The Impact of Nick Montana
by John Berkowitz on Jun 10, 2009 8:46 PM PDT
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I received around twenty emails today from people I know who aren't Husky fans or even football fans. This is a big impact signing on national scale. Heaps would have been nice, but from a PR stand point signing Nick Montana is huge!
On a national scale this may be the most high profile signing the University of Washington has ever had.
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Huge!
This is absolutely huge and the timing couldn’t have been better! Like you said “Jake who?”
Washington Husky Football-1991 National Champions
UW and Seattle...
…are still great places to live, go to college and play football. You add Coach Sark and Company and it just gets sweeter.
Washington Husky Football-1991 National Champions
That's what I've been trying to tell you John
Heaps was never the “real” target. I think from day 1 it was all about Nick Montana. Name recognition can go along way, yet I know you still have to play the game. But consider this, how will it effect recruiting? How many WRs, TEs, O linemen, and RBs out there are going to want to play with Nick?
Not only that but think of the connections you will make in signing w/ Washington? How sweet it would be to have Joe Montana’s name on a resume.
Now don’t get me wrong, this thing is about Nick Montana NOT his dad. Nick is the guy that has to come in and compete, learn the system, and win a job (after Locker graduates of course). This has to be all about Nick and not who he is related to. The last thing we need to do is put pressure on this kid to live up to unbelievable expectations. Huge commit, I agree and arguably the most dynamic prospect commit Washington has ever had. But let’s keep it all real- it’s about Nick not Joe.
DomerNation has got to be screeming mad at Weis right about now- GOOD!
All I saw was purple
Hmmm!
Tough to say because I don’t know coach Sark personally yet.
What I heard is Jake Heaps told UW last December that he was willing to listen but he didn’t think much of the program in its current state. He gave Sark a chance but the coach hedged his bets.
Would he rather have Montana than Heaps?
Only the Coach Sark knows for sure.
I personally was never really sold on Heaos. i wuld have been happy if we signed him but for some reason I always felt something was missing. I could be wrong but I think his ceiling isn’t as high as others on the board.
Keep in mind that I am really, really, high on Keith Price.
I think Keith is going to be an excellent QB.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 10, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Keith is going to be an excellent QB.
I’m with you there – I think Price has gotten overlooked in all the hoopla over which QB the Huskies would sign this year. I expect Price to challenge and probably surpass Fouch once Locker graduates, and I think Montana will have a hard time beating out Price. Bottom line, it should be great competition at the position.
I think Price will be a solid #2 by mid season...
You also have to factor in that Ronnie like Jake hasn’t had the most solid of coaching since he has been here. I think all the QB’s benefit from the new staff. If Jake goes down Ronnie is still the guy in 2009.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 10, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I think his ceiling isn’t as high as others on the board.
John, you’re talking about Heaps potential vis a vis Montana and Scroggins, right?
I’m high on Price too, but to me he’s the Class of 2009 and the three troika guys are this year’s recruiting class. Wasn’t Sark’s goal no? To get a first rate QB in this ‘current’ class.
Also, I completely agree that the Montana commitment was huge. I wanted him because I thought he was really good HS QB with great potential. But, in only looking at his ‘on field’ capabilities, I really didn’t foresee phenom “promotional” impact this appears to be having.
Sark is one clever guy.
He can’t comment on Montana’s committment but his cryptic tweet says it all. “the dawgs are barking loud tonight”
That says everything…without telling anything at all.
by ThaiDiamond on Jun 10, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Keith Price will be ready on Day One!
I’m glad to hear that you’re not overlooking Keith Price because he will be the starter whenever Locker takes his last snap at UW. Price is a bigger steal for the Huskies from a purely football standpoint than Montana. He committed to Willingham when UW was crashing and burning. He allowed Sark to re-recruit him first and Sark made retaining Price a high priority.
I have no doubt Price is more ready to make a positive impact on the field for UW than Montana. Montana is skinny and still needs to develop physically . I’m sure Montana will probably be a fine QB under Sark’s tutelage but Price is coming in ready to roll, don’t forget that Price said that he planned to push Locker when he arrives on campus. That is the kind of moxie that we need at QB for continued Husky success post-Locker .
