Dan Kottman article by Adam Boedecker

[Harry]

Kottman also had an offer from Rice and interest from Air Force. Boise State said they wanted to eventually offer him, but Kottman didn't want to wait.

"Boise said they wanted to work toward an offer, but I didn't feel like waiting around and watching San Diego State fill up and then have nowhere to go," Kottman said.

Kottman burst on the scene in 2010 in his first season on the varsity team when he stepped in for departed Under Armour All-American Taylor Bible, who is now a defensive tackle at Texas.

"I came in and I knew I had some big shoes to fill because Taylor Bible was an All-American and I tried to just meet the coaches' expectations of me," he said.

Kottman racked up 107 tackles while facing constant double-teams and led Guyer with 11 sacks and 26 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while forcing two fumbles. He helped lead Guyer to its first appearance in the Class 5A Division II state championship game, where the Wildcats were beaten by Cibolo Steele.

Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/high-schools/high-school-football-headlines/20110617-football-kottman-commits-to-aztecs.ece

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

Taylor Bible. Wow. Remember what a big signing that was a few years ago? It turned into this: http://www.cneagles.com/sports/m-footbl/2013-14/bios/bible_taylor_o5lj

[emmitt01]

Taylor Bible. Wow. Remember what a big signing that was a few years ago? It turned into this: http://www.cneagles.com/sports/m-footbl/2013-14/bios/bible_taylor_o5lj

But you can't convince any of these kids that North Texas is a great place to play early, get an education and stay near a support system. All these Denton kids (to a large degree because of momma) believe they have to take the "big time" offer so that they and family can tell people "I signed with....insert monolith here... "

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

Agree. But, I can't really blame them. Many kids, non-athletes as well as athletes, look to "get away from home" when it comes time for college. I'm perfectly happy with them leaving for a couple of years then transferring back...if they can contribute.

Bible...if you scan around the past news reports...it looks like he kind of showed up in Austin out of shape and expecting the world to fall into place for him anyway. I mean, you are talking about a defensive lineman of his potential unable to make a dent in the lineup of some of the worst run defenses in Texas' storied history.

Sad. And, he's not even seeing much playing time at Carson-Newman...Division II.

Edited January 16, 2014 by The Fake Lonnie Finch

[LongJim]

Bible...if you scan around the past news reports...it looks like he kind of showed up in Austin out of shape and expecting the world to fall into place for him anyway. I mean, you are talking about a defensive lineman of his potential unable to make a dent in the lineup of some of the worst run defenses in Texas' storied history.

Supposedly, Bible's issue was work ethic. Some guys can't make the jump.

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

Some can't...others won't. I think Bible probably could have; he just, for whatever reason, wouldn't.

And, I think his type of bust is why Charlie Strong is in there now saying, "forget about stars" in recruiting ratings. Texas fans have for years been carried away with their signing classes.

I think Strong seems like the type of coach who can tell if a player is bullshitting him - on and off the field.

[Danish43]

Supposedly, Bible's issue was work ethic. Some guys can't make the jump.

So Long Jim, are you saying that perhaps he just wasn't college material? There is nothing wrong with that. Lots of kids are successful not going to college but perhaps Bible loves football and found that going to college is the only way to keep playing. I never could had made it at NT as a freshman, thank God for JC.

On another note. I read that the most recent QB from TT is going to graduate school and will be playing with another team. His degree is University Studies. What does University Studies course work require because I have never heard of the degree. Been out of NT for 30 plus years and there are many new degrees out there. Thanks

[UNTLifer]

University Studies = Bachelor's of FBS.

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

University Studies, as I understand it, is a degree cobbled together out of many different classes, all while not really declaring a major. What I've gleaned from the internets:

http://bus.unm.edu/bus-degree.html

http://us.tamu.edu/Undergraduate-Studies/University-Studies ... ("Dance and Sports Leadership" advisor among those who can be contact for this one at A&M)
http://www.uta.edu/universitycollege/current/university-studies/index.php

http://cola.siu.edu/academics/undergraduate/university-studies-degree/index.html ( "Sometimes you need room to grow in your own direction -- to learn what you want to know, to become who you want to be." Seriously? Yes. Seriously. This is proof that many schools don't give a crap just as long as your bill is paid.

http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/academic/factsheets/univstudies/univstudies.shtml

Guns up: "The choice is yours; with the B.A. or B.S. in University Studies, you can become whatever you want." Unlike those ignorant, lemming-like slobs who choose majors. Suckers! They'll never become whatever they want!

My personal favorite is this one from Illinois State: "While traditional majors are the best option for most students, some students find they have explored a major or several majors and discovered those options are not a good fit for them late in their academic career." Holy crap! I've switched majors so many times in four years that I can't graduate! Mom and dad are gonna kill me when they find out I'm not graduating after four years of them paying for all of these classes. Wait! Here's a "degree" that cobbles all of these various hours together into...something. F*ck yeah! Still time left for another sixer! I'm buying! Go Cardinals...er, RedBirds! Aw, f*ck it...Go, Ohio State!

http://www.wmich.edu/offcampus/program/35-General_University_Studies.html Western Michigan goes ahead and just lies to the perspective student: "Many employers are looking for a bachelor's degree, not a specific major." Now I know why so many college grads are ending up at McDonalds and Wal-Mart...they were told any old degree would do...even if it wasn't a specific major. Geez, what a hassle it is to choose a major. As an employer, here's what that says to me: this guy or gal will take the easy way out, but at least show up...and, we need cashiers! Becoming upwardly mobile will never be the goal of this applicant. Thanks, Western Michigan for the easy hire!

Some schools cut it off at two years, then make you go ahead and, you know, choose a major...party-poopers:
http://www.admiss.vt.edu/majors/index.php/majors/major/US

Crazy.

Edited January 17, 2014 by The Fake Lonnie Finch