Gopher Transfers?

[grunkiejr]

Someone on the Strib blog is saying that Ralph Spry, Andre Tate', and Jimmy Thompson left the team this week. They are all in their second year (2007 recruits) and have been passed up on the depth charts by players in the 2008 class so it wouldn't surprise me. Can anybody confirm it?

[parkinglotgopher]

None would be shocking. In light of his suspension earlier this season, it's reasonable to assume the Spry thing may have been a mutual decision between he and staff.

[sonnygarcia]

would that free up scholarships to offer more guys this year in recruiting?

[KoolAid]

I hope Tate doesn't leave, I always thought he would make an impact somewhere.

[Curseislifted33]

my prayers have been answered! BYE BYE SPRY i hope this is true. and I find it weird johnson would leave it seems he was only offered as part of a package so Green would come here...

[gold04]

Every year you have transfers. None of those players suprise me. They each were buried down in the depth chart.

[gold04]

Thompson not Johnson

[gold04]

In Brewster's throw together a recruiting class in a couple weeks, who is left that he recruited?

[wiscbearsfan17]

If this is true, then we don't have to complain anymore when Spry is starting next year. That will be a good thing. And less fumbles as well!

[Gold Rush]

Hate to see the transfers. I know some people are happy because we can open up some more recruiting spots for some more freshmen, but I feel you win with upperclassmen, and you need those 4th and 5th year guys for leadership.

The Gopher coaching staff has a lot of time invested in those guys and you flush it down the toilet. It's true Spry didn't have a very good year and the other guys were struggling for playing time, but they all probably would have been just a little bit better next year and would have added more depth and a few years' experience. Never downplay the experience factor - college sports are filled with guys who blossomed after a few years in the program.

The guy I hate to see leave is Tate. I would have found a place for him somewhere because I feel he is one of those guys with a lot of athleticism that just needs to find his niche. I thought he would have made a very good fullback in 3rd and short situations and I had hoped he would find the field in that spot if there wasn't a place for him on defense.

I know some people will say well if they weren't helping us then good riddance, find someone else who can, but you win Big Ten championships with seniors, not 30 freshmen every year. This was a major problem under Mason and I hope Brewster can find a way to keep these guys in the program because we really need guys to stay here for 4-5 years.

[grunkiejr]

In Brewster's throw together a recruiting class in a couple weeks, who is left that he recruited?

Theret was a guy that Brewster went and got after being hired. He is the only 2007 recruit that Brewster brought in that is starting.

Spry and Damien White were both guys that signed after LOI day. I can't remember his name but there was a Florida kid that ran a 4.3 that we brought in and he returned kicks for a little while but he couldn't catch the football (hence, he had no other offers when we offered in January) and he left after his freshman year. Off the top of my head I can't remember who else was a Brewster recruit.

[husker70]

Attrition is a fact of life in college football. Stop and think about it. We sign what 20-25 recruits, and 10 seniors are there for Senior Day. You can be the hotest prospect, not develop beyond your high school career. Or you find yourself in a program that changes what they want. Or you are not as hot as you think you are once you put that helmet on. The player who can crack a starting lineup is either one heck of a player, or the program is desperate and too many play. We are fighting through both right now. Weber is that special player, others see no oportunity or have demonstrated little ability. I would expect a couple more will be "disrepected" by a signing and announce they are gone.
That having been said, no attrition in the offensive line. And big signing comming in.

[amateurdwarftosser]

It never makes much sense when people on this board 'run off' players who have had struggles. IMHO, that's the big difference between college and pro. The guys are kids who came here for a shot to play, win, go to school, and become part of the University of Minnesota. I sort of feel like these guys are ours, somewhat like family, and you want the best for them.

I felt that all of these guys had the tools to help the program, they just hadnt put it all together. I wish them the best of luck in their futures, but i will say, shame on those who are running these guys off on a message board because they didnt meet your expectations on the field (yet).

You win with upperclassmen...not a bunch of freshmen and sophomores.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

Harold Howell is the Florida kid. Thompson is a Wisconsin kid who didn't have any other offers. He's fast, and he played a little bit on special teams, but I think he saw the writing on the wall with the WR's we're bringing in.

[grunkiejr]

Hate to see the transfers. I know some people are happy because we can open up some more recruiting spots for some more freshmen, but I feel you win with upperclassmen, and you need those 4th and 5th year guys for leadership.

The Gopher coaching staff has a lot of time invested in those guys and you flush it down the toilet. It's true Spry didn't have a very good year and the other guys were struggling for playing time, but they all probably would have been just a little bit better next year and would have added more depth and a few years' experience. Never downplay the experience factor - college sports are filled with guys who blossomed after a few years in the program.

