Lipscomb to play Junior College football
Posted on July 13th, 2009 – 11:51 AMBy Kent Youngblood
(Note: There is a Joey Searcy update below)
Well, I’ve gotten confirmation that Cypress Ridge High School (Houston, Texas) running back Hasan Lipscomb will be playing junior college football this fall.
His high school coach, Gary Thiebaud, said Lipscomb — rated four stars by Rivals.com — failed to get a qualifying score on his entrance exam and has chosen to go the JC route. He will play at Blinn (Texas) Junior College — a very competitive program located about an hour west of Houston. Blinn coach Brad Franchione confirmed that news in an interview this morning.
”We recruited him hard,” Franchione said. ”We got a call from him near the end of school, the last week of May or the first week in June. He was unsure whether he’d make the qualifying scores and he wanted to know if we still had a spot for him and we did.”
the 5-foot-11, 201-pound Lipscomb was highly regarded, getting offers from Nebraska, Texas A&M and Baylor in addition to the Gophers. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seans at Cypress Ridge, running for 41 TDs in his final two years there. Even on a Gophers team returning a lot of experience at the running back position, Lipscomb was expected to compete for significant playing time as a freshman.
That competition will now include Duane Bennett, who is returning from knee surgery, DeLeon Eskridge and Kevin Whaley. Shady Salamon also returns with some experience.
A year ago the Gophers had two recruits sidetracked by academic issues in quarterback MarQueis Gray and linebacker Spencer Reeves. The good news is that both eventually made their way back to the Gophers.
Thiebaud said it was Lipscomb’s intent on doing the same once his time at Blinn JC is done.
Franchione agreed. ”It’s our goal to get him eligible and get him graduated,” he said. ”He’s a good person. If he does the right things in the classroom Division I is inevitable.”
Another February signee, Fergus Falls offensive lineman Josh Campion, is recovering from back surgery and will likely grayshirt.
Meanwhile, most of the other member of the 2009 recruiting class is on-campus. Junior college wide receiver Hayo Carpenter is on his way, has his JC degree and is expected to be ready to go this fall. One more to watch is Grand Prairie (Texas) defensive tackle Joey Searcy, who has not yet enrolled.
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36 Responses to "Lipscomb to play Junior College football"
hope he can get his grades up at JUCO and makes it to the Gopher squad after this season. seems like a good kid and would love to see him on the field at TCF stadium soon. i still think this was good recruit (4-star RB) by coach brew and that we will see hassan lipscomb at minnesota after one season in JUCO. contrary to what kent youngblood wrote here hassan lipscomb was likely going to red-shirt this year anyways, so assuming he makes it back to D1 and Minnesota then this shouldn’t be too big of a set-back.
go gophers!
Recruiting rule of thumb:
Make sure he can count the number of stars behind his name! lollollollol
Its brewwwwwwwwwwwwtabulous!
Hawks says:
July 13th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Recruiting rule of thumb:
Make sure he can count the number of stars behind his name! lollollollol
Its brewwwwwwwwwwwwtabulous!
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It’s very tragic, the toll that mental illness and subsequent electric shock therapy has taken on Hawks. It appears he’ll need that lobotomy after all.
No big surprise here as Brewster expects his frosh to be on campus and get started with college life. Being absent raises questions and now we know.
I hope Jay is physically able to compete for the starting RB spot this Fall. The RB roster has a long list of medical issues that are concerns. Eskridge and Shady need to be pushed and Bennett and Whaley need to stay healthy. Maybe Hoese will surprise and offer some production from the FB spot.
I would guess recruiting rb’s will be more pressing with this news.
Hopefully, the OL will perform - that will be the key to any rb success.
Since Kent started a new thread updating us on the status of Lipscomb, I thought it might be worthwhile to look at the Gopher’s 2009 potential RBs.
To facilitate this, I am copy below an analysis done by Go Gophers Rah at the GopherHole. It is missing the penciled in fullback Jon Hoese. I personally believe he could have an impact, given the Gophers new focus on the run. Feel free to comment on Go Gophers Rah analysis.
