[CinciFlame]

I saw a tweet a couple days ago that a rb from Marshall, Kevin Grooms was possibly transferring in after being arrested for the 3rd time in 18 months.
The good: This kid is a stud rb. A top 150 player or of high school. Initially signed with Miami but didn't qualify. He found his way to Marshall and was the Conference USA fr. of the year 2 years ago. He would fill the hole we have at rb and would likely be the starter afters couple games.
The bad: I think he's from Miami Dade and appears to like the thug life. 3 arrest in 18 months isn't a good sign. Would he be cancer in the locker room?
If the kid wants to come to Liberty and go by the rules then I say we bring him in on a short leach. Hopefully the kid can get his heart right and possibly come to know the Lord.
Thoughts?

[BJWilliams]

The thing that jumps out at me from a football standpoint is that he is around the same size as Josh Smith...he certainly is talented from what I can see about him, but how capable would he be as a feature back at only 170 pounds. I could see him being a complementary back (much like I see Abnar and Macon/Kaigler) but could he be "the man"? I don't know

[Kiwon]

The kid looks fast. He obviously has some talent.

He also has a lot of notoriety to overcome - https://twitter.com/search?q=Kevin%20Grooms%20&src=typd

Three arrests in 18 months speaks to his immaturity but we can't stereotype him because of where he's from. Hopefully, he's not doing that to himself either. He is, however, using up his football lives and is at risk of blowing his college career and a free education. When does the wake-up call get answered? For someone looking to change his life, coming to LU might be the best decision he could ever make.

I trust the coaching staff to fully vet someone like Grooms. From what I have seen, Coach Gill isn't afraid to mete out tough love and demote or dismiss players. I think it's "team first" with him. I doubt he would bring Grooms aboard if he thought it would hurt the chemistry of the team.

[-army56mike-]

I trust the coaching staff to fully vet someone like Grooms. From what I have seen, Coach Gill isn't afraid to mete out tough love and demote or dismiss players. I think it's "team first" with him. I doubt he would bring Grooms aboard if he thought it would hurt the chemistry of the team.

This is a good view. I would be reluctant to bring the kid in. However, everyone deserves a chance to turn things around. I trust the coaching staff to make good "life" moves as opposed to just good "football" moves. Seems like the young man has to work through personal issues before he even thinks about football. Show me your life is in order and then you can be rewarded with being on the football team.

[jcmanson]

Here's the story for those wondering http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/flam ... -transfer/

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for the video manson...as I said before (sticking to the football side of the story), he's not a very big guy who can get us those tough yards when we need them (especially in the second half of close games), but he definitely gives us another speed back who can break a 40 or 50 yard run once he clears the hole. he also has very good hands so he gives us another piece for the passing game. if he comes here (and gets his crap straight), he can definitely be a major contributor.

[jbock13]

I trust Gill when it comes to his judgment of discipline and character. We don't see Gill sweeping things under the rug like others have done.

[SuperJon]

Thanks for the video manson...as I said before (sticking to the football side of the story), he's not a very big guy who can get us those tough yards when we need them (especially in the second half of close games), but he definitely gives us another speed back who can break a 40 or 50 yard run once he clears the hole. he also has very good hands so he gives us another piece for the passing game. if he comes here (and gets his crap straight), he can definitely be a major contributor.

Beej - he was an FBS conference freshman of the year. We play in the Big South. He would be an absolute game changer for us. The issue is he loves to drink and isn't a good dude when he does that, so can he fit in at Liberty.

This can be Vince Redd or it can be Asa Chapman.

[Sly Fox]

The kid has typical size for an NFL running back. I think he'd be fine against Presbyterian.

Doc used to make a point of acknowledging that Liberty is a place for second chances. So if this kid expresses an interest in us even with plenty of other schools I'm sure lathering at his talent, I suspect we will offer him the opportunity to right his ship.

Incidentally, that game at Rice two years go that makes up half his highlight reel was indeed epic.

[BJWilliams]

I certainly am not discounting the personal, off the field side Jon (especially with what has happened that led to his dismissal), I'm looking at just the football side at this point. That said, the difference between this kid and Big Asa is that should he come here, he will get one strike, and if he uses it, my guess is he's gone...not still playing and becoming an even bigger distraction.

As to the football side, I don't doubt he could be a bigtime boost to the running game. as his highlight video shows, when he gets in space, he can get a lot of yards which would probably mean fewer third and short situations. I still think (and again this is merely my perspective) having a double barreled attack would be the best and using Grooms with Macon or Mosley (or even Abnar if his comments are any indication) would make us a killer offense

[Chris Lang]

I can't imagine the felony charge, which was issued on July 26, has been resolved yet.

[BJWilliams]

That certainly will affect things.

[CinciFlame]

If this were to work out he would likely be the highest rated recruit to play at Liberty. Have we ever had a top 150 player out of high school?

[bluejacket]

He would be a game changer, if we bring him on and he agrees to the ground rules. The key will be for him to stay out of trouble, which is not something that he has done in college so far.

[bluejacket]

Here's the sophomore highlight video.

[BJWilliams]

With the charge still pending, my guess is Coach Gill won't be as quick to pull the trigger. if he does come in, he may not be available until after the season starts

[SuperJon]

Maybe Gill feels like he has to win now and is willing to take a chance.

[Cider Jim]

A MARSHALL man, you say?

[R i]

The Asa situation probably had a bigger effect on Rocco leaving that we all think and Vince Redd was in much different situation in my opinion.

I dont like it Gill. I like our guys. We may not even run the ball 5 times a game.

[bluejacket]

Maybe Gill feels like he has to win now and is willing to take a chance.

I think that this is a contributing factor.

[BJWilliams]

Probably...but the real question is will he rush him onto the field just for that reason (should he transfer here) or keep him off the field and let him work things out and then bring him onto the field and let him earn his place.

I like our guys too R i, but I think as long as he isn't rushed into the lineup JUST so we can win, it won't bother me to have another body in the battle

[bluejacket]

Players don't transfer to sit on another bench. They want to play as soon as possible.

[BJWilliams]

Yeah...but not all players do it with a pending court date (cue Asa rant in 3...2...1...)

[bluejacket]

How does that change anything? Walt Aikens took a plea deal, spent two weeks in jail, was not reinstated by the NCAA and had to sit a year when he transferred to us.

I get that its a different staff, but things are not that different. They've been willing to take transfers with questionable pasts as well.

[PAmedic]

Maybe Gill feels like he has to win now and is willing to take a chance.

BINGO

and he's right, IMO

way too many resources dumped into this program over the years to not have gotten over the hump