months…

 

[EvanstonCat]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

I want to play for the best DC in the land.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Why would anyone want to play your game Bob when you immediately attack the positions that anyone brings up? The disagreement isn’t the issue, it’s the fashion in which you disagree is !

 

[IGNORE2]

Why would anyone want to play your game Bob when you immediately attack the positions that anyone brings up? The disagreement isn’t the issue, it’s the fashion in which you disagree is !

Ummm, 1. Did you read this thread? B. This captures the problem of this country. Too many people think a discussion is an attack. Throughout all my responses, I call cardiac goofy and based on his JON proclamation, I stand by it. I have agreed, asked questions, furthered the discussion. I have not ‘attacked’ anyone. Corbi and others will call people wrong, idiots, etc because their thoughts differ. That seems like an attack. I have raised counter points in a discussion style.

So I suppose if someone cannot engage in a conversation with someone that might hold a countering or different opinion, my threads are not a good safe space.

 

[kawacko]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

You forgot the elephant in the room. NIL

 

[IGNORE2]

You forgot the elephant in the room. NIL

I know but I don’t know how to value it. Big programs have illegally paid athletes for years. NU has lots of wealthy alum starting w Ryan. One would think that NIL world level the playing or eventually give advantage to Nu. Yet I see no evidence of it yet. But if I’m playing this game, you can craft how NIL impacted your decision, please do. I’m curious.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Ummm, 1. Did you read this thread? B. This captures the problem of this country. Too many people think a discussion is an attack. Throughout all my responses, I call cardiac goofy and based on his JON proclamation, I stand by it. I have agreed, asked questions, furthered the discussion. I have not ‘attacked’ anyone. Corbi and others will call people wrong, idiots, etc because their thoughts differ. That seems like an attack. I have raised counter points in a discussion style.

So I suppose if someone cannot engage in a conversation with someone that might hold a countering or different opinion, my threads are not a good safe space.

Look how you responded to GCG and especially Rebel II. You might as well called them morons in your rebuttal. Sometimes you have to look in the mirror Bob.

 

[IGNORE2]

Look how you responded to GCG and especially Rebel II. You might as well called them morons in your rebuttal. Sometimes you have to look in the mirror Bob.

I don’t think my response to gcg was at all an attack. I can see how the rebel one could be taken that way. Oh well - touchy feely isn’t my strength. And considering the manner by which many around here post in aggressive or hostile style, my posts on this thread are quite soft.

Anywho, the point has been made. Some have offered thoughts. If nobody has more to offer, than I guess this thread joins the many other short lived ones.

I look forward to some more engaging thread topics to pop up soon. Hopefully they will do better than I have in engaging discussion. And don’t cue the martyr routine - I really am satisfied with this thread top to bottom. No martyr here.

 

[cattul]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

There will always be Arizona State Football, surely a far better match for a young hedonist than Northwestern, and as far ahead of NU in that respect as Alabama is at recruiting on-field talent. NU appeals to someone different.

Likewise, there are as many different personalities on a team as there are members of a team. Rebel has a fair point that not all have the same definition of a terrific social life.

I will end with some NIL speculation. Unlike before, when Chicago could be prohibitively expensive for players to take advantage of, NIL deals will make Evanston’s snoozeville environment irrelevant. I would rather be young and…”doing well financially”…in a city like Chicago than to be stuck attending the same three block strip of student bars lining Corn Street, right off Main, every time I wished to go out.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Dude… I tried to have an actually reasonable discussion/response to your question and this is how you come back? Really? I honestly tried to look myself in the mirror after our spat yesterday and resolve to be more reasonable toward you because it just isn’t worth it at the end of the day, but this is the kind of garbage that I get as a response to a perfectly reasonable post?

Senda is a high-academic junior in high school who just committed to Northwestern over legitimate P5 offers and provides the exact answer to your inquiry as to why a highly-recruited kid would pick NU right now. It’s a current, live example so that you don’t even have to operate in hypotheticals. What else do you want?

Did you ever get a legitimate response to this post/response??

 

[mcgurgmv]

Relationships. Recruiting is always all about relationships.

