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Recruiting

TNT have been highly criticized for 2 things: lack of developing title contenders and recruiting blue chippers. I can only imagine the size of stones thrown at TNT if Bouzakis, Paddy and Chittum were all Hawks — which almost happened.
Or if Jesuroga didn't decide to give up wrestling!
 
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Where are all the dorks piling on them for doing even less than Iowa did with whatever guy everyone was wringing their hands about over the Telford call?
I think Tom is an intelligent guy and after seeing the deal with Anthony Knox last year where only one team called him right away at midnight (Cornell) and he committed to them I’m sure it was pretty eye opening for many of these coaches to see the importance of that call to the athletes.
 
I think Tom is an intelligent guy and after seeing the deal with Anthony Knox last year where only one team called him right away at midnight (Cornell) and he committed to them I’m sure it was pretty eye opening for many of these coaches to see the importance of that call to the athletes.
Here is what is comical to me. When Flo put out the Knox footage Hawkeye realist judged Brands & staff for miss managing the recruiting process in that instance. Certain Iowa fans judged those who posted constructive criticism. Now that Brands & staff have changed how they manage recruiting in this particular instance people are commending Brands and staff. Folks you can't have it both ways.

BTW SD, that wasn't a knock at you at all. I agree & commend Brands & staff for the adjustment & I have no recollection of your stance on the Knox interaction.
 
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Here is what is comical to me. When Flo put out the Knox footage Hawkeye realist judged Brands & staff for miss managing the recruiting process in that instance. Certain Iowa fans judged those who posted constructive criticism. Now that Brands & staff have changed how they manage recruiting in this particular instance people are commending Brands and staff. Folks you can't have it both ways.

BTW SD, that wasn't a knock at you at all. I agree & commend Brands & staff for the adjustment & I have no recollection of your stance on the Knox interaction.
What's comical to me is the usual "realists" said Ayala wouldn't AA last year during the season, and after the season said Iowa wouldn't even be a top 10 team this season. You were always good for a laugh on 1984.
 
What's comical to me is the usual "realists" said Ayala wouldn't AA last year during the season, and after the season said Iowa wouldn't even be a top 10 team this season. You were always good for a laugh on 1984.
I think you are mistaking, sir. I don't recall stating any of the above anywhere. Unless your statements above are separate from each other and you weren't saying I said any of those things, but just that I was always good for a laugh. If that's the case we should have a beer sometime as I'm even more comical in person while enjoying a beverage..... Old Gobblin can attest.
 
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Here is what is comical to me. When Flo put out the Knox footage Hawkeye realist judged Brands & staff for miss managing the recruiting process in that instance. Certain Iowa fans judged those who posted constructive criticism. Now that Brands & staff have changed how they manage recruiting in this particular instance people are commending Brands and staff. Folks you can't have it both ways.

BTW SD, that wasn't a knock at you at all. I agree & commend Brands & staff for the adjustment & I have no recollection of your stance on the Knox interaction.

Who’s to say they changed anything? They could simply have decided to approach one recruit one way and another a different way based on existing relationship, expectation, prioritization, etc.

You know…like a normal coach would do.
 
Who’s to say they changed anything? They could simply have decided to approach one recruit one way and another a different way based on existing relationship, expectation, prioritization, etc.

You know…like a normal coach would do.
Typical Spooner. With that said yes, only the staff knows. However an educated guess can be made based on the fact that they called both Jax & Bo at midnight along with the Raney's that they've changed their tune.
 
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I think Tom is an intelligent guy and after seeing the deal with Anthony Knox last year where only one team called him right away at midnight (Cornell) and he committed to them I’m sure it was pretty eye opening for many of these coaches to see the importance of that call to the athletes.
Not necessarily cause and effect.
 
Typical Spooner. With that said yes, only the staff knows. However an educated guess can be made based on the fact that they called both Jax & Bo at midnight along with the Raney's that they've changed their tune.

I want to be very clear: you might be right.

However, to believe that one would have to believe that after all these years of coaching they changed their approach because of a kid they were at best a long shot for anyway and just now decided to be extra aggressive. I don’t personally buy that logic. I think both moves were largely calculated.

To be clear, I’ve been an outspoken critic of Brands’ recruiting so this isn’t some grand defense.
 
I want to be very clear: you might be right.

However, to believe that one would have to believe that after all these years of coaching they changed their approach because of a kid they were at best a long shot for anyway and just now decided to be extra aggressive. I don’t personally buy that logic. I think both moves were largely calculated.

