Southern Cal TE Fred Davis (official thread)

[BuckBackHome]

Don't leave out Childress and Hamby. Let's hope Bam's performance in the bowl game was a sign he has broken through. Hamby is like Big Ben, just gets it done. I would like one more stud WR recruit, but am comfortable with what is in the barn right now.

[ohiobuck94]

I questioned the idea that F Davis is a big-time and big-play player. His team was 3-7 in the City League. Whitmer beat Rogers 46-7 and St. Johns beat Rogers 43-6. Where where all the big plays in those games? Rogers TD came from the defense. I heard people say that Davis wasn't even the 3rd best player on the field when they played Whitmer. I'm not worried a bit about Davis going to another school. Big play makers don't end up with a 3-7 record. In my opinion Davis was thinking with something other than his head.

He'll be in trouble when he has to fly back to Ohio so his mom can do his laundry.

[Oh8ch]

I am certainly bummed, but I have trouble blaming the kid. He handled it poorly, but he is only 18. Just look at some of what he factored into his decision. Clarett playing was an issue. The ball being in the air was an issue. This morning it came out that he did plan to verbal to OSU on his Birthday - but only to please his parents and his coach. This is one confused kid who doesn't know how to make decisions. Yeah, let's turn him loose in LA.

While I don't blame him, I do think it was the wrong choice. This is a kid who needs guidance and needs folks around him to help him out. I am guessing his influence to go West came from folks telling him how wonderful he is - just what any 18 year old wants to hear. What happens if the dream he was sold doesn't materialize?

Carroll is bringing in a great class, but I would love to know what he is telling these kids. He told Colvin he was his #1 guy. He told Davis the same thing. What did he tell Lewis and Smith last year? It is a lot easier to sell kids on being part of something wonderful in Southern California than it is to sell the same thing in Columbus in January. But what is going to happen to this team when some very talented football players realize they are not going to get the PT they were led to believe they would get?

And it could be worse. PSU and Pitt hate one another about as much as we hate Michigan. Can you imagine the pain if Morelli goes to PSU? At least the only place we will see Fred is a serious Bowl game - not the last game in November.

[The KSB]

I'm not exactly bitter, obviously USC would at least seem like a recievers dream school. I guess I'm just wondering if leaving town without some sort of announcement was necessary. I honestly don't think he would have been harassed for his choice. He's not the first Ohio blue chipper to leave state. I'm not [censored]ed, I don't think this is a big dent in the program (if Jarret comes it will be no dent at all). Oh well, I suppose when I was 18 I had ahard time saying no.

[Lamaiel]

Pete Carroll and his staff have done a phenominial recruiting job at USC, I will admit that. He has turned that program into a perennial contender with these classes he has been bringing in.

[Oh8ch]

Folks are always drawing comparisons between JT and Woody. I think recruiting is one area where they are very different - and perhaps to the detriment of OSU.

Woody would sell the academics (and mean it) and cajole the parents, but he was also capable of putting the squeeze on the kid and of pushing for that hand shake. Everything I ever read from someone JT is recruiting is that there was no pressure, that he should take his time, and here are some things he should think about. In general that is a fair approach. Lay out the facts and let the kid - and his family - make the decision.

But when I read Davis comments about how Carroll flew out here and told him he needed to play in a wide open passing offense and not at OSU, that sounds like the high pressure sales pitch that puts USC first and Fred Davis second. He is telling Fred the things Fred wants to hear, same as he did Colvin and most likely Jarret. Nothing clealry unethical, and it works.

As close as Fred was to going to OSU to please his coach and parents I fully believe that he would have committed if JT had put the press on. Would that be wrong?

In the case of a Kyle Mitchum who has his head on straight and can make a mature decision, I like JTs approach. Had he chosen Iowa I would have been disappointed for OSU, but would have felt it was a fair decision.

For a kid like Fred Davis who is so confused and focused on so many of the wrong things I think JT knew what was best for the kid more than the kid himself and a little pressure would have been OK.

Look where things are now. This immature teenager compromises himself and alienates many of his friends by sneaking out in the middle of the night. He ignores his coach and parents input on what is best for him. He travels 3,000 miles to leave every semblance of his life long support system behind. What happens if he isn't the number one guy after all? How does Fred react and who helps him through that? This move as it came about was clearly not in the best interests of a kid like Fred Davis.

Pete Carroll won this battle, but he need not be proud of it. Nor should JT.

[Oh8ch]

Sorry, but I had to hit this one more time.

Another selling point for USC as cited by Davis is that they play their Freshmen. Well, duh.

23-0
61-32
37-17
44-21
43-23
43-16
45-0
47-22
52-28

Of course their Frosh get PT and put up numbers. If your idea of fun is running up the score against the second team defense from PAC schools that have no defense to begin with, have at it.

Playing and contributing are two different things.

[bucksnut68]

Davis never wanted to be a buckeye in the first place. I think that he was being pressured to come here and i wouldnt want a player at THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY who didnt want to be here. Good luck Fred but so long!!!



GO BUCKS

[buckeyebri]

Part of growing up and becoming an adult is learning to live with the decisions that you make. I think we all wish that we could go back and change a decision here or there.

If things don't work out the way Fred had anticipated at USC over the years, he will only have himself to blame. If Fred had come to OSU and things had not worked out the way he wanted, then he may have blamed his coach and his family for talking him into it.

In either event he will always have the possibility of looking back and wondering what might have been if he choosen the other school.

I think JT's style is one that brings kids to OSU that want to be at OSU. In Woody's day, it was pretty much OSU or UM. Of course OSU and UM stockpiled kids as well, because they had more scholarships to give.

I also think playing time from day one is a huge issue with many of today's high school stars. It wasn't that long ago that we that had a thread on the concerns recruits had with JT's offensive style. Maybe we're seeing that here. We don't seem to have an issue recruiting defensive players and low and behold year in and year out we have one of the most dominating defenses in the country. Success breads success....