You actually don’t even need a hypothetical to test your case. 2023 commit Dylan Senda fits almost all of the criteria you threw out: 3-star, strong academics, Michigan offer in addition to a host of other P5’s, and yet he commits to NU while saying the following “It starts with (head coach Pat) Fitzgerald and Coach Anderson. I really like them and feel comfortable talking to them. I also love the facilities, city of Chicago, and they are one of the best schools academically in the country."

IGNORE - love the question.
And agree with Go Cats here. It’s all about relationships. Stanford has more NFL success and nicer weather. I’m sure all P5 facilities are at least respectable and have decent cultures. It really might come down to which coaches are most likeable.

 

[KappaKat]

IGNORE - love the question.
And agree with Go Cats here. It’s all about relationships. Stanford has more NFL success and nicer weather. I’m sure all P5 facilities are at least respectable and have decent cultures. It really might come down to which coaches are most likeable.

I think it's far beyond "likeable" coaches. David Cutcliffe was the most likeable coach you will ever meet. Recruits hated to do it, but many told him "thanks but no thanks."

 

[CrippleCat]

I expect this to be a short thread. But… pretend you are a high school junior and a high three star. NFL is not off the board for you but you will have to impress to get there. You also have strong academics. Use your own family and financial background to fill the rest. Oh, and you have other offers - say at least your hometown P5 among other good FB programs. At least one of Duke, Stanford, Michigan, ND or school with strong academics in a field that interests you.

If you can, explain your thoughts on how you get to committing to NU. Big reason for my pessimistic attitude is I can’t see any positives beyond graduation rates. Sucky team, below average coaches, poor game day experience at home, unspectacular student social life, players and recruits bailing, etc. All I see is a great academic institution - but there are other places that can check that box.

So show me what I’m missing. Throw your cheap pot shots at me if you want, but play the game. I will bet less than three posters do. And I will surmise because it’s hard to do so w a straight face. Can’t wait to be proven wrong.

My son was one of those recruits who picked NU. He was leading IMG Academy in tackles till he was injured. He had 9 offers as a Sophomore, and was turning down schools for visits because he didn't play the recruiting game . He committed to NU over Wisconsin after a weekend with Coach Aranda at Camp Randall.
He picked NU because he trusted and respected Coach Fitz. We also liked Coach Hanks Had my son been able to stay healthy he would have done very well at NU. What a great five years he saw at NU.

 

[IGNORE2]

My son was one of those recruits who picked NU. He was leading IMG Academy in tackles till he was injured. He had 9 offers as a Sophomore, and was turning down schools for visits because he didn't play the recruiting game . He committed to NU over Wisconsin after a weekend with Coach Aranda at Camp Randall.
He picked NU because he trusted and respected Coach Fitz. We also liked Coach Hanks Had my son been able to stay healthy he would have done very well at NU. What a great five years he saw at NU.

Hey cripple! Welcome back. Long time no see.

 

[IGNORE2]

My son was one of those recruits who picked NU. He was leading IMG Academy in tackles till he was injured. He had 9 offers as a Sophomore, and was turning down schools for visits because he didn't play the recruiting game . He committed to NU over Wisconsin after a weekend with Coach Aranda at Camp Randall.
He picked NU because he trusted and respected Coach Fitz. We also liked Coach Hanks Had my son been able to stay healthy he would have done very well at NU. What a great five years he saw at NU.

And cripple, this is not an exercise about then. Lots has changed. Lots. The question is about 16 yr jr high three star today. Hank is gone. Success has been… Players and commits are bailing. With the current situation, do you commit? Why?

 

[CrippleCat]

Hey cripple! Welcome back. Long time no see.

Thank you very much Had a huge move and some health issues. I am glad to see everyone is well. Nothing but love for all the fans, players, and coaches who bleed purple. Wish everyone a blessed and prosperous 2022. #GoCats

 

[CrippleCat]

And cripple, this is not an exercise about then. Lots has changed. Lots. The question is about 16 yr jr high three star today. Hank is gone. Success has been… Players and commits are bailing. With the current situation, do you commit? Why?

