we’re not going to take the scholarship away. He’s welcome back if he decides not to transfer. Who would we give the scholarship to?
Stevens Transfer Portal
- Thread starter PSUoh90
- Start date
Do you think JF is aware of this?? I'm sure JF took that, and other data points into consideration when he sat TS down and discussed the path forward.
Cmon man. Speak clearly....You post as if you have information. If so, then share it.
Of course - but that does not make it any less true. If Tommy leaves, we will be in incredibly green at QB. And we will be pretty green if he stays. Not ideal in either case, but worse if/when TS leaves.
And he was totally banged up and ineffective last year. And Trace is as tough as they come.
If he ends up with Moorhead he already knows the offense. Since everyone is speculating, my guess is that he already knew where he was going prior to entering the portal.
If we can get two years without injury out of Clifford, then the backup will have time to develop and be ready. I’m not sure what Franklin could do if Stevens wants to transfer. If Franklin thought he was better than Clifford, he would have promised him the starting position. Obviously that’s not the case. No one wants to win more than Franklin, so I’m quite sure he’s doing what gives him the best chance to win.
If I was a kid being recruited and read some of the comments here about a kid who has done everything he was asked to do- and without any complaint that ever left the locker room- I'd have to think about finding another place to play.
Granted, most of these comments come from the same people who cry about any loss like they are entitled to a win every time out- but you can't expect an 18 year old kid to understand that some people are just that lightweight.
Granted, most of these comments come from the same people who cry about any loss like they are entitled to a win every time out- but you can't expect an 18 year old kid to understand that some people are just that lightweight.
Apparently you have not been watching the offense that we have been running for the last three years.
If Franklin lied to him once, why wouldn’t he do it again to keep him from transferring? Your theory doesn’t quite make it.
My take on this is that it is probably a byproduct of Bates, McGovern, and Sanders opting to enter the NFL draft this year.
For the past few seasons I thought (and maybe others and the coaches thought) that 2019 was our year. It would be the year that everything would come together and we should have a good shot at the final 4 playoffs. We would have our whole OL back intact and we would have a top notch experienced running back. For that scenario we would need the best QB possible and that would be Stevens.
This scenario all fell apart when Bates, McGovern, and Sanders left. Now 2019 is a rebuilding year and our target year for the playoffs is likely 2020 or 2021. Thus, Stevens no longer makes sense as the starter. He would be gone in 2020 and we would have to rebuild at QB. It now makes sense to start an underclassman (Clifford) at QB since he would be experienced in our target year. Thus, I bet CJF told Stevens that he is likely not going to start this year. This prompted Stevens to look elsewhere.
For the past few seasons I thought (and maybe others and the coaches thought) that 2019 was our year. It would be the year that everything would come together and we should have a good shot at the final 4 playoffs. We would have our whole OL back intact and we would have a top notch experienced running back. For that scenario we would need the best QB possible and that would be Stevens.
This scenario all fell apart when Bates, McGovern, and Sanders left. Now 2019 is a rebuilding year and our target year for the playoffs is likely 2020 or 2021. Thus, Stevens no longer makes sense as the starter. He would be gone in 2020 and we would have to rebuild at QB. It now makes sense to start an underclassman (Clifford) at QB since he would be experienced in our target year. Thus, I bet CJF told Stevens that he is likely not going to start this year. This prompted Stevens to look elsewhere.
It’s possible, or it could be that Clifford developed and got better than Stevens.
I want Tommy to stay, but that doesn't look likely, so Levi's would be next man up after Clifford. OSU's situation really isn't any better than us. Fields is new to their system and their back-up Baldwin is inexperienced. Michigan and Nebraska probably have the best starting QBs @ this time.
Yes, that could be the case too. Clifford sure looked good when he played last year and he looked good in the Spring Game this year. However, I bet the departure of Bates, McGovern, and Sanders influenced the decision by some extent.
Yea, my guess is it is a done deal, his father pretty much told us that last week.
I don't see this as selfishness. He has to find his best opportunity, but CJF cannot guarantee a starting position to him when he has barely practiced/played in over 5 months.
I really doubt if the coaches or players are looking past this season. And I doubt if Franklin told TS anything different privately than he said publicly, which is that there would be a true QB competition. That statement is a little different than what he said before spring practice when he basically said that TS was the frontrunner. Apparently that change didn't go over well.
Whatever Stevens was told, he just named Clifford the starter by entering the portal. I guess players at other positions can come back and it not be a big deal, but when a 5th year senior qb isn't all in, how can he expect the teammates he's leading to be all in if he decides to stay? Wish Tommy well but awfully disappointed by it.
I don't know. Other teams lose players as well. We are as well positioned as any other team this season to do well in the Big Ten.
Last season our two weak links (IMO) were RB and QB.
Sanders game vs OSU says basically what I think of his ability in our offense.
Trace was hurt some time in the OSU game... or just never recovered.
We will be better this season.
LdN
What on Earth? Miles Sanders might have been the best running back in the conference last year and is one of the best backs in this draft class. There’s no circumstance in which running back was a weakness last year - unless you’re comparing it to Barkley, which isn’t fair to anyone.
Yeah, but Trace always played better than he really was.
What is soooooo bad about Franklin saying there is "open competition" for the starting QB job?? Franklin did not name Clifford the starter. I could see Stevens being upset if Franklin named Clifford the starter. I would 100% be in Steven's corner and feel bad for him, IF Franklin had done that. But all Franklin did was state what I feel is the obvious, and that there is an open competition for the job..... as it should be.