I like Price
I think he has tremendous potential.
This fall we are only three deep and only two have experience. Hopefully Price can redshirt but if Locker goes down I do expect him to be competing for the back up job by mid season.
Don’t discount Fouch either. I am sure he is improving under the new coaches too.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 12, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I always wanted Heaps
But most of that had to do with the Washington pride, local thing. I wanted Heaps to come to UW, but I also couldn’t get over this nagging idea in my head that Scroggins and Montana were better QB’s than him. When the news broke that Heaps was going to BYU and Montana was coming to visit Montlake, I knew we were in the mix for Nick… I just didn’t expect the commitment so soon! So glad how it all turned out, I honestly think we got the best guy for our Dawgs!
And here’s my thoughts on who Sark wanted most… He’s known Montana and Scroggins for years and never met Heaps til he moved up here in December, who do you think he wanted most?
Heaps reminds me of Brad Plemmons
Brad was from Auburn HS and spurned Coach James and went to UCLA.
I imagine he is probably pumping gas these days.
I played with is older brother in college and he used to razz me about my Husky convictions. Funny…UW went to the Rose Bowl in1978 and Brad Plemmons was home roasting chestnuts.
Joe Steele is a good friend of mine and he could have gone anywhere in the country. Joe always said the major reason he picked UW was because if football didn’t work out he would always have lots of options in the community for business outside of football. Joe was never a Rhodes Scholar and neither am I but he really got it. Joe is very succesful in business because of his hard work and the network he built at UW.
Heaps doesn’t get it unless he wants to live in SLC the rest of his life.
The thing is you can never truly go home again…Joe got it.
I remember when I moved to the Midwest he questioned me about the decision because I was leaving a network I had taken my whole life to create. It worked out fine…but the odds were certaintly against me. The Internet that wasn’t invented yet when I moved has certainly leveled that playing field. I might as well be in Ballard.
Anyway I think Heaps passed up on some great opportunities.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 10, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Wasted on the Young.
the major reason he picked UW was because if football didn’t work out he would always have lots of options in the community for business outside of football.
Great post. This is too true.
But its hard to get 18 year old kids to think long term when a long time is such a huge dimension in their short life.
That’s the problem with youth. It’s always wasted on the young!
Let me go back to being 18…the experiences, background and “head” on my shoulders and I’m sure….I’d screw it yet again:-)
by ThaiDiamond on Jun 10, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Brad Plemmons and Jake Heaps
Are like yin and yang. Your point is a good one, though I’m laughing at the comparison.
You got it Chazz
TW abandoned the prep coaches in the metro Seattle region. A lot of the big time recruits were leaving the state. Sark and Holt are from SC and they have a great relationship with all the big time California prep coaches. This is why we are seeing quite a few early California kids committing to Washington and why local kids have wavered or are wavering over Washington.
The point is, it is going to take time for Sark and Holt to build a solid working relationship with the Washington prep coaches. Once it happens it will be a pipeline in here. Until then Sark and Holt are going to have to sell themselves to the kids. And that is basically what they’ve been doing. How does Sark land Nick Montana to a program that just came off an 0-12 season? Answer: he is selling himself and the coaching the recruit will receive.
This thing is going to blast off into orbit VERY SOON if it hasn’t already. We are going to get USC type kids coming up here in the very near future. Once that happens, don’t be surprised if Sark’s and Holt’s recruiting efforts go nation-wide. Very well could happen…
Go Dawgs! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
I agree 100%
Montana’s commitment speaks volumes about Sark’s ability. When Joe Montana’s son says you’re the best QB coach on the west coast and possibly the nation, people listen. I think some of our feathered and long-tailed rivals are trying to downplay this…Joe Cool, the best QB to EVER play the game, trusts our head coach to develop his son into a pro QB. Think of how much time and money has already been invested into making Nick the player he is now…and he trusts Sark and Nuss to do it. I love it.
