Houston Griffith transferring.
- Thread starter JFelice
- Start date
Probably the top rising Junior in the state. Have to imagine the MC staff wasn't completely blindsided and heard rumblings this was in the works.
I'm expecting some very interesting comments from MC I'm sure...wish Houston nothing but the best
I would like to extend a formal invitation to IMG to join the CCL Blue.
IMG would not have won 7A or 8A in the past three years.
In '13, they wouldn't have been able to get past MC, GBW or LZ in 7A. And no chance they'd been able to show up in the second half up in Lincolnshire.
In '14, CG and PC would have beat them on defense. And they'd be stuck in the mud vs GBW.
In '15, L'ville, Brodner each would have been up by two scores at half. LA on that day? Nope.
I think IMG is good if a player needs a post-grad year, but there's enough talent around Chicago to keep anyone busy.
I wish I could of seen Lenti's face when Houston told him the news, I'm sure it was pleasant
His jaw is probably still not the floor
MC people...Is Alek Thomas next?
His jaw is probably still not the floor
MC people...Is Alek Thomas next?
I hope there is sarcasam here. IMG has 13 kids in the 2017 class that are 4 or 5 star recruits. http://usatodayhss.com/2016/img-academy-2016-football-schedule-espn-high-school-kickoff
That's in one class. There isn't a program in entire state of Illinois that has that in the hallways right now (2017-2020).
Haven't heard of this happening often in IL for football. Seems like it happens more in basketball. For instance, Jeremiah Tilmon transferred from ESL to La Lumiere in IN last year. He's a Top 30 recruit (per ESPN) and just verbally committed to IL. La Lumiere has another kid in the Top 10, who was originally from MI.
I don't think Thomas leaves MC, his father is a strength coach for White Sox and there was an article in the Trib a few weeks ago about how he enjoys being able to work with him on his game. Could skip football to concentrate on baseball though.
In '13 they lost to Naples, ranked #62 in their state.
In '14 they lose to 6-4 St Johns.
In '15 they'd be at Palatine in 11°. They wouldn't have stepped off the bus.
Ignazio,
I'm not a big IMG fan but realize the started team football there in 2013 and St Johns from DC signed 9 Power 5 players that year from that team. IMG if they ever come to Illinois, are not coming to lose! Regarding playing in Cold last year it wouldn't bother them as most of their team is not from Florida.
I'm not a big IMG fan but realize the started team football there in 2013 and St Johns from DC signed 9 Power 5 players that year from that team. IMG if they ever come to Illinois, are not coming to lose! Regarding playing in Cold last year it wouldn't bother them as most of their team is not from Florida.
As long as IMG keeps getting those d3 kids to foot the bill for the real players they will do well.
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IMG is going to continue to grow. With the amount of specialization that is occurring, more and more kids are going to transfer there. Houston won't be the last kid from Illinois, get ready for a a player or two to leave the Chicago metro each year to head down there. Especially if it works out for him. People are going to look for a jump start to a college program and are going to leave. I'd expect a few more of these to pop up as well across the country.
This happens in tennis, soccer, basketball frequently, it's going to get bigger in football. If I'm reading correctly, this is only their 4th year playing football. So the comment of 13-15 they Couldnt have won state is accurate, but not in the future. Weather or no weather, they'd be the top team in Illinois this year.
They have never won a state championship because they are not a full member of the state athletic association and are not allowed to play in the playoffs.
Not the best news in the world. Whether he was there or not, it was gonna come down to the O and D lines and QB play anyway. Cant have the turnovers and lack of punch like past year. Now if Alek Thomas doesn't play, Im walking in front of a bus.
Have you heard if the MC community was aware of this beforehand or was it a complete surprise?
The big elephant n the room is the National 7on7 tournament on IMG's campus. This is one of the reasons I am against all star 7on7 teams. As teams bring their talent to participate on a recruiting trip competing for a national title and a ring, more kids will love what they see and decide to jump ship. " Just a thought
McCaravan,
Again I'm not a big IMG fan, but once you're on campus look around and see what they have to offer with Weather, Facilities, Travel around the country to play the best teams, and the Fairer sex it's not hard to convince a kid. That said I am surprised they convinced his dad.