Look at what Saban did to Jalen Hurts before last year. In 2016 & 2017 Jalen Hurts led Alabama to one National Championship while piling up a ridiculous record as a starting QB. I believe in 2016 & 17 Jalen Hurts was something like 26-1 as the Tide's starting QB. Then Hurts basically had 1 horrible half of football in the championship game vs. Georgia..... Tua came in and had an awesome 2nd half and led Bama from behind for the National Title..... So Saban threw out the 2-years of experience.... threw out the 26-1 record as a starter..... and even though Tua only had one half of experience .... announced an open competition between Tua and Jalen before last year. If 26-1 and a National Title did not anoint you as a starting QB for Nick Saban, then why would a few trick plays and garbage plays and plays as a "Lion" anoint you as a starter for Franklin??
Look at what Saban did to Jalen Hurts before last year. In 2016 & 2017 Jalen Hurts led Alabama to one National Championship while piling up a ridiculous record as a starting QB. I believe in 2016 & 17 Jalen Hurts was something like 26-1 as the Tide's starting QB. Then Hurts basically had 1 horrible half of football in the championship game vs. Georgia..... Tua came in and had an awesome 2nd half and led Bama from behind for the National Title..... So Saban threw out the 2-years of experience.... threw out the 26-1 record as a starter..... and even though Tua only had one half of experience .... announced an open competition between Tua and Jalen before last year. If 26-1 and a National Title did not anoint you as a starting QB for Nick Saban, then why would a few trick plays and garbage plays and plays as a "Lion" anoint you as a starter for Franklin??
Sucks that Tommy is probably gone, but this goes to show the senioritis isn't an issue here. The simple fact JF didn't name TS the starter leads me to believe that Clifford is more than ready and capable which he should be in year 3. TS only has 1 year to get snaps so I see no reason at all for him not to look after himself in this situation. I am totally rooting for him to blow up, but hopefully it will be outside of the B1G.
Keep in mind the portal is similar to college bb where kids throw name into a hat without an agent to sniff the draft and can come back if they want. I cannot imagine there are many programs out there that would bring in TS as a starter at this point. At least any that would have a good chance of going to a bowl and being on TV. I hope the relationship is solid enough that if TS doesn't find what he is looking for that there is a place at Happy V as a backup. It is rare in big time college football for the qb to stay healthy and not miss some playtime throughout 12 games. TS makes PSU better any way you slice it. I for one hope he comes back. But from what I gather the situation has become toxic to the point that TS may be willing to sit out a full year, get 100% healthy and then compete somewhere.
As for SC, I am his #1 fan. I watched him play at St. X (I live in Cincy). Never saw him live but he was on local cable most weeks due to how dominant X is and the conference they play in. I do laugh at those calling him a pocket passer. He ran a ton, especially his senior year. I believe someone posted his numbers above. And he was hurt several different times in his HS career. Some of those games he didn't play or didn't play the entire game. The reason X was able to win those games and state is that they had another qb on their roster who is currently at Wisconsin.
As for SC, I am his #1 fan. I watched him play at St. X (I live in Cincy). Never saw him live but he was on local cable most weeks due to how dominant X is and the conference they play in. I do laugh at those calling him a pocket passer. He ran a ton, especially his senior year. I believe someone posted his numbers above. And he was hurt several different times in his HS career. Some of those games he didn't play or didn't play the entire game. The reason X was able to win those games and state is that they had another qb on their roster who is currently at Wisconsin.
Think also about Kelly Bryant at Clemson. Guy was one of the top QB's in the country and had a ton of success following a QB in an offense suited for his skills. Dabo replaces him with a freshman without his experience or athleticism. It worked out pretty well for Clemson and it took guts.
I see Steven's point here though and I see it from Franklin's perspective. Franklin can say what he wants about the QB competition with Trace and Stevens in years past, but when the chips were down(trace is banged up and ineffective) basically Franklin plays him and says "Trace on 1 leg is >>>>>>>>Stevens." In addition to Franklin's constant pandering about how he has a "man crush" on Trace. Franklin is being disingenuous at minimum saying things like Tommy and Trace were neck and neck or that Stevens was the most vital recruit last year. Then, when Tommy finally gets his chance, he is not named the starter and he has to compete(which is fine and understandable." But, from Stevens perspective, Trace basically needs to be dead in order for Franklin to relieve him with Stevens, Steven's gets hurt and now its an "open competition." I would be really frustrated if I was Stevens too.
That said, this is a vital year for Franklin, can't take a step back and if he thinks Clifford can be every bit as good or better than Stevens, then the time is now to turn the reigns over. Clifford is young and needs to play if Franklin thinks he can get to the CFP with him over the next 3 years. It is a really tough dynamic, but I can see it from both ends. Steven's has seemed indignant in his interviews about a perceived inability to throw or stay healthy. I think it is starting to become a sour mood a little and a change of scenery is probably good for both Steven's and the program. It's hard to rip the band aid off, but better now than allowing this to linger into fall camp. This is how it is now, imagine being Tate Martell at O$U, you sit behind Barret and Haskins then finally get your turn and they take a freshman from another program and anoint him the starter. It's unfortunate, but we better get used to this as we keep recruiting highly ranked QB's.
That's fine. And in this case he should be selfish. He has one more season of eligibility. He should spend that season playing QB, not the Lion position. Good luck to him. My point was that those calling this kid selfish should look in the mirror and realize how selfish they are being by expecting this kid to give up his last opportunity for the sake of the team. It's football, not real life here.
damn good analysis, imo
it's best for both fans and players to realize this, too- it's unwise to get too emotionally invested in any one player if they are only parts in a machine, or for a player to get too invested in a program, either
I think your missing the point. the offense is built for a duel threat QB. A healthy Tommy Stevens was ideal for this offense. Take a look at the two most recent QB recruits, they are both duel threat QB's. IMO, had Tommy been completely healthy, the job would probably be his right now. I can't blame Franklin for going the competition route however, given Tommy's uncertain health status.
