Sampson James to Purdue

[Purdue80]

It will be interesting to see how this works out. Of course, I am hoping for a great outcome for the young man and for Purdue.
Sometimes, an individual who struggles in one environment can flourish in another, and vice versa. It could simply be that IU turned out to be a poor fit for Samson and that Purdue is a far better fit. We will find out…

 

[IUHDog]

Anymore you almost have to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield to have a shot at the NFL. IU doesn't throw to their backs, so how he was used at IU is probably a lot of it.

Then coach Rev probably sold him a bunch of lies about how this year would be different to keep him out of the portal in the spring and as summer progressed it became clear they have no intention of changing the offense, so he's gone

Or maybe Sampson just wasn't performing well enough to be in the top three running backs behind Carr, Baldwin, and Ellis. Regardless of the why, I wish the kid luck except when playing IU. He does need to commit to being good though.

 

[mk_peters]

He is, by all accounts a good kid, though somewhat immature.

He is healthy and talented.

He was currently behind Baldwin, Carr, and preferred walk-on Charlie Spegal at IU.

LOL. He was 4th team at IU like Justin Fields is 2nd team on the Bears.

 

[Kern County]

Or maybe Sampson just wasn't performing well enough to be in the top three running backs behind Carr, Baldwin, and Ellis. Regardless of the why, I wish the kid luck except when playing IU. He does need to commit to being good though.

He was running #2 and would’ve played a lot. #LEO.

 

[mk_peters]

He was running #2 and would’ve played a lot. #LEO.

No, he was 4th team, and he stole the playbook, and Tom Allen is mad, and Tom Allen doesn’t care, and it hurts, man, because he broke our hearts.

Being an IU fan is a lot like being in a cult.

 

[rgarlitz]

Horvath is still the best running back on the roster.

Certainly the most durable. Doerue has had hamstring issues and James has been dealing with injuries his entire career.

Definitely the most accomplished at this point.

 

[Kern County]

No, he was 4th team, and he stole the playbook, and Tom Allen is mad, and Tom Allen doesn’t care, and it hurts, man, because he broke our hearts.

Being an IU fan is a lot like being in a cult.

Love their obsession with Purdue. Talking about stealing his playbook and the turf at Ross Ade. They’re the same people who go apoplectic whenever they hear “IU Sucks!”. So, so funny to watch them whine and cry.

 

[PaBoiler78]

Could see Sampson in a King-James backfield next season!

.

.

.

I’ll see myself out

could call it the "Hotel Desk Set".

 

[purduepat1969]

Horvath is still the best running back on the roster.

Most durable/healthy, yes. Best/most talented, that's debatable. That's not taking anything away from him. He's made the most of his opportunity while the staff has had difficulty attracting and keeping talented RB's on the roster.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Most durable/healthy, yes. Best/most talented, that's debatable. That's not taking anything away from him. He's made the most of his opportunity while the staff has had difficulty attracting and keeping talented RB's on the roster.

I feel the same. Thank god for guys like Horvath and Oconnell by the way. Without them, I’m really not sure how the last couple years play out lol.. oh boy

 

[MLB007]

a great pick up. ,,, he is a great athlete and provides great depth. nice pick-up.

however, i share the concern from brian's write up and what was expressed in a previous post by an Iu fan. he was originally going to OSU, but decommited to go to IU. I have a feeling he didn't like the competition to play at OSU and thought he'd start at IU. he didn't start at IU and entered the transfer portal last year before returning for another year. my guess is after entering the portal last year, he didn't find any decent offers for his services, so he went back to Iu. and now after their training camp and listed at #3 on their depth chart, he leaves IU after the deadline in hopes of playing at purdue.

if he doesn't gain immediate eligibility and / or start for purdue, i doubt he will stay past this year. I look at him like WR Carr. Carr saw he wasn't going to start, so he left purdue for MSU. it was never about playing basketball. I highly doubt Carr plays a minute for MSU basketball. This is about playing. if he plays, he could be a great contributor. but if s is the #3 RB and gains less than 300 yards this year, i doubt he stays.

if that's the case, we won't care if he doesn't come back.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

if that's the case, we won't care if he doesn't come back.

It’s a world where so many guys don’t appreciate their first opportunity until they don’t have anymore opportunities. I don’t know if that is the case with James, but it is with a lot of guys

this is tantamount to the scene from espn broke where Someone talks about how an athlete close to retirement has spent their money, so now they start chasing investments that will pay 10x.

Evan Anderson
Dejoun hewitt
Tirek Murphy

YOU are losing while guys who don’t recruit attrition are winning. So now you kinda have to chase.. besides horvath, I’m not sure you have anything set in stone.. and I’m a fan of king Doerue

but sometimes the chase investment becomes Google, so who knows lol

 

[Tommaker]

could call it the "Hotel Desk Set".

