Do you think Dudek should get Pitt offer?

[mehinpgh]

The PG wrote an article on the kid and gave info about his speed, production, and great grades. He plays DB also, which is an area of need...Pitt could always use a fast smart kid on the roster.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...llege-scholarship-offers/stories/201610210047

Do you think Dudek should get Pitt offer?

 

[PhPanther1]

No. If we are going to get to where we want to get, we need better than Dudek. We need to recruit for something bigger than good kids who try hard.
If we were still coached by Dudek....then ya, go for Dudek.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Uh....yea. The kid is one of the best RBs in WPIAL history and is a sprint champion. If he cant crack the 2 deep at RB, you cant tell me he cant play Strong Safety, LB, or FB.

 

[Las Panteras]

Uh....yea. The kid is one of the best RBs in WPIAL history and is a sprint champion. If he cant crack the 2 deep at RB, you cant tell me he cant play Strong Safety, LB, or FB.

the kid is another Mike Vernillo. Whats that?? you dont recall the name??

He is very similar to Dudek in that he puts up big numbers but it doesnt translate to the P5 level

Vernillo went to WVU....and did nothing

Pass

 

[eastcoasthoops]

the kid is another Mike Vernillo. Whats that?? you dont recall the name??

He is very similar to Dudek in that he puts up big numbers but it doesnt translate to the P5 level

Vernillo went to WVU....and did nothing

Pass

Yeah but, didn't Vernillo go to a small school like Ft. Cherry or something? This kid is producing against much bigger competition. Why he and the Zandier kid from TJ don't have offers is beyond me.

 

[Piranha]

the kid is another Mike Vernillo. Whats that?? you dont recall the name??

He is very similar to Dudek in that he puts up big numbers but it doesnt translate to the P5 level

Vernillo went to WVU....and did nothing

Pass

Vernillo played at Fort Cherry against scrubs. Dudek is putting up these numbers against schools that are 5A. Vernillo's 40 time and athletic ability was not as good as Dudek either.

 

[pittbb80]

the kid is another Mike Vernillo. Whats that?? you dont recall the name??

He is very similar to Dudek in that he puts up big numbers but it doesnt translate to the P5 level

Vernillo went to WVU....and did nothing

Pass

What about him doesn't translate to the D1 level.

Speed ? He's faster or as fast as wade

Size. He's as big or. Offer than wade

Level of competition? He's playing in a level much higher than wade.

Productivity? Well you get it

Look I'm not saying he's better than wade but there is nothing about the kid that doesn't translate to P5 football

The fact that he doesn't have an offer is puzzling

 

[Gregory25]

I would think so. Scratching my head after reading the PG article. His production certainly against good competition makes me think he's D1 worthy.

Only thing I could come up with is the possibility that his size measurements are greatly exaggerated? That happens often.

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

The fact that he doesn't have an offer is puzzling

The biggest problem for him is the way recruiting works these days. No, I don't mean what a lot of you are thinking and many of you have said. What I mean is, unfortunately he came basically out of nowhere and wasn't on anybody's radar unitl this year, and most of the majors already have their share of commitments at the positions he can play. Unless somebody is willing to pull a scholarship (and risk the ill will for future recruiting that may engender), this kid may be SOL.

 

[CentPaPittFan]

Seems like he could fit in somewhere even if its not at running back. Kind of like some other overlooked high school running back fits in now...like maybe George Aston.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

the kid is another Mike Vernillo. Whats that?? you dont recall the name??

He is very similar to Dudek in that he puts up big numbers but it doesnt translate to the P5 level

Vernillo went to WVU....and did nothing

Pass

Vernillo is not in the same stratosphere and he went D1 (WVU then transferred). He played not just 1A but in a bad Washington/Greene county league. If we compare the eras, Dudek is in a high 3A/low 4A league. And as I said a lot, Dudek is blazing fast, the WPIAL 100m champ. Speed was the knock on Vernillo

 

[PhPanther1]

Why hasn't he been at camps for the past 2 years? It's very hard to get noticed based off of 1 year's production on the field...no matter how good the numbers are.

 

[Jakey_John]

Ben Dinnuchi got an offer last minute and we see how that worked out. Perhaps that's influencing this staff's decision.

 

[widesideend]

With the results that this young man has and he has no p5 offers makes me wonder if their is another problem. Is it character questions, or some other personal problems that is causing recruiters to shy away? The numbers this kid is putting up every week is amazing. His size, speed, academics and performance are not the problem. There is obviously something we don't know.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

With the results that this young man has and he has no p5 offers makes me wonder if their is another problem. Is it character questions, or some other personal problems that is causing recruiters to shy away? The numbers this kid is putting up every week is amazing. His size, speed, academics and performance are not the problem. There is obviously something we don't know.

