Is Riley A Perfect Fit For Unt ?

[MeanGreen61]

http://meangreen.beloblog.com/

December 24, 2006

Is Riley a perfect fit for UNT?

Since the announcement that Todd Dodge is taking over as North Texas' head coach earlier this month, there has been a lot of talk about how his son Riley, a junior at Southlake Carroll, will fit into the picture.

Riley isn't the biggest quarterback out there, which will likely chase off some of the bigger programs when it comes to college recruiting.

Count me among those who think the Riley is more than worth taking a chance on any way, especially after he led Carroll to a state title with a win over Austin Westlake on Saturday.

UNT has had a few guys who were supposed to be too small or too slow to play on the college level. One was running back Patrick Cobbs, who is with the Miami Dolphins. Another was wide receiver Johnny Quinn, who has a chance to follow his old friend to the next level.

UNT took plenty of chances on players who were overlooked by other programs despite being productive under its old coaching staff. In Riley Dodge's case, UNT would be well served to carry on that tradition next season.

The only problem is there will likely be more than a few teams out there willing to take a similar risk on Riley. The guy can flat play.

Something tells me playing for his father will be too much for Riley to pass up, though. And he could still wear a green jersey.

Somehow I bet most UNT fans are also hoping Riley comes to UNT. What's your take?

Edited December 24, 2006 by MeanGreen61

[NT03]

Something to think about if we do land Riley Dodge.

Would we be able to land another QB in 08-09 ?? Nobody would want to come here to play backup behind the coach's son would they ?? Even if that kid was better and he knew it , would he feel confident enough that he could have his coach bench his own son ?? If Riley happened to go down , would we have a reliable backup ??

If we get Riley , great. His knowledge of his dad's newly installed offense would be priceless.

If not , I feel more than confident that TD could find someone who would be more than capable of running the ship.

[ntexeagle]

I dont know if anyone else heard this last night but following the game one of the camera shots showed Riley talking with one of the Austin Westlake players, I believe he was their fullback.

As they said their congrats and small talked, the Westlake player said, "You are going to SMU and Rice, right?" I am not positive of exactly what Riley said but I believe he said, "Yes, I will see you there."

Looks like visits are planned outside of the protective arms of dad and UNT.

We will have competition.

[e-bone ver2.awesome]

Something to think about if we do land Riley Dodge.

Would we be able to land another QB in 08-09 ?? Nobody would want to come here to play backup behind the coach's son would they ?? Even if that kid was better and he knew it , would he feel confident enough that he could have his coach bench his own son ?? If Riley happened to go down , would we have a reliable backup ??

If we get Riley , great. His knowledge of his dad's newly installed offense would be priceless.

If not , I feel more than confident that TD could find someone who would be more than capable of running the ship.

I'm worried about having a reliable starter.

[MeanGreenBuzz]

I feel like the only reason Riley wouldn't come here is if his Dad told him not to. He should be able to star wherever he goes including UNT and knows that if he plays for his Dad he will garner the same notoriety and prestige he did in high school.

[mad dog]

I think that Riley definitely has some skills. He is fast and is fairly mature for a high school quarterback. What concerns me is his arm strength. He does not seem to have top flight zing on his ball, which is bad because it forces him to angle the ball higher to get it downfield. Adjusting the angle upward provides a boost in distance, but causes the ball to just hang up in the air longer. Quite a few of those long completions against Allen and Westlake are surefire picks against a college defense. If he continues to work out his arm and refine his throwing mechanics, I think he'd be perfect. As is, though, I would be wary.

[e-bone ver2.awesome]

I think that Riley definitely has some skills. He is fast and is fairly mature for a high school quarterback. What concerns me is his arm strength. He does not seem to have top flight zing on his ball, which is bad because it forces him to angle the ball higher to get it downfield. Adjusting the angle upward provides a boost in distance, but causes the ball to just hang up in the air longer. Quite a few of those long completions against Allen and Westlake are surefire picks against a college defense. If he continues to work out his arm and refine his throwing mechanics, I think he'd be perfect. As is, though, I would be wary.

Scott Hall got away with having below average arm strength and just tossing jump balls up. But, then again, he had Johnny Quinn going up to get those passes. Riley Dodge has another year and a half of high school plus a red shirt year to get stronger. I want him because he will be playing in basically the same system that he has forever. He is very mature for a high school junior and makes good decisions.

[H-towngreen]

Scott Hall got away with having below average arm strength and just tossing jump balls up. But, then again, he had Johnny Quinn going up to get those passes. Riley Dodge has another year and a half of high school plus a red shirt year to get stronger. I want him because he will be playing in basically the same system that he has forever. He is very mature for a high school junior and makes good decisions.

A perfect example would be Kevin Kolb here at UH. The system he used at Stephenville is the same system used at UH. He started as a fresh. and has torn it up. He was highly rated/regarded but I'm not sure he was anywhere near what Riley Dodge will be after his sr. yr.

