Fellow Dogs-

I am trying to think of the most highly touted recruit that not only chose Fresno State but stayed and played...

Looking back through rivals, it looks like Vincent Mays may be the winner. He had offers from many schools.

Any opinions?

newkirk1011 wrote: Fellow Dogs-

I am trying to think of the most highly touted recruit that not only chose Fresno State but stayed and played...

Looking back through rivals, it looks like Vincent Mays may be the winner. He had offers from many schools.

Any opinions?

Define "played"

MrGeologist wrote:

newkirk1011 wrote: Fellow Dogs-

I am trying to think of the most highly touted recruit that not only chose Fresno State but stayed and played...

Looking back through rivals, it looks like Vincent Mays may be the winner. He had offers from many schools.

Any opinions?

Define "played"

Would Donyell Booker qualify? Not that he did anything of note.

Either of them 2 played a significant part of the season or made an impact IMO anyway.

Not quite what you're asking, but I'm guessing Sean Norton was the highest rated recruit ever to come? He barely got to play though, as for some ridic reason Pat Hill wanted Brandstatter over him.

Guess Dinwiddie part 2 didn't excite Hill?

gofresnostate wrote: Not quite what you're asking, but I'm guessing Sean Norton was the highest rated recruit ever to come? He barely got to play though, as for some ridic reason Pat Hill wanted Brandstatter over him.

Guess Dinwiddie part 2 didn't excite Hill?

I always hear that we had the next Joe Montana in Sean Norton, but I guess we'll never know.  I do recall, if I'm collect, he wound up at D3 school, but ended up leaving?  Did he get on with an NFL team somewhere, with all that awesome, yet unknown, talent?

There's not much on Norton after he went to NAU.

the first game norton played was classic, that had to be the only time a crowd cheered when tommy b got hurt went to the bench& #3 came in the game, that place was loud as ever... he played pretty well from what i remember even though we got blown out

Sparatore wrote: There's not much on Norton after he went to NAU.

He didn't play football after NAU. He went to CSUN and graduated.

Also, he was not rated high as a D1 prospect because of his height.  He was perhaps the most decorated H.S. player we've had, Parade All-American, but he wasn't some hugely recruited player.

Vincent Mays from HS kids.  Turned into a pretty decent rapper.

---------------------------------------------
--- FresnoRocks wrote:

Vincent Mays from HS kids.  Turned into a pretty decent rapper.

---------------------------------------------

My first thought. He was the "get" of the 2002 class.

---------------------------------------------
--- FresnoRocks wrote:

Turned into a pretty decent rapper.

---------------------------------------------

Pretty generous on your part.

Bulld0g8588 wrote:

---------------------------------------------
--- FresnoRocks wrote:

Turned into a pretty decent rapper.

---------------------------------------------

Pretty generous on your part.

That's what Dogs4Me told me.  I haven't heard his songz (see the gangsta z at the end!?!)

recruit that not only played, but went on to the NFL and played as well?

Lorenzo Neal...after he transerred fromm Arizona. Was really highly regarded.

Donyell Booker is the only 5-star player I can remember that FS signed. He's from JC however. Vincent Mays is the highest ranked high school player we've ever signed from what I can remember. He was a 4-star, and was ranked #8 in the nation by Scout. Coming to FS, I thought we would give Mays a shot at running back, since he was a really good runner in HS. He was just adequate for us at safety. As was Booker. 

The highest ranked player that not only did well for us but went on to the NFL, arguably could be Clifton Smith. I'm not sure where Trent Dilfer ranked (was there even a ranking system like Scout/Rivals back then?) but he would be my second guess. Then, obviously, Lorenzo Neal. 

If Travis Brown makes it in the NFL, he would become the highest ranked player from HS we got, who would be successful in the pros and did very well for us.

In Nortons first game he came in relief vs. Hawaii in Bulldog Stadium.  On his first series he hit a long TD pass to cut the score to 28-14 Hawaii.  On his next series he was picked for a 50 yard "house call" that made it 35-14 Hawaii.  It was all down hill from there as UH went on to win about 63-35.

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

In Nortons first game he came in relief vs. Hawaii in Bulldog Stadium.  On his first series he hit a long TD pass to cut the score to 28-14 Hawaii.  On his next series he was picked for a 50 yard "house call" that made it 35-14 Hawaii.  It was all down hill from there as UH went on to win about 63-35.

---------------------------------------------

Then he got the luxury of starting against LSU the next game. Poor guy!

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I totally agree! I was there in Death Valley when he made that fateful start. Dude never had a chance to do what he could do well. PH needed to change things up....shot gun, spread it out 3/4 wide & move the pocket around! But remember he didn't do those "gimmick" offenses!!!! I'm LMAO thinking how stupid a statement that really is! Show me a head coach who doesn't evolve and I'll show you a head coach who loses his job in the end bc the game passes you by. Would have loved to see what Norton could have done and I don't care that TB would find himself on an NFL roster! Dude was a hot bag of garbage for all but one year!!!

Go dogs!!

