Bryce Mostella Twitter Today

[ps_1294]

From a quick google search. This was posted just 3 days ago for this current year. Where is PSU?

P5 schools with the highest # of portal entries (scholarship players) since 8/1: Maryland: 21 Colorado: 21 Virginia: 20 Indiana: 19 Ole Miss: 18 Arizona: 18 Michigan State: 18 Arkansas: 18 Auburn: 17 Syracuse: 16 USC: 16 Florida State: 16 @rivalsmike

 

[WDLion]

I love how people form an opinion by reading a twitter post from one individual. There's a sucker born every minute and many of them live here.
The only thing I find interesting is that he admits that he was offered an opportunity to medically retire. So, what's the problem? Take it and get your degree for free.
Not everyone can be a division one football player. Too small, too slow, not skilled enough, not dedicated enough, can't handle the rigors of the academics and the demands of the sport. There's no shame in that. I hope he takes the medical retirement, gets his degree and finds success in his life. The first step to this is to stop blaming others for your failures.

Your opinions aren't based by what you read on twitter? You need to get up to speed.

 

[Nits1989]

He really needs someone to help him now. He is begging for it. He’s going through a lot. Football and sports were probably a big part of his life and he excelled at them. He’s probably always been the most athletic person throughout his life. He got to PSU and everyone’s a great athlete and he’s probably struggling for the first time in a high pressure setting. He needs support to get him through it. But I wouldn’t be critical of Franklin and PSU without knowing their side of it because Bryce’s feelings are affected by his current situation. People may be trying to help him but he might be having a hard time seeing it. It just means PSU might have to try harder. Great athletes who are struggling and seeing their futures change need support.

 

[OaktonDave]

No, a medical retirement. He didn't play and would qualify for a redshirt.

My point was, many of his gripes in his Tweets are an expected outcome according to university policy. It took me 3 seconds to find the policy.

With the caveat that we don't have the full story, does anyone think a medical retirement isn't the correct call? I know only what he tweeted and based on that, two years of trying to gain the weight and strength needed to play resulted not only in him not succeeding in either area, but damage to his physical and mental health that required hospitalization. Under what circumstances would you stay the course and let him continue? We've had kids with heart issues that made continuing with football medically irresponsible, how is this different?

 

[Midnighter]

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

 

[PSUFTG]

X

 

[Midnighter]

With the caveat that we don't have the full story, does anyone think a medical retirement isn't the correct call? I know only what he tweeted and based on that, two years of trying to gain the weight and strength needed to play resulted not only in him not succeeding in either area, but damage to his physical and medical health that required hospitalization. Under what circumstances would you stay the course and let him to continue? We've had kids with heart issues that made continuing with football medically irresponsible, how is this different?

Seems like his mental distress was caused by not being able to gain weight. Then compounded when threatened to be kicked off the team. Ghosting him didn’t help either. Physically, he seems fine - maybe CJF could have found a new position for him? Dunno.

 

[WDLion]

No, you shouldn't - unless you want to be incorrect, obviously. Don't be a jackass - look for yourself.
It ain't hard. I'll even give you a starter set:
In the three years since the "portal" opened, PSU lost the following numbers of scholarship football recruits through the portal (I am sure they, like everyone else, also had some walk-on kids move on to different schools - but that wasn't part of the statement):

2019: 17
2020: 9
2021: 12

Let me know when you find the Big Ten squad who lost more than 38 scholarship football recruits through the portal in those years. I'll expect to see the results of your research shortly (Or, you can just apologize for being such a twit)

2022, of course, obviously, hasn't yet been concluded - so no one knows.

90% weren't even on the depth chart. Half were walk ons.

 

[PSUJam]

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

I can't help but believe there's a lot left out of his story. I'm not saying he's lying, but only telling half the story isn't honest. The team has a nutritionist and psychologist on hand. I doubt we'll ever know the entire story but wish the young man well.

 

[WDLion]

I can't help but believe there's a lot left out of his story. I'm not saying he's lying, but only telling half the story isn't honest. The team has a nutritionist and psychologist on hand. I doubt we'll ever know the entire story but wish the young man well.

