Fant visiting Goofers

[GunnerHawk]

Disappointed to read this news. Iowa coaches no too excited about it either. Interesting that Fant said if Iowa recruits another tight end, it shows how we care about him.

I think the thought of competing with our other TE recruits has become an issue. Hate to say it but Fant's Scholly may get pulled.

Best of luck in the great white north.

 

[3boysmom]

So he wants Iowa to not look around but he should be free to do so? That's not how it works. Especially a week before signing day.

 

[Arbor1]

Iowa coaches tried mightily to embrace this kid. Nothing but trouble ahead if he were to come to ic at this point imo. Maybe he wants a larger city. Regardless, he doesnt REALLY want us and its time to move on and im sure the coaches have already.

 

[Hawkeye4Life78]

Iowa coaches tried mightily to embrace this kid. Nothing but trouble ahead if he were to come to ic at this point imo. Maybe he wants a larger city. Regardless, he doesnt REALLY want us and its time to move on and im sure the coaches have already.

Perfect. Room for farniok and Jackson with no other moving around needed.

I'm not going to get butt hurt over a TE getting upset that Iowa recruits more than 1 TE. Does he really expect a power, 2/3 TE set team to only recruit 1 TE just to satisfy his wishes?

He is talented and id take him on the team but he obviously doesn't want to play for Iowa. He commited long ago to secure a slot in the class yet was open in saying he was going to keep looking around and essentially wait for better offers. Those offers he wanted never came and now he is scrambling. I wouldn't doubt even Reilly at Nebraska is passing on him...

 

[MitchL]

Bye!

 

[Herkuleez]

Interesting that Fant said if Iowa recruits another tight end, it shows how we care about him.

Like all recruits he was informed that once he commits his official visits elsewhere should cease, therefore he should be 100% certain when giving his verbal or risk Iowa pulling the offer.

Some kids want their cake and eat too...this millennial generation is irritating to say the least.

 

[icu81222]

While I agree it is frustrating, a little too much butt hurt here guys.

I think he ends up at iowa. I respect a kids "I want to be sure" stance for the most part. Just not sure why you wait until this late to take a MN visit, especially when he had to know how iowa felt about his soft commitment.

There are a few red flags popping up with the comment and some other things you hear. Hopefully it will all be unfounded and he turns into a good hawk.

 

[backinblack23]

While I agree it is frustrating, a little too much butt hurt here guys.

I think he ends up at iowa. I respect a kids "I want to be sure" stance for the most part. Just not sure why you wait until this late to take a MN visit, especially when he had to know how iowa felt about his soft commitment.

There are a few red flags popping up with the comment and some other things you hear. Hopefully it will all be unfounded and he turns into a good hawk.

No so much butthurt, but if he isn't sure then he shouldn't give a verbal, just keep taking your visits. He knew what was expected of him when he commits, you don't take anymore official visits, but yet he wants to keep visiting other schools and see whats out there incase somewhere else wants him. To me sounds like he doesn't really want to come to Iowa and thats fine, then don't commit.

I know some people will say well he's in high school, it's a big decision for a kid. I understand that but these kids need to realize that starting after high school they are adults and they are going to be be treated like one. They can't always get what they want and need to stick by their word.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

I would pull the offer. This kid, regardless of his "talent," doesn't have the right attitude to be a part of the Iowa football team. I knew a high school coach once who told every kid who tried out for his team that his evaluation was based, in order, on (1) attitude (2) character (3) talent. And it worked out pretty well for him. This kid will never be missed, but he could be the rotten apple if he came. Let's wish him well and thank him for NOT being a Hawkeye.

 

[ih8iast8]

I want winners. If he thinks Minny is an option, good riddance.

 

[farhawks]

You do remember that Minny has a new coach and maybe just maybe this 18 year old kid is just making sure that Iowa is what he wants. Maybe an 18 year old kid likes the attention he is getting. Maybe this 18 year old kid wants to see what the twin cities have to offer? Some here really need to chill.

 

[DutchyFunStar]

Nothing like Minneapolis in late January.

 

[Rustys Dad]

Yikes. Some fans can turn pretty brutal - all over a kid's recruiting exploits. I admit the recruiting game is a cluster - with kids verballing .. committing, de-committing, committing again ... Sadly that's wherer we're at. That being said ... if a 17 or 18 year-old kid explores other options or gets confused or influenced from other coaches, etc., during the process ... Well ... I (as an Iowa Hawkeye fan) won't lose sleep over it.

