K-Rock Da Bull

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JULY 25, 2012

Point-counterpoint: Are the UCF Knights invading the USF Bulls' recruiting turf?

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My esteemed colleague, John C. Cotey, disagreed with some of the assertions I made in this story in today's paper about whether UCF recruiting is gaining on USF in Tampa Bay. So we hashed it out below. What do you think? Is UCF invading this area? Or is it much ado about not much? And where does the recruiting battle go from here?

COTEY: Well, Matt, the good news: no hate mail yet. I know USF fans tend to be a little sensitive on the subject of this “war†with UCF, but I wouldn’t be too worried if I were the Bulls. Not yet, anyway. I’m with them on this: I think the UCF thing is a little overhyped at this point.

BAKER: So if you’re a Bulls fan/coach, you’re not worried? Even though UCF has gained its first two USF targets from Tampa Bay in a decade? And that the Knights are a finalist for one of the area’s top players? And that they have a new assistant - a well-regarded recruiter - who happens to have ties here? And that if the current rankings hold true, UCF’s class will be ranked higher than USF’s for the third time in the last four seasons?

COTEY: Guess it depends on how much stock you put in rankings and stars. I put more stock in Top 10. But when you get to being No. 60 or 61, not so much.

BAKER: Good point. Rivals’ Chris Nee said UCF has a deeper class right now, but USF has more talent at the top - starting with Winter Park QB Asiantii Woulard. When I started researching this story last week, UCF had the No. 48 class, and USF was around 62. Yesterday, the Knights were 60, and USF was 61. For whatever that’s worth.

COTEY: Hmmm. See you conveniently left out that fact. Listen, my point of view is this: I don’t think Richard Benjamin or Pete DiNovo tip the scales. I really don’t. Both super players, but I think USF fans will take Woulard at QB all day long. Now, factor in Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, who may commit on Friday, and Bailey, and boom! Right now though? I’m holding off buying any UCF gear.

BAKER: Don’t blame you. Gold isn’t your color, anyway. You’re more of a chartreuse guy. But we agree there. USF would rather have Woulard and WR D’Vario Montgomery (four-star recruit from Orlando last year) than DiNovo and Benjamin. The issue is whether DiNovo and Benjamin start a trend. Quarterbacks are your best recruiters, and DiNovo is well-connected. What if he gets the Griffins or Alvin Bailey to follow? Or WR Artavis Scott, a top 2014 prospect?

COTEY: If they get Scott, I will be attending graduate school at UCF and gold will be my color. (I jest....kind of....maybe not...). But UCF may have the better facilities at this point, and will be in the same conference, and are one head coaching change from truly scaring me. However, the prettiest girls? At USF, where I met my wife. (Now excuse me while I forward her the link to this passage.)

BAKER: Aww, how sweet. Anyway, the conference is a key point. That was an advantage the Bulls had over UCF - a BCS conference with nationally televised games, even if they’re on weirdo nights. Now that’s a wash. So here’s my question, Cotey: Where does this go from here? Does UCF remain a part-time player in Tampa Bay? Or are the Knights invading for good?

COTEY: I think UCF continues to hit the area hard, and I think the team’s success this fall and the next (its first the Big East) ON THE FIELD decides this fight for now. Does DiNovo earn playing time? Does Benjamin flourish? So many questions, so much time. And in the recruiting game, it changes so fast. Personally, who gets who is only semi-interesting to me. But what happens when the teams play each other? Now that is why this is getting so fun.

BAKER: Yes, the proof will be in the standings. UCF and USF have similar statures - solid programs with flashes of greatness, somewhere between the UF/FSU/UM powers and the FAU/FIU bottom feeders. If the Bulls or Knights make a charge this year and compete for a conference title, they’ll pull ahead of the other in recruiting. If not, I think they’ll continue to pick off each others’ targets in Tampa Bay. See, Cotey, we can agree on something.

COTEY: FIU beat UCF last year. Just thought I’d throw that out there. Checkmate.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/hometeam/content/point-counterpoint-are-ucf-knights-invading-usf-bulls-recruiting-turf

just delete this thread already smh

how I really feel about this article

I'm hoping that another JUCO Player named "Pierre" has as much success here as that other guy with the same last name.

http://articles.orla...-michael-pierre

i dont have high hopes for pierre... at all...

idk at 5'11" 200 lbs if he picks up the system I don't see why he can't contribute. He also runs a 4.4 40 but I have reservations on that. Look at his sophomore highlights

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/121248/highlights/8326373

Aaron Lynch' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.

