'09 MD ATH Tavon Austin (Official Offer) - Page 4

wadc45 · #46 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSU42Fan

Conley's "inside" analysis = $0.00

Agree 100%, and not just in this case...

wadc45 · #47 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 12:25 PM

Rivals $

8/21

From the Nebraska site...talks about preparing for a state title run...says West Virginia, Nebraska and Maryland are showing the most interest. Says he is sure he will visit Michigan, Georgia and WVU with the other two up in the air.

wadc45 · #48 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 11:03 AM

Rivals $

9/16

From BWI...is considering officials to Michigan, WVU, Tennessee and Illinois. Not sure about his fifth visit but will cut his list to five in the next few weeks. Talking the most with Georgia, West Virginia, Maryland and Illinois. Hasn't heard from PSU recently.

PennStateAlum · #49 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadc45

Rivals $

9/16

Hasn't heard from PSU recently.

Well that's not good. What, are we cooling on Tavon Austin already??

wadc45 · #50 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 02:18 PM

From an outside perspective it is odd that the updates from Hawkins and Austin both make it sound like the PSU has just stopped contact...

FrankBooth · #51 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadc45

From an outside perspective it is odd that the updates from Hawkins and Austin both make it sound like the PSU has just stopped contact...

It seems odd from a PSU fan's perspective too. As fans we can get dazzled by the star rankings and assume the coaches are screwing it up, but I figure there must be some inside explanation for it.

Perhaps the picture will get clearer with time -- with the team looking so good on the field I'd expect them to capitalize on that in recruiting.

FrankBooth · #52 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 09:35 PM

After thinking about Austin a bit, I'm guessing that staff figures they would use him or Devon Smith in similar roles, and since Smith seems sure to commit there is no need to keep recruiting Austin too.

PennStateAlum · #53 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankBooth

After thinking about Austin a bit, I'm guessing that staff figures they would use him or Devon Smith in similar roles, and since Smith seems sure to commit there is no need to keep recruiting Austin too.

Even though Smith may be good, is he as good as Austin? Why not take both?

FrankBooth · #54 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 12:44 AM

If they were allowed to offer an unlimited number of scholarships, then maybe they would try to take both. But ya gotta manage the numbers when ya want to get a LB or two, some more D-linemen, Justin Brown, a QB and I don't know who else.

PennStateAlum · #55 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankBooth

If they were allowed to offer an unlimited number of scholarships, then maybe they would try to take both. But ya gotta manage the numbers when ya want to get a LB or two, some more D-linemen, Justin Brown, a QB and I don't know who else.

True. However a number of people have recently been booted from the program (i.e. Bell, Taylor, Baker, & Harriot) ...and have left the program (Marks). Right there you have 5 more available schollies right?

I haven't done the numbers, but I thought we had a lot of schollies available this go around until this current recruiting class if full, no? Austin is too good of a catch to let go.

And here we go again...left with one blue chip QB with interest in the program. With neither JoePa or Galen going out to visit recruits on the road...JoePa being great recruiting asset that's only left to "close the deal" nowadays. Then I hear that PSU isn't in regular recent contact w/ Austin. Just does not give me the warm and fuzzies, you know?

PSU42Fan · #56 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 10:17 AM

It seems as if the potential for disaster seen by some earlier this year - which was washed away by some big-time commitments this spring - has returned.

Joe has the staff focused on the season and not recruiting.

In addition, some coaches may not be around after this season and their recruiting efforts could be falling off as a result.

We'll likely get a few commitments before the end of the season (Smith, Brown), but things will dramatically change after the season when it is announced Joe is done. The fallout from that scenario will have a huge impact on our recruiting class this season.

It's almost pointless worrying about it until a successor is announced. Unfortunately, I don't expect good news when all is said and done re: this class.

FrankBooth · #57 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Joe has the staff focused on the season and not recruiting.

This doesn't make sense to me -- it implies JoePa is more concerned with going out in a blaze of glory instead of leaving the program on sound footing as he has claimed numerous times. Furthermore, I'm not convinced that he has even decided to leave at the end of the season, and with the way the team is playing I doubt the administration will have any leverage to shove him out the door.

However, if we hear Jelani Jenkins, Justin Brown or Glen Carson say that PSU recruiters aren't returning their calls, then I'll start bracing myself for JoePa's retirement and staff turnover at the end of the season.

PSU42Fan · #58 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008, 10:33 PM

Hell, yes - Joe is so much more focused on this season than anything else.

This is - 99% - Joe's last season. He simply cannot keep going with his health beginning to decline.

Joe will feel that he has left the cupboard "full" with the players we get in this class regardless.

BTW...Carson has already said that we have been pretty quiet. Did you miss that?

We still have a great shot at Brown and Jenkins, but all bets are off when Joe steps down. We can only hope his successor can keep most of our verbals. We'd have to pull a HUGE name to get others to decommit in our direction.