Section136
Well-Known Member
I think he meant that French was in the Iowa locker room on Saturday and asked that. French was on a visit to Iowa City this past weekend.
I think he meant that French was in the Iowa locker room on Saturday and asked that. French was on a visit to Iowa City this past weekend.
hawkfan2679
Well-Known Member
Good call...that does make more sense.
Tom Zbikowski? You mean the all-american safety? who got drafted in the NFL? and now plays for the Ravens? Yeah i would hate to have a player like that.
You got to remember, this is a decision on the next 4-5 years of their life...I'd figure every recruit would want to see more than just the football part of the school.
Last edited:
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Re: Wow, just wow...
Ballard was actually rather "soft" on the gridiron when he was in high school ... and I imagine that even he'd admit that he was too immature back then. Fortunately, it sounded like he had a bit of an epiphany during his SR basketball season when his basketball coach set him aside and basically told him that he'd likely amount to nothing at Iowa if he kept on doing things as he was doing them. At that moment, he pretty much turned around his play in BOTH basketball and track ... and then entered the Iowa program with the sort of focus that ended up landing him early playing time as a TR FR!
Pretty nice transformation, eh?
Ballard was actually rather "soft" on the gridiron when he was in high school ... and I imagine that even he'd admit that he was too immature back then. Fortunately, it sounded like he had a bit of an epiphany during his SR basketball season when his basketball coach set him aside and basically told him that he'd likely amount to nothing at Iowa if he kept on doing things as he was doing them. At that moment, he pretty much turned around his play in BOTH basketball and track ... and then entered the Iowa program with the sort of focus that ended up landing him early playing time as a TR FR!
Pretty nice transformation, eh?
PlanoHawk
Well-Known Member
Wow, all this stuff seems a little over the top for this kid. So many times, the message board blows up about how we need to keep the "top kids" in state. This will work out fine. If he goes elsewhere, he doesn't have the interest to play for Iowa, but if he does- it's put up or shut up... work to be the best or he'll completely fall off the radar.
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
You people are real jerks for responding to this post. First of all, you are trashing a young man who is trying to earn a college scholarship, even though none of you are experts in evaluating football talent. To me, that is criminal.
Second, do you really think that you are better than Ferentz and his staff at evaluating talent? Give me a break.
Lay off this kid and don't post these types of things again. Better yet, stay out of the high school recruiting game. You are all a bunch of rank amateurs. I have no expertise in this area, and I don't pretend to have any. I would never comment on a high school kid - remember, they are young and immature (but they do grow up).
Ferentz and his staff are being paid big bucks to do this -- let them do it.
Second, do you really think that you are better than Ferentz and his staff at evaluating talent? Give me a break.
Lay off this kid and don't post these types of things again. Better yet, stay out of the high school recruiting game. You are all a bunch of rank amateurs. I have no expertise in this area, and I don't pretend to have any. I would never comment on a high school kid - remember, they are young and immature (but they do grow up).
Ferentz and his staff are being paid big bucks to do this -- let them do it.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I'd love it if French were to become a Hawk. Furthermore, I frankly believe that Iowa's ability to develop talent actually makes Iowa a better fit for French too.
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
That is a positive comment, Homer. That is what we should be doing - trying to help these kids.
My only point here is that if you don't have something nice, positive or constructive to say about a high school kid, you are really better off to say nothing. It just is not fair to go "negative" about these young people unless you are a professional paid to evaluate this type of talent. I am not one of those people and I am guessing that 99.9% of the people posting on this website are not in that category either.
Now, if you want to go off on a coach, have at it!!! They are well-paid adults and can handle the criticism.
I make it a policy never to criticize high school or college players. They are unpaid (I think) and most of the time just doing their best to help their team and get an education.
My only point here is that if you don't have something nice, positive or constructive to say about a high school kid, you are really better off to say nothing. It just is not fair to go "negative" about these young people unless you are a professional paid to evaluate this type of talent. I am not one of those people and I am guessing that 99.9% of the people posting on this website are not in that category either.
Now, if you want to go off on a coach, have at it!!! They are well-paid adults and can handle the criticism.
I make it a policy never to criticize high school or college players. They are unpaid (I think) and most of the time just doing their best to help their team and get an education.
Don't get me wrong. I am not making any comments about French's talent. I am only saying he has come off as a little too nonchalant for my tastes. And what I meant in the Zbikowski comparison is that that guy came off as if he was enthusiastic about sports. Basically had as sense he knew about the different schools and was excited about visiting. I would say the same about Arrington. I would rather hear someone is a fan of another school than not a fan at all.
Now, I am judging all this on print interviews and personal reports of people who know him, so take it with a grain of salt.
Now, I am judging all this on print interviews and personal reports of people who know him, so take it with a grain of salt.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I'm also sticking to my mantra about how I like Iowa landing its quality in-state talent. The strength of the football talent in Iowa isn't always with regard to how wonderfully specialized the guys are ... but rather the high ceiling that so many of these multi-sport athletes have. There's a reason why Northern Iowa is one of the more elite schools in D1 FCS college ball.
Mac50702
Well-Known Member
Homer I'm going to stick to my mantra of in Kirk I trust.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Hey ... that's another one of the ones I go by too. If the Iowa coaches liked French enough to offer him ... I'm good with that.
greghammel
Well-Known Member
I have been in the military for the last 20 years of my life and living on the west coast for 6 years, being stationed overseas at multiple locations, spending much time in Florida, Texas, and currently living on the East coast. One thing is certain... the majority 18 year olds coming in from the West Coast and Florida act a lot tougher than they are. The teens from the NE are no-nonsense and give you exactly what you think they got. The midwestern kids are overachievers who outside of the wanna be gang members of our larger cities, will outwork, outsmart, and dominate other area codes. If your SSN starts with 475-485, you are someone I would trade for before ever seeing you on station.
A
alexzelada
Guest
French is now an Army All-American. Congrats to the kid. Apparently people who specialize in recruiting don't listen to anonymous message board posters. Probably a good idea.
CRwrestling
Well-Known Member
What is there a recruiting message board for? Do we have to agree with every recruit the Hawkeyes offer?
I've seen Christian play alot, there haven't been any posts on here that were inaccurate, or even rude. In fact Christian may end up appreciating the fact that these thoughts are out there. It puts the right perspective on him if or when he lands in Iowa City. He is not going to come in as a typical 4* recruit. It is fair to say that when thinking about Christian in college we should consider him no different than a walk-on. If the coaching staff turns him into a fulltime position player on Saturdays then they are really earning their paychecks. If he ends up being the biggest, fastest, arm tackling contain man on special teams.. what the hell we kept him in state. We'll never have to hear that he didn't live up to any expectations though, b/c we REALLY shouldn't have any. That's my take on Christian.
A
alexzelada
Guest
apparently he's a silent verbal to Iowa
Say what homes? This coming form who/where/when?
A
alexzelada
Guest
Homes? Should've used "supposedly" instead of "apparently". I find it hard to believe as well since I assume he reads the message boards. I hope he ignores the ignorant and verbals to Iowa.