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“Now that Hasan Lipscomb will not be a Gopher in 2009, we have 6 RB’s listed in our depth chart. Here is a brief summary of each (in alphabetical order):
Duane Bennett became the starting RB in 2007 after Amir Pinnix suffered an ankle injury. As a redshirt freshman, he started 7 games and had 107 carries for 442 yards (4.13 ypr). This included a 100-yard game against Michigan. In the first two games of 2008 (before his injury) Bennett rushed 32 times for 140 yards (4.4 ypr). He is also a great receiving RB with 30 receptions for 270 yards (9 ypc) in the 12 games in which he has seen action. I thought I had heard that he’s bulked up, but his bio still shows him at 204 lbs.
R.J. Buckner is a 4th-year junior who has recruited at defensive back but switched to RB in 2007. He has recorded zero rushing yards in his 2 seasons at RB, so, I suspect he will see little playing time.
DeLeon Eskridge took Bennett’s place as the primary starter as a true freshman in 2008. He started nine games (and appeared in all 13) in 2008. He rushed 184 times for 678 yards (3.7 ypr). This included 2 100-yard games. He also had 29 receptions for 181 yards (6.2 ypc).
Shady Salamon started 2 games in 2008 (Montana State and Iowa), but had at least 3 carries in 5 other games. Totaled 181 yards on 49 carries (3.7 ypr). Also had 9 receptions for 91 yards. Best game was in relief of Bennett against Bowling Green in which he rushed for 64 yards.
Jay Thomas is a GopherHole favorite with a family that is very supportive of Gopher football. His role has really seemed to shift from RB to a special teams player. In 2006 and 2007, he rushed for a grant total of 77 caries for 440 yards, but in 2008 he was only handed the ball 7 times. In the past 2 years, he has returned 19 kickoffs for 482 yards and also had 9 tackles on special teams last year.
Kevin Whaley is a highly regarded redshirt freshman who sat out 2008 due to a gunshot wound. He rushed for 6,301 yards in high school and was named to the Virginia all-state 1st team twice. Coaches and fans were impressed by his performance in spring practice.
My opinion is that Bennett is the presumed starter until someone takes that role away from him. His yards per carry as a freshman were higher than Eskridge’s and he is an outstanding receiver. I am guessing that he will get 20 carries during each of the 1st 2 games and that Whaley and Eskridge will get 7 or 8 carries each during those games to see which one emerges as the better runner.
In the end, I think that Bennett will get most of the carries in 2009 and will be very reliable and consistent, but that Whaley will emerge as a big-play threat and will get plenty of playing time as well. I was hopeful about Salamon, but it was clear that Eskridge is the better RB.
Overall, I think we are MUCH stronger at RB in 2009 than we were last year. We lose zero starters and Bennett returns and Whaley could be very fun to watch. Even with an injury, we have plenty of depth to be improved over last year and -hopefully- our new offensive scheme will allow for the emergence of a strong running game to better balance out our offense.”
There was some talk earlier about Bennett getting a “medical redshirt” last year because of his injury. Did anything ever come of that?
Good stuff Curious George!
I think our running backs became much more durable with the upgraded O-Line. Shady in particular took some big-time hits. Deleon was more durable, but he also had his share of uncontested hits.
I’ve seen several O-Lines like that. It’s tough on QBs and RBs.
I think Bennett (as you stated) will start. He’s tough, quick and has good balance. Balance is something that comes natural, but is developed through practice. I think we’ll see an upgraded Bennett.
Eskridge may be able to carry some of the load. I see him as the number two (or additional back) in the “I”. Yes, we’re going to see the “I”.
Whaley is a question mark. He looked great in the spring. He’s got more to learn, and I don’t see him getting a lot until the last few games. He has some “high school” habits that served him well in high school, but that doesn’t carry over into Division 1 as readily (ie. waiting for holes to open).
