Decommitts

[Yup!]

My dream list assuming no surprises departures for seven JUCO/Grad/Transfer dudes:
1) Center (I like Fortin, but we need more and need depth)
2) QB
3) Corner
4) Safety
5) LB
6) OT
7) G

6,7 should be before QB… it all starts up front on both sides of the ball, if you cannot block then your QB will struggle most of the time and if you can’t put pressure up front on defense consistently then you dbs and lbs will struggle.

 

[Yup!]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

High school kids, this should be expected.

 

[Exit 4]

I think, and believe, QB will be a huge focus.

After that the best way to build a team is up front and work back. Shore up the O Line and, coupled with a solid qb and a 21st century scheme, the offense can be solid.

Defense needs a ton of help. I would say biggest issue was lack of speed on the edge. Pass rush was painful. Need to find some players who can fly off the edges even if that is the only thing they do.

I'm not optimistic there are any passrushers in the portal. Particularly pass rushers we could actually get. I like the potential of Watts, McCarthy, Uguak, Gourdine, Evans and Kevon Jones for 2022 with Harris, DeVaughn and others backing up. It seems to me that Watts isn’t playing at 100% this year fwiw as well. Of course, if you can find some pass rush in the portal then by all means go for it.

On our O it seems to me there is a large difference in the performance of the unit when Fortin is at center vs others. The center position is instrumental in setting protections and taking the leading the unit.

6,7 should be before QB… it all starts up front on both sides of the ball, if you cannot block then your QB will struggle most of the time and if you can’t put pressure up front on defense consistently then you dbs and lbs will struggle.


Apparently I am more bullish on the medium term potential of the current freshman and sophomore OLs on our roster. But if Mora brings in 5 new OL I certainly won’t be sad.

 

[LIuconn]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

What a weird thing to say. So they should commit because they like the bookstore? They make relationships with the coaches and buy into the philosophy. If the coach moves on they absolutely should review all options

 

[Husky25]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

I know right? These kids today...

What if you were buying a house and four days before closing, it burned down. Should you still be compelled to buy the land, as is, for original agreed upon price?

 

[Exit 4]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

I pretty much disagree about all your points here.

 

[Waquoit]

To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

It's not a lack of character, it's a material change to the terms and conditions.

 

[CCSUblue]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

What a terrible take.

You build a relationship with the coaches and the staff. You're being recruited to play a sport. The reason you're going to that school is to play the sport for that coach.

It's perfectly acceptable for a grown a** man to go back on his commitment to a school and his players by taking a new job, but if a student athlete goes back on his commitment it's a lack of character. What a joke.

 

[Bubba1957]

The reaction to my last post was pretty unpopular and I respect all this opinions, but I disagree.
Don’t commit early because of all the swirling in the game. Wait and when you commit, mean it.
The house is not burning, it just got moved to a better neighborhood.
Coaches have the relationships, but I feel that the school supersedes. Who in their right mind would think that RE would be there for four more years?
I agree coaches leave all the time, another good reason to wait it out.

 

[DoctorWho85]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

That's a bit harsh. I've left jobs because I hated the incoming management when they were bought by another company. So I found a job that better aligned with what I wanted in a career. Guess I have no character either. So you're saying it's perfectly ok for coaches to jump ship when ever something better comes along, but it's not ok for an 18 year to jump ship when said coach leaves where the kid was recruited to. Personally I think this shows great character on their part to stand up for what's best for them.

 

[phillionaire]

The reaction to my last post was pretty unpopular and I respect all this opinions, but I disagree.
Don’t commit early because of all the swirling in the game. Wait and when you commit, mean it.
The house is not burning, it just got moved to a better neighborhood.
Coaches have the relationships, but I feel that the school supersedes. Who in their right mind would think that RE would be there for four more years?
I agree coaches leave all the time, another good reason to wait it out.

do you feel the same way about coaches (that are paid handsomely for their services by the way) that abandon these same players to move onto a higher paying job or is it just the unpaid players that are held to this high standard

 

[noeynox]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

So when UConn flips a kid you wonder about his character? Do you question coaches character when they switch jobs?

 

[Bubba1957]

do you feel the same way about coaches (that are paid handsomely for their services by the way) that abandon these same players to move onto a higher paying job or is it just the unpaid players that are held to this high standard

Yes I do. I have a severe case of “if you say it, do it”.

 

[Bubba1957]

So when UConn flips a kid you wonder about his character? Do you question coaches character when they switch jobs?

Truthfully, maybe not so much.

 

[Husky25]

The reaction to my last post was pretty unpopular and I respect all this opinions, but I disagree.
Don’t commit early because of all the swirling in the game. Wait and when you commit, mean it.
The house is not burning, it just got moved to a better neighborhood.
Coaches have the relationships, but I feel that the school supersedes. Who in their right mind would think that RE would be there for four more years?
I agree coaches leave all the time, another good reason to wait it out.

Did it? According to whom? What is the new appraisal? What are the new taxes? What are they paying for?

Student-athletes have a different set of rules than any other student. If I choose UConn to study under a certain professor, and that professor retires, is laid off, or moves to a different university, I can reconsider for whatever reason I choose. They can't.

If you want to call it something different, so be it, but the commitment is not binding until there is a signature on the line which is dotted (Thank you Glengarry Glen Ross).

 

[Bubba1957]

Did it? According to whom? What is the new appraisal? What are the new taxes? What are they paying for?

