Re-hashing Devoe Torrence

[g-mann17]

I bet he would fit the mold 5 years ago.

Razor says Devoe may be coming aboard. As many have said here, JD's job maybe in jeopardy. The decision to offer a scholarship is easier if he may be gone next year.Rasor on the Zips

I don't know what to say....I'm not very happy about this. Was the guy acquitted? Yes. Would another team, possibly a MAC team, picked him up? Yes. I still am concerned as the guy was in this situation in the first place, which leads me to believe he doesn't have the best judgement. Assuming he is indeed with the Zips, he is going to be around the same group of friends that he got into this mess with in the first place, and we all know what this can lead to..... I'm glad to see that JD is working so hard to bring in quality players.....just like he was doing 3-4 years ago.

Well, that may be true but going to some other school doesn't mean you will stay out of trouble, just as staying in the same area doesn't mean you will get in trouble. How many of those "friends" are on the Zips team? Few and far between. And as far as taking "quality" people are concerned people always make the comparison between the horrible Florida schools like Miami and FSU with all the crime their athletes get into, but look at the honorific, quality, nice guy Penn State. Forty-six players, 163 criminal charges, since 2002.

[RowdyZip]

I agree with both sides of this argument. This is VERY thin ice for the coaching staff. I don't think the kid should be written off, but I also think that the staff needs to make it ABUNDANTLY clear that at the slightest hint of any disciplinary problems, this kid is gone. Let's not forget, he was acquitted. Let's hope it was a "wrong place, wrong time" sort of thing. Rivals is the only site that still has him listed as a prospect, and he's the 66th ranked recruit in the nation. That's Zeke territory, but in football. Now just because Torrence doesn't quite have the squeaky clean background that our prize basketball recruit does, doesn't mean he doesn't deserve a chance. My other issue with this situation, is that I believe the kid could be using Akron as a stepping stone to attempt to prove that he's not a problem-child and re-acquire all those "major" scholarships. Especially if he plays this year, he could use his redshirt season in order to satisfy the D-1 transfer requirements. Thoughts?

[ZachTheZip]

I agree with both sides of this argument. This is VERY thin ice for the coaching staff. I don't think the kid should be written off, but I also think that the staff needs to make it ABUNDANTLY clear that at the slightest hint of any disciplinary problems, this kid is gone. Let's not forget, he was acquitted. Let's hope it was a "wrong place, wrong time" sort of thing. Rivals is the only site that still has him listed as a prospect, and he's the 66th ranked recruit in the nation. That's Zeke territory, but in football. Now just because Torrence doesn't quite have the squeaky clean background that our prize basketball recruit does, doesn't mean he doesn't deserve a chance. My other issue with this situation, is that I believe the kid could be using Akron as a stepping stone to attempt to prove that he's not a problem-child and re-acquire all those "major" scholarships. Especially if he plays this year, he could use his redshirt season in order to satisfy the D-1 transfer requirements. Thoughts?

The staff needs to be strict with him, to start. Even if he is entirely innocent and a great guy, they need to be strict.As for using Akron as a "stepping stone", it depends entirely on whether we have offered him a scholarship or if he's walking on. As a walk-on, there's not much we can do, except to play him and hope he gets us some wins while he's here. If I were the coach, I would offer him a scholarship on the condition that he will not be released from it for at least two years, should he wish to transfer.

[zen]

The staff needs to be strict with him, to start. Even if he is entirely innocent and a great guy, they need to be strict.

How far can you go with that?I mean, can you expect to run someone's life because you coach them in a sport?...and let me ask you this: Is he not an adult?Afterall, he wasn't convicted of anything. This is still America right?Point a guy in the right direction and give him whatever guidance and structure that is reasonable, and then treat him like a man and let him do the right thing.I know I have fuxxed up in my life... particularly in my youth... and while it was nothing on the level of what he was accused of, I screwed my own head on straight, and I'm a better man because of it. No one else can take ownership of my behavior but me.

[Quickzips]

The staff needs to be strict with him, to start. Even if he is entirely innocent and a great guy, they need to be strict.

How far can you go with that?I mean, can you expect to run someone's life because you coach them in a sport?...and let me ask you this: Is he not an adult?Afterall, he wasn't convicted of anything. This is still America right?Point a guy in the right direction and give him whatever guidance and structure that is reasonable, and then treat him like a man and let him do the right thing.I know I have fuxxed up in my life... particularly in my youth... and while it was nothing on the level of what he was accused of, I screwed my own head on straight, and I'm a better man because of it. No one else can take ownership of my behavior but me.

This is still America. I don't see how that has anything to do with this kid having to follow strict rules. Ever had an employer who required mandatory drug tests? Yeah, perfectly legal. The kid is going to have to follow the rules just like everyone else. I hope he works out. I really do. But like I said earlier, I would be lying if I said our past history with these kinds of questionable character recruits didn't make me a little uneasy.

[RootforRoo44]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

[zipsbandman]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

I want to see this kid in uniform and on the field first, and I would like to see what he can do in the classroom. Every kid with his potential has not worked out for us. It has happened so much that nobody can really get excited. Yes, we need to win, but in our case taking in risky kids has hurt us more than it has helped us. Suddenly, we get picked last in this terrible conference, and I hate to say that they might have got it right this time.

