Reality Check!

[ZapPoke]

Guys, we all want our Pokes to be successful. If we did not we would not be spending our time on this board. We need to look at the reality of the situation. There is approximately one FBS scholarship per 114,000 people. That means we could realistically have four Wyoming kids on the team. I know, there are around nine listed currently, but I do not know how many have a scholarship. That means we have to recruit out of state. Top prospects will typically want to play for a program that is already successful and more than likely in their home state. That means we need to find talent that has been overlooked and over the years it has been fun to see some of these "diamonds in the rough" develop into fine players. It is sort of a chicken and egg thing, recruiting will improve with success, but be more difficult without it.

More money may help with improving the coaching staff and facilities, but remember only about 15% of the Wyo population even has a degree (one of the lowest in the nation). There are many who bitch when they hear of the state spending money on UW athletics. It is up to the real fans to provide support and push the legislature and University powers. (side note: When Uche was playing ball for the Cowboys he earned his Masters Degree with a thesis on the benefits a school derives from successful athletics!)

If you look back through UW history you will see that no HC in the last sixty years has coached more than six years except Lloyd Eaton. He truly had the best opportunity to build this program into a perpetual powerhouse until that damned Black 14 incident destroyed it (curse you BYU!). So, DC will either turn this program into something in the next year or two and get enticed away or he will not and get fired. Either way I do not expect him to be here in 2016.

So, we keep plugging away, supporting the Pokes as we can and hoping for the best. Hey, at least we are not Cubs fans!

 

[BackHarlowRoad]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

 

[djm19]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

 

[JimmyDimes]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

IMO, stay away from Utah (the kids are taught to not like Wyoming from birth). It just doesn't work for Wyoming. Focus on the NW, Colorado, Arizona, California, the upper Midwest, and Texas.

 

[djm19]

I disagree. There are some hard ass kids I watch that weekly that despise BYU and Utah because they feel these players "aren't good enough." They could give two craps less about "hating Wyoming from birth." They are 18 and want to play D1 football.

I do agree to go to the big states, but I would take a wirey tough ass farm kid from Brigham City than some marshmallow from Texas who isnt used to the area.

 

[Aggiefan33]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

As a USU fan I really appreciate the comparison to 2FCS teams.
I don't think many kids grow up with a dislike if Wyoming. I could see some of the Temple Tech variety, but generally they hate everything not in Provo.

Not to sidetrack too much, but much of the turnaround for USU has been getting local kids. Many kinda getting serious reps have even been walkons from Utah. It works for us, but am not sure if that correlates to success elsewhere. We are seeing more Utah kids getting offers by big 5 conference teams lately


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[djm19]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

As a USU fan I really appreciate the comparison to 2FCS teams.
I don't think many kids grow up with a dislike if Wyoming. I could see some of the Temple Tech variety, but generally they hate everything not in Provo.

Not to sidetrack too much, but much of the turnaround for USU has been getting local kids. Many kinda getting serious reps have even been walkons from Utah. It works for us, but am not sure if that correlates to success elsewhere. We are seeing more Utah kids getting offers by big 5 conference teams lately


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Dont read in to it too much. I am not comparing USU to Southern Utah and Weber. When it comes to recruiting...then yes, USU does go afer similar kids to that of FCS. Go look at quite a few of the USU players now. In the bios "they got offers from USU, Weber, Nevada, Southern Utah, etc." Very rarely does it say "Offers from Utah, BYU, Boise State"

I graduated from USU. I live in Utah now. I was there for the Brent Guy days. The caliber of recruit that goes to Southern Utah, Weber, USU and Wyoming are often longshot D1 players. Wasnt until the past few years that USU is turning that around.

 

[Wyovanian]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

IMO, stay away from Utah (the kids are taught to not like Wyoming from birth). It just doesn't work for Wyoming. Focus on the NW, Colorado, Arizona, California, the upper Midwest, and Texas.

That sounds rational.

:roll:

 

[Aggiefan33]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

As a USU fan I really appreciate the comparison to 2FCS teams.
I don't think many kids grow up with a dislike if Wyoming. I could see some of the Temple Tech variety, but generally they hate everything not in Provo.

Not to sidetrack too much, but much of the turnaround for USU has been getting local kids. Many kinda getting serious reps have even been walkons from Utah. It works for us, but am not sure if that correlates to success elsewhere. We are seeing more Utah kids getting offers by big 5 conference teams lately


Sent from iPhone using Tapatalk

Dont read in to it too much. I am not comparing USU to Southern Utah and Weber. When it comes to recruiting...then yes, USU does go afer similar kids to that of FCS. Go look at quite a few of the USU players now. In the bios "they got offers from USU, Weber, Nevada, Southern Utah, etc." Very rarely does it say "Offers from Utah, BYU, Boise State"

I graduated from USU. I live in Utah now. I was there for the Brent Guy days. The caliber of recruit that goes to Southern Utah, Weber, USU and Wyoming are often longshot D1 players. Wasnt until the past few years that USU is turning that around.

I think the turning point has been someone that knows Utah. As you know by living here it is unique. What is working for us is getting Utah kids, Poly's, and going everywhere to find speed and skill positions.
In lurking on this board (for what it is worth) it sounds like making Wyoming a priority is good, you just don't think it is enough of a basis. For us it has taken some years to build that plan and see it through. The other thing was a coach in Andersen that could sell the positives of Logan and Utah. He did that well, while understanding that it is not for everyone. He did state that if he could meet with a mom, the chances of a kid coming went drastically higher.
The Aggies you saw in school are most definitely not the Aggies of today. We hope we can sustain it. That remains to be seen. I would say our days of the bottom ten are behind us. If they come back, i do not expect it soon.


