UConn's Bob Diaco Hopes To Expand Role Of Preferred Walk-Ons (Des)

[Bonehead]

I still have yet to see anyone comment on how our recruiting rankings were at the bottom of the Big East and the AAC and the fact we've only had two winning seasons in conference the past decade.

Must not be related at all.

And a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

 

[UConnDan97]

And a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

And 5 losses.

Again, I don't understand why people are so offended that the star ratings matter in aggregate. Whaler is correct in saying that it is a mathematics game. If your team is full of players from the top 200, then you are going to win a crap-ton of games. If your team is full of 2-star players, you are going to drop a few games at minimum. That's the way it goes.

And again, UConn has to focus on getting the absolute best 2 and 3 star kids we can, because our program is not currently attractive enough for the top200 recruits. But that's okay. We actually happen to be in a league where we can win a crap-ton of games with the right 2- and 3-star kids! We aren't playing in the SEC or the B1G (yet). So let's continue to focus on what we can do, and continue to try to do it well. But it shouldn't offend people's sensibilities that the 5 star kids are really really really good players...

 

[ConnHuskBask]

And a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

2 winning conference seasons, to 8 losing conference seasons.

I feel like I'm losing my mind on here sometimes.

It's kind of like saying a high payroll in baseball doesn't give you the best shot to field a successful team.

The payroll (recruiting stars) isn't the end all be all, but it's certainly a huge predictor of success.

You make a comment like that here and people go nuts and point to the Royals and Devil Rays as their debate when in reality the Yankees and Sox alone combined for over half the AL world series appearances the past twenty years.

 

[Bonehead]

2 winning conference seasons, to 8 losing conference seasons.

I feel like I'm losing my mind on here sometimes.

It's kind of like saying a high payroll in baseball doesn't give you the best shot to field a successful team.

The payroll (recruiting stars) isn't the end all be all, but it's certainly a huge predictor of success.

You make a comment like that here and people go nuts and point to the Royals and Devil Rays as their debate when in reality the Yankees and Sox alone combined for over half the AL world series appearances the past twenty years.

Take the good with the bad my friend...just presenting all the facts - not looking for an arguement.
You are correct and just wanted to add to the wikipedia account of our last 10 years...

You are not losing your mind - There isnt much too cherish and I just cherish that Fiesta Bowl appearance.

 

[noeynox]

Once again, this board refuses to live in a world outside of simple black and white. Uggh.

Fact 1: There are a lot of undervalued recruits at the 2 star level (and sometimes 3 star) that have a great deal of upside. Some of them even have enough upside to turn into NFL-caliber talent.

Fact 2: The teams with the 4 and 5 star recruits as their entire recruiting base are the teams that win a lot of games and win championships at the college level. Period.

When people act like Fact 2 doesn't exist, it drives me up a friggin' wall. Yes, we at UConn have to make our living with Fact 1, and hope that we are better at identifying those kids than the other programs are, in order to get our program running well again. But by all means, feel free to name for me the last national championship team that didn't feature in the top 25 of the college recruiting rankings? Don't worry....I'll wait...

I agree with you wholeheartedly. What I don't get is that people who lauded Edsall's recruiting knock it now.

Given our current status in CFB, we have zero chance of landing 4,5 star kids. Some chance of landing kids with multiple offers. If the argument is Diaco isn't a good enough coach to win with the caliber of player he is recruiting off of one year I think it's premature. I don't think any is making that arguement per se, but 5-19 as you say the last two years. The American Conference, the fact that all of our regional conference rivals from the Big East have ended up in better/P5 conferences, make recruiting tough. I can't realistically expect to see a huge "uptick" in recruiting given our current overall standing/status.

I'm just resigned to another tough year, and year 3 of Diaco we will see if there is any chance he is the guy

 

[FDNY99]

It's not about one player. It's a numbers game.

