Nicholas Baer, preferred walk-on

Open arms for anyone willing to come and work hard for the Hawkeyes so welcome aboard Mr. Baer. Hopefully he will be able to contribute.

I do not see this helping us keep up with the Joneses 130 miles or so west and a bit north along I-35. But perhaps the staff is seeing a project with potential.

If none of the JUCO prospects pan out, does he get a scholly?
 
Seems to be a project. Decent player and appears to like to dunk. Maybe he could be another Aaron White type kid, but I think he defenitely needs to redshirt and then see if he is worthy of a scholly. I'd say he's a walk on for at least 2 seasons before he's potentially ready for a scholly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWs9v_GxDOk
 
No offense to Mr. Baer but why is Fran taking on preferred walk-on projects at this point? I'm beginning to think Brent Yarina is right to peg Iowa at 8th in the B1G next year, behind Wisky, Nebby, Sparty, Michigan, tOSU, Illanoy and B1G newcomer Maryland. That would suggest no return to the NCAA, if you can even call Iowa's brief flirtation with the tournament this year an actual stop. How mad will the Iowa fan base be at that point?
 
No offense to Mr. Baer but why is Fran taking on preferred walk-on projects at this point? I'm beginning to think Brent Yarina is right to peg Iowa at 8th in the B1G next year, behind Wisky, Nebby, Sparty, Michigan, tOSU, Illanoy and B1G newcomer Maryland. That would suggest no return to the NCAA, if you can even call Iowa's brief flirtation with the tournament this year an actual stop. How mad will the Iowa fan base be at that point?
We are now complaining about walk-ons?
 
This rocks, they got a scholarship quality player to come in as a wail on. I am a big Bettendorf fan and I am stoked about this! He is one heck of a player and I he will help the team for sure.
 
We are now complaining about walk-ons?

Please re-read my post. I'm not criticizing the young man. Rather, I'm wondering -- concerned, actually -- why this staff seems to be performing at about a C-minus, D-plus level when it comes to recruiting to Iowa City the type of four-year, JUCO or transfer player who can make a difference right away. Instead of continuing an upward progression, I really fear this program could take a big slide next year.
 
taking a preferred walk-on keeps ties with HS and AAU coaches. it doesn't devote time or resources away from recruiting scholarship players.

In addition to kids going on to D1 schools, I've had kids "sign" as preferred walk-ons. It's a simple process -- a kid, or the coach (me), contacts the program and expresses interest. After admission, they contact the staff again. If the kid has a (slight) chance of being a contributor down the road, the staff usually accepts him as a preferred walk-on, especially if he's in-state. These kids basically recruit themselves, and what they usually end up offering is a good work ethic in practice and some Mr. Davis gray-team bodies to push the scholarship kids to work harder. It's a win-win for everyone. the staff gets a good kid, and the kid gets to be part of a D1 program, all for minimal resource investment.
 
No offense to Mr. Baer but why is Fran taking on preferred walk-on projects at this point? I'm beginning to think Brent Yarina is right to peg Iowa at 8th in the B1G next year, behind Wisky, Nebby, Sparty, Michigan, tOSU, Illanoy and B1G newcomer Maryland. That would suggest no return to the NCAA, if you can even call Iowa's brief flirtation with the tournament this year an actual stop. How mad will the Iowa fan base be at that point?

What, the coaches are supposed to dedicate resources to hoard walk-ons by the early signing period? If nothing else, Baer provides a solid player for the practice squad. But complaining about a walk-on being a project is like complaining about water being wet. If he weren't a project, he wouldn't be a walk-on.
 
taking a preferred walk-on keeps ties with HS and AAU coaches. it doesn't devote time or resources away from recruiting scholarship players.

In addition to kids going on to D1 schools, I've had kids "sign" as preferred walk-ons. It's a simple process -- a kid, or the coach (me), contacts the program and expresses interest. After admission, they contact the staff again. If the kid has a (slight) chance of being a contributor down the road, the staff usually accepts him as a preferred walk-on, especially if he's in-state. These kids basically recruit themselves, and what they usually end up offering is a good work ethic in practice and some Mr. Davis gray-team bodies to push the scholarship kids to work harder. It's a win-win for everyone. the staff gets a good kid, and the kid gets to be part of a D1 program, all for minimal resource investment.

This. Will he contribute on the court in the future? The odds are against it, but it's not impossible. But he can still contribute to the team in practices and like you said, it helps maintain relationships with high school and AAU coaches.
 
No offense to Mr. Baer but why is Fran taking on preferred walk-on projects at this point? I'm beginning to think Brent Yarina is right to peg Iowa at 8th in the B1G next year, behind Wisky, Nebby, Sparty, Michigan, tOSU, Illanoy and B1G newcomer Maryland. That would suggest no return to the NCAA, if you can even call Iowa's brief flirtation with the tournament this year an actual stop. How mad will the Iowa fan base be at that point?

Maybe we should bank the walk on spot for next year so we can hopefully get a better walk on.
 
Open arms for anyone willing to come and work hard for the Hawkeyes so welcome aboard Mr. Baer. Hopefully he will be able to contribute.

I do not see this helping us keep up with the Joneses 130 miles or so west and a bit north along I-35. But perhaps the staff is seeing a project with potential.

If none of the JUCO prospects pan out, does he get a scholly?

Sounds like a strong walk on, someone who could definitely help the program in some capacity, even if it's typically just to push our other players to get better in practice, etc. I'd say let's not be in a hurry to throw our unused scholarships at walk-ons, though.
 
I don't think so. That would make that walk on class large. It's important to keep our walk on classes balanced.

Normally I would agree with you. But if we could make the tournament the next 4 years (which obviously won't happen now that Fran brought on a project for a walk on) we would be in a position to bring in a fab 5 type walk on clas
 
there has been an outbreak of random idiocy, or simple trolling, here

walk-ons don't get schollys unless they merit playing time and there is a vacant spot (ingram leaves, stokes gets a one-year scholly).

the staff didn't "recruit" the kid.

this is okey ukah pt. 2. practice body and some out of conference mop up time. anyone using this kid's decision to recruit himself, and the staff encouraging him to do so, as evidence of fran's poor recruiting is really dumb, or just typing crap to type it.
 
there has been an outbreak of random idiocy, or simple trolling, here

walk-ons don't get schollys unless they merit playing time and there is a vacant spot (ingram leaves, stokes gets a one-year scholly).

the staff didn't "recruit" the kid.

this is okey ukah pt. 2. practice body and some out of conference mop up time. anyone using this kid's decision to recruit himself, and the staff encouraging him to do so, as evidence of fran's poor recruiting is really dumb, or just typing crap to type it.

<* LIKE *>
I like the whole post, but especially the bolded part.

At best, the coaching staff spent no time recruiting this kid. At worst, they spent little time recruiting him and told him up front that he wasn't scholarship worthy right now but could earn one if he developed.

Just my 2¢ .. ..

GO HAWKS!!!
 
Fran really needs to start landing some top 150 walk ons from out of state if we're gunna compete with the big boys.
 

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