It's his talent. It's his decision. It's not my journey to get too caught up on where a kid plays a sport for four years ... Yes, I love recruiting. Yes, it's exciting to bring in good players ... My entire rant is some people take this sh&^ way too seriously ... And then to start dissing a player because he may go somewhere else, etc. I think people who get that wrapped up in a kid's decision are either: 1. 18 years old themselves or 2. Not very happy people who need to find a new hobby.

 

[HawCory]

Yikes. Some fans can turn pretty brutal - all over a kid's recruiting exploits. I admit the recruiting game is a cluster - with kids verballing .. committing, de-committing, committing again ... Sadly that's wherer we're at. That being said ... if a 17 or 18 year-old kid explores other options or gets confused or influenced from other coaches, etc., during the process ... Well ... I (as an Iowa Hawkeye fan) won't lose sleep over it.

It's his talent. It's his decision. It's not my journey to get too caught up on where a kid plays a sport for four years ... Yes, I love recruiting. Yes, it's exciting to bring in good players ... My entire rant is some people take this sh&^ way too seriously ... And then to start dissing a player because he may go somewhere else, etc. I think people who get that wrapped up in a kid's decision are either: 1. 18 years old themselves or 2. Not very happy people who need to find a new hobby.

Good rant Clark.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

I see both sides of this, as fans we do need to chill a bit. On one side I understand the importance of a commitment, the coaches look at more like a relationship. A verbal is like an engagement, in this case (with a verbal Fant is engaged to Iowa) and by taking officials to other schools it is like he isn't quite sure he wants to get "married". Not sure about you but my wife would not be OK with this and I understand why coaches would not be either. On the other side I understand this is an important decision for Fant and I know I would want to be sure before committing. The problem I have is then why give a verbal, why not wait. It is very selfish for a player to do this without actually being committed. It is like asking a woman to marry you just so nobody else can get with her, even though you are not sure you want marry her. NCAA needs an early signing period or better yet ability to sign when offered, I think that would best for all parties involved. It would prevent the Harbaughs in the world just throwing offers out like it was nothing, it would actually force coaches to evaluate. It would keep programs from late poaching, it would allow players to commit when they want and stop the madness if they want. It just makes sense for a sign when offered ability, but since when did the NCAA do things that make sense I guess. Also allowing officials before senior year would give less advantage to warm-climate schools....obviously Alabama vs Iowa in January is not a competition....in July however I will take Iowa over Bama

 

[eyeohuh]

We already have hockenson and beyer. 3 TE's in one year seems like a lot unless one switches positions. Would like to see the TE from Dowling a few years back who was supposed to be a stud stay healthy and be productive in the future

 

[Carlton]

Nothing like Minneapolis in late January.

The Paris on the Mississippi?

 

[Carlton]

I see both sides of this, as fans we do need to chill a bit. On one side I understand the importance of a commitment, the coaches look at more like a relationship. A verbal is like an engagement, in this case (with a verbal Fant is engaged to Iowa) and by taking officials to other schools it is like he isn't quite sure he wants to get "married". Not sure about you but my wife would not be OK with this and I understand why coaches would not be either. On the other side I understand this is an important decision for Fant and I know I would want to be sure before committing. The problem I have is then why give a verbal, why not wait. It is very selfish for a player to do this without actually being committed. It is like asking a woman to marry you just so nobody else can get with her, even though you are not sure you want marry her. NCAA needs an early signing period or better yet ability to sign when offered, I think that would best for all parties involved. It would prevent the Harbaughs in the world just throwing offers out like it was nothing, it would actually force coaches to evaluate. It would keep programs from late poaching, it would allow players to commit when they want and stop the madness if they want. It just makes sense for a sign when offered ability, but since when did the NCAA do things that make sense I guess. Also allowing officials before senior year would give less advantage to warm-climate schools....obviously Alabama vs Iowa in January is not a competition....in July however I will take Iowa over Bama

If Mr. Fant is afraid of competing for the position he desires, perhaps he should check out the Gophers.
However, if he was promised by the staff ( seems unlikely) that they would not take another TE in this recruiting year, I could understand some insecurity on his part.

