Read a scouting report on this kid (Gaston).

Reports state he's a strong runner and tough to take down, but he's not very big. I don't recall seeing stats on fumbles or catches, but even taking that out, those are things that can be coached. A RB that's small but tough is something I prefer especially in CUSA play. The right line, blocking schemes, and play calling could make for a headache against his opponents.

Here are the things that would scare me as a La Tech fan:

1. He's already committed and de-committed from USC. (I have my theory)
2. One of the guys here stated he had a relationship with one of the coaches from SFA.

His list of offers is impressive.

Colorado
Texas
USC
Baylor
Houston
Iowa State
Toledo
Mizzou

Here's where my concern would be. He decommitted from USC, not saying he'd do the same with Tech. I'd fear he wants to be close to home or academics came into play. I don't know the academic requirements to play for USC vs La Tech or enrollment and I'm not going to pretend, this is why I strongly lean on location. One of the guys said he had a relationship with a coach from SFA that's now on staff at Tech, so Tech is 3 hours from Newton, SFA is 1.5. SFA isn't listed so I won't even continue down that rabbit hole, but I think it's a location issue. And if that's the case and this kid is as good as the reports state, with the right coaching (and I think Tech made a good hire) this kid could be a major problem for anyone playing Tech.

(01-19-2022 01:43 PM)gdunn Wrote:  Read a scouting report on this kid (Gaston).

Reports state he's a strong runner and tough to take down, but he's not very big. I don't recall seeing stats on fumbles or catches, but even taking that out, those are things that can be coached. A RB that's small but tough is something I prefer especially in CUSA play. The right line, blocking schemes, and play calling could make for a headache against his opponents.

Here are the things that would scare me as a La Tech fan:

1. He's already committed and de-committed from USC. (I have my theory)
2. One of the guys here stated he had a relationship with one of the coaches from SFA.

His list of offers is impressive.

Colorado
Texas
USC
Baylor
Houston
Iowa State
Toledo
Mizzou

Here's where my concern would be. He decommitted from USC, not saying he'd do the same with Tech. I'd fear he wants to be close to home or academics came into play. I don't know the academic requirements to play for USC vs La Tech or enrollment and I'm not going to pretend, this is why I strongly lean on location. One of the guys said he had a relationship with a coach from SFA that's now on staff at Tech, so Tech is 3 hours from Newton, SFA is 1.5. SFA isn't listed so I won't even continue down that rabbit hole, but I think it's a location issue. And if that's the case and this kid is as good as the reports state, with the right coaching (and I think Tech made a good hire) this kid could be a major problem for anyone playing Tech.

I think he decommitted from USC when they fired Clay Helton

(01-20-2022 10:59 AM)techdawg88 Wrote:  

(01-19-2022 01:43 PM)gdunn Wrote:  Read a scouting report on this kid (Gaston).

Reports state he's a strong runner and tough to take down, but he's not very big. I don't recall seeing stats on fumbles or catches, but even taking that out, those are things that can be coached. A RB that's small but tough is something I prefer especially in CUSA play. The right line, blocking schemes, and play calling could make for a headache against his opponents.

Here are the things that would scare me as a La Tech fan:

1. He's already committed and de-committed from USC. (I have my theory)
2. One of the guys here stated he had a relationship with one of the coaches from SFA.

His list of offers is impressive.

Colorado
Texas
USC
Baylor
Houston
Iowa State
Toledo
Mizzou

Here's where my concern would be. He decommitted from USC, not saying he'd do the same with Tech. I'd fear he wants to be close to home or academics came into play. I don't know the academic requirements to play for USC vs La Tech or enrollment and I'm not going to pretend, this is why I strongly lean on location. One of the guys said he had a relationship with a coach from SFA that's now on staff at Tech, so Tech is 3 hours from Newton, SFA is 1.5. SFA isn't listed so I won't even continue down that rabbit hole, but I think it's a location issue. And if that's the case and this kid is as good as the reports state, with the right coaching (and I think Tech made a good hire) this kid could be a major problem for anyone playing Tech.

I think he decommitted from USC when they fired Clay Helton

There ya go. My theory was just that.

I wish you guys well, but that doesn’t bode well for red shirt freshman Marquis Crosby that can to you from PCS in Hattiesburg.

Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

(02-02-2022 07:40 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

Definitely sounded like Tech snagged a good RB.

Gatson has officially signed his NIL with Louisiana Tech. This is a huge pick up for the Bulldogs!

(01-19-2022 09:21 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  This conference will be tough. Most schools staying are committed to good football. It will be far flung but still very competitive

I'm just happy for UTEP and NMSU. They deserve it more than anyone.

(02-02-2022 12:16 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(01-19-2022 09:21 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  This conference will be tough. Most schools staying are committed to good football. It will be far flung but still very competitive

I'm just happy for UTEP and NMSU. They deserve it more than anyone.

Realignment almost always results in winners and losers. NMSU was a clear winner in this last round (Liberty, too).

I think it's more of a mixed bag for UTEP, but of the remaining 5 CUSA teams, I'd say they're the least worse off.