Student-athletes have a different set of rules than any other student. If I choose UConn to study under a certain professor, and that professor retires, is laid off, or moves to a different university, I can reconsider for whatever reason I choose. They can't.

If you want to call it something different, so be it, but the commitment is not binding until there is a signature on the line which is dotted (Thank you Glengarry Glen Ross).

Consensus is Mora > RE.

 

[Husky25]

Consensus is Mora > RE.

Consensus was RE>Diaco > Pasqualoni.

It's not an objective measurement

 

[Husky68]

While it's true that these kids should do what's best for them. Then they never should have given a "commitment" if they didn't mean it. I don't buy this "they commit to the coaching staff" bull. What programs are that stable? What coaches would not jump to greener pastures? Maybe a handful of programs where you could be confident that things won't change. Kids should be advised and be smart enough to commit to the school. To me it shows a lack of character. It would be one thing if Uconn went FCS or was not showing their intentions to excel.

Really? A lack of character? So why not just interview with tenured professors at the potential school and just show up at the 1st practice and see who's the coach?

So every single kid who has ever changed his mind after giving a commitment to a school has a lack of character?

If changing your mind after making a commitment shows a lack of character, sure a lot of ex married people with lack of character.

 

[Yup!]

Yes I do. I have a severe case of “if you say it, do it”.

That’ll come with maturity, you can’t expect “if you say it, do it” standard to 17/18yr old kids. You can preach it all you want to these kids, a couple of them might get it, but most will not. Life will give them that lesson though.

 

[UConnJim]

When there is a coaching change, you have to expect some decommitments, especially since the HC was fired in September and its now November. Here are some other schools with coaching changes:

LSU 9 decommits
USC 7 decommits
UConn 7 decommits
TCU 5 decommits
Washington 4 decommits

Even schools without coaching changes have decommits for many reasons:

Florida State 7 decommits
Florida 5 decommits
Miami 4 decommits
Penn State 3 decommits
Alabama 3 decommits
Ohio State 2 decommits

 

[ZooCougar]

Imagine watching UConn playing ball this fall as a recruit and then deciding the reason you want to decommit is Jim Mora. Good grief. Good luck to you guys.

 

[Hondo 77]

Did it? According to whom? What is the new appraisal? What are the new taxes? What are they paying for?

Student-athletes have a different set of rules than any other student. If I choose UConn to study under a certain professor, and that professor retires, is laid off, or moves to a different university, I can reconsider for whatever reason I choose. They can't.

If you want to call it something different, so be it, but the commitment is not binding until there is a signature on the line which is dotted (Thank you Glengarry Glen Ross).

You just cost me $6,000. $6,000. And one Cadillac.

 

[HCCForever]

You just cost me $6,000. $6,000. And one Cadillac.

First prize is a Cadillac El Dorado, second prize is a set of steak knives, third prize is you're fired. Do I have your attention now?

 

[Dove]

There will be some decommittments as there are with any new coach. What we don’t know, and likely never will know, is how many left because their is a new head coach and how many left because the new coach said thanks but you don’t fit our needs any more.

Oh.

 

[F101Voodoo]

I doubt Coach mora has already had time to determine who no longer fit. As someone said in another post - these recruits spent a lot of time dealing with previous regime, I think it’s a safe assumption they decommitted on their own accord. This happens at all programs and is completely understandable.

yes that is what happened the time that The Excel decided to deser t to his "dream job ". That turned out to be his nightmare'''!!

 

[DoctorWho85]

yes that is what happened the time that The Excel decided to deser t to his "dream job ". That turned out to be his nightmare'''!!

What?

 

[F101Voodoo]

What?

I recall that there were some decommits among Edsal's recruits when he went to Maryland. I also recall that there were some transfers also. I do not recall the number! But hey I was wrong once!

 

[ZooCougar]

If you are worried about Coach Corey the go become a Rutgers fan or something.

 

[Watchdog]

So much short term thinking today and it's too often "about the money" or seeking "instant (or near instant) gratification".

Way too many people live their lives looking for the lottery win (including coaches and players) rather than steady achievement that leads to lifelong results...........like a meaningful degree and job where you can do what you enjoy or love.

Coaches leave for the big contract that maybe doesn't work out in the end (Edsall). But, the money's so good that even a major pay cut is still pretty nice.

Players transfer because they're not getting the playing time and exposure they and their families think will get them drafted. The Portal's filled with these players.

Players also transfer because they felt good about a coach who left, and we often see players transfer with their coach. The Portal has its share of these players too.

The latter group is the one into which our players who recently decommitted likely fall. They like to play the game, and must have felt a strong connection to the coaches who recruited them and the head coach. If they noticed the team's record the past decade they wouldn't have committed to UConn as their means to get an NFL contract.

Mora can probably get some of these kids back if he wants them but for those who really liked another school or two it probably won't be easy because it's hard to build trust and a relationship in three weeks.

 

[UCFBfan]

Imagine watching UConn playing ball this fall as a recruit and then deciding the reason you want to decommit is Jim Mora. Good grief. Good luck to you guys.

So do you think all of these decommits happen if we kept the current staff? I don't. I think we keep many, if not all, of them.

It does surprise me that these players would decommit when they saw how we are trashing the garbage that was here and bringing in something new. However, there is something to be said about how recruits form bonds with coaches. I believe that awhile back, after RE was fired/retired, a few commits tweeted how they'd go wherever Corey went or something along those lines.

Losing Sallis really hurts IMO. He was one that I was really excited to have.