A lot of UDFA signings so far but no Dukes that I know of.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-u...cker-2023/

(04-29-2023 06:08 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  Looks like once again we play the "wait and pray" game for UDFA signings and then again come training camp that our guys at least get a shot at the practice squad.

With that being said, anyone have a reasonable hunch as to why our guys never get looked at but the guys who we beat and expose get looked at. Or clearly inferior players will get drafted but our stars who get league and national awards each year (some of our guys getting them 2-3 straight year) don't get anything at all.

Was asking myself the same question. Does JMU have something like a “post promotion” department to help get eyes on our guys?

(04-29-2023 08:37 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 06:08 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  Looks like once again we play the "wait and pray" game for UDFA signings and then again come training camp that our guys at least get a shot at the practice squad.

With that being said, anyone have a reasonable hunch as to why our guys never get looked at but the guys who we beat and expose get looked at. Or clearly inferior players will get drafted but our stars who get league and national awards each year (some of our guys getting them 2-3 straight year) don't get anything at all.

Was asking myself the same question. Does JMU have something like a “post promotion” department to help get eyes on our guys?

It is all about the player not the team. There is no conspiracy against JMU players and in some cases there are teams that are not very good who have a number of great players. JMU has a team full of good players but that doesn’t mean we have a ton of NFL caliber players. The draft and the NFL is also not just about performance on the field, but also the measurables and sometimes those outweigh on field performance.

It has nothing to do with promotion it is a business and I think almost every team was at our pro day so they saw our players.

As always we tend to look at things through purple colored glasses. That said I am sure we have guys who can play in the league they just need a chance and hopefully a few will get that.

(04-29-2023 08:50 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:37 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 06:08 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  Looks like once again we play the "wait and pray" game for UDFA signings and then again come training camp that our guys at least get a shot at the practice squad.

With that being said, anyone have a reasonable hunch as to why our guys never get looked at but the guys who we beat and expose get looked at. Or clearly inferior players will get drafted but our stars who get league and national awards each year (some of our guys getting them 2-3 straight year) don't get anything at all.

Was asking myself the same question. Does JMU have something like a “post promotion” department to help get eyes on our guys?

It is all about the player not the team. There is no conspiracy against JMU players and in some cases there are teams that are not very good who have a number of great players. JMU has a team full of good players but that doesn’t mean we have a ton of NFL caliber players. The draft and the NFL is also not just about performance on the field, but also the measurables and sometimes those outweigh on field performance.

It has nothing to do with promotion it is a business and I think almost every team was at our pro day so they saw our players.

As always we tend to look at things through purple colored glasses. That said I am sure we have guys who can play in the league they just need a chance and hopefully a few will get that.

I get that. It just sucks, though. Thornton, as mentioned before, had higher measurable’s in long jump and vertical jump than any other receiver at the combine. Plus I believe a sub 4.4 40. I hope he gets an invite.

(04-29-2023 09:31 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:50 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:37 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 06:08 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  Looks like once again we play the "wait and pray" game for UDFA signings and then again come training camp that our guys at least get a shot at the practice squad.

With that being said, anyone have a reasonable hunch as to why our guys never get looked at but the guys who we beat and expose get looked at. Or clearly inferior players will get drafted but our stars who get league and national awards each year (some of our guys getting them 2-3 straight year) don't get anything at all.

Was asking myself the same question. Does JMU have something like a “post promotion” department to help get eyes on our guys?

It is all about the player not the team. There is no conspiracy against JMU players and in some cases there are teams that are not very good who have a number of great players. JMU has a team full of good players but that doesn’t mean we have a ton of NFL caliber players. The draft and the NFL is also not just about performance on the field, but also the measurables and sometimes those outweigh on field performance.

It has nothing to do with promotion it is a business and I think almost every team was at our pro day so they saw our players.

As always we tend to look at things through purple colored glasses. That said I am sure we have guys who can play in the league they just need a chance and hopefully a few will get that.

I get that. It just sucks, though. Thornton, as mentioned before, had higher measurable’s in long jump and vertical jump than any other receiver at the combine. Plus I believe a sub 4.4 40. I hope he gets an invite.

Despite his production and testing, his size keeps him from getting more of a chance.

