Sampson James to Purdue

[BCfanatic2020]

I see you know how to win friends and influence people. I'd put you on ignore but that would decrease the number of posts I see by 63%.

Looks like for someone who is so above it all and in such a position to dish out wisdom, you notice me an awful lot. Put me on ignore, don’t put me on ignore.. I couldnt give a **** less dude

let me guess.. north suburbs or northwest suburbs right? Maybe a gentrified neighborhood in Chicago?

 

[Beorik]

I see you know how to win friends and influence people. I'd put you on ignore but that would decrease the number of posts I see by 63%.

I do understand your problem. I will say though that putting him and one other on ignore is the only thing that made this forum readable to me. 50% of the threads became him insulting people. It was either put him on ignore or stop coming here altogether for me.

 

[Beorik]

I think it’s pointless to try to predict Purdue’s record for next year right now. Coaching changes, transfers in and out, incredible player signings - who the hell knows?

I agree with you for the reasons you stated. Very tough to predict. To me the range is probably 5-7 wins. I wouldn’t be shocked with any of those numbers. I hope for 6 and another bowl game.

Boiler Up!

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Looks like for someone who is so above it all and in such a position to dish out wisdom, you notice me an awful lot. Put me on ignore, don’t put me on ignore.. I couldnt give a **** less dude

let me guess.. north suburbs or northwest suburbs right? Maybe a gentrified neighborhood in Chicago?

Where do you live?

Oh yeah, I don't care because that's not how I judge people.

I notice you because you treat people like dirt. And I don't like that.

I have wisdom because I graduated from Purdue.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

I do understand your problem. I will say though that putting him and one other on ignore is the only thing that made this forum readable to me. 50% of the threads became him insulting people. It was either put him on ignore or stop coming here altogether for me.

I remember a couple months ago.. I had been mostly gone for months .. I don’t follow much in the spring. I was just reading for a few days.. and it was the same people trying to jump on me now all over someone else they disagreed with asking him what was wrong with him. I could get banned right now and that crap would still be going on

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Where do you live?

Oh yeah, I don't care because that's not how I judge people.

I notice you because you treat people like dirt. And I don't like that.

I have wisdom because I graduated from Purdue.

Oh no no no.. I treat people like they treat me. You’re nice you get nice. You’re “what’s wrong with you are you a secret IU fan” and you get responded to in kind.

I can tell you aren’t from the south side south suburbs because you’re way too involved in other people.

I’m not calling you an ass hole or any of that .. just simply saying don’t like it don’t read it

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Oh no no no.. I treat people like they treat me. You’re nice you get nice. You’re “what’s wrong with you are you a secret IU fan” and you get responded to in kind.

I can tell you aren’t from the south side south suburbs because you’re way too involved in other people.

I’m not calling you an ass hole or any of that .. just simply saying don’t like it don’t read it

So you have to wait until someone is nice to you? And we wonder how we got to where we are in today's society.

Again. Never called you a secret IU fan and neither has anyone else here to the best of my knowledge. I actually called you "a passionate fan of Purdue sports." Sounds like a little bit of paranoia.

There are more than 2 sides to Chicago. Get a map. But since you care so much about where I live it sounds like you're the one too involved in other people, not me.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

So you have to wait until someone is nice to you? And we wonder how we got to where we are in today's society.

Again. Never called you a secret IU fan and neither has anyone else here to the best of my knowledge. I actually called you "a passionate fan of Purdue sports." Sounds like a little bit of paranoia.

There are more than 2 sides to Chicago. Get a map. But since you care so much about where I live it sounds like you're the one too involved in other people, not me.

1) yes I’ve been accused of being an IU fan by many here …

2) no I didn’t say you had to be nice first. But if you aren’t, you’re not getting it back from me.

Again, don’t like it, don’t read it… OR say “I disagree with your take and here’s why” I’m not concerned with your over-arching views on our society. Only someone with no self respect would be.

you’re totally not from the south side are you lol

 

[Chi-Boiler]

you’re totally not from the south side are you lol

Obsess much?

