Gerald Willis note

Dec 5, 2017

Quick update here because I've seen some people ask about Willis' status for next season. After asking around over the past two days, there is a ton of confidence in where he is at right now. Obviously Willis has had an up-and-down Miami career, but people within the program are very encouraged with the steps he took this season on-and-off the field, while he was still able to practice and workout with the team.

The expectation right now within the team is that at least one, if not both starting DTs in Norton and McIntosh, are leaning towards turning pro -- this would make Willis' return of the utmost importance. As we are in the midst of recruiting season, just remember that Coach Kuligowski's most important addition this offseason is arguably Willis.

UPDATE: After seeing this post, Willis' attorney Jason Setchen reached out to me to say, "Gerald is 100 percent committed to the University of Miami and Coach Richt and he is excited about playing football next year at UM."

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AK_Cane

Dec 5, 2017

Peter Ariz said:
jnf2257 said:

Man if both RJ and Kendrick leave our DT’s will be Willis, Bethel, Nesta and whatever other recruits we bring in? Good but not great.

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Jon Ford

Still not enough quality depth

Peter Ariz

Dec 5, 2017

Just updated OP with further reason to believe that Willis has everything in order to play next season.

C
canesbaby

Dec 5, 2017

Peter Ariz said:
Just updated OP with further reason to believe that Willis has everything in order to play next season.

Wow. I would love to know what went down in August. Seems like some seriously strange stuff happened. For our sake, I'm glad Gerald made the mature decision to fight through it and return.

AK_Cane

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
brock said:

rokulika said:

A top 4 of Willis, Ford, Silvera, Bethel isn't good enough. Need to inject one more war daddy into that mix.

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Says who? We have the best dline coach in the country and im sure he’s working with more talent he’s ever had..

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Still, losing Thomas, Harris, Molten, Norton, McIntosh is a lot to overcome.

My point is that DL recruiting should be on full blast right now.

I'm on board with Roku, check all the top teams they have a lot of upperclassmen who stay so they are strong in the trenches. Losing as much experience we are this year is going to hurt big time for those who don't think so you will see next year

J
Jassid82

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
Even the players who do get drafted high aren't always ready.

Demarcus Walker has three tackles this season in Denver.

Carlos Watkins has 10 tackles in Houston.

Jonathan Allen has 10 tackles for the Redskins.

Defensive line is about refined technique. These guys need to come back.

Some **** good data here. And Jonathan Allen was considered "All World" coming out of Bama.

Dec 5, 2017

uhh..why does he need an attorney?

C
canesbaby

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
uhh..why does he need an attorney?

wondering the same.

Peter Ariz

Dec 5, 2017

rokulika said:
uhh..why does he need an attorney?

From my understanding, his issue had to do being academically ineligible. His attorney specializes in NCAA eligibility matters -- same guy represented Jermaine Grace last year.

BigDikCane

Dec 5, 2017

Pete just come ask Sota when you need updates on my stepson

calinative umstudent

Dec 5, 2017

Yall based on current draft standings, I'd say if they declared RJ McIntosh would be like a 3rd-5th round pick. Norton would probably be like a 6th or 7th.

Wouldn't be too bad of a decision for McIntosh to leave early, but it would be for Norton. And luckily for us thats the scenario we would want to happen if we had to lose one of them. We got a lot of guys that can play that 3tech role, but the 1tech we are limited on.

M
mavericksouth

Dec 5, 2017

I can understand McIntosh going but everyone else (JJ and Norton) should return, Don't follow morons like Kaaya who believe their own BS.

Ammok

Dec 5, 2017

Peter Ariz said:
From my understanding, his issue had to do being academically ineligible. His attorney specializes in NCAA eligibility matters -- same guy represented Jermaine Grace last year.

Butch Davis knows some good tutors that could help him academically

406Cane

Dec 5, 2017

Big Sky Cane said:
406Cane said:

Willis has a ton of potential...hope he can keep it together until he graduates.

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Montana boy?

You bet. Eastern MT.

H
hotshot

Dec 5, 2017

Jassid82 said:
rokulika said:

Even the players who do get drafted high aren't always ready.

Demarcus Walker has three tackles this season in Denver.

Carlos Watkins has 10 tackles in Houston.

Jonathan Allen has 10 tackles for the Redskins.

Defensive line is about refined technique. These guys need to come back.

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Some **** good data here. And Jonathan Allen was considered "All World" coming out of Bama.

How many dollars does Jonathan Allen have?That's what they look at.

pcitycane

Dec 5, 2017

RJ should go. Norton should stay imo.

4
4th-and-14

Dec 5, 2017

Peter Ariz said:
rokulika said:

uhh..why does he need an attorney?

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From my understanding, his issue had to do being academically ineligible. His attorney specializes in NCAA eligibility matters -- same guy represented Jermaine Grace last year.

This. He also rep'd DeQuan Jones and got him back on the court. The Atty is a former football player (walk-on) at UM.

dudenate

Dec 5, 2017

pcitycane said:
RJ should go. Norton should stay imo.

I niavley think this is how it should and will play out. (Niavley because we write similar things about similar players every single year and we all know their decisions)

KrazyCane

Dec 5, 2017

PanteraCanes said:
KrazyCane said:

grover said:

CaneandAbel said:

Alot of DT's go off the board in the first 4 rounds. I could see why our guys may consider leaving early. Unless coming back gets them picked in the first round, the money difference isn't all that different from rounds 2-4 . In the last 2 drafts 30 DTs were picked in the first 4 rounds.

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I don't have the time to do the analysis. But I'd really be interested in seeing the odds of a DT making a roster by round, especially the later rounds where Norton will most likely wind up. And secondarily, I'd like to see the odds of them getting a second contract.

Everyone talks about how the money is similar after the first 2 rounds. But I'll bet that the probability of earning that money is massively different, especially after round 4, since very little is guaranteed beyond round 4 (~750K in 3, 500K in 4, <200K in 5 and <100K in 6 and 7). Other than those guarantees, athletes are essentially living paycheck to paycheck, and can be released at any time. But teams don't want to release an athlete if they drafted them and gave them guaranteed money in those first 3-4 rounds..

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This post makes zero sense. A rookie DT makes the team and balls he's getting paid the end. If a player isn't a 1st round talent now but a 4th rounder with potential do you think teams care?? Players will improve faster in an NFL program than in college.

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Depends on the college and the pro program. Also players get replaces faster in the NFL than in college.

I don't think people ever learn. I am guessing the same people were pushing for Yearby and Kaya to leave early last year so they can get to their second contract sooner as well. Now both are hosed. It is like some people just see the rainbows and puppies but forget things that only happened a few months ago.

Kendrick Norton aint Kaaya or Yearby... talent level far superior compared to their respective positions. Norton aint falling further than the 3rd round if he left this year.

Olivier Vernon left a year early, couldve used another year to be a 1st round lock, went 3rd round instead... playing like a 1st rounder now and getting paid like one.

I want Norton to stay bc he would be a beast for us next year but he's more than ready to compete with the field of NFL DTs after this season if he decided to go pro.

BigDikCane

Dec 5, 2017

Both should stay but RJ could at least consider...

F
fresssh

Dec 5, 2017

BigDikCane said:
Both should stay but RJ could at least consider...

Exactly. RJ definitely had a great year, but he should stay and become a dominating force. Willis imo can have even more production, but it sure would be nice to have that depth

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Gerald Willis note

Gerald Willis note

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