The confidence that the Montana’s have in Sark and Co should translate very well up and down the west coast, wait and see.
Get your popcorn ready!
by ChazzReinhold on Jun 11, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
All this excitement...
is allowing us to overlook the fact that 2 more Cewgs got arrested this week. The worm is definately turning for Washington.
Go Dawgs!
"Anytime, Anyplace"
"Life is hard, it's harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne
I feel
Like pooping champane bottle’s already, woo hoo, go dawgs.
by justicebeau on Jun 10, 2009 10:30 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Can we get photos please?
Typo of the year? :)
by hairofthedawg on Jun 11, 2009 12:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Montana's Commitment Jumps UW
…to number 10 in the team rankings with 10 recruits.
Just ahead of BYWHO — with 13 recruits.
Still have a long way to go, but it’s significant that the Dawgs lead USC (8 recruits to date) by almost 300 points.
“The Dawgs are starting to bark loudly every night.
2011-
Starting QB Price or Montana? Definitely a good problem to have.
Save the first version for the 4th quarter of the Rose Bowl.
Hey, yesterday I referred to top recruits as “blue-hips.”
Great News
I think this is going to be Sark’s signature signing. This really gives the Huskies some national attention which is what they need. Way to go Dawgs!
Let's Not Get Too Crazy...Yet!
Am I thrilled about Montana’s verbal? Absolutely! The bloodlines, the pedigree, the potential, and most of all the name get me pumped!
Just don’t forget that this is a kid who’s not even a senior in HS yet and is listed at 6-1, 185…which are recruiting numbers, likely indicating the kid is probably closer to 6-0, 175. He’s got a ton of growing to do, a ton of work to do in the weight room, and has to learn to play at the college speed.
I remember being thrilled by the potential of Brock Huard…until Nebraska and Notre Dame drilled him in his glass jaw a few times and from then on he was never the same, looking like a deer in headlights and forever throwing wounded ducks off his back foot.
I was thrilled when we signed 5-star DL Donnie Mateaki in 2002 and 5-star TE Jon Lyon in 2003. Given that those are about the only 5-star guys we’ve brought in during this decade, I guess I’m just a bit jaded on Scout and Rivals 5-star guys.
Montana has the best name recognition of just about anyone we’ve ever gotten…I’m just chewing on a huge grain of salt until he’s ready to make his mark in, well, probably 2011 or 2012. That’s a long way off….
by Purple Reign 91 on Jun 11, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Kevario Middleton
is a 5 star guy…he had a rough second half last season but he showed flashes of brilliance. I think he could be one to live up to the hype.
Rough Second Half?
Try rough last 10 games. 8 catches in the first 2 games, 4 catches the rest of the season.
Until Middleton appreciates the weight room as much as the dining room, and learns to block—as well—he’ll be stuck behind tougher kids.
by Purple Reign 91 on Jun 11, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I think just about everyone saw the need for Middleton to change his body. He looked soft, though some of that may be genetic.
by doubledeucedawg on Jun 11, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Middleton should never have played last year
He wasn’t physically ready and you can say that about most of the true frosh who played last season. When you are not physically ready you end up getting hurt which just stunts your development. Instead of getting five years to develop a guy like Kavario ends up getting three and a half to develop because of the injury.
Willingham did a lot of selfish things out of desperation.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 11, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Name recognition is HUGE! My point is that although the bloodlines are there in the Montana commit, yes he still has to develope, learn the system, and win a job. But what I think we are all excited about is the fact that we are back in the business of signing “real” Pac 10 level recruits across the board. That hasn’t been the trend around here lately. And to see it coming in makes us all want to get up, stand up on our desks, and scream as loud as we possibly can “GO DAWGS! WOOF!!!” (I did this after Holt was hired)
That is what all this is about, its the excitement of being back in the recruiting game more then just nabbing a prospect with great bloodlines.