As a parent you want a program that has the same morals and standards that you enstilled in your child to be continued. My son and I talked and we both trusted Fitz to keep his word and to best coach and treat my son.
My son committed to NU as a Junior. He blew his shoulder out his Senior year at IMG. Many coaches would have found a way or a reason to not take his commitment because labrum injuries often tear again. Fitz took my son and treated him like one of his own kids.
I told my son when he was looking to commit that he needs to commit to a program he can trust in case he got injured. Fitz reputation of being fair and trustworthy carries more weight than people realize with recruits. My son trusted Coach Fitz, and my son was rewarded with four great years at Northwestern.

 

[IGNORE2]

As a parent you want a program that has the same morals and standards that you enstilled in your child to be continued. My son and I talked and we both trusted Fitz to keep his word and to best coach and treat my son.
My son committed to NU as a Junior. He blew his shoulder out his Senior year at IMG. Many coaches would have found a way or a reason to not take his commitment because labrum injuries often tear again. Fitz took my son and treated him like one of his own kids.
I told my son when he was looking to commit that he needs to commit to a program he can trust in case he got injured. Fitz reputation of being fair and trustworthy carries more weight than people realize

with recruits. My son trusted Coach Fitz, and my son was rewarded with four great years at Northwestern.

Ok, fair. I’ve heard you tell the story before. Not sure it really addresses the exercise but I guess you imply nothing would be different in the choice. That’s fair.

 

[StreamCat]

NU has lots of wealthy alum starting w Ryan. .

Good idea! Our kids can do insurance commercials for Aon. That wouldn’t look shady at all. 😀

 

[NUCat320]

Good idea! Our kids can do insurance commercials for Aon. That wouldn’t look shady at all. 😀

It’s all above board and $3 million directly to the players for aon-related tweets would make a ton of sense.

 

[stpaulcat]

To you and that goofy cardiac character, every day situation changes. We have several months til season. Time for portal commits, time for portal departures. I can’t help but wonder how senda took this most recent news.

And if Turk is right, if at least two more big names depart, what cascading effect results. My hypo is not a recruit signed already, my hypo is you are today a junior in high school.

Do you have to be quite so pessimistic?

 

[stpaulcat]

As a parent you want a program that has the same morals and standards that you enstilled in your child to be continued. My son and I talked and we both trusted Fitz to keep his word and to best coach and treat my son.
My son committed to NU as a Junior. He blew his shoulder out his Senior year at IMG. Many coaches would have found a way or a reason to not take his commitment because labrum injuries often tear again. Fitz took my son and treated him like one of his own kids.
I told my son when he was looking to commit that he needs to commit to a program he can trust in case he got injured. Fitz reputation of being fair and trustworthy carries more weight than people realize with recruits. My son trusted Coach Fitz, and my son was rewarded with four great years at Northwestern.

BS, what about the four years you complained about endlessly?

 

[phatcat]

1. We are zero and two years away from horrendous seasons. Nobody projects a good or bowl season next year. Nobody.
2. I went to school there and was in a frat. Twice. It’s gotten worse. Have you ever been to other major school campuses? Ever? Were you a valedictorian? Ever play a sport? Did you get laid at the prom? Did you go to prom? Yup, I’m outta touch on social life.
3, we have lost a few from the top, not the bottom. Don’t care about IU isolated - how about ND, Stanford, Clemson, Duke, etc. oh wait, ND did lose a walk-in recruit recently…
4.depends what you call good and bad. Seems like a lot of various types of bars in the last nine months…

Northwestern has a prom?

 

[IGNORE2]

Do you have to be quite so pessimistic?

While I can see the query about pessimism, this isn’t the post. I say time for transfers in and out. I state a fact that if Turk is correct, we have a very big problem ahead.

 

[IGNORE2]

Northwestern has a prom?

You didn’t go?

 

[StreamCat]

It’s all above board and $3 million directly to the players for aon-related tweets would make a ton of sense.

So they pay other people the same amount for the same “work”? And it’s not just some flimsy excuse to shovel money to players? OK, then.

 

[CrippleCat]

I

BS, what about the four years you complained about endlessly?

I never once complained about the football program or the coaches. Just the school pushing CRT, white privilege, and toxic masculinity. I think I called NU a "Liberal Brainwashing Facility" It is rated one of the worst in "free speech" and one of the most liberal Universities in the world.