Then take a look at the class Huggins was in, and the class RU promoted Flood to keep. Outside of Leonte Caroo who they had fall into their lap because Michigan had issues with his character and cut ties..pulling their offer at the end of the recruiting cycle they haven't really made a splash..Darius Hamilton included (who was the prize of that class). Now Whaler if you want to tell me that those kids have made RU a better 2 deep overall..I'll buy that. But history shows that your 3 star kids usually elevate their games and turn into 4-5 star college players. I can see your point, but you seem to have gone from supporting the moves Diaco has made with replacing Cummigs as OC, to dumping on him and ready to bail on the program after he talks about the Walk-On-Program.

 

[whaler11]

Then take a look at the class Huggins was in, and the class RU promoted Flood to keep. Outside of Leonte Caroo who they had fall into their lap because Michigan had issues with his character and cut ties..pulling their offer at the end of the recruiting cycle they haven't really made a splash..Darius Hamilton included (who was the prize of that class). Now Whaler if you want to tell me that those kids have made RU a better 2 deep overall..I'll buy that. But history shows that your 3 star kids usually elevate their games and turn into 4-5 star college players. I can see your point, but you seem to have gone from supporting the moves Diaco has made with replacing Cummigs as OC, to dumping on him and ready to bail on the program after he talks about the Walk-On-Program.

I'm not talking about stars.

I'm talking about the schools you win recruiting battles against.

I guess I haven't gotten the point across on the PWO comments. It's the 'serve your state university' crap that is annoying. If he wants to label some walk ons as preferred who cares - it's a nearly meaningless designation.

 

[UConnDan97]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. What I don't get is that people who lauded Edsall's recruiting knock it now.

Given our current status in CFB, we have zero chance of landing 4,5 star kids. Some chance of landing kids with multiple offers. If the argument is Diaco isn't a good enough coach to win with the caliber of player he is recruiting off of one year I think it's premature. I don't think any is making that arguement per se, but 5-19 as you say the last two years. The American Conference, the fact that all of our regional conference rivals from the Big East have ended up in better/P5 conferences, make recruiting tough. I can't realistically expect to see a huge "uptick" in recruiting given our current overall standing/status.

I'm just resigned to another tough year, and year 3 of Diaco we will see if there is any chance he is the guy

I'm not resigned to another tough year.

Part of my optimism is that I think that there is already talent in the building to utilize. We will finally have juniors and seniors on the field primarily, with some exciting sophomores in certain areas. And I think that we are in a league where we can make the transition from worst to first much more easily than in the P5. If there is any benefit to not being in the P5 right now, well then that is it. And I hope we take advantage of that. If Diaco has learned as much from his first year as I think he has, then this year will be a lot less painful...

 

[itgoeslike]

I can't figure out why anyone would be against preferred walk-ons. Our recent past has relegated UConn to reverse the tide with 2 and 3 star recruits (with many, if not most, without P5 offers). If a POW evolves into a scholarship player worthy of "stars" it's a win. At the very least, PWO's will provide a more competitive practice environment. In addition, I don't buy the suggestion that the staff is not offering a Connecticut recruit a full scholarship because they want them to come play for "free". If he's your best option and you need him, you offer him. This year's recruiting class is the best in four years, but it would delusional to expect it be loaded with 4-star recruits with offers from P5 programs. This is going be a lengthy process that builds upon one incremental success after another.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

@Bonehead I loved those two Big East title teams and went to Charlotte and Arizona to see them. Absolutely nothing can take away a championship won on the field. It doesn't mean you can't objectively say we were 8-5 and didn't score an offensive TD our last two games.

@noeynox I think it's fair to criticize the recruiting now, while giving the benefit of the doubt to Edsall because he earned that.

I agree will never get 4 or 5 star kids, but I also think guys with FCS offers or very low FBS setting the bar too level.

We should fight for the local 2 and 3 star kids and if we miss out, move to the kids with AAC or good MAC type offers. Take a chance on a couple of kids with academic issues or a few JUCOs. Something, anything, is better than the death spiral we're on.

 

[FDNY99]

I'm not talking about stars.

I'm talking about the schools you win recruiting battles against.

I guess I haven't gotten the point across on the PWO comments. It's the 'serve your state university' crap that is annoying. If he wants to label some walk ons as preferred who cares - it's a nearly meaningless designation.