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Obsess much?

Just know I’m right. Here’s how I know. Where I’m from, I personally learned at a young age that there was no future in going around telling others how they should conduct themselves. I learned at home to mind my own business.

then you go to Purdue and you’re with kids from places like park ridge for the first time.. and that’s the first time you get the joy of meeting someone like yourself lol

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

there's no "clarity" there... not sure what's hard to grasp about that.

I'm not being a "stickler about source information", just pointing out how wrong the prior poster is. Again, "not sure what's so hard to grasp about that".

If you have something that contradicts my point, have at it. You haven't, which is duly noted.

From what I read the depth had Tim Baldwin number one Steven Carr number 2 and Sampson James number 3 David Ellis next. Which surprised me to see Baldwin number 1 although it will be Carr by game time I think. One thing you will notice that IU seems to be getting away from the downhill guys. Looking for more speed. I am not mad about James leaving. I love to see Indiana kids do well except against IU. As far as this stuff about him stealing the playbook it is entirely IU fault if it happened for not getting it back right away. I doubt it did happen though.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Just know I’m right. Here’s how I know. Where I’m from, I personally learned at a young age that there was no future in going around telling others how they should conduct themselves. I learned at home to mind my own business.

then you go to Purdue and you’re with kids from places like park ridge for the first time.. and that’s the first time you get the joy of meeting someone like yourself lol

I've read this 3 times and I have no idea what you're talking about. Obsessing about where I'm from is not minding your own business for one thing.

There's also no future in treating people poorly. Especially when we're all here for the same thing.

I call an end to this stupidity. I'm sure the rest of the board agrees. Have a pleasant evening.

 

[BCfanatic2020]

I've read this 3 times and I have no idea what you're talking about. Obsessing about where I'm from is not minding your own business for one thing.

There's also no future in treating people poorly. Especially when we're all here for the same thing.

I call an end to this stupidity. I'm sure the rest of the board agrees. Have a pleasant evening.

I’ll try to do better ok? How about that

 

[BCfanatic2020]

Go boilers

 

[Purdue85]

From what I read the depth had Tim Baldwin number one Steven Carr number 2 and Sampson James number 3 David Ellis next. Which surprised me to see Baldwin number 1 although it will be Carr by game time I think. One thing you will notice that IU seems to be getting away from the downhill guys. Looking for more speed. I am not mad about James leaving. I love to see Indiana kids do well except against IU. As far as this stuff about him stealing the playbook it is entirely IU fault if it happened for not getting it back right away. I doubt it did happen though.

I haven't heard anything about him "stealing the playbook", or any other such nonsense.

James didn't have a "connection" at IU, for whatever reason. As a result, he left (which, was clearly not something new, since he put in a year ago and withdrew).

The kid is talented. For IU fans to come here and put up as their only analysis that he was going to have to compete for PT is just wrong, and it shouldn't go unchallenged.

I have no idea what's in his future. I wish him the best, whether it's at Purdue or elsewhere.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

I haven't heard anything about him "stealing the playbook", or any other such nonsense.

James didn't have a "connection" at IU, for whatever reason. As a result, he left (which, was clearly not something new, since he put in a year ago and withdrew).

The kid is talented. For IU fans to come here and put up as their only analysis that he was going to have to compete for PT is just wrong, and it shouldn't go unchallenged.

I have no idea what's in his future. I wish him the best, whether it's at Purdue or elsewhere.

I agree I think he they got a kid with real potential. Just did not work at IU. As far as the playbook issue who cares. It is nonsense. As I said if he did it falls on IU coaches shoulders. I doubt it did happen.

 

[IUHDog]

James is physically talented - no doubt about that face. But his mental game is what has held him back (imho). A change of venue may be just what he needs. Although I wish the new venue was anywhere except Purdue (stated with all due respect).

