Ozzie82

Likely to be Alpin, Rooney, or Cox at center. My guess is that Alpin is too short to be a division 1 guard. Either center or FB for him... but I wonder how he'd look at DT? Strong, quick, loves physicality.

Fair enough. Agree to disagree.

I have not seen any speculating that attacks a player's character. To me that would cross a line. For instance if there was an unnamed football player accused of a sexual assault or drug offense it would be inappropriate to attach a name to the report without proof. But it that is not what happened here. This falls closer to speculating who is going to start at MLB next year. Or who might be a candidate to transfer (which I've seen plenty of on this board). I agree with you that it's a good thing to be careful how a student athlete is portrayed on a public message board like this one. We need to be very careful about that. But i think your outrage is misplaced in this instance.

He already said he threw out his name as a "possibility." That IS speculating.... he never said he wasn't. Nor do I think he should have to own up if he was "wrong" as his statement was never considered to be fact.

251!

Santiago is not leaving.

IMO there should be a scholarship QB brought in in every recruiting class.

I'm sorry everyone. I should not have started this firestorm. I was wrong to do so. I am not going to compound my mistake, however, by divulging anything further until the University announces it first.

I was referring to geaux_sioux and UNDBIZ's earlier posts opining for one more OL. I think they need 2. Possibly 3 depending on how some things shake out.

Sorry all, I shouldn't have mentioned anything. My mistake.

We need at least two more OL.

Keaton has been injured in nearly every year he has played since high school. He's a running QB. Depth is paramount.

A scholarship QB should be signed every year.

The OL didn't have the grades to get in. UND didn't lose him, he lost UND.

Key phrase... there may be more.

I expect a good battle between Alpin and Rooney next year.

I don't know if this was posted here or not but Justus Mertz is leaving football and UND. VIA his Facebook page.

There is nothing unethical at all about contacting a committed kid to gauge interest.

For sure we can have different opinions and discuss them in a friendly way! You're right that my belief has an educational mindset. I'm not a fan of the business mindset seeping into the educational system. You certainly aren't heartless for approaching this problem this way, nor am I a patsy... both approaches have their merit. The next beer is on me at the tailgate.

My belief is that - if the player is living up to his part of the deal (grades, behavior, practice habits) - then his/her scholarship should be honored for 4 years. It's not the kid's fault if the staff made a mistake on the player's potential (or if he/she got beaten out by a better player).

There's not a staff in the country? Really? You stated you're not a coach, so I'm surprised you know the ins and outs of every single staff in the country. I know a number of staffs personally. Some operate as you advocate, but most do not. I support the staffs that choose a higher ethical standard. And I hope UND does, too.

I get it. "A decision on money" is yanking someone's scholarship. There are a lot of variables that we aren't taking into consideration, and I'm at work so I don't have time to go over all of them, but safe to say that we'll have to agree to disagree.

I am under the impression - correct me if I'm wrong - that you would force the players to leave by taking away their scholarship.

I understand your point. But when Bubba took over why did he honor all of the scholarship offers made by the previous coaching staff? Bubba's staff owed the recruits nothing, right? The staff honored the scholarship offers because it would be unethical not to do so. These coaches understand the damage that would have done to the school's reputation. You have to have full rides tied up with (at least) your second string QB for sure, but I understand your point that it's not good to have full rides tied up with guys who have no chance of playing. That's why most ethical staffs (that I'm aware of) have a meeting with a player and explain to them that they will likely be fourth string next year. The player can make the decision to leave or not. If they stay their scholarship will be honored, if they leave the scholarship is revoked. If a player works hard off the field, has the grades to participate, and follows the team rules then - in my opinion - they shouldn't be punished because a coaching staff (no matter which one) made a mistake on the player. Again, that's why the Big Ten changed their rules... it's unethical otherwise. College athletics is not run like the business world and they shouldn't be. How you treat your student athletes makes a difference in recruiting and team chemistry.

You actually want to yank a player's scholarship and tell him he's now welcome to walk on? Even though he has done nothing wrong? Seriously? If that's the kind of coaching character example you want to set I'm glad you are not coaching and I'm even happier I'm not sending my son to play for you. Because of thinking like yours the Big Ten changed their scholarship policies. They believe it's unethical to have scholarships be year-to-year and have instituted a guaranteed 4 year scholarship. Obviously the B1G has more money to play with vs. UND but the main point is this: If a coaching staff makes a mistake on a player, or has 9.5% of their scholarships wrapped up in one position on the team, then that is on the coaches - not the players. On other college teams the staff has a meeting with a player and explains to them that they will likely be fourth string next year. The player can make the decision to leave or not. If they stay their scholarship will be honored, if they leave the scholarship is revoked. But under no circumstance do coaching staffs sit a scholarship player down and pull their scholly and invite them to walk on. It's unethical.