Zips to Get Pitt Transfer QB?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Harris opts for Palko

Friday, August 27, 2004

By Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two and a half years ago, Tyler Palko headlined Walt Harris' 2002 recruiting class. He was considered the top prospect in the class, a gifted quarterback and athlete who was labeled the future of the Panthers' program.

It took some time, but yesterday Palko took his first step toward fulfilling the lofty expectations heaped upon him. In a close competition, Palko beat out Luke Getsy for the starting quarterback duties.

"This has been a long process, watching both of these kids for three years," Harris said after practice yesterday. "I don't think I've been around two young men that care more about football than they do.

"They know as much about what we're doing than anyone else we've had at their age. It was tight. It was real tight. It was a very difficult decision. Both are real good football players.

"I have confidence in Luke if the situation goes that way. But right now, Tyler Palko is our starting quarterback."

There had been little separation between Palko and Getsy since they arrived on campus together in 2002.

Palko, a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from West Allegheny, earned the backup job behind Rod Rutherford in 2002 while Getsy redshirted. Last season, they switched roles with Getsy earning the backup job while Palko took a redshirt. Even in the first two weeks of practice, Pitt players were unable to determine who played better.

Receiver Greg Lee genuinely was surprised when reporters informed him that Palko had been named the starter. Lee said Palko and Getsy had been so close in play that he expected the competition to go into next week. "I thought they were neck-and-neck all through camp," Lee said.

But it was time to have some stability at the position, Harris said. The Panthers open the season Sept. 6 at South Florida, and he wanted the offense to have some continuity for the next 10 days of practice.

"We have a starting quarterback and we're going to stick with him," Harris said. "We're going to give practice time to him so he has a chance to improve his game. It was time for us to pick a guy and get ready. It's hard to do when you split it up."

Harris declined to specify what set Palko apart from Getsy, but Palko is a better scrambler and runner. That likely will be important this season with the offensive line's ability to block for him in question. Palko also has been a winner as a three-time WPIAL Class AAA champion at West Allegheny.

Getsy is no slouch on the run, but he is known as more of a pocket passer.

"Now that we have a quarterback who can run the ball, [the defense] will have to make a decision if they're going to play the run or play the pass first," Lee said.

Harris praised Palko's approach to the game. He likened Palko's study habits and leadership skills to Boomer Esiason, who Harris coached with the New York Jets.

"He's a coach on the field," Harris said. "He's into it like nobody's been probably since Pete Gonzalez. He's probably a little more into it than Pete was, and Pete was pretty into it.

"Tyler reminds me of the way Boomer Esiason used to practice. Boomer would know what everyone was doing. I think with the football team it gives great confidence to those guys that the guy touching the ball every down is working harder than anyone out there to get himself ready to play.

"He's a really good practice player. You can see it in the two-minute drill. He takes great pride in everything. He has very high lofty goals for us. It's one step in the stage of becoming a good quarterback."

Harris said telling Getsy the news was difficult. Harris also said he didn't know whether Getsy, from Steel Valley High School, would remain with the Panthers.

He said Getsy was going to discuss the situation with his parents, then make a decision. Getsy practiced with the second-team offense yesterday.

"The hardest thing I had to do as a coach was talk to Luke Getsy," Harris said. "As competitive as he is, the talented player he is and the person he is. That was no fun here today."

There has been speculation that Getsy could transfer to Akron, where former Pitt offensive coordinator J.D. Brookhart is the head coach. Harris said he hoped Getsy remained at Pitt.

Neither Getsy nor Palko answered questions from reporters yesterday. Don Getsy, Luke's father, said last night that no decision has been made.

"I just found out a little while ago, too," Don Getsy said. "We're going to have to figure it out."

[Guest Guest_Z.I.P.]

Why doesn't this article tell the reader what grade these guys are in? Sheesh! "They arrived on campus together in 2002". So, if Getsy had a RS season, he is now a sophomore. Hey -- I'm not so dumb after all.

[Zipsrifle]

So IF he comes to Akron, he'll have 2 years left (assuming Pitt lets him go). I'll take that. I really haven't seen Jabari play....So would there be a battle next year or would Palko be a shoe in for #1? I guess Jabari could be the next Nick Sparks if this happens.

This brings up something I don't know a lot about. Can he get additonal years of elgibility? Since he hasn't played a game this year at Pitt, if he doesn't play, can he get that year back if he transfers? I always thought that the rule was you have 5 years from the time you start school to play 4 years. I think there are some exceptions if you get hurt or something isn't there?

Anyway, you hate to see talent sitting on the sidelines of another team when it could be put to use somewhere else. Imagine if Charlie signed at OSU or Michigan. :blink: Probably LOTS of underutilized talent there. That's why the Penn State's of the world hate the scholarship rule, can't hoard all the good players anymore and have to face some of the "would be bench players" on the other side of the ball.

ONE MORE WEEK!!!!

[Zipsrifle]

I'm sorry, I guess it's Getsy not Palko.

[Guest Guest]

This brings up something I don't know a lot about. Can he get additonal years of elgibility? Since he hasn't played a game this year at Pitt, if he doesn't play, can he get that year back if he transfers? I always thought that the rule was you have 5 years from the time you start school to play 4 years. I think there are some exceptions if you get hurt or something isn't there?

I believe that if you transfer there is a one time exception rule where the year you have to sit out doesn't count against your eligibility or five years.

[Captain Kangaroo]

A little more regarding the decision...

