The Official "I Hate our Recruiting" Thread

[Stainmaster]

He had offers from Toledo and Bowling Green, a number of SWAC and MEAC programs. We play in the best G5 conference in the country. Our offensive line is the worst in the country coupled with the worst coaching staff in the country.Do you trust this staff to develop this kid? And yeah I have a terminal case of Diaco Madness because he has given this program a terminal disease. You are the dog in the everything's fine fire.

By your "logic" (if you can call it that), the staff can't be trusted to develop any kid no matter how highly or lowly touted they are.

You can call me whatever you want, but I still find myself a lot more rational than you about this.

 

[FartMan69]

By your "logic" (if you can call it that), the staff can't be trusted to develop any kid no matter how highly or lowly touted they are.

You can call me whatever you want, but I still find myself a lot more rational than you about this.

I think you're biggest gripe is more with what thread this is in rather than what I'm actually saying. Although the bigger disrespect is that the his name is spelled wrong in the title but whatever. Yeah you're 100% correct, I don't believe this staff can develop any body because they can't seem to do anything else well and the results are right in front of our faces each Saturday. I'm just of the opinion that recruiting below are competition coupled with proven coaching malpractice is the recipe for disaster, you know like the season that just happened.

 

[huskymedic]

...is that the his name is spelled wrong in the title

Fixed. 63 posts before someone told me I needed my glasses this morning.

 

[UCFBfan]

It 1000% matters where players have offers from.

Are you going to magically make kids with better offers come here? Honestly? It's not happening anytime soon and seeing Diaco is sticking around, all we can hope for is that we get better assistants brought in who will coach these guys up and put them in a scheme that will work.

Look, I am totally on the side of offers matter, etc but at this point of where we are at, I can't see how it's going to change. So I hope that we figure out how to bring in someone new to coach these kids up and hope we can turn some of these players into solid OL.

 

[UCFBfan]

Not sure if this is possible but can these posts regarding recruiting be moved to a different thread? Maybe the one linked to Matt's article? I feel bad that we are muddying up this young man's moment and thread with our own fighting.

 

[whaler11]

Are you going to magically make kids with better offers come here? Honestly? It's not happening anytime soon and seeing Diaco is sticking around, all we can hope for is that we get better assistants brought in who will coach these guys up and put them in a scheme that will work.

Look, I am totally on the side of offers matter, etc but at this point of where we are at, I can't see how it's going to change. So I hope that we figure out how to bring in someone new to coach these kids up and hope we can turn some of these players into solid OL.

To your first question - no. I want this additional evidence to be used to fire Diaco yesterday.

I am hopeful all these kids turn out well and certainly some will.

Maybe a miracle happens on the stafff but quality coaches have even less reason to sign on with HCVV than quality recruits. So color me... doubtful.

 

[kris1]

Based on the logic of some posters, we should only go after kids with numerous P5 offers. Unfortunately, those kids aren't coming here. They haven't shown any interest presently or in the past. Arkeel Newsome is the highest rated recruit to commit to UConn. The reality is we are competing for the underrated recruit. Kids with little to no P5 interest, low FBS and numerous FCS offers. It is what it is. Bring them in, let them compete, coach the Spartacus out of them, win consistenty with them. Then we can get the 4/5 stars to consider UConn. People also forget that admissions plays a major role in recruiting. The SEC is so much more lenient with admissions and every top recruit thinks he's going pro. They aren't coming to UConn. It's time some people realize that knocking a kid who does commit, doesn't help correct the problem.

 

[whaler11]

Based on the logic of some posters, we should only go after kids with numerous P5 offers. Unfortunately, those kids aren't coming here. They haven't shown any interest presently or in the past. Arkeel Newsome is the highest rated recruit to commit to UConn. The reality is we are competing for the underrated recruit. Kids with little to no P5 interest, low FBS and numerous FCS offers. It is what it is. Bring them in, let them compete, coach the Spartacus out of them, win consistenty with them. Then we can get the 4/5 stars to consider UConn. People also forget that admissions plays a major role in recruiting. The SEC is so much more lenient with admissions and every top recruit thinks he's going pro. They aren't coming to UConn. It time some people realize that knocking a kid who does commit, doesn't help correct the problem.