Aaron Lynch counted to infinity - twice.

Aaron Lynch does not hunt because the word hunting infers the probability of failure. Aaron Lynch goes killing.

If you can see Aaron Lynch, he can see you. If you can't see Aaron Lynch you may be only seconds away from death.

Aaron Lynch sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled tackling ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Lynch sacked the devil for a lossof 10 yards and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Aaron Lynch.

Aaron Lynch built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Aaron Lynch met all three bullets with his chest, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.

Aaron Lynch has already been to Mars; that's why there are no signs of life there.

They once made a Aaron Lynch toilet paper, but it wouldn't take **** from anybody.

A blind man once stepped on Aaron Lynch' shoe. Lynch replied, "Don't you know who I am? I'm Aaron Lynch!" The mere mention of his name cured this man blindness. Sadly the first, last, and only thing this man ever saw, was a fatal tackle for a loss delivered by Aaron Lynch.

an Ode to Aaron Lynch

Not really sure why anyone would want to play for UCF when they have an offer from USF. I am a little confused by this post.

Doesn't surprise me. As a current student at USF I can tell you most kids that go to USF are from the Orlando area and I bet many UCF students are from Tampa (At least the ones that don't value their education). You could probably write the same thing about USF outrecruiting UCF in Orlando; kids wanna stay close to home, but not THAT close to home.

since this new regime, we just dominate that orlando area.

Why isn't special teams an option?

I never knew Lynch played on special teams.

Lynch when he goes into beast mode

Lynch making another appearance

sitting here quietly reading this thread

I see you went with the disclaimer - too funny.

Soooo, did you make that tea-drinking gif yourself??

loool I had to man ppl kept complimenting me for something I didnt do lol

and as for the gif I wish lol

sitting here quietly reading this thread

Why hasn't anybody mentioned Lynch yet in this thread?

for the win!

Sorry Bill!

Greg Swaim â€@GSwaim

Rumor of the day at #Big12MediaDays: #ND & #FSU to #Big12 to make it 12 for CCG required to participate in the "Champions Bowl" with #SEC.

,man, the stooges are gonna eat you alive for that post. Cue, Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.....

this thread is like a gift that keeps on giving. I give up on it!

Why is this thread still going on?! OMG!

My God do you guys realized that Sling and Shoot was mad illegal last year. The SKip Holtz sling and shoot camp is the name in order for it to be considered a clinic and not a tournament he could not attend. Now stop the BS will ya

I can't believe this thread even exists smh

totally appropriate here! He Bulled so hard!

Oh my! This is awesome!

K-Rock great job on the helmets, you should really see if they could use one of the two for a special game like Homecoming every year just to show that we do have some history. I would probably stay away from the USF one as I know critics will make comments about Univ. of San Fran's logo and the similarities but it still looks sweet.

I noticed the pics have been taken down? I hope it wasn't b/c of any of my comments unless the University wants to keep the players progress to themselves. Regardless you can tell the team is busting their arses and buying into the team concept something I think we have lacked in previous yrs. Also it looks like Hovan is putting in the time and enjoys what he is doing which is very important, especially being an ex-NFL player who is used to getting crazy salaries for playing the game he loves and not having to worry about everyone else's progress like he does now.

those pictures are not mine they are a mock made by BleedGreen&Gold. I do not possess such photoshop skills. I just saved them because I like them. Although I like your idea. The Pics are still up but you have to be logged into Facebook.com to be able to see them

how the hell is this thread still alive?!

From looking at those pics, Juju is a beast, Jeune has legal guns, Joyce is a solid NFL prospect, whoever is in the green under armor shirt next to Jeune is a sick physical specimen and our team looks ready to do some damage. I was shocked at Chandler's size but he is built like a bowling ball and will be interesting to watch. The other player that is really intriguing from the pictures is Mcfarland and how cut he is, it makes me wonder if he is more of a WR than a TE now? Also our Sr's look focused and ready with Kayvon, Barrington, Popek and BJ all looking in peak physical condition. I really hope we use at least one of those two helmets you have displayed as they both are sweet looking but also show respect to our history as a program.

Capone those were photoshoped but bleedgreenandgold (a member on here) I liked them so I saved them. It's nothing official