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[JimmyDimes]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

IMO, stay away from Utah (the kids are taught to not like Wyoming from birth). It just doesn't work for Wyoming. Focus on the NW, Colorado, Arizona, California, the upper Midwest, and Texas.

That sounds rational.

:roll:

Some people get jokes and apparently, some don't.

 

[whyoh]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

IMO, stay away from Utah (the kids are taught to not like Wyoming from birth). It just doesn't work for Wyoming. Focus on the NW, Colorado, Arizona, California, the upper Midwest, and Texas.

That sounds rational.

:roll:

Some people get jokes and apparently, some don't.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q27YiPRiewg[/youtube]

 

[ZapPoke]

Let's talk more about recruiting. Just glancing at the roster it appears that most of the current Pokes come from Colorado, California, and Texas. For comparison let's look back to the high water mark, 1967, when the Cowboys were ranked #6 in the country.There were 3 from Wyo, 3 from California, 1 from Colorado, and 3 from Texas. Where did we get most of the players then?
How about 10 from Michigan, 8 from Pennsylvania, 6 from Mass., 5 from New Jersey (including Jim Kiick), and 4 from New York. They really got around in those days to recruit! Maybe the coach needs a travel budget!

 

[whyoh]

Let's talk more about recruiting. Just glancing at the roster it appears that most of the current Pokes come from Colorado, California, and Texas. For comparison let's look back to the high water mark, 1967, when the Cowboys were ranked #6 in the country.There were 3 from Wyo, 3 from California, 1 from Colorado, and 3 from Texas. Where did we get most of the players then?
How about 10 from Michigan, 8 from Pennsylvania, 6 from Mass., 5 from New Jersey (including Jim Kiick), and 4 from New York. They really got around in those days to recruit! Maybe the coach needs a travel budget!

but hasn't the general culture surrounding football changed geographically in the last 50 years?

 

[McPeachy]

Let's talk more about recruiting. Just glancing at the roster it appears that most of the current Pokes come from Colorado, California, and Texas. For comparison let's look back to the high water mark, 1967, when the Cowboys were ranked #6 in the country.There were 3 from Wyo, 3 from California, 1 from Colorado, and 3 from Texas. Where did we get most of the players then?
How about 10 from Michigan, 8 from Pennsylvania, 6 from Mass., 5 from New Jersey (including Jim Kiick), and 4 from New York. They really got around in those days to recruit! Maybe the coach needs a travel budget!

Great post.

UW has very much failed to recruit the northern mid-west / east for quite some time (Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, NY, The horrificly retarded NE states, etc.).

Fact of the matter, these are colder-weather kids, that are not afraid of snow and cold weather like some of the California & Texas pussies are.

 

[JimmyDimes]

Let's talk more about recruiting. Just glancing at the roster it appears that most of the current Pokes come from Colorado, California, and Texas. For comparison let's look back to the high water mark, 1967, when the Cowboys were ranked #6 in the country.There were 3 from Wyo, 3 from California, 1 from Colorado, and 3 from Texas. Where did we get most of the players then?
How about 10 from Michigan, 8 from Pennsylvania, 6 from Mass., 5 from New Jersey (including Jim Kiick), and 4 from New York. They really got around in those days to recruit! Maybe the coach needs a travel budget!

Great post.

UW has very much failed to recruit the northern mid-west / east for quite some time (Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, NY, The horrificly retarded NE states, etc.).

Fact of the matter, these are colder-weather kids, that are not afraid of snow and cold weather like some of the California & Texas pussies are.

Some of our better players have come from that region. Marcus Harris, Ryan Yarborough, Craig Shlickting(sp), etc.

 

[Wyovanian]

Great points, Zap.

Not making excuses, just stating facts. Wyoming high schools don't produce enough top talent to formulate a competitive team at the level we want. We have to compete with countless other schools to get top talent from other states.

Some of us are under the illusion that Wyoming does actually produce top talent and we can name a few names: John Wendling, Chris Pro, etc. For those of us that actually believe that, I challenge you to just take a short drive to Denver or Salt Lake City and watch some of those high school games. It's an entirely different world.

That's just Utah and Colorado. I have yet to witness a high school game in Texas.....

I live down by SLC area. There are some very talented players being very successful at schools other than the main two (U and Y)...then USU. IMO, we should be recruiting and NEVER losing a recruiting battle to schools like Weber State, Southern Utah, Nevada, etc. Sure, some may say that those kids "arent D1 talent" and my response would be, well our team is on the fast track to FCS as well unless we get our crap in order. There are formidabble players that arent good enough for Utah or BYU who ARE good enough to play D1 ball and end up at Southern Utah, Weber, and USU. And we should be able to pick off those players.

IMO, stay away from Utah (the kids are taught to not like Wyoming from birth). It just doesn't work for Wyoming. Focus on the NW, Colorado, Arizona, California, the upper Midwest, and Texas.

That sounds rational.

:roll:

Some people get jokes and apparently, some don't.

Oh. It was a joke. I guess the funny quotient was so subtle I couldn't detect it...

:roll:

 

[ZapPoke]

Let's talk more about recruiting. Just glancing at the roster it appears that most of the current Pokes come from Colorado, California, and Texas. For comparison let's look back to the high water mark, 1967, when the Cowboys were ranked #6 in the country.There were 3 from Wyo, 3 from California, 1 from Colorado, and 3 from Texas. Where did we get most of the players then?
How about 10 from Michigan, 8 from Pennsylvania, 6 from Mass., 5 from New Jersey (including Jim Kiick), and 4 from New York. They really got around in those days to recruit! Maybe the coach needs a travel budget!

 

[ELKMT]

The population boom on the front range will help recruiting.