The guy I hate to see leave is Tate. I would have found a place for him somewhere because I feel he is one of those guys with a lot of athleticism that just needs to find his niche. I thought he would have made a very good fullback in 3rd and short situations and I had hoped he would find the field in that spot if there wasn't a place for him on defense.

I know some people will say well if they weren't helping us then good riddance, find someone else who can, but you win Big Ten championships with seniors, not 30 freshmen every year. This was a major problem under Mason and I hope Brewster can find a way to keep these guys in the program because we really need guys to stay here for 4-5 years.

I agree. You win with Seniors and generally lose with Freshman. That is more true with players on the line or LB's than in skill positions because it is harder to contribute as a freshman at those positions. When you move from classes ranked in the 50-80 range to #17 you are going to have these issues. You are also going to have issues with changing your offensive philosophy which makes the skill set needed different (Tate' would be best at FB and we don't run a whole lot of FB).

I think Tate' could have contributed as an upper classman so I am sad to see him leave. He could have been like a Triplett that makes special teams contributions and then has the opportunity to start and make a bigger contribution later.

I really didn't see Spry or Thompson making a contribution during games in the future so I feel like their scholarships can be better used elsewhere. Just look at the depth of WR in the freshman class (Green, Smith, McKnight, Brandon, Stoudermire) and add the depth in the 2009 class (Keise for sure, McNeal-1 of 3 finalists, Allen-1 of 2 legitimate finalists) + the addition of Hayo Carpenter. You never know how recruits are going to pan out but receiver is generally the easiest position to step in and play as a true freshman (followed by RB & CB). WR should be the deepest position in the entire program next season. We will have at minimum 10 of our 85 scholarships tied up at WR and we could have as many as 12 if we get Allen & McNeal.

Just look at this 3 deep:
Decker (Sr)
Smith (So)
McKnight (So)

Carpenter (Jr)
Kuznia (Sr)
Brandon (So)

Green (So)
Pittman (Sr)
Stoudermire (So)
Keise (Fr)

McNeal? Allen?

Judging by the decision of Spry & Thompson to leave they want a bigger role on a football team than they were going to receive here. I wish them the best of luck in finding a better opportunity to play football while getting an education.

[MaxyJR1]

I bet Thompson ends up at Duluth. Some of these guys don't want to make the committment and that is fine. MN and WI have great lower level teams that compete at high levels every year.

[gold04]

I think Carpenter will be the real deal. I know people are saying Hamilton was a JC four star and he was a bust. Hamilton got injured and he had only 800 yards in recieving in JC. Carpenter has almost 3000 yards in recieving in JC. I think this guy will be the real deal. Plus he's playing in California which has the top JC teams.

[gold04]

Next year image this team will have the best WR's in the Big Ten. Decker, Carpenter, Green, Smith, Ben, Mcknight, Mcneal, Bradon and Keise. I think Pittman will move more to a hybrid quarterback next year. He'll come in and run something like the Wildcat once in a while. Stoud. will be used as a hybrid WR, and RB. Then you add Whaley and Limpscomb to the mix at running back. Plus you have a healthy Bennet, Shady and Eskridge. The O-line I gaurantee you will be mcuh better with a year more experienced and Davis in the fold. The possiblities will be endless at what this offense will do. I'm not saying we'll be the USC offense but we should be very good. Even with Dunbar we'll be very good, but I would not mind getting Norm Chow.

[caliGopher]

THis concerns me for two reasons:

1) How do you build depth, when players are one and done so often? Brewster benched Chambers last year for Herndon and Howell who are both no longer with the program. Chambers left too. That's three recievers gone off of last years team. Were they the best players we had? No. We're they depth? Did they have capaiblites, even if not the perfect fit? Yes. Chambers, in particular was a big loss, again not becuase of his tremendous abilities, but because of his abiltiy to play, be a leader and help out if there was an injury to a key reciever. Really could have used him around this year and part of being the head coach is keeping players on the team and in school.

2) Eventually the number of defections will catch up to us. Not totally sure how it works, but if they leave, how does that help us in grad rates? Does it hurt us significantly? I admit, I don't know the answer here, but this does concern me and I'm trying to figure out what it means.

Ultimately, I'm confused by so many people using lack of depth as an excuse to cover poor performance/poor coaching then getting excited when any depth we have started to develop leaves. Spry had a lot of issues, but could have developed. It happens all the time were guys make big leaps in performance -- and yes it happens all the time that they don't, but if we're going to not judge the coaching staff for Five years, why are we judging players afte 6 games?