I’d love to see Shady get his share, but unless there’s an injury, I don’t see it happening at this point.
Curious George says:
July 13th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
There was some talk earlier about Bennett getting a “medical redshirt” last year because of his injury. Did anything ever come of that?
Learn the rules, Dumbass, you can’t have a medical RS unless your reg RS is burned.
Kevin Whaley is a highly regarded redshirt freshman who sat out 2008 due to a gunshot wound.
Gonna guess he wasn’t president of his class? hehehehe
Dayyyyyam, where are all the punky ‘pologists this PM???????? DACstick?? Hello??????!
GODDAMNIT!!!!!
Kent, is Hayo going to get in or not?!
DICK
ahhhhhhhahaha, Dick, Hayoooooooooo was NEVER going to get it! It was/is all a dog and pony show to boost fantasy recruiting ratings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If or when Carpenter is denied I will unleash a total shitstorm on this blog. I am tired of this!
Why wait, people have known he wouldn’t get in since last winter! 3 years….count them, 3 years in 3 different CCs…..doesn’t = Big 10 academic sucess.
The crazies have taken over this site. Or is it just wren?
In case you missed it, this was in Marcus Fuller’s blog at the Pioneer Press on July 10th.
“Gophers fans have been eagerly waiting for the arrival of the team’s top incoming recruit, Hayo Carpenter, a junior college All-American wide receiver.
Carpenter’s coach at the College of the Canyons, Garrett Tujague, said today Carpenter should be in the Twin Cities very soon. I told him people here will be excited when he finally makes it to campus. His response was, “I’m sure.”
“He’s on his way, (junior college) transcripts in hand,” said Tujague, who watched Carpenter break all but one of the school’s receiving records with 3,079 yards and 28 touchdowns on 173 receptions.
Tujague said when summer school started that Carpenter was “good to go,” so I was a bit surprised it took him this long to get to Minnesota. It’s not unusual though. Former junior college standout and current Gophers starting cornerback Traye Simmons didn’t make it here until the fall.”
So, we have the beat writers for the Strib and the Press both reporting that Carpenter is on his way, and his academic situation is squared away. So the question is, who do we believe - two reporters and the kid’s JC coach, or anonymous bloggers who have no journalistic standards or ethics to live up to……hmmm, tough choice…..
Carpenter is on his way,
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Must be via a Wells-Fargo stagecoach…..
PS:
What does ‘getting here’ accomplish?
Cruding … If getting here before practice starts doesn’t accomplish anything, why are you crowing like a little toy rooster over the fact he has not arrived?
?
Can Hayo participate in Summer workouts, use the football facilities, dorms, etc if he is not enrolled in Summer session?
Me thinks no.
If so, that could be the main reason for his absence. Or he could pay his way just to be in the TC to watch and workout on his own.
Aug 7 is the end of Summer Session and that could date his arrival to the UM.
I find it amazing that people like Cruding live for any possible bad news about the Gopher football program. As a matter of fact it need only be a rumor even though reporters have published the opposite of the rumor. Talk about wasted energy and a wasted life!
Badger Nation says:
July 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Curious George says:
July 13th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
There was some talk earlier about Bennett getting a “medical redshirt” last year because of his injury. Did anything ever come of that?
Learn the rules, Dumbass, you can’t have a medical RS unless your reg RS is burned.
Hey Badger Nation, I know reading and understanding rules may be difficult for you, but you can’t RS if you play any downs. Since Bennett played in 2 games, he is only could be eligible for a medical RS.
Provided Carpenter is on the team, recieving should not be a problem on this team.
Weber getting time and making the necessary throws are quite another thing.