All I saw was purple
sark's steele
times 10.
when don james came in joe was his first “big commit.”
there was a lot of interest from the pac-10 and notre dame since blanchet is a catholic college prep hs.
he was a big splash and we got quite a few big uglies who wanted to block for the best back in the northwest. i’d say in the west if it wasn’t for some guy down south named charles white.
i remember the stanford game as a sophomore he had two or three tds and was concussed for most of the game, didn’t know where he was playing.
different game back then.
this will pay big dividends in the near future.
come on kohler hang out with jake’s roomie ryan tolar this weekend.
i knew sark was aggressive recruiting but this guy is sharp on the tactics.
Montana vs Steele?
Michael Jackson and Joe Steele were the early must have’s when James started and he got them.
If you ask DJ Steele was the most imprtant recruit during his tenure at Washington. He may have signed a few better players as time went on but nobody was as important as Joe Steele. In the years before recruiting rankings Joe was a big time national recruit that could have gone anywhere.
That being said I wouldn’t put Heaps or Montana in that class. I am sure both are going to be very good but Steele was in a whole different class as a PSA. Penn State, Notre Dame…you name it…they were knocking on his door and that was before Seattle was on the map.
If Joe hadn’t been injured he would have had a very nice pro career. I was talking to a former BC QB when I was in Boston a week ago and he brought up Joe Steele. He said he grew up watching him on TV in Philly and was a big fan.
I do think Montana gives us a lot of national buzz which is great. If his name was Smith he would just be another highly rated recruit wo wouldn’t cause much of a buzz outside the Dawgman chat room.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 11, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Congrats to Sark and the Dawgs
Living in San Diego, rooting for the Huskies. I have taken a lot of heat the last few years from all the Big 12 people who live out here. (If Texas and Oklahoma are such great places, why are you living here?) But the last two days, those same fans have been talking about Montana and UW like we are a force. As you all say, we have a ways to go, but it is great to see the Husky icon on TV again and to hear all the excitement in UW voices. But I am still not pooping champagne bottles, yet.
"Never retreat, never surrender" - Mark Grant
by wishfulthinking on Jun 11, 2009 11:10 AM PDT reply actions
Montana's impact on recruiting...
is what i’m most excited about!! Nick Montana’s signing gives UW a firm foothold at a top football powerhouse. Coach Sark is thinking long term with this signing, i’m sure.
I liked his interview on Softy's show
where he said he’s gonna get on his teammates to come to UW. He mentioned Kohler and Malcolm (Jones) in the same sentence as guys he’s already chirpin’ at. Jones is a 5* RB with offers EVERYWHERE major
by ChazzReinhold on Jun 11, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions
UofW RB Coach: Joel Thomas
is one of the very best in the business and I was very surprised that he didn’t take any of the NFL offers. This RB kid from O.C.H.S. would learn the position inside and out with Thomas coaching him.
Purdue under Tiller was a pass-happy offensive program. Thomas comes in to coach the Boilermakers RBs a WOW! Watching Purdue in their bowl game a few years ago, some unnamed RB kid for Purdue had like a 200+ yard game vs. Oregon.
Joel Thomas is nationally known as a very good RB coach- hint, hint …
All I saw was purple
Joel Thomas is a stud
here’s a question…why haven’t we offered Jones? He’s not even on the board on Dawgman. I figure Montana sellin’ UW to him has gotta be worth somethin’, especially if Nick is as respected in the huddle as I have read. I really think Kohler comes here now that Nick is on board and know nothing about the other O.C. guy we offered, Fua.
I can imagine he is telling his teammates some pretty awesome things about UW and the program that Sark is building up here. You gotta figure he can tell his guys that if they all went to UW they could not just play together, but start together…not something you can say if you went to USC. I hope Nick can sell us hard and get at least a couple guys comin’ to Montlake
by ChazzReinhold on Jun 11, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m betting the UW has offered Jones, but we’re not in his top-7 according to Scout.com so the UW isn’t listed.
