A Sneak Peak at 2025

[406football]

I think a couple of them are good. Fife and Klimczak, for starters. I'd LOVE to see more of Otlewski, I think he's a star in the making. Seems weird to me that Johnson can't crack the O-line. Where they seem to have whiffed most was in the DB's...really thought a couple of those guys would come in and excel. Just hasn't been the case."

"If you don't pay the right guys, you'll be Sh*t out of luck"

I think it's extremely difficult to know who you are getting from the transfer portal. I would assume there isn't going to be glaring reviews from the previous staff on a kid moving out. The other thing that makes it difficult is they keep the same ranking and star level from when they were coming out of high school. 4 and 5 stars are relatively easy to spot, but the 1-3 stars could be almost identical, depending on what camps you attended. If you can find guys that are willing to work hard, earn a spot, and develop those kids are easy to coach and winning usually follows.

 

[AZGrizFan]

"If you don't pay the right guys, you'll be Sh*t out of luck"

I think it's extremely difficult to know who you are getting from the transfer portal. I would assume there isn't going to be glaring reviews from the previous staff on a kid moving out. The other thing that makes it difficult is they keep the same ranking and star level from when they were coming out of high school. 4 and 5 stars are relatively easy to spot, but the 1-3 stars could be almost identical, depending on what camps you attended. If you can find guys that are willing to work hard, earn a spot, and develop those kids are easy to coach and winning usually follows.

Agreed...just seems weird to have missed on SO many in one year...

I would add Hayden has done a workmanlike job replacing Gub. That's a big ask.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Agreed...just seems weird to have missed on SO many in one year...

I would add Hayden has done a workmanlike job replacing Gub. That's a big ask.

That is the crapshoot of any recruiting, whether portal or high school. Another caveat is you can only recruit what is available and interested, so they may have done best they could hoping to find some that worked.

 

[406football]

Agreed...just seems weird to have missed on SO many in one year...

I would add Hayden has done a workmanlike job replacing Gub. That's a big ask.

Hayden has been a bright spot considering what we lost in Gubner. Some years are going to be big hits, and others not so great. Development is the way to go to sustain long term success. I am hopeful with the recent success the Griz have had, along with our little pipeline with Nebraska we will be able to bring in more midwestern OL/DL that can develop here and move up later in career. Pipedream I know.

 

[garizzalies]

seems weird to have missed on SO many in one year.

How do you know there are “SO many” misses?
Did you expect them all to immediately start or contribute significantly?
Won’t some have the chance to be able to do that in the future?

 

[AZGrizFan]

How do you know there are “SO many” misses?
Did you expect them all to immediately start or contribute significantly?
Won’t some have the chance to be able to do that in the future?

Given how the defense has struggled, YES, I did expect more of the defensive transfers to contribute much more significantly than they are (particularly the DB's).

 

[CDAGRIZ]

You are a know nothing clown. Jaxon should not be on the field. I would beat your ass too. Tough guy from who knows where. Billings has the best talent period.

Nothing to add except for the fact that everyone knows the talent rankings go:

1. South Florida
2. Central Texas
3. Billings, MT
4. Louisiana
5. Ohio
6. Southern California

 

[garizzalies]

Given how the defense has struggled, YES, I did expect more of the defensive transfers to contribute much more significantly than they are (particularly the DB's).

Well then that supports my point. You are essentially focusing on one player—Gordon—as he is the only senior in the last year DB transfer group.
That one guy may not have lived up to your expectations yet but not sure you can say “SO many misses” right now.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Well then that supports my point. You are essentially focusing on one player—Gordon—as he is the only senior in the last year DB transfer group.
That one guy may not have lived up to your expectations yet but not sure you can say “SO many misses” right now.

