Lagow going home...

[CTMike]

Kids these damn days want nothing but instant gratification. Either there is something seriously wrong with the program (and I'm not ruling this out), or these kids (Lagow and Cory J) need to be taught that you have to earn things of value in this life. I am disappointed, but glad he quit now instead of later. Two kids that quit the team 3 weeks into camp....shaking my head.

I think you are off base, Jax. The numbers were what they were- whoever was at the bottom of a stacked heap had no other option but to transfer if he wanted to play. He was UConn through and through and saw his commitment through when it wouldn't have been shocking if he didn't. Sometimes that's life, and that doesn't make him a quitter at all. He'll transfer, work on his game, see the field, and hopefully succeed.

 

[cttxus]

Kids these damn days want nothing but instant gratification. Either there is something seriously wrong with the program (and I'm not ruling this out), or these kids (Lagow and Cory J) need to be taught that you have to earn things of value in this life. I am disappointed, but glad he quit now instead of later. Two kids that quit the team 3 weeks into camp....shaking my head.

The desire for instant gratification is not what drove this decision. That's the furthest thing from the truth. I happen to know first hand, and don't ask me how, that this is as much about Coach P being under pressure to get the top local kids on the team and playing as anything else. And that is not meant as a dis to the local kids, either. Far from it. There is a lot of local talent on the team, including at QB, now and next year.

What many people (maybe all) on this board don't know is that Richard was headed to OU (and was also offered a spot by Saban at Bama) before coming to UConn. I know that's hard to believe because there was little to no press reporting on it. However, I'm personally familiar with the back story as to why he came to UConn and not those two schools. And it had nothing to do with him personally. Richard is an upstanding young man with a lot of football talent. Let's just allow him to ride off into the sunset with the dignity he deserves, and nothing but good wishes for the future.

 

[Jax Husky]

Relax, the sky isn't falling, he can still "earn his place" on another team. Though we pretend otherwise, college football is still a business. This kid has the prerogative to do whatever is in his best interests, just as a regular student has the prerogative to transfer to another school to be closer to their family, or to save money, or for a better opportunity (say, if they switch majors and school X has a better major). We don't call those kids quitters for transferring. Well, at least, I don't.

No, but you'd like to see a kid at least give it a legitimate shot. He and Cory J cost UConn 2 scholarships that could have been used on others that were going to stick it out more than 3 weeks before deciding the grass is greener. Agreed that the kid absolutely should follow their best interest, but how could he even know yet what is best? Really, it has been 3 weeks.

 

[junglehusky]

Am I wrong, I thought a transferring player doesnt count against UConn's scholly limit if the player leaves the program before the first game?

 

[ktuck911]

CRAP! (bummer) absolutely LOVED this kid.. his enthusiasm and desire to play the position... Thought a redshirt year would've put him in a better spot for 2014... better than the others.. Nonetheless, his decision is made.. Wish him nothing but the best... a classy kid, who, I'm sure is gonna blow up whereever he ends up....

 

[Jax Husky]

The desire for instant gratification is not what drove this decision. That's the furthest thing from the truth. I happen to know first hand, and don't ask me how, that this is as much about Coach P being under pressure to get the top local kids on the team and playing as anything else. And that is not meant as a dis to the local kids, either. Far from it. There is a lot of local talent on the team, including at QB, now and next year.

What many people (maybe all) on this board don't know is that Richard was headed to OU (and was also offered a spot by Saban at Bama) before coming to UConn. I know that's hard to believe because there was little to no press reporting on it. However, I'm personally familiar with the back story as to why he came to UConn and not those two schools. And it had nothing to do with him personally. Richard is an upstanding young man with a lot of football talent. Let's just allow him to ride off into the sunset with the dignity he deserves, and nothing but good wishes for the future.

I wish the kid nothing but the best, just pointing out that these transfers from incoming freshman that happen to be far down the depth chart are disappointing. Are you really suggesting that Coach P is under more pressure to play local kids than he is to win games? I don't buy that.

I won't comment on the other parts of your thread, but if the kid really wanted to be at OU or Bama and had a legitimate offer, why'd he end up at UConn?