To be clear, I’ve been an outspoken critic of Brands’ recruiting so this isn’t some grand defense.
.....so one of if not the best light weight head coaches "calculated" to have an assistant heavyweight coach call the top lightweight recruit in the nation the afternoon of the first contact day. I don't believe "calculated" is the best choice of adjectives myself.
 
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I want to be very clear: you might be right.

However, to believe that one would have to believe that after all these years of coaching they changed their approach because of a kid they were at best a long shot for anyway and just now decided to be extra aggressive. I don’t personally buy that logic. I think both moves were largely calculated.

To be clear, I’ve been an outspoken critic of Brands’ recruiting so this isn’t some grand defense.
I see Bo and Jax took an official visit to Michigan together this weekend. Real woods was responding to Bo’s instagram post after the visit. Sounds like they had Woods wrestling with them and recruiting them hard. JFC, Woods moving truck barely left Iowa City and he’s already trying to **** us out of maybe the most important recruit for us to land since Spencer. It’s really going to suck when Kem starts recruiting against us soon for the goofers. Only thing worse would be Spencer working against us.
 
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I see Bo and Jax took an official visit to Michigan together this weekend. Real woods was responding to Bo’s instagram post after the visit. Sounds like they had Woods wrestling with them and recruiting them hard. JFC, Woods moving truck barely left Iowa City and he’s already trying to **** us out of maybe the most important recruit for us to land since Spencer. It’s really going to suck when Kem starts recruiting against us soon for the goofers. Only thing worse would be Spencer working against us.
Lee, Kemerer, and Woods would make a great young coaching staff.
 
I see Bo and Jax took an official visit to Michigan together this weekend. Real woods was responding to Bo’s instagram post after the visit. Sounds like they had Woods wrestling with them and recruiting them hard. JFC, Woods moving truck barely left Iowa City and he’s already trying to **** us out of maybe the most important recruit for us to land since Spencer. It’s really going to suck when Kem starts recruiting against us soon for the goofers. Only thing worse would be Spencer working against us.
Do you need a tissue?
 
.....so one of if not the best light weight head coaches "calculated" to have an assistant heavyweight coach call the top lightweight recruit in the nation the afternoon of the first contact day. I don't believe "calculated" is the best choice of adjectives myself.

It isn't like the first contact day is their first opportunity to meet a kid. They were already well aware of his feelings and interest level on Iowa before then. So call it what you want but the attention level likely matched the opportunity. Probably wasn't worth more than a kick of the tires.
 
It isn't like the first contact day is their first opportunity to meet a kid. They were already well aware of his feelings and interest level on Iowa before then. So call it what you want but the attention level likely matched the opportunity. Probably wasn't worth more than a kick of the tires.
No reason to put forth any effort if it isn't full effort. Just look at the optics of how they handled.
 
I want to be very clear: you might be right.

However, to believe that one would have to believe that after all these years of coaching they changed their approach because of a kid they were at best a long shot for anyway and just now decided to be extra aggressive. I don’t personally buy that logic. I think both moves were largely calculated.

To be clear, I’ve been an outspoken critic of Brands’ recruiting so this isn’t some grand defense.


It isn't like the first contact day is their first opportunity to meet a kid. They were already well aware of his feelings and interest level on Iowa before then. So call it what you want but the attention level likely matched the opportunity. Probably wasn't worth more than a kick of the tires.

You're wrong on both fronts. Brands ABSOLUTELY learned a lesson from last year. This is a marked (and needed) change from recruiting efforts in the past. None of us (or even Jax himself) - thought he was on the radar. But that call meant something to him, and it gets us in the game.

2. I'm not sure who told Brands that Knox wasn't a possibility - but that's just 100% not true. That night, both he and his father told Flo that they wish Terry would call. "How cool would that be?" - was the quote. Knox dad something to the effect of, "you go to Iowa to win gold medals."
 
No reason to put forth any effort if it isn't full effort. Just look at the optics of how they handled.

Haha. Ok.

Canadian Thumbs Up GIF


You're wrong on both fronts. Brands ABSOLUTELY learned a lesson from last year. This is a marked (and needed) change from recruiting efforts in the past. None of us (or even Jax himself) - thought he was on the radar. But that call meant something to him, and it gets us in the game.