 

[HoosierTim]

He was running #2 and would’ve played a lot. #LEO.

Believe he entered camp at #2 and was quickly giving way to Carr. IU and staff, especially McCullough who recruited and coached Carr at USC, like Carr out of the backfield and prefer him over James.

Either way, talented kid who just couldn’t put it together on the field.

 

[Kern County]

Believe he entered camp at #2 and was quickly giving way to Carr. IU and staff, especially McCullough who recruited and coached Carr at USC, like Carr out of the backfield and prefer him over James.

Either way, talented kid who just couldn’t put it together on the field.

But McCullough would know that the reason Carr was buried on the USC depth chart and encouraged to leave is because he’s been both inconsistent and injury plagued. He came to IU because he had no chance of playing for the Trojans, and McCullough was the only coach he knew. James probably got the same talk that Peyton Ramsey and his dad got, which is why he left.

 

[HoosierTim]

But McCullough would know that the reason Carr was buried on the USC depth chart and encouraged to leave is because he’s been both inconsistent and injury plagued. He came to IU because he had no chance of playing for the Trojans, and McCullough was the only coach he knew. James probably got the same talk that Peyton Ramsey and his dad got, which is why he left.

Agreed.

If you want playing time it isn’t going to be here.

 

[SDBoiler1]

But McCullough would know that the reason Carr was buried on the USC depth chart and encouraged to leave is because he’s been both inconsistent and injury plagued. He came to IU because he had no chance of playing for the Trojans, and McCullough was the only coach he knew. James probably got the same talk that Peyton Ramsey and his dad got, which is why he left.

Mike Hart left. That was the beginning of the end for James at IU.

 

[Purdue85]

Mike Hart left. That was the beginning of the end for James at IU.

That's true, but the loss of Ballou was HUGELY important in the decision... (Avon HS, to IU, to 'Bama)

Edit: SJ going to IU wasn't about "Coach LEO", or any other fictitious "draw". It was relationship-oriented. Once that was gone, there was zero reason for him to be at IU. (Hence, the transfer, which will absolutely devastate the delusions of grandeur.)

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

This keeps happening and an "I" link should be added to the chain regardless of who wins the OOB

You should add, “Thank you very much. I’ll be here all week, and don’t forget to tip the wait staff” 😁

 

[OLB51]

That's true, but the loss of Ballou was HUGELY important in the decision... (Avon HS, to IU, to 'Bama)

Edit: SJ going to IU wasn't about "Coach LEO", or any other fictitious "draw". It was relationship-oriented. Once that was gone, there was zero reason for him to be at IU. (Hence, the transfer, which will absolutely devastate the delusions of grandeur.)

No doubt Coach Ballou was the main reason James went to Indiana in the first place but Ballou left in January 2020, James stayed at Indiana another 18 months after that. It seems odd he waited until 2021 fall camp to transfer if he had zero reason to stay.

 

[Purdue85]

No doubt Coach Ballou was the main reason James went to Indiana in the first place but Ballou left in January 2020, James stayed at Indiana another 18 months after that. It seems odd he waited until 2021 fall camp to transfer if he had zero reason to stay.

Ballou announcement was in March, 2020.

James entered the portal (and withdrew) a year ago shortly after, no?

 

[OLB51]

Ballou announcement was in March, 2020.

James entered the portal (and withdrew) a year ago shortly after, no?

I’m not sure the exact timing, I just know early 2020. Ballou and Rhea left for Bama and Wellman was hired from the Giants pre pandemic so it was probably February 2020.

Yes, he entered the portal shortly after and returned. My point is, he would of transferred this spring/summer to a school where he could compete for a starting job if he had zero reason to be in Bloomington after Ballou left. He waited until camp started and realized he was in serious competition with 3 other running backs for carries before he decided he needed a new start at Purdue.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

But McCullough would know that the reason Carr was buried on the USC depth chart and encouraged to leave is because he’s been both inconsistent and injury plagued. He came to IU because he had no chance of playing for the Trojans, and McCullough was the only coach he knew. James probably got the same talk that Peyton Ramsey and his dad got, which is why he left.

What talk was that I’m unfamiliar with Ramsey’s story

 

[OLB51]

What talk was that I’m unfamiliar with Ramsey’s story

Tom Allen basically thanked Ramsey for his contribution to the program but told him Penix would be the starter going into the next season. If he wanted to be a starter day 1 he needed to transfer to another school. Ramsey was a grad transfer so he was able to get immediate eligibility, I’m not sure of any hard feelings but it’s possible he didn’t like hearing that after leading Indiana to the Gator Bowl.

