Tevin McDonald visiting from UCLA

[clawman1]

From what I have seen/read attitude isnt an issue. I also trust this coaching staff wouldnt bring in a kid that was going to corrupt the enviroment. GO EAGS !!!!! McDonald has to know he is on thin ice and will prove he is a worthy teammate.

From what I read he is a great kid with a good attitude, but he just can not sy NO to the weed. He was on thin ice at UCLA (3 failed drug test) and he knew a 4th would mean he would lose his scholarship and he still could not stop. Maybe a move to Eastern Washington will get him away from the friends he ran with at UCLA and help him turn the corner. No doubt he will make an impact on the field IF he does.

When recreational pot is legal in Washington maybe that will be a recruiting advantage :lol: :lol:

 

[marceagfan5]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TYGyNo7mR4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Made official by goeags.com:
http://www.goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2012-13/Releases/TevinMcDonald" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

McDonald is enrolled in classes and will begin practicing with the team as early as Thursday. The son of six-time NFL All-Pro safety Tim McDonald, he was recently dismissed from UCLA’s squad for violating team policy.

Tevin McDonald had 135 tackles in 27 career games at UCLA, plus four interceptions and 14 passes broken up. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Fresno, Calif., had 79 tackles as a sophomore in 2012. His brother, T.J., was a senior All-America safety at USC in the 2012 season.

“After consultation with many people and having a long discussion with Tevin, we’ve determined that he deserves the opportunity to continue his collegiate career,” said Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin. “We have high expectations of him off the field, in the classroom and on the field.”

McDonald’s father, Tim McDonald, is currently the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets, and one of his players is former Eagle Isaiah Trufant (2002-05). Tim McDonald played 13 years in the NFL, including 1993-99 for the San Francisco 49ers, which won Super Bowl XXIX. Most recently he spent one season on the coaching staff at Fresno State, and before that was head coach at his alma mater, Edison High School in Fresno.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

So pending he stays away from the green, who loses their starting job... the Sr. Allen Brown, or the upstart So. Jordan Tonani?

 

[kalm]

So pending he stays away from the green, who loses their starting job... the Sr. Allen Brown, or the upstart So. Jordan Tonani?

Odds are...neither. Anyway one of the three can play corner? If not, maybe some 4-2-5 sets?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

So pending he stays away from the green, who loses their starting job... the Sr. Allen Brown, or the upstart So. Jordan Tonani?

Odds are...neither. Anyway one of the three can play corner? If not, maybe some 4-2-5 sets?

Well no one's taking TJ Lee's spot, and we got a CB transfer from Kentucky last year in Christian Hudnell, although he didn't play because he got here so late. He's a Sr. this year, so my bet would be that he sees the field in a significant capacity. Either way, someone loses their job.

 

[clawman1]

So pending he stays away from the green, who loses their starting job... the Sr. Allen Brown, or the upstart So. Jordan Tonani?

Odds are...neither. Anyway one of the three can play corner? If not, maybe some 4-2-5 sets?

Well no one's taking TJ Lee's spot, and we got a CB transfer from Kentucky last year in Christian Hudnell, although he didn't play because he got here so late. He's a Sr. this year, so my bet would be that he sees the field in a significant capacity. Either way, someone loses their job.

If we have 5 great athletes and 4 spots I would think all will get a fair share of playing time. Some extra depth will be a welcome advantage at either position.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Jim Allen ‏@srjimallen 9m
#ewu #ewufb #bigskyfb Coach Baldwin told me that UCLA transfer Tevin McDonald "understands the mistakes he's made"

Jim Allen ‏@srjimallen 8m
#ewu #ewufb #bigskyfb Baldwin also said McDonald is very mature, and will "bring plenty to the table" on the field this fall

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
Don't be surprise if we doesn't see Tevin McDonald on the Practice Field on Thursday pm. . Saw the team for the 1st time yesterday for at least 1 1/2hr, very much impressed. 1st two times it was raining, so I didn't stick around for practice. A little way to go, we will get there. We have AJ Jamieson younger brother is now on the field with our team. AJ played for us a few years ago, younger brother is Brandon Jamieson. Signing off. Vic Wallace

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

"If we have 5 great athletes and 4 spots I would think all will get a fair share of playing time. Some extra depth will be a welcome advantage at either position."
Clawman is right.
With our schedule you know these guys will miss some time with injuries, what a great addition. I do have concerns if he could not keep away from the weed to stay on the UCLA squad, I have big concerns for his motivation to do so in a less active community like Cheney. He maybe looking at an attempt to do a one and done and go early to NFL?

