TE Rafdal decommits from iu
- Thread starter PaBoiler78
- Start date
I was under the impression that Pittman and Stickford were being considered as possible TE candidates; although Rafdal would be a very welcome addition and we do have a couple of familiar faces.
I doubt their fans will acknowledge this, but it's definitely a significant blow...one of their better recruits, from a top in-state program, looking elsewhere after new coaches are announced certainly swings momentum in the wrong direction.
From what I read this morning, it sounds like he's looking at Iowa and Nebraska. I would think it would be worth the call, though. And I'd also keep on Beery. With 2 Carmel commits currently, maybe they can help recruit as well.
We have three on scholarship already, none of them seniors, and one committed. Don't know if you take another as I'm not sure how much a TE is used in Brohms offense
I think I remember reading or seeing something where he talked about using tight ends extensively in his offense but I'm not sure how many he'd want to roster at once.
Honestly, a good offense can never have too many capable TE's. A guy like Tim Stratton was so hard to defend because he was bigger than any DB a team could put on the field BUT more athletic and faster than pretty much any LB. I'm not saying Purdue has the next Stratton on the field...but having multiple TE's that can either play off the tackle OR split off in the slot (or even wide), is so hard to defend effectively. No secret that when Purdue was at their best offensive last year, the TE's were catching balls and being used to open up the deeper parts of the field. Brohm is an incredibly smart man and knows what he needs to make his offense work...but also knows what he needs change according to personnel. I think at this point, Brohm needs to get the best possible players he can get and change his style.
Brohm describes his offense as a "pro-spread." He very much utilizes a tight end, and at times multiple tight ends in his attack. Right now we have two decent ones in Herdman and Hopkins, but the only other scholarship guy we have is Trussell, who hasn't seen the field. Pittman should project as one, but it couldn't hurt to have another talented TE added into the fold, so long as the scholarship availability permitted it. We will definitely see TE usage on our offense, but how much will be predicated on the ability of the ones we have.
Hardly a "significant" blow, TE is not a huge position of need, that said, losing a guy with his potential is never good. The reason here was the firing of Patton who would have been his position coach, they were tight.
Anytime coaches are let go decommits are possible, but so are new pickups due to contacts of the new coaches. (As you guys have had from WKU)
Hence, "I doubt their fans will acknowledge this..." One of your top commits, one of the top programs in the state, your class now #65. Yeah, no big deal. We can agree to disagree.
It was crazy how many pros were mentioned in that book and even our very own Brian Brohm and Robert Marve. Just read it over Xmas
Damn good book, but a bit sad now that McKnight passed away.
Always chuckle about the JuCo guy signing his Letter of intent in the county jail
And the RB who wanted his # haha can't even imagine recruiting now with social media
Robert Elliot..."jersey didn't feel right with double digits"....lol
Too bad he didn't get that fourth year...Snead was great for ole miss. Nutt benefited from Eds work
if you are referring to Pittman, he was recruited as a WR, a TE is a great safety valve for a QB.
He uses the players most able to contribute. He uses the players based on talent level. More talented TE's become a key part of the offense. This Carmel TE has the perfect size to become an OT. We always could use a big OT with TE athleticism. That would be a Tilleresque move.
When talking about recruits, there is always speculation by scouts about their potential to play other positions. I.e. Many scouts speculate Alstott as a running QB could end up at a different position. One of our other recruits was a QB and is being looked at as a potential kick returner. In combing the internet, I found a local paper that said Stickford was once a WR and was converted to be an offensive lineman and suggested he could possibly be converted to TE . Similarly, I read a scouting report on Pittman that suggested because of his size, he could possibly be converted to play TE. It's a given that coaches look at players with their needs in mind regardless of the positions they have played. Brohm viewed White as a potential safety rather than linebacker or running back. When looking at guys like Pittman, , you look at ways to get him in your lineup. With the other WR we have, you think of possible double TE sets, or other ways to utilize him. Pittman is a huge WR. While recruited as a WR, it's also not unreasonable to project his potential as a tight end. The same applies to Stickford. One is led to believe if he was once a WR, he could learn how to become a TE. Nothing in college football is an absolute. Look at QB Henry.
Potential for position changes is one of the things I'm most anxious to see with our new staff - to see if their evaluation of current or incoming players leads to anyone changing sides of the ball or moving to a new spot. I am hopeful that they will maximize what talent they have inherited.
In the past, we have recruited a lot of players who have played multiple positions - particularly linemen. A good coach is one that finds a way to put his best players on the field. So you never know what may happen once a player puts on that Boilermaker jersey.
As for Rafdal, I've read many of his comments about the TE coaches being a prime factor of his decision. He seems to really like the Nebraska TE coach, and compared him closely to the departed IU coach. He seems to be more interested in coaches at his position than an overall team outlook. He also mentioned the game atmosphere. I have to believe Purdue's atmosphere hasn't been the greatest lately. I'm sure he's followed Purdue, but based on his comments, he looks like a very hard possibility much like Potts.
As for Rafdal, I've read many of his comments about the TE coaches being a prime factor of his decision. He seems to really like the Nebraska TE coach, and compared him closely to the departed IU coach. He seems to be more interested in coaches at his position than an overall team outlook. He also mentioned the game atmosphere. I have to believe Purdue's atmosphere hasn't been the greatest lately. I'm sure he's followed Purdue, but based on his comments, he looks like a very hard possibility much like Potts.
Part of brohms job is developing relationships with some of the power house schools in the state. He has to take a shot here.
My guess is he's doing his best, but Rafdal would be a very hard sell. Rafdal really likes the Nebraska TE coach. Brohm visited Carmel last month. I have to believe he at least talked to Rafdal. I haven't seen anything from Rafdal's quotes or tweets that he changed his views on Purdue after that visit. You never know. We now have two players coming to Purdue from Carmel, so Brohm is getting his foot in the door. We may lose out on Rafdal, but win some recruiting battles in the future.
IU is going to pick up recruits from Mike Debord and Grant Heard who are known as good recruiters. Debord just recruited the #1 OT prospect to Tennessee. Trey Smith.
Big difference between recruiting a top player to Tennessee, or even Ole Miss, as opposed to IU.
Looks like Rivals needs to update their pages...they have him listed
#1 or #12? Also, the database has two other coaches as the primary recruiters.
Don' t think you have a chance at Rafdal, but one of our other TE commits has now set up visits to PSU and PU, Peyton Hendershot. He also is still taking an official to IU.
That's obvious, but if the guys are good recruiters, than IU will be fine. I mean, Kevin Johns was getting some decent kids.
You haven't had a winning record since 2007. We are a terrible team and have still had one as recently as 2011.
Oh and a fun fact, if IU wins its next 191 straight games, it'll finally break .500 in football.
So yes, IU sucks and will always suck.
if IU sucks, then what did we do under Hazell? What's worse than sucking?