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---------------------------------------------

Lorenzo didnt transfer from Arizona... he verbally committed there, but didnt qualify and came to FSU instead as a Prop 49.  

fightdogs wrote: Lorenzo Neal...after he transerred fromm Arizona. Was really highly regarded.

Well that was along time ago....was just going off memory......17 years in the NFL...and drafted around 1993. He was a big-time wrestler and football recruit. And a great supporter and fan of FSU Football to this day!!! A valley guy we can be proud of!

The offensive linemen probably complained about Norton throwing the ball in their backs all the time.  Kid had talent, but he was barely 5'10", if that...Didn't really fit the schemes around the team back then.

For all Brandstater's mistakes and miscues, he played well for a kid with multiple OCs.

gofresnostate wrote: Not quite what you're asking, but I'm guessing Sean Norton was the highest rated recruit ever to come? He barely got to play though, as for some ridic reason Pat Hill wanted Brandstatter over him.

Guess Dinwiddie part 2 didn't excite Hill?

38-6 at LSU, actually.

Angularvelocity wrote: and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you were there, you'd know a backup QB playing in a completely new offense on that field, against that team, is probably the worst idea in the history of football.

No25juice wrote: I totally agree! I was there in Death Valley when he made that fateful start. Dude never had a chance to do what he could do well. PH needed to change things up....shot gun, spread it out 3/4 wide & move the pocket around! But remember he didn't do those "gimmick" offenses!!!! I'm LMAO thinking how stupid a statement that really is! Show me a head coach who doesn't evolve and I'll show you a head coach who loses his job in the end bc the game passes you by. Would have loved to see what Norton could have done and I don't care that TB would find himself on an NFL roster! Dude was a hot bag of garbage for all but one year!!!

Go dogs!!

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---------------------------------------------

Hill never gave Norton a real shot. He threw him into the fire against Tough Tough opponents. Dinwiddie did pretty good for a small QB as well as Moore at Boise. Hiss was too stubborn to ever change anything!!!

Fresneckistani wrote: If you were there, you'd know a backup QB playing in a completely new offense on that field, against that team, is probably the worst idea in the history of football.

No25juice wrote: I totally agree! I was there in Death Valley when he made that fateful start. Dude never had a chance to do what he could do well. PH needed to change things up....shot gun, spread it out 3/4 wide & move the pocket around! But remember he didn't do those "gimmick" offenses!!!! I'm LMAO thinking how stupid a statement that really is! Show me a head coach who doesn't evolve and I'll show you a head coach who loses his job in the end bc the game passes you by. Would have loved to see what Norton could have done and I don't care that TB would find himself on an NFL roster! Dude was a hot bag of garbage for all but one year!!!

Go dogs!!

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---------------------------------------------

I also love the romanticization of how he played. He didn't do very well vs. Hawaii and almost got Paul Williams killed vs LSU.

JAdogs05 wrote:

Fresneckistani wrote: If you were there, you'd know a backup QB playing in a completely new offense on that field, against that team, is probably the worst idea in the history of football.

No25juice wrote: I totally agree! I was there in Death Valley when he made that fateful start. Dude never had a chance to do what he could do well. PH needed to change things up....shot gun, spread it out 3/4 wide & move the pocket around! But remember he didn't do those "gimmick" offenses!!!! I'm LMAO thinking how stupid a statement that really is! Show me a head coach who doesn't evolve and I'll show you a head coach who loses his job in the end bc the game passes you by. Would have loved to see what Norton could have done and I don't care that TB would find himself on an NFL roster! Dude was a hot bag of garbage for all but one year!!!

Go dogs!!

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---------------------------------------------

I also love the romanticization of how he played. He didn't do very well vs. Hawaii and almost got Paul Williams killed vs LSU.

He melted down before half at BSU as well.

FresnoRocks wrote:

Bulld0g8588 wrote:

---------------------------------------------
--- FresnoRocks wrote:

Turned into a pretty decent rapper.

---------------------------------------------

Pretty generous on your part.

That's what Dogs4Me told me.  I haven't heard his songz (see the gangsta z at the end!?!)

Dogs4Me knows rap.

whatever happened to paul williams

I'll go with Travis Brown.  He had a full ride to USC and a bunch of other offers.  Most of the other guys mentioned had issues (grades, etc.).

JAdogs05 wrote:

Fresneckistani wrote: If you were there, you'd know a backup QB playing in a completely new offense on that field, against that team, is probably the worst idea in the history of football.

No25juice wrote: I totally agree! I was there in Death Valley when he made that fateful start. Dude never had a chance to do what he could do well. PH needed to change things up....shot gun, spread it out 3/4 wide & move the pocket around! But remember he didn't do those "gimmick" offenses!!!! I'm LMAO thinking how stupid a statement that really is! Show me a head coach who doesn't evolve and I'll show you a head coach who loses his job in the end bc the game passes you by. Would have loved to see what Norton could have done and I don't care that TB would find himself on an NFL roster! Dude was a hot bag of garbage for all but one year!!!

Go dogs!!

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---------------------------------------------

I also love the romanticization of how he played. He didn't do very well vs. Hawaii and almost got Paul Williams killed vs LSU.