 

[junglehusky]

No, but you'd like to see a kid at least give it a legitimate shot. He and Cory J cost UConn 2 scholarships that could have been used on others that were going to stick it out more than 3 weeks before deciding the grass is greener. Agreed that the kid absolutely should follow their best interest, but how could he even know yet what is best? Really, it has been 3 weeks.

By the way here's part of Cory J's statement (via the Ramblings blog):

I am nothing but grateful for such a wonderful opportunity, however, bottom line, I have to be 110% in it, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I cannot take a full scholarship away from another player who can be committed 110%. I want to be fair to everyone involved, the team, the coaches and myself.

They brought in Boland from prep after CJ left. If you want to decry the practice of oversigning and stocking kids in prep, that's a valid point to argue. But to fault the kid's character for doing something that's entirely in the rules and practices of the business is overly harsh IMO.

 

[cttxus]

I wish the kid nothing but the best, just pointing out that these transfers from incoming freshman that happen to be far down the depth chart are disappointing. Are you really suggesting that Coach P is under more pressure to play local kids than he is to win games? I don't buy that.

I won't comment on the other parts of your thread, but if the kid really wanted to be at OU or Bama and had a legitimate offer, why'd he end up at UConn?

Being under pressure to play top local talent and winning games are not necessarily mutually exclusive. we have a lot of local QB talent on the team. And I already said I wouldn't comment on why he ended up at UConn because it serves no purpose now.

 

[Jax Husky]

By the way here's part of Cory J's statement (via the Ramblings blog):


They brought in Boland from prep after CJ left. If you want to decry the practice of oversigning and stocking kids in prep, that's a valid point to argue. But to fault the kid's character for doing something that's entirely in the rules and practices of the business is overly harsh IMO.

Did Boland get a scholarship? If he got Cory's scholly, then yes I am partly off base. The point still stands though, that we coul;d have potentially recruited a more talented kid.

Every program faces attrition, so I have not issue with people leaving the program. I just have a hard time understanding how someone, after just 3 weeks on the team, just decides the depth chart is too deep. Anyway, I've said my piece. Best of luck to both kids!

 

[Chuck]

I was going to post a whole list of filters that I try to use on the Internet, but I'm not the Boneyard police. My personal analysis:

- Young kid came to UConn after being recruited over (the reason doesn't matter).
- He decided to leave for some unimportant reason (homesick, low on the depth chart, Connecticut girls don't wear enough makeup or have big enough hair).
- No reports of him misbehaving or otherwise tarnishing my alma mater's reputation or academic standing.
- The position he left has at least three legit options for up to 5 years.

Doesn't sound like he did anything wrong. I looked to transfer after a strong freshman year academically. I didn't, but the finance program would've been fine without me (probably better off bc it was all down hill after that).

Good luck Richard. I'll always root for you to be one step less than the current UConn starter. If that means Boyle is on his way to being an early first rounder, I hope Lagow is right behind him. If our QBs suck... Well you get the picture.

 

[uconnell]

I wish the very best to Richard and his family. I hope he finds the right place for him and excels.

 

[noeynox]

Best of luck,to Rich and his family.

 

[Waquoit]

No, but you'd like to see a kid at least give it a legitimate shot. He and Cory J cost UConn 2 scholarships that could have been used on others that were going to stick it out more than 3 weeks before deciding the grass is greener. Agreed that the kid absolutely should follow their best interest, but how could he even know yet what is best? Really, it has been 3 weeks.

So it would have been better if it was 4 weeks?

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

The desire for instant gratification is not what drove this decision. That's the furthest thing from the truth. I happen to know first hand, and don't ask me how, that this is as much about Coach P being under pressure to get the top local kids on the team and playing as anything else. And that is not meant as a dis to the local kids, either. Far from it. There is a lot of local talent on the team, including at QB, now and next year.