Carr left USC because they hired Graham Harrell a couple years ago and switched to an Air Raid offense. He just never fit in that offense and it’s not known for developing NFL running backs. Thats why both he and the kid from Cathedral transferred out this offseason.

 

[Kern County]

What talk was that I’m unfamiliar with Ramsey’s story

He and his father were told by Allen that Penix would be the starter the following season, and that there wouldn’t be any competition for the position. After what he’d accomplished, they weren’t happy hearing that he wouldn’t even have the chance to compete.

 

[Riveting]

Tom Allen basically thanked Ramsey for his contribution to the program but told him Penix would be the starter going into the next season. If he wanted to be a starter day 1 he needed to transfer to another school. Ramsey was a grad transfer so he was able to get immediate eligibility, I’m not sure of any hard feelings but it’s possible he didn’t like hearing that after leading Indiana to the Gator Bowl.

Carr left USC because they hired Graham Harrell a couple years ago and switched to an Air Raid offense. He just never fit in that offense and it’s not known for developing NFL running backs. Thats why both he and the kid from Cathedral transferred out this offseason.

Rev Coach Leo showed great love as he guided Ramsey out the door.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

He and his father were told by Allen that Penix would be the starter the following season, and that there wouldn’t be any competition for the position. After what he’d accomplished, they weren’t happy hearing that he wouldn’t even have the chance to compete.

And his father? Why?

 

[Purdue85]

I’m not sure the exact timing, I just know early 2020. Ballou and Rhea left for Bama and Wellman was hired from the Giants pre pandemic so it was probably February 2020.

Yes, he entered the portal shortly after and returned. My point is, he would of transferred this spring/summer to a school where he could compete for a starting job if he had zero reason to be in Bloomington after Ballou left. He waited until camp started and realized he was in serious competition with 3 other running backs for carries before he decided he needed a new start at Purdue.

March, 2020, was when the announcement was made about Ballou leaving.

After that season James entered the portal. It's easy to see how he would have mixed feelings about leaving so soon... thus, returning to the program. After another year of having really no connection to the program, it's also easy to see how/why he would realize he might want to pursue other options.

It sounds like you have no inside info, nor do I, other than knowing about the strong Ballou relationship.

It's clear, the IU fans want to dismiss this as another transfer that he no chance of playing. That could be the case, but it really doesn't sound like it's based in reality.

Competition is a reality of college football. It's also well known that circumstances change (injuries, "doghouse" issues, etc.). Dismissing this as someone buried on the depth chart is a loser's argument.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how/if he develops.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

March, 2020, was when the announcement was made about Ballou leaving.

After that season James entered the portal. It's easy to see how he would have mixed feelings about leaving so soon... thus, returning to the program. After another year of having really no connection to the program, it's also easy to see how/why he would realize he might want to pursue other options.

It sounds like you have no inside info, nor do I, other than knowing about the strong Ballou relationship.

It's clear, the IU fans want to dismiss this as another transfer that he no chance of playing. That could be the case, but it really doesn't sound like it's based in reality.

Competition is a reality of college football. It's also well known that circumstances change (injuries, "doghouse" issues, etc.). Dismissing this as someone buried on the depth chart is a loser's argument.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how/if he develops.

I think he’s got all the opportunity in the world when his time comes

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

Love their obsession with Purdue. Talking about stealing his playbook and the turf at Ross Ade. They’re the same people who go apoplectic whenever they hear “IU Sucks!”. So, so funny to watch them whine and cry.

I wonder how a Purdue fan that claims that IU fans are obsessed with Purdue continues to argue the position of an IU player on the the depth chart.

 

[OLB51]

March, 2020, was when the announcement was made about Ballou leaving.

After that season James entered the portal. It's easy to see how he would have mixed feelings about leaving so soon... thus, returning to the program. After another year of having really no connection to the program, it's also easy to see how/why he would realize he might want to pursue other options.

It sounds like you have no inside info, nor do I, other than knowing about the strong Ballou relationship.

It's clear, the IU fans want to dismiss this as another transfer that he no chance of playing. That could be the case, but it really doesn't sound like it's based in reality.

Competition is a reality of college football. It's also well known that circumstances change (injuries, "doghouse" issues, etc.). Dismissing this as someone buried on the depth chart is a loser's argument.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how/if he develops.

I don’t think I or many IU fans dismiss this as another transfer that has no chance of playing. He certainly has the talent and pedigree to produce especially in an
explosive offense like Purdue.

My point is, why would he wait until August to transfer if he was never bought in at Indiana? We all know why he went to Bloomington in the first place but he left 16 months ago.

