Sampson James to Purdue

[HoosierTim]

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.

Trust me, I agree that James more than likely wasn't happy at IU, especially after Ballou and Hart left. I don't think there's much debate in that either.

But I also don't agree that this is some major loss for Indiana in the sense that their starting RB completely blindsided the program and transferred right before the start of the season leaving IU without some kind of contingency plan. He wasn't going to be the starting RB and was falling fast on the depth.

Sure it's never easy to stomach losing a 4* RB, especially to a rival, but if you actually look at the reality of the situation, James was really being pressed for playing time this fall. The only way this kills IU is if Baldwin/Carr/Ellis all go down in flames and/or get injured AND James finally starts performing at his expected level.

 

[Purdue85]

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).

I've been going to Memorial stadium for many years, and never thought it was that bad. But, I haven't been to a lot of other places (a few, not a lot).

With that said, the addition of the closed-in north end zone is a contrived mess. Sat there a few years ago, and couldn't believe the route we had to take to get to our seats. Clearly not well designed, from a fan's perspective.

 

[Purdue85]

Trust me, I agree that James more than likely wasn't happy at IU, especially after Ballou and Hart left. I don't think there's much debate in that either.

But I also don't agree that this is some major loss for Indiana in the sense that their starting RB completely blindsided the program and transferred right before the start of the season leaving IU without some kind of contingency plan. He wasn't going to be the starting RB and was falling fast on the depth.

Sure it's never easy to stomach losing a 4* RB, especially to a rival, but if you actually look at the reality of the situation, James was really being pressed for playing time this fall. The only way this kills IU is if Baldwin/Carr/Ellis all go down in flames and/or get injured AND James finally starts performing at his expected level.

I haven't made the case that it's "some major loss for Indiana". At least, I don't think I have.

As to the rest, I haven't kept up with IU's roster, or the performance of the RBs. I believe a poster (above) broke it down, and there's some hype there which remains to be seen how it translates to IU's success. (At least, from a perspective of 'depth'.)

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how things play out.

 

[HoosierTim]

I haven't made the case that it's "some major loss for Indiana". At least, I don't think I have.

No not you, but some have. Think you've actually been pretty level headed about it all.

As to the rest, I haven't kept up with IU's roster, or the performance of the RBs. I believe a poster (above) broke it down, and there's some hype there which remains to be seen how it translates to IU's success. (At least, from a perspective of 'depth'.)

Agree. Most of IU's backfield is predicated on hype. I believe James is still in that category. Talented coming out of high school given his 4* ranking, but hasn't come anywhere close to putting it together on the field. The fact that he was being passed over tells me he hadn't put it together. This is an instance where I think a change of scenery helps all parties involved.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how things play out.

Absolutely. I liked what I saw out of Baldwin last year but nothing is going to matter unless the line improves. That's a big concern of mine.

 

[Purdue85]

... nothing is going to matter unless the line improves. That's a big concern of mine.

Then you're in the right place, since we have the same concerns!

 

[goboilers2]

Aside from the IU fans saying that Sampson did not matter to their program, has this thread provided any solid information on eligibility? (Yes, I am too lazy to scroll through 5 pages)

 

[Purdue85]

Aside from the IU fans saying that Sampson did not matter to their program, has this thread provided any solid information on eligibility? (Yes, I am too lazy to scroll through 5 pages)

In short: No.

EDIT: I keep hearing/reading that he has 2 seasons of eligibility. However, due to COVID that number should be 3, since 2020 did not count against eligibility.

 

[Hausta01]

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 am not saying you shouldn't feel good about IU's RB situation, it's the off-season everyone is playing great, lol. I just don't think James left IU because the RB room was so loaded he wasn't going to see snaps. And that's the take a lot of IU fans are coming here to say and what is being said on the IU board.

It very well could be that James isn't good and wasn't going to find reps, or that IU has 2 or 3 stud RBs and James wasn't going to find reps. The former is more probable based on James' first two seasons thus far and IU will likely be average to good at RB with not much depth. Much like Purdue, but probably in better shape overall at the position.

 

[bonefish1]

I've been going to Memorial stadium for many years, and never thought it was that bad. But, I haven't been to a lot of other places (a few, not a lot).

With that said, the addition of the closed-in north end zone is a contrived mess. Sat there a few years ago, and couldn't believe the route we had to take to get to our seats. Clearly not well designed, from a fan's perspective.