Some players from some pretty obscure programs getting drafted or signed as UDFAs yet no Dukes. Best we can settle for is a mini camp invite.

KC would be a good organization to join. Do they have needs at QB, or would the competition be pretty fierce there for a backup role?

(04-29-2023 10:00 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  KC would be a good organization to join. Do they have needs at QB, or would the competition be pretty fierce there for a backup role?

I believe their backup retired.

As a far as signing it is also about who your agent is. The stronger the agent the better chance they can get you a contract as an UDFA.

(04-29-2023 10:00 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  KC would be a good organization to join. Do they have needs at QB, or would the competition be pretty fierce there for a backup role?

They have Mahomes, Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele, so sticking with the team won’t be easy.

(04-29-2023 09:31 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:50 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:37 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 06:08 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  Looks like once again we play the "wait and pray" game for UDFA signings and then again come training camp that our guys at least get a shot at the practice squad.

With that being said, anyone have a reasonable hunch as to why our guys never get looked at but the guys who we beat and expose get looked at. Or clearly inferior players will get drafted but our stars who get league and national awards each year (some of our guys getting them 2-3 straight year) don't get anything at all.

Was asking myself the same question. Does JMU have something like a “post promotion” department to help get eyes on our guys?

It is all about the player not the team. There is no conspiracy against JMU players and in some cases there are teams that are not very good who have a number of great players. JMU has a team full of good players but that doesn’t mean we have a ton of NFL caliber players. The draft and the NFL is also not just about performance on the field, but also the measurables and sometimes those outweigh on field performance.

It has nothing to do with promotion it is a business and I think almost every team was at our pro day so they saw our players.

As always we tend to look at things through purple colored glasses. That said I am sure we have guys who can play in the league they just need a chance and hopefully a few will get that.

I get that. It just sucks, though. Thornton, as mentioned before, had higher measurable’s in long jump and vertical jump than any other receiver at the combine. Plus I believe a sub 4.4 40. I hope he gets an invite.

Yeah, that one doesn't make sense to me at all. I thought sure KT would be drafted.

KT got a rookie mini-camp invite with Baltimore.

Again, it would have been nice to see both KT and Toddy drafted, although it was a bit of a longshot...would have figured that they would have been top UDFA targets over guys who maybe put up 700 yard seasons in FCS or CUSA. Toddy was ranked one of the top in the country in a lot of key categories. Maybe his performance in the senior bowl lowered his stock?

Trying not to see it out of purple tinted glasses, but I hate seeing this as a "naturally occurring" pattern each year. Yes other teams have better players, but even when we were FCS it always blew my mind to see our FCS All-Americans getting nothing but some random no name at the same position being looked at as a "Round 4-6 lock".

Hate the fact that we are relying on mini-camp invites and not even getting UDFAs for our guys to get noticed. Thats an extra hoop that they have to jump through just to fight for a spot in the 80 some guys a team brings to training camp in July/August...to then just fight for a shot at even the PS.

Oh well. I guess add this to the reason why Cig should drop the sportsmanship kneel downs on our opponents goal line and just let our players unload.

Ravenel going to rookie camp with the Ravens.

(04-30-2023 01:39 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  KT got a rookie mini-camp invite with Baltimore.

Again, it would have been nice to see both KT and Toddy drafted, although it was a bit of a longshot...would have figured that they would have been top UDFA targets over guys who maybe put up 700 yard seasons in FCS or CUSA. Toddy was ranked one of the top in the country in a lot of key categories. Maybe his performance in the senior bowl lowered his stock?

Trying not to see it out of purple tinted glasses, but I hate seeing this as a "naturally occurring" pattern each year. Yes other teams have better players, but even when we were FCS it always blew my mind to see our FCS All-Americans getting nothing but some random no name at the same position being looked at as a "Round 4-6 lock".

Hate the fact that we are relying on mini-camp invites and not even getting UDFAs for our guys to get noticed. Thats an extra hoop that they have to jump through just to fight for a spot in the 80 some guys a team brings to training camp in July/August...to then just fight for a shot at even the PS.

Oh well. I guess add this to the reason why Cig should drop the sportsmanship kneel downs on our opponents goal line and just let our players unload.

