Baseless Speculation about Paulus and Football

[formerdukeathlete]

First, I'd be shocked if Paulus (having not played a down of football in 4 years and never at a college level) would be capable of playing at a Division-I level next year. That's not a knock on Paulus - it's just incredibly unlikely that ANY kid who hasn't played above the high school level (and hasn't played for four years) would be able to compete right away.

Further, don't the NCAA transfer rules still apply even though it's a different sport? In other words, wouldn't he be unable to transfer to another Division-1 FBS school without sitting out the year? If so, that would suggest his options are Duke or a Division-I FCS school only, as next year would be his fifth.

Regardless of the second point, I simply can't see Paulus being a capable D-1 QB next year after so much time and zero exposure to that level of competition.

It is my understanding that if Greg puts on a Duke Football uniform and attends spring practice that this will complicate things and may relegate him to being able to achieve this final year of eligibility only through the Duke team. Aside from that, I believe he would be able to attend graduate school and play Football at another Bowl Championship Subdivision team. The old rule was for redshirts who had another year, if the school had an academic program not at Duke etc. - how Tyler Krieg and Zach Smith tranferred to Cal. Because Greg had not played Football at Duke, I believe he is a go.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uplo...976b622c7e.pdf

What I can say is that another Bowl Division team with a better Football program than Duke is interested. They also have a better hoops program at the moment, based on performance in the tourney. as to the joke about height, Greg's height would put him in the middle of Duke's current 1-2 punch at qb.

[CDu]

It is my understanding that if Greg puts on a Duke Football uniform and attends spring practice that this will complicate things and may relegate him to being able to achieve this final year of eligibility only through the Duke team. Aside from that, I believe he would be able to attend graduate school and play Football at another Bowl Championship Subdivision team. The old rule was for redshirts who had another year, if the school had an academic program not at Duke etc. - how Tyler Krieg and Zach Smith tranferred to Cal. Because Greg had not played Football at Duke, I believe he is a go.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uplo...976b622c7e.pdf

What I can say is that another Bowl Division team with a better Football program than Duke is interested. They also have a better hoops program at the moment, based on performance in the tourney. as to the joke about height, Greg's height would put him in the middle of Duke's current 1-2 punch at qb.

Your response may answer one of my questions, but it doesn't address the other more important issue. I'd be SHOCKED if Paulus was able to compete at the D-I level next year. He hasn't put on the pads in four years. He hasn't played anywhere near the level of competition that he'd see in D-I college football.

Nearly all top-tier QB coming out of high school sit out a year or two before taking the reins for a D-I program. Paulus was at one point such a prospect, but he's undoubtedly rusty after four years away from the game. I really couldn't see him being anything more than a backup for his one year of eligibility.

[spifi]

And wasn't Mike Paulus more highly regarded as a qb coming out of high school? At least a little? Or do I have that backwards? I know ND and I think Miami recruited Greg, so if Mike ended up at UNC perhaps I do have that backwards. Mike's not setting the world on fire, and they're different guys. I agree, though, I just don't see a guy who hasn't put on pads in four years able to jump in and be effective in one year at any kind of elite level, anyway.

That said, if he thought he had ANY kind of shot at an NFL career he might try it at a non-elite school where he was fairly guaranteed to be "the man." But it sounds like he's more interested in coaching basketball than playing football, so all that talk might be moot...

[CDu]

And wasn't Mike Paulus more highly regarded as a qb coming out of high school? At least a little? Or do I have that backwards? I know ND and I think Miami recruited Greg, so if Mike ended up at UNC perhaps I do have that backwards. Mike's not setting the world on fire, and they're different guys. I agree, though, I just don't see a guy who hasn't put on pads in four years able to jump in and be effective in one year at any kind of elite level, anyway.

That said, if he thought he had ANY kind of shot at an NFL career he might try it at a non-elite school where he was fairly guaranteed to be "the man." But it sounds like he's more interested in coaching basketball than playing football, so all that talk might be moot...

Greg Paulus was considered (at least reportedly - once he committed to Duke for bball, I suspect the rating slid) to be among the very top high school QB available. I'm not sure if Mike was that big a prospect or not (could be though).

I agree that it will probably be moot. And I also agree that - even given his pedigree - all that time away from the game combined with the fact that most kids need to learn for a year or two anyway has me suspecting he's not going to be a starting D-I FBS QB next year.

[geraldsneighbor]

Is there actually real talk of GP playing College Football now? I'm a little confused. It has to be a joke right? Hasn't he exhausted all his eligibility?

[formerdukeathlete]

Is there actually real talk of GP playing College Football now? I'm a little confused. It has to be a joke right? Hasn't he exhausted all his eligibility?

