Billy Turner Soaring Up NFL Draft Boards...

[Green1]

To me, Minnesota didn't miss out since no other peer school offered (IE: FBS). This is like saying NDSU screwed up by not recruiting every DII stud that played at schools like Duluth, Mankato, etc but had no FCS offers. It's just silly.

What is really silly is that the Gophers had an excellent player, literally in their back yard, who wanted to play for them and they chose not to offer him.

There are many players in division II football that would contribute greatly to a Bison football team. In that sense, we missed on them by not offering them a scholarship. That being said, NDSU does a good job recruiting talent within the state of North Dakota and evaluates players based on talent and mental make-up and not based on a particular coaching whim such as "We need to bring in recruits from traditionally strong high school football regions." (i.e. Florida, Texas). This notion leads to ignoring talented individuals within your recruiting footprint. Individuals that are outside of other FBS schools recruiting footprint and may be overlooked by them.

The gophers, in the past, have seemed to make this mistake often when recruiting in state talent and instead, chose to look outside the state of MN. This seemed to stem from a belief (by their coaches at the time) that guys from other states were somehow, superior football talents. It was a "silly" recruiting method and allowed colleges like NDSU to swoop in and secure FBS level talent in the state of MN.

[stevdock]

What is really silly is that the Gophers had an excellent player, literally in their back yard, who wanted to play for them and they chose not to offer him.

There are many players in division II football that would contribute greatly to a Bison football team. In that sense, we missed on them by not offering them a scholarship. That being said, NDSU does a good job recruiting talent within the state of North Dakota and evaluates players based on talent and mental make-up and not based on a particular coaching whim such as "We need to bring in recruits from traditionally strong high school football regions." (i.e. Florida, Texas). This notion leads to ignoring talented individuals within your recruiting footprint. Individuals that are outside of other FBS schools recruiting footprint and may be overlooked by them.

The gophers, in the past, have seemed to make this mistake often when recruiting in state talent and instead, chose to look outside the state of MN. This seemed to stem from a belief (by their coaches at the time) that guys from other states were somehow, superior football talents. It was a "silly" recruiting method and allowed colleges like NDSU to swoop in and secure FBS level talent in the state of MN.

So on the other hand, does this mean NDSU is going to be in trouble in future years now that the U of M has figured this out??

[56BISON73]

What is really silly is that the Gophers had an excellent player, literally in their back yard, who wanted to play for them and they chose not to offer him.

There are many players in division II football that would contribute greatly to a Bison football team. In that sense, we missed on them by not offering them a scholarship. That being said, NDSU does a good job recruiting talent within the state of North Dakota and evaluates players based on talent and mental make-up and not based on a particular coaching whim such as "We need to bring in recruits from traditionally strong high school football regions." (i.e. Florida, Texas). This notion leads to ignoring talented individuals within your recruiting footprint. Individuals that are outside of other FBS schools recruiting footprint and may be overlooked by them.

The gophers, in the past, have seemed to make this mistake often when recruiting in state talent and instead, chose to look outside the state of MN. This seemed to stem from a belief (by their coaches at the time) that guys from other states were somehow, superior football talents. It was a "silly" recruiting method and allowed colleges like NDSU to swoop in and secure FBS level talent in the state of MN.

Fact is Billy developed real well at NDSU. He might not have at MN. This type of story is pretty common all over. Local guy over looked. Move to a school out of state and do well. Then of course the fans say the same things posted here etc etc.

[NDSUstudent]

Billy was a miss by MN. He was a beast from day 1.

I think had he gone to a Big 10 school he would be a first round draft pick. I think having Henderson in his same class helped Billy fly under the radar a bit more.

MN did offer him a greyshirt, so I think even they might have realized their mistake but it was too little too late for their sake.

[Herd]

To me, Minnesota didn't miss out since no other peer school offered (IE: FBS). This is like saying NDSU screwed up by not recruiting every DII stud that played at schools like Duluth, Mankato, etc but had no FCS offers. It's just silly.

If a kid from Fargo wanted to come to NDSU, but didn't get offered . . . then went to Duluth and was 1st team DII, that would be the equivalent. Seems like NDSU doesnt shy away from local recruits in the same way that MN did. Getting local guys, that grow up with the green or maroon blood is more important than you are giving it credit for.

[NDSUstudent]

I think people need to realize there is no second level of FBS in the region, a number of these kids we get would be FBS recruits in other areas. Most just aren't seen to be at the Big 10 or Big 12 level. There is no regional MAC or CUSA or MWC school to pick them up. While our isolation is an issue in regards to conference realignment, it is an advantage in other areas and this is one of them.

Even when some of those far away second level FBS schools come in with offers, a lot of the recruits would rather play closer to home anyway. They don't exactly view the MAC or whatever conference as being much of a step up.

[JMB]

Recruiting is not an exact science. The Gophers missed him and he came here and flourished. Also remember, the NCAA has "watered down" Div 1 football over the years by reducing scholarships. It will be interesting to see if the BCS teams break away will they jack up their scholarship numbers, meaning a Billy Turner would likely be wearing Maroon and Gold.

[56BISON73]

Recruiting is not an exact science. The Gophers missed him and he came here and flourished. Also remember, the NCAA has "watered down" Div 1 football over the years by reducing scholarships. It will be interesting to see if the BCS teams break away will they jack up their scholarship numbers, meaning a Billy Turner would likely be wearing Maroon and Gold.

Dont see how reducing schollie numbers waters down a division. With more schollies players get lost in the numbers game. Plus schools will actually recruit players away from other schools just so they wont go there and never see playing time. It happened before when they had huge rosters.

[unbison]

Let's just say we can all look back and see 20/20 who cares Billy was a bison and one of the best to ever line up at tackle for the bison !!!!! Show the NFL what bison strong is in the NFL Billy

[Green1]

So on the other hand, does this mean NDSU is going to be in trouble in future years now that the U of M has figured this out??

Trouble? No.

Will it be harder for NDSU to secure high level talent like Billy Turner, Marcus Williams, etc. ? Yes.