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Here's the story...

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/08/odus-wil...holarships

That's awesome. Good for them. Excited to see what kinds of damage these guys can do.

Is this good for us or bad for us?

Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

Fulgham may grow into a star at receiver

These are back-filled scholorships and I think it's great. It really helps with recuiting guys to walkon. You can tell them they have a true possibility to earn a scholorship.

(08-27-2014 07:02 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Fulgham may grow into a star at receiver

Crazy to think Travis Fulgham only played one year of high school and now is listed as a backup WR on a FBS pass-happy team, as a freshman. One Year that hard to believe. This guy might be a Ross type athlete, who can just play any sport.

He grew up overseas, exposed to all-sports. He was a star player at Paul IV on the JV squad and moved to Massanutten Military for his junior season. He gave football a try (to get in shape for varsity basketball) and posted 58 receptions, 1614 yards and 14 TD's then starred on their basketball team. This happened too late in the recruiting cycle and ODU was fortunate to get him.

Not that we need him, but he's probably good enough to play on the basketball team and it's likely that JJ staff at some point considered recruiting him.

Great news. Merit warrants reward.

(08-27-2014 07:02 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Fulgham will grow into a star at receiver

FIFY

(08-27-2014 05:24 AM)The Doctor Is In Wrote:  Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

How is this a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet? I think this defense will do far greater than expected. And some of these who earned the scholarships will make a huge impact this year.

What does this have to do with the defense at all?

I'm no great talent evaluator or anything, but when I saw Fulgham a couple weeks ago and his high school video, I was instantly impressed. This guys may be the most athletic WR we have.

The defense is much stronger and deeper Yes, and Fulgham looks like a sleeper keeper.

(08-27-2014 08:16 AM)Classof79 Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 05:24 AM)The Doctor Is In Wrote:  Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

How is this a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet? I think this defense will do far greater than expected. And some of these who earned the scholarships will make a huge impact this year.

I think he means the fact that these walk-ons are 2nd teamers (hence beating out higher ranked recruits) that recruiting isn't here yet and we'll struggle on defense again b/c we have walk-ons playing big roles.

I agree that our defense will again be an issue, but not b/c of this.

(08-27-2014 08:43 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 08:16 AM)Classof79 Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 05:24 AM)The Doctor Is In Wrote:  Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

How is this a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet? I think this defense will do far greater than expected. And some of these who earned the scholarships will make a huge impact this year.

I think he means the fact that these walk-ons are 2nd teamers (hence beating out higher ranked recruits) that recruiting isn't here yet and we'll struggle on defense again b/c we have walk-ons playing big roles.

I agree that our defense will again be an issue, but not b/c of this.

TJ Ricks has played a ton for us already. Rotimi has been raved about by the coaches ever since he started on campus. None of these guys are starters; I don't see what the big deal is.

(08-27-2014 08:31 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  What does this have to do with the defense at all?

It has to do with the defense because 3 of the 4 scholarships were given to defensive players.

However, one is a junior that graduates in December, so I would assume that this was a thank you for his hard work. Most of his PT was on special teams and I can't imagine he'll be back next season. It's a nice gesture that doesn't speak to the defense as a whole. We've had some scholarships open up in recent months. Why not reward this kid?

Another was to DT Bunmi Rotini, a freshman that was a preferred walk-on. He was a 2-star recruit by 247sports.

The last is to LB TJ Ricks, who played some last year and played well, especially against Norfolk State. The dude is a computer engineering major, so he's probably a smart kid, plays special teams and will be LB depth.

Not sure why it says bad things for the defense.

As to the whole "walk-ons getting scholarships" must mean something bad--it happens all over the place. Some schools even post videos of it.

And even if they didn't deserve it, it is a good recruiting tool to get preferred walk ons to come in the future. Perfect for guys like Fulham who the big boys miss and doesn't have a ton of experience

(08-27-2014 05:24 AM)The Doctor Is In Wrote:  Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

Couldn't disagree more with your second statement. Every single school in the country has kids just like this who earn scholarships. Even, heaven forbid, at Alabama. It happens that kids get overlooked. But you use that to support another slam at our D. I'm not saying our D is better or even anywhere near good. But to use this type of arugment to slam the D and say we are not improving is wrong. If we were the only school that walk ons earn scholarships at you'd be right, no question. But it happens everywhere.

(08-28-2014 08:36 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 05:24 AM)The Doctor Is In Wrote:  Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

Couldn't disagree more with your second statement. Every single school in the country has kids just like this who earn scholarships. Even, heaven forbid, at Alabama. It happens that kids get overlooked. But you use that to support another slam at our D. I'm not saying our D is better or even anywhere near good. But to use this type of arugment to slam the D and say we are not improving is wrong. If we were the only school that walk ons earn scholarships at you'd be right, no question. But it happens everywhere.

As someone else stated previously, I think he/she meant the fact that some of these "walk-on's" are supplanting scholarship players to the 2nd team means the defense is not there yet. Not that "walk-on's" shouldn't get scholarships. Two completely different things.

(08-28-2014 08:57 AM)Les Geaux Wrote:  

(08-28-2014 08:36 AM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 05:24 AM)The Doctor Is In Wrote:  Two things immediately stand out to me. First, it's nice that these young men now have a scholarship to acknowledge their commitment and hard work. Second, this is a telling sign that the defense is still not there yet, both from recruiting and performance standpoints.

Couldn't disagree more with your second statement. Every single school in the country has kids just like this who earn scholarships. Even, heaven forbid, at Alabama. It happens that kids get overlooked. But you use that to support another slam at our D. I'm not saying our D is better or even anywhere near good. But to use this type of arugment to slam the D and say we are not improving is wrong. If we were the only school that walk ons earn scholarships at you'd be right, no question. But it happens everywhere.

As someone else stated previously, I think he/she meant the fact that some of these "walk-on's" are supplanting scholarship players to the 2nd team means the defense is not there yet. Not that "walk-on's" shouldn't get scholarships. Two completely different things.

I knew what he meant. Supplanting scholarship players alone does not mean our D hasn't progressed. If they are better it doesn't matter if they were walkons. They got overlooked in HS, and are better than the players already here.