Ah, yes, hadn’t thought about that, that makes sense. Well I hope Montana chirps extra loud in Jones’ ear and gets us at least a visit so Coach Thomas and Sark can work their magic!
by ChazzReinhold on Jun 11, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Stable is Full
I think one reason why we haven’t seen too many RBs commit is due to a loaded stable of runningbacks already in the program. Also our line blocked like shit last season and maybe some of them may opt to see how our line looks when the season starts.
We’ve got our QB, WRs, LBs, and a quality Olinemen commited. What we need to go after is D and O linemen, CBs, and Safeties- All are top of the chart priorities in this coming class.
All I saw was purple
What we need to go after is D and O linemen, CBs, and Safeties- All are top of the chart priorities in this coming class.
Re-stocking the O-line is the biggest priority right now IMO, for multiple reasons:
- A good o-line makes your RB’s look better
- A good o-line keeps our franchise QB upright and less likely to be injured, plus gives him more time to carve up defenses
- Our o-line last year was BAD
- Our o-line is not made up of guys that fit what Sarkisian really wants for the position, not without more physical re-development
- Sark only signed 1 o-lineman last year, and it’s not certain he’ll qualify
After that, he needs to solidify Potoae’s commitment and get at least 1 more quality DT, plus a couple of good edge rushers for DE.
Those need to be the highest priorities right now in recruiting…
Completely agree
I believe in building inside out. The foundation of a football team is in the trenches. You always have to recruit hard for offensive and defensive line personnel. Main reason is because they don’t grow them on trees. A great Div.1 linemen is GOLD!
Secondary personnel is always an after-thought. But their is nothing more that keeps the ball out of scoring position like a lock down CB. You get a lock down corner and you basically take half the field away from the opposing offense. Corners need to be endlessly recruited and you don’t settle. Regarding safeties, you can convert a tweener LB into a very good safety. The priority in the defensive backfield is CB.
We’ve got to stockpile O linemen and D linemen. You only need one QB on the field, 1 to 2 RBs on the field and a couple receivers. But you need a slew of linemen on both sides of the ball.
Kirkd is correct, for this class we need to turn our recruiting focus to offensive linemen, because we are a little frail on the line right now.
All I saw was purple
Montana and O-linemen
Since Nick committed it makes me think that Sark has assured him that he will get the protection he needs in the form of quality beef up front. I think that the good o-linemen out of Cali aren’t committing as early as say the top signal callers are, and therefore we have a few months of playing the waiting game to see who Sark can reel in. Hopefully Kohler and Porter make the call soon to be Dawgs. An OG named Tanigawa out of Cali is listed as high on the Dawgs
On the d-line, Potoae remaining at UW is an absolute must. Hartvigson is tripping to Montlake this week and he is a TE/DE. Supposedly Cali DE Hudson and DT Wesley Flowers are still high on the Dawgs… not sure if either of them have tripped to UW yet
The defensive backs looking at the Dawgs are freaking awesome and are being courted by the best programs in the country. Demetrius Wright, Joshua Shaw, Dietrich Riley and Troy Hill are a couple of those names. Lots of competition, but getting just one of those guys would be great for the Dawgs.
I really wanna see Sark hit Hawaii hard for a lot of positions…those boys are made for football and our past success had a lot to do with our Cali and Hawaii pipeline James had built.
Hartvigson
Hartvigson is the kind of guy that UW may pass on in some years. That being said the kid goes to WSU and becomes an all conference performer. I hope he commits to UW because I think he is going to be a very good player over time.
by John Berkowitz on Jun 12, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions
So what are the odds of Montana beating out Locker for the top QB position this fall?
Cassie
"And will that be cash, hip check, or Raw Charge today?"
by Cassie McClellan on Jun 13, 2009 7:57 PM PDT reply actions
0%
Especially seen as how Montana still has one year of high school left.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
-110%
Montana won’t be on campus till 2010 ; )
by John Berkowitz on Jun 13, 2009 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Tells you how much I’ve been paying attention! I’ve been writing about hockey all season. Thanks. ;o)
Cassie
"And will that be cash, hip check, or Raw Charge today?"
by Cassie McClellan on Jun 14, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
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