Will we get Will Wood?

May 17, 2011
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Excellent video. This guy is going to start at Penn State . I can see why the staff made him the priority. Reminds me of trace, but clearly with a better arm than Trace.
He’s as ballsy as Trace but with much better judgment. The dude’s 42-1 TD/INT ratio is off the charts.

In fact, go look at Wood’s and Bourque’s stats side-by-side. Its stark and really makes you wonder how Bourque ended up with the top 10 rating instead of Wood. Criminal, really. Bourque had 18 TDs and for some reason, his INTs are not published. And from the source I read, Wood plays in the tougher league.
 
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CVLion

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What I’m predicting/hoping we may see with Campbell in comparison to Franklin is that the average star rating of the recruits we get may be a little lower, BUT their fit for our need and system may be stronger, and the guys we get will get coached up and developed more than we used to see.

And if it does play out that way and the team overall performs well, then we should see the average star rating of the recruits we get in the future trend upward over time.
 

Moogy

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Looked pretty good. Should offer #21 too. Wood and #21 are a potent combo.

#21 is Christian McIntyre ... for the upcoming season, he's doing a Post Graduate year at one of NEPSAC teams that I keep telling you guys is BETTER COMPETITION ... Avon Old Farms in CT.

Just like Peter Bourque transferred from CM (Catholic Memorial - a team in the same league as Xaverian, and usually better than Xaverian) to Tabor, a NEPSAC team (that plays in the ISL), in order to face better (and often older) competition and get more exposure.

McIntyre received mostly FCS level interest, with some lower level FBS (UMass, Army, Navy) .. he's going to a NEPSAC so he can be highlighted against better guys and get more high level eyeballs on him.

Will Wood benefitted from having better kids on his squad than who he was facing. Even though they aren't allowed to, they recruit like a mothereffer. They have better facilities than most programs, substantial financial backing to bring recruits in, and they host all sorts of "elite" camps and the such on campus, where they talk these kids into attending.

That said, they lose most of the great kids to the NEPSAC league, who have even better facilities, competition and connections. If Xaverian holds on to an absolute stud, it's usually because he's a legacy, or the family couldn't make the situation work at a NEPSAC (boarding, travel, etc.).
 
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Nits1989

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#21 is Christian McIntyre ... for the upcoming season, he's doing a Post Graduate year at one of NEPSAC teams that I keep telling you guys is BETTER COMPETITION ... Avon Old Farms in CT.

Just like Peter Bourque transferred from CM (Catholic Memorial - a team in the same league as Xaverian, and usually better than Xaverian) to Tabor, a NEPSAC team (that plays in the ISL), in order to face better (and often older) competition and get more exposure.

McIntyre received mostly FCS level interest, with some lower level FBS (UMass, Army, Navy) .. he's going to a NEPSAC so he can be highlighted against better guys and get more high level eyeballs on him.

Will Wood benefitted from having better kids on his squad than who he was facing. Even though they aren't allowed to, they recruit like a mothereffer. They have better facilities than most programs, substantial financial backing to bring recruits in, and they host all sorts of "elite" camps and the such on campus, where they talk these kids into attending.

That said, they lose most of the great kids to the NEPSAC league, who have even better facilities, competition and connections. If Xaverian holds on to an absolute stud, it's usually because he's a legacy, or the family couldn't make the situation work at a NEPSAC (boarding, travel, etc.).
Is he worthy of a PSU offer at this point?
 
Dec 14, 2021
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So, your goal isn't to win a title?
I don't have an issue with Wood at all. Truthfully, I don't care about recruiting at all now with the portal but Trace 2.0 isn't taking anyone to the promised land
Recruiting still important, but not as relevant as in the past. Transfer portal allows Power 4 teams to miss in recruiting and pay for proven and potential production.
 

Moogy

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Is he worthy of a PSU offer at this point?

Dunno. If Will Wood is, he is. I'd want to see how he handles more skilled DBs first. Definitely improved his feet over the last year or so.

He was once committed to Colgate ...
 

KingLando

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Recruiting still important, but not as relevant as in the past. Transfer portal allows Power 4 teams to miss in recruiting and pay for proven and potential production.
Agreed but in the past, once they signed, you were fairly confident they'd be here for a few years. Now it's one year and if it doesn't go perfectly they'll likely leave. I just don't get invested in the recruits. Sign the best kids you can. Hopefully it works but if not there's options
 
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Bvillebaron

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Feb 4, 2004
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The Head Coach is responsible for the play on the field. Was getting payed handsomely, and felt good enough about that play to try to angle for a raise every single year. The Steelers teaching Allar Pop Warner level footwork being exhibit A (not absolving Allar from responsibility as well). But his first year as a starter he was terrified of making a contested throw. We're did that come from? A 5 star by definition has already made a lot of contested throws.
Did you ever play a single game of football? Rhetorical question. I can cite countless examples of players not making plays in crunch time. Two examples were a Michigan TE going 60 yards for the go ahead TD on a simple crossing pattern in the 4th quarter a few years ago. Or how about the Michigan State receiver catching the game winning TD on 4th and 20 with a few minutes left in the game. As for Allar, I hope the Steelers find a way to finally fix his footwork and mechanics since everything the coaches at Penn State and his personal coach tried didn’t work. Interesting how Grunk who had the same coaches at Penn State didn’t have the same issues. We’ll see soon enough how these new mechanics work for Drew work under game pressure.
 
