West Coast Recruiting

[clydebeav]

I was thinking today about how the Beavers recruiting would be affected by joining/merging with the MWC. That lead me to thinking about the conference as a whole and the impact that this wave of realignment might have on the Mountain West (Assuming that also includes OSU/WSU).

It seems like being the premier conference on the west side of the country could be a very positive thing for recruiting (specifically in California).

Sure, the 4 pac teams that joined the Big 10 will still get a certain type of player and the Big 10 as a whole might recruit California better than they have. However, no other conference has a major presence in California.

The pac schools that joined the Big 12 no longer play any conference games in California. They will be trading off some California recruits for Texas recruits. They’ll be fine with that trade off, but I honestly believe that there will be more California kids available to the teams in this conference than ever before as a result of realignment.

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I think that the overall talent in this league has the potential to be a lot better in the near future. Am I crazy for thinking this?

[kingpotato]

On 8/28/2023 at 11:54 PM, clydebeav said:

I was thinking today about how the Beavers recruiting would be affected by joining/merging with the MWC. That lead me to thinking about the conference as a whole and the impact that this wave of realignment might have on the Mountain West (Assuming that also includes OSU/WSU).

It seems like being the premier conference on the west side of the country could be a very positive thing for recruiting (specifically in California).

Sure, the 4 pac teams that joined the Big 10 will still get a certain type of player and the Big 10 as a whole might recruit California better than they have. However, no other conference has a major presence in California.

The pac schools that joined the Big 12 no longer play any conference games in California. They will be trading off some California recruits for Texas recruits. They’ll be fine with that trade off, but I honestly believe that there will be more California kids available to the teams in this conference than ever before as a result of realignment.

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I think that the overall talent in this league has the potential to be a lot better in the near future. Am I crazy for thinking this?

I do like this guy. Can we keep him?

[415hawaiiboy]

When the big guys do their herd mentality moves to make the money happy, you do something different.  
 

When you see mainstream ignoring of common sense, there will be openings.

 

The Continental Divide is a big barrier.
 

The other thing coming down the pike is eventually (2030’s), media companies will just value each team individually and pay them as such.  
 

What are we but scheduling conveniences.    
 

 

[Headbutt]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:58 AM, 415hawaiiboy said:

When the big guys do their herd mentality moves to make the money happy, you do something different.  
 

When you see mainstream ignoring of common sense, there will be openings.

 

The Continental Divide is a big barrier.
 

The other thing coming down the pike is eventually (2030’s), media companies will just value each team individually and pay them as such.  
 

What are we but scheduling conveniences.    
 

 

Not really.  The big barrier is the plains.  If you look at a heat map of the US, the picture comes into focus.  The big dark spot runs from the Front Range to the middle of Kansas.  The mountains?  Not so much.  The real gap in population runs from just east of CSU and AFA until basically Manhatten.  Take a look.  You'll see why I want to keep the MWC as a western conference.  There really is a divider there.

[415hawaiiboy]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:08 AM, Headbutt said:

Not really.  The big barrier is the plains.  If you look at a heat map of the US, the picture comes into focus.  The big dark spot runs from the Front Range to the middle of Kansas.  The mountains?  Not so much.  The real gap in population runs from just east of CSU and AFA until basically Manhatten.  Take a look.  You'll see why I want to keep the MWC as a western conference.  There really is a divider there.

Yeah my California and Hawaii bias.  The plains and the Rockies, the big void.  Sorry again.

[Headbutt]

On 8/29/2023 at 1:13 AM, 415hawaiiboy said:

Yeah my California and Hawaii bias.  The plains and the Rockies, the big void.  Sorry again.

Nah, the population out west is definitely on the coast, no doubt about it.  It's thin until you get to Salt Lake and then Denver.  It's just that it really, really thins out once you get east of Denver.  That's why the conference earned it's moniker Mountain and West.  Denver (originally Cherry Creek) basically came into existence back in the day because some location had to bridge that gap between Kansas City and San Francisco.  Not a planned location, just how it worked out.  From a population standpoint, we really are two geographical regions.  There's some cultural relationships (although still very different), but there is the coast where there are things like water and trees, and then there's us.  It's a fortuitous merger that recognizes our unique differences along with our unique relationships.  Then you have to go a long ways east through some of the best people on the planet before you start getting into population again.

[RamSack]

On 8/28/2023 at 11:54 PM, clydebeav said:

I was thinking today about how the Beavers recruiting would be affected by joining/merging with the MWC. That lead me to thinking about the conference as a whole and the impact that this wave of realignment might have on the Mountain West (Assuming that also includes OSU/WSU).

It seems like being the premier conference on the west side of the country could be a very positive thing for recruiting (specifically in California).