 

[RockTheRed]

"If we have 5 great athletes and 4 spots I would think all will get a fair share of playing time. Some extra depth will be a welcome advantage at either position."
Clawman is right.
With our schedule you know these guys will miss some time with injuries, what a great addition. I do have concerns if he could not keep away from the weed to stay on the UCLA squad, I have big concerns for his motivation to do so in a less active community like Cheney. He maybe looking at an attempt to do a one and done and go early to NFL?

The guy chose to disregard, sorry - BREAK the rules at UCLA not once, not twice, not three times, and so on. It's not realistic to think he only smoked weed the four times he got tested/caught - soooooo?? is this a habit he can give up? Oh - and of course he understands what has to change, or will - he needs the scholly. And, perhaps like Ron says - another year to pad his stats so he can head to the NFL. <?>

Do I think he'll be outstanding? Yes. Do I like that a kid like Tonani or Brown (my bet is Tonani) who likely assumed that starting spot was his - now doesn't have it? Notsomuch. Yes playing time will be there for all, just not as much as some of our current guys perhaps "planned" on.

With Brown out for spring ball - there's not much gossip to be had on this at this point. We'll know when fall camp opens what's what as far as who has the coveted starting spot.

I personally don't love that EWU is becoming a drop down hotspot. I didn't love BLM coming in, but I respected him for sticking it out - not that he had many options after year one in Cheney. It couldn't have been easy in more ways than one, and especially with the dissention it caused that first year. Padron came in, took the starting spot, albeit for a brief moment, did some nice things but didn't like the way it was looking for his last year and cut bait. Good luck to him, tho' even with it being a down year for QB's in the draft, I still think we'll be looking for him in the Canadian league. IF McDonald hits the road after a year - I'll be disgusted, but not surprised. I hope they administer a drug test before every game though, to keep him honest/legit.

As far as what it will do to team unity - who knows. If his position coach or DC are spending a good portion of their time tending to him - the guys will talk. If it turns out the kid gets a full scholly when there are current guys in the system that haven't been "upped" yet - more specifically a DB - then yes, it's bound to ruffle some feathers. Time will tell and we'll be able to see if our team is playing well together soon enough. Just because the coaches are buying into him, doesn't mean the team that's already a "family" is altogether.

It's a good get athletically - but we didn't actually do the "getting". If there was ever a vote to do away with the drop down rule - I'd vote for it. It's happening too often - all over - in more sports than football and I think it shows lack of coping skills or hard fought determination to work hard and get back what they may have lost. Kids (young people) who do this aren't going to know how to stick it out in a real life job if they have learned they can just keep crossing over to where the grass is greener with no consequence.

 

[EWURanger]

I don't think anyone will necessarily "lose their job". There may be one or two guys who may not be getting as many reps because we'll have increased depth, but we tend to play a lot of players on defense. That is a testament to superior depth. When Minnerly came back from his injury late in the season, we were playing around 4 guys at the two Safety positions. I don't think there's any reason to believe that only two guys will start at both positions throughout the course of the year; especially when you throw in potential for injuries, which is ALWAYS a factor as the season progresses.

This is a good "get" for the squad, as long as he can stay diciplined and focused on school and football.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Depth wins games. The more great athletes in a position, the better. Plus, I take exception with the notion we are some how catering to drop-downs, because I can only name about 4 guys off the top of my head during the whole of Baldwin's tenure.

 

[clawman1]

When I asked in an earlier post "why Eastern" I was referring to a comment by Baldwin when BLM came here. Baldwin said they only take kids they have had a previous contact or some association with and they had made Mitchell an offer before he chose SMU. Then comes along Padron, previous contact? Well he knew BLM so, well OK kind of a stretch but we needed more experience at QB (kind of like a prostitute, do anything for a score).
So, was there previous recruiting, contact, or association of any kind with Tevin?
I'm really glad to get the guy and am all for second chances, or 3rd or 4th, but I am with RockTheRed and do not want to become drop down U.

 

[EWURanger]

The right chemistry of home-grown kids, out of staters, and yes, even the occasional transfer can create the right type of team chemistry to win Championships.

We will always have a certain percentage of kids that we will recruit in-state. Those guys will aways make up about 70% of the team. Who cares where the rest of them come from as long as they are serious about contribuing to the team and are a positive influence?

The notion that we are becoming drop-down U is a little silly to me. The fact that we are getting maybe one or two more transfers a year that want to play at EWU is a testament to the fact that more players are becoming aware of the program.

Plus, we have had transfers in the past. This is nothing new. Really.

 

[loloman]

The guy chose to disregard, sorry - BREAK the rules at UCLA not once, not twice, not three times, and so on. It's not realistic to think he only smoked weed the four times he got tested/caught - soooooo?? is this a habit he can give up? Oh - and of course he understands what has to change, or will - he needs the scholly. And, perhaps like Ron says - another year to pad his stats so he can head to the NFL. <?>

Do I think he'll be outstanding? Yes. Do I like that a kid like Tonani or Brown (my bet is Tonani) who likely assumed that starting spot was his - now doesn't have it? Notsomuch. Yes playing time will be there for all, just not as much as some of our current guys perhaps "planned" on.