2. I'm not sure who told Brands that Knox wasn't a possibility - but that's just 100% not true. That night, both he and his father told Flo that they wish Terry would call. "How cool would that be?" - was the quote. Knox dad something to the effect of, "you go to Iowa to win gold medals."

I might be wrong on both fronts. I also don't put stock in anything you say.
 
Haha. Ok.

Canadian Thumbs Up GIF




I might be wrong on both fronts. I also don't put stock in anything you say.
As I started in my first response to you in this thread, typical Spooner. You sir, are a contrarion and just like to pick the opposite to have discussion. You are fairly good at it as well. As most contrarions are as you have plenty of practice. No significant arguments made here. Good talk. 😉
 
I want to be very clear: you might be right.

However, to believe that one would have to believe that after all these years of coaching they changed their approach because of a kid they were at best a long shot for anyway and just now decided to be extra aggressive. I don’t personally buy that logic. I think both moves were largely calculated.

To be clear, I’ve been an outspoken critic of Brands’ recruiting so this isn’t some grand defense.
Sounds closer to the strategy of Hawks or any high level recruiting staff. I think they would approach based on known/assumed personalities and wants. Are they able to talk to the high school coach of recruits prior to official recruiting day because they would be a wealth of information concerning how to approach a recruit?
 
You're wrong on both fronts. Brands ABSOLUTELY learned a lesson from last year. This is a marked (and needed) change from recruiting efforts in the past. None of us (or even Jax himself) - thought he was on the radar. But that call meant something to him, and it gets us in the game.

2. I'm not sure who told Brands that Knox wasn't a possibility - but that's just 100% not true. That night, both he and his father told Flo that they wish Terry would call. "How cool would that be?" - was the quote. Knox dad something to the effect of, "you go to Iowa to win gold medals."
I agree 100%. The Brands are more malleable than people give them credit for. They surely seemed to have deployed a different strategy this year. If you get a new data point and don't change your approach then shame on you...
 
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I still really wonder what is going on at 197?? All the big prospects we are going after in the next few classes all seem to be light to middle weights. Even if the think Angelo will grow into 197 in 2 years, what’s the 184 plan ??
 
I still really wonder what is going on at 197?? All the big prospects we are going after in the next few classes all seem to be light to middle weights. Even if the think Angelo will grow into 197 in 2 years, what’s the 184 plan ??
2026.

It's that simple. We have to have a huge class with top 25 talent. We really need a PSU-8 recruits in the top 20- type of year. Otherwise? We'll continue to mine the portal and have Bob reach out to AAs from other teams with eligibility.
 
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2026.

It's that simple. We have to have a huge class with top 25 talent. We really need a PSU-8 recruits in the top 20- type of year. Otherwise? We'll continue to mine the portal and have Bob reach out to AAs from other teams with eligibility.
I totally agree. I've said it before and I will continue to say it. You have to land Ross. Next you also have to land Bassett which then would bring Melvin Miller to follow in 2027 and then would follow in 2028 with Bassett's little brother and also Hutcherson. Aaron Stewart would be nice to add as well.
 
I totally agree. I've said it before and I will continue to say it. You have to land Ross. Next you also have to land Bassett which then would bring Melvin Miller to follow in 2027 and then would follow in 2028 with Bassett's little brother and also Hutcherson. Aaron Stewart would be nice to add as well.
It would be a dream come true if we landed Ross, Bassett and the Rainey's. DeLuca, Rainey, Rainey, Bassett would be a tough starting 4.
 
I see he put #icecream. Has anyone let him know about the Carver cones?
I am pleasantly surprised that Iowa is now in his top ten colleges !! It is amazing what a well timed phone call from a coach can do I guess? No matter how it happened I think we need to make a huge push for Jax and maybe he get him and maybe not but it won't be from lack of trying.
 
My gut tells me me Bo is down to Oky State, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan and Cornell.
I would also add I think Jax is down to Oky State, Michigan, psu and maybe Iowa.
Bo is Metcalf 2.0 maybe a little different personality off the mat but on the mat that’s who he is. I would say IF Brent went on the visit I would think they would be in the drivers seat but he didn’t. So that opens it up. Just a gut feeling psu is not really on his radar right now. Probably way wrong on that but just my gut feeling on him.
As for Jax I think the phone call that they made put us on the map but that’s about it. Just feel it’s Oky State for him.
Time will tell and if we strike out on Ross, Bo, Jax and the Rainey twins I might even on board we need to shake things up a bit.
 
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