A Different View of Beau’s Decision

[SR108]

Don't blame NCAA for Penn State's Beau Pribula transfer portal exit amid College Football Playoff

What do college football players do when they have everything they could want? Blame the NCAA -- and ask for more.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Don't blame NCAA for Penn State's Beau Pribula transfer portal exit amid College Football Playoff

What do college football players do when they have everything they could want? Blame the NCAA -- and ask for more.

www.usatoday.com

Tell that to Marshall.

 

[SR108]

Tell that to Marshall.

I have no doubt it was a tortuous decision, and I believe it was the correct decision for Beau, however, in the end it was a decision based on what was best for him not the team. He could have waited, but not many choices would have been available at that point. It will be interesting where Brown from OSU ends up.

 

[LandoComando]

Tell that to Marshall.

Marshall needs to figure out how they lost Huff to Southern Miss

 

[Cowbell Man]

I have no doubt it was a tortuous decision, and I believe it was the correct decision for Beau, however, in the end it was a decision based on what was best for him not the team. He could have waited, but not many choices would have been available at that point. It will be interesting where Brown from OSU ends up.

Sure it was. And the article is correct. It may be crappy all around, but players have gotten what they wanted in transferability and NIL. They also want to be adults and decisions are hard. Whining about who is to blame is silly. He doesn’t HAVE to do anything. He just wants to.


Here is what could have been said. I wish I could stay, but I need to go now to take advantage of a new opportunity for me and my future.

Feel like that’s adulting. That’s what lots of people do when they switch jobs. Lots leave something good and it can be hard.

 

[PSU210]

Sure it was. And the article is correct. It may be crappy all around, but players have gotten what they wanted in transferability and NIL. They also want to be adults and decisions are hard. Whining about who is to blame is silly. He doesn’t HAVE to do anything. He just wants to.


Here is what could have been said. I wish I could stay, but I need to go now to take advantage of a new opportunity for me and my future.

Feel like that’s adulting. That’s what lots of people do when they switch jobs. Lots leave something good and it can be hard.

Very well said.

 

[ryoder1]

I have no doubt it was a tortuous decision, and I believe it was the correct decision for Beau, however, in the end it was a decision based on what was best for him not the team. He could have waited, but not many choices would have been available at that point. It will be interesting where Brown from OSU ends up.

Waited until when? The portal closes on Dec 28th. If we beat SMU then we play Boise on Dec 31st. What? He announces he is portaling 3 days prior to the biggest game we have had since the '87 Fiesta Bowl?

I guess they can make an exception or do have one for those teams in the playoffs but waiting until mid January does not work with a school's academic calendar.

 

[LandoComando]

Waited until when? The portal closes on Dec 28th. If we beat SMU then we play Boise on Dec 31st. What? He announces he is portaling 3 days prior to the biggest game we have had since the '87 Fiesta Bowl?

I guess they can make an exception or do have one for those teams in the playoffs but waiting until mid January does not work with a school's academic calendar.

It doesn't close on the 28th--he has 5 days after the season ends. We can't say he had until the 28th because that's false.
His agent can get everything set up for him before he even enters the portal
We're making excuses for him--instead of blaming the NCAA he could have said, "this was a difficult decision but it's what is best for me at this time"--respect.

 

[scrivener]

It doesn't close on the 28th--he has 5 days after the season ends. We can't say he had until the 28th because that's false.
His agent can get everything set up for him before he even enters the portal
We're making excuses for him--instead of blaming the NCAA he could have said, "this was a difficult decision but it's what is best for me at this time"--respect.

Exactly. the SMU backup is leaving but declared he will stay thru the playoffs. These players and their agents can get things rolling and reach out to teams and find their landing spot. That school won't care if the player misses the first couple of weeks of classes in January, it's ridiculous. Beau has every right to find a home where he can start...but he is also screwing the team over big time...a team that is 4 wins away from doing something that is likely once in a lifetime for any of these players. multiple things can be true...Beau has every right to find a better spot for his career, but this idea that he couldn't have handled this in a more team-oriented, is false. This isn't black and white. There are portal guys who are sticking with their teams.