[PlummMeanGreen]

I dont know if anyone else heard this last night but following the game one of the camera shots showed Riley talking with one of the Austin Westlake players, I believe he was their fullback.

As they said their congrats and small talked, the Westlake player said, "You are going to SMU and Rice, right?" I am not positive of exactly what Riley said but I believe he said, "Yes, I will see you there."

Looks like visits are planned outside of the protective arms of dad and UNT.

We will have competition.

Just reviewed a video tape of that part of the post-game when the Westlake kid is talking to Riley and then he asks Dodge (as ntexeagle posts says) "you are going to SMU and Rice, right?" But Riley looks at him with a non-answer kind of expression on his face! Hellsbells! Riley was probaby wondering if news had made it to the Austin Westlake area that his dad had been named HFC at the University of North Texas? . In observing that piece of video, it looks as though the Westlake kid knew exactly when the TV cameras were panning on him when he asks his big question to Riley. Today's HS kids are pretty darn "TV camera's panning on them" savvy now aren't they?

IMO, Riley Dodge will go neither to SMU or TCU or Rice, but if he stays in the Metroplex, he'll be wearing kelly green again under his dad's coaching out at the ever-burgeoning Mean Green Village. The reason I believe this is because if Riley did go to either of the 2 local private universities it would make it look like his daddy could not recruit (1) the Metroplex or (2) his own son (and for what its worth for a hardy handful who have been under someone elses spell the last few years, we have actually been successful recruiting DFW in past decades and that when we had a HFC in Denton who actually had very healthy self-esteem, could walk into any DFW area HS with a "high profile" sort of swagger and even felt damn good about his job at UNT (and to this day in his late 70's age-wise still thinks he had a damn good job when he was at UNT). Little Ball of Hate, care to get some quotes from the great Hayden Fry on the University of North Texas?

Acutally, from the other thread with "the Little Ball of Hate's" Fort Worth Star Telegram article today, I find it quite strange that she dared not to mention that Todd Dodge turned down the Rice HFC's job last year as well as joining Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys this last year as well. Of course, that would have not fit into her "kick UNT in the gonads" theme or her "shock jock" kind of article she had today, now would it? I've listened to her radio show very briefly, and it's pure "D" shock jock. As far as Jennifer's article in today's FWST, it is now at the bottom of my parakeet cage and my little green fine feathered friend seems to get the runs anytime he is perched above the LBOH's feature article portion of today's FW Startle-Gram.

As Dallas Green posted earlier today: "Todd Dodge is the 2'nd Coming of Hayden Fry" and Dallas G, I just happen to agree with that assessment 110%! In fact, I could close my eyes listening to Todd Dodge on FSN last night and could easily feel like I was listening to a young Hayden Fry...........Even some of Dodge's facial expressions and mannerisms took me as well as what I would wager would be many of you other older nestors back to the Fry era in his ladder years at SMU and then his coming to North Texas in December of 1972.

Happy Days Are Here Again!

Edited December 25, 2006 by PlummMeanGreen

[Buford_Julep]

I hope Riley Dodge signs with the Mean Green and has a great career as a wide receiver.

If he plays Quarterback, let's hope he is more successfull than the last 5-A State Champion spread offense QB that came here. Does anyone remember Spencer Stack from Flower Mound Marcus?

[Eagle-96]

I hope Riley Dodge signs with the Mean Green and has a great career as a wide receiver.

If he plays Quarterback, let's hope he is more successfull than the last 5-A State Champion spread offense QB that came here. Does anyone remember Spencer Stack from Flower Mound Marcus?

Does anyone remeber Stack getting buried on the bench because DD wanted a quarterback that could run the option every now and then.

[PlummMeanGreen]

Does anyone remeber Stack getting buried on the bench because DD wanted a quarterback that could run the option every now and then.

Many of us felt for Stack as we thought he became a wasted talent, but the young man hung in there anyway and I believe even graduated from UNT.

[NT03]

If Stack had Dodge as a coach for 4 years , he would be in the top 5 of every UNT passing stat.

[Mean Green 93-98]

You have to realize that TD is not going to pressure his son to play for NT if he felt his career could be better served at another university. I certainly would hope Riley would have the decency (and common sense!) to stay away from SMU and TCU, but clearly we have had some players who never got a fair look from the Sunday league because they played for UNT. But if he chose to come, he has already shown that he fits in perfect with TD's high school system - got to be a great fit for UNT Dodgeball!