As has been pointed out, brining in a class of 25 5 star players isn't going to solve the depth and maturity issues we have. I'll see success for the program when we aren't counting on the incoming class to deliver us, rather to expect an even better product in 3 years.

[sonnygarcia]

Where did this Norm Chow talk come from (two posts ago)? Were you just joking around, or is he actually available?

[mnboiler]

Where did this Norm Chow talk come from (two posts ago)? Were you just joking around, or is he actually available?

Chow is at UCLA. Neuheisel hired him right away. He spent a few years with the Titans as an OC and if I remember correctly Fisher basically said you better start looking for a new job. Right around the time Neuheisel was hired. UCLA picked him so fast and it was a clear shot at USC. Any way if I was Brewster and Chow was an option I would say see ya Dunbar, welcome aboard Norm with out a comma in the middle.

That remindes me what ever happened to Ed Orergon. He was the HC at Ole Miss for about 3-4 years then was fired after another dissapointtin season last year. He comes from the Pete Carroll USC football school.

[GopherinPhilly]

You don't win championships with seniors, you win with good seniors. None of these guys were good enough to help us win the Big Ten.

[GopherGod]

THis concerns me for two reasons:

1) How do you build depth, when players are one and done so often? Brewster benched Chambers last year for Herndon and Howell who are both no longer with the program. Chambers left too. That's three recievers gone off of last years team. Were they the best players we had? No. We're they depth? Did they have capaiblites, even if not the perfect fit? Yes. Chambers, in particular was a big loss, again not becuase of his tremendous abilities, but because of his abiltiy to play, be a leader and help out if there was an injury to a key reciever. Really could have used him around this year and part of being the head coach is keeping players on the team and in school.

2) Eventually the number of defections will catch up to us. Not totally sure how it works, but if they leave, how does that help us in grad rates? Does it hurt us significantly? I admit, I don't know the answer here, but this does concern me and I'm trying to figure out what it means.

Ultimately, I'm confused by so many people using lack of depth as an excuse to cover poor performance/poor coaching then getting excited when any depth we have started to develop leaves. Spry had a lot of issues, but could have developed. It happens all the time were guys make big leaps in performance -- and yes it happens all the time that they don't, but if we're going to not judge the coaching staff for Five years, why are we judging players afte 6 games?

As has been pointed out, brining in a class of 25 5 star players isn't going to solve the depth and maturity issues we have. I'll see success for the program when we aren't counting on the incoming class to deliver us, rather to expect an even better product in 3 years.


Excellent post, I could not agree more.

[GopherGod]

Chow is at UCLA. Neuheisel hired him right away. He spent a few years with the Titans as an OC and if I remember correctly Fisher basically said you better start looking for a new job. Right around the time Neuheisel was hired. UCLA picked him so fast and it was a clear shot at USC. Any way if I was Brewster and Chow was an option I would say see ya Dunbar, welcome aboard Norm with out a comma in the middle.

That remindes me what ever happened to Ed Orergon. He was the HC at Ole Miss for about 3-4 years then was fired after another dissapointtin season last year. He comes from the Pete Carroll USC football school.

Ed Orgeron was a great recruiter at USC but just couldn't get it together as a head coach or in his personal life at Ole Miss. He is currently the Defensive Line Coach for New Orleans Saints but rumored to a candidate for several assistant coaching jobs back at the college level.

[calminnfan]

We are talking about three players and not 83...correct? As far as I remember, this happened all the time all over the place.

I agree that the Gophers need depth and that the coaches have put time into them and that they may very well have their best years ahead of them.

I also don't want to see players leave, especially Tate. But Spry in particular was given a solid chance to perform and now if he is taking off, it is all on him. I can understand the other two since I rarely remember seeing them on the field, and since most of the other players getting on the field are not seniors either, since the number of seniors was relatively low this year, I think the Gophers should just consider it an opportunity to raise the talent level.

[mesothelioma]

Ed Orgeron was a great recruiter at USC but just couldn't get it together as a head coach or in his personal life at Ole Miss. He is currently the Defensive Line Coach for New Orleans Saints but rumored to a candidate for several assistant coaching jobs back at the college level.

Actually if my memory serves correctly, Orgeron is now an assistant with Lane Kiffin at Tennessee.
Lane Kiffin has quite the staff there!

[Gold Rush]

It's true that you will see defections in every program, but I doubt you see places like Ohio St./Texas/USC with only 4-5 quality seniors every year, either.