(02-02-2022 12:32 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 12:16 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(01-19-2022 09:21 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  This conference will be tough. Most schools staying are committed to good football. It will be far flung but still very competitive

I'm just happy for UTEP and NMSU. They deserve it more than anyone.

Realignment almost always results in winners and losers. NMSU was a clear winner in this last round (Liberty, too).

I think it's more of a mixed bag for UTEP, but of the remaining 5 CUSA teams, I'd say they're the least worse off.

Congrats to LT on the great pickup. Not sure I agree with LU being a winner, but UTEP, NMSU and Jacksonville are the big winners in my mind. Biggest loser is probably either FIU because they are on an island by themselves, or LT and WKU for wanting to get out and not finding a life raft. Especially WKU since MT shafted them on the MAC deal. From what I see, CUSA will survive in football, but the real improvement may be in basketball. Which is crazy to think. A conference loses UNCC, ODU, UNT, UAB, Marshall and USM and gets better in hoops. But its happening.

Great pickup indeed! Shocked to see that you guys seem to be the only C-USA school to offer him.

Hmm, if you look at Gaston's Prospect Rating chart on his Rivals link, it has REALLY dropped since September. I wonder what the reason for that is...

https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2...son-269041

UTSA signed a 4-star CB in Zah Frazier, who had 27 offers, and when you look at his for comparison, it has skyrocketed since September...

https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2...ier-270595

I've never paid attention to the Prospect Rating chart before, so maybe someone who is in-the-know can fill in the details on what might be going on there.

(02-02-2022 07:40 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

Just shows how big of a joke those rankings are. It's funny because just before that Billy Joe Tolliver was on BleedTechBlue Radio talking about that with regard to Landry Lyddy. He said the first time he watched film on him he said Lyddy would be a first round draft pick. Let's hope he's right.

(02-02-2022 07:40 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

(02-02-2022 01:38 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 07:40 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

Just shows how big of a joke those rankings are. It's funny because just before that Billy Joe Tolliver was on BleedTechBlue Radio talking about that with regard to Landry Lyddy. He said the first time he watched film on him he said Lyddy would be a first round draft pick. Let's hope he's right.

His stock has been tanking since September of last year though. Bad senior season, grades, injury? Your guess is as good as mine, but I really don't think it has as much to do with him committing to LA Tech as you think it may.

(02-02-2022 09:30 PM)Volkmar Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 01:38 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 07:40 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

Just shows how big of a joke those rankings are. It's funny because just before that Billy Joe Tolliver was on BleedTechBlue Radio talking about that with regard to Landry Lyddy. He said the first time he watched film on him he said Lyddy would be a first round draft pick. Let's hope he's right.

His stock has been tanking since September of last year though. Bad senior season, grades, injury? Your guess is as good as mine, but I really don't think it has as much to do with him committing to LA Tech as you think it may.

Nah. Taking a drop from #17 to #51 one week before signing day? Anyone who is adjusting their rankings that much at this point isn’t a real scouting service. They’re basing it on something other than the players performance on the field.

(02-02-2022 09:33 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 09:30 PM)Volkmar Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 01:38 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(02-02-2022 07:40 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Gatson signing with Tech today. Rivals dropped him to their #51 running back after he committed lol. Life of a G5

Massive landing for Tech

Just shows how big of a joke those rankings are. It's funny because just before that Billy Joe Tolliver was on BleedTechBlue Radio talking about that with regard to Landry Lyddy. He said the first time he watched film on him he said Lyddy would be a first round draft pick. Let's hope he's right.

His stock has been tanking since September of last year though. Bad senior season, grades, injury? Your guess is as good as mine, but I really don't think it has as much to do with him committing to LA Tech as you think it may.

Nah. Taking a drop from #17 to #51 one week before signing day? Anyone who is adjusting their rankings that much at this point isn’t a real scouting service. They’re basing it on something other than the players performance on the field.

I concur.

What'll be funny is if this kid shines and then the big boys decide he needs to be in their stable and the portal phone rings and he sticks with Tech.

Say what you will but there are places that get in your blood and you never thought you'd like it but end up not wanting to leave.

(02-03-2022 10:09 AM)gdunn Wrote:  Say what you will but there are places that get in your blood and you never thought you'd like it but end up not wanting to leave.

Everyone of us on here are a representation of that, and I'm sure most hear about from friends and family who cheer for the "State School(s)" that they have only attended on Saturdays.

I might not like a lot about most of y'alls schools on the filed/court, but I respect the heck out of the fans on here, that aren't just here to troll.

(02-03-2022 10:23 AM)SICemDAWGS! Wrote:  

(02-03-2022 10:09 AM)gdunn Wrote:  Say what you will but there are places that get in your blood and you never thought you'd like it but end up not wanting to leave.

Everyone of us on here are a representation of that, and I'm sure most hear about from friends and family who cheer for the "State School(s)" that they have only attended on Saturdays.

I might not like a lot about most of y'alls schools on the filed/court, but I respect the heck out of the fans on here, that aren't just here to troll.

Agreed. I really enjoy having a huge group of G5 fans on this site as well. I really wonder what the percentage would be and if they'd outnumber P5 fans.