Kevin Newsome To Star In New Version Of 'Butterfly Effect'

by Kevin HD on Aug 19, 2008 3:39 PM EDT in Recruiting Comment 37 comments

So, as has been speculated, Kevin Newsome has decommitted from Michigan and is now back on the market. Brian has been following this rumor for a while now because of the implications it will have on their ability to land another top dual threat QB, and "all the eggs in one basket" Penn State target, Tate Forcier.

The implications of this could be "grrrr" for Penn State recruiting fans. Forcier has been eyeing Michigan for a while now, with an official scheduled for their game aginst Utah. It has been speculated that the one thing holding him back from signing a letter with RichRod is the fear of competition with Newsome, who is ranked a little higher on Rival's dual-threat list.

So with Newsome's decision to look around, Forcier is in a position where playing time at Michigan looks like something that could happen rather quickly, and if you believe the speculation this is what he's wanted all along...but only if Newsome doesn't turn around and recommitted. This puts the California star in an interesting predicament.

More importantly, this puts Penn State in a now-compromised position. They appeared to be one of the favorites for Forcier as long as Newsome stayed put. His other options are Florida, Oregon, Stanford, Washington State and A&M...along with, somehow New Mexico. With the incredible lack of QB recruiting at Penn State over the last couple of years, he was looking at a starting spot in two years.

So, while the best case scenario is still available, which would include landing Forcier and watching Newsome take his dual-threatyness to an out of conference program, the worst case here is pretty troubling. Now Newsome could still, maybe, end up at Penn State; he was considering an offer from Paterno before his original commitment, however this doesn't seem likely; most of the questions surrounding him involved a reconsider of Virginia Tech. Now it's only August and there will be plenty of snake oil sold before things become official next spring, but this is probably not good news.

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Maybe........

Forcier will commit to Michigan and then Michigan will get into an all out brawl in the tunnel following their bowl game and Forcier will decommit and come to Penn State a la Pat Devlin. This seems to be our best QB recruiting tool.

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Aug 19, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems likely that

Newsome will commit to VA Tech, Forcier will go to Michigan, and in 3 years we’ll be starting a walk-on RS freshman.

Seriously when is it going to hit home for our recruiters that the ‘all your eggs in one basket’ approach no longer works? We have not sent 1 QB to the pro’s since Jay Paterno has coached; Jay’s best QB season was 45th in passing efficiency; Jay’s single best QB became a RUNNING BACK in the NFL. You don’t think these kids hear that 100 times a day from opposing programs? And yet we think we can just march on over and pick one top-tier guy who will just swoon over us?

Pray like hell Clark or Devlin come in and light it up this season.

by millzners on Aug 19, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep one thing in mind

VTech really has its eye on a QB one year behind Newsome, so if Newsome really wants to remain a QB, VT might not be his best destination.

by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

if the Audibles board has melted down yet….

by Screen Name 20 on Aug 19, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Message boards

I get a kick out of the knee jerk reactions. When Michigan landed that Fera kid yesterday you would have thought the world was coming to an end. Who knew missing out on a three star kicker would ruin an entire recruiting class?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 19, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that most of them...

…are thinking that this is good news without thinking it through.

I have to agree with MGoBrian, this is likely to lead to a Forcier committment to Michigan. After that, the Newsome race is on, and we’ll be facing more competition for him than we were with Forcier.

by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree

I think this puts Michigan in the lead for Forcier. Who knows what it means for Newsome. Our offense better kick some ass this year or we could be in trouble in terms of quarterback recruiting.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 19, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

have to say this

Aren’t we always in trouble in terms of quarterback recruiting?

by kmblue on Aug 19, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obvious, but still poignant.

And it’ll continue to be that way as long as our current offensive staff remains in place…or until the Spread HD ravages the Big Ten for 60 points per game.

Look at it this way, though…there’s a very, very strong possibility that the same coaching staff won’t be back next year. Problem solved.

by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From your lips

to God’s ears.

by kmblue on Aug 19, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad News...

I’d have to think that UM is probably the front-runner for Forcier now. Also, I don’t like our prospects for Newsome. Apparently he’s never had a QB coach and seeing how we have one in title only, I don’t see him coming to PSU to prepare for the NFL.

by Screen Name 20 on Aug 19, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

audibles?

the lunacy has even spread to the premium board on FOS

by pjk154 on Aug 20, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like it's time to get the Canadian

eh?

by NJ lion on Aug 19, 2008 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why the hell not?

