[socalstanfan1]

I think Hoffpauir's decision to return would have little to no impact on this class.  Were he returning for another three years, that might be a different story.  But he is returning for one year, and he plays a position where we already have depth because of the last couple of years of DB recruiting.  Unless the coaches were pushing hard the likelihood of seeing the field early, why would a player returning for a single year seem like a major hurdle?  Even extremely talented players often redshirt or see extremely limited time in their true freshman year.

The overall depth chart, on the other hand, or the emergence of Quentin Meeks, might give a few new recruits pause.  But I doubt that the idea of competing against other good players would intimidate the top DBs of any recruiting class. 

[socalstanfan1]

I think Hoffpauir's decision to return would have little to no impact on this class.  Were he returning for another three years, that might be a different story.  But he is returning for one year, and he plays a position where we already have depth because of the last couple of years of DB recruiting.  Unless the coaches were pushing hard the likelihood of seeing the field early, why would a player returning for a single year seem like a major hurdle?  Even extremely talented players often redshirt or see extremely limited time in their true freshman year.

The overall depth chart, on the other hand, or the emergence of Quentin Meeks, might give a few new recruits pause.  But I doubt that the idea of competing against other good players would intimidate the top DBs of any recruiting class. 

[Rally]

I think Hoffpauir's decision to return would have little to no impact on this class.  Were he returning for another three years, that might be a different story.  But he is returning for one year, and he plays a position where we already have depth because of the last couple of years of DB recruiting.  Unless the coaches were pushing hard the likelihood of seeing the field early, why would a player returning for a single year seem like a major hurdle?  Even extremely talented players often redshirt or see extremely limited time in their true freshman year.

The overall depth chart, on the other hand, or the emergence of Quentin Meeks, might give a few new recruits pause.  But I doubt that the idea of competing against other good players would intimidate the top DBs of any recruiting class.

I don't think we want anyone who is afraid of competing with our current or committed players.  What I do think is that this goes with the territory we have only recently entered.  Not that long ago we got excited if we got a commitment from a big, strong, slow smart guy who could also play tuba.

[Rally]

I think Hoffpauir's decision to return would have little to no impact on this class.  Were he returning for another three years, that might be a different story.  But he is returning for one year, and he plays a position where we already have depth because of the last couple of years of DB recruiting.  Unless the coaches were pushing hard the likelihood of seeing the field early, why would a player returning for a single year seem like a major hurdle?  Even extremely talented players often redshirt or see extremely limited time in their true freshman year.

The overall depth chart, on the other hand, or the emergence of Quentin Meeks, might give a few new recruits pause.  But I doubt that the idea of competing against other good players would intimidate the top DBs of any recruiting class.

I don't think we want anyone who is afraid of competing with our current or committed players.  What I do think is that this goes with the territory we have only recently entered.  Not that long ago we got excited if we got a commitment from a big, strong, slow smart guy who could also play tuba.

[TrumpCard]

This board has a lot of good content, but this thread is absurd.  Just subscribe to Rivals for one month if you care to know the answers.  I started paying for recruiting info when the Rivals/Scout era began, and I've never regretted it. 

[TrumpCard]

This board has a lot of good content, but this thread is absurd.  Just subscribe to Rivals for one month if you care to know the answers.  I started paying for recruiting info when the Rivals/Scout era began, and I've never regretted it. 

[Rally]

This board has a lot of good content, but this thread is absurd.  Just subscribe to Rivals for one month if you care to know the answers.  I started paying for recruiting info when the Rivals/Scout era began, and I've never regretted it.

Oh come on!  That would remove all the fun of wild speculation, conspiracy theories, wishes hopes and dreams, and eliminate the cathartic relievf of discovering that a long-held hope was delusional.  Party pooper.

[Rally]

This board has a lot of good content, but this thread is absurd.  Just subscribe to Rivals for one month if you care to know the answers.  I started paying for recruiting info when the Rivals/Scout era began, and I've never regretted it.