Norton would been most likely a starter had he gone to BSU. At least one year anyway. Norton should not have ever come to Fresno and gone elsewhere If he wanted to play football. I would had he had gotten one game against the pansies and he didn't so I really don't how good he would had ....TB was not that stellar either.

Norton was thrown to the Wolves to save TB's azz. Hill was show-casing TB for the NFL as he had done for other players throughout their careers. Some think that is okay and some have the opposite philosophy on that.

YUP!

Fangdog wrote:

JAdogs05 wrote:

Fresneckistani wrote: If you were there, you'd know a backup QB playing in a completely new offense on that field, against that team, is probably the worst idea in the history of football.

No25juice wrote: I totally agree! I was there in Death Valley when he made that fateful start. Dude never had a chance to do what he could do well. PH needed to change things up....shot gun, spread it out 3/4 wide & move the pocket around! But remember he didn't do those "gimmick" offenses!!!! I'm LMAO thinking how stupid a statement that really is! Show me a head coach who doesn't evolve and I'll show you a head coach who loses his job in the end bc the game passes you by. Would have loved to see what Norton could have done and I don't care that TB would find himself on an NFL roster! Dude was a hot bag of garbage for all but one year!!!

Go dogs!!

---------------------------------------------
--- Angularvelocity wrote:

and then Boise State the week after that...and the career was basically over at half time of that game.  His three games were a 63-35 loss to Hawaii, a 38-0 loss to LSU and a 50 to very little loss to the Broncos.  Norton was the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---------------------------------------------

I also love the romanticization of how he played. He didn't do very well vs. Hawaii and almost got Paul Williams killed vs LSU.

Norton would been most likely a starter had he gone to BSU. At least one year anyway. Norton should not have ever come to Fresno and gone elsewhere If he wanted to play football. I would had he had gotten one game against the pansies and he didn't so I really don't how good he would had ....TB was not that stellar either.

Norton was thrown to the Wolves to save TB's azz. Hill was show-casing TB for the NFL as he had done for other players throughout their careers. Some think that is okay and some have the opposite philosophy on that.

Fangdog wrote:  
Norton would been most likely a starter had he gone to BSU. At least one year anyway. Norton should not have ever come to Fresno and gone elsewhere If he wanted to play football. I would had he had gotten one game against the pansies and he didn't so I really don't how good he would had ....TB was not that stellar either.

Norton was thrown to the Wolves to save TB's azz. Hill was show-casing TB for the NFL as he had done for other players throughout their careers. Some think that is okay and some have the opposite philosophy on that.

              Welcome to Spud Dog's fantasy land, where everything is connected to Boise and everything else is blamed on Pat Hill.

21Dog wrote:

Fangdog wrote:  
Norton would been most likely a starter had he gone to BSU. At least one year anyway. Norton should not have ever come to Fresno and gone elsewhere If he wanted to play football. I would had he had gotten one game against the pansies and he didn't so I really don't how good he would had ....TB was not that stellar either.

Norton was thrown to the Wolves to save TB's azz. Hill was show-casing TB for the NFL as he had done for other players throughout their careers. Some think that is okay and some have the opposite philosophy on that.

              Welcome to Spud Dog's fantasy land, where everything is connected to Boise and everything else is blamed on Pat Hill.

Welcome to the reality you refuse to accept. Because of your cult-like worship.. No different than any other religious fanatic who believes in bull-chit. Isn't it a fact Norton started two of Fresno's toughest games that year? Wasn't it a fact TB was being show cased for the NFL because he had the measurable? Isn't it a fact has for years and bragged about such as putting all these players in the NFL.?

Pat Hill gave Fresno State a and its fans good-phucken. So Yes, I am going call him out for things he which I do not think good for Fresno, its fans or me as a fan. Whenever people like you try and make guys like me an A-hole because I call you on your chit. You called me out and the way you put it, deserves a like response from me. By-the-way Pat Hill Worship services will be at the usual 09:30 Am Sunday at the Pat Hill church in Pinedale...be there.

In the case of Norton, it's bad management with Coach Hill. At the absolute least, it's a stretch of games where it's about the worst thing possible you can do putting a new starter in. To gauge how good Norton is, or could be, or isn't, is nigh impossible. 

Many on here have stated that had David Carr gone to any other more established club with a better offensive line, he may not be the uncertainty that he is now. Many have gone so far as to call him "damaged goods" as the pounding he took had irreversible impact on his play. 

Same parallel can be said of Norton. 

21Dog wrote:

Fangdog wrote:  
Norton would been most likely a starter had he gone to BSU. At least one year anyway. Norton should not have ever come to Fresno and gone elsewhere If he wanted to play football. I would had he had gotten one game against the pansies and he didn't so I really don't how good he would had ....TB was not that stellar either.

Norton was thrown to the Wolves to save TB's azz. Hill was show-casing TB for the NFL as he had done for other players throughout their careers. Some think that is okay and some have the opposite philosophy on that.

              Welcome to Spud Dog's fantasy land, where everything is connected to Boise and everything else is blamed on Pat Hill.