(12-07-2009 04:32 PM)rabidawg900 Wrote:  Can anybody remember how high EdgyTim ranked him in the state before grades became an issue? He was at least top-15

#14 in Illinois per the 2009 Pre-season Top 30.

Nice pick up talent wise but really hope his attitude changes once he is on campus. He dominated the first half of the state finals vs. ESL but slowed in the second. He was coming back from mono and his conditioning wasn't there yet through no fault of his own.

On the other hand, he does have a bad attitude (think former Geneva/NIU QB recruit Sean Ratay but worse) - verbally and physically threatening classmates and Geneva faculty, drinker, smoker, poor student (but was unaware he was a special needs student until reading this thread), etc. If his head EVER gets screwed on straight he is going to be one hell of a player for your guys. Too bad I give him about a 25% chance of making it all four years. I hope he proves me wrong.

(12-07-2009 05:29 PM)illinois4theillini Wrote:  Nice pick up talent wise but really hope his attitude changes once he is on campus. He dominated the first half of the state finals vs. ESL but slowed in the second. He was coming back from mono and his conditioning wasn't there yet through no fault of his own.

On the other hand, he does have a bad attitude (think former Geneva/NIU QB recruit Sean Ratay but worse) - verbally and physically threatening classmates and Geneva faculty, drinker, smoker, poor student (but was unaware he was a special needs student until reading this thread), etc. If his head EVER gets screwed on straight he is going to be one hell of a player for your guys. Too bad I give him about a 25% chance of making it all four years. I hope he proves me wrong.

But would have been a 95 percent chance if the Illini snagged him right?

this isn't high school - leave the gossip at the door.. you always start with a clean slate, give the kid a chance

(12-07-2009 05:34 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-07-2009 05:29 PM)illinois4theillini Wrote:  Nice pick up talent wise but really hope his attitude changes once he is on campus. He dominated the first half of the state finals vs. ESL but slowed in the second. He was coming back from mono and his conditioning wasn't there yet through no fault of his own.

On the other hand, he does have a bad attitude (think former Geneva/NIU QB recruit Sean Ratay but worse) - verbally and physically threatening classmates and Geneva faculty, drinker, smoker, poor student (but was unaware he was a special needs student until reading this thread), etc. If his head EVER gets screwed on straight he is going to be one hell of a player for your guys. Too bad I give him about a 25% chance of making it all four years. I hope he proves me wrong.

But would have been a 95 percent chance if the Illini snagged him right?

??? Not sure where that smartass comment came from but there were other Geneva/UI alums I have spoken with that agreed with me Frank has a lot to work on off the football field.

(12-07-2009 05:36 PM)DSniu41 Wrote:  this isn't high school - leave the gossip at the door.. you always start with a clean slate, give the kid a chance

Gossip? I live in Geneva and know students who are in the same classes. Not sure how this is gossip but suit yourself.

I am all for giving the kid a chance and, like I said in my initial post, I hope he proves me wrong. I always cheer for Geneva kids and want them to succeed in their endeavors.

Kill doesn't take any bull*

Just ask Chase Mejia...

(12-07-2009 05:29 PM)illinois4theillini Wrote:  Nice pick up talent wise but really hope his attitude changes once he is on campus. He dominated the first half of the state finals vs. ESL but slowed in the second. He was coming back from mono and his conditioning wasn't there yet through no fault of his own.

On the other hand, he does have a bad attitude (think former Geneva/NIU QB recruit Sean Ratay but worse) - verbally and physically threatening classmates and Geneva faculty, drinker, smoker, poor student (but was unaware he was a special needs student until reading this thread), etc. If his head EVER gets screwed on straight he is going to be one hell of a player for your guys. Too bad I give him about a 25% chance of making it all four years. I hope he proves me wrong.

I can back you up on this. I have heard the words "jerk" and "douchebag" being used when describing Frank, and they were coming from coaches within the Western Sun conference.

Now obviously, as exaggerated as these reports might have been, there has to be some truth to it if they are coming from different sources. The guy has all american talent, yet did not receive one scholarship offer other than NIU.

This is the epitome of a high-risk/high-reward signing.

IF there is a change in attitude, work ethic and academic achievement, Boenzi can be a force to be reckoned with for the next 4 years as well as potential NFL draft pick.

But to sit here and pretend that he will magically turn things around once he gets to college is wishful thinking.

Bottom line is, I am glad we are taking a chance on this kid, it is not like NIU is Northwestern or Standford when it comes to academics (even though I know we have been exemplary in that aspect), but if we want to win the MAC year in and year out, we have to get whatever talent is available to us.