With Brown out for spring ball - there's not much gossip to be had on this at this point. We'll know when fall camp opens what's what as far as who has the coveted starting spot.

I personally don't love that EWU is becoming a drop down hotspot. I didn't love BLM coming in, but I respected him for sticking it out - not that he had many options after year one in Cheney. It couldn't have been easy in more ways than one, and especially with the dissention it caused that first year. Padron came in, took the starting spot, albeit for a brief moment, did some nice things but didn't like the way it was looking for his last year and cut bait. Good luck to him, tho' even with it being a down year for QB's in the draft, I still think we'll be looking for him in the Canadian league. IF McDonald hits the road after a year - I'll be disgusted, but not surprised. I hope they administer a drug test before every game though, to keep him honest/legit.

As far as what it will do to team unity - who knows. If his position coach or DC are spending a good portion of their time tending to him - the guys will talk. If it turns out the kid gets a full scholly when there are current guys in the system that haven't been "upped" yet - more specifically a DB - then yes, it's bound to ruffle some feathers. Time will tell and we'll be able to see if our team is playing well together soon enough. Just because the coaches are buying into him, doesn't mean the team that's already a "family" is altogether.

It's a good get athletically - but we didn't actually do the "getting". If there was ever a vote to do away with the drop down rule - I'd vote for it. It's happening too often - all over - in more sports than football and I think it shows lack of coping skills or hard fought determination to work hard and get back what they may have lost. Kids (young people) who do this aren't going to know how to stick it out in a real life job if they have learned they can just keep crossing over to where the grass is greener with no consequence.

RockTheRed

Posts: 96
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 2:48 pm

RockTheRed,

I am 100% behind you on this. We have young men on this team that have worked their butts off, followed the rules, paid their dues, hoping to get more playing time in the future, being told that they need to see more playing time before they get that bump in their scholarship, only to have someone come in that has disregarded the rules, and likely take playing time away from those who have worked hard. It just doesn't sit right with me, and I think the rules should not make this sort of transfer available. If a guy chooses to disregard the team rules, and NCAA 3 times, there should be no more options for him. Sorry. How many of us can have that same opportunity in what we do. I have always been a big supporter of the coaching staff, but this particular move doesn't follow with what I thought their mindset was all about.

Loloman

 

[EWU98]

The right chemistry of home-grown kids, out of staters, and yes, even the occasional transfer can create the right type of team chemistry to win Championships.

We will always have a certain percentage of kids that we will recruit in-state. Those guys will aways make up about 70% of the team. Who cares where the rest of them come from as long as they are serious about contribuing to the team and are a positive influence?

The notion that we are becoming drop-down U is a little silly to me. The fact that we are getting maybe one or two more transfers a year that want to play at EWU is a testament to the fact that more players are becoming aware of the program.

Plus, we have had transfers in the past. This is nothing new. Really.

:+1:
Plus what is the big difference between a JC transfer and this except . . . . .for the extra curricular activities? A coach has to fill holes and provide depth where needed. If there wasn't a potential need then I am sure he would say no.
So what also happens when some of the UW kids want to come our way after Spring ball when they are told there will be not very much of an opportunity moving forward at UW? You going to reject them too?
It is the sad nature of the beast of college athletics.

 

[loloman]

Transferring because you have been told that you won't have much chance to play is one thing. Getting kicked off your team for a "three strikes your out" for violation of well known rules is a whole different thing. In that case, why should a player be eligible to play somewhere else? NCAA violation should follow him where ever he goes.

 

[EWU98]

NCAA violation should follow him where ever he goes.

Agree

 

[EWURanger]

Transferring because you have been told that you won't have much chance to play is one thing. Getting kicked off your team for a "three strikes your out" for violation of well known rules is a whole different thing. In that case, why should a player be eligible to play somewhere else? NCAA violation should follow him where ever he goes.

My guess is that the BCS schools whose teams are about 50% made up of high-risk recruits have a lot to do with influencing these type of rules. It is what it is, I guess.

Guys get asked to change positions, assume different roles, every year. This year will be no different, and it's all about the team, not the individual. If they want to bring this kid in and give him a chance, then I trust the judgement of the coaches, who know more about these things than any of us.

People didn't like it when BLM came in, nor Padron...Bronson, Pulu? Kids transfer for various reasons and I understand it won't always make everyone happy.

What's more, people are acting like he's already won the starting safety spot. As with any transfer, he will be expected to earn it. He will have to adjust to new schemes and a new coaching staff. Does he have a good shot to win it? Sure. But nothing is just given to anyone.