Helmholdt re: Pike: "it appears the Wolvernes won't land him"
We'll all find out this afternoon, but wanted to pass on that Josh Helmoldt of Rivals wrote an article in the Freep this morning with that statement, also implying that Auburn was the choice, FWIW. He also discussed other QB prospects we are targeting here:
http://www.freep.com/article/20110420/SPORTS06/110419076/Recruiting-U-M…
Another one to Auburn? Alabama or Florida I could understand, but Auburn? I know that they just won the MNC and got the glory, etc. but don't any of these kids see that some sanctions might be headed their way? Does everybody forget about the federal investigation and the casinos with cash cards? It is not so much that he did not pick us, as that he goes with a school like that. They are crooked, and may very likely face serious sanctions. Who is advising these kids?
April 20th, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^
What ever happened with that federal investigation, by the way? I read the thread on Tiger Droppings like 4 or 5 months ago, and it said that everything was going to come out in the press within a week. I looked back and it was posted in mid-November, and here we are in mid-April and I've heard nothing else about it besides the same original rumors on message boards and blogs.
It's not so much about losing Pike, but I want to see the NCAA burn a program at the stake, so I kinda hope the accusations in that thread are true and the NCAA has the werewithal to actually do something.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
But those kind of investigations can take a long time. I am hoping that the feds are just locking their case down and the hammer is set to drop any minute now (preferable before 2:00 today).
April 20th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
"Who is advising these kids?" I'm guessing it's "hostesses" and well-heeled Auburn boosters. "Southern hospitality" can be very persuasive.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:58 AM ^
You stole the comment right off of my keyboard. It is April - 10 months until National Signing Day. If Michigan starts to show a turn-around, or if Karma exists and Auburn gets even 1/2 of the NCAA lashing that it deserves, his decision could change.
Just found out Pike's middle name is "War Eagle" Think how much emotional investment I could have saved had I only known earlier.
Can't believe one of the top QBs in the nation, from Kentucky no less, doesnt want to commit to a Michigan team that went 7-6 last year. A team with a new coach. A team with more than one good to solid QB prospect on the roster. A team that was terrible on Defense and had underperforming running backs. Wow.
Does he not know our tradition?
Sarcasim aside... We gotta win some games this fall. We might land some great Defensive recruits because of our new D Cord. But we didn't exactly get John Gruden as a QB coach...
I can't beleive it either. That is THE perfect recipe for SUCCESS! Plus Hoke was going to touch him a lot.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
Did you get a chance to see the Sportscenter deal he did with Cam Newton? The former Auburn QB looked spacey and lost when Gruden went into some play-calling lingo. Didn't have a clue. Couldn't name one check-down audible from his offense.
It would give me pause were I headed to the next level.
EDIT: a little late, but still harumph'ing. From the link posted below -
"That said, Gruden proved in roughly one minute of interrogation (SportsByBrooks has the segment posted if you want to see and hear it) that Newton comes to the NFL with zero knowledge or experience regarding the way that offensive plays are constructed and called."
April 20th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^
I watched that episode and thought Cam came across as a bit of a psycho and displayed absolutely no accumen to be a solid NFL QB. He didn't understand half of what Gruden said, just kept talking about "haterz" and how he had bullets in his mental chambers for them, and how he was just a playmaker. I rarely wish ill will toward college athletes, but I cannot wait to see Cam crash and burn in the NFL after one too many ill-advised scrambles leave him laid out by some huge LB.
April 20th, 2011 at 11:39 AM ^
may be a little "get off my lawn" of me, but I wouldn't draft Newton based on that comment alone.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^
It's spelled sarcasm. If you're going to be an ass, at least be correct in your spelling.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
Obviously you have never played a sport in your life. So 1 year of gus mahlzon " not sure of the spelling" at auburn and now hes on par with gruden? Your right auburn and the use of cam newton was really earth shattering stuff. Give him the ball and let him run around and make plays. I dont follow your logic on that point at all.
Zeke.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^
Relax, we got not one but TWO guys named Kaleb/Caleb. I think we're solid for old-timey-
Amish sounding named players in this class.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^
Its strange to think that recruitniks that actually know Pike aren't able to guess which school he will choose. I find it hard to believe that there are many people out there that come down to deciding between Michigan and Auburn. The schools are almost entirely different. In fact, what do they even have in common other than the fact that both schools have BCS football programs?? Is he deciding between football vs. academics? (Not that Michigan is a bad football school, but clearly Auburn's football program is tops right now and Michigan's academics are clos to tops.) Very strange that these would be his top 2 choices.
April 20th, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^
I think high level QB recruits tend to choose based on NFL prospects, QB depth charts, and relationships with coaches. He probably has a good relationship with both sets of coaches.
For some kids, football is the primary motivator and things like location and academics aren't that important.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
He didn't think it would be Michigan today. He didn't want to say where he was going but that Zeke had a change of heart the last couple of weeks.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
That guy on the deleted thread last night Raback'd him to Michgan!!
