Where did Gary Trent, Jr land, or has he?

If I were SP, I'd keep our last scholarship in my back pocket and save it for a homerun ball. An impact JUCO, an impact transfer but with a closet full of freshman we're developing maybe hold the last bullet for a potential big splash should one fall into our laps.
I spoke to Gary at the Minnesota Bobcat Bash and while he made it clear that his son was not considering OHIO, he also was fully aware that at that time, OHIO had not even reached out or made a token offer. I realize coaches are busy and with limited time/resources you don't want to be wasting your time. However when you consider what a game changer such a pickup like this could be for your resume, your program and your career--I'd at least close my eyes and take a wild swing even though you know it's a 1%'er. I pitched the vision to Trent, Sr. that night.

*What a story that would be for Trent, Jr. to follow dad's footsteps. I mean if you're doing an ESPN 30/30 on Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, etc... what's the chances Trent, Jr. is featured? Doubtful, they've had plenty of those types. But what if they did one on OHIO? Gary, you'd be the feature and this story if Jr. led them to an NCAA run that would be a potential story.
*You'd own Athens and the community. He ain't going to own Durham or Lexington as they have 5 other 5 stars already. he'd be the first at OHIO, while he'd be one of a long list of many at these other schools.
*At the end of the day if he's 1 & done and he's that good, don't you think scouts these days are going to find him no matter where he goes? Heck, they find guys in Australia and Serbia, they'll find him in Athens, Lexington, Columbus or wherever.

Gary laughed but said it wasn't happening, but it'd be worth 10 minutes of my time to pitch the vision especially if you're a salesman like SP and those connections were already in place.

It's more than just token time. You go out and throw a prayer at a Gary Trent Jr., and at the same time trying to out recruit other mid-majors for a legit player that can make a difference, you will be pounded in the recuriting wars by the "they don't really want you line, they are after Trent, you go there you will never play". And if you don't think this stuff happens, you'd better think again.

Gary is a Bobcat and will always be a Bobcat, so if he's telling you in person that his son is not considering OHIO, than believe he's not considering OHIO and move on.

Agree.

To some extent this might be true but it also comes with extra baggage that he won't have in Durham or Lexington. His dad is a living legend in this town. He will have the expectations of living up to his dad's legendary status and the expectations of being such a high recruit. At Duke or Kentucky he won't be expected to carry the team to fame and glory. He will be expected to be a cog on those teams as they attain fame and glory. He also wouldn't be honing his skills against the best of the best on a daily basis here. It would be awesome for us if he came here but I'm not sure we could reciprocate.

George...Is there no middle ground between Kennesaw State and Gary Jr? Maybe a courtesy call to the young man would have been a good idea, but anything beyond that would fall into the mistake outlineD by Billy. Understanding that doesn't mean we are resigned to recruiting against low majors.

Coach Phillips' recruiting strategy needs another couple of years before passing judgment. For the time being, I'll take 22-11, #2 seed in MAC, RPI #82.

We have no idea what conversations have taken place. For example, perhaps Ohio has approached Trent and dad said, "he has no interest in going to Ohio. He wants his own experience, not mine." And then both sides agreed to not offer so as to not put dad and son in a position of "turning down" Ohio.

We are fans. We have little insight into what happens in practice, in the locker room, team meetings, or on the recruiting trail.

This is exactly where I stand. We have no idea, and most likely, we won't receive that info.

While I'm in agreement that a brief conversation should have at least happened, I really believe that he isn't ever going to consider Ohio. And honestly, unless it's the emotional side of things influencing him to play where Dad played, why would he? As Van said, he's going to want to play somewhere that will test his game at the highest level. Most of us can objectively see that Ohio is not that place right now.

Jr. is probably going to be under "pressure" wherever he goes.

If you think that there's pressure in Athens, what are you smoking?

If there's pressure in Athens, how does the football coaching staff keep their jobs. I'm not trying to re-hash that argument. It's just fair to say that the lack of conference title over 11 years, 3 or so horrid losses per year each of the last four years--do that at MichState or UWashington or Auburn or PennState or Iowa or any other of scores and scores of schools and you're gone after no more than a year and a half of those 3 or so huge losses per year.

There's very, very little pressure at OHIO. Very little.

Gary Trent Jr. belongs at OHIO.

TOS thinks that all kids from Minnesota belong at Ohio.

THE doesn't make the final cut. Gary Trent Jr.'s final five are Arizona, Kentucky, Duke, Michigan State and UCLA.

If not MSU, then 'Zona. I like Sean Miller (and Archie).

I'll take whomever gets on the TV the most. Everytime they cut to dad OHIO gets free publicity.

He's making a big mistake. These are all fly-by-night programs, led by coaches who aren't very stable with little history of success.