Are there levels of football between FCS and P5?

Nobody is knocking kids.

They are knocking the lack of success the staff has and want corrective action.

Unless people think UConn doesn't have more to offer than the schools outrecruiting them. Just come out and say that if you think that's the case though.

 

[whaler11]

Not sure if this is possible but can these posts regarding recruiting be moved to a different thread? Maybe the one linked to Matt's article? I feel bad that we are muddying up this young man's moment and thread with our own fighting.

On the bright side if he went to any of those other schools there wouldn't be 70 message board posts in his threads in 4-5 years.

 

[kris1]

Are there levels of football between FCS and P5?

Nobody is knocking kids.

They are knocking the lack of success the staff has and want corrective action.

Unless people think UConn doesn't have more to offer than the schools outrecruiting them. Just come out and say that if you think that's the case though.

I want Diaco gone, just like you do. However, I'm realistic about the types of kids UConn can get to commit and it's clear Diaco is going nowhere right now. As I said, it is what it is. If a kid is willing to commit to building something here, I'm willing to give him (them) the chance to help make this program what I hope it can be. It's not his fault this program has regressed. I don't care if he was recruited by Post University to play a Sprint Football, at this point. If Diaco brings in "his guys" and they don't pan out, it solidifies the problem.

 

[J187Money]

It means Sportsart is right - we can out-recruit other FCS schools.

 

[CTMike]

Do you not think this "warm body" is a noticeable step up from other "warm bodies"?

I get your complaints, but it seems pretty misplaced to get this worked up over a kid who has a better pedigree than all but one current OL on roster.

Was in no way directed towards this commit - was commenting in general - should have left it out of his thread. I wish him nothing but great success.

 

[Confident Carl]

I see that you skipped over the BGSU and Toledo offers. Toledo finished 9-3 and beat Maine 45-3 (who we squeaked by 24-21). We are not in a position to act all high and mighty with our recruiting.

Besides, if you look at the video you can see he is a very big kid moving downfield and pushing opponents to the ground with his blocks. The fact that he had interest from 15 schools other than UConn, no matter the football reputation, cannot be anything other than a good thing.

I really don't get the need to express the constant negativity (not just you) on a public message board. It cannot help recruiting.

Well said, thank you for that breath of fresh air!

 

[Confident Carl]

Smh... so because he has 15 offers and his biggest offer is Toledo that's a good thing? No wonder we suck. How can you be ok with how bad the level of talent is in this roster?

As I recall Matt Pert from MA was a two star with no offers. Sounds like he was a diamond in the tough! He is projected to be a high round NFL draft pick.

"His sudden ascent has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the football football season in Massachusetts. Also a captain for the Governors' basketball team, Peart arrived at the school four years ago from The Bronx, N.Y. having never played football before."

Pert entered UConn at 264 pounds, the body of a power forward. He certainly looks like a tackle now.

"What we wanted to do was bring him in so Matt Balis and his [strength and conditioning] staff could develop him, and we've tried to teach him a little football," offensive line coach Mike Cummings said. "You know when you have a good, big athlete. It might sound incredible [gaining 40 pounds]. But based on his size, his frame and so forth, he's a good-looking, lean 300 pounds."

Peart said he's more mobile.

"This summer, passing 300, it was a drill down to get used to moving at this weight and size," Peart said. "They wanted to make sure I put on good weight — muscle instead of a bunch of extra fat hanging around."

 

[Stainmaster]

He is projected to be a high round NFL draft pick.

Who besides Matt Schonvisky told you this?

 

[Confident Carl]

Edsall showed a consistent ability to find diamonds in the rough and coach them up. So far Diaco hasn't shown an ability to do either.

Offers matter. Sure its possible to find under the radar players and turn them into good players. But its not like any 6'6 300 pounder and be coached into a FBS lineman.