Get that kid some maple syrup and a scholarship offer, stat!

www.pinkertonpark.com

by rahpsu92 on Aug 19, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Myles Gibbon

…and his coach have an open invitation to talk about his recruitment. We’ve been in touch. He seems to be getting the bulk of his interest from MAC and Sun Belt schools, but I think that’ll change in the near future (though not necessarily from Penn State’s perspective…hope that changes too, though).

by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

His dad emails me once in a while with links and stuff. He’s seeing some interest from some second tier schools, but I think everyone is questioning the level of competition he plays against up there. I imagine as the recruiting picture shakes out some Div I school will throw him a desperation offer late in the game. Maybe us.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 19, 2008 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

that Canadian kid was damn good. If we have him starting in 2-3 years, that is definately not a bad thing. Unless you consider winning a bad thing

by WPIALkid22 on Aug 19, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that the level of competition is lower there, and they play a slightly different game, but that kid still showed the same skills needed to play anywhere. He had good touch on his throws, he read the defenses and coverages well, and was a hell of a runner too. Its not like he didn’t have the tools to compete against AAAA schools in PA or Ohio or Texas, he just happens to play in Canada. I mean he competed against some of those kids in what was it, the Penn State summer camp? and played better than them

by WPIALkid22 on Aug 19, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is T8 4CA a dual threat QB?

I thought Newsome was a better fit for Michigan than 4CA as a dual threat for the spread they are ~~cramming~~, I mean installing at Michigan.

I don't know, Mello Yello is pretty awful. What's the worst that could happen?

by psu on Aug 19, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

He had 600 or 800 yards rushing last year.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 19, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tate

can definitely run the spread.

by psuphiman80 on Aug 19, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not desperate for a QB just Quite Yet

I’ve been eying Forcier as much as everyone else, and really think he has the smarts to downright win. I want him more than I want Jenkins or Austin in this year’s class. He most likely will go to Mich which would be the worst case scenario. And it doesn’t look like Newsome has an eye on us at all, most likely VA Tech even if they are looking at a guy younger, he would be stupid to let that intimidate him, I mean the guy is only going to be a Junior.

But Clark has 2 years and Devlin 3, so are we desperate for a QB yet? No, as much as it could have been great to have Forcier for 3 years starting (something we don’t like to do, have a QB start for more than 2 yrs) we aren’t desperate and have some time.

I got a feeling if we get Schiano after this season or the next, there will be a top QB wanting to come to us.

by Craig07 on Aug 19, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Consider, that at this moment, we have nobody who could play QB in 2011. We didn’t get anyone this year, next year’s outlook just got bleak. Assume we get some 2-star guys this season (we already have a verbal from one). They will now have to be our QB in 2011, because even if we wait for a top-tier kid to enroll in 2010, they’ll be a RS freshman by the time we need a QB.

Basically whoever we get in this recruiting class will have to be our starting QB in 2011, because no one wants to start a RS Freshman unless they are named Terrell Pryor — and even if we do get a 5-star kid next year it’ll be till 2013 till they are a seasoned upper-classman.

If this class doesn’t pan out, and I don’t think it will, we’re in some serious trouble.

by millzners on Aug 19, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this would be so much less alarming...

if we actually had a coaching staff that could develop a quarterback. Recruiting stars aren’t everything… A-Mo was a 5 star recruit, and although he had the physical tools, he was just as raw when he left as when he came in. I would be much more comfortable with a 2 or 3 star qb and an able coach to develop them than i would with a 4 star recruit and no such coach.

I think we need to fix the QB coaching situation, and the rest will fall into place and give us a much bigger recruiting ‘margin of error’.

by erieisforlovers on Aug 19, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can I get an Amen?

www.pinkertonpark.com

by rahpsu92 on Aug 20, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A disappointing turn, but...

I’d be lying if I said this didn’t sting a little, I was very excited about Newsome… or at least as excited as one can be about a kid who won’t set foot on campus for over a year into the future.

That said, this doesn’t exactly leave us high and dry, we already have a commitment from Shavodrick Beaver out of Texas and if I were a betting man, I think you’ll see Tate Forcier pull the trigger here soon, he’s kept Michigan at or near the top of his list despite the Wolverines previously having verbals from both Newsome and Beaver.

