|
Post by longsuffering on Dec 26, 2023 12:51:29 GMT -5
At the risk of sounding naive and selfish, I think the best option for him would be to finish out his college career at HC. I see this as the best option for him to make national headlines. He’ll immediately be in the discussion about the best FCS player in the country. He’ll be the league player of the year. Considering the general consensus on this board, when a player looks to move on from HC, always seems to be that at least from an academic perspective, its a bad decision for that particular athlete...if so, why don't we feel the same about someone using a 5th year at a 4 year school instead of using their athletic skills somewhere they can start working on a post grad degree? I think the board is remarkably consistent. We support HC seniors with an extra season of eligibility who choose to move on and who choose to stay equally. I can't recall any HC player who graduates from HC being criticized for any decision. It is fun to ponder the choices and discuss their pros and cons but still respect the ultimate decision the player makes.
|
|
|
Post by Xmassader on Dec 26, 2023 15:12:27 GMT -5
The NFL draft this Spring for Sluka has some merit. A fifth college season could raise his stock, could lower his stock, or he could get injured seriously and his stock could tank. Any which way there are only so many miles left on his wheels and an undrafted free agent signing bonus could equal an NIL signing bonus so finishing his studies while preparing for the draft at HC this Spring is a viable option. Hard to imagine Matt not at least getting a good UDFA signing bonus and a legitimate shot of hooking on in some versatile capacity with some team. If neither Matt nor Jalen is drafted, I’d like to see Brad Holmes sign both as UDFAs with the Lions to join Kalif. I don’t think it’s a complete coincidence that the Lions rise since 2021 has coincided with the signing of Kalif. Would be great to see three Crusaders in the Honolulu blue and silver. Lions’ QB depth chart is Goff, Bridgewater and Hendon Hooker. Bridgewater is probably gone after the season. I could see Matt vying for a third string or practice squad spot. Jalen’s competition on the Lions would be tougher (St. Brown, Reynolds, Peoples-Jones, Williams and Kalif). But as Kadarius Toney and Puka Nacua have shown us (albeit from different ends of the spectrum), the most important quality in a receiver is to “catch the damn ball”. As we’ve seen in his 4 seasons at HC, Jalen excels at that. In any case, those two are winners and any NFL franchise would be lucky to have them.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Dec 26, 2023 15:29:31 GMT -5
I honestly think his lack of throwing stats is affecting him at this point. He didn't take the next leap this past season as a thrower, and at most school boards I see talking about him have him as a guy to maybe compete for a spot or step in as a backup if their young guy flames out. At this point, I think he's probably destined for JMU, but I have my concerns that Ches and Kennedy will get him NFL ready if Sundays are his end goal. I wouldn't fault him for that if that's his only real chance at an FBS starting spot though. His current best offer is a P5 school on the West Coast. The summer transfer issue is prolonging the process because schools are trying to get their midyear transfer spots figured out first and then will refocus on guys that will come in after the spring. He could absolutely still end up at JMU but he does have other options. He’s looking for the best total package as Dobbs did. Go read Jake’s comments about his transfer portal experience and how difficult it is to build trust with staffs this quickly/blindly. For the ‘24 season is there a Power 5 ? Is it not the new Power 4 without the PAC 12 ? It seems as if PAC orphans Oregon State and Washington State will be the only former Power 5 schools that will then be in the Group of 5.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Dec 26, 2023 15:57:40 GMT -5
The competition within the portal at QB is brutal and gets tougher every day. Just yesterday (!) Florida State's talented backup QB Tate Rodemaker entered the portal. With two years of eligibility. He was slated to start for 3rd-ranked Florida State v 6th ranked Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Saturday and now won't play. Matt Sluka certainly has his work cut out for him in terms of landing a slot and starting at a P-5 (or FBS at any level) team next year.
On a different note, these bowl games can get pretty wild due to the portal and draft opt outs - now Florida State is starting their only remaining scholarship QB and a whole raft of starters aren't playing.
