OT-ish: Devery Hamilton to Duke

Submitted by Magnus on February 3rd, 2020 at 10:03 PM

Stanford offensive lineman (and former Michigan commit) Devery Hamilton committed to Duke, where he should be immediately eligible as a grad transfer. Watching film of Hamilton last year, I was not super impressed, so I don't think this is a big miss. But I still thought it was worth mentioning, since I know a lot of people were wondering whether he would end up back at Michigan. 

On a side note, Duke's new offensive line coach is Greg Frey. So a former Michigan commit will be coached by a former Michigan coach. That doesn't mean anything, but it's an odd coincidence.

Teeba

February 3rd, 2020 at 11:27 PM ^

The minimum NFL salary is $480k and the average career is what, 4 years? A Duke grad can easily earn $3-4M over their career. And tax-wise, it’s better to spread out your earnings over several years. These guys who think they have it made because they made the league are the same ones that are broke 5-10 years after they are no longer playing.

ldevon1

February 4th, 2020 at 6:49 AM ^

Doesn't it really depend on the career path one takes? You are just arbitrarily throwing out figures. According to Biz journals the average starting salary for a Duke grad is $53,000 per yr. Mid career is $142,000. And tax-wise, it’s better to spread out your earnings over several years. What are you basing this on? Bad money managers, are bad money managers no matter how they earn their money. 

blue in dc

February 4th, 2020 at 9:51 AM ^

If you have a 40 year career and you are making 142,000 for the last 20, you are making $2.8 million for those years.   $53,000 for the first 20 years is another million, so $3 to $4 million over a career is quite a conservative estimate.

If you make $1 million in year 1 and nothing for the next 9 vs making $100,000 for each of ten years, much more money is taxed at a much higher rate in scenario 1 (presuming you make it in the same form (e.g. salary vs investment income)..

Teeba

February 4th, 2020 at 10:49 AM ^

The only problem with my path to NFL millions is that you have to work 40 years. 
Actually, if you marry well (financially speaking,) invest well and live within your means, one can succeed reasonably well in this country. 
I assume a Duke grad degree bumps up the starting salary a little more. But what’s also important is doing a good job every year. My company gives raises in a 2-4 or 3-5% range. The difference between annual 2% raises and 4% raises is huge. I’ll leave the math for you. 

mgokev

February 4th, 2020 at 12:00 PM ^

In a silo, I would absolutely take $1M today and have the income taxed now at 37% than I would get $100k taxed at 22% per year over 10 years. 

Your initial take home pay would be $630k but if you invest at a 10% ARR, and pay long term capital gains tax of 15% on withdrawals equivalent to your net pay from a $100k/year salary, you come out ahead by $150-200k. 

WestQuad

February 4th, 2020 at 12:41 PM ^

Agree with mgoKev.   Having [$630k] now is a nice nest egg if you invest it.  Getting to the pros even for a couple of years can make a big difference in you financial well-being.  If KJ Costello is going to pass happy Miss St. it might give him a 50/50 chance of playing in the pros and would be worth more than going to [Duke].    Linemen don't need to put up gaudy numbers to go pro.  Hamilton going to Duke is a good move for him.  He's going to have country club connections from Stanford and Duke.  Not a bad thing if the NFL doesn't work out.

Denard In Space

February 3rd, 2020 at 10:35 PM ^

I watched him in particular in their opener against NW this year, was not at all impressed. He looked light and easy to push around mostly on the interior, granted NW had a decent D line. I would rather keep open an opportunity for one of our younger dudes. 

One of those DT's on the other hand...

bronxblue

February 3rd, 2020 at 10:53 PM ^

It's so funny because people lost their mind when Michigan missed on him but it was Alaric Jackson who they should have held onto.

As always, recruiting is tough to predict and OL are even less predictable.

MGoStrength

February 4th, 2020 at 12:11 PM ^

You can still bring him and let him compete and then if he's not better let him provide depth.  One is a transfer issue, the other is a coaching issue.  I can't comment on how he should be used because we don't know if he's better or worse than what we have.

Farnn

February 4th, 2020 at 12:05 PM ^

I recall he started early in his career and people were upset Michigan didn't land him.  Did he just not develop much over his career?