Vlad Hypothesis

hadn't thought of that possibility. 

It beats the Gibson is a bad coach theory several threads down. But I feel like that is something RRod would sit down and explain to Vlad rather than be like "oh hey, you can go now".

It's still really disappointing news, though.  But, I don't disagree.

makes me think it's also possible that Vlad was informed that Vinopal was going to be second string now.

Theories on the Kennedy assasination make more sense.  I'm to believe he was told he's not going to South Bend, and he said, "OK, I'm out"?  First off, I was just there a couple of weeks ago on my way to Chicago---the lucky charms guy and cheerleaders were out in force.  It's not that big a deal.  Second, he decided that quickly?  I can't order dinner off a menu that rapidly.  Geeze.

To be fair, just because it's a nutty hypothesis doesn't make it wrong.

Travel squads typically aren't announced/divulged until Thursday (after the conclusion of the"hard practices").  It's impossible to determine who travels until you know who's AVAILABLE to travel.

Since today is the day of absurd conjecture, why not speculate that HaHa silently committed to UM and word spread amongst the players, scared the shit out of Vlad knowing he'd never ever play, and he peaced. HaHa.

It seems obvious to me that this move was prompted by the fact that Vlad realized the coaches had zero intention of ever letting him see meaningful minutes on the field this season (as evidenced by depth charts that put Van Slyke and now possibly one or two true freshmen ahead of him).  The travel squad decision (especially after Van Slyke went down with an injury that seemingly opened the door for Vlad) may have just brought the whole thing to a head and convinced Vlad he should look elsewhere.

Not sure, could be true.  But I am worried about the number of transfers. I mean, all programs have guys that are not starting but the coaches find ways to keep them in the school.  It is insane that so many players that are one injury away from starting are leaving the program. 

Maybe its a matter that RR thinks that guys who consider transfering are nto buying in, but that needs to change.  They are kids, they often feel down and act on impulse.  how many times were players planning to transfer under Carr and yet most were convinced to stay (and worked out for them).  I just dont like the constant transfers, it is hard to build consistency and depth with that.

RR throws so many OR's on the depth chart that most starters don't know until Friday.  I doubt he would have the travel squad picked out on Tuesday (likely the way the news broke) and not give people a chance to earn their way onto the travel squad Wednesday, Thursday, and maybe Friday.

I think Vlad's knee simply did not heal properly and he lost a step. I think he just got passed on the depth chart by some of the freshmen, and RR must have told him this. Timing of the transfer seems odd, but he can play next year if he transfers to a school on the quarter system that hasn't started school yet (hence Oregon and UCLA) being destinations. Not sure what happens if he transfers somewhere school already started.

Whether officially announced or not, Vlad likely knew his travel options based on the depth chart.  If he knew he was behind Vinopal, then he'd know he wasn't traveling?

So why would that matter?  It would be disappointing, yes.  But, is there something magical about the Notre Dame travel squad?

Maybe there is, IF NCAA rules allowed Vlad to transfer someplace now and have this year count as his sit-out transfer year.  Given that schools are in various states of starting, he can probably still enroll someplace in the very near future, but that is an option that is quickly disappearing.  That would certainly make this travel team - something which would tell him it was a lost year, anyway - more important.

But, I don't knwo about that IF, but I'm guessing some of you here do.  Can someone transfer after playing in the first game and still have that year count as his mandatory "sit" year?

Thinking of it from a need at Free Safety the OP makes sense, but he played a lot of special teams (kickoff team) last weekend.  I imagine he'd make the travel squad for that reason

They've known the traveling squad for a while now...So your theory could be right. I know a few players on the team and they were talking about the traveling squad last week before the conn. game even. WIth that said, its always open to change, but they still had a good idea of what it was.

What do you do with someone who is given a tremendous opportunity but doesn't take advantage of it? If you are an employer do you reward the person for longevity but mediocrity or do you reward the person who may have less talent initially but worked their ass off to become better than the others?

I will miss Vlad because I loved his name. In his career at Michigan he never reached his potential and that is the biggest reason he won't be with us any more. These guys are just kids who are making life changing decisions. It can't be easy. I wish him luck wherever he lands.

Whatever it was that made him decide to leave the program I wish him the best.  He always had a positive attitude and always gave it his all.  He kept his mouth shut and kept on working hard.  Hopefully we are able to fill the void and get some recruits in this coming class that can make this situation null and void.