Topic: TJ Mcmahon

[Johnnyherd]

I watched several of his games, he can play. I was impressed that Rice actually had him.  But I think the ability to beat Fancher out is questionable.  He can be a great asset to Cam by being the adult / experienced player in the room. We need maturity in the QB room as much, if not more, than we do more talent IMHO. Glad he is here, but just like Colombi, I don't think coming here is a slam dunk toward his future.  We have talent in the QB room. It will be just fine this year, much better than folks think.

I don't see how Cam beats him.  I don't see anything that Cam does that TJ doesn't do better, with possibly the exception of running but TJ seems to have fast feet.

Around 5:26 of this video, TJ runs like a bootleg into a Qb keeper and out runs Louisiana tech entire defense, I think he went around 65 yards to the house.

[Scottyo614]

I'd love to see this kid start AND Fancher start at one of the skill positions. Cam when on the field was one of the best 3-4 athletes on the field any time he was on it most games. He's just not the most natural passer and QB almost seems high school like where we put our best athlete at QB and whatever happens happens.

[herdfifteen]

I'd love to see this kid start AND Fancher start at one of the skill positions. Cam when on the field was one of the best 3-4 athletes on the field any time he was on it most games. He's just not the most natural passer and QB almost seems high school like where we put our best athlete at QB and whatever happens happens.

That is exactly why Cam was at QB in high school, they had no one to play the position and he was the best athlete. This player looks to be the better at the position than Cam, the rub is the reason Cam came to MU he was promised he would play QB, he had several offers from higher profile schools to play other positions.At this point I say play your best player at QB.

[herdorbust2]

Is TJ dad the Jim McMahon of the Bears or a different one?

[Flat Tire 2]

Is TJ dad the Jim McMahon of the Bears or a different one?

No, if wiki and the Rice websites are correct his mother is Tracy and Jim was married to Nancy.

https://riceowls.com/sports/football/roster/tj-mcmahon/9036
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McMahon

[GreenDaddy]

Is TJ dad the Jim McMahon of the Bears or a different one?

I don't think so, but I think he does have a brother that plays in the MLB for the Rockies. Athletic family for sure.

[herdfan129]

We have to adapt to the new era of college football. Having an elite QB will be too expensive moving forward.

OL, RBs, and defensive players are much cheaper/easier to get. I like the direction Huff is taking us in terms of style of play.

It?s also easier to beat the major programs by being balanced on offense. We don?t need a Heisman Candidate QB. We need a good defense, good running game, and an average QB. We can consistently get that under the new rules of college football.

[HerdEcon]

We have to adapt to the new era of college football. Having an elite QB will be too expensive moving forward.

OL, RBs, and defensive players are much cheaper/easier to get. I like the direction Huff is taking us in terms of style of play.

It?s also easier to beat the major programs by being balanced on offense. We don?t need a Heisman Candidate QB. We need a good defense, good running game, and an average QB. We can consistently get that under the new rules of college football.

Historically, offensive and defensive linemen are the most difficult positions to recruit.  Every team needs so many and there are only a small number of 6'1"+, 300lb, athletic guys that can bench press a refrigerator, squat a Volkswagen, and run a 40 in under 5 seconds.  NIL has only complicated that.  Have you seen the amount of NIL money Texas pays linemen whether they start or ride the bench for 5 years?  It's amazing.

As far as QBs go look what McCall did for Coastal.  Coastal went from a bottom dweller to annual contender and champion on the back of one player.  A great QB can make a huge difference.

I think it is more the right combination or mix of players.  I agree with you that we could be conference champs if our defense is strong enough, we have a strong running game, and are average at passing.  We can not be the 110 ranked passing team with a strong defense and strong running game, we tried that last season and it didn't work. 

[MU93]

Great thread?. Thanks for starting, Johnny

[Johnnyherd]

If I'm a coach on offense I would have to feel a little slighted by Huff focusing recruiting so much on defense when the offense has glaring needs.  For 3 recruiting cycles Huff's primary recruiting focus has been on the defense.  I get Huff's strategy, but the offense needs a few playmakers too.  Last season the offensive coaching staff's hands were tied due to personnel issues.  If Coach Legg can get the OL straightened out that alone should help the passing game. 

I agree with your assessment.  You always provide interesting and intelligent insights.  It's baffling why we haven't sold out for a game changing WR, like a Tyre Brady type or even a clutch slot guy like Tommy Shuler.   Our receiving corps have been down for a few years.  I still remember all the drops we had when we had Wells starting. 