If I were him, I'd stay at Pitt. If Palko sucks, or gets hurt...he's the man. If he comes to Akron, Jabbari will be a Soph. who's pretty tough to beat out. There's no guarantee he's the #1 guy here either.

By Joe Bendel

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Saturday, August 28, 2004

Luke Getsy is uncertain about his future at Pitt after losing the starting quarterback job to fellow redshirt sophomore Tyler Palko.

Getsy said Friday that he loves everything about Pitt, but also pointed out that he has "options." He also realizes that he faces the possibility of playing out his career as a back-up.

"I'm just going to think about it," said Getsy, a Steel Valley High grad who played in six games last season while Palko took a redshirt. "I'll weigh it out and see what goes on. As long as I'm here, I'm going to bust my (behind) for this team because you never know what will happen."

If Getsy opts to transfer to another Division I-A school, he must do so by the 12th day of that institution's semester to gain admission. He would then be eligible to play in 2005.

If he waits longer than the 12 days, he won't gain admission until the winter semester, forcing him to sit out the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Players who transfer from one NCAA Division I-A institution to another must sit out two full semesters, which is why it is so important to enroll before the 12-day mark of the fall term. Three years ago, tailback Brandon Miree played three games for Alabama before transferring to Pitt on the 12th day of the semester, thereby saving his eligibility for the following season.

Akron, which is coached by former Pitt offensive coordinator J.D. Brookhart, could be an option for Getsy. The first day of classes at Akron is Monday. That would allow Getsy to play two games for Pitt -- South Florida and Ohio -- before making a decision.

"I'm not sure about all that; I don't know the rules," Getsy said. "I don't know how quickly I have to act."

Palko came to Pitt with all the accolades after a stellar career at West Allegheny, while Getsy came in under the radar. But when their competition heated up, Getsy proved worthy of consideration for the starting job.

Harris said breaking the news to Getsy was the most difficult thing he's done. He also said he hopes Getsy "hangs in there with it," leading one to believe that even Harris is concerned about a potential transfer.

"It's been difficult, no doubt," Getsy said. "I wanted to get my chance on the field and the time's not right. I'm not going to live in regret and think that I didn't bust my (behind) for this team because I did. But things happen for a reason, and I just gotta find that reason."

[Z-Pouch]

From a radio talk show in Pittsburgh, Getsy has officially submitted for his release to insure his eligibility for next year. Rumored (?) to be heading to Akron to follow Brookhart. If he is on his way, it's very difficult to imagine being a backup. Let's see backup at Akron Vs Backup at Pitt ????? I wouldn't expect anything official until after Sat. to avoid any game prep disruptions. Only reporting what I heard, no insight whatsoever.

I also believe he will have 3 years left and can play next year.

[zff]

I read an article from a Pittsburgh paper today and it says that Pittsburgh would only release Luke once he told them what school he wanted to go to. And if that school was Akron they probably would NOT grant his release. The article also said that earlier this year a player asked for a release to goto Akron and was denied. I guess the Zips and Panther are considering playing each other if the NCAA goes to a 12 game schedule and this is the reason they don't want kids to goto Akron. But I think Harris is just pissed that kids want to leave him and follow Coach Brookhart.

Just my 2 cents time will tell...........

[Captain Kangaroo]

Click for the Story

[zipper]

zff, I agree with you. I think it reeks. We should bombard Pitt's board - not that it would do any good. If I were that kid's folks I'd be all over Harris. I can't believe he would exercise that much control over a kid's entire future. What a baby. Are we even scheduled to play Pitt anytime in this kid's career? I hope he bombs this year and gets canned. Anyone that small doesn't deserve to win big.

[Zipsrifle]

I was under the impression that if you were released by your current University, you didn't have to sit out a year but if you weren't released, then you did have to sit out a year. I'm sure that for a player who thinks he can make it to the NFL but is stuck behind some else and want's a transfer could take this thing to court. I agree that it sucks that a school can screw over a students future 'cause they don't want him to transfer.

[Zipsrifle]

OK, in the article is says "Harris said he won't allow players to transfer to a school that the Panthers recruit against or play". So if this is true, no players will move to Akron because we are recruiting heavily in Pitt's area. I think that Harris's stonewalling is a good sign, he must know what JD is capable of and is trying to stall him. Seems like the players at Pitt really liked JD since it sounds like a few of them wanted to follow.

LESS THAN 3 DAYS!!!! Let the new era of Zips football begin!

[Guest Guest_Z.I.P.]

Can anyone tell us what exactly the NCAA rule IS regarding transfers? Does a coach have absolute control over where a player can transfer to?? Can coach Harris prevent a student-athlete from continuing his academic and athletic career at the college of his choice? I'm not so sure.

If that IS the case, then there is truly something rotten in Denmark, and I can smell the Limburger coming from the Steel City. Have another Iron City beer coach (made from the cool, clear waters of the Monongahela River) -- maybe you'll keel over and the kid will get his way.

[Guest Guest_Zipper]

Pitt should be put to the screws publicly on this one. What is the address to their version of this board? I'd love to see what they're saying on this - I would hope they're a little embarrassed. Harris looks like a tyrant with no thought for that kid's future, just his

[zipboy]

F Walt Harris. He talks earlier about how great this kid is and it was the toughest thing that he had to do in his life to tell him that he was 2nd string. Nice job of showing how much you are looking out for someone's best interests. Pitt will go 6-5 this year in a watered down league and Harris will get canned. What an a-hole.