Oh come on!  That would remove all the fun of wild speculation, conspiracy theories, wishes hopes and dreams, and eliminate the cathartic relievf of discovering that a long-held hope was delusional.  Party pooper.

[ChicagoCard]

For a little reassurance that the vast majority of decommitments aren't about anything other than rigorous academic standards, listen to recruiting analyst Greg Biggins discuss Stanford in the latest edition of this podcast (pac12podcast.com). He addresses Stanford admissions just after about 1 hr and 2 minutes.

[ChicagoCard]

For a little reassurance that the vast majority of decommitments aren't about anything other than rigorous academic standards, listen to recruiting analyst Greg Biggins discuss Stanford in the latest edition of this podcast (pac12podcast.com). He addresses Stanford admissions just after about 1 hr and 2 minutes.

[CowboyIndian]

If a kid isn't admitted, there's no need to decommit. The decision has been made for him. These kids are announcing, "I'm decommitting from Stanford."

Does the expression "saving face" have any resonance for you?

[CowboyIndian]

If a kid isn't admitted, there's no need to decommit. The decision has been made for him. These kids are announcing, "I'm decommitting from Stanford."

Does the expression "saving face" have any resonance for you?

[Extra Point]

This board has a lot of good content, but this thread is absurd.  Just subscribe to Rivals for one month if you care to know the answers.  I started paying for recruiting info when the Rivals/Scout era began, and I've never regretted it.

Are you saying you have reliable information about why these recruits decommitted, but won't tell us?

[Extra Point]

This board has a lot of good content, but this thread is absurd.  Just subscribe to Rivals for one month if you care to know the answers.  I started paying for recruiting info when the Rivals/Scout era began, and I've never regretted it.

Are you saying you have reliable information about why these recruits decommitted, but won't tell us?

[yvonne]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=14424.msg153473#msg153473 date=1453159367]
If a kid isn't admitted, there's no need to decommit. The decision has been made for him. These kids are announcing, "I'm decommitting from Stanford."

Does the expression "saving face" have any resonance for you?
[/quote]

They don't need to save face because they haven't lost it if they say nothing. Many coaches stay in contact with the players until signing day. Tell the coach and sign with another team.

[yvonne]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=14424.msg153473#msg153473 date=1453159367]
If a kid isn't admitted, there's no need to decommit. The decision has been made for him. These kids are announcing, "I'm decommitting from Stanford."

Does the expression "saving face" have any resonance for you?
[/quote]

They don't need to save face because they haven't lost it if they say nothing. Many coaches stay in contact with the players until signing day. Tell the coach and sign with another team.

[BostonCard]

Yvonne, that's not the atmosphere we live in and it's not really the kids' fault.  We live in a world where recruits are expected to share their thinking with eager fans over twitter, and where people like Andy can have a job following these recruits and getting inside information.  Maybe a generation ago, a kid could commit and nobody would hear about it until the national signing day press release was put out.  Now, a recruit is expected to share their entire recruiting voyage, from a list of favorites, through their official visits, to their commitments (and decomittments).  Recruits who don't are labeled as standoffish or "keeping their cards close to their vest".  Maybe (probably) it would be better if the whole system went back to the days when commitments were commitments only to the coaches in question, and maybe the recruit's high school coach and not to an eager gaggle of boosters, fans, recruiting reporters and well-wishers, but that ship has sailed.

And I say all of this recognizing that I'm as much a part of the problem.  So, as long as we have an internet, we will have immense pressure on 18-year olds to announce where they intend to play football for the ensuing four years.  And if for whatever reason that doesn't work out, they will face pressure to provide a full accounting as to why.