Again I'm not a big IMG fan, but once you're on campus look around and see what they have to offer with Weather, Facilities, Travel around the country to play the best teams, and the Fairer sex it's not hard to convince a kid. That said I am surprised they convinced his dad.
Maybe his dad is trying to get out of BTN - these state income taxes I tell ya...
I would love to see how many of these "transfers" actually pay the $70,000 /year tuition. If nobody agreed to play IMG.. the appeal to go there disappears. Imagine a schedule of open dates. Just don't schedule them- problem solved.
TBH, I never even heard of this place before today, but after reading about it, I see what your saying...and his family has the means to relocate to be with him...Good luck Houston, but for selfish reasons, I'm disappointed.
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Dean I'm with you...I was starting to buy into this years team and had all the hope for the 2017 team, but this take some of the wind out of the sails. As you said, MC has never won a Championship due to the play of one cornerback, the line and the Offensive backfield have determined that, but having Griffith gave me hopes of MC slowing down Smallings from BR and the 5 WR's they always have at Loyola...plus I'm sure they would have found a way to get the ball into his hands on some plays...but transfers at MC are common and they always prevailed.
This obviously sucks BUT, LA and BR are 8A. if MC was 8A this would be a death blow with the likes of them and HF, more passing teams. 7A more of a chance. I still think they have more talent on D then in 2010 when they went to 8A final. Just need the O to pick it up like they did that year w Sujka.
It hurts to lose a talent like Griffith, he was a special athlete and is widely considered a top line CB. It hurts in games like BR & LA as well as possible playoff teams. But SR isn't tossing the ball around like that and neither is PC. Still enough talent in the backfield to defend the pass. This transfer is a big loss, but with the right pieces it can be managed throughout the season. The offenses ability to limit turnovers and have some long drives will be a major factor in helping manage the loss of a big talent on defense.
With or without him, they were not winning the Blue or getting far in 7A playing like they did on O last year. I think they can have an offense similar to 2010 (Sujka, Banks, Draco Smith) with quick strike ability and ability to break long runs w Kennedy, Thomas, the soph who will be up that I saw break a few long TD runs at Rita. I think there is still enough talent on D to get things done w McClurge, Kilbane, Filer, Taylor, Cousart, Outlar, Barbosa. I just have to see how they have progressed and coalesced at the Scrimmage.
Styka was a Soph LB they brought up to Varsity last year, hopefully he pans out as well...Taylor just got an offer to Central Michigan...One of my sources says Thomas is playing so you can avoid walking into that bus...for now! Jake Moriarity is somebody I would like to see on the field, he was so good as a Freshman, had a knee injury that slowed him down though.
The D line will be a key. Whenever Coach Dave has a good D line it expands all the things he does with the LB's and secondary. The past 2 seasons the DB's & LB's had to blitz to put pressure on the QB and that left holes in the defense. They don't have to be Smith, Greer & Richardson great, but the defensive line needs to be much better than the past couple of seasons.
That's more what i meant. Would he be next to give up football to concentrate on baseball
McCaravan said in the other thread that he heard from murky sources that Thomas was planning on playing. Although no one could blame him if he just wanted to concentrate on baseball, he's a pure talent and has a great shot at a 1st round draft pick straight out of MC.
I have a question for the board, in his release thanking the MC coaches and community Houston said that this move gives him the opportunity to graduate early and enroll early. I haven't seen a lot of Illinois kids do this, but have seen it many times during ESPN coverage of signing day. Does Illinois not allow early graduation or is it simply that MC does not allow for it?
MC does not. Pretty much all public schools you can if you take summer school and the right electives.
MC, how do they not allow it if the kid has enough credits? Or do they use some kind of different system?
Parrker Westphal graduated a semester early a couple of years ago from Bolingbrook and went early to Northwestern.
My guess is the 4 years of Religion needed to graduate is the biggest obstacle. I can't think of a catholic school in the area that allows early graduation.