Gopher-Brewster Fan says:
July 13th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
hope he can get his grades up at JUCO and makes it to the Gopher squad after this season. seems like a good kid and would love to see him on the field at TCF stadium soon. i still think this was good recruit (4-star RB) by coach brew and that we will see hassan lipscomb at minnesota after one season in JUCO. contrary to what kent youngblood wrote here hassan lipscomb was likely going to red-shirt this year anyways, so assuming he makes it back to D1 and Minnesota then this shouldn’t be too big of a set-back.
go gophers
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I’m pretty certain since he didn’t qualify, Hasan will need to attend a JUCO for two seasons before he could return.
It’s too bad, the kid was in a tough spot with the relocation. Let the Hawks trash him all they want, they have nothing to talk about. Brad Banks anyone? LMAOR.
Abe says:
July 13th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
If or when Carpenter is denied I will unleash a total shitstorm on this blog. I am tired of this
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2 kids out of how many (50+)haven’t made it in? Way to be dramatic. Do you have any idea how many guys don’t make it in at other schools? Have a clue before posting. Thanks.
Badger Nation says:
July 13th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Kevin Whaley is a highly regarded redshirt freshman who sat out 2008 due to a gunshot wound.
Gonna guess he wasn’t president of his class? hehehehe
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I guess the two of you have something in common. hehehehe
Gopher19 says:
July 14th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Badger Nation says:
July 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Curious George says:
July 13th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
There was some talk earlier about Bennett getting a “medical redshirt” last year because of his injury. Did anything ever come of that?
Learn the rules, Dumbass, you can’t have a medical RS unless your reg RS is burned.
Hey Badger Nation, I know reading and understanding rules may be difficult for you, but you can’t RS if you play any downs. Since Bennett played in 2 games, he is only could be eligible for a medical RS.
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Is there a more stupid fanbase than the paint thinner nation?
Curious George says:
July 14th, 2009 at 7:23 am
I find it amazing that people like Cruding live for any possible bad news about the Gopher football program. As a matter of fact it need only be a rumor even though reporters have published the opposite of the rumor. Talk about wasted energy and a wasted life!
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There really is nothing else to do in Ioway.
Curious- Thanks for the read, but I do disagree with the writer. Bennett is one year removed from a torn ACL, I can’t see him playing the majority of the minutes at RB. Eskridge will probably play more.
This is straight from someone I know in admissions, look like Hayo will not be accepted to the U of M. Sounds like its exactly like the Vince Hill situation. TIFWIW
62. I thought the admission process was a private affair and not public info. Maybe your source needs a gag order. I’d be pi$$ed if someone leaked my admission info.
Derek says:
July 14th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Curious- Thanks for the read, but I do disagree with the writer. Bennett is one year removed from a torn ACL, I can’t see him playing the majority of the minutes at RB. Eskridge will probably play more.
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Derek - Unfortunately, you may be right. What I have read about Bennett’s injury is that in the majority of the cases it takes two years to be fully recovered. It can take just one year, but that is the exception.
I doubt that he will play at all during the August scrimmage but if he does, we might have a better sense then how well he has recovered.
Bayfieldgopher says:
July 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
62. I thought the admission process was a private affair and not public info. Maybe your source needs a gag order. I’d be pi$$ed if someone leaked my admission info.
You mean like the private info that Lipscomb didn’t make it?
Curious George says:
July 14th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Derek says:
July 14th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Curious- Thanks for the read, but I do disagree with the writer. Bennett is one year removed from a torn ACL, I can’t see him playing the majority of the minutes at RB. Eskridge will probably play more.
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Derek - Unfortunately, you may be right. What I have read about Bennett’s injury is that in the majority of the cases it takes two years to be fully recovered. It can take just one year, but that is the exception.
I doubt that he will play at all during the August scrimmage but if he does, we might have a better sense then how well he has recovered.
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Agreed, we’ll see how the RB situation shakes out.
How many more of Brew’s ‘09 signees will be no shows? Will we have to wait for the first day of ‘camp’ for that story. Also–has ‘Blackie’ moved his cot into the Bierman complex yet? It’s a good thing there are no eligibility tests for assistant coaches, otherwise Cosgrove would have never made it out of the juco ranks.
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