 

[Cowbell Man]

It doesn't close on the 28th--he has 5 days after the season ends. We can't say he had until the 28th because that's false.
His agent can get everything set up for him before he even enters the portal
We're making excuses for him--instead of blaming the NCAA he could have said, "this was a difficult decision but it's what is best for me at this time"--respect.

Right, and tbh both he and Franklin made it easy for the blame game by leading off with it. There is no blame. It was a difficult decision and he made it. Welcome to the 20’s and your diploma. Move on.

 

[ryoder1]

It doesn't close on the 28th--he has 5 days after the season ends. We can't say he had until the 28th because that's false.
His agent can get everything set up for him before he even enters the portal
We're making excuses for him--instead of blaming the NCAA he could have said, "this was a difficult decision but it's what is best for me at this time"--respect.

You can't be secretly looking at options while with the team. Come clean on that and stay with the team though. Look at options but be transparent that you are doing that. Then pull the trigger soon after the season ends so you don't miss any more time with your new team. I don't blame him for his decision but he could have stayed with the team. He didn't feel comfortable doing that and I respect that decision.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

I have no doubt it was a tortuous decision, and I believe it was the correct decision for Beau, however, in the end it was a decision based on what was best for him not the team. He could have waited, but not many choices would have been available at that point. It will be interesting where Brown from OSU ends up.

I view it differently - he fulfilled his commitment to PSU when he graduated - even CJF says the same thing (CJF said that nobody represented PSU better - CJF even said he handled it like a man at the end. He went directly to CJF and told him that he was going to consider other schools after graduation because Drew was coming back (and noteworthy, he didn't hold Drew's decision against him). He told CJF that he would like to play for PSU through the playoffs if CJF could figure out a way that could happen without interfering with his career at his new post-graduate school. Ultimately, CJF and PSU could not find a way to make this work because the post-graduation programs that Beau was looking at, naturally predicated their offers on Beau enrolling. Hard to believe that you fault Beau for not putting his future on complete hold - to his own significant detriment - when he had fully committed his commitment to PSU as a student-athlete and is graduating from The Pennsylvania State University. Nobody at PSU, including CJF, believes he has to sacrifice his own future for PSU when he has already graduated from PSU and has his undergraduate degree. Just inane and silly, beyond silly, to say Beau owes PSU anything once he has graduated.

 

[LandoComando]

You can't be secretly looking at options while with the team. Come clean on that and stay with the team though. Look at options but be transparent that you are doing that. Then pull the trigger soon after the season ends so you don't miss any more time with your new team. I don't blame him for his decision but he could have stayed with the team. He didn't feel comfortable doing that and I respect that decision.

100% you can. And who says it's a secret? All the people that are DNC in the portal did exactly that..

I think we'd all respect the decision if he acknowledged it was his decision for what is best for him. That's what he should do but he's blaming the NCAA. Best of luck to him but he had choices and made his. Own it.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

I view it differently - he fulfilled his commitment to PSU when he graduated - even CJF says the same thing (CJF said that nobody represented PSU better - CJF even said he handled it like a man at the end. He went directly to CJF and told him that he was going to consider other schools after graduation because Drew was coming back (and noteworthy, he didn't hold Drew's decision against him). He told CJF that he would like to play for PSU through the playoffs if CJF could figure out a way that could happen without interfering with his career at his new post-graduate school. Ultimately, CJF and PSU could not find a way to make this work because the post-graduation programs that Beau was looking at, naturally predicated their offers on Beau enrolling. Hard to believe that you fault Beau for not putting his future on complete hold - to his own significant detriment - when he had fully committed his commitment to PSU as a student-athlete and is graduating from The Pennsylvania State University. Nobody at PSU, including CJF, believes he has to sacrifice his own future for PSU when he has already graduated from PSU and has his undergraduate degree. Just inane and silly, beyond silly, to say Beau owes PSU anything once he has graduated.

This is utterly false and slanderous - CJF stated the diametric opposite of what you're claiming, CJF said he came directly to him and told him "like a man" that he was looking at other schools after he graduates this semester. He IN FACT told CJF that he wanted to play for PSU in the Playoffs if he knew of a way that could happen without interfering with offers he might get from new schools regarding his post-PSU-graduation enrollment. Ultimately, CJF said they could not find a solution as Beau's post-graduation offers would be contingent upon enrollment.