Now I understand your stance...thanks. Valid points...

 

[UConnDan97]

I agree will never get 4 or 5 star kids

Well, just off the top of my head: Jarrell Miller, Dwayne Difton, Zach Fraser, Chandler Whitmer.

If you mean that it's extremely difficult for us to land a 4 star kid under our current circumstances, well, then I agree with you. But not "never". And keep in mind that we have players that were Parade All-Americans (Lemelle, Newsome) on this roster right now. We have a couple that have played in the Big33 game. We have the #1 DT in Pennsylvania on the way to campus this summer. We have talent, and we are bringing in talent. Now, let's see what we can do with it...

 

[noeynox]

I'm not resigned to another tough year.

Part of my optimism is that I think that there is already talent in the building to utilize. We will finally have juniors and seniors on the field primarily, with some exciting sophomores in certain areas. And I think that we are in a league where we can make the transition from worst to first much more easily than in the P5. If there is any benefit to not being in the P5 right now, well then that is it. And I hope we take advantage of that. If Diaco has learned as much from his first year as I think he has, then this year will be a lot less painful...

I hope your right. I wonder if Trey Rutherford supplants Levy at LT. The line has to be better right from game one next year. Then we need to see if we have a QB on the roster that could play competent FBS FB, which I think is even a bigger issue than the line. At no point last year did the offense look like it did the last 3 games of 2013, with Casey. Competent QB play covers up a lot of deficiencies.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

@UConnDan97 Whitmer, Frazer and I believe even Miller (there was some issue with him) we're transfers though.

Difton I believe was our only 4 star recruit to commit out of HS to UConn. Could be wrong.

So, yeah never say never, but pretty close haha.

 

[UConnDan97]

@UConnDan97 Whitmer, Frazer and I believe even Miller (there was some issue with him) we're transfers though.

Difton I believe was our only 4 star recruit to commit out of HS to UConn. Could be wrong.

So, yeah never say never, but pretty close haha.

I thought that Miller committed to someone else (UNC?) and then decommitted after a year of prep play (Fork Union?). I don't remember because it was so long ago. But...wow, almost never... . We'll get them here, once we right the ship. That's the key...

 

[UConnDan97]

I hope your right. I wonder if Trey Rutherford supplants Levy at LT. The line has to be better right from game one next year. Then we need to see if we have a QB on the roster that could play competent FBS FB, which I think is even a bigger issue than the line. At no point last year did the offense look like it did the last 3 games of 2013, with Casey. Competent QB play covers up a lot of deficiencies.

Yeah, the QB play is going to be crucial this year. I'm hoping for great things from Shirreffs or Davis, or maybe vast improvement from Boyle. But I think that an improvement in the OLine will go a long way to improved football overall. Keep in mind that we had very few games where we ran over 100 yards. That's a gigantic issue. If the OLine gets fixed, that will take a lot of pressure off the QB to be great. Then, we just need him to be good...

 

[gioff23]

I'm not talking about stars.

I'm talking about the schools you win recruiting battles against.

I guess I haven't gotten the point across on the PWO comments. It's the 'serve your state university' crap that is annoying. If he wants to label some walk ons as preferred who cares - it's a nearly meaningless designation.

Except that they get their name called out on NSD and that there is no try out. I understand you're objection to the words serving the state, but haven't we been complaining for years about the CT HS FB Coaches who refuse to acknowledge State U.? Is it such a problem for a kid who wants to play CFB to pass on a 1-AA scholly to suit up for State U., instead? What's wrong with getting kids from across the state in to the program? Would we rather they left the state to play elsewhere?

 

[noeynox]

@Bonehead I loved those two Big East title teams and went to Charlotte and Arizona to see them. Absolutely nothing can take away a championship won on the field. It doesn't mean you can't objectively say we were 8-5 and didn't score an offensive TD our last two games.

@noeynox I think it's fair to criticize the recruiting now, while giving the benefit of the doubt to Edsall because he earned that.

I agree will never get 4 or 5 star kids, but I also think guys with FCS offers or very low FBS setting the bar too level.