The Franklin supports will believe the best. The Franklin detractors will believe the worst.

 

[Daveb9127]

Is part of it that Big Ten member institutions are obligated to honor a four year scholarship and negging a player who isn't able to add weight or improve to the coaches satisfaction a way to clear up the scholarship (by getting the kid to transfer)? Penn State offered, he accepted, and his scholarship should be good for four years. Seems like there are some issues with his disenrolling for a semester that messed things up regarding his living situation at Penn State.

His scholarship was good for 4 years, it would just be that he would medically retire. He obviously was so under weight he couldn't play. So, they're not really "negging on him."

 

[Chris92]

90% weren't even on the depth chart. Half were walk ons.

There's also other circumstances, like DJ Brown that was never going to play here. But, he graduated in three years and grad transferred. Those numbers also include guys like Irv Charles, CJ Thorpe and Ricky Slade that were "lost" never played another down of D-1 football.

 

[Midnighter]

His scholarship was good for 4 years, it would just be that he would medically retire. He obviously was so under weight he couldn't play. So, they're not really "negging on him."

Low key removing him from the DL text chat is negging.

 

[GregInPitt]

This is why everyone thinks you're an idiot, Greg.

Everyone, or just clowns like you?

Facts are facts. Everyone wishes him well. But no one here is involved and could do a thing to change this young man's situation.

Hope this man gets the help he needs. But in addition to seeing that those that need involved get involved for this young man, Franklin's job is to manage his roster and that is likely what he is doing by offering the portal DE's he has the last week. The character Franklin has shown in addressing the personal issues of his players should reassure anyone concerned that he will follow through to help this young man at every turn, on a personal basis. But Franklin will continue to be the coach and do his job to win games for PSU.

No, name callers like you that react without using much of what brains they may have, are the idiots.

 

[Bvillebaron]

One of the big reasons I've been pro CJF was that I felt he was the opposite kind of guy with regard to these things. That he was always pro student-athlete and having a culture with maintaining some semblance of academics. Even if this isn't the whole story it's still should not have happened.

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

That’s right. Everything the kid says is gospel huh?

 

[Bvillebaron]

What kind of a load of sh|t is this? I don’t want to criticize anyone, but allow me to trash Franklin and the coaching staff. If you don’t want to criticize the school or any of its employees, then don’t. And stay the f*ck off social media.

BINGO. Kid doesn’t want to criticize anyone, admits he had mental health issues and then proceeds to trash everyone including in particular Franklin. The football program has nutritionists and all kinds of other support staff, but none of them offered him any help. Really?

 

[JVP_Yahweh]

Lets pump the brakes folks. What kind a credibility does this kid have? Can anyone back up the story he's spinning? Call me skeptical

 

[marshall23]

No, you shouldn't - unless you want to be incorrect, obviously. Don't be a jackass - look for yourself.
It ain't hard. I'll even give you a starter set:
In the three years since the "portal" opened, PSU lost the following numbers of scholarship football recruits through the portal (I am sure they, like everyone else, also had some walk-on kids move on to different schools - but that wasn't part of the statement):

2019: 17
2020: 9
2021: 12

Let me know when you find the Big Ten squad who lost more than 38 scholarship football recruits through the portal in those years. I'll expect to see the results of your research shortly (Or, you can just apologize for being such a twit)

2022, of course, obviously, hasn't yet been concluded - so no one knows.

Clearly I must be misinterpreting what you said. I thought you said the most transfers and it seems now you are saying most in the portal..... my bad

 

[WSTLion87]

On the field, I do not always agree with CJF and his playcalling. However, knowing him as the head coach of our football team I find him to be a helpful, caring, and compassionate man. My thinking is that CJF has a daughter with a medical condition. Thus, that would make him more than likely sympathetic toward others who are in need of physical/emotional help. Coach Franklin is a great guy and I do not believe these accusations nor will I until they have been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

 

[TiogaLion]

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

This "Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension" I fully agree with in your post. However, perhaps CJF actually said, "gain weight or you’re off the team AND will have to take a Medical Retirement in order to keep your scholarship so that you can continue with academics and graduate"?

