Class of 2022 OL Zach Rice (VA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (4/30/25)

[CNYGuy]

??? You mean we should overlook his past which involved a girl getting killed because he can help us win football games. Got it. For those that have disagreed with my take on bringing in kids with troubled pasts, let me make myself clear. I keep thinking what would I say to a parent of a Syracuse student who got hurt or worse from the actions of a kid that had a bad background that I brought in to the school. Because I wanted to win football games. Or any other sport. When the parent asks me to explain why I brought that kid in. Now, you might say, any kid can make a mistake and that could happen. And you would be correct. But we wouldn't have been forewarned. I want to win as much as anyone on this board. But that is the background I come from. So, SUFnn44, since you brought this up, exactly what would you say to that parent I just described?

While it’s a tragic situation, he’s not responsible in the eyes of the law. Doesn’t make him a saint, but if this same event took place and he was a non-football player, I don’t think two misdemeanor charges would preclude a regular student from future enrollment in college or opportunities.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

 

[Jake]

Rice & Pringle-Tasty OL combo

Carb loading

 

[dasher]

While it’s a tragic situation, he’s not responsible in the eyes of the law. Doesn’t make him a saint, but if this same event took place and he was a non-football player, I don’t think two misdemeanor charges would preclude a regular student from future enrollment in college or opportunities.

I didn't say it would. Nor do I object with anyone that disagrees with me. I just said I wouldn't take them.

 

[Frozen]

 

[CbusCuse]

Hopefully its not just a can of a bad knock off Chinese version.

Although I can see a rice based version of Pringles with a Spicy (chili garlic sauce) Seaweed flavor gaining a major colt following. They should come out with that one soon.

 

[CA Monk]

Do you want a gold star? I could care less if you've been on here for 100 years. Every thread I open up you're yapping about this. Get over yourself and move on

Hey Caleb and others:
I come to this site for a respite from this kind of argumentative snark. Please take it elsewhere; however justified you may feel and however ironclad your points may be.

And yes I know you have rights.
And yes I know I don't have to read what you or anybody else writes.
And yes I know you may see no reason why you shouldn't comment on matters as you see fit.
And yes I know it's a bumptious world and I should always wear my big boy pants so I'm not butt hurt.

Express yourself as you see fit, but maybe just don't do it here w/such vehemency. The societal well has been poisoned enough by comments by the aggrieved.

Or not. Your choice.

 

[Jake]

I didn't say it would. Nor do I object with anyone that disagrees with me. I just said I wouldn't take them.

Dash I essentially agree with you. My concern is that we become known as a refuge for kids with bad histories. A flyer here and there on kids who do stupid things, I’m okay with.

It just seemed like we brought in 4-5 all at once, and that was a turn off for me.

But I have a muuuuch bigger issue with people who intend to do harm. Like those convicted in a home invasion crime.

This situation, not great. There better be some bumpers.

Kids that get busted for weed? Eh.

 

[Jake]

Hey Caleb and others:
I come to this site for a respite from this kind of argumentative snark. Please take it elsewhere; however justified you may feel and however ironclad your points may be.

And yes I know you have rights.
And yes I know I don't have to read what you or anybody else writes.
And yes I know you may see no reason why you shouldn't comment on matters as you see fit.
And yes I know it's a bumptious world and I should always wear my big boy pants so I'm not butt hurt.

Express yourself as you see fit, but maybe just don't do it here w/such vehemency. The societal well has been poisoned enough by comments by the aggrieved.

Or not. Your choice.

Agreed and let’s be clear. Nobody has any “rights” around here. This isn’t a forum protected by the first amendment.

 

[PAcuse]

Although I can see a rice based version of Pringles with a Spicy (chili garlic sauce) seaweed flavor gaining a major colt following. They should come out with that one soon.

They do have rice based Pringles...seems we need to make a call lol

 

[PAcuse]

 

[CbusCuse]

They do have rice based Pringles...seems we need to make a call lol

Well well well. How about that?!?

NIL opportunity!

 

[VA Citrus]

Given he wasn't a regular starter at UNC, he probably peaked some in HS and wasn't actually the best OL prospect in the class of 2022. That being said, the size is there and I have to imagine some athleticism. I'd rather Rice and Pringle have the spring semester to get on the DART plan. Should be a good test of Fran's leadership if he can get these guys playing at the level recruiting services predicted.