You’re equating having great teams that are talented with great individual talents, not the same. There’s been stud P5 award winners, even Heisman trophy winners, that had little to no NFL careers. There’s also been great players from shyt programs. There’s no conspiracy theory keeping our players out, there’s nobody inside the program tanking their chances. Many teams come onto campus to put their eyes on our guys, for a multitude of reasons guys have been overlooked. Percy’s injuries and wear, KT’s size, Centeio looking out of shape at his pro day, other players like Painter and Ravenel were depth players here how would you expect them to be prime NFL prospects? Going into the draft I thought Edwards would get an UDFA deal along with Centeio and Percy with rookie mini camp deals for KT, Ravenel and Kidd.

JMU did have a former WR sign an UDFA deal with the Colts; Braxton Westfield who transferred to Carson Newman several years ago. He’s 6’4 210lbs. and runs a 4.5 forty, so he has the optimum size.

https://www.wyff4.com/article/upstate-na...y/43732690

(04-29-2023 09:31 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:50 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 08:37 PM)jmutley83 Wrote:  

(04-29-2023 06:08 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  Looks like once again we play the "wait and pray" game for UDFA signings and then again come training camp that our guys at least get a shot at the practice squad.

With that being said, anyone have a reasonable hunch as to why our guys never get looked at but the guys who we beat and expose get looked at. Or clearly inferior players will get drafted but our stars who get league and national awards each year (some of our guys getting them 2-3 straight year) don't get anything at all.

Was asking myself the same question. Does JMU have something like a “post promotion” department to help get eyes on our guys?

It is all about the player not the team. There is no conspiracy against JMU players and in some cases there are teams that are not very good who have a number of great players. JMU has a team full of good players but that doesn’t mean we have a ton of NFL caliber players. The draft and the NFL is also not just about performance on the field, but also the measurables and sometimes those outweigh on field performance.

It has nothing to do with promotion it is a business and I think almost every team was at our pro day so they saw our players.

As always we tend to look at things through purple colored glasses. That said I am sure we have guys who can play in the league they just need a chance and hopefully a few will get that.

I get that. It just sucks, though. Thornton, as mentioned before, had higher measurable’s in long jump and vertical jump than any other receiver at the combine. Plus I believe a sub 4.4 40. I hope he gets an invite.

Unfortunately, most won’t look past the red section in this chart, which sucks because in the right system he could do well.

(04-30-2023 02:03 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(04-30-2023 01:39 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  KT got a rookie mini-camp invite with Baltimore.

Again, it would have been nice to see both KT and Toddy drafted, although it was a bit of a longshot...would have figured that they would have been top UDFA targets over guys who maybe put up 700 yard seasons in FCS or CUSA. Toddy was ranked one of the top in the country in a lot of key categories. Maybe his performance in the senior bowl lowered his stock?

Trying not to see it out of purple tinted glasses, but I hate seeing this as a "naturally occurring" pattern each year. Yes other teams have better players, but even when we were FCS it always blew my mind to see our FCS All-Americans getting nothing but some random no name at the same position being looked at as a "Round 4-6 lock".

Hate the fact that we are relying on mini-camp invites and not even getting UDFAs for our guys to get noticed. Thats an extra hoop that they have to jump through just to fight for a spot in the 80 some guys a team brings to training camp in July/August...to then just fight for a shot at even the PS.

Oh well. I guess add this to the reason why Cig should drop the sportsmanship kneel downs on our opponents goal line and just let our players unload.

You’re equating having great teams that are talented with great individual talents, not the same. There’s been stud P5 award winners, even Heisman trophy winners, that had little to no NFL careers. There’s also been great players from shyt programs. There’s no conspiracy theory keeping our players out, there’s nobody inside the program tanking their chances. Many teams come onto campus to put their eyes on our guys, for a multitude of reasons guys have been overlooked. Percy’s injuries and wear, KT’s size, Centeio looking out of shape at his pro day, other players like Painter and Ravenel were depth players here how would you expect them to be prime NFL prospects? Going into the draft I thought Edwards would get an UDFA deal along with Centeio and Percy with rookie mini camp deals for KT, Ravenel and Kidd.

Fine, I'll rephrase.

What more do our guys have to do? (Specifically in the case of Percy, KT, PAO). Obviously our depth isn't getting drafted (and I'd be happy if they got mini-camp invites). I have no issue with that...but what more does a guy have to do then be nationally dominant and win awards and consistently beat the competition?