BC

[BostonCard]

Yvonne, that's not the atmosphere we live in and it's not really the kids' fault.  We live in a world where recruits are expected to share their thinking with eager fans over twitter, and where people like Andy can have a job following these recruits and getting inside information.  Maybe a generation ago, a kid could commit and nobody would hear about it until the national signing day press release was put out.  Now, a recruit is expected to share their entire recruiting voyage, from a list of favorites, through their official visits, to their commitments (and decomittments).  Recruits who don't are labeled as standoffish or "keeping their cards close to their vest".  Maybe (probably) it would be better if the whole system went back to the days when commitments were commitments only to the coaches in question, and maybe the recruit's high school coach and not to an eager gaggle of boosters, fans, recruiting reporters and well-wishers, but that ship has sailed.

And I say all of this recognizing that I'm as much a part of the problem.  So, as long as we have an internet, we will have immense pressure on 18-year olds to announce where they intend to play football for the ensuing four years.  And if for whatever reason that doesn't work out, they will face pressure to provide a full accounting as to why.

BC

[Rally]

For a little reassurance that the vast majority of decommitments aren't about anything other than rigorous academic standards, listen to recruiting analyst Greg Biggins discuss Stanford in the latest edition of this podcast (pac12podcast.com). He addresses Stanford admissions just after about 1 hr and 2 minutes.

I like what he has to say about us, but the guy interrupting him clearly doesn't want to hear about us.  I resent that, a bit, in a podcast that is supposed to be Pac12 not Pac11 plus those guys in Palo Alto.  What is that about?

[Rally]

For a little reassurance that the vast majority of decommitments aren't about anything other than rigorous academic standards, listen to recruiting analyst Greg Biggins discuss Stanford in the latest edition of this podcast (pac12podcast.com). He addresses Stanford admissions just after about 1 hr and 2 minutes.

I like what he has to say about us, but the guy interrupting him clearly doesn't want to hear about us.  I resent that, a bit, in a podcast that is supposed to be Pac12 not Pac11 plus those guys in Palo Alto.  What is that about?

[jacketree]

Good point BC. None of our damned business.

It can't all be academic. I mean God forbid some kid wants to go somewhere else to play.  I don't think there is much face to save, remembering when my kids were going through the application process.  Most just tell the truth (yeah, University X flushed me) and move on. Even the recruited athletes would talk pretty openly about which coaches were ignoring them, Plans B, C and 9 (from outer space).  Life tends to work out in the end.

If there are more admissions casualties than in the recent past, I hope it is because Shaw is pushing the envelope against fairly set criteria rather than some arbitrary clamp down from the Administration.  Periodically I'll read some fans subscribing to a theory that Admissions wants Stanford football to be good, but not too good for too long, or the image is blown. I've never believed it. Nobody could control something like that, even if they wanted to.

And I'd love for more recruits to start telling social media to leave them alone and wait until signing day to see where they sign. As long as coaches have a good idea of how their classes are shaping up.  (And they can't say anything.)

[jacketree]

Good point BC. None of our damned business.

It can't all be academic. I mean God forbid some kid wants to go somewhere else to play.  I don't think there is much face to save, remembering when my kids were going through the application process.  Most just tell the truth (yeah, University X flushed me) and move on. Even the recruited athletes would talk pretty openly about which coaches were ignoring them, Plans B, C and 9 (from outer space).  Life tends to work out in the end.

If there are more admissions casualties than in the recent past, I hope it is because Shaw is pushing the envelope against fairly set criteria rather than some arbitrary clamp down from the Administration.  Periodically I'll read some fans subscribing to a theory that Admissions wants Stanford football to be good, but not too good for too long, or the image is blown. I've never believed it. Nobody could control something like that, even if they wanted to.

And I'd love for more recruits to start telling social media to leave them alone and wait until signing day to see where they sign. As long as coaches have a good idea of how their classes are shaping up.  (And they can't say anything.)

[BostonCard]

And I'd love for more recruits to start telling social media to leave them alone and wait until signing day to see where they sign. As long as coaches have a good idea of how their classes are shaping up.  (And they can't say anything.)