There was a mass exodus of transfers this spring when everyone was granted immediate eligibility. He could have gone thru spring ball at Purdue and competed for the starting job if that’s where he wanted to be. He could of transferred this summer and got acquainted with his new teammates and strength staff if he knew he didn’t want to play at Indiana. He waited until the competition got turned up in camp before he entered the portal. Now he has to wait to find out if he can play this season.

I have no insider knowledge, I know people in the program but I’m an idiot that likes to post on message boards so I never ask any questions. Thanks for the conversation. I certainly respect your opinion, I just wanted to add my 2 cents.

 

[Purdue85]

I wonder how a Purdue fan that claims that IU fans are obsessed with Purdue continues to argue the position of an IU player on the the depth chart.

and yet, you're here... obsessing over what's posted on a Purdue forum... about a player who transferred to Purdue...

 

[Purdue85]

I don’t think I or many IU fans dismiss this as another transfer that has no chance of playing. He certainly has the talent and pedigree to produce especially in an
explosive offense like Purdue.

My point is, why would he wait until August to transfer if he was never bought in at Indiana? We all know why he went to Bloomington in the first place but he left 16 months ago.

There was a mass exodus of transfers this spring when everyone was granted immediate eligibility. He could have gone thru spring ball at Purdue and competed for the starting job if that’s where he wanted to be. He could of transferred this summer and got acquainted with his new teammates and strength staff if he knew he didn’t want to play at Indiana. He waited until the competition got turned up in camp before he entered the portal. Now he has to wait to find out if he can play this season.

I have no insider knowledge, I know people in the program but I’m an idiot that likes to post on message boards so I never ask any questions. Thanks for the conversation. I certainly respect your opinion, I just wanted to add my 2 cents.

"many" ... That's what's been on this forum. That James was 4th on the depth chart.

Nobody knows the "why", or the why for the "when".

Appreciate your "2 cents", and appreciate you keeping it civil.

Too many IU fans are trying to dismiss this, all from a position of ignorance (not using the pejorative).

I have no answers, other than what I know to be true (which I've already posted).

It's not a good look for IU, if he comes in and becomes a star. If he doesn't, all this back and forth is for nothing.

Time will tell.

Peace.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

and yet, you're here... obsessing over what's posted on a Purdue forum... about a player who transferred to Purdue...

Not really obsessing. Just being curious.

 

[mk_peters]

The accusations that James stole IU’s playbook are complete garbage. IU fans are trash for starting it and repeating it. Total scumbags. Pieces of shit.

 

[Purdue85]

Not really obsessing. Just being curious.

No... curiosity is reading.

Obsessing is ... "I wonder how a Purdue fan that claims that IU fans are obsessed with Purdue continues to argue the position of an IU player on the the depth chart", and when getting called on it feigning ... "curiosity".

 

[OLB51]

"many" ... That's what's been on this forum. That James was 4th on the depth chart.

Nobody knows the "why", or the why for the "when".

Appreciate your "2 cents", and appreciate you keeping it civil.

Too many IU fans are trying to dismiss this, all from a position of ignorance (not using the pejorative).

I have no answers, other than what I know to be true (which I've already posted).

It's not a good look for IU, if he comes in and becomes a star. If he doesn't, all this back and forth is for nothing.

Time will tell.

Peace.

I had to look up pejorative, I’ve never used that word on a message board before.

Why is it a bad look for IU if he becomes a good player at Purdue? It didn’t hurt recruiting at IU when Ramsey left and led Northwestern to a Big Ten West title.

 

[Purdue85]

I had to look up pejorative, I’ve never used that word on a message board before.

Why is it a bad look for IU if he becomes a good player at Purdue? It didn’t hurt recruiting at IU when Ramsey left and led Northwestern to a Big Ten West title.

It's only a "bad look" for the people who insist he's 4th, 9th or 100th on the depth chart.

Nowhere did I reference ... "recruiting". Not sure why you're now inserting that into the conversation.

You can rationalize it all you like, but too many people have been coming here belittling him, in an effort to explain away his transfer.

Again... time will tell.

 

[DAG10]

No, he was 4th team, and he stole the playbook, and Tom Allen is mad, and Tom Allen doesn’t care, and it hurts, man, because he broke our hearts.

Being an IU fan is a lot like being in a cult.

Unless it is football...as then it gets confusing, as, they are not sure if they are part of the ND cult.

 

[Baller23Boogie]

The depth chart that indiana released had James 3rd behind Carr and Baldwin with Ellis 4th.

If I had to guess, I think he transferred after practicing with coach McCullough for a week and realizing it wasn't gonna be a good fit. I think he would have seen the field some, but not as much as he would have liked, so he moved on.

I think it's as easy as that. Carr is his guy and Baldwin, I think he felt was gonna play more, evident by the depth chart put out.

Oh, and James was not passed up by Charlie Spegal. That's just dumb. He's becoming the Luke Brown of football.