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 26, 2023 16:27:53 GMT -5
The competition within the portal at QB is brutal and gets tougher every day. Just yesterday (!) Florida State's talented backup QB Tate Rodemaker entered the portal. With two years of eligibility. He was slated to start for 3rd-ranked Florida State v 6th ranked Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Saturday and now won't play. Matt Sluka certainly has his work cut out for him in terms of landing a slot and starting at a P-5 (or FBS at any level) team next year. On a different note, these bowl games can get pretty wild due to the portal and draft opt outs - now Florida State is starting their only remaining scholarship QB and a whole raft of starters aren't playing. IIRC, the recruiting mantra at HC was 'don't think of HC as four years of your life, but as 40 years of your life'. (Or something similar to that.) Clearly, at the FBS level, and now even down to some FCS schools, the ease of transferring via the portal and the rise of the NILs has led to football at most institutions being a short-term commitment, and the main pursuit now being the immediate, short-term financial benefit, and not in building a foundation for a 35-40 year career in the workplace. FCS Idaho lost two starters via the transfer route to P-4 schools, with NILs estimated at 5-6 figures. Idaho lost two others to P-4 schools, no NIL $ estimates. The money aside, BC may soon reminisce fondly on how roster stability was a fundamental element of his success at HC
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Dec 26, 2023 16:45:16 GMT -5
The competition within the portal at QB is brutal and gets tougher every day. Just yesterday (!) Florida State's talented backup QB Tate Rodemaker entered the portal. With two years of eligibility. He was slated to start for 3rd-ranked Florida State v 6th ranked Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Saturday and now won't play. Matt Sluka certainly has his work cut out for him in terms of landing a slot and starting at a P-5 (or FBS at any level) team next year. On a different note, these bowl games can get pretty wild due to the portal and draft opt outs - now Florida State is starting their only remaining scholarship QB and a whole raft of starters aren't playing. Reading this info makes one wonder if letting the underclassmen who can transfer in for Spring practice beat each other up and declaring for the NFL draft might be a way to arbitrage between the two markets and gain an edge. OTH, grabbing a six figure NIL bonus this year and a six figure or above UDFA or draft pick bonus next year plus a Masters degree ain't chopped liver either. Looking forward to cheering Matt on wherever he plays and feeling pride whenever "Holy Cross" is mentioned by the announcers.
|
|
|
Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 26, 2023 17:06:28 GMT -5
His current best offer is a P5 school on the West Coast. The summer transfer issue is prolonging the process because schools are trying to get their midyear transfer spots figured out first and then will refocus on guys that will come in after the spring. He could absolutely still end up at JMU but he does have other options. He’s looking for the best total package as Dobbs did. Go read Jake’s comments about his transfer portal experience and how difficult it is to build trust with staffs this quickly/blindly. For the ‘24 season is there a Power 5 ? Is it not the new Power 4 without the PAC 12 ? It seems as if PAC orphans Oregon State and Washington State will be the only former Power 5 schools that will then be in the Group of 5. I’ve used both terms P4 (which will be the case starting in 2024) and P5 to describe what had been. I’m guessing from a semantics perspective, the consensus will be P4 starting in 2024.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Dec 26, 2023 17:10:54 GMT -5
Do Washington State and Oregon State get to split the league’s bank account before turning out the lights?
|
|
|
Post by Ray on Dec 26, 2023 17:30:24 GMT -5
Do Washington State and Oregon State get to split the league’s bank account before turning out the lights?
WSU and OSU got screwed, I hope they gave the other 10 enough of a haircut to help mitigate the revenue shortfalls they're facing in the years ahead.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Dec 26, 2023 18:23:55 GMT -5
The competition within the portal at QB is brutal and gets tougher every day. Just yesterday (!) Florida State's talented backup QB Tate Rodemaker entered the portal. With two years of eligibility. He was slated to start for 3rd-ranked Florida State v 6th ranked Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Saturday and now won't play. Matt Sluka certainly has his work cut out for him in terms of landing a slot and starting at a P-5 (or FBS at any level) team next year. On a different note, these bowl games can get pretty wild due to the portal and draft opt outs - now Florida State is starting their only remaining scholarship QB and a whole raft of starters aren't playing. Reading this info makes one wonder if letting the underclassmen who can transfer in for Spring practice beat each other up and declaring for the NFL draft might be a way to arbitrage between the two markets and gain an edge. OTH, grabbing a six figure NIL bonus this year and a six figure or above UDFA or draft pick bonus next year plus a Masters degree ain't chopped liver either. Looking forward to cheering Matt on wherever he plays and feeling pride whenever "Holy Cross" is mentioned by the announcers. Let’s keep in mind there may be essentially no interest in Matt by the NFL at this point, there is no way to move that needle at HC, and going FBS in a glut QB market (after picking up a HC diploma) is therefore his best option. I also wouldn’t count on a masters while playing one extremely busy year of FBS football.
|
|
|
Post by hc87 on Dec 26, 2023 18:41:49 GMT -5
I would like to think that in these times of uncertainty/fluctuation that a program like Holy Cross could benefit from being seen as a place that provides stability i.e. play here at a high level and if you work hard/study for 4or 5 years and you will have tremendous opportunities not only in football but other career interests for the next 40 or so years after you leave Mt St James.