They can't, but they do.  How do you think most of the reporters for scout and rivals know which kids to approach to ask how they feel about their school?

BC

[BostonCard]

And I'd love for more recruits to start telling social media to leave them alone and wait until signing day to see where they sign. As long as coaches have a good idea of how their classes are shaping up.  (And they can't say anything.)

They can't, but they do.  How do you think most of the reporters for scout and rivals know which kids to approach to ask how they feel about their school?

BC

[TheFarm07]

I wonder what the recruiting process was like twenty-thirty years ago before social media and before even the Internet and rankings and websites scouting all these players.

[TheFarm07]

I wonder what the recruiting process was like twenty-thirty years ago before social media and before even the Internet and rankings and websites scouting all these players.

[bl82]

All I can say is that back in my undergrad days the only recruit I can even imagine hearing any buzz about prior to an LOI signing was Elway.  Perhaps word of the skills and potential of Garin Veris leaked out before his LOI, but I'm not sure.  Other than that even the most rabid fans were in the dark until LOIs were announced -- and even then there was vey little to go on other than the official press release summarizing the new class.

[bl82]

All I can say is that back in my undergrad days the only recruit I can even imagine hearing any buzz about prior to an LOI signing was Elway.  Perhaps word of the skills and potential of Garin Veris leaked out before his LOI, but I'm not sure.  Other than that even the most rabid fans were in the dark until LOIs were announced -- and even then there was vey little to go on other than the official press release summarizing the new class.

[yvonne]

I wonder what the recruiting process was like twenty-thirty years ago before social media and before even the Internet and rankings and websites scouting all these players.

There were newsletters, Super Prep and MaxPreps, that tried to rate players, create all regional and all America lists, and create recruiting rankings. If fans were interested enough, they could purchase the newsletters or dial in to a 900-number to hear about the favorite team's recruits.

The newsletters listed the stats, but the phone lines were just lists, player names, positions, height, and weight.

[yvonne]

I wonder what the recruiting process was like twenty-thirty years ago before social media and before even the Internet and rankings and websites scouting all these players.

There were newsletters, Super Prep and MaxPreps, that tried to rate players, create all regional and all America lists, and create recruiting rankings. If fans were interested enough, they could purchase the newsletters or dial in to a 900-number to hear about the favorite team's recruits.

The newsletters listed the stats, but the phone lines were just lists, player names, positions, height, and weight.

[ChicagoCard]

[quote author=ChicagoVisitor link=topic=14424.msg153497#msg153497 date=1453164710]
For a little reassurance that the vast majority of decommitments aren't about anything other than rigorous academic standards, listen to recruiting analyst Greg Biggins discuss Stanford in the latest edition of this podcast (pac12podcast.com). He addresses Stanford admissions just after about 1 hr and 2 minutes.

I like what he has to say about us, but the guy interrupting him clearly doesn't want to hear about us.  I resent that, a bit, in a podcast that is supposed to be Pac12 not Pac11 plus those guys in Palo Alto.  What is that about?
[/quote]

The guy I think you're referring to is involved in covering UCLA, and the other guy is the .U.S.C Scout guy. They started this podcast which they call "The Podcast of Champions" this season and it was fun to hear them have to admit that they were wrong about Stanford. I give them credit at least for admitting that. They had both been adherents to the notion that Stanford had been in the inevitable post-Harbaugh process of fading.

[ChicagoCard]

[quote author=ChicagoVisitor link=topic=14424.msg153497#msg153497 date=1453164710]
For a little reassurance that the vast majority of decommitments aren't about anything other than rigorous academic standards, listen to recruiting analyst Greg Biggins discuss Stanford in the latest edition of this podcast (pac12podcast.com). He addresses Stanford admissions just after about 1 hr and 2 minutes.