Sure, the 4 pac teams that joined the Big 10 will still get a certain type of player and the Big 10 as a whole might recruit California better than they have. However, no other conference has a major presence in California.

The pac schools that joined the Big 12 no longer play any conference games in California. They will be trading off some California recruits for Texas recruits. They’ll be fine with that trade off, but I honestly believe that there will be more California kids available to the teams in this conference than ever before as a result of realignment.

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I think that the overall talent in this league has the potential to be a lot better in the near future. Am I crazy for thinking this?

That’s a good point about only 2 conferences having teams in CA. That’s a major recruiting advantage. This is also why I think every team in the conference should play one game in CA every year or, at a minimum, play a CA team every year. It’s vital to all of our recruiting.

[LoboMan59]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:12 AM, kingpotato said:

I do like this guy. Can we keep him?

Many moons ago, when UNM played Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl (2003), the OSU fans we met there were fantastic, friendly fans. They knew they’d win, we knew they’d win (55-14), but they were engaged with some of us UNM fans. They weren’t arrogant or rude. Nothing but good things to say about OSU and it’s fans as far as I’m concerned. The MWC would be lucky to get them.

[kingpotato]

On 8/29/2023 at 7:01 AM, LoboMan59 said:

Many moons ago, when UNM played Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl (2003), the OSU fans we met there were fantastic, friendly fans. They knew they’d win, we knew they’d win (55-14), but they were engaged with some of us UNM fans. They weren’t arrogant or rude. Nothing but good things to say about OSU and it’s fans as far as I’m concerned. The MWC would be lucky to get them.

I've really enjoyed my trips to Corvallis. Oooooooo, sssssssss, uuuuuuuu, go beavs go... unless they go to the AAC... then, go beavs go.

[sactowndog]

On 8/28/2023 at 10:54 PM, clydebeav said:

I was thinking today about how the Beavers recruiting would be affected by joining/merging with the MWC. That lead me to thinking about the conference as a whole and the impact that this wave of realignment might have on the Mountain West (Assuming that also includes OSU/WSU).

It seems like being the premier conference on the west side of the country could be a very positive thing for recruiting (specifically in California).

Sure, the 4 pac teams that joined the Big 10 will still get a certain type of player and the Big 10 as a whole might recruit California better than they have. However, no other conference has a major presence in California.

The pac schools that joined the Big 12 no longer play any conference games in California. They will be trading off some California recruits for Texas recruits. They’ll be fine with that trade off, but I honestly believe that there will be more California kids available to the teams in this conference than ever before as a result of realignment.

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I think that the overall talent in this league has the potential to be a lot better in the near future. Am I crazy for thinking this?

Nope.  I think it will be great for recruiting, but impacts will vary by team.

1) USC recruits nationally and will be better for them.

2) Oregon and Washington: not room for both to be good.  For one it will be better for one it will be worse. 

3) UCLA will be worse as they become like Nebraska.  They will never see the play-offs.

4) Big 12 4 will be worse with no teams in CA, flights to worse places then Fresno, heavy comp in Texas, Southern effect*.

5) Stanford will be better as they recruit nationally anyway.  Gives them trips to a number of major states.  But…

6) Northwestern, Duke, SMU, Wake Forest will all have an annual trips to CA increasing comp for CA top student athletes. 

7) Cal will be a disaster. Recruiting will suffer.  Limited chance to make play-offs. Many games 3 Timezones away, Southern effect*.

8) Southern teams are in states were guns are more prevalent and no abortion. These things hit youth hardest and will come up recruiting CA kids.  Not major but could sway some decisions.  See NC shooting. 

[bigd]

Yeah, I really do think the new MW/PAC will be really well positioned. 

It's funny how all the talk was about the Big 12 and Pac 12 fighting over SDSU once USC/UCLA left, but ultimately them staying here was a big win for the league, as the Big 12 will continue to be irrelevant in California and the west coast. We're the only league outside the Big Ten with a Southern California presence. 

None of our members will ever consistently compete against USC/UCLA/Oregon/Washington for recruits, but we already do against the teams that left for the Big 12 and still will going forward. 

 

It's also cool that we'll have representation in every western state except Arizona and Montana. The strength in numbers, interest, and media representation in most western markets shouldn't be understated. 

 

 

 

[robe]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:54 AM, clydebeav said:

I was thinking today about how the Beavers recruiting would be affected by joining/merging with the MWC. That lead me to thinking about the conference as a whole and the impact that this wave of realignment might have on the Mountain West (Assuming that also includes OSU/WSU).

It seems like being the premier conference on the west side of the country could be a very positive thing for recruiting (specifically in California).

Sure, the 4 pac teams that joined the Big 10 will still get a certain type of player and the Big 10 as a whole might recruit California better than they have. However, no other conference has a major presence in California.