[RootforRoo44]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

I want to see this kid in uniform and on the field first, and I would like to see what he can do in the classroom. Every kid with his potential has not worked out for us. It has happened so much that nobody can really get excited. Yes, we need to win, but in our case taking in risky kids has hurt us more than it has helped us. Suddenly, we get picked last in this terrible conference, and I hate to say that they might have got it right this time.

Have a little faith. We all know that the Zips aren't deserving of a last place pick. There is some talent here.

[Quickzips]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

We've heard this same argument a lot over the last couple of years. Carlton Jackson, David Harvey, Vince Hill, Aaris Reed. I'm sure I'm missing some. They come in as some of the most highly rated players to ever play in our football program from a recruiting standpoint. Those who make it to campus don't seem to last very long. It makes some of us uneasy to see all of the same arguments coming up again with a different name attached to them. I don't think you can really fault us for that.

[Zipgrad01]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

We've heard this same argument a lot over the last couple of years. Carlton Jackson, David Harvey, Vince Hill, Aaris Reed. I'm sure I'm missing some. They come in as some of the most highly rated players to ever play in our football program from a recruiting standpoint. Those who make it to campus don't seem to last very long. It makes some of us uneasy to see all of the same arguments coming up again with a different name attached to them. I don't think you can really fault us for that.

This kid is an absolute stud of a linebacker. Watch his rivals video at linebacker and you will see one of the top 5 linebackers in the 2008 class. I was giddy as hell when he verballed to OSU, so I am obviously just as jacked that he is now a Zip. His brother Devon is a great kid and is a Sophomore at OSU right now. I am more than willing to give this kid a chance and hope that he has character like his brother. I hope he turns out to be a great asset to the program.

[RootforRoo44]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

We've heard this same argument a lot over the last couple of years. Carlton Jackson, David Harvey, Vince Hill, Aaris Reed. I'm sure I'm missing some. They come in as some of the most highly rated players to ever play in our football program from a recruiting standpoint. Those who make it to campus don't seem to last very long. It makes some of us uneasy to see all of the same arguments coming up again with a different name attached to them. I don't think you can really fault us for that.

NONE of those guys are even close to the player that Devoe is. It's not even comparable.

[Quickzips]

i just dont understand all the questioning in taking a kid like this. HE IS THE MOST HIGHLY RATED PLAYER TO EVER PLAY IN OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM FROM A RECRUITING STANDPOINT. That is good enough reason for me to sign him. This isn't highschool, it's not about all the quality kids crap. College football IS a business almost on the level of the NFL. YOU NEED TO WIN. And this kid will help you win...PERIOD.lets get freaking excited for this, this is amazing luck!

We've heard this same argument a lot over the last couple of years. Carlton Jackson, David Harvey, Vince Hill, Aaris Reed. I'm sure I'm missing some. They come in as some of the most highly rated players to ever play in our football program from a recruiting standpoint. Those who make it to campus don't seem to last very long. It makes some of us uneasy to see all of the same arguments coming up again with a different name attached to them. I don't think you can really fault us for that.

NONE of those guys are even close to the player that Devoe is. It's not even comparable.

Point--> The talent level isn't the point. It's the potential character problems that arise, seemingly every time we land a talented player like this. We've been burnt by it. A lot. I wish the kid all the luck in the world. I hope he puts the Zips on the map, in a big way. I'll be more than happy to eat a big old pile of crow in four years if he graduates with honors, holds numerous team records and is an NFL first round draft pick. But for now, I'm skeptical about how long he will stick around the program and how well he can fit in character wise and based on past experiences I think I have every right to be.

[GP1]

One thing you guys have to understand is that MAC schools are loaded with players who foolishly believe they are better than what they are (especially Massillon Washington kids) and believe they could start at a BCS school as a freshman. The real trick is how the coach deals with the ego. Here is how I would handle him. Make him a RB and stick him on scout team where he can have his head deflated a little for a season, but not completely as some moxy is good for an athlete. Make him sit in study hall every hour he is not in class, eating or at practice for one year (actually, they should do this with all first and second year players). From what I see, he is only 210 pounds so he needs at least 10-15 more pounds for the MAC....he needs time in the weight room as well. There are enough RBs and we don't need another this season. Let him be a good challenge for the first and second team defense during practice. This kid isn't going anywhere unless he flunks out or gets thrown out. No BCS team would touch him next year with a ten foot pole regardless of the verdict. His leaving also requires a year of sitting out which in his mind would require another year without the NFL. We get excited when we get a player of his talent and we should. A BCS school knows there is another with his exact talent in the next high school class. This kid isn't going anywhere.

[zen]

It's a good thing none of you guys make decisions about how to handle the student-athletes that participate in our football program.These guys are not chess pieces. They are human beings. Occasionally some of the screw up. Have a little respect.Stop worrying so much about how they are to be "handled" and let them try to get everything out of their collegiate experience that they can.

[RootforRoo44]

It's a good thing none of you guys make decisions about how to handle the student-athletes that participate in our football program.These guys are not chess pieces. They are human beings. Occasionally some of the screw up. Have a little respect.Stop worrying so much about how they are to be "handled" and let them try to get everything out of their collegiate experience that they can.

exactly, why cant we just try to be a little more optimistic with the kid and remember that he is barely out of high school and is going to college for the first time like any other freshman student. Also i dont understand why everyone just assumes he is a bad apple, he didn't even get found guilty of ANYTHING. Let's see what he can do.