The best thing about going to a game at iu is that you never have much of a crowd to deal with. Waits for the pisser or concession stands are short as is the wait to get out of the parking lots after the game.

 

[Riveting]

The best thing about going to a game at iu is that you never have much of a crowd to deal with. Waits for the pisser or concession stands are short as is the wait to get out of the parking lots after the game.

But what about the post-game love fests?

 

[wakeman2626]

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.

Carr only played for McCullough one year, his true FR year, which was also his best. After that, they brought in a new OC, went to an air raid style offense, and he never really fit back in. I think they are both hoping that they can reproduce what they saw/had his FR year at USC.

On Ellis, he is definitely more of a change of pace back that they can motion to empty sets with.. He will get certain packages no matter where he is on the depth chart. If IU got down to #3, James would have been the every down back but now you are probably looking at Ellis needing to do that unless one of the true FR really step up. That's not ideal.

 

[BigRed3588]

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?

I’m well aware of who David Ballou is. I graduated from Avon in 06 and took his APC class for a couple of trimesters. He was well known but I doubt he and James had much interaction in Avon, especially considering he was in Florida for the majority of James high school career. I’m not saying it’s impossible that was the reason, I just think it’s more likely that he decommitted from OSU and committed to IU expecting immediate playing time and probably isn’t thrilled about seeing limited reps through his first 2 years.

 

[Purdue85]

I’m well aware of who David Ballou is. I graduated from Avon in 06 and took his APC class for a couple of trimesters. He was well known but I doubt he and James had much interaction in Avon, especially considering he was in Florida for the majority of James high school career. I’m not saying it’s impossible that was the reason, I just think it’s more likely that he decommitted from OSU and committed to IU expecting immediate playing time and probably isn’t thrilled about seeing limited reps through his first 2 years.

"...it's more likely..."

Holy cow, dude. I don't care if you did his nails and dog-sat for him. The idea that he, as a prominent member of the Avon Football staff, did NOT know Sampson James, and Sampson James did NOT know him, is absurd. That relationship, and those interactions, are not limited to and do not occur solely once a player enters HS.

I won't tell you my own experiences with HS football staff and the up-and-coming studs, but the idea that they don't know each other isn't based in reality.

 

[BigRed3588]

"...it's more likely..."

Holy cow, dude. I don't care if you did his nails and dog-sat for him. The idea that he, as a prominent member of the Avon Football staff, did NOT know Sampson James, and Sampson James did NOT know him, is absurd. That relationship, and those interactions, are not limited to and do not occur solely once a player enters HS.

I won't tell you my own experiences with HS football staff and the up-and-coming studs, but the idea that they don't know each other isn't based in reality.

I stopped playing after 8th grade, but the 06 class lost 1 game (Brownsburg) when I was in middle school. That same class finished second in state behind WC my senior year and had multiple players go to college on scholarship. You know how many times I saw Dave Ballou or any other member of the high school staff at our practices or games in middle school? Zero. Now, maybe things changed in the 10 years or so after I graduated, but I just don’t believe any relationship between James and Ballou would be the primary reason for his departure. I think we’re just gonna have to agree to disagree.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

Carr only played for McCullough one year, his true FR year, which was also his best. After that, they brought in a new OC, went to an air raid style offense, and he never really fit back in. I think they are both hoping that they can reproduce what they saw/had his FR year at USC.

On Ellis, he is definitely more of a change of pace back that they can motion to empty sets with.. He will get certain packages no matter where he is on the depth chart. If IU got down to #3, James would have been the every down back but now you are probably looking at Ellis needing to do that unless one of the true FR really step up. That's not ideal.

James was not going to be the every down back it is going to be Steven Carr who was a 5 star and considered a top 5 rb prospect out of high school. He like Penix has to prove he can stay healthy. But believe Baldwin will be next up and then Ellis. What we do lose is is a short yardage down hill guy.

 

[FLAG HUNTER]

Nice reading all the reasons why James left IU, maybe he hated some of his teammates, or something happened with one of the coaches, but it doesn't matter, all that matters is how he does at Purdue. Hope the best for the guy, and that he can help Purdue .

 

[bonefish1]

But what about the post-game love fests?

Usually after a Bucket game at iu, I'm too busy pointing and laughing at iu fans, telling them how much they suck.