Greg may play Football in the fall, for Duke or another school, bowl division, or 1-aa, in which he has enrolled. He does not have to sit out, because to date, he has not played Football for Duke. He has 5 years to complete up to 4 years eligibility in any one sport.

CDu, Yes, I am aware of the negativity regarding Greg's prospects were he to don a Football uniform. Often, these are expressed, im view, by folks who have strong rooting interests in Duke's quarterbacks, as Greg might (remote chance, sure) possibly unseat a 3 year starter were he to join the Duke team.

What I can tell you based on communicating with the offensive coordinator of a better Football school than Duke is that a bowl division team is interested. Not saying that Greg will go for it.

FYI, Greg's high school football accolades included:

2005 Gatorade National Male Athlete of the Year (all sports)
2005 Gatorade New York state Player of the Year
Four-time all-state
All-America status in 2005 according to Parade, EA and Student Sports
National High School Coaches Association senior athlete of the year
2004 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year

Anyone remember Sam Clancy at Pitt, of Eugene Banks era? Sure, he played d line and not qb in the NFL for about 6 years. One thing you might not realize is that he did not play Football in college.

[SupaDave]

Greg may play Football in the fall, for Duke or another school, bowl division, or 1-aa, in which he has enrolled. He does not have to sit out, because to date, he has not played Football for Duke. He has 5 years to complete up to 4 years eligibility in any one sport.

CDu, Yes, I am aware of the negativity regarding Greg's prospects were he to don a Football uniform. Often, these are expressed, im view, by folks who have strong rooting interests in Duke's quarterbacks, as Greg might (remote chance, sure) possibly unseat a 3 year starter were he to join the Duke team.

What I can tell you based on communicating with the offensive coordinator of a better Football school than Duke is that a bowl division team is interested. Not saying that Greg will go for it.

FYI, Greg's high school football accolades included:

2005 Gatorade National Male Athlete of the Year (all sports)
2005 Gatorade New York state Player of the Year
Four-time all-state
All-America status in 2005 according to Parade, EA and Student Sports
National High School Coaches Association senior athlete of the year
2004 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year

Anyone remember Sam Clancy at Pitt, of Eugene Banks era? Sure, he played d line and not qb in the NFL for about 6 years. One thing you might not realize is that he did not play Football in college.

There is already a thread devoted to Paulus and football. All posts regarding the topic are being moved there.

[jma4life]

What's the nature of the graduate program he would have to enroll in. Could he enroll in a small one year masters program or certificate type program at a school, or would he have to actually be admitted into a full time master's or professional degree program?

Also, when players who redshirt in basketball play a fifth year at Duke, do they need a full load for that semester. Or could they be part time students taking one or two classes?

[formerdukeathlete]

What's the nature of the graduate program he would have to enroll in. Could he enroll in a small one year masters program or certificate type program at a school, or would he have to actually be admitted into a full time master's or professional degree program?

Also, when players who redshirt in basketball play a fifth year at Duke, do they need a full load for that semester. Or could they be part time students taking one or two classes?

Marcus Jones is now playing baseball at Duke. He is a senior in his 4th year (was not redshirted), will graduate in May, and will have another year, a 5th year, to play another baseball season. 5 years to complete up to 4 years elibility in any sport. Had he not joined the baseball team this spring, he could have gone to another school in the fall and then played baseball there, without sitting out, since he would not have (in that case) played baseball at Duke. Always have to be a full-time student. In Marcus Jones case, the following suggests he might be able to extend his undergrad curriculum to include another major

http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/spor...secondarystory

[cspan37421]

I, for one, look forward to our football team being led by Dr. Greg Paulus.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I, for one, look forward to our football team being led by Dr. Greg Paulus.

He's not going to have THAT much eligibility! Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing Sean Renfree emerge as an outstanding college QB, whether as a starter next year or as a backup to Thad Lewis.

If you're talking about leading Duke as a coach (off topic "I'm going to Mars" readers would chuckle if I said couch here ), then I think it's more likely he would be our basketball coach than football coach. And fast forward 20 years and I think that is a possibility!

[SupaDave]

It's not about beating them out really. It SHOULD be about making the team and going pro - which is how this started I think.

The combines are where MANY future NFL players make their mark. A good combine and a few good team workouts and Paulus could be a last day pick. He'd EASILY be in the best shape of most of the QBs and have an outstanding QB vision.

One has to look no further than two Chase's from Missouri this year to know that you don't have to be a starter to get drafted (or Matt Cassell for that matter).

Oh and I think folks are just getting warmed up!

And we're back to baseless speculation about Paulus and Football again.