We should fight for the local 2 and 3 star kids and if we miss out, move to the kids with AAC or good MAC type offers. Take a chance on a couple of kids with academic issues or a few JUCOs. Something, anything, is better than the death spiral we're on.

I don't disagree with the bold part. When Edsall was here I'd get mad when we would lose OL recruits to Mac schools. You're given Edsall the benefit of the doubt after the fact. The fact remains, the recruits committing now look no different than the commits we were getting then.

To me he is recruiting kids with size that can run. Remains to be seen if Diaco and this staff can develop them. The results on the field will tell the story. Having followed UConn's FB recruiting for like 13 years now, I just can't get worked up. Yeah I want to see kids with at least AAC offers, but those kids aren't really in the tri state area, so you have to convince kids from our expanded recruiting territory to come to CT to play for a team that has not only been bad, it has been boring beyond belief. No small task IMO. Don't discount the effect of our boring play in recruiting as well. Whipple had UMass putting up big numbers against P5 schools last year. SMH.

 

[Excalibur]

I guess I haven't gotten the point across on the PWO comments. It's the 'serve your state university' crap that is annoying. If he wants to label some walk ons as preferred who cares - it's a nearly meaningless designation.

You call it meaningless, and in the same thread declare that you're prepared to declare "time of death" in connection with the same comments.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I thought that Miller committed to someone else (UNC?) and then decommitted after a year of prep play (Fork Union?). I don't remember because it was so long ago. But...wow, almost never... . We'll get them here, once we right the ship. That's the key...

I think you're right about Miller. I don't think he ever ended up playing a game here.

Difton was a strange case too. I think he ended up at UCF. Not sure.

I think we're hamstrung by obviously the conference locally, but the fact we need to play ball with all the community colleges in our league where our refusal to bend academic requirements kills us. Where a Boise State or directional state U will take a kid that can fog a mirror, we won't take any exceptions.

Before the academic crowd goes nuts, if you think allowing 3-5 questionable kids grades wise in to play football hurts UConns academic reputation... there's a good chance you holding a UConn degree has already done enough in that regard.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I don't disagree with the bold part. When Edsall was here I'd get mad when we would lose OL recruits to Mac schools. You're given Edsall the benefit of the doubt after the fact. The fact remains, the recruits committing now look no different than the commits we were getting then.

To me he is recruiting kids with size that can run. Remains to be seen if Diaco and this staff can develop them. The results on the field will tell the story. Having followed UConn's FB recruiting for like 13 years now, I just can't get worked up. Yeah I want to see kids with at least AAC offers, but those kids aren't really in the tri state area, so you have to convince kids from our expanded recruiting territory to come to CT to play for a team that has not only been bad, it has been boring beyond belief. No small task IMO. Don't discount the effect of our boring play in recruiting as well. Whipple had UMass putting up big numbers against P5 schools last year. SMH.

Really good post. I remember when the initial reports came out that we actually had hired Whipple. Looks like that should've been the play. Well, anything other than P would've been better.

 

[whaler11]

Except that they get their name called out on NSD and that there is no try out. I understand you're objection to the words serving the state, but haven't we been complaining for years about the CT HS FB Coaches who refuse to acknowledge State U.? Is it such a problem for a kid who wants to play CFB to pass on a 1-AA scholly to suit up for State U., instead? What's wrong with getting kids from across the state in to the program? Would we rather they left the state to play elsewhere?

Do you think UConn hasn't had walk ons who knew they didn't have to try out but haven't been labeled preferred?

I'll give up because I can't seem to get the point across but calling on kids to give up FCS scholarships and serve their state comes across poorly to me.

It has nothing to do with the value of having good walkons. I don't care where the players come from, just so long as they can win. Not at breakfast but on Saturday's.

 

[itgoeslike]

I'm not talking about stars.

I'm talking about the schools you win recruiting battles against.

I guess I haven't gotten the point across on the PWO comments. It's the 'serve your state university' crap that is annoying. If he wants to label some walk ons as preferred who cares - it's a nearly meaningless designation.