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NittanyBuff

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Can we beat out mega powers Boston College and UConn for the next super star Will Wood today? Don’t worry he’s just another sleeper that nobody knows about! Some guy in X said he comps to Mcsorely so now half the board thinks he’s going to be Trace 😂

My god after this year Penn State will be a middle of the road Big team for years.
Go root for Va Tech, lol
 

OUIrPSU

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Somebody has a case of the Mondays.
Peter: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday and you're not feeling real well, does anyone ever say to you, "Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays?"

Lawrence: No. No, man. ****, no, man. I believe you'd get your *** kicked sayin' something like that, man.
 

SleepyLion

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Sep 1, 2022
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Peter: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday and you're not feeling real well, does anyone ever say to you, "Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays?"

Lawrence: No. No, man. ****, no, man. I believe you'd get your *** kicked sayin' something like that, man.
office space no GIF
 

Marshall2323

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Aug 7, 2024
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He’s as ballsy as Trace but with much better judgment. The dude’s 42-1 TD/INT ratio is off the charts.

In fact, go look at Wood’s and Bourque’s stats side-by-side. Its stark and really makes you wonder how Bourque ended up with the top 10 rating instead of Wood. Criminal, really. Bourque had 18 TDs and for some reason, his INTs are not published. And from the source I read, Wood plays in the tougher league.
Spin it forever. Claim that the ratings industry isn't perceptive as a fan posting here. But please explain why Bourque has 26 P4 offers and Wood has 9? Are we saying that 17 D1 staffs don't know what they're doing....compared to US? LOL It's a game of musical chairs for top 10 rated QBs. Bourque had a seat and gave it up. When he got back in the mix, many chairs were occupied. He informed PSU that of the 3 available.....PSU stood at #3. PSU then put on the full court press on Wood. No one knows where or how either QB will end up or work out in 4 years. But, let's stop the made up **** like PSU wanted Wood more. Every school has a board. If you don't get #1 you pursue #2 and so on. It happens at every position, every school, every recruiting and portal season. I think after decommitting, VT became a favorite for BP, simply because he had a relationship with Danny O'Brien and felt comfortable. End of story.
 
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Marshall2323

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What I’m predicting/hoping we may see with Campbell in comparison to Franklin is that the average star rating of the recruits we get may be a little lower, BUT their fit for our need and system may be stronger, and the guys we get will get coached up and developed more than we used to see.

And if it does play out that way and the team overall performs well, then we should see the average star rating of the recruits we get in the future trend upward over time.
What comes first? The chicken or the egg? Do you have to win without top talent, to then attract top talent? Or do you need talent to reach excellence at the highest level? I'd like to see PSU generally recruit as Franklin did, but mix in a couple of game changers ....especially WR and Edge.
 

Marshall2323

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Can we beat out mega powers Boston College and UConn for the next super star Will Wood today? Don’t worry he’s just another sleeper that nobody knows about! Some guy in X said he comps to Mcsorely so now half the board thinks he’s going to be Trace 😂

My god after this year Penn State will be a middle of the road Big team for years.
You have now risked the wrath of the BWICAC. Welcome.
 

Gitzit

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Dec 20, 2014
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I think quarterbacks and running backs are easier to judge how good they are going to be. When the QB drops back and has no pressure on him at all, or a running back that has a huge hole tells you nothing. I remember Singletons tape was all him running through huge holes, where Kaytron tape was him making people miss in the hole and doing what he did at Penn State. Wood seems to have pressure a lot and he handles it well. I think he will be a good QB.
 
May 17, 2011
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Spin it forever. Claim that the ratings industry isn't perceptive as a fan posting here. But please explain why Bourque has 26 P4 offers and Wood has 9? Are we saying that 17 D1 staffs don't know what they're doing....compared to US? LOL It's a game of musical chairs for top 10 rated QBs. Bourque had a seat and gave it up. When he got back in the mix, many chairs were occupied. He informed PSU that of the 3 available.....PSU stood at #3. PSU then put on the full court press on Wood. No one knows where or how either QB will end up or work out in 4 years. But, let's stop the made up **** like PSU wanted Wood more. Every school has a board. If you don't get #1 you pursue #2 and so on. It happens at every position, every school, every recruiting and portal season. I think after decommitting, VT became a favorite for BP, simply because he had a relationship with Danny O'Brien and felt comfortable. End of story.
The "26 P4 offers vs. 9" argument sounds compelling until you remember that recruiting offers are generated by the same flawed system you're defending. Ratings agencies inflate certain prospects, coaches see the inflated ratings, and offers pile on. It's a self-reinforcing loop — not an independent validation. You're using the output of a broken process as evidence that the process works. That's circular reasoning, not analysis.