 

[Lion_Backer]

I view it differently - he fulfilled his commitment to PSU when he graduated - even CJF says the same thing (CJF said that nobody represented PSU better - CJF even said he handled it like a man at the end. He went directly to CJF and told him that he was going to consider other schools after graduation because Drew was coming back (and noteworthy, he didn't hold Drew's decision against him). He told CJF that he would like to play for PSU through the playoffs if CJF could figure out a way that could happen without interfering with his career at his new post-graduate school. Ultimately, CJF and PSU could not find a way to make this work because the post-graduation programs that Beau was looking at, naturally predicated their offers on Beau enrolling. Hard to believe that you fault Beau for not putting his future on complete hold - to his own significant detriment - when he had fully committed his commitment to PSU as a student-athlete and is graduating from The Pennsylvania State University. Nobody at PSU, including CJF, believes he has to sacrifice his own future for PSU when he has already graduated from PSU and has his undergraduate degree. Just inane and silly, beyond silly, to say Beau owes PSU anything once he has graduated.

I can find no fault in what you typed (other than paragraphs are your friend), but it does beg an answer to the question: Why did you commit to come to Penn State to play football? Was it to have an opportunity to win the National Championship?

Because if it was, you have the opportunity to be an integral part in achieving that objective. I know that things are much different today than when I was in school, but I have to believe that those teammates feel the same brotherhood and comradery that we felt.

 

[Obliviax]

I have no doubt it was a tortuous decision, and I believe it was the correct decision for Beau, however, in the end it was a decision based on what was best for him not the team. He could have waited, but not many choices would have been available at that point. It will be interesting where Brown from OSU ends up.

I don't think he could have waited without damaging his prospects. Today, the team he'll go to, is a combination of NIL money and opportunity. By opportunity I mean how committed the staff is to starting him, the QB room depth chart, and the talent of the team around him. Many teams are going to offer QBs and will pick off the best fit. so he's competing with the starter from OK, Duke, FSU, USC. Liberty, and tOSU to name a few. A lot of the best slots will be taken. A lot of QBs already committed (FSU, Utah, Duke, Houston).

In the end, college is about preparing and giving them the best opportunity to succeed. With Allar coming back and the staff being so impressed with Grunk, this is what had to happen.

 

[LandoComando]

Let's see where Beau ends up...that will tell us if it was worth it. If it's a contender...then it was. If it's WVU or a mid-level program he made a mistake and could have waited. If it's a G5 school he made an awful mistake

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Right, and tbh both he and Franklin made it easy for the blame game by leading off with it. There is no blame. It was a difficult decision and he made it. Welcome to the 20’s and your diploma. Move on.

This is silly, if the Portal doesn't open until after the season - including the CFP Playoffs - then the programs interested in Beau wouldn't be able to offer anybody with the CONTINGENCY that the player enroll in January for Winter Semedter of the same year as the Semester (and enrollment in it) would have already started. Their offers would be Contingent upon enrollment in the 3rd Semester (regardless of whether school is on a tri-mester or 4 semesters) which would put Beau on equal footing with all the other players who entered the Portal and whose teams DIDN'T make the CFP Playoffs. How you figure any differently is rather baffling.

 

[ryoder1]

100% you can. And who says it's a secret? All the people that are DNC in the portal did exactly that..

I think we'd all respect the decision if he acknowledged it was his decision for what is best for him. That's what he should do but he's blaming the NCAA. Best of luck to him but he had choices and made his. Own it.

As you are evaluating options you should tell your teammates. That seems like the up and up way. My opinion. Let Franklin know at the very least but he should be honest on what his intentions are with his teammates. They would respect that. I think he should have stayed with the team but announced his intention to transfer. The team would understand.. They aren't going to fire him like a company may if you are looking at a new job while at another one.

He is doing what is best for him. No one cares what is best for him except him and his family. All others are seeking what is best for them. That is life and the sooner a young person learns that the better. I wish he stayed with the team but he didn't want to. As far as blaming the NCAA. Not sure what he said but I think he should just make his decision and state his reasons for it.