 

[normaliswear]

So... the graphic says IOL... he was once the #1 OT in the country. What position are we expecting him to play?

 

[Banion]

 

[VA Citrus]

Dash I essentially agree with you. My concern is that we become known as a refuge for kids with bad histories. A flyer here and there on kids who do stupid things, I’m okay with.

It just seemed like we brought in 4-5 all at once, and that was a turn off for me.

But I have a muuuuch bigger issue with people who intend to do harm. Like those convicted in a home invasion crime.

This situation, not great. There better be some bumpers.

Kids that get busted for weed? Eh.

No idea how this will all unfold but in 2025 with the NIL, these kids are no longer poor. Some are now quite rich. I would expect a lot of the crimes of poverty that we used to hear from college football players disappear. Malcolm Cater wouldn't be stealing Ryan Nassib's TV if he was getting $50K in NIL. Now 18-22 years old with money are certainly prone to doing stupid things but they're likely to have less of a negative impact on those around them.

 

[RF2044]

So... the graphic says IOL... he was once the #1 OT in the country. What position are we expecting him to play?

Guard or Tackle. : )

I heard the other day that we might be looking at him as a LG. If so, interesting.

Especially given his LT background. Envision that the staff will evaluate once he and Pringle get on campus, to determine who the best 5 are, and what combination gives us our best group.

 

[dasher]

Dash I essentially agree with you. My concern is that we become known as a refuge for kids with bad histories. A flyer here and there on kids who do stupid things, I’m okay with.

It just seemed like we brought in 4-5 all at once, and that was a turn off for me.

But I have a muuuuch bigger issue with people who intend to do harm. Like those convicted in a home invasion crime.

This situation, not great. There better be some bumpers.

Kids that get busted for weed? Eh.

You have nailed it. One, bringing in a half dozen seemed like we are desperate. Maybe we are. And I have never said that I object to some kids being brought in that have been brought in because of weed. Forget football, we wouldn't have a school. One thing, it doesn't seem like we are taking a chance on many 3 star kids. I guess there is a limit to how tolerant we are.

 

[Jake]

You have nailed it. One, bringing in a half dozen seemed like we are desperate. Maybe we are. And I have never said that I object to some kids being brought in that have been brought in because of weed. Forget football, we wouldn't have a school. One thing, it doesn't seem like we are taking a chance on many 3 star kids. I guess there is a limit to how tolerant we are.

Going to continue this debate in the “Distressed assets” thread. Don’t want to hijack this any more.

 

[TheCusian]

Some players are recruited because they are already DART. Some players get recruited in the hopes they will become DART.

That standard is Frans and until proven otherwise, I’m good w either scenario.

 

[23Zone]

 

[23Zone]

Lots of meat on this line

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Do you want a gold star? I could care less if you've been on here for 100 years. Every thread I open up you're yapping about this. Get over yourself and move on

Put him on ignore. BTW, you are fighting a losing battle on this board going after Dasher. He’s on our Mt. Rushmore.

 

[Toga]

They do have rice based Pringles...seems we need to make a call lol

 

[RF2044]

You have nailed it. One, bringing in a half dozen seemed like we are desperate. Maybe we are. And I have never said that I object to some kids being brought in that have been brought in because of weed. Forget football, we wouldn't have a school. One thing, it doesn't seem like we are taking a chance on many 3 star kids. I guess there is a limit to how tolerant we are.

Alternatively, maybe these are kids that Fran Brown has direct experience with, from recruiting them while he was at Georgia.

The kids with questionable backgrounds include:

• Rice [UNC]
• Easley [Georgia]
• Cook [Texas / Washington]
• Bridges [Oklahoma / lower level school]

Looks like Bridges is out, and will go elsewhere. Ditto Easley. So we can set them aside and not worry about them anymore.

So, it comes down to Rice and Cook. And I think the point of bringing them on campus was for Fran and the staff to meet with them face to face to discuss these situations and expectations.

Rice's issue / severity seems different than Cook's, in my opinion.

But I don't think of this as "desperation" [not calling you out, just picking up on the word you used], nor us casting a huge net for players. Looks like we talked to a few, not all of their transgressions were of the same severity, and they landed on two guys they were comfortable with.