 

[bravehawks1]

While these young people are making important decisions, it can be frustrating that they commit and then want or need to look at other options. There are probably times that making the change is the best decision for the player and the school. I haven't heard anyone complain that Beyer changed his mind when Iowa swooped in late and offered. If I am not mistaken, Desmond King and Jordan Canzeri were both commits to other schools, changed their minds and became pretty damn good Hawks and representatives for our program. I really doubt any Hawk fans are criticizing them for changing their minds. KF will coach and develop those players who want to be Hawks.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

If Mr. Fant is afraid of competing for the position he desires, perhaps he should check out the Gophers.
However, if he was promised by the staff ( seems unlikely) that they would not take another TE in this recruiting year, I could understand some insecurity on his part.

I think we are assuming that the reason he is taking visit to the Gophers is he is afraid of competition, I am not sure if that is or isn't the reasoning. From my encounters with the staff it is unlikely he was promised anything of that nature. The point I was making is I think it is fine that players look at all their options, it is one of the biggest decisions of their lives. The problem that I have is do not give a verbal commitment if you are truly not committed, that is the problem that I have. However, with the way the rules/regulations are in the NCAA it pretty much forces these types of things from players and programs alike.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

While these young people are making important decisions, it can be frustrating that they commit and then want or need to look at other options. There are probably times that making the change is the best decision for the player and the school. I haven't heard anyone complain that Beyer changed his mind when Iowa swooped in late and offered. If I am not mistaken, Desmond King and Jordan Canzeri were both commits to other schools, changed their minds and became pretty damn good Hawks and representatives for our program. I really doubt any Hawk fans are criticizing them for changing their minds. KF will coach and develop those players who want to be Hawks.

That is the problem IMO, you can't blame coaches/programs for their behaviors of poaching and you can't blame the players for committing early to ensure they have a spot at least somewhere. The problem is the stupid rules in place. Why not just make it simple, if you want to offer an 8th grader or even a Junior why not let them sign on the dotted line right then and there. That will slow down the recruiting landscape tremendously and also prevent this period of time right before signing day to be such a circus of poaching, decommiting, the stupid hat game, etc.

 

[HawkCharlotte]

Here's the basic problem with the Fant situation.

The boy has had months and months to visit other schools if he wanted to be *sure* of his commitment. Now, the weekend before signing day he's visiting another school and then calling out the Iowa coaches for not being thrilled about it. The kid needs to grow up and stick to his commitment. If he's thinking about going else where right near the end, then who would blame Iowa for not being thrilled and recruiting another TE? Oh right ... the answer is Noah Fant.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

At this point I say pull the scholly. I don't want this kind of drama in Iowa City. Fant should realize Iowa runs A LOT of two tight end sets. So yeah, we need more than one tight end.

 

[scotthawk1964]

Were dealing with coddled kids who all think their #1. I would agree, if a kid commits and then thinks he needs to look around, he might be worth passing on. I have been monitoring KJ Sails Twitter, and that kids seems to be more interested in getting as many offers and taking as many visitations as he can. In the end, he will end up at a school he really doesn't want because the good schools have already moved on. Fant from what I have seen has always been a soft verbal, so I think he just wanted to get a scholly locked in but still wants to shop.

 

[BRANDONJ8]

maybe he wants to play in a bigger city like Minnesota is.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

Here's the basic problem with the Fant situation.

The boy has had months and months to visit other schools if he wanted to be *sure* of his commitment. Now, the weekend before signing day he's visiting another school and then calling out the Iowa coaches for not being thrilled about it. The kid needs to grow up and stick to his commitment. If he's thinking about going else where right near the end, then who would blame Iowa for not being thrilled and recruiting another TE? Oh right ... the answer is Noah Fant.

Was not aware he publicly called out the coaches for not being thrilled.....if that is the case probably not the best way to go about things. That would be like me publicly mentioning my wife was upset at me for being out all night getting drunk, pretty obvious statement and going public certainly won't help the cause much

 

[LGEND24]

Bye Felicia

 

[David1979]

I think it is fair. He told them he was doing it so it is not like he is secretly visiting them. He is free to look around and so is Iowa which is what I am sure they told him.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

http://www.scout.com/college/iowa/story/1635667-iowa-commit-noah-fant-will-visit-minnesota

I dont see what the big deal is. He just wants to make sure he is making the right choice.

Yes, he could have done it sooner...but I've been known to procrastinate myself

 

[SigMaintHawk]

In...

 

[TankHawk]

maybe he wants to play in a bigger city like Minnesota is.

Yes, Minnesota is quite the large city.