Not true, Matt Pert is projected to be a high NFL draft choice. He beat out Richard Levi this year.

"Now you're adding a really talented young player," Diaco said. "And it will look like he's a young player for a bit, Matt Peart. But he's a super, super talent. And with Crozier coming back — he was going to be a stalwart for us a season ago. So to have Ryan back anchoring that offensive line and to have a tackle [Peart] who is very special, who is GOING to be a very special player, it will be a little trial by fire there this year, which will be great for him and great for our team."

Pert entered UConn at 264 pounds, the body of a power forward. He certainly looks like a tackle now.

"What we wanted to do was bring him in so Matt Balis and his [strength and conditioning] staff could develop him, and we've tried to teach him a little football," offensive line coach Mike Cummings said. "You know when you have a good, big athlete. It might sound incredible [gaining 40 pounds]. But based on his size, his frame and so forth, he's a good-looking, lean 300 pounds."

Peart said he's more mobile.

"This summer, passing 300, it was a drill down to get used to moving at this weight and size," Peart said. "They wanted to make sure I put on good weight — muscle instead of a bunch of extra fat hanging around."

 

[Confident Carl]

Who besides Matt Schonvisky told you this?

Not someone from the Boneyard stretch!

Who besides Matt Schonvisky told you this?

You might find this hard to believe stretch but I do have my sources.



Also Consider what DesMond Connor had to say.

UConn Expects Big Things On Football Field From LT Matt Peart

 

[Stainmaster]

Not someone from the Boneyard stretch!


You might find this hard to believe stretch but I do have my sources.

Also Consider what DesMond Connor had to say.

UConn Expects Big Things On Football Field From LT Matt Peart

Great. My source told me that my uncle is the favorite to be named the next OC.

I cannot for the life of me imagine how you could take one article from Des Conner that doesn't even mention the draft and extrapolated that. Seriously. Walk me through your thought process.

 

[Stainmaster]

This is frustrating because I actually think Peart is the only "diamond in the rough" who has shown anything so far. Why do nutballs who aren't grounded in reality have to put me in a position to argue against the kid?

 

[jazyj]

I love when people get misinformed by "sources"

 

[Confident Carl]

This is frustrating because I actually think Peart is the only "diamond in the rough" who has shown anything so far. Why do nutballs who aren't grounded in reality have to put me in a position to argue against the kid?

Stretch I was told by qualified sources who I respect that Matt Pert has the ability to play at the next level and could go high in the NFL draft. I could give a bats pass whether you buy it or not. The kid has a VERY high ceiling.

 

[BlueMAB]

I'm realistic about the types of kids UConn can get to commit.

And people say those critical of the recruiting are being disrespectful. The "realists" hand out back-handed compliments left and right.

Congratulations to any kid good enough to make the team, scholarship or not, they are better athletes than 99% of the people here. That's not the point. They need to be better than the athletes on the teams we play. We play in the AAC, we need to outrecruit the AAC, not the Southland, or the MEAC.

I'm sick of the "we aren't getting 4/5 star commits" straw man argument. We aren't asking for us to beat out P5 programs. Is it too much to beat out ECU, USF and UCF more often than we beat our Army, Columbia, Fordham and Houston Baptist?

I don't think so. I have higher standards for the program. Not SEC standards, but AAC standards. I gave up the FCS, Patriot League, and Ohio Valley standards about 18 years ago.

 

[BlueMAB]

Not true, Matt Pert is projected to be a high NFL draft choice.

Got a link? Who, exactly has him projected to be a high draft pick?

And I'm not saying he can't be, I would just love it if you could back up your claims just once.

 

[Jimdish255]

Bad form boys. For those of you dogging this kid.
Don't use this kids thread to talk crap about him or your opinion about UConns poor recruiting . Probable one of the proudest moments for him and his family.
These kids do read these forums.

I kind of agree here. Nothing stopping everyone from creating another coaching thread or even a thread about recruiting challenges. Can the young man have 1 thread about him?