Yeah, Ivy League and the Naval Academy recruit kids with questionable character.

I can just see this kid gashing teams on fullback dives in Navy's flexbone for four straight years.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

Should I mention the elephant in the room about why maybe he is not getting a ton of offers? It is real whether you want to mention it or not

 

[PhPanther1]

Should I mention the elephant in the room about why maybe he is not getting a ton of offers? It is real whether you want to mention it or not

It's already confirmed in the article by Cherpak.

 

[rpost3]

There's white kids of his size on many rosters. Taglianetti did well here. So did the safety transfer from Michigan. I think that notion is all but dead. I just Googled this Dudek and it's crazy he has no offers. No idea why now that he's dominating a high classification. He'd be deadly on these sweeps Pitt's been running.

 

[Punxsy bill]

Drove from punxsutawney to watch the game against penn trafford, the kid is for real. He plays with desire and heart something pitt needs.

 

[PhPanther1]

There's white kids of his size on many rosters. Taglianetti did well here. So did the safety transfer from Michigan. I think that notion is all but dead. I just Googled this Dudek and it's crazy he has no offers. No idea why now that he's dominating a high classification. He'd be deadly on these sweeps Pitt's been running.

said Cherpak. “But I can tell you that there have been times that a college coach has called me over the years to ask about a player and one of the questions they ask is, ‘What color is he?’ So what does that tell you?

 

[BuffetParrothead]

The biggest problem for him is the way recruiting works these days. No, I don't mean what a lot of you are thinking and many of you have said. What I mean is, unfortunately he came basically out of nowhere and wasn't on anybody's radar unitl this year, and most of the majors already have their share of commitments at the positions he can play. Unless somebody is willing to pull a scholarship (and risk the ill will for future recruiting that may engender), this kid may be SOL.

Some kids are late developers and " smart " football programs will have a radar screen for players like that! PITT definitely should since there are a lot of these players around you just have to find them. This one is falling in their lap and seems to be a slam dunk.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

said Cherpak. “But I can tell you that there have been times that a college coach has called me over the years to ask about a player and one of the questions they ask is, ‘What color is he?’ So what does that tell you?

It tells you football coaches are not bright .

 

[TempleBAPittMPA]

‘What color is he?’

Whatever color jersey you can put on him.

 

[joeydavid]

The next really intelligent one you meet will be the first really intelligent one....

It tells you football coaches are not bright .

 

[Swervin27]

He is a rb, so we need a second rb in this class?

 

[passedout]

I have not see him play personally yet, but if you can "run" and got a body that can add weight, then he'll get an offer. Straight away speed isn't as important as some think, quicker is better. Sounds like there are several reasons why he hasn't gotten power5 offers. If you want to say it's because he's white, go ahead - I don't think that's the biggest issue however. What might be a bigger issue is that he's not from a school that produces a ton of D1 talent. If he played for USC or West Allegheny, he'd have multiple offers. I think he does get an offer or two before all is said and done.

 

[OriginalEther]

No idea on how good he is, but I'll ask this....

If Pitt coach Paul Chryst offered him today, with his current offer list, would we be praising Chryst, or saying Chryst is reaching (again)?

 

[TheOldDirtyPanther]

Yes, he is going to give all on the field, off the field and in the classroom. Don't give me that Vernillo crap, this dude ran up, down, sideways, and upways against McKeesport. If we are talking competition, Ibrahim played way worse in high school!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Should I mention the elephant in the room about why maybe he is not getting a ton of offers? It is real whether you want to mention it or not

But why couldn't he play SS or LB? Plenty of white guys play those positions.

BTW, he was on an unofficial visit to Penn State yesterday. I don't know if they offered but they are at least somewhat interested.

 

[Spindler]

Not knowing what Pitt's situation on loi day will be with available scholarships, and the need for heads up smart players who can play both offense or defense, Dudek should be offered a greyshirt. If you have a scholarship available on loi day give it to him.

 

[thebadby2]

There's white kids of his size on many rosters. Taglianetti did well here. So did the safety transfer from Michigan. I think that notion is all but dead. I just Googled this Dudek and it's crazy he has no offers. No idea why now that he's dominating a high classification. He'd be deadly on these sweeps Pitt's been running.

Not at tailback there isn't.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Not at tailback there isn't.