Brewster does a great job at recruiting players to come here and I give him full credit, but I do not think you can underestimate how important it is to develop and keep players once they get on campus, either. A lot of kids are being rushed in to fill holes, some before they are ready. I think some of these guys might have developed into very good players in a couple years, but we won't get to find that out. The WR defections saw the handwriting on the wall and I agree they probably would have had a tough time beating out everyone coming in next year.

Husker had a good post on here that stated several reasons why we have lost players the last few years and I agree those are all good reasons for the defections. Hopefully, though we get to a point where we keep more recruits here and develop them because that experience is very important.

[thailleagle]

No more Spry?

*snickers*

[mckerney]

THis concerns me for two reasons:

1) How do you build depth, when players are one and done so often? Brewster benched Chambers last year for Herndon and Howell who are both no longer with the program. Chambers left too. That's three recievers gone off of last years team. Were they the best players we had? No. We're they depth? Did they have capaiblites, even if not the perfect fit? Yes. Chambers, in particular was a big loss, again not becuase of his tremendous abilities, but because of his abiltiy to play, be a leader and help out if there was an injury to a key reciever. Really could have used him around this year and part of being the head coach is keeping players on the team and in school.

2) Eventually the number of defections will catch up to us. Not totally sure how it works, but if they leave, how does that help us in grad rates? Does it hurt us significantly? I admit, I don't know the answer here, but this does concern me and I'm trying to figure out what it means.

Ultimately, I'm confused by so many people using lack of depth as an excuse to cover poor performance/poor coaching then getting excited when any depth we have started to develop leaves. Spry had a lot of issues, but could have developed. It happens all the time were guys make big leaps in performance -- and yes it happens all the time that they don't, but if we're going to not judge the coaching staff for Five years, why are we judging players afte 6 games?

As has been pointed out, brining in a class of 25 5 star players isn't going to solve the depth and maturity issues we have. I'll see success for the program when we aren't counting on the incoming class to deliver us, rather to expect an even better product in 3 years.

This had to happen, be it these three or others. From the looks of things we're planning on taking a class of 25 this year, and still recruiting players at several positions. But with the scholarship situation if the roster stays as it is, we wouldn't be able to bring in any more players than the 18 that we currently have committed. We knew we'd have to lose a few guys, and it sucks a little when 1 is a local guy who had a lot of promise coming in, and another who played quite a bit his freshman year, but it has to happen and I'm sure that 3 of the guys we get to commit between now and LOI day will be better than the 3 we're losing here.

[Handsome Pete]

You don't win championships with seniors, you win with good seniors. None of these guys were good enough to help us win the Big Ten.

This about sums up this entire thread. Hope this helps.

[GoldenGo4Fan]

BTN just announce that Pat Devlin is transferring from PSU and won't play in the Rose Bowl. It happens everywhere.

[grunkiejr]

BTN just announce that Pat Devlin is transferring from PSU and won't play in the Rose Bowl. It happens everywhere.

I'm pretty sure Devlin was a 5 star recruit when he went to Penn State. If we're losing 5 star recruits due to a lack of playing time I think everybody will have to take a step back and smile.

[GoldenGo4Fan]

I'm pretty sure Devlin was a 5 star recruit when he went to Penn State. If we're losing 5 star recruits due to a lack of playing time I think everybody will have to take a step back and smile.

I agree, but you know someone would be complaining.

Can anyone tell me why they announce this before the bowl game and not after? Is it because he is not enrolling in classes any longer so he can't participate or does it have to do with his remaining eligibility and when he would be able to play with his new team?

[oleboy41]

The thing with most of our transfers is that these are guys who simply didn't appear good enough to be B10 players. These guys are leaving and will most likely end up at a small D1 school or D2. Spry, thompson, Howell, Chambers, White and Herndon had 1 other known D1 offer between them (Herndon with Indiana). Read that again. Between those 6 players there was only 1 other major D1 offer between them. I agree that you need depth but you need guys that can step in and play. Guys like Brandon, McKnight and Smith are all talented guys who could be quality players by their junior year and all would've been ahead of the other WRs who left next year. The guys who've left our program are guys who have gotten recruited over and saw the writing on the wall and were guys from the previous staff or reaches from Brew's last minute attempt to salvage his first class.

[grunkiejr]

I agree, but you know someone would be complaining.

Can anyone tell me why they announce this before the bowl game and not after? Is it because he is not enrolling in classes any longer so he can't participate or does it have to do with his remaining eligibility and when he would be able to play with his new team?

Sorry, I can't give you a definitive answer. It is an excellent question. I have a hard time believing it would impact eligibility because it is still the post season of 2008.