What many people (maybe all) on this board don't know is that Richard was headed to OU (and was also offered a spot by Saban at Bama) before coming to UConn. I know that's hard to believe because there was little to no press reporting on it. However, I'm personally familiar with the back story as to why he came to UConn and not those two schools. And it had nothing to do with him personally. Richard is an upstanding young man with a lot of football talent. Let's just allow him to ride off into the sunset with the dignity he deserves, and nothing but good wishes for the future.

I don't really understand how a kid with offers from OU and Bama can't outperform Boyle/Taylor for 3rd string QB. Or heck, even Cochran or Whitmer at that point.

So you're telling me that you expect me to take you, at your word, that Pasqualoni is under more pressure to make sure local kids like Boyle and Cochran play QB rather than, say, play a more talented QB with offers from OU and Bama and actually win football games?

That doesn't sound entirely plausible to me.

Either way I wish the best to Mr. Lagow and his future as a QB wherever he lands. Nice kid, class act.

 

[Pudge]

I don't buy this "pressure to play local kids" for a minute.

GEEZ ... we've been 5-7. Do you think if we go 6-6, Warde Manual gives an extra bonus point for playing a local or moving Cochran or Boyle above Lagow? That's garbage.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

I don't really understand how a kid with offers from OU and Bama can't outperform Boyle/Taylor for 3rd string QB. Or heck, even Cochran or Whitmer at that point.

So you're telling me that you expect me to take you, at your word, that Pasqualoni is under more pressure to make sure local kids like Boyle and Cochran play QB rather than, say, play a more talented QB with offers from OU and Bama and actually win football games?

That doesn't sound entirely plausible to me.

Either way I wish the best to Mr. Lagow and his future as a QB wherever he lands. Nice kid, class act.

I would think with the pressure P is under the kid could be from any state (or country for that matter). He needs to win PERIOD.

While a kid from CT helps local recruiting I don't think P could just dismiss a better player because he is from another state.

P will play the best kid-his job depends on it.

 

[formerlurker]

I heard him and Gunner Kiel are opening a consulting firm.

 

[metsfan2323]

Best of luck to the Lagow's!

I have to believe someone will be taking the scholarship, maybe Britton?

I think this increases the chances that they try to redshirt Boyle, it would be foolish to give him minutes against Towson only to bench him the rest of the year like Samra last year. I would think Boyle only plays if Whitmer gets injured, then again Marshi might give the staff confidence that they don't need to redshirt Boyle.

I think this has as much to do with with Logan Marshi as it does with Boyle. Logan is very talented too and we had a major logjam at QB. Someone had to go so depth could be added to another position.

 

[minidarren]

You guys dont have to believe me if you dont want to, but I have good information saying that Richard actually accepted the opportunity to fly an F18 over The Rent during the National Anthem for the Michigan game. He is entering the Top Gun school and should be done in 20 minutes.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Not one of us (no matter how much we THINK we know) knows what happened in terms of the kid leaving. It's pure speculation. It could be for a variety of reasons.

Secondly, the notion that P is under pressure to recruit and play local kids is one of the most bizarre things I have read on the BY. No offense cttxus.

 

[metsfan2323]

Just a guess, but I think there is always a little bias favoring the in state kids, obviously CT provides our best recruiting territory and you want to be able to point to in state success stories when recruiting future CT talent, the local kids also tend to know each other and i'm sure make their own recruiting calls, for example I'd bet Boyle made a few calls to Newsome. Xavier also provides a pipeline that needs to be kept open.

 

[Alum86]

I don't buy this "pressure to play local kids" for a minute.

GEEZ ... we've been 5-7. Do you think if we go 6-6, Warde Manual gives an extra bonus point for playing a local or moving Cochran or Boyle above Lagow? That's garbage.

I do. Dracula has his head so far up the CT HS coaches assn rear ends so much it would not surprise me for one minute. He is a terrible game coach, way past his prime, and has run this program into the ground. That is a fact. What makes you think He gave RL a fair shot?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Best of luck to him.

He committed early and was a great advocate for the program while he was committed.

He had some indecision around signing day. Maybe he thought there was a bigger pond out there, I don't know. But he stayed committed, showed up in good shape and good spirits. All indications were that he was a good teammate and practiced hard.