And good luck James, glad you chose UConn. We want the same success you want for yourself. Make it happen!

 

[Confident Carl]

Got a link? Who, exactly has him projected to be a huh draft pick?

And I'm not saying he can't be, I would just love it if you could back up your claims just once.

If I did I would be violating the trust of some people who trust me. I am not a name dropper.

When Mike Cummings was at Central Michigan he coached Eric Fisher who ended up the #1 overall draft pick in the 2013 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Do you know what he weighed when he came to CMU? 240lbs. He had 2 D1 offers.

CMU's Eric Fisher makes history in 2013 NFL Draft, picked No. 1 overall by Kansas City Chiefs

 

[Pudge]

I don't remember how highly regarded kids like Mike Hicks and Zach Hurd were coming out of high school but I'll takes like that on my offensive line as any day of the week.

I remember ... Zach Hurd has zero FBS offers and from small Waterford really only had FCS opportunity. But, I think you could see Mike Foley and Randy Edsall tracked him significantly throughout his senior year. He was ours because the right guys loved him and saw him grow his senior year. Mike Hicks from Seymour was an early commit; he really never went far in recruiting as he was one of the first to say Yes to UConn in that year.

Let's all remember ... with some Offensive Linemen, they are growing and developing throughout that Senior year of HS. It is a GOOD thing that some of the Maryland, Penn State and Rutgers are full of their quota by September of that last year. I do not feel the same way exactly about skill guys.

 

[BlueMAB]

If I did I would be violating the trust of some people who trust me. I am not a name dropper.

When Mike Cummings was at Central Michigan he coached Eric Fisher who ended up the #1 overall draft pick in the 2013 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Do you know what he weighed when he came to CMU? 240lbs. He had 2 D1 offers.

CMU's Eric Fisher makes history in 2013 NFL Draft, picked No. 1 overall by Kansas City Chiefs

Jesus Christmas.

I know who Mike Cummings is and who Eric Fisher is. Stop bragging about what he did at CMU because his performance here has been nothing short of an embarrassment.

So nobody, with any credibility, is willing to go on record, and say Peart IS (not could be, but IS) a future high NFL draft pick.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[UConnDan97]

Jesus Christmas.

I know who Mike Cummings is and who Eric Fisher is. Stop bragging about what he did at CMU because his performance here has been nothing short of an embarrassment.

So nobody, with any credibility, is willing to go on record, and say Peart IS (not could be, but IS) a future high NFL draft pick.

Got it. Thanks.

You beat me to it. The "Eric Fisher Mention Clock" had been at 1 month, 2 days. I knew we were due for another one soon!

Everything...EVERYTHING...that Cummings has shown us so far has been pure horse excrement. The fact that he still has a job is nothing short of criminal...

 

[FfldCntyFan]

A couple of things I want to point out:

1 - I can't speak for what anyone else has heard but I was told by more than one person that NFL scouts are very interested in Peart and at least two have been to multiple games primarily to get a read on him. The story is that if he continues to improve he can work his way into the first round of the draft after his senior year.

2 - At the picnic a year and a half ago I sat with offensive linemen (and directly across the table from Cummings) while we are. That was very shortly after we found out about Crozier's injury and I found out that Cummings was also on crutches that day. One of the linemen (I'll keep his name to myself) told Cummings he wanted a chance to be a starter (something you want to hear from all players). Cummings held up three fingers and said "are you there yet?". The kid responded "no, the last time they weighed me I was 287". Cummings responded "until you're over 300 you're not a starter". I don't get the obsession some have with size but it was clear that Cummings sees 300 lbs as some magic number (although I would wager at least a couple starters who were listed above 300 lbs were not really 300 lbs). I'm not sure what he is teaching these kids but weight, just for the sake of having weight won't make someone a better blocker.

 

[jdb50]

I don't know how highly rated the O-lineman were at WMU, Toledo and even North Dakota State, but they had very successful offenses and Lord knows we need help. I would like to thank James for signing up and hopefully helping to get us back on track.