Face it, the kid made a bad choice. I certainly made my fair share while growing up. College is an extremely stressful time or certainly can be depending on your major and time constraints, especially those of an athlete. It's not for everyone.

 

[marshall23]

Seems like his mental distress was caused by not being able to gain weight. Then compounded when threatened to be kicked off the team. Ghosting him didn’t help either. Physically, he seems fine - maybe CJF could have found a new position for him? Dunno.

Perhaps it's the opposite. His mental health kept him from gaining weight and competing on a D1 level?

 

[marshall23]

That’s right. Everything the kid says is gospel huh?

Yes, I'm not cutting it as a
D1 player so let's lay the groundwork for a law suit.

 

[Midnighter]

Sh*t is getting very weird and sad for Bryce. Hope he gets the help he needs.

 

[OaktonDave]

This "Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension" I fully agree with in your post. However, perhaps CJF actually said, "gain weight or you’re off the team AND will have to take a Medical Retirement in order to keep your scholarship so that you can continue with academics and graduate"?

Face it, the kid made a bad choice. I certainly made my fair share while growing up. College is an extremely stressful time or certainly can be depending on your major and time constraints, especially those of an athlete. It's not for everyone.

I've seen too many times when things are said that are then semi-quoted in a way that doesn't exactly convey the statement or the intent accurately. Having struggled with anxiety and depression since I was a kid, I can attest to the fact that people in that state are particularly vulnerable to "hearing" things in the most negative light. (Yes, I have examples from my own life.) In this case, a statement like "if you can't gain and maintain weight, you won't be able to play," may be heard as "if you don't gain weight, you're off the team." If the young man is too light to play DL and isn't fast or agile enough to play a position where his weight isn't a problem, what should any coach tell him? For reasons stated above, I'm super sympathetic to the young man, but we're trying to find a bad guy in the story, and there may not be one.

 

[BobPSU92]

Seems like his mental distress was caused by not being able to gain weight.

Experienced by no one here ever.

 

[BobPSU92]

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

Remember, this thread isn’t about Franklin not winning enough for us.

 

[Midnighter]

Remember, this thread isn’t about Franklin not winning enough for us.

 

[PSUFTG]

90% weren't even on the depth chart. Half were walk ons.

None of the 38 scholarship transfers out were walk-ons. Obviously.

 

[Tchains23]

None of the 38 scholarship transfers out were walk-ons. Obviously.

Obviously. But, the top three transfers out were:
Daniel Joseph - NC State
Zach McPherson - Texas Tech
Will Levis - Kentucky
Over three years!!?

The rest? All those other big programs. And with big production. Just stop it already with your numbers. You even counted Manny Bowen in your numbers then in 2019, lol.

 

[Georgia Peach]

Sounds like he is currently not enrolled for the spring semester.

Couple of things. First, he references a heart condition that he relates to his eating disorder. Regardless of cause, that likely disqualifies him from being medically cleared for football. He should take a medical redshirt or medically retire from FB. Second, I would hope that PSU has school psychologists available for their athletes and general student body. Eating disorders, socialization problems, suicidal ideation are typically part of the college student experience for more students than we can imagine. I would have liked to have heard from this fellow that he made use of such resources before becoming an in-patient at the hospital. Lastly, Franklin certainly has a duty to meet and help direct this young man to resources and services to help the player with his problems. If Coach failed in that, his employer needs to have a talk with him.

 

[Georgia Peach]

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

Depends on when it was said.

 

[marshall23]

Depends on when it was said.

Imagine the audacity of a football coach taking a hard line with a player? Two weeks ago geriatric Bruce Arians (age 69 with a torn Achilles) slapped one of his players on the side of the helmet in an attempt to prevent him from engaging in a scrum by the sidelines......he was fined $50,000! LOL.....
Can you imagine motivating a player "properly" today. "Now Billy, we expect great things from you....but please don't put undue pressure on yourself. " We are preparing to beat (opponent) this week, but if we do, we certainly don't want them to feel bad about themselves." If the scoreboard indicates that we have lost the contest, it in no way represents the value of our effort" We will all get helmet stickers" Now let's have a snack and then take a nap."