 

[LandoComando]

As you are evaluating options you should tell your teammates. That seems like the up and up way. My opinion. Let Franklin know at the very least but he should be honest on what his intentions are with his teammates. They would respect that. I think he should have stayed with thecteam but announced his intention to transfer. The team would understand.. They aren't going to fire him like a company may if you are looking r a new job while at another one.

He is doing what is best for him. No one cares what is best for him except him and his family. All others are seeking what is best for them. That is life and the sooner a young person learns that the better. I wish he stayed with the team but he didn't want to. As far as blaming the NCAA. Not sure what he said but I think he should just make his decision and state his reasons for it.

Why? You don't need to tell your teammates anything about your life--you're obligation is to play to the best of your ability. Which I have no doubt he would have.

The second paragraph is great--that's everyone's issue--he blamed the NCAA instead of just saying "it was a difficult choice but I had to do this for me and my family"--there'd be no issue with that.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Exactly. the SMU backup is leaving but declared he will stay thru the playoffs. These players and their agents can get things rolling and reach out to teams and find their landing spot. That school won't care if the player misses the first couple of weeks of classes in January, it's ridiculous. Beau has every right to find a home where he can start...but he is also screwing the team over big time...a team that is 4 wins away from doing something that is likely once in a lifetime for any of these players. multiple things can be true...Beau has every right to find a better spot for his career, but this idea that he couldn't have handled this in a more team-oriented, is false. This isn't black and white. There are portal guys who are sticking with their teams.

More bullshit nonsense - how do you know what conditions schools put on offers to Beau? If Beau has received offers that are CONTINGENT upon him enrolling in January Semester, you're whole post is nothing but hogwash - you CANNOT be enrolled at two schools at the same time and Beau would have to be enrolled at PSU for January Semester to play by NCAA rule. Just because a school told the SMU QB that they would guarantee their offer in writing presumably until the next semester doesn't mean other schools are beholding to do this for other players.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

As you are evaluating options you should tell your teammates. That seems like the up and up way. My opinion. Let Franklin know at the very least but he should be honest on what his intentions are with his teammates. They would respect that. I think he should have stayed with the team but announced his intention to transfer. The team would understand.. They aren't going to fire him like a company may if you are looking at a new job while at another one.

He is doing what is best for him. No one cares what is best for him except him and his family. All others are seeking what is best for them. That is life and the sooner a young person learns that the better. I wish he stayed with the team but he didn't want to. As far as blaming the NCAA. Not sure what he said but I think he should just make his decision and state his reasons for it.

Good Lord, did you not read the article about CJF's statements re: Beau's decision? He stated point blank that Beau handled the matter like a man and came directly to him (CJF) and told him straight-up before he did anything else.

 

[Delcolion915]

Devin Brown is on line one, he disagrees.

 

[ryoder1]

Good Lord, did you not read the article about CJF's statements re: Beau's decision? He stated point blank that Beau handled the matter like a man and came directly to him (CJF) and told him straight-up before he did anything else.

Ok good. I think he could have stayed with the team but respect his decision.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Sure it was. And the article is correct. It may be crappy all around, but players have gotten what they wanted in transferability and NIL. They also want to be adults and decisions are hard. Whining about who is to blame is silly. He doesn’t HAVE to do anything. He just wants to.


Here is what could have been said. I wish I could stay, but I need to go now to take advantage of a new opportunity for me and my future.

Feel like that’s adulting. That’s what lots of people do when they switch jobs. Lots leave something good and it can be hard.

So the players created this fiasco of administration and got exactly what they want. That must be some super white powder you have been smoking.

 

[lazydave841]

The difference in Devin Brown, Preston Stone (SMU transfer), and Beau is probably simple: one will be offered a starting spot at a P4 and the other 2 likely won't.

Context matters. G5s don't call backups offering starting jobs before they hit the portal. That's a "big boy" game.

Beau's rumored 3 destinations are Mizzou, Iowa, and UCF. All 3 need a starting QB. Do you think any of them give 1 crap about our playoff chances?

They want their QB. They want to tell other prospects "this is our guy". They don't need him risking an ACL injury on a 25° field.

This is the difference.

 

[wilbury]

Devin Brown is on line one, he disagrees.