 

[Kern County]

James was not going to be the every down back it is going to be Steven Carr who was a 5 star and considered a top 5 rb prospect out of high school. He like Penix has to prove he can stay healthy. But believe Baldwin will be next up and then Ellis. What we do lose is is a short yardage down hill guy.

Carr won’t be an every down back, either. If he was, he’d have never left USC. His problem wasn’t so much GH’s offense, it was his lack of durability. As for being a 5 star, none of that matters once you get to school. James would’ve played more at IU than he will for Purdue, but he’s nice depth at a position where you can’t have too many bodies.

 

[Purdue85]

I stopped playing after 8th grade, but the 06 class lost 1 game (Brownsburg) when I was in middle school. That same class finished second in state behind WC my senior year and had multiple players go to college on scholarship. You know how many times I saw Dave Ballou or any other member of the high school staff at our practices or games in middle school? Zero. Now, maybe things changed in the 10 years or so after I graduated, but I just don’t believe any relationship between James and Ballou would be the primary reason for his departure. I think we’re just gonna have to agree to disagree.

"...I just don't believe..."

That's it, in a nutshell. Most IU fans are choosing to believe a certain narrative.

You can disagree, if you so choose. If you stopped playing after 8th grade, no offense but you probably weren't on their radar, either.

I can't speak to your experience, but I can share with you what I've seen, having had a fair amount of exposure to a different (not Avon) 6A program; the coaches absolutely knew who the top performers were. They knew who was playing well in IEFA (elementary travel), and they knew who the top performers were in middle school. (They even knew if the IEFA parent/coaches were playing their own kid at the expense of other, more talented players.)

 

[FirstDownB]

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

Memorial Stadium is a great football stadium






For me to POOP ON!

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

Carr won’t be an every down back, either. If he was, he’d have never left USC. His problem wasn’t so much GH’s offense, it was his lack of durability. As for being a 5 star, none of that matters once you get to school. James would’ve played more at IU than he will for Purdue, but he’s nice depth at a position where you can’t have too many bodies.

No way James would have played more at IU. It would have been Carr then Baldwin if both healthy.

 

[Kern County]

No way James would have played more at IU. It would have been Carr then Baldwin if both healthy.

Definitely would’ve played more at IU. More experienced in the offense and behind a guy who hasn’t been able to stay on the field. He’ll be no better than third at Purdue, and he’s less powerful than Xander and slower than King. He’s also not much of a receiver, which is required if you’re going to play in JB’s offense. OSU backed away for a reason. He had a good Bucket game a couple of years ago but Xander was much better. That hasn’t changed.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

Definitely would’ve played more at IU. More experienced in the offense and behind a guy who hasn’t been able to stay on the field. He’ll be no better than third at Purdue, and he’s less powerful than Xander and slower than King. He’s also not much of a receiver, which is required if you’re going to play in JB’s offense. OSU backed away for a reason. He had a good Bucket game a couple of years ago but Xander was much better. That hasn’t changed.

So I guy who is looking for playing time leaves one school to go to another school where he is going to play less. I don’t think so. Plus one school he leaves is predicted to have a better season. Not making any predictions myself just going by what I have seen on the internet take it for what it is worth . Which is not much still have to play the games. Let’s see how many carries he gets this year. James had 32 last year for IU.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

So I guy who is looking for playing time leaves one school to go to another school where he is going to play less. I don’t think so. Plus one school he leaves is predicted to have a better season. Not making any predictions myself just going by what I have seen on the internet take it for what it is worth . Which is not much still have to play the games. Let’s see how many carries he gets this year. James had 32 last year for IU.

By the way third is what he was listed at this year for IU. Baldwin then Carr then him.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

He was #2 on the IU depth chart and would’ve played a lot. Wonder if his family talked to Peyton Ramsey’s dad about LEO. That said, the two players who combined for 45 carries, 282 yards, and three touchdowns are now Boilers. Wonder who will leave IU and their football version of Tom Crean next?

If said conversation did happy between Allen and the Ramseys then maybe Allen should be commended for being honest with them and giving him the opportunity to seek playing time elsewhere.Even knowing how productive he had been. Perhaps more coaches should be more forthcoming.

 

[purduepat1969]

Definitely would’ve played more at IU. More experienced in the offense and behind a guy who hasn’t been able to stay on the field. He’ll be no better than third at Purdue, and he’s less powerful than Xander and slower than King. He’s also not much of a receiver, which is required if you’re going to play in JB’s offense. OSU backed away for a reason. He had a good Bucket game a couple of years ago but Xander was much better. That hasn’t changed.