QB evaluation at 16-17 is notoriously the hardest position to project in all of football. Scouts and staffs routinely fall in love with the kid who looks the part at summer camps — the prototypical frame, the smooth drop, the zip on a 7-on-7 throw with no pass rush and no reads. Not every great QB prospect has the resources or access to be on that camp circuit in the first place, which means the ratings pipeline systematically undervalues players who didn't get the exposure, regardless of actual ability. Wood's 42-1 TD/INT ratio is real football, not a camp showcase.

As for the PSU narrative — you're stating as fact that Bourque told PSU they were #3. How do you know that? Because if PSU truly rated Bourque over Wood, they had every opportunity to send the whole staff to his living room and convince him. He's in the same state as Will Wood, so it's not exactly a logistical challenge. Instead, PSU sent the entire staff to Will Wood's home. Staffs go all-in on the guy they want most — that's how it works. Actions over narratives.

Franklin's track record with highly-rated QBs, by the way, is not a great advertisement for star-chasing. Maybe the lesson here is that on-field production in actual games — against actual competition — ought to carry more weight than a rating built on camp performance and hype cycles.
 
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Pennst8

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Can we beat out mega powers Boston College and UConn for the next super star Will Wood today? Don’t worry he’s just another sleeper that nobody knows about! Some guy in X said he comps to Mcsorely so now half the board thinks he’s going to be Trace 😂

My god after this year Penn State will be a middle of the road Big team for years.
So says, another Shoe Salesman expert on this board.
 
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Marshall2323

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The "26 P4 offers vs. 9" argument sounds compelling until you remember that recruiting offers are generated by the same flawed system you're defending. Ratings agencies inflate certain prospects, coaches see the inflated ratings, and offers pile on. It's a self-reinforcing loop — not an independent validation. You're using the output of a broken process as evidence that the process works. That's circular reasoning, not analysis.

QB evaluation at 16-17 is notoriously the hardest position to project in all of football. Scouts and staffs routinely fall in love with the kid who looks the part at summer camps — the prototypical frame, the smooth drop, the zip on a 7-on-7 throw with no pass rush and no reads. Not every great QB prospect has the resources or access to be on that camp circuit in the first place, which means the ratings pipeline systematically undervalues players who didn't get the exposure, regardless of actual ability. Wood's 42-1 TD/INT ratio is real football, not a camp showcase.

As for the PSU narrative — you're stating as fact that Bourque told PSU they were #3. How do you know that? Because if PSU truly rated Bourque over Wood, they had every opportunity to send the whole staff to his living room and convince him. He's in the same state as Will Wood, so it's not exactly a logistical challenge. Instead, PSU sent the entire staff to Will Wood's home. Staffs go all-in on the guy they want most — that's how it works. Actions over narratives.

Franklin's track record with highly-rated QBs, by the way, is not a great advertisement for star-chasing. Maybe the lesson here is that on-field production in actual games — against actual competition — ought to carry more weight than a rating built on camp performance and hype cycles.
Coaching staffs do their own evaluations and don't make offers based on industry ratings.....if one influences the other it's the coaches evaluation that influences the industry ratings. By the way Bourque had more P4 offers than Allar. It's incredible how far some will go to refrain from simply acknowledging that one prospect didn't choose Penn State.
Franklin's record with top rated QBs should instead concern you that a top QB went to him (in spite of your indictment) instead of Campbell and company. Tell me how much you like the PSU QB room over VTs. LOL
Doesn't it concern you that PSU had to send the entire offensive staff to get a commit froam a QB rated 29-33 at his position and #490 rated recruit nationally? His best offer Boston College, Maryland or West Virginia?
Do you think the PSU roster should be built with top 500 recruits or top 100 recruits?
I'm curious how special needs fans translate their venom towards Franklin as a positive for the Campbell regime. If Franklin loses every game and Campbell loses 4 or 5 games.....do PSU fans plan a parade?
Remember, this is about success at the highest level. You are correct, its about ON THE FIELD PRODUCTION. Campbell's career record on the field results is 107-70 , 72-55 at ISU and 50-40 in the Big 12. James Franklin 128-60, 104-45 at PSU and 64-36 in conference. Should we talk top 10 finishes, bowl victories, conference championship and playoff games? Those my friend are on the field results. Don't tell me about how Campbell took over a .500 team either. When Franklin came to PSU they had 4 scholarship offensive linemen, were on sanctions with roster limits.
Now, I await, excellence at the highest level, Coach Campbell is on the clock..... because you are correct.....soon he will be judged like every other coach, on the field results. Every schedule in the future won't be like 2026.
Franklin's time at PSU expired. It was time for a change. On the field results will determine if it is a change for the better.
 
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