For whatever reason, his head and heart aren't in it and he wants to go. It is happening at almost every university right now- for athletes and regular students. No big deal.

He left with class and I wish him nothing but the best going forward.

 

[UConnDan97]

Wow. Just wow.

I know that the recruitment was more than rocky, but I'm still shocked about it. This is a kid that was perhaps the best weapon we had on the recruiting trail this past year; active on Twitter, etc., to try to get others to commit to the Huskies. Even though it got weird towards the end of the recruitment, I thought that he was perhaps in it for the long-haul.

Be that as it may, I wish him and his family the best of luck in the future...

 

[FDNY99]

Class act...I wish him luck..and hope he finds a place to play and enjoy his college years!

 

[metsfan2323]

Maybe Lagow was offered preferred walkon status at Bama, and maybe that's where he goes now figuring if you are going to be behind 4 other kids do it for the best team in the country.

That would be something if he ends up a starting QB at Bama. Pitt couldn't find room for a QB who was Super Bowl MVP last year.

 

[whaler11]

The desire for instant gratification is not what drove this decision. That's the furthest thing from the truth. I happen to know first hand, and don't ask me how, that this is as much about Coach P being under pressure to get the top local kids on the team and playing as anything else. And that is not meant as a dis to the local kids, either. Far from it. There is a lot of local talent on the team, including at QB, now and next year.

What many people (maybe all) on this board don't know is that Richard was headed to OU (and was also offered a spot by Saban at Bama) before coming to UConn. I know that's hard to believe because there was little to no press reporting on it. However, I'm personally familiar with the back story as to why he came to UConn and not those two schools. And it had nothing to do with him personally. Richard is an upstanding young man with a lot of football talent. Let's just allow him to ride off into the sunset with the dignity he deserves, and nothing but good wishes for the future.

So PP who needs to win to keep his job took a quarterback who had offers from Oklahoma and Alabama and buried him on the depth chart to play local kids.

A kid who was BEGGING for offers on signing day. If you want him to ride off into the sunset with dignity not trying to sell nonsense like that is a good start.

 

[Carl Spackler]

What part do would you "dislike"? I am not wishing the kid any ill will, but what the hell man? You quit after 3 weeks because you're down the depth chart and away from home? What am I missing here?

I think you're missing the fact that you might MIGHT just be right. Keep in mind it's all an assumption.

And if so, that your assumption is correct, your response is totally out of line, because you're berating an 18 year old kid for making a good decision for himself, and furthermore, this is division 1A college football, not BUD/S, and even so, there's no difference between the two, as it comes to when a person realizes that it doesn't fit. ANd if it doesn't fit, a voluntary dropout is always preferable to an involuntary dropout as to future choices and course of action, and there is no way to predict who is going to make it, and who won't for either program - for either scenario.

It's up to the individual what to make of the experience, and I hope it turns out to be a life changing moment, for the better.

Cory Jasudowich and Richard Lagow - those are the only two names we know for attrition due to voluntary drop out, because they're high profile, I'm quite sure there are more kids that have strapped on pads in the past month, that have experienced the 2013 UCONN football program, and are now choosing different paths.

I hope it works out for the best, for all of them. This is division 1A football. Man out, next in line - step up.

 

[John]

I was going to post a whole list of filters that I try to use on the Internet, but I'm not the Boneyard police. My personal analysis:

- Young kid came to UConn after being recruited over (the reason doesn't matter).
- He decided to leave for some unimportant reason (homesick, low on the depth chart, Connecticut girls don't wear enough makeup or have big enough hair).

Came to UConn expecting to get with Emily Noonan. Found out she's all mine. Left broken hearted.

 

[joey3$trike$]

Besides all the OU/Alabama nonsense from his family or friend or whoever, I want to Thank Richard for his dedication, integrity, and his love for Uconn football. He definitely helped in recruiting and social media. Heck he even got me to start a twitter account to follow these young huskies coming in. His family should be proud, and I'm proud to say I will be a Richard Lagow fan for life. Best of luck to you, even if you were around only for a few weeks your forever a Husky! I wish we could have a team of Richards going forward. So long and kick a** wherever you go..