The most interesting part of this Forcier recruitment is that had Tate’s older brother Jason not transferred to Stanford prior to last year, he’d likely be our starter heading into this fall…

Just another reason to not get too wrapped up in the whole recruiting game until they don the colors in the fall of their freshman year if you ask me…

Go Blue!

by ThoseWhoStay on Aug 19, 2008 5:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Michigan

I don’t think anybody on our side thinks Michigan is going to come out on the short end of this. We all tend to believe 4CA will be playing in Beaver Stadium someday, but he’ll be wearing a winged helmet.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 19, 2008 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Michigan........

Shavodrick Beaver……..trying to dethrone LSU as the crazy name capital of the world ? :)

Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.

by ech2os on Aug 20, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Joe

Joe’s house is falling apart…..the QB recruiting situation is just another brick falling off.

by shiloh on Aug 19, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

QB Trouble?

I disagree Millzners, and by the way it’s good to see you on this board after discussions we’ve had on ESPN (I’m cack1). Anyways, whoever we get this year at QB is not going to be the QB in 2011, that’s ridic unless it’s a solid quarterback. I don’t want us to take a no name QB as a project and hope things work out unless we already have a potential stud.

There is nothing wrong with starting a QB as a fresh, RS fresh or soph. Seems to work out for most other schools. For example, Teabow, Henne, McCoy, Bradford just to name a few. Playing the guys young who have game allows them to grow and develop, our coaches don’t seem to understand that.

Morelli was groomed and entered the starting role the same time John David Booty of USC did, and look how much worse Morelli was.

If we get a guy next year, let him play as a RS frosh or Soph if he has the talent. I’d rather play a young guy with potential early, than have him sit for a veteran who is only ok.

by Craig07 on Aug 20, 2008 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't agree more...

I think we need to wait and see how the Spread HD evolves. If it is a success (which I think it will be) we can get a top notch dual threat QB next year that can watch Devlin for two years.

I think the main point we are missing is that Devlin has 3 years of eligibility. I just don’t understand the “world is ending” attitude because we have not locked up a QB this year.

We need WR’s much more than we need QB’s in this class.

Pat Devlin in '08

by Nick7 on Aug 20, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is depth

As of right now we will only have two scholarship quarterbacks on the 2009 roster if you don’t include the Drake as many people project him to play WR. In 2010 we have one. If we don’t take a quarterback this year and Devlin blows his knee out just before the 2010 season we’ll have to rely on a true freshman or someone converted from another position to run the offense.

I would like to get Forcier or Newsome, but I think we should bring in some local three star kid just to provide some depth. Hopefully McGloin can become an option as well.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 20, 2008 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are 2 sides to this argument

The obvious example is Jimmy Clausen who played poorly as a freshman (no thanks to his O line), I have serious concerns about what being played too early does to a QB’s confidence and development. It is true trial by fire and if it does not work out you could end up with a QB who never reaches his full potential.

I don't know, Mello Yello is pretty awful. What's the worst that could happen?

by psu on Aug 20, 2008 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

QB Talk

I disagree, as much as I was so happy when PSU gave a nice ass whooping to Jimmy Clausen and think he’s a pre-madonna, I think the kid played great under the circumstances.

Any QB last year with ND was in for a bruising. You could tell this kid is the real deal. Even against PSU he showed maturity in his presence and new when to throw the ball away and avoid the sack when he was able to. Watch out for him to improve this year, and could see his name on Heisman list in 2 years (although I hope not).

I don’t think there is anything wrong with playing a young QB if he is the future, it’s no different than playing an older QB who has no game experience.

by Craig07 on Aug 20, 2008 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pre-Madonna

I love it. Actually, I think now he is a present madonna.

Convivite Nudem!

by jtothep on Aug 20, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beano, is that you again?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Aug 20, 2008 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just Like the NFL draft.....

High school talent is hit or miss. You are not guaranteed that a 5 star player is going to be a godsend. I do agree that we need to fix the QB coaching situation though…it certainly helps when a coach has actually PLAYED (in a game) the position. As for Tate, yeah he may be interested in Michigan…..but I don’t think we are by any means out of the running. Same thing with Newsome……..personally I am glad that he opened up his recruiting. Michigan sucks….hopefully they will lose out on both. I agree the whole gloom and doom attitude is kind of surprising……if we win some early games including Illinois……PSU will be landing some verbals (and stealing some recruits from R) in September. Like another blogger……I think receiver is the bigger need for this class and I would still like us to land another RB with some wheels to go along with Dukes. Have faith people…..it is amazing how a hyped up Beaver Stadium crowd at night (9/27/08) can affect an 18 year olds decision.

I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?

by pic15 on Aug 20, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs