QB signee Nick Fitzgerald will paticipate in Liberty Bowl Practice

WrapItDog

Senior
Aug 23, 2012
4,301
715
113
Never heard of a signee participating in bowl practice prior to the start of the spring semester. Did Bracky take an early Christmas vacation?

Daily Journal
Nick Fitzgerald was set for an exciting week.
Not only did the Mississippi State quarterback commitment have his future coaches Dan Mullen and John Hevesy attend his football banquet Monday night, he is also scheduled to graduate high school.
But the week got even better when the Richmond Hill, Ga., standout learned he would begin his college career even earlier than expected. Fitzgerald was set to enroll at MSU in January but will start practicing with the Bulldogs on Saturday as they prepare for the Liberty Bowl.
“Coach Hevesy called Monday and said they’d just found out that once I finished (high school) I could come over and start practicing,” Fitzgerald said. “I really didn’t understand quite what he meant. I thought he meant just come watch practice but he asked if I was ready to strap it up. I told him I was definitely ready.”
 

was21

Senior
May 29, 2007
9,937
584
113
That's good. I guess I'm confused. Is he in the mold of TR? just sayin'
 

Sutterkane

Redshirt
Jan 23, 2007
5,100
0
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Makes sense if you think about it.

Fall practice starts before school does, and those who graduate in the spring from high school are allowed to practice if I'm not mistaken. So as long as he's enrolled for January he should be able to practice for a game that's going to happen that month.

The biggest question I have is, if we play him in the bowl game (LONG SHOT OF COURSE), does he lose a year of eligibility? I would assume yes.
 

Dawgology

Redshirt
Sep 15, 2011
828
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Makes sense if you think about it.

Fall practice starts before school does, and those who graduate in the spring from high school are allowed to practice if I'm not mistaken. So as long as he's enrolled for January he should be able to practice for a game that's going to happen that month.

The biggest question I have is, if we play him in the bowl game (LONG SHOT OF COURSE), does he lose a year of eligibility? I would assume yes.

No way on God's green earth that he plays in the bowl game. I think, because school will have let out by the time he comes on campus, that this counts as him enrolling January. He will still get his RS season. I think our coaches are ready to get him on campus and locked in because they know we just pulled a Chris-Jones-level steal and they don't want to have to play that game again in February. And to answer the question above...he is not like TR. He is a run first QB. Imagine Dak Prescott with TR height but weighs more than TR (or will after conditioning and weight training).

He's going to be a freaking beast at QB in two years. If QB doesn't pan out he will be a pretty stout WR as well I think.
 

ckDOG

All-American
Dec 11, 2007
10,016
5,855
113
That's great. Surprised the NCAA is okay with it.

It makes sense to reward someone who graduates early with practice experience, but I'm honestly surprised the NCAA doesn't count that as a year since it's still the 2013 season.

To make bowls more interesting for the fans, I wish the NCAA would allow redshirted freshman to take snaps in the bowl game without compromising a year of eligibility. It's just one game and most bowls are nothing but exhibitions. Treat them as such. It would give the players that know they aren't playing the regular season a little something to look forward to and the fans a taste of what's to come.
 

os62

Heisman
Mar 18, 2003
10,642
16,852
48
No way on God's green earth that he plays in the bowl game. I think, because school will have let out by the time he comes on campus, that this counts as him enrolling January. He will still get his RS season. I think our coaches are ready to get him on campus and locked in because they know we just pulled a Chris-Jones-level steal and they don't want to have to play that game again in February. And to answer the question above...he is not like TR. He is a run first QB. Imagine Dak Prescott with TR height but weighs more than TR (or will after conditioning and weight training).

He's going to be a freaking beast at QB in two years. If QB doesn't pan out he will be a pretty stout WR as well I think.

I heard he had Mike Vick's leg's, Russell Wilson's Arm Strength, Peyton Manning's smarts, and Tom Brady's leadership*****
 

Sutterkane

Redshirt
Jan 23, 2007
5,100
0
0
With 4.7 speed listed, and a 43% passing percentage, forgive me if I fail to see the beast, unless you forgot your sarcasterisks.
 

lanceharbor7

Redshirt
Feb 24, 2008
908
46
28
So Nick is a 5 star in 2 star clothing?

No way on God's green earth that he plays in the bowl game. I think, because school will have let out by the time he comes on campus, that this counts as him enrolling January. He will still get his RS season. I think our coaches are ready to get him on campus and locked in because they know we just pulled a Chris-Jones-level steal and they don't want to have to play that game again in February. And to answer the question above...he is not like TR. He is a run first QB. Imagine Dak Prescott with TR height but weighs more than TR (or will after conditioning and weight training).

He's going to be a freaking beast at QB in two years. If QB doesn't pan out he will be a pretty stout WR as well I think.


That's so MSU
 

DerHntr

All-Conference
Sep 18, 2007
15,819
2,741
113
If only he could go to OM instead. Then he'd be all those things and baptised.
 

dawgdoug1962

Redshirt
Oct 14, 2013
279
8
18
Never heard of a signee participating in bowl practice prior to the start of the spring semester. Did Bracky take an early Christmas vacation?