My best guess is that the players plan to transfer to the new school for the semester starting in January and participating in spring practice. I know someone can participate in the bowl if they graduate in December but I'm not sure if there are any rules about having to be enrolled if you are not a December graduate.

I wish I could be more helpful.

[jerdogg1]

The thing with most of our transfers is that these are guys who simply didn't appear good enough to be B10 players.

This is a good point. It seems like every year on this board the same discussion is had. "(Fill in the blank) players are leaving the program... what the heck is going on?!?!?!" This stuff happens in college football. You bring in recruits that you think fit your system, and sometimes they don't work out, those players don't end up playing as much as they thought, they are unhappy with their experience, and they leave the program. It isn't a problem with the program or the coaching staff, it's just a fact of life. Sometimes it doesn't work the way that you planned it.

[Maverick]

As other posters have said, it happens all the time.

I see that sophmore Penn State backup quarterback Devlin,who set all kinds of Pennsylvania high school records is transferring too. When you think you're the best player out there and don't win a starting job, or lose a starting job, some decide to compete harder and get better, some see the writing on the wall and transfer and some just live out their scholarship on the bench. Which is your favorite poison?

[50PoundHead]

Trey Herndon was the other Brewster recruit who left after last season.

[grunkiejr]

This is a good point. It seems like every year on this board the same discussion is had. "(Fill in the blank) players are leaving the program... what the heck is going on?!?!?!" This stuff happens in college football. You bring in recruits that you think fit your system, and sometimes they don't work out, those players don't end up playing as much as they thought, they are unhappy with their experience, and they leave the program. It isn't a problem with the program or the coaching staff, it's just a fact of life. Sometimes it doesn't work the way that you planned it.

The coaches own son left the program last year because he was behind Weber and he wanted more out of his college career than to be a back up QB. Since leaving he has been helping the Gophers recruit Anthony Leon while playing in Junior College. There are clearly no hard feelings. He saw the writing on the wall that he wasn't going to beat out the starter in the next 3 years and then he would be in an open competition with Gray & Alipate. Transfering was the best option for him.

[calminnfan]

The coaches own son left the program last year because he was behind Weber and he wanted more out of his college career than to be a back up QB. Since leaving he has been helping the Gophers recruit Anthony Leon while playing in Junior College. There are clearly no hard feelings. He saw the writing on the wall that he wasn't going to beat out the starter in the next 3 years and then he would be in an open competition with Gray & Alipate. Transfering was the best option for him.

That's interesting. Man, if I thought it would help, I would drive over to Visalia and encourage him as well! I only live 25 miles away!

[Costa Rican Gopher]

"It never makes much sense when people on this board 'run off' players who have had struggles. IMHO, that's the big difference between college and pro. The guys are kids who came here for a shot to play, win, go to school, and become part of the University of Minnesota. I sort of feel like these guys are ours, somewhat like family, and you want the best for them."

I agree these guys are like extended family in a way and it bugs me to see people openly wish ill on them and rejoice when their dream is over. That said, the posters who say that garbage are usually under 20 years old, drunk and have about 7 posts.

[MNSpaniel]

I agree with you in what you said about the players. They were not the ones who asked to play at the U of Minnesota. The U of Minnesota aggressively went after them and convinced them to come here and play. So if their talent level wasn't what it should be the coaches have nobody to blame but themselves. They didn't sign a large free agent contract. They were asked to come here and they did. I played small college football in my day and wouldn't have had the talent to play big time ball. However, I don't think I would have hesitated had a major university offered me a scholarship.

I disagree that those who haven't posted very much don't add to the overall value of this forum. As you can see by my posts I don't have many. I had a few more before I registered but not many. Many of us enjoy reading and only add something when we feel strongly about something. I have seen those who have hundreds and thousands of posts who greatly degrade this forum.

[The Big L]

"It never makes much sense when people on this board 'run off' players who have had struggles. IMHO, that's the big difference between college and pro. The guys are kids who came here for a shot to play, win, go to school, and become part of the University of Minnesota. I sort of feel like these guys are ours, somewhat like family, and you want the best for them."

I agree these guys are like extended family in a way and it bugs me to see people openly wish ill on them and rejoice when their dream is over. That said, the posters who say that garbage are usually under 20 years old, drunk and have about 7 posts.

Agree with you mostly, but sometimes I feel good about a player leaving, not because I dislike him, but because I know it's the right move for him. Some people are good at playing the bench role, others are not, and I understand why kids transfer when they realize they won't be able to get much playing time.

[Brewscrew]

I doubt Chow is available, he is the OC at UCLA and just finished his first year there.