2020 Recruiting Thread

[Cincydawg]

I don't think of Wisconsin as "mid-tier" except when it comes to recruiting stars.

It's an upper tier program with mid-tier recruiting (at best).

UGA is an upper tier program with elite recruiting.

[MrNubbz]

Congrats to him on his 4th star.

HA! ISWYDT

[bayareabadger]

I think the walk on kickers catch our eye when they do well, but not so much when they are mired behind a ship kicker.

I suspect the sship fellows do better in most cases.

A team might find a kicker with a strong leg but no accuracy and correct his technique etc. and "fix him".  You often get little coaching in HS for kicking.

Anyway, everyone knows how a great kicker can "save a game" in a season while few other players have the capacity.

Is the first sentence tongue in cheek?

[Benthere2]

From the comments by players who have visited and from the comments by the many players who have decommitted.

From a recent recruit and many more are just like it
    "We went to Mall of America, toured the campus, went to coach Fleck's lake house, and I also got to spend time with the players. I really liked seeing Minnesota's campus and facilities again too… it was a lot of small talk continuing our conversation. He talked about the tools I have to be a big time player and play at the next level. He also talked about how Minnesota can give me that blueprint and more importantly develop me off the field. Head coach PJ Fleck and I sat next to each other at dinner, and he was telling me how bad he wants me and what you see is what you get. Which is true, there is no one like him. You can tell he’s building something at Minnesota. And it’s going to be special when it happens."
"I spent a lot of time with Demetrius Dougas and Tanner Morgan while on the visit too,"   "Their message to me was that it’s real there and that’s all the coaches are going to be with me and how they are building something special. My family had already been to Minnesota once, as they came there for the NCAA championships, but they liked everything and had a good time with the Gopher coaches. I'd say my favorite part of the visit was going to coach Fleck's lake house. I love being on the water and riding jet skies. I also got to talk to the coaches a lot while I was there."
"I really wanted to spend more time with the players and coaches, and being here the whole weekend definitely allowing me to do that. I feel really good about Minnesota now. I like what they're doing here. It's a great campus, there's a lot to do besides football, and I love the Gopher coaches. I'm just taking my time with the recruiting process right now."

Will this kid commit to the Gophers?  time will tell but to me these comments are more norm than what you are trying to build up.  your comment about the decommits are true with many programs across the country.  a kid will go in and see the university and feel wow'ed and want to commit but then have 2nd thoughts later.  Coach Fleck admits he is not for everyone and that is alright.  If you feel his stuff isnt what  you  want then good luck but the last thing Fleck or any coach would want is a kid not fully committed to the school and the coaches. 

[847badgerfan]

There are plenty of published examples. I'm not going to waste my time digging - I stand by my statement.

Asa for last season, well, the blind dog finally found a bone. Don't get used to it. It's called an anomaly. 

[FearlessF]

didn't know there were more than 5-10 place kickers given ships at the P5 level each year

does UGA spend ships on kickers?

UNL gave a punter a ship and he's lost his job and transferred to Oregon State

[Cincydawg]

UGA usually does sign kickers to scholarships.  The current PK who is very good got one after the ND game in 2017, so he was not signed out of HS, but the one who was had injuries and could not compete.

https://247sports.com/player/jared-zirkel-46085595/

This guy is a commit and has an offer, for example, for 2020, no stars.

[FearlessF]

many times the Huskers will grant the ship after the kicker or punter establishes themselves as a worthy starter, not out of high school

[betarhoalphadelta]

I thought most programs actually gave kickers scholarships... I didn't think most were walk-ons. 

Maybe I'm wrong on that.

[FearlessF]

In the last 20 recruiting classes at UNL, there have been 7 PK.

3 of them worked out, 4 left

about the same ratio as other positions I suppose

[847badgerfan]

It depends on the kicker. When you get one like Gags, you have to go all-in to get him to come. With others, you offer the opportunity to come and earn it.

I'd rather get one that you just know is going to be good.

[mcwterps1]

https://twitter.com/detroitpenn/status/1140676133173760000?s=19

[bayareabadger]

I thought most programs actually gave kickers scholarships... I didn't think most were walk-ons.

Maybe I'm wrong on that.

Out of HS? No.

Usually you bring in walk-on, they compete, once one is settled for a bit as a starter, scholarship. 

Id forgotten UW had a scholarship guy. He was pretty good, but up and down. Not great last year, and maybe less of a rangy weapon than you’d hope. 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Out of HS? No.

Usually you bring in walk-on, they compete, once one is settled for a bit as a starter, scholarship.

Id forgotten UW had a scholarship guy. He was pretty good, but up and down. Not great last year, and maybe less of a rangy weapon than you’d hope.

Huh. Never heard this before. I figured that given how important a kicker/punter is to a team, that there would be legitimate competition for their services, just like there is at basically every other position. 

Are kickers just so plentiful, and so interchangeable, that it's just a buyer's market for them?