 

[starbrown]

I clicked on the link provided. Interesting stuff. Pretty good communication skills. Said all the right stuff like he wants a family atmosphere. Says he wants to be a physician some day. Scout has him listed as a DE but he didn't say in the video that he is committed to the TE position. Based on comments in this thread I assume he wants to play TE, not DE. From what little I've seen of him looks like he could play either in college.

If this visit is intended to extract promises from the coaches it will likely backfire. If it's honest jitters Kirk may forgive, but then again with the season Iowa had Kirk may have better options for Fant's scholarship. There is usually drama leading up to signing day and I would be lying if I said it wasn't entertaining.

 

[Herkuleez]

Those of you who keep criticizing us fans and defending Fant (other kids) you need to remember, and its really VERY SIMPLE, Iowa under Ferentz has been crystal clear with recruits since ~2008 class.....

DO NOT COMMIT UNLESS YOU ARE 100% SURE. BY ALL MEANS KEEP TAKING YOUR VISITS IF YOU'RE NOT SURE, BUT DO NOT COMMIT TO IOWA SIMPLY AS A "PLACE-HOLDER." IF YOU COMMIT, THEN LATER DECIDE YOU'RE GOING TO STILL TAKE VISITS IN ORDER TO "MAKE SURE", THEN IOWA WILL OPEN UP YOUR SCHOLLY AND LOOK AROUND AS WELL. NO GUARANTEES IT WILL STILL BE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU DECIDE TO COME BACK.

I stated above, this millennial generation wants their cake and eat it too...sorry, this is the real world and the choices you make have consequences.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

I do not see anything wrong with any of this....I understand Fant's reasoning...I also understand the coaches point of view. Nothing here really, if he ends up a Hawkeye that is great. If he ends up a Gopher then he will just be at the losing end of several head to head match-ups against the Hawkeyes....

 

[HawkCharlotte]

http://www.scout.com/college/iowa/story/1635667-iowa-commit-noah-fant-will-visit-minnesota

I dont see what the big deal is. He just wants to make sure he is making the right choice.

Yes, he could have done it sooner...but I've been known to procrastinate myself

Here's what is the big deal is:

""They don't like it," Fant revealed about the Hawkeye staff's reaction. "They might even decide to start recruiting another tight end. I understand that though. Although I feel like that would show me a lot about where my recruitment and commitment is at with Iowa."

 

[Freyvet]

No worries - this stuff happens all the time in recruiting. Probably not at iowa as much as most programs but we aren't immune to it. If he signs great. If not better to lose him on the front end than backend.

 

[InsaneHawk]

http://www.scout.com/college/iowa/story/1635667-iowa-commit-noah-fant-will-visit-minnesota

I dont see what the big deal is. He just wants to make sure he is making the right choice.

Yes, he could have done it sooner...but I've been known to procrastinate myself

Well, I hope he changes his mind because I would love for Iowa to keep him; however, antics like this has hurt Iowa in the past. It's really not hard to look in a timely manner and Fant has had some time to do his research. At the end of the day I wouldn't be upset if Iowa moves on to ensure they get a quality commitment instead of a last minute fallback. If rumors are true that Iowa feels good about their chances regarding the two OTs, then I think we have a good idea on whom will be Fant's replacement.

 

[And1Hawk]

I have no problem with a kid who thinks he's the best but I have a problem with a kid who is afraid to compete.

 

[Hawkeye_311]

Wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't sign with anyone on signing day.

 

[rivercityjazzman]

Here's the basic problem with the Fant situation.

The boy has had months and months to visit other schools if he wanted to be *sure* of his commitment. Now, the weekend before signing day he's visiting another school and then calling out the Iowa coaches for not being thrilled about it. The kid needs to grow up and stick to his commitment. If he's thinking about going else where right near the end, then who would blame Iowa for not being thrilled and recruiting another TE? Oh right ... the answer is Noah Fant.

Exactly. Yes, it's his right to change his mind; it's a free country. But, his actions, this late in the recruiting process, tell me more about his view(s) on what "commitment" means, more so than what he says it means. I'm sure the UI coaching staff laid down the ground rules from their perspective when they offered him. Whether he realizes it or not, his choices have consequences. Part of maturing is making this realization, in addition to being able to accept the consequences of one's decisions.

KF values commitment, responsibility, and a hard-work ethic, in addition to basic football talents. I don't, of course, know all the facts of Mr. Fant's situation, I only know the bits and pieces I've read on this board. Based on this limited information, it seems like Mr. Fant would be better served elsewhere other than Iowa.