 

[PSUAXE70]

According to BM CJF said ‘gain weight if you’re off the team.’ How does CJF himself defend against that? All this will likely lead nowhere, but the drip, drip, drip of more and more stories like this don’t help anything. Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension.

If the young man had attended Penn State in an academic scholarship and was failing his classes, no one on this board would be surprised if he lost his scholarship. When he didn’t make satisfactory progress towards his athletic goals, he was offered a medical redshirt and had the option to transfer. We don’t know what else he was offered or what other support was available. All that is complicated by the young man’s mental health issues. At this point, I see no need for CJF to defend himself.

 

[Bvillebaron]

This "Certainly don’t justify a 10 year contract extension" I fully agree with in your post. However, perhaps CJF actually said, "gain weight or you’re off the team AND will have to take a Medical Retirement in order to keep your scholarship so that you can continue with academics and graduate"?

Face it, the kid made a bad choice. I certainly made my fair share while growing up. College is an extremely stressful time or certainly can be depending on your major and time constraints, especially those of an athlete. It's not for everyone.

What this kid said doesn’t have a damn thing to do with whether or not Franklin deserved a 10 year contract extension. Beyond pathetic.

 

[Midnighter]

If the young man had attended Penn State in an academic scholarship and was failing his classes, no one on this board would be surprised if he lost his scholarship. When he didn’t make satisfactory progress towards his athletic goals, he was offered a medical redshirt and had the option to transfer. We don’t know what else he was offered or what other support was available. All that is complicated by the young man’s mental health issues. At this point, I see no need for CJF to defend himself.

Athletic scholarships are for four years whether you play or not. CJF is very good at saying nothing and I expect he’ll do the same here. No player has to accept a medical redshirt or transfer. It’s not part of the deal. Which is why it seems like they were making his life tough so he’d transfer.

 

[Midnighter]

What this kid said doesn’t have a damn thing to do with whether or not Franklin deserved a 10 year contract extension. Beyond pathetic.

Agree - 10 year extension for mediocrity is pathetic.

 

[WSTLion87]

Again, ten-year extension aside (FTR.. I am strongly opposed to that extension)... The issue here is did CJF threaten to throw this kid off the team because he could not gain weight? At the least in my estimation the answer is a resounding no.

 

[Midnighter]

Again, ten-year extension aside (FTR.. I am strongly opposed to that extension)... The issue here is did CJF threaten to throw this kid off the team because he could not gain weight? At the least in my estimation the answer is a resounding no.

Sounds exactly like what BM is claiming. Where is the resounding ‘no’?

 

[oldpsubear]

Obviously. But, the top three transfers out were:
Daniel Joseph - NC State
Zach McPherson - Texas Tech
Will Levis - Kentucky
Over three years!!?

The rest? All those other big programs. And with big production. Just stop it already with your numbers. You even counted Manny Bowen in your numbers then in 2019, lol.

You are saying Levis was not a scholarship athlete when he transferred

 

[Thorndike2021]

Uh, I, for one, hope that Franklin IS taking stands like this with his players. I've been much more concerned that he seems to coddle players and not kick them in their asses nearly enough.

Kids, this is SUPPOSED to be a bigtime football program. If this young man doesn't perform as expected he can be nudged off the team to make room for a player who might perform and help the program succeed. And if he's offered a medical shirt, and gets to complete his college degree, who is harmed? If anything, that seems the most reasonable way to go. Sometimes things just don't work out. Right now might not be the best time for this young man to try to be a student and a top level athlete. It's OK to admit that on his part, and it's OK to say that on CJF's part. This was sort of the situation with Nate Bruce too. He went through something, he left the program, now he's getting his act together and getting back into football. That is a reasonable course of action.

Besides, we expect CJF to be a lot of things. Do we all really expect him to be psychiatrist and nurse maid to every kid too?