That's the confusing thing. Pribula isn't the only one with this issue but he's the one that's not able to make it work and stay with the team.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

So the players created this fiasco of administration and got exactly what they want. That must be some super white powder you have been smoking.

Let's talk about the ridiculous NCAA requiring a player GRADUATING from their existing school to register in a system they themselves label the "Transfer Portal"??? It's ridiculous that Beau has to enroll in anything with the NCAA to apply to prospective schools regarding his post-graduation enrollment in a new degree program. Enrollment in the new school wouldn't start until the 3rd week of January. Beau's current participation with PSU is based on Fall Semester enrollment (PSU's Winter/Spring Semester doesn't start until mid-January). Beau should not be required to register in anything to apply to new schools regarding enrollment in their Winter/Spring Semester, nor should applying to new schools for his post-PSU-grad work have anything to do with his playing for PSU this weekend when participation is still based on his Fall Semester enrollment. Saying this bullshit is not being caused by the absurd, often anti-student-athlete NCAA, is just ridiculous.

 

[Penn State Pat]

Exactly. the SMU backup is leaving but declared he will stay thru the playoffs. These players and their agents can get things rolling and reach out to teams and find their landing spot. That school won't care if the player misses the first couple of weeks of classes in January, it's ridiculous. Beau has every right to find a home where he can start...but he is also screwing the team over big time...a team that is 4 wins away from doing something that is likely once in a lifetime for any of these players. multiple things can be true...Beau has every right to find a better spot for his career, but this idea that he couldn't have handled this in a more team-oriented, is false. This isn't black and white. There are portal guys who are sticking with their teams.

And what happens if Beau is injured during practice or the game??? Yep, you take that risk every time you step on the field. But the circumstances are different for Beau.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Let's talk about the ridiculous NCAA requiring a player GRADUATING from their existing school to register in a system they themselves label the "Transfer Portal"??? It's ridiculous that Beau has to enroll in anything with the NCAA to apply to prospective schools regarding his post-graduation enrollment in a new degree program. Enrollment in the new school wouldn't start until the 3rd week of January. Beau's current participation with PSU is based on Fall Semester enrollment (PSU's Winter/Spring Semester doesn't start until mid-January). Beau should not be required to register in anything to apply to new schools regarding enrollment in their Winter/Spring Semester, nor should applying to new schools for his post-PSU-grad work have anything to do with his playing for PSU this weekend when participation is still based on his Fall Semester enrollment. Saying this bullshit is not being caused by the absurd, often anti-student-athete NCAA, is just ridiculous.

strangely this is a different topic though obviously related.

I agree with much of what you said. The NCAA watched the horse leave the barn and is incapable of deciding how to fix it. Not so coincidental is that Mark Emmert was in charge while it happened. The idea that a graduate has to do anything other than go to another school is ridiculous. All the other portal plans…effed up. It’s a mess. 100% mess.

The point is, however, that Beau decided it was time to leave. He didn’t HAVE to, but he is the one who decided to. He could even announce for the portal and still play. But….like other adults switching jobs, etc, decided in order to not get shut out of the best opportunities, the time to go was now. His decision. But the idea is that he HAD to make this decision when it’s simply not true. No one has to do anything. He chose the best pathway for the best chance at an opportunity he wanted.

Again….people every day are faced with job decisions like this. Some stay. Some go. Some wait and win. Some wait and lose.

 

[Obliviax]

The difference in Devin Brown, Preston Stone (SMU transfer), and Beau is probably simple: one will be offered a starting spot at a P4 and the other 2 likely won't.

Context matters. G5s don't call backups offering starting jobs before they hit the portal. That's a "big boy" game.

Beau's rumored 3 destinations are Mizzou, Iowa, and UCF. All 3 need a starting QB. Do you think any of them give 1 crap about our playoff chances?

They want their QB. They want to tell other prospects "this is our guy". They don't need him risking an ACL injury on a 25° field.

This is the difference.

Last year, 60% of the starting bowl QBs were transfers including Washington and Texas in the playoffs. I haven't looked at the final 12 but know at least four are xfers (SMU, Indy, tOSU, ND).