It's meaningless to everyone except the players. The walk-ons are committing to a whole bunch of time with risk to injury and without much glory for a shot at a full a scholarship and taking the field for the University of Connecticut. Diaco is committing to them that they will have a fair shot at a scholarship if they are committed to the program and develop as a player. In addition, he realizes he doesn't have a top 50 recruiting class and he is trying to squeeze as much potential for talent as possible. It also mitigates some risk by adding at least some level of depth at key positions.

Didn't you see Rudy? It was based on a true story so we know this ends well.

 

[UConnDan97]

Before the academic crowd goes nuts, if you think allowing 3-5 questionable kids grades wise in to play football hurts UConns academic reputation... there's a good chance you holding a UConn degree has already done enough in that regard.

There has to be a happy medium between having reasonable standards and creating fake classes. There are a lot of possibilities in between the two. And I'm under no illusion that many of the kids who play sports at any university are not doing it in order to obtain a "General Studies" degree. Some of them are chasing a dream to make money in that chosen sport, and they believe that the university offers the best chance to do so. I just wish that the NCAA would stop pretending that they care about academics and instate the same academic requirements for all schools participating. A good step toward that goal would be to actually punish UNC and others when they fake it...

 

[noeynox]

Do you think UConn hasn't had walk ons who knew they didn't have to try out but haven't been labeled preferred?

I'll give up because I can't seem to get the point across but calling on kids to give up FCS scholarships and serve their state comes across poorly to me.

It has nothing to do with the value of having good walkons. I don't care where the players come from, just so long as they can win. Not at breakfast but on Saturday's.

Not @breakfast I love that. Diaco did a lot of talk about winning but as soon as the games started the tune changed to "were not good enough". That was annoying as all hell. Felt like a copout.

 

[Excalibur]

Do you think UConn hasn't had walk ons who knew they didn't have to try out but haven't been labeled preferred?

So you're OK with the practice, just not with announcing it publicly? And that's the point that you're ready to call it quits over? Of all the things that look to be wrong with the program and Diaco that seems awfully trivial . . .

 

[Bonehead]

What's wrong with getting kids from across the state in to the program? Would we rather they left the state to play elsewhere?

I will answer and I will get killed for it - but hey, honesty is the best policy, right?

After Tim Boyles performances I would rather he be at BC. One less scholly they would have had to possibly take another CT kid and another scholly UConn would have had to offer elsewhere.

Im into getting kids that contribute, and maybe Tim does that in other ways we are not aware of, but I am not interested in a preferred walkon from CT who is NOT as good as a possible preferred walkon from PA or Fla. With that said I hope Tim is a late bloomer and lights it up next year, because he is a Husky and when in the game I will cheer wildly for him, and groan a bit.

Some will argue that Cepedes(sp) was not scholarship worthy and could have been a preferred walk on as well.

I dont want CT kids just to have CT kids - I dont see how that helps.

 

[whaler11]

It's meaningless to everyone except the players. The walk-ons are committing to a whole bunch of time with risk to injury and without much glory for a shot at a full a scholarship and taking the field for the University of Connecticut. Diaco is committing to them that they will have a fair shot at a scholarship if they are committed to the program and develop as a player. In addition, he realizes he doesn't have a top 50 recruiting class and he is trying to squeeze as much potential for talent as possible. It also mitigates some risk by adding at least some level of depth at key positions.

Didn't you see Rudy? It was based on a true story so we know this ends well.

For what feels like the ten millionth time - my comments are about his comments about giving up other opportunities to serve your state university as a walk on.

Not about having walkons. Not about labeling some as preferred.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

@UConnDan97 I don't disagree - my stance is grades wise bend but don't break so to speak.

Anything criminal wise though, I don't really have tolerance for. That in my opinion actually does affect the school's reputation.

 

[whaler11]

So you're OK with the practice, just not with announcing it publicly? And that's the point that you're ready to call it quits over? Of all the things that look to be wrong with the program and Diaco that seems awfully trivial . . .

For the love of God. I don't care how he labels walk ons. I don't like his comments about serving the university. It would seem impossible to make that any clearer.