Daily Journal
Nick Fitzgerald was set for an exciting week.
Not only did the Mississippi State quarterback commitment have his future coaches Dan Mullen and John Hevesy attend his football banquet Monday night, he is also scheduled to graduate high school.
But the week got even better when the Richmond Hill, Ga., standout learned he would begin his college career even earlier than expected. Fitzgerald was set to enroll at MSU in January but will start practicing with the Bulldogs on Saturday as they prepare for the Liberty Bowl.
“Coach Hevesy called Monday and said they’d just found out that once I finished (high school) I could come over and start practicing,” Fitzgerald said. “I really didn’t understand quite what he meant. I thought he meant just come watch practice but he asked if I was ready to strap it up. I told him I was definitely ready.”

The NCAA rule was changed after last season to allow this....according to what I have read....
 

TheStateUofMS

All-Conference
Dec 26, 2009
10,308
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I heard he had Mike Vick's leg's, Russell Wilson's Arm Strength, Peyton Manning's smarts, and Tom Brady's leadership*****

Don't talk bad about him. He and his dad might read the message board and he might not come**

seriously tho I think he's going to be good. He's a system guy like Tebow. He had another good QB in front of him last year, and his team runs a wing offense like Relf ran (good omen)? He led his team to the deepest they have ever been in the playoffs and hosted a game for the first time. I've heard from people that know him he's a great kid, exceptional work ethic, great basketball players and all around athlete, great family, and yeah he's that "diamond in the rough." He's a "steal" according to his coach. He also never says anything dumb on twitter. (No I'm not stalking on twitter. It's called being interested, no homo, in future MSU players) i only follow him, Staley, and that's it. Had to drop Marlon Humphrey. He tweets like it's his job.

flame away
 

coach66

Junior
Mar 5, 2009
12,691
312
83
That's what I told my Bear buddies, the second coming of John Bond.

good athlete and good character.
 

muhstate

Redshirt
Aug 29, 2013
240
0
0
With 4.7 speed listed, and a 43% passing percentage, forgive me if I fail to see the beast, unless you forgot your sarcasterisks.

Forgive me if I am remembering this incorrectly but he played in a triple option/wishbone offense in high school right?

Pretty good choice for a Gus-Bone type offense. Interesting to see how he'll fit in a more balance spread option attack.
 

thf24

Redshirt
Jan 28, 2011
1,334
3
38
With 4.7 speed listed, and a 43% passing percentage, forgive me if I fail to see the beast, unless you forgot your sarcasterisks.

He's faster than 4.7. Someone posted a highlight video of him the other day on the other board, and he was the fastest player on the field in 5A, running away from the opponents' DB's. He may clock at that, but he's got plenty of game speed for his size. He'll also be serviceable passing after some work with our staff.
 

was21

Senior
May 29, 2007
9,937
584
113
Interesting but puzzling comparison. I watched John Bond play at State. Of course he ran Bellard's wish(wing)bone and was primarily a big tough guy who ran the option to perfection. He was not a great passer in that offensive scheme. Why is he rated at two star...thxs
 

os62

Heisman
Mar 18, 2003
10,642
16,852
48
Don't talk bad about him. He and his dad might read the message board and he might not come**

seriously tho I think he's going to be good. He's a system guy like Tebow. He had another good QB in front of him last year, and his team runs a wing offense like Relf ran (good omen)? He led his team to the deepest they have ever been in the playoffs and hosted a game for the first time. I've heard from people that know him he's a great kid, exceptional work ethic, great basketball players and all around athlete, great family, and yeah he's that "diamond in the rough." He's a "steal" according to his coach. He also never says anything dumb on twitter. (No I'm not stalking on twitter. It's called being interested, no homo, in future MSU players) i only follow him, Staley, and that's it. Had to drop Marlon Humphrey. He tweets like it's his job.

flame away

Of course I was just messing around just because Dawgology made him out to be an NFL Hall of Famer. I've never seen the kid play but have read a few good things on him. Seems like a good fit for Mullen's offense.
 

Dawgology

Redshirt
Sep 15, 2011
828
1
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Of course I was just messing around just because Dawgology made him out to be an NFL Hall of Famer. I've never seen the kid play but have read a few good things on him. Seems like a good fit for Mullen's offense.
I'm actually just kind of screwing with everyone. I've never seen the guy play except for his highlights. I'm just trying to emulate What fans of some other schools do... Although, his his highlight reel is pretty impressive and I find it strange that our coaches are trying to get him on campus and off the board fast.
 

os62

Heisman
Mar 18, 2003
10,642
16,852
48
I'm actually just kind of screwing with everyone. I've never seen the guy play except for his highlights. I'm just trying to emulate What fans of some other schools do... Although, his his highlight reel is pretty impressive and I find it strange that our coaches are trying to get him on campus and off the board fast.

Gotcha. I now see what you did there hahaha
 

Sutterkane

Redshirt
Jan 23, 2007
5,100
0
0
I honestly don't know, but if he is playing in a wishbone offense that runs 90% of the time like that, I'd expect his completion % to be closer to 70-80%, at least for high school.