 

[maxoscar]

I don't think he could have waited without damaging his prospects. Today, the team he'll go to, is a combination of NIL money and opportunity. By opportunity I mean how committed the staff is to starting him, the QB room depth chart, and the talent of the team around him. Many teams are going to offer QBs and will pick off the best fit. so he's competing with the starter from OK, Duke, FSU, USC. Liberty, and tOSU to name a few. A lot of the best slots will be taken. A lot of QBs already committed (FSU, Utah, Duke, Houston).

In the end, college is about preparing and giving them the best opportunity to succeed. With Allar coming back and the staff being so impressed with Grunk, this is what had to happen.

Totally agree! It is wrong to criticize Pribula for transferring under the circumstances that Obliviax has stated. He wants to start or at least being given the opp to compete for the starting position. With Allar returning no way does Beau even has those opportunities. Beau is a competitor and gave three years to Penn State Football. It is time to move on.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Totally agree! It is wrong to criticize Pribula for transferring under the circumstances that Obliviax has stated. He wants to start or at least being given the opp to compete for the starting position. With Allar returning no way does Beau even has those opportunities. Beau is a competitor and gave three years to Penn State Football. It is time to move on.

He stated in his parting statement that he is "a Proud Graduate and Letterman of PSU". Not much more you could ask for.

 

[Cowbell Man]

He stated in his parting statement that he is "a Proud Graduate and Letterman of PSU". Not much more you could ask for.

I never understood why a graduate had to “transfer”. Never understood why coaches like Saban got hacked off because a graduate wanted to go to another school. Seems to me that graduating completes the deal. Particularly since scholarships were a series of one year deals anyway.

 

[voltz99]

Totally agree! It is wrong to criticize Pribula for transferring under the circumstances that Obliviax has stated. He wants to start or at least being given the opp to compete for the starting position. With Allar returning no way does Beau even has those opportunities. Beau is a competitor and gave three years to Penn State Football. It is time to move on.

The issue is not about moving on. The issue is moving on a week before the playoffs. There should be a dead period until after the playoffs for EVERYONE. That will shorten the offseason for everyone and their will be no advantage or disadvantage.

What is to stop SMU from offering Pribula or even Allar a large NIL deal that would be contingent on them being at SMU asap?

 

[Lion_Backer]

The issue is not about moving on. The issue is moving on a week before the playoffs. There should be a dead period until after the playoffs for EVERYONE. That will shorten the offseason for everyone and their will be no advantage or disadvantage.

What is to stop SMU from offering Pribula or even Allar a large NIL deal that would be contingent on them being at SMU asap?

In theory, the player would have to enter the portal before they could be approached with an official offer.

 

[Obliviax]

The issue is not about moving on. The issue is moving on a week before the playoffs. There should be a dead period until after the playoffs for EVERYONE. That will shorten the offseason for everyone and their will be no advantage or disadvantage.

What is to stop SMU from offering Pribula or even Allar a large NIL deal that would be contingent on them being at SMU asap?

I like that but it is still a problem. The championship game is scheduled for January 20th. If the portal opens J-21, That really doesn't leave any time for decisions and time to move in before the spring semester starts.

 

[LandoComando]

A

The difference in Devin Brown, Preston Stone (SMU transfer), and Beau is probably simple: one will be offered a starting spot at a P4 and the other 2 likely won't.

Context matters. G5s don't call backups offering starting jobs before they hit the portal. That's a "big boy" game.

Beau's rumored 3 destinations are Mizzou, Iowa, and UCF. All 3 need a starting QB. Do you think any of them give 1 crap about our playoff chances?

They want their QB. They want to tell other prospects "this is our guy". They don't need him risking an ACL injury on a 25° field.

This is the difference.

All fair but he can't blame the NCAA

 

[lazydave841]

A
All fair but he can't blame the NCAA

Why not? Doesn't mean it's correct, but he can wish for a perfect paradise of football utopia where he finishes things 100% on his terms and gets everything he wants (presumably a starting QB job, more NIL, etc).

 

[voltz99]

In theory, the player would have to enter the portal before they could be approached with an official offer.

We all know that does not happen. Some players even have a do not contact. That is because they already have a landing spot and had contact BEFORE they entered. It is like a pro who signs a new deal the minute he becomes a free agent. It is obvious there was prior contact.