We Are Better, 2/7/24

[psuro]

Good for him, although ND makes me want to puke. This isn’t the first high profile SJP recruit to pass on PSU though. Maybe I’m wrong, but it feels like they are being persuaded to go elsewhere? It feels like the HC from NJ that talked Brandon Wimbush out of coming to PSU situation.

It's nothing like that. Not even remotely close.

 

[PSUJam]

I'm not going to bring up names, but LB talent and overall depth is weak and the fact that certain players continue to see the field demonstrates the lack of talent that is behind them. Has been a problem. The interior d-line lacks the monster 5 star guy who can help hide the weaker/less talented LBs, but we still don't have that setup here so you need to stack depth and talent at LB.

So when they move Abdul Carter to DE you're going to lose it?

 

[LB99]

It's nothing like that. Not even remotely close.

Good. It shouldn’t be like that. Just seems strange that Franklin can pull in recruits from almost anywhere in the country, but SJP is the Bermuda Triangle of recruiting for PSU.

 

[psuro]

Good. It shouldn’t be like that. Just seems strange that Franklin can pull in recruits from almost anywhere in the country, but SJP is the Bermuda Triangle of recruiting for PSU.

The kids have to want to come here also.

 

[LB99]

And yet somehow we had - what? - the second-highest ranked defense in the country last year. And while we are six months away from season start, many pundits don't see a significant drop for 2024.

Honestly, I think many people just vomit-type without considering if their comment is well-conceived or just random ant tracks.

He’s not wrong. There is a noticeable drop off when the LBs are “rotated” for a series or two. The starting LBs were fantastic. The DTs are good, not elite. Sometimes the rotation gives up large chunks of yardage and a score pretty quickly.

 

[LB99]

The kids have to want to come here also.

Agree. Maybe PSU should hire the SJP HC to the staff. He seems to be one hell of a recruiter.

 

[Alphalion75]

Seems to be a pattern with kids from SJP. He'll probably commit to ND, OSU or an SEC school.

 

[psuro]

Agree. Maybe PSU should hire the SJP HC to the staff. He seems to be one hell of a recruiter.

To be honest, if the kid is a really really good player, then being at SJP is the best option for them - and they are, IMO, the best in the Philly area. Imhotep is probably #2 in the area, but in general, the public and private schools are not getting the Top 100 in the country type talent like SJP and possibly Imhotep.

So, not sure if the coach is a good recruiter (FWIW, Anthony's mom did not initially like the idea of him going to SJP), it's just that it's the best option for them in the area if they think (or are told) that football may be a big part of their future. Most of these kids are getting this from their fathers who played at a top college level or possibly from their pee-wee coach.

 

[LB99]

To be honest, if the kid is a really really good player, then being at SJP is the best option for them - and they are, IMO, the best in the Philly area. Imhotep is probably #2 in the area, but in general, the public and private schools are not getting the Top 100 in the country type talent like SJP and possibly Imhotep.

So, not sure if the coach is a good recruiter (FWIW, Anthony's mom did not initially like the idea of him going to SJP), it's just that it's the best option for them in the area if they think (or are told) that football may be a big part of their future. Most of these kids are getting this from their fathers who played at a top college level or possibly from their pee-wee coach.

I don’t disagree. My issue is SJP playing in PIAA with a roster full of kids from out of state. This isn’t SJP fault. They are playing by the rules. The PIAA is culpable here. Public schools can’t take a student from the border of a neighboring district, but private schools can compete with kids from other states? How does that make any sense. We see it in HS wrestling with schools like Bishop McCort or Faith Christian who have kids from all over the country on their roster, but compete at the PIAA tournament. It just doesn’t make any sense. If they want to compete in their own division, fine. Or play schools like the NJ privates, D.C. privates,etc. Playing public school competition proves nothing. And let’s be honest, if you think SJP isn’t recruiting, don’t be naive. They all do. Archbishop Wood does. Erie Prep does etc. Most of the kids are at least a year older than everyone else also. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Good luck to Sacca wherever he lands.

 

[psuro]

I don’t disagree. My issue is SJP playing in PIAA with a roster full of kids from out of state. This isn’t SJP fault. They are playing by the rules. The PIAA is culpable here. Public schools can’t take a student from the border of a neighboring district, but private schools can compete with kids from other states? How does that make any sense. We see it in HS wrestling with schools like Bishop McCort or Faith Christian who have kids from all over the country on their roster, but compete at the PIAA tournament. It just doesn’t make any sense. If they want to compete in their own division, fine. Or play schools like the NJ privates, D.C. privates,etc. Playing public school competition proves nothing. And let’s be honest, if you think SJP isn’t recruiting, don’t be naive. They all do. Archbishop Wood does. Erie Prep does etc. Most of the kids are at least a year older than everyone else also. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Good luck to Sacca wherever he lands.

Oh, I am sure they are looking for players. When I was a youngster, we had a girl in 8th grade who was being recruited by Bishop Eustace and Gloucester Catholic in South Jersey, but chose to go to the local public HS (she later went on a scholly to UConn and was in her final year when Geno got there). So yeah....it goes on.

You are focussing on the athletics aspect and I understand that. However, these schools also bring in good students that are not part of the athletic program - and they can do that because the rules allow them to. So, why limit the athletics part of it?

 

[LB99]

Oh, I am sure they are looking for players. When I was a youngster, we had a girl in 8th grade who was being recruited by Bishop Eustace and Gloucester Catholic in South Jersey, but chose to go to the local public HS (she later went on a scholly to UConn and was in her final year when Geno got there). So yeah....it goes on.

You are focussing on the athletics aspect and I understand that. However, these schools also bring in good students that are not part of the athletic program - and they can do that because the rules allow them to. So, why limit the athletics part of it?

It needs to be a level playing field. Private vs public, the PIAA rules are different in favor of the privates. Do these schools recruit kids good at math? History geniuses? You think SJP goes into NJ looking for the best kid in chemistry? Probably not. Let’s not kid ourselves.

 

[Midnighter]

Good. It shouldn’t be like that. Just seems strange that Franklin can pull in recruits from almost anywhere in the country, but SJP is the Bermuda Triangle of recruiting for PSU.

Aliquippa was Joe’s SJP. He eventually got there though….

 

[psuro]

It needs to be a level playing field. Private vs public, the PIAA rules are different in favor of the privates. Do these schools recruit kids good at math? History geniuses? You think SJP goes into NJ looking for the best kid in chemistry? Probably not. Let’s not kid ourselves.

i am not kidding anyone. i know they do look for and accept great academic students.

 

[Srg111]

i am not kidding anyone. i know they do look for and accept great academic students.

Hopefully we get Maxwell Roy and turn the tide.