Side Note - PSU doesn't look like a juggernaut in their Spring game either -- on BTN now
April 20th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^
It's the only spring game I've seen with less fans than Michigan's. The weather was TERRIBLE.
April 20th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^
April 20th, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
He's going blue, BKFinest it.
April 20th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^
Will he still have some retroactive eligiblity in a couple of years when Auburn's seasons are wiped out due to NCAA violations? Then, he'd be 23-24 and we could totally pull a Weinke!
/s
Wish the kid the best wherever he winds up. There are other prospects out there, and frankly I wouldn't blame a kid for looking at both Denard and Devin and figuring playing time might be hard to come by.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:12 PM ^
Giggity
I don't think Zeke's parents are in need of any financial assistance so I'd be shocked if he does indeed choose Auburn.They will facing sanctions eventually, and if he cares at all about education then this makes no sense.Mark Pike has to know the track record of Michigan QB's. They seem too smart to choose Auburn, but I guess we'll see.
April 20th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
sorry to say this but if we haven't had an update from TomVH about him either yesterday or today, the chances that Pike chooses us are about 1%
April 20th, 2011 at 12:12 PM ^
This makes no sense. If he decided where he was going, and told Tom his top three, why would Tom have another update, exactly?
He spoke to Zeke the last time that Zeke gave out any information before his presser today.
April 20th, 2011 at 11:27 AM ^
will he still deliver us our mega class?
April 20th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
May be Pike is throwing a curve ball to the press. He may go Blue! If not, best of luck to him where ever he plays. I'm sure we can still find a QB out there for depth purposes, may be even a starter, and then go after Morris next year. Hopefully, we'll have a good record and a bowl win coming into the 2012 recruiting season!
April 20th, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^
Doesn't Captain Pike end up encased in a black plastic scooter with a flashing yes/no light anyway?
April 20th, 2011 at 12:11 PM ^
For the extremely arcane Star Trek reference.
April 20th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
If Zeke wants to go elsewhere, it's his decision to respect. Not going to lose any sleep over the kid's decision. In recruiting, you win & lose battles all the time.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^
a healthy perspective like that has no place among us recruiting addicts. Please retract.
(yes, that was sarcasm)
April 20th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^
do you guys not remember deanthony arnett? everyone in press clearly had him going for msu, but guess what, he picked the vols. people should stop jumping to conclusions, do their work and just wait until 2:30. its pointless to sit and argue about where he is going to go when he himself will anounce in less than 3 hours...
April 20th, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^
That's not true. A lot of people had Arnett going to the Vols for a while before his announcement. Sparty supporters were just refusing to believe the writing on the wall, as they thought they had him locked up long before his announcement.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
This is true. It was well understood that he was a Vol lean. In that sense, aside from the 11th hour theatrics, his recruitment ended just as predicted.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
April 20th, 2011 at 12:29 PM ^
Would you think this if the order of visits were reversed? If he liked Auburn 2 weeks ago then visited us and committed to us, would it be because of money?
If he chooses Auburn, then it's because he really liked Auburn. End of story.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:36 PM ^
Did you see the HBO Real Sports starring Auburn? It is likely not the case here but you definitely can't rule it out. They did buy their last QB, that much isn't even disputed.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
Just don't like the implication that a kid who was high on us and could still commit to us is taking money. Insulting to him. Not to mention who is dad is, and the family he comes from, which from what I've heard is hardly in need of a handout.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
I see your point, and I agree. There has to be some modicum of latitude in this case, though. Auburn has earned themselves a few dirty looks, because they have now created a "It's ok to bribe players parents" precedent. It's unfortunate that some of that animus would rub off on potentially unoffending players, but if you sign up with a program currently viewed with so much...suspicion, I think that has to be filed under forseeable circumstances. Especially after such a whirlwind romance, as it were.
Again, there is no claim here! It's just natural that, right or wrong, you get judged by the company you keep. "Lay down with dogs..." and all.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^
I agree completely but the stigma will exist anytime a recruit commits to Auburn, just because of their past evil doings. If Pike picks Auburn, it's because it was a better fit for him, no more and no less.
I am not Sam Webb but I have a gut feeling he ends up blue.
that it would not be "for no more and no less". It would be because of "more" though. I'm not saying he (or sorry, his Dad) accepted "more", but everyone and their brother and his uncle will surely think so -- and Auburn definitely has that coming to them.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
April 20th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^
we will get Maty Mauk i mean i want Pike because he is an elite QB but if we cant get him then we should go really hard for Gunner Keil.
How about he liked Michigan so much that after visiting the SEC pay for play schools that he is sure he wants to pick Michigan now. I don't see him taking bribes he seems too religious for that. Maybe I'm wrong, but you at least have to give the benefit of doubt to the kid. T-minus 1:30 and counting. Michigan is either going to get him or their not... Just saying he's not going to Auburn for the money if he goes there.
TomVH's silence is deafening. He ain't coming.
If anyone's looking for updates, this guy is at Pike's school for the announcement. Warning in advance: guy writes for Auburn's Rivals site.