 

[bonefish1]

was lurking on the iu free board (proudly banned from Peegs since 2016) and the royalty of iu D-bag fans (well, there's a few of them, but this guy is sort of king of the D-bags) was talking about Ross Ade's turf and the stadium being a dump. Which I find extremely comical due to the fact that iu has never had more that 45,000 people for a home game (except when they play Purdue or OSU) and the pigeons use Memorial stadium as their personal toilet, making it literally a "shit hole"

 

[izakman]

was lurking on the iu free board (proudly banned from Peegs since 2016) and the royalty of iu D-bag fans (well, there's a few of them, but this guy is sort of king of the D-bags) was talking about Ross Ade's turf and the stadium being a dump. Which I find extremely comical due to the fact that iu has never had more that 45,000 people for a home game (except when they play Purdue or OSU) and the pigeons use Memorial stadium as their personal toilet, making it literally a "shit hole"

Wasn't it the geese that took on that role?

 

[Hausta01]

I still don't understand how IU thinks they can lose guys in their RB room. Their #1 is a guy with 150 yards rushing in his career, the #2 is a 4-year player with 1500 total yards. And their #3 is either a 55-year-old walk-on living legend or a freshman who has yet to see a single snap in college.

Only one of those guys was a highly regarded HS recruit and he has underwhelmed (compared to expectation) with ample opportunity. But they have a loaded RB room, just ask them. It really is no different than listening to them harp about winning every basketball offseason.

 

[bonefish1]

Wasn't it the geese that took on that role?

Might have been geese. Some form of winged fowl........Either way, they felt Memorial Stadium and the iu campus a great place to relieve their bowels. Seems appropriate to me.

 

[bonefish1]

I still don't understand how IU thinks they can lose guys in their RB room. Their #1 is a guy with 150 yards rushing in his career, the #2 is a 4-year player with 1500 total yards. And their #3 is either a 55-year-old walk-on living legend or a freshman who has yet to see a single snap in college.

Only one of those guys was a highly regarded HS recruit and he has underwhelmed (compared to expectation) with ample opportunity. But they have a loaded RB room, just ask them. It really is no different than listening to them harp about winning every basketball offseason.

But, I heard Charlies Spegal is getting a lot of reps and the coaches really like him ......

 

[IUHDog]

I'm pretty certain that I read a post about the Purdue scrimmage (posted by a Purdue fan) that mentioned how bad the turf looks in Purdue's stadium.

 

[HoosierTim]

I still don't understand how IU thinks they can lose guys in their RB room. Their #1 is a guy with 150 yards rushing in his career, the #2 is a 4-year player with 1500 total yards. And their #3 is either a 55-year-old walk-on living legend or a freshman who has yet to see a single snap in college.

Only one of those guys was a highly regarded HS recruit and he has underwhelmed (compared to expectation) with ample opportunity. But they have a loaded RB room, just ask them. It really is no different than listening to them harp about winning every basketball offseason.

#1 guy Baldwin was a true freshman last year who avg 6+ yards a carry. Didn't get a ton of snaps because Stevie Scott had been a workhorse the last 3 years. Young but talented, was previously a Michigan commit. He beat out Sampson James for the starting role.

Carr is/was an extremely talented back coming out of high school who just couldn't stay healthy. He is more of a third down back and should excel out of the backfield catching balls.

David Ellis moves from WR to RB. He's the primary kickoff return specialist but is built like a RB and can fly. He will be the third RB in emergency situations.

After those three, you have Spegal who has been impressive at camp and two true freshman. Agree, if IU does end up needing to rely on Spegal and the two true freshman they are likely in trouble, but that would require the Hoosiers losing their top 3 backs. Of course anything can happen, but it would take a lot of unfortunate breaks to get to that point.

Baldwin clearly won the job coming into fall camp and was listed at #1 depth chart. All indications point to Carr getting more reps than James and James didn't want to stick around and compete. Nothing wrong with that, it's his choice and he made his bed. If James didn't want to compete for a spot he's not somebody I want in there regardless of the situation. Wish him well at Purdue except of course they play Purdue.