Again, can Dudek play no other position but TB?

I mean as a rule of thumb, if a sprint champion plays any football at all, he gets a D1 scholarship just based on nothing more than potential. Dudek just isnt a sprinter who is some role player, he is maybe the most dominating RB in PA history. So, if he cant play RB in the ACC can he be a better Safety than Terrish Webb or Reggie Mitchell? A better LB than Mike Caprara or Shane Murray?

 

[damase2331]

Watched his huddl video and I'm assuming it's the best of his highlights and dude is clearly a better athlete than I or most of us ever were, and I was pretty athletic.

With that said he looks fast but not 2nd gear type of d1 explosiveness fast and more importantly looks like a lack of the lateral quickness you would expect to see.

However if a ship is available take a shot, as stated above maybe he is a late bloomer and takes off after d1 style training /nutrition.

Comparisons to Switzer I just don't see. Dudeks hips look very tight. However, never saw in person but highlight tape I was expecting something more. The way some talk I was expecting to see Paris ford explosiveness, speed, hips and explosion in quick twitch muscle bursts. Didn't see that, imo.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Watched his huddl video and I'm assuming it's the best of his highlights and dude is clearly a better athlete than I or most of us ever were, and I was pretty athletic.

With that said he looks fast but not 2nd gear type of d1 explosiveness fast and more importantly looks like a lack of the lateral quickness you would expect to see.

However if a ship is available take a shot, as stated above maybe he is a late bloomer and takes off after d1 style training /nutrition.

Comparisons to Switzer I just don't see. Dudeks hips look very tight. However, never saw in person but highlight tape I was expecting something more. The way some talk I was expecting to see Paris ford explosiveness, speed, hips and explosion in quick twitch muscle bursts. Didn't see that, imo.

I admit that his highlight video wasn't super impressive but given his 100m time and his football savvy (need some savvy to do what he does), I dont see how he couldn't possibly be a starter at LB or Safety. Or even bulk up and play the George Aston role. Someone has to.

 

[thebadby2]

But why couldn't he play SS or LB? Plenty of white guys play those positions.

BTW, he was on an unofficial visit to Penn State yesterday. I don't know if they offered but they are at least somewhat interested.

Maybe he insists on playing tailback. If he knows he's good enough, why should he agree to move to defense just to go to a bigger program?

One of my best friends, who was a college teammate of mine, was probably the fastest white kid I've ever seen in person. He put up huge numbers at TB in the Detroit Catholic league which is very strong HS football, and was state runner up in the 100 and 200. He had been timed at a low 4.4 in the 40. He was recruited by all the B10 schools, as well as a number of SEC schools like Tennessee and Florida. This was the late 80s mind you when those programs were the cream of the crop. The big boys all wanted him as a safety. He wanted to run the ball. He ended up at a strong MAC program that gave him that opportunity and had a tremendous first 2 years before a series of severe injuries and surgeries derailed his career. He still ended up playing 8 years as a lead RB in the CFL.

Point is, he was hell bent on playing TB, was offended that the big programs stereotyped him and wouldn't give him that shot (he didn't even play defense in H.S.), so he went mid-major. There are stories like his every year.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Maybe he insists on playing tailback. If he knows he's good enough, why should he agree to move to defense just to go to a bigger program?

One of my best friends, who was a college teammate of mine, was probably the fastest white kid I've ever seen in person. He put up huge numbers at TB in the Detroit Catholic league which is very strong HS football, and was state runner up in the 100 and 200. He had been timed at a low 4.4 in the 40. He was recruited by all the B10 schools, as well as a number of SEC schools like Tennessee and Florida. This was the late 80s mind you when those programs were the cream of the crop. The big boys all wanted him as a safety. He wanted to run the ball. He ended up at a strong MAC program that gave him that opportunity and had a tremendous first 2 years before a series of severe injuries and surgeries derailed his career. He still ended up playing 8 years as a lead RB in the CFL.

Point is, he was hell bent on playing TB, was offended that the big programs stereotyped him and wouldn't give him that shot (he didn't even play defense in H.S.), so he went mid-major. There are stories like his every year.

That could very well be. The kid's thinking may be: "I could play TB in the Ivy League or Safety at a P5 because they won't give me a fair shot at RB." And he chooses TB in the Ivy League. Maybe his refusal to be open to defense is the reason he has no offers because I'm sorry but with his numbers and speed, there is a scholarship for him SOMEWHERE in D1. He may be open and honest, telling these D1 programs, its TB or he's going to the Ivy League.