No, I'm not focusing on Gordon. And why does a person have to be a SR to contribute significantly? Christ, the best CB on the team is a TRUE FRESHMAN. I'm talking about Lawler (RS junior), Ford (true junior), AND Gordon (SR). Lawler and Ford came from P5 schools. They don't even see the field. Gordon is a starter on a defense that's getting TORCHED regularly. OL Everett Johnson can barely crack the 2-deep (P5 guy). RB Rocker (P5 guy) has like 6 carries so far, strictly ST guy. Lerhman (SR) is essentially invisible, even when he's on the field--NEVER hear his name called. Kaho (SR), even though he gets a lot of PT, might be the worst tackler on the team (and that's saying something), consistently overpursues and takes bad angles.

Klimczak, Fife, Morrison & Hayden are the only ones (IMHO) who weren't misses, based on our 6-game sample set. While the others might be playing (or not), our "less than ideal" results would indicate that they've not lived up to expectations. We had BIG holes to fill, and the people filling them are significant downgrades, again IMHO.

That may be a harsh assessment, but it is what it is.

 

[garizzalies]

No, I'm not focusing on Gordon. And why does a person have to be a SR to contribute significantly? Christ, the best CB on the team is a TRUE FRESHMAN. I'm talking about Lawler (RS junior), Ford (true junior), AND Gordon (SR). Lawler and Ford came from P5 schools. They don't even see the field. Gordon is a starter on a defense that's getting TORCHED regularly. OL Everett Johnson can barely crack the 2-deep (P5 guy). RB Rocker (P5 guy) has like 6 carries so far, strictly ST guy. Lerhman (SR) is essentially invisible, even when he's on the field--NEVER hear his name called. Kaho (SR), even though he gets a lot of PT, might be the worst tackler on the team (and that's saying something), consistently overpursues and takes bad angles.

Klimczak, Fife, Morrison & Hayden are the only ones (IMHO) who weren't misses, based on our 6-game sample set. While the others might be playing (or not), our "less than ideal" results would indicate that they've not lived up to expectations. We had BIG holes to fill, and the people filling them are significant downgrades, again IMHO.

That may be a harsh assessment, but it is what it is.

You said “particularly the DB's”. There is only one Sr in that group. BH loves seniors and only exceptional talent or exceptional circumstances allow non-seniors start.
You also named 3 seniors on D and all of them start. Four counting Hayden who somehow met your approval. Seems like they are all significant contributors. I shudder to think where our D would be without them. Lucky to have them.
The rest still have at least a year or more to “live up to [your] expectations”. Meaning they are providing depth right now, and who knows, maybe next year they will compete for a starting spot.
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a transfer on D who came in and dominated in year one. I’m sure there were a few; just seems so rare. Usually the best D players develop through the system over years of special teams play.
Not sure it is reasonable to call any of them “misses” just yet. Certainly not “SO many” misses. Maybe Gordon has not lived up to our hope but I am not even willing to give up on him yet because at a minimum he is playing a bunch at a spot that is very thin and he could still improve.

 

[oldngrizzly]

No, I'm not focusing on Gordon. And why does a person have to be a SR to contribute significantly? Christ, the best CB on the team is a TRUE FRESHMAN. I'm talking about Lawler (RS junior), Ford (true junior), AND Gordon (SR). Lawler and Ford came from P5 schools. They don't even see the field. Gordon is a starter on a defense that's getting TORCHED regularly. OL Everett Johnson can barely crack the 2-deep (P5 guy). RB Rocker (P5 guy) has like 6 carries so far, strictly ST guy. Lerhman (SR) is essentially invisible, even when he's on the field--NEVER hear his name called. Kaho (SR), even though he gets a lot of PT, might be the worst tackler on the team (and that's saying something), consistently overpursues and takes bad angles.

Klimczak, Fife, Morrison & Hayden are the only ones (IMHO) who weren't misses, based on our 6-game sample set. While the others might be playing (or not), our "less than ideal" results would indicate that they've not lived up to expectations. We had BIG holes to fill, and the people filling them are significant downgrades, again IMHO.

That may be a harsh assessment, but it is what it is.

For what it's worth which apparently is nothing on Egriz I still am gonna 100% agree with you.