 

[wakeman2626]

I still don't understand how IU thinks they can lose guys in their RB room. Their #1 is a guy with 150 yards rushing in his career, the #2 is a 4-year player with 1500 total yards. And their #3 is either a 55-year-old walk-on living legend or a freshman who has yet to see a single snap in college.

Only one of those guys was a highly regarded HS recruit and he has underwhelmed (compared to expectation) with ample opportunity. But they have a loaded RB room, just ask them. It really is no different than listening to them harp about winning every basketball offseason.

#3 is JR David Ellis but your overall point still stands. It’s a loss no two ways about it.

 

[FirstDownB]

Ran across this highlight film of several James runs against Michigan from last season. I was curious to see how they used him and what kind of yards he was picking up. YPC often doesn't tell the entire story.

1st & 10: gain of 5
2nd & 5: loss of 1
1st & 10 (own 5 yl): gain of 2
2nd & 8: REC gain of 9
1st & 10: gain of 5
3rd & 1: gain of 2
2nd & 10: gain of 6
2nd & 6: gain of 4
3rd & 2: gain of "1.9"

In summary, most of his touches resulted in a play that stayed ahead of down and distance. There were no long runs to pad the stats, but he converted on short yardage situations and consistently picked up 4-6 yards on 1st/2nd and 10.

Why I bring up this game is because although his numbers weren't flashy but on multiple occaisions he helped keep the chains moving on drives that led to touchdowns and made the defense respect the run even while the RB1 was resting. If he can provide something similar for Purdue I think this is a good add.

 

[SDBoiler1]

I'm pretty certain that I read a post about the Purdue scrimmage (posted by a Purdue fan) that mentioned how bad the turf looks in Purdue's stadium.

Oh, FFS.

 

[Level 42]

I'm pretty certain that I read a post about the Purdue scrimmage (posted by a Purdue fan) that mentioned how bad the turf looks in Purdue's stadium.

Link? No? Go back to your trailer.

 

[Hausta01]

#3 is JR David Ellis but your overall point still stands. It’s a loss no two ways about it.

Ah thought he was a WR, thanks for clarifying.

 

[Purdue85]

#1 guy Baldwin was a true freshman last year who avg 6+ yards a carry. Didn't get a ton of snaps because Stevie Scott had been a workhorse the last 3 years. Young but talented, was previously a Michigan commit. He beat out Sampson James for the starting role.

Carr is/was an extremely talented back coming out of high school who just couldn't stay healthy. He is more of a third down back and should excel out of the backfield catching balls.

David Ellis moves from WR to RB. He's the primary kickoff return specialist but is built like a RB and can fly. He will be the third RB in emergency situations.

After those three, you have Spegal who has been impressive at camp and two true freshman. Agree, if IU does end up needing to rely on Spegal and the two true freshman they are likely in trouble, but that would require the Hoosiers losing their top 3 backs. Of course anything can happen, but it would take a lot of unfortunate breaks to get to that point.

Baldwin clearly won the job coming into fall camp and was listed at #1 depth chart. All indications point to Carr getting more reps than James and James didn't want to stick around and compete. Nothing wrong with that, it's his choice and he made his bed. If James didn't want to compete for a spot he's not somebody I want in there regardless of the situation. Wish him well at Purdue except of course they play Purdue.

"All indications"

I keep seeing that, but only on internet forums.

 

[Hausta01]

#1 guy Baldwin was a true freshman last year who avg 6+ yards a carry. Didn't get a ton of snaps because Stevie Scott had been a workhorse the last 3 years. Young but talented, was previously a Michigan commit. He beat out Sampson James for the starting role.

Carr is/was an extremely talented back coming out of high school who just couldn't stay healthy. He is more of a third down back and should excel out of the backfield catching balls.

David Ellis moves from WR to RB. He's the primary kickoff return specialist but is built like a RB and can fly. He will be the third RB in emergency situations.

