AbsolutePigskin Times : Rumors, News & Notes

Nick Montana won't be a Buckeye

Tom Loker — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:02:00 GMT

AbsolutePigskin.com has learned that Nick Montana, once thought to be extremely interested in the Buckeyes, will ultimately not end up committing to the Buckeyes. This is a disappointment for the Buckeyes but it is not totally unexpected. Montana ultimately would prove to be a depth guy on the team and would at best be a third string quarterback upon his arrival on campus. With Ohio State having two quarterbacks with two years of eligibility left upon Montana's arrival on campus it is possible that Montana would have to at least wait for two years before getting a shot at playing time.

Montana is a polished passer with good fundamentals which is to be expected from the son of a former NFL great. However Montana is pretty mobile and could have managed to run the offense system it seems the Buckeyes are starting to aim towards that relies on more mobile quarterbacks. Another factor that can be added to the mix here is there is no doubt that Ohio State will be targeting current junior quarterback Braxton Miller out of Huber Heights, OH. The 6-2, 185lbs junior could very well be the top player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2011 and will be one of the top quarterbacks in the mid-west next year as a senior. Looking at tape of Miller there is little doubt that he will be the "next big thing" at quarterback and for the Buckeyes would be an excellent fit once current starter Terrelle Pryor heads to the NFL or graduates.

Ultimately this might prove to be the best decision for Montana to go elsewhere than Columbus. There is no doubt he is a talented quarterback but his talent set does not necessarily translate to the type of offense the Buckeyes are looking to stick with and he certainly would have a ton of competition for playing time if he were a Buckeye. No matter where Montana ultimately goes, (he very well could end up at Notre Dame to follow in Dad's footsteps) I wish him the best of luck in his college football career. In the right offense he will be a solid college quarterback.

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Michigan's McGuffie transfers

Tom Loker — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:57:00 GMT

As has been speculated over the last few weeks Michigan running back Sam McGuffie has officially decided to transfer. The official party line is McGuffie was homesick and desired to be closer to home. In an somewhat odd comment from Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez he also mentioned that McGuffie had suffered multiple concussions over the course of the season and that was also a concern. AbsolutePigskin.com previously heard a different story all together surrounding McGuffie's desire to transfer and it does not seem as if everything was so cut and dry.

The 6-0, 188lbs McGuffie was rated as the 10th best all-purpose back in the recruiting class of 2008. He chose Michigan over offers from USC, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Cal. It is unclear to where McGuffie plans to transfer. If he transfers to another Div. 1A school to play football as per NCAA rules he will have to sit out a year before playing. McGuffie did not redshirt this season at Michigan so even with the transfer he would have three full years of eligibility left if he chooses to use his redshirt.

Karma bites Tommy Bowden

Tom Loker — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:42:00 GMT

Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden was fired today by, err I mean he "resigned" from the university in response the teams 3-3 record thus far in the season. Clemson entered the season ranked in the top 25 and was predicted to be one of the possible contenders for an ACC title and a national championship. The wheels came off quickly after losing their first game of the sesaon to now #2 Alabama in disturbing fashion. If anyone has watched Clemson football this year it is very apparent that Bowden simply was not a good coach and seemed to lack an ability to best use the talent, especially offensively, on his roster.

What was most interesting about the firing however is some of the comments that have surfaced from his players. According to ESPN.com senior quarterback Cullen Harper said, "They just told us. It's what he deserved. Later Monday, Harper expanded on his initial comment to explain that Bowden "tried to motivate us but guys were off the bandwagon. There were things I disagreed with and that my teammates disagreed with. I didn't appreciate it when he would say some off-the-wall things about me to the media. I guess one thing I can say is he gave me an opportunity to come to Clemson and play."

Some may think this is simply a player who lost his starting job taking a chance at getting a shot at a coach he didn't like but it is hard not to think Harper is on to something here. Prior to the start of this season coach Tommy Bowden cut running back Rey Rey McElrathbey. McElrathbey, the season before, made national news as it came out that he was taking care of his younger brother Farmaar. (See Video Below) Why was he cut you ask? Simply to make room for another freshman when Bowden signed too many players prior to this season. Bowden in essence took a kid who was working hard to try to graduate in three years from Clemson while taking care of his younger brother due to family issues, basically a kid doing everything the right way, and said I don't care I signed too many players and need your scholarship.

Funny now that Bowden gets cut from the university... karma has a funny way of coming around to bite you in the ass. Good riddance Tommy Bowden...

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