I wonder if Huff is just taking the best players available?  Most old school coaches make every position coach, recruit for their position.  So they can't make the excuse that they had no talent at their position, when they get fired for no production on the field. 

So does that mean Tricket is recruiting O talent?  Let's be honest, Trickett is just a kid.  Granted he's the son of a coach at spent probably 20 years under center at all levels and he's probably forgotten more about offensive football than I'll ever know.  But, he's still a kid and Honestly he's cutting his teeth as a O coordinator.  Most staffs would have him coaching the QB room.   As a rookie coordinator he was nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs last year on media day in front of all the cameras.  He was very honest and sincere in his responses, but can he recruit?

It is baffling the inattention to WR though.

[MUonium]

8,699 NCAA football players entered the portal between Aug. 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023, per ESPN

more than 1500 basketball players entered the transfer portal in 2022-23

now, ask again, a bit louder, why we can't get solid WRs and and some other extremely important skill positions.  similar questions to the men's basketball program

[MicDrass1]

Need a accurate and good passing QB that can hit a house before worrying about wrs.  Need a good qb that entices good wrs to want to come.  Then put these guys in the NFL.  We need NFL players.

[DC01HERD]

He will push the other QBs. We will have opportunities to pass. Need to complete the passes.

[herd2win]

Eager to see this years team.  Huff never stops recruiting and our schedule is full of fun opponents.  My favorite schedule of all time.

[SuperAnjario]

We have to adapt to the new era of college football. Having an elite QB will be too expensive moving forward.

OL, RBs, and defensive players are much cheaper/easier to get. I like the direction Huff is taking us in terms of style of play.

It?s also easier to beat the major programs by being balanced on offense. We don?t need a Heisman Candidate QB. We need a good defense, good running game, and an average QB. We can consistently get that under the new rules of college football.

This is not the way.  At all.

[elginherd]

We have to adapt to the new era of college football. Having an elite QB will be too expensive moving forward.

OL, RBs, and defensive players are much cheaper/easier to get. I like the direction Huff is taking us in terms of style of play.

It?s also easier to beat the major programs by being balanced on offense. We don?t need a Heisman Candidate QB. We need a good defense, good running game, and an average QB. We can consistently get that under the new rules of college football.

I do agree that you can build a solid, winning program via emphasizing D, STs & rushing the ball.
The problem with it is that this approach of basically boring football doesn't put lots of butts-in-seats beyond what winning would do. Don't get me wrong, boring winning > than losing and sells more tickets, but entertaining winning > boring winning in terms of selling seats AND attracting national attention.

[BigJimslade]

I don't think so, but I think he does have a brother that plays in the MLB for the Rockies. Athletic family for sure.

Any kin to Ed McMahon

[Garbanjo]

I do agree that you can build a solid, winning program via emphasizing D, STs & rushing the ball.
The problem with it is that this approach of basically boring football doesn't put lots of butts-in-seats beyond what winning would do. Don't get me wrong, boring winning > than losing and sells more tickets, but entertaining winning > boring winning in terms of selling seats AND attracting national attention.

If you're gonna be boring to watch on O at Marshall you have to win conference titles

Make it happen Huff

Go Herd!

[herdfan129]

This is not the way.  At all.

Then what is the way? How do we afford to compete for the big time QBs?

With our resources, we can either afford a good/above average QB, or we can load up on Defense, OL, and RBs.

Which would you prefer?

[Johnnyherd]

Then what is the way? How do we afford to compete for the big time QBs?

With our resources, we can either afford a good/above average QB, or we can load up on Defense, OL, and RBs.

Which would you prefer?

It may feel like that it is going to be that way and you do see some examples of it, but you don't see or actually hear about the G5 top guys that stay.

Ohio U and Tulane had QBs that threw for 32tds  5ints and 3300 yard and were 6'3 200, 6'2 210 and both came back

UTSA had a kid that threw for 4100 yards 32 TDs and 9 ints and came back

Even Grayson Mccall came back, he probably got a check, I doubt it was huge, but he came back.

there are more examples. 

[herdfan129]

It may feel like that it is going to be that way and you do see some examples of it, but you don't see or actually hear about the G5 top guys that stay.

Ohio U and Tulane had QBs that threw for 32tds  5ints and 3300 yard and were 6'3 200, 6'2 210 and both came back

UTSA had a kid that threw for 4100 yards 32 TDs and 9 ints and came back

Even Grayson Mccall came back, he probably got a check, I doubt it was huge, but he came back.

there are more examples.

Recruiting a QB from HS who stays is not the same as claiming we can hit the portal and get top QBs.

So again, in terms of the portal, which would you prefer?