 

[AZGrizFan]

You said “particularly the DB's”. There is only one Sr in that group. BH loves seniors and only exceptional talent or exceptional circumstances allow non-seniors start.
You also named 3 seniors on D and all of them start. Four counting Hayden who somehow met your approval. Seems like they are all significant contributors. I shudder to think where our D would be without them. Lucky to have them.
The rest still have at least a year or more to “live up to [your] expectations”. Meaning they are providing depth right now, and who knows, maybe next year they will compete for a starting spot.
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a transfer on D who came in and dominated in year one. I’m sure there were a few; just seems so rare. Usually the best D players develop through the system over years of special teams play.
Not sure it is reasonable to call any of them “misses” just yet. Certainly not “SO many” misses. Maybe Gordon has not lived up to our hope but I am not even willing to give up on him yet because at a minimum he is playing a bunch at a spot that is very thin and he could still improve.

I shudder too, considering where it is WITH them. I would think giving up 49 and 55 back to back would classify as “exceptional circumstances” and would dictate that the best TALENT start/play, not just because they’re “seniors”.

Newsflash: the fact someone is starting doesn’t mean they weren’t misses.

 

[garizzalies]

I shudder too, considering where it is WITH them. I would think giving up 49 and 55 back to back would classify as “exceptional circumstances” and would dictate that the best TALENT start/play, not just because they’re “seniors”.

Newsflash: the fact someone is starting doesn’t mean they weren’t misses.

The fact that they don’t live up to your personal hopes in year one doesn’t mean they are misses. Nor are they misses because they aren’t as good as some player last year who was in the program for longer than one year. Seems like you are holding them to an impossible standard.
The coaches and teammates certainly do not consider them misses. Only on egriz does this convo exist. and fyi, growler agrees with you which should tell you everything you need to know.

Who do you think should be starting? Lemme guess, true Fr Loud at C over R-Jr Jackson?
And why do you think you know more than the coaches on this topic?

 

[AZGrizFan]

The fact that they don’t live up to your personal hopes in year one doesn’t mean they are misses. Nor are they misses because they aren’t as good as some player last year who was in the program for longer than one year. Seems like you are holding them to an impossible standard.
The coaches and teammates certainly do not consider them misses. Only on egriz does this convo exist. and fyi, growler agrees with you which should tell you everything you need to know.

Who do you think should be starting? Lemme guess, true Fr Loud at C over R-Jr Jackson?
And why do you think you know more than the coaches on this topic?

No, in fact if you read my thread from the beginning the OP talks about my concerns about what’s BEHIND these players.

do you think the coaches brought these guys in to give up 55 points to a Weber team that then proceeds to lose to UNC?

I’m guessing “not”.

 

[HikeGlacier]

The fact that they don’t live up to your personal hopes in year one doesn’t mean they are misses. Nor are they misses because they aren’t as good as some player last year who was in the program for longer than one year. Seems like you are holding them to an impossible standard.
The coaches and teammates certainly do not consider them misses. Only on egriz does this convo exist. and fyi, growler agrees with you which should tell you everything you need to know.

Who do you think should be starting? Lemme guess, true Fr Loud at C over R-Jr Jackson?
And why do you think you know more than the coaches on this topic?

Well, those coaches are leading one of the worst defenses in the country and just surrendered the most points ever at WaGriz. So is it the coaches, the players or both?

 

[KDyrud]

Kyon Loud is our best CB, we have him for another 3/4 years. I think we will be fine in the CB department. Sam Alford will hopefully be a breakout receiver next year. Grossman could apply for a medical redshirt??

Not a medical issue but hopefully the situation resolves itself soon.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Well, the 6 game sample set is now a 12-game sample. Same shit, different day. Only difference from the OP is it appears Racanelli is staying for another year. Guess we’d better hope that a) all the guys brought in this year who didn’t contribute suddenly become world beaters, and b) Bobby finds about a dozen more world-beaters in the magic portal.