The pac schools that joined the Big 12 no longer play any conference games in California. They will be trading off some California recruits for Texas recruits. They’ll be fine with that trade off, but I honestly believe that there will be more California kids available to the teams in this conference than ever before as a result of realignment.

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I think that the overall talent in this league has the potential to be a lot better in the near future. Am I crazy for thinking this?

This is why the B12 needs to expand into California, recruiting, with 2 teams at a minimum. I’d personally would add 4 of the following Stanford, Cal, SDSU, Fresno and UNLV. Split into 2 ten divisions. Supersix has been saying something similar for a while now. 

[masterfrog]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:54 AM, clydebeav said:

 

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I’m sure that there are a lot of kids like that. From my experience, and it was three decades ago and before NIL, I and most of my teammates preferred road trips and the longer the better. The per diem on the road was significant and it was much better than being on campus. We also had access to our tutors and for the less studious, the tutors would get their schoolwork done. 

[UNLV2001]

On 8/28/2023 at 10:54 PM, clydebeav said:

I was thinking today about how the Beavers recruiting would be affected by joining/merging with the MWC. That lead me to thinking about the conference as a whole and the impact that this wave of realignment might have on the Mountain West (Assuming that also includes OSU/WSU).

It seems like being the premier conference on the west side of the country could be a very positive thing for recruiting (specifically in California).

Sure, the 4 pac teams that joined the Big 10 will still get a certain type of player and the Big 10 as a whole might recruit California better than they have. However, no other conference has a major presence in California.

The pac schools that joined the Big 12 no longer play any conference games in California. They will be trading off some California recruits for Texas recruits. They’ll be fine with that trade off, but I honestly believe that there will be more California kids available to the teams in this conference than ever before as a result of realignment.

There has to be kids out there who want to play games close to home and not have ridiculous travel schedules. Kids who value having their family be able to attend most of their games.

I think that the overall talent in this league has the potential to be a lot better in the near future. Am I crazy for thinking this?

There was a few years when Dennis Erickson was HC, that OSU grabbed some good talent out of the Vegas area ........... RB Steven Jackson( Eldorado HS)  is most notable along with some other players LB Richard Seigler Chaparral HS) who both went in the 2004 NFL draft 

[clydebeav]

On 8/29/2023 at 11:38 AM, Bob said:

Hey, is Oliweysi Omothosjo or whatever his name is that transferred from Wyoming to Oregon state going to start?

I haven’t heard much after the initial excitement of his commitment. I haven’t read a ton of practice reports though. He’s not currently listed on the 2 deep.

[clydebeav]

On 8/29/2023 at 12:18 PM, UNLV2001 said:

There was a few years when Dennis Erickson was HC, that OSU grabbed some good talent out of the Vegas area ........... RB Steven Jackson( Eldorado HS)  is most notable along with some other players LB Richard Seigler Chaparral HS) who both went in the 2004 NFL draft 

Jackson was a beast and probably had the best pro career of any former Beaver. Seigler was fun to watch. Great nose for the ball. Seemed like he was in on every tackle.

[SharkTanked]

Most young men want to play with Beaver... you guys should be fine.

[masterfrog]

On 8/29/2023 at 3:10 PM, Bob said:

damn. sucks for him. He was our best edge rusher in my opinion. He went from a VERY promising career at Wyoming to riding the pine. The Beavers must have a nasty defense if he can't even crack the 2 deep

It depends on his NIL package.

[thelawlorfaithful]

On 8/29/2023 at 7:03 AM, sactowndog said:

Nope.  I think it will be great for recruiting, but impacts will vary by team.

1) USC recruits nationally and will be better for them.

2) Oregon and Washington: not room for both to be good.  For one it will be better for one it will be worse. 

3) UCLA will be worse as they become like Nebraska.  They will never see the play-offs.

4) Big 12 4 will be worse with no teams in CA, flights to worse places then Fresno, heavy comp in Texas, Southern effect*.

5) Stanford will be better as they recruit nationally anyway.  Gives them trips to a number of major states.  But…

6) Northwestern, Duke, SMU, Wake Forest will all have an annual trips to CA increasing comp for CA top student athletes. 

7) Cal will be a disaster. Recruiting will suffer.  Limited chance to make play-offs. Many games 3 Timezones away, Southern effect*.

Southern teams are in states were guns are more prevalent and no abortion. These things hit youth hardest and will come up recruiting CA kids.  Not major but could sway some decisions.  See NC shooting. 

18 year old football players do not GAF about gun laws or abortion. If they thought about it that way they wouldn’t need to pay for abortions.

[sactowndog]

On 8/29/2023 at 1:15 PM, thelawlorfaithful said:

18 year old football players do not GAF about gun laws or abortion. If they thought about it that way they wouldn’t need to pay for abortions.

Their parents do and believe it or not they have a say in what happens.