If that's the case, why did Brohm offer him a spot on the team?

Look, I'm no IU fan. But he's likely going to get playing time at Purdue, whether it's this year or next. King hasn't proven he can stay healthy and Horvath is a 5th year senior. James was a 4 star recruit for a reason.

 

[Purdue85]

By the way third is what he was listed at this year for IU. Baldwin then Carr then him.

I keep seeing this, but I only see it on internet forums. Where was he listed 3rd?

 

[Indy_Rider]

Football season can not start soon enough, if for no other reason then so IU fans can crawl back in their holes to not be heard again until next off season.

 

[SDBoiler1]

Football season can not start soon enough, if for no other reason then so IU fans can crawl back in their holes to not be heard again until next off season.

I wish we could fumigate their repeated infestations more permanently. Getting tired of their bullshit on here.

 

[Kern County]

So I guy who is looking for playing time leaves one school to go to another school where he is going to play less. I don’t think so. Plus one school he leaves is predicted to have a better season. Not making any predictions myself just going by what I have seen on the internet take it for what it is worth . Which is not much still have to play the games. Let’s see how many carries he gets this year. James had 32 last year for IU.

Some guys just need a change of scenery. At IU, he would be behind a guy who isn’t likely to avoid the injury bug, so he would’ve gotten on the field quicker in a system he knows much better.

 

[Kern County]

If that's the case, why did Brohm offer him a spot on the team?

Look, I'm no IU fan. But he's likely going to get playing time at Purdue, whether it's this year or next. King hasn't proven he can stay healthy and Horvath is a 5th year senior. James was a 4 star recruit for a reason.

It’s depth at a position where guys always get banged up. So you need plenty of guys. There’s no downside for JB to take him.

 

[Kern County]

By the way third is what he was listed at this year for IU. Baldwin then Carr then him.

No, the initial depth chart had him #2 behind Baldwin, with Carr #3. SC obviously much better than both of the guys he quickly bypassed. Baldwin can’t be thrilled to lose his place so quickly, but talent wins.

 

[Kern County]

If said conversation did happy between Allen and the Ramseys then maybe Allen should be commended for being honest with them and giving him the opportunity to seek playing time elsewhere.Even knowing how productive he had been. Perhaps more coaches should be more forthcoming.

Can’t fault him for being honest, but I can’t blame the Ramsey’s for being upset that he wouldn’t even be able to compete for the job. Most coaches don’t do it that way.

 

[HoosierTim]

Can’t fault him for being honest, but I can’t blame the Ramsey’s for being upset that he wouldn’t even be able to compete for the job. Most coaches don’t do it that way.

Bull they don’t. Please tell me you’re not naive to think that every single position on the field is open competition? You think Jim Sorgi came into camp all those years thinking the QB competition was open between Manning and him?

Allen named Penix the starter and told Peyton if he wanted to seek a starting role it would need to be elsewhere. Generally happens at most every program when the incumbent returns. Just because Purdue has had an open competition at QB the last few years doesn’t mean it’s common practice elsewhere.

 

[purduepat1969]

It’s depth at a position where guys always get banged up. So you need plenty of guys. There’s no downside for JB to take him.

So I guess next year, when Horvath is no longer eligible, James won't get any playing time here, right?

 

[Riveting]

Football season can not start soon enough, if for no other reason then so IU fans can crawl back in their holes to not be heard again until next off season.

Clownpantsnation is being a bit more quiet on football so far because they don't open with Florida-Pacific Coast or whatever like usual.

'Coach' Geese did some fly-by droppings earlier in the summer but must have looked more closely at the opening game schedule and returned to his soiled roost in Mem Stadium.

 

[Riveting]

So I guess next year, when Horvath is no longer eligible, James won't get any playing time here, right?

Horvath can return in 22 if he wants to since 20 didn't count.

 

[HoosierTim]

Clownpantsnation is being a bit more quiet on football so far because they don't open with Florida-Pacific Coast or whatever like usual.

Didn't they open up with #8 Penn State last year....and win?

 

[Indy_Rider]

Didn't they open up with #8 Penn State last year....and win?

Which shows how meaningless preseason rankings are.

 

[izakman]

Didn't they open up with #8 Penn State last year....and win?

They played Penn State last year and were given an incorrect decision by the replay officials. It was a gift.