After those three, you have Spegal who has been impressive at camp and two true freshman. Agree, if IU does end up needing to rely on Spegal and the two true freshman they are likely in trouble, but that would require the Hoosiers losing their top 3 backs. Of course anything can happen, but it would take a lot of unfortunate breaks to get to that point.

Baldwin clearly won the job coming into fall camp and was listed at #1 depth chart. All indications point to Carr getting more reps than James and James didn't want to stick around and compete. Nothing wrong with that, it's his choice and he made his bed. If James didn't want to compete for a spot he's not somebody I want in there regardless of the situation. Wish him well at Purdue except of course they play Purdue.

6+ ypc is good, but almost all of that came against a bad Maryland team coming off a COVID pause and it was on a total of what, 20 carries?

And Baldwin may have been a UM commit but Sampson was an OSU commit and how did that go for IU? Name a Michigan RB after Mike Hart that has been really good, it's a really small list.

And for Carr, having an oft-injured former 5* transfer means almost nothing. I get being excited for him, but in 4 years at USC he wasn't very good, so why would he be better and healthier at IU? With the same RB coach he had at USC that wasn't great?

And I have seen Ellis, he seems ok but has very little college experience as a running back. And his alleged speed hasn't seemed to actually show up on the field, he has 52 touches in 2 years for 420 yards with 2 TDs and averages a pedestrian 20ish yards per KR.

It's not a great situation to be in for IU at RB, and to try to state otherwise is just fooling yourself.

 

[BigRed3588]

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.)

I don’t know about the Hart connection but I’m not sure why Ballou would’ve made a difference. He went from Avon to the IMG academy before James Freshman year at Avon and their time at IU would’ve only overlapped by a year.

 

[HoosierTim]

"All indications"

I keep seeing that, but only on internet forums.

Well yes, they haven’t played a game yet so can’t be 100% certain. But on Indiana pay sites, there has been plenty of chatter of James slipping on the depth chart. Again, it aligns with his decision to transfer after a week of fall camp which is rather bizarre.

Agree that Ballou was a huge reason James was IU to begin with, but Ballou has been gone nearly 18 months. Don’t think James was particularly a great fit for McCullough and coupled without guaranteed playing time, the timing makes sense.

 

[Purdue85]

Well yes, they haven’t played a game yet so can’t be 100% certain. But on Indiana pay sites, there has been plenty of chatter of James slipping on the depth chart. Again, it aligns with his decision to transfer after a week of fall camp which is rather bizarre.

Agree that Ballou was a huge reason James was IU to begin with, but Ballou has been gone nearly 18 months. Don’t think James was particularly a great fit for McCullough and coupled without guaranteed playing time, the timing makes sense.

this was his 2nd time in the portal.

Not saying PT was irrelevant, but that's the "go to" for all IU fans coming here explaining away his departure, and there appears to be much more to the situation.

 

[HoosierTim]

6+ ypc is good, but almost all of that came against a bad Maryland team coming off a COVID pause and it was on a total of what, 20 carries?

And Baldwin may have been a UM commit but Sampson was an OSU commit and how did that go for IU? Name a Michigan RB after Mike Hart that has been really good, it's a really small list.

And for Carr, having an oft-injured former 5* transfer means almost nothing. I get being excited for him, but in 4 years at USC he wasn't very good, so why would he be better and healthier at IU? With the same RB coach he had at USC that wasn't great?

And I have seen Ellis, he seems ok but has very little college experience as a running back. And his alleged speed hasn't seemed to actually show up on the field, he has 52 touches in 2 years for 420 yards with 2 TDs and averages a pedestrian 20ish yards per KR.

It's not a great situation to be in for IU at RB, and to try to state otherwise is just fooling yourself.

I hear and respect what you’re saying, but I’m completely content with IU’s RB situation going forward, with or without James. The fact that James didn’t want to compete for snaps and/or didn’t think he was a good fit for IU under McCullough tells me that he wasn’t going to be much of a factor this year or any year going forward. Deland McCullough is one of the best in the business and trust his decision making going with a 1-2 punch of Baldwin and Carr.