(12-07-2009 05:45 PM)illinois4theillini Wrote:  

(12-07-2009 05:36 PM)DSniu41 Wrote:  this isn't high school - leave the gossip at the door.. you always start with a clean slate, give the kid a chance

Gossip? I live in Geneva and know students who are in the same classes. Not sure how this is gossip but suit yourself.

I am all for giving the kid a chance and, like I said in my initial post, I hope he proves me wrong. I always cheer for Geneva kids and want them to succeed in their endeavors.

Thanks for the insight Illini. It is appreciated.

(12-07-2009 05:34 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(12-07-2009 05:29 PM)illinois4theillini Wrote:  Nice pick up talent wise but really hope his attitude changes once he is on campus. He dominated the first half of the state finals vs. ESL but slowed in the second. He was coming back from mono and his conditioning wasn't there yet through no fault of his own.

On the other hand, he does have a bad attitude (think former Geneva/NIU QB recruit Sean Ratay but worse) - verbally and physically threatening classmates and Geneva faculty, drinker, smoker, poor student (but was unaware he was a special needs student until reading this thread), etc. If his head EVER gets screwed on straight he is going to be one hell of a player for your guys. Too bad I give him about a 25% chance of making it all four years. I hope he proves me wrong.

But would have been a 95 percent chance if the Illini snagged him right?

Intelligent response MD. The kid has some issues. Either he grows up and reaches his potential, or he effs up a golden opportunity. We'll see.

the point is - who cares! congrats to Frank and let's hope he succeeds here, that's something we all agree on

(12-07-2009 06:05 PM)DSniu41 Wrote:  the point is - who cares! congrats to Frank and let's hope he succeeds here

I would agree 100%.

The reason NIU has an academic support staff is to help kids get through college. That is why the are paid to do. If a kid wants to graduate...or atleast keep themself eligible, NIU will make sure they do (the right way...this is not Minnesota). Tutors, study halls, class checks....NIU provides every athlete with a chance to do well in school if they want to. Just don't tell the Northern Star about the athletic support staff......how dare we waste our money on helping athletes do well!

Wow. This kid is a stud on paper, but obviously a high risk, high reward kid. This is much different from what Novak would recruit. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, time will tell. Jerry has already had a couple of projects that never made it here or failed, but hopefully this one pans out.

(12-07-2009 02:23 PM)armour248 Wrote:  2008 Highlight Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpB2fEZZLQo

haha look at the comment on his youtube video, i guess the attitude issues really might be there...doesnt seem well liked:badger:

(12-07-2009 07:12 PM)niubrad00 Wrote:  This is much different from what Novak would recruit. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, time will tell. Jerry has already had a couple of projects that never made it here or failed, but hopefully this one pans out.

This was one of the first things that popped into my mind as well. Would this kid even be on Coach Novak's radar? Again, different philosophies in coaching/recruiting. Kill seems to be the guy who likes to give second chances... as long as they don't turn into 3rd and 4th chances I'm willing to give Coach Kill a chance to do things his way.

It should almost go without saying that if this kid doesn't have issues, he probably isn't accepting an offer to a non-BCS conference.

I like the verbal and the decision to make the offer in the first place. Kid is obviously a risk, but the kid also has a ton of talent, and in my opinion NIU needs to take some chances on guys like this and have success in order to get into a good place as a football program. Hopefully things work out, both for the sake of the program and the young man.

(12-07-2009 08:06 PM)NIUHuskies86 Wrote:  I like the verbal and the decision to make the offer in the first place. Kid is obviously a risk, but the kid also has a ton of talent, and in my opinion NIU needs to take some chances on guys like this and have success in order to get into a good place as a football program. Hopefully things work out, both for the sake of the program and the young man.

Agreed. At this stage we need risks. Risks = Good

As long as he does not get into legal trouble or academic trouble, I am fine with him being an idiot. He is playing defensive tackle. How many here feel Steve McMichael was a great guy. Keep your nose clean and play football.

I don't see academics being an issue with the staff and programs that NIU has for players. Has anyone had academic problems on this team lately?
As for what people are saying about the kids personality.. I can't comment since I have no idea who this kid is. But NIU athletic teams are already filled with d-bags who think they are on top of the world and better than everybody so there should be no issue bringing another one in.
I hope he succeeds, he can be a beast up the middle in this conference. If all else fails, he can join the porn industry with Chase.