I like what he has to say about us, but the guy interrupting him clearly doesn't want to hear about us.  I resent that, a bit, in a podcast that is supposed to be Pac12 not Pac11 plus those guys in Palo Alto.  What is that about?
[/quote]

The guy I think you're referring to is involved in covering UCLA, and the other guy is the .U.S.C Scout guy. They started this podcast which they call "The Podcast of Champions" this season and it was fun to hear them have to admit that they were wrong about Stanford. I give them credit at least for admitting that. They had both been adherents to the notion that Stanford had been in the inevitable post-Harbaugh process of fading.

[Hulk01]

I have never, in over 20 years on Stanford boards like this, read someone's comment that a certain recruit wasn't smart enough to get in.  There have been several who decided not to do the work necessary--the multiple AP classes or, for that matter, the entire application--and some fans have simply pointed that out.  But I cannot recall a single case like the one you cite, and suggests happens with some frequency.  You are ascribing to some fans an arrogance they never have displayed.

[Hulk01]

I have never, in over 20 years on Stanford boards like this, read someone's comment that a certain recruit wasn't smart enough to get in.  There have been several who decided not to do the work necessary--the multiple AP classes or, for that matter, the entire application--and some fans have simply pointed that out.  But I cannot recall a single case like the one you cite, and suggests happens with some frequency.  You are ascribing to some fans an arrogance they never have displayed.

[Rally]

I have never, in over 20 years on Stanford boards like this, read someone's comment that a certain recruit wasn't smart enough to get in.  There have been several who decided not to do the work necessary--the multiple AP classes or, for that matter, the entire application--and some fans have simply pointed that out.  But I cannot recall a single case like the one you cite, and suggests happens with some frequency.  You are ascribing to some fans an arrogance they never have displayed.

Hard to tell, but if you're talking to me, I said tone.  No one has ever called a recruit stupid to my knowledge.  Other Cardboarders?  Different story :)

[Rally]

I have never, in over 20 years on Stanford boards like this, read someone's comment that a certain recruit wasn't smart enough to get in.  There have been several who decided not to do the work necessary--the multiple AP classes or, for that matter, the entire application--and some fans have simply pointed that out.  But I cannot recall a single case like the one you cite, and suggests happens with some frequency.  You are ascribing to some fans an arrogance they never have displayed.

Hard to tell, but if you're talking to me, I said tone.  No one has ever called a recruit stupid to my knowledge.  Other Cardboarders?  Different story :)

[fullmetal]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=14424.msg153473#msg153473 date=1453159367]
If a kid isn't admitted, there's no need to decommit. The decision has been made for him. These kids are announcing, "I'm decommitting from Stanford."

Does the expression "saving face" have any resonance for you?
[/quote]

I think a decommitment announcement is more likely a signal that a recruit is back in play for other schools.  And there's no shame in that--it is a game these days...

[fullmetal]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=14424.msg153473#msg153473 date=1453159367]
If a kid isn't admitted, there's no need to decommit. The decision has been made for him. These kids are announcing, "I'm decommitting from Stanford."

Does the expression "saving face" have any resonance for you?
[/quote]

I think a decommitment announcement is more likely a signal that a recruit is back in play for other schools.  And there's no shame in that--it is a game these days...

[BobK]

We had 3 or 4 not get accepted last year.  A couple of those never said de committed but agree with full metal that once an athlete has t been accepted they want other schools to recruit them.  They, like they rest of us, want to be wanted and have choices. 

Not accepted doesn't been rejected. It may not have gone that far.

Given we have 35 sports it's fair to say that 50 or more athletes were not accepted who had committed.  It's not just FB

[BobK]

We had 3 or 4 not get accepted last year.  A couple of those never said de committed but agree with full metal that once an athlete has t been accepted they want other schools to recruit them.  They, like they rest of us, want to be wanted and have choices. 

Not accepted doesn't been rejected. It may not have gone that far.

Given we have 35 sports it's fair to say that 50 or more athletes were not accepted who had committed.  It's not just FB