Guest OLDSCHOOLZIP Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Just found out from a guy I work with, Zips middle backer Diontre Earl will not be returning for his senior season of eligibility. Apparently Diontre is getting married and has no desire to play football anymore. While this is a huge loss to the Zips on defense, I'd like to thank Diontre for the last 3 seasons he's given to this program and the heart that he played with. He has been a huge contributor and I wish him nothing but the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 That has GOT to be one of the strangest things I have read on this board?!? A lifetime to get married, only one year to play senior college football. Reminds me of the quote "Youth is wasted on the young" If true, I wish him the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Best of luck to the young man. I just hope he graduated or graduates. If he has graduated, he has fulfilled his biggest obligation to himself and the University. If not, he still owes both and his new family something. I doubt this will be a huge loss though. The kid never developed much after his freshman year. He should be easy to replace if not get an improvement on the position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Best of luck to the young man. I just hope he graduated or graduates. If he has graduated, he has fulfilled his biggest obligation to himself and the University. If not, he still owes both and his new family something. I doubt this will be a huge loss though. The kid never developed much after his freshman year. He should be easy to replace if not get an improvement on the position. The word on the street is Diontre has had numerous concussions over the past 3 seasons. Concerns regarding his long-term health played a big part in his decision to walk away from football. He was a good Zip...I wish him well. I got to know his mom and dad because they sat near us at games. Super people. If anyone thinks losing a 5th year senior linebacker won't impact next year's defense, they're mistaken. Earl wasn't a 1st Team All MAC, but he was solid, and could put a good lick on ball carriers coming up the middle. Our LB's next season will be VERY short on experience. Competing for championships is tough to do when your linebacking 2-deep is full of True and RS Fr's. It will be very interesting to see the LB's this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Concussions are an excellent reason to stop playing college football. Wise decision-making on his part, although I'll bet it was hard. Best of luck to Diontre and his fiancee. Thanks for your contributions on the team, and I hope your UA degree takes you far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Best of luck to the young man. I just hope he graduated or graduates. If he has graduated, he has fulfilled his biggest obligation to himself and the University. If not, he still owes both and his new family something. I doubt this will be a huge loss though. The kid never developed much after his freshman year. He should be easy to replace if not get an improvement on the position. The word on the street is Diontre has had numerous concussions over the past 3 seasons. Concerns regarding his long-term health played a big part in his decision to walk away from football. He was a good Zip...I wish him well. I got to know his mom and dad because they sat near us at games. Super people. If anyone thinks losing a 5th year senior linebacker won't impact next year's defense, they're mistaken. Earl wasn't a 1st Team All MAC, but he was solid, and could put a good lick on ball carriers coming up the middle. Our LB's next season will be VERY short on experience. Competing for championships is tough to do when your linebacking 2-deep is full of True and RS Fr's. It will be very interesting to see the LB's this spring. The Zips will be short on experience at LB, but I believe the guys coming up are much more talented and will do more for us than the guys who are leaving. The only returning guy who as seen significant time is Jay Rohr, and I've been so impressed with his play as a backup over the past two seasons, I'm thrilled that I'm finally going to see him playing full time. I always felt he was better than Cam Yeow anyway. If Bryan Howe can recover from surgery, he's going to be a better middle backer than Earl. From everything I've heard, Kevin Grant is going to be a better backer than we've had around here in a while, needless to say, an improvement over Chase Blackburn. Behind those 3 we've got Brion Stokes, who saw some action last year as a true frosh when Howe went down, Brandon Butler, and Mark Groza, all of which impressed me in the scrimmages I attended. Hopefully JD and his staff can really get these guys ready in spring ball, and by the time the season rolls around they'll be ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fan37 Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Best of luck for life, playing team sports at the college level is a great prep for the rest of your life, sorta like a 4 year stint in the military--but probabily a lot more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLDSCHOOLZIP Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 That guest post was me. I decided to register!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 The word on the street is Diontre has had numerous concussions over the past 3 seasons. Concerns regarding his long-term health played a big part in his decision to walk away from football. Now that makes more sense. Not an easy decision, but I imagine the smart one. Good Luck D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Butkus Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Groza could not make an intramural team, much less the top 22 on a 1-A defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLDSCHOOLZIP Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Groza could not make an intramural team, much less the top 22 on a 1-A defense. And who are you to say that?? Groza's a good player and an excellent student. He's been behind some guys the last few years, but I'm sure he will be a factor this season. The guy was a beast in high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 He's Butkus.......I guess..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLDSCHOOLZIP Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Prime example of why you should have to be registered to post (now that I'm registered of course ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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