Wish nothing but the best for James. Sometimes a change of scenery is best for all parties.

 

[Beorik]

I hear and respect what you’re saying, but I’m completely content with IU’s RB situation going forward, with or without James. The fact that James didn’t want to compete for snaps and/or didn’t think he was a good fit for IU under McCullough tells me that he wasn’t going to be much of a factor this year or any year going forward. Deland McCullough is one of the best in the business and trust his decision making going with a 1-2 punch of Baldwin and Carr.

Wish nothing but the best for James. Sometimes a change of scenery is best for all parties.

I agree. I actually think this might be one of those rare situations that are a win for all parties involved. I don’t know the reasons why he left but if he didn’t want to be there then clearly IU has a couple very talented backs ready to carry the load.

Purdue needed some insurance (or competition) for Horvath and King.

 

[HoosierTim]

this was his 2nd time in the portal.

Not saying PT was irrelevant, but that's the "go to" for all IU fans coming here explaining away his departure, and there appears to be much more to the situation.

I understand it was his 2nd time in the portal. He came back last year thinking he’d have a more defined role (he didn’t) and was outperformed by Baldwin in the limited action they both saw last year. He could have transferred last spring or early in the summer without needing a waiver and didn’t, likely because he thought he’d have a much better chance at playing time.

It wasn’t until 4 weeks before the season started that he transferred. By that time Baldwin was the clear cut starter and he was behind Carr on the depth chart now at 3rd string. I get Ballou was a huge reason he was there in the first place, but have an extremely tough time believing being buried on the depth didn’t play a huge role in his decision to transfer.

 

[Purdue85]

I don’t know about the Hart connection but I’m not sure why Ballou would’ve made a difference. He went from Avon to the IMG academy before James Freshman year at Avon and their time at IU would’ve only overlapped by a year.

eh?

Ballou was an Avon grad, played football for Avon, was well-respected in the community, and very well known in the Avon FB circles.

James was a stud at Avon, dressing for varsity as a FR, and becoming very good player as a SO.

You better believe they knew each other.

You do realize James put into the portal after his FR year, which coincidentally corresponds with that "overlap" of one year, no?

 

[Purdue85]

I understand it was his 2nd time in the portal. He came back last year thinking he’d have a more defined role (he didn’t) and was outperformed by Baldwin in the limited action they both saw last year. He could have transferred last spring or early in the summer without needing a waiver and didn’t, likely because he thought he’d have a much better chance at playing time.

It wasn’t until 4 weeks before the season started that he transferred. By that time Baldwin was the clear cut starter and he was behind Carr on the depth chart now at 3rd string. I get Ballou was a huge reason he was there in the first place, but have an extremely tough time believing being buried on the depth didn’t play a huge role in his decision to transfer.

yes, and my point in bringing up that it was the 2nd time in the portal was that the 1st time was after Ballou's departure.

Again, IU fans seem desperate to assign his departure to lack of PT, and an unwillingness to compete (that last part is unsaid, but goes hand-in-hand with the first), but there clearly appears to be much more to the story. I'm not sure why there's disagreement on this point.

EDIT:
Crossing out that part in the 2nd paragraph. Hadn't seen that publicly stated until this thread. That's unfortunate.

 

[Courthouse Carp]

was lurking on the iu free board (proudly banned from Peegs since 2016) and the royalty of iu D-bag fans (well, there's a few of them, but this guy is sort of king of the D-bags) was talking about Ross Ade's turf and the stadium being a dump. Which I find extremely comical due to the fact that iu has never had more that 45,000 people for a home game (except when they play Purdue or OSU) and the pigeons use Memorial stadium as their personal toilet, making it literally a "shit hole"

Sounds like IU fans are transferring much-deserved criticisms of Memorial Stadium's "lack of gameday atmosphere/terrible place to watch a game" to Ross-Ade Stadium (which NEVER makes these "worst" lists).