[BleedGreen]

Riley Dodge is an oustanding young man. He would be a fantastic addition to the program. Do I think he's the second coming of Mitch Maher playing at a higher level of football? I'm not sure. I think he will be much more highly recruited than Mitch, but talent wise there is not that much difference. The biggest difference is that Riley will immediately be familiar with the offense and will fit in right away to his dad's scheme of offense. There are several other current or former Dragon receivers who would be a good fit here. Rumor has it that Corbin Smiter is not happy at Rice. Also, I think that Blake Tomlin or Anthony Ford would be great recruits this year. Blake Cantu is even better but we have to wait a whole year to get him. I don't see Clint Renfro transferring, but I wish. I stray off the subject. Yes, I'd LOVE to see Riley here. Put some weight on the boy though, please.

[PlummMeanGreen]

I hope Riley Dodge signs with the Mean Green and has a great career as a wide receiver.

If he plays Quarterback, let's hope he is more successfull than the last 5-A State Champion spread offense QB that came here. Does anyone remember Spencer Stack from Flower Mound Marcus?

Is Riley Dodge a good fit for UNT? Is the Pope a good fit for the Roman Catholic Church? Is Billy Graham a good fit for Southern Baptist? Is Rosie O'Donnell a good fit for the GOP? (just kiddin' on that one)

But................uh, wide receiver?!?! One of the more prominent recruiting gurus has already projected that Riley Dodge will be a highly recruited QB next year.

The name Mitch Maher comes to mind and has already been mentioned on this thread and Maher (of whom Todd Dodge helped to develop as a Mean Green QB when he was offensive coordinator at UNT); anyway, I see many similarities between former Mean Green QB Maher and Riley Dodge. But some will say: "But Mitch Maher played at a 1-AA UNT." Well, for the many of us on this board who were at a Big 12 school stadium in Stillwater, OK, watching Mitch Maher pass a Big 12 school silly I think we know what caliber of QB Mitch Maher was. Of course, Maher had more than just a few big games other than just that one against OSU, too.

Riley Dodge has as much (or more) upside coming out of HS next year as 1 of the 2 best QB's I've ever seen wear Mean Green and that would be the great Mitch Maher (who once again I repeat was recruited from Plano when Todd Dodge was on staff at UNT as our offense coordinator). Maybe one of the reasons Mitch Maher gave Todd Dodge such a glowing recommendation to be our new coach and drove all the way from Jonesboro, Ark, just to be at Todd Dodge's UNT Press Conference when he was announced as our new HFC?

I think much will be cussed (by many of our frustrated recruiting opponents who will also be vying for his services) and discussed about Riley Dodge in the next year and who he signs a letter of intent, but my money says he still ends up at the University of North Texas to be coached by his dad.

BTW, I think Riley Dodge will also have many others of his Texas HS football acquaintances and buddies on future Mean Green football teams and not all of them necessarily from Southlake Carroll HS, either. He seems to know many of his opponents players, too, as I observed the TV post-game of their 5A state championship game the other night. Of course, how many of those players might he have met at his dad's summer football clinics, too?

UNT has hit paydirt with this hire, folks, and winning SBC championships in the future will include an SBC football champions who will not embarrass themselves or us at a bowl game with their storied pre-game activities in the Big Easy and.....................have Top 25 rankings, just like the WAC and MAC football champions have had in recent years). Of course, such a coach who pulls off those kind of ranked SBC football champions (like at any other non-BCS outpost) will be in demand, too, but would we have it any other way in Denton anymore? Has our days of being a Mean Green Retirement Center for those who can't get jobs elsewhere ended with this new Dodge Ball era we now find ourselves at the University of North Texas.

Should we rename the Mean Green Village, uh, Dodge City?

Edited December 28, 2006 by PlummMeanGreen

[Charlie NT 73]

Yes- Riley Dodge will be a good fit for NT at QB! Along with Tre Newton at RB !

Yes- I want both of these guy's for the '08 class!

Question-- since a coach is only allow a limited number of contacts to a prospective recruit, how

can Coach Dodge legally recruit his own son, since they live together under one roof ?

I wonder how the NCAA will view this situation?

I read something the other day, where Riley asked his dad for some money to pick up dinner-

Dad said something to the effect, I can't do that anymore, you have to start asking your mom for

money from now on.

You can take it to the bank that Coach Dodge will have someone on his staff recruit Riley and Tre!

[eeally]

You can bet the farm that Riley will be wearing GREEN. As for TRE' go ahead and double your bet.

It is already started and is only going to get better.

[PlummMeanGreen]

You can bet the farm that Riley will be wearing GREEN. As for TRE' go ahead and double your bet.

It is already started and is only going to get better.

Well, eeally, I'm not one who gambles, but I do like our chances for a father to recruit his own son next year.

I like our chances with most any players from SLC who have D1-A (or even borderline) D1-A talents. We probably won't get them all over the course of the next few years, but I think we'll get our share and......................many of our Texas HS Friday Night Heros have attended Todd Dodge's summer football clinics in past years and that group of potential recruits will be just that for UNT, too, that is--potential recruits.

Edited December 28, 2006 by PlummMeanGreen