I know Ches was basically selling this...."Ivy in the classroom and ACC on the field" but if we can continue to market this well, we should in theory have an advantage ovah other FCS and FBS schools that have schools retooling their rostahs year to year.
I also realize that this could be somewhat "pie in the sky" thinking in this era of D1 college athletics.
|
|
|
Post by sader1970 on Dec 26, 2023 19:23:09 GMT -5
Can't remember whether it was Harvard, Yale or another Ivy that the students used to chant (not against Holy Cross), "Hi, Hi, Hey, Hey. You're gonna work for us someday."
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Dec 26, 2023 19:28:37 GMT -5
I heard that chant at Fairfield (usually when an opponent made a flashy play). Alternate..."So what, you'll still work for us."
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Dec 26, 2023 19:31:55 GMT -5
Hmmm. Only two years to build a football conference. If things don't work out with the MWC, might the Pac-12 try to sign three New England schools as Football only members? UConn, UMass and...
We have a Board Futurist who suggested something like this might happen.
|
|
|
Post by 78purple on Dec 26, 2023 20:05:12 GMT -5
At the risk of sounding naive and selfish, I think the best option for him would be to finish out his college career at HC. I see this as the best option for him to make national headlines. He’ll immediately be in the discussion about the best FCS player in the country. He’ll be the league player of the year. I'm sure he has heard at least once that if you're good enough, the NFL will find you.....with Shorter staying, maybe the wheels are turning
|
|
|
Post by 78purple on Dec 26, 2023 20:10:09 GMT -5
Can't remember whether it was Harvard, Yale or another Ivy that the students used to chant (not against Holy Cross), "Hi, Hi, Hey, Hey. You're gonna work for us someday." sounds like Harvard
|
|
|
Post by hc1998 on Dec 26, 2023 20:29:44 GMT -5
The competition within the portal at QB is brutal and gets tougher every day. Just yesterday (!) Florida State's talented backup QB Tate Rodemaker entered the portal. With two years of eligibility. He was slated to start for 3rd-ranked Florida State v 6th ranked Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Saturday and now won't play. Matt Sluka certainly has his work cut out for him in terms of landing a slot and starting at a P-5 (or FBS at any level) team next year. On a different note, these bowl games can get pretty wild due to the portal and draft opt outs - now Florida State is starting their only remaining scholarship QB and a whole raft of starters aren't playing. Thats a shame about FSU...was hoping both teams would be at close to full strength so UGA could destroy them and put to bed any arguments that they deserved to be in the CFP
|
|
|
Post by inhocsigno on Dec 29, 2023 12:56:04 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Dec 29, 2023 13:49:10 GMT -5
Any idea why?
|
|
|
Post by inhocsigno on Dec 29, 2023 15:18:06 GMT -5
I'll leave that to the insiders, but I assume it is PT - only has 11 receptions in 3 (2 w/o injury) years. It does leave us very thin at the position. Hopefully the young guys can fill the role.
|
|
|
Post by dharry13 on Dec 29, 2023 15:51:22 GMT -5
Owens is moving to TE. My guess they will get 1-2 more this cycle. Will have 5-6 overall.
|
|
|
Post by joutsHC77 on Dec 30, 2023 14:05:31 GMT -5
Since the Carter and Duffner years, we've been very deficient in utilizing the TE as a viable passing option. If we're going to recruit TEs, pass to them a la Gronkowski!
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Dec 30, 2023 14:24:07 GMT -5
A couple of exceptiions among HC tight ends: Alex Schneider and, to a lesser degree, Derek Mountain
|
|
|
Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 30, 2023 14:31:06 GMT -5
Luke Dugan was a 1st team All PL TE in 2005 as was Ryan McGuire in 2007 or 2008 if I remember.
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on Dec 30, 2023 14:44:08 GMT -5
McGuire the best receiving TE we've had since I set foot on Mt St James
|
|