This isn't a new issue. I'm thinking Daka, Ron'Dell, etc. as well as what our future guys (Kaelon, Jaelin Walker, Ukwu had he stayed, etc.) are going to have to do, since this will in some ways affect our ability to recruit top guys and not just these "FBS/FCS tweeners" with the occasional low 3-star.

A 1,000 yard season in 11 games (and 3rd straight) in the SBC has to be better than barely 700 in the CUSA right? Is it something that if we play a CCG/ bowl game might help? Just because a "scout" is on campus doesn't mean jack, sometimes that is just due diligence, but also having 20/32 means we are missing out on opportunities.

Former Duke, Wesley McCormick of WVU invited to Commanders rookie mini-camp. Had attended local day and impressed scouts.

ODU had 3 guys drafted, yet somehow managed to finish 3-9 last year.

#wastedtalent

(04-30-2023 02:43 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  

(04-30-2023 02:03 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(04-30-2023 01:39 PM)JMUDuke4Ever Wrote:  KT got a rookie mini-camp invite with Baltimore.

Again, it would have been nice to see both KT and Toddy drafted, although it was a bit of a longshot...would have figured that they would have been top UDFA targets over guys who maybe put up 700 yard seasons in FCS or CUSA. Toddy was ranked one of the top in the country in a lot of key categories. Maybe his performance in the senior bowl lowered his stock?

Trying not to see it out of purple tinted glasses, but I hate seeing this as a "naturally occurring" pattern each year. Yes other teams have better players, but even when we were FCS it always blew my mind to see our FCS All-Americans getting nothing but some random no name at the same position being looked at as a "Round 4-6 lock".

Hate the fact that we are relying on mini-camp invites and not even getting UDFAs for our guys to get noticed. Thats an extra hoop that they have to jump through just to fight for a spot in the 80 some guys a team brings to training camp in July/August...to then just fight for a shot at even the PS.

Oh well. I guess add this to the reason why Cig should drop the sportsmanship kneel downs on our opponents goal line and just let our players unload.

You’re equating having great teams that are talented with great individual talents, not the same. There’s been stud P5 award winners, even Heisman trophy winners, that had little to no NFL careers. There’s also been great players from shyt programs. There’s no conspiracy theory keeping our players out, there’s nobody inside the program tanking their chances. Many teams come onto campus to put their eyes on our guys, for a multitude of reasons guys have been overlooked. Percy’s injuries and wear, KT’s size, Centeio looking out of shape at his pro day, other players like Painter and Ravenel were depth players here how would you expect them to be prime NFL prospects? Going into the draft I thought Edwards would get an UDFA deal along with Centeio and Percy with rookie mini camp deals for KT, Ravenel and Kidd.

Fine, I'll rephrase.

What more do our guys have to do? (Specifically in the case of Percy, KT, PAO). Obviously our depth isn't getting drafted (and I'd be happy if they got mini-camp invites). I have no issue with that...but what more does a guy have to do then be nationally dominant and win awards and consistently beat the competition?

This isn't a new issue. I'm thinking Daka, Ron'Dell, etc. as well as what our future guys (Kaelon, Jaelin Walker, Ukwu had he stayed, etc.) are going to have to do, since this will in some ways affect our ability to recruit top guys and not just these "FBS/FCS tweeners" with the occasional low 3-star.

A 1,000 yard season in 11 games (and 3rd straight) in the SBC has to be better than barely 700 in the CUSA right? Is it something that if we play a CCG/ bowl game might help? Just because a "scout" is on campus doesn't mean jack, sometimes that is just due diligence, but also having 20/32 means we are missing out on opportunities.

Daka, Ron’Dell and others got numerous chances in the NFL and elsewhere (CFL, XFL and USFL). Sucks, but they’re fringe NFL roster talent just barely missing the cut which is why we need these leagues like XFL and USFL. And those guys are doing well to show they deserve another chance. Numerous other guys from those teams also got chances as well, but COVID screwed things up with no mini camps, training camps or preseason games the one year and a backlog of available players coming out after the Covid years.

Getting guys to the NFL is awesome, we put quite a few of them in there as FCS players, but our goal is to win games not align their production with pro prospects.