DB Sammy Faustin to transfer portal
Haven't seen this on the board, but maybe I missed it. If so, please delete mods.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^
With the DB's we got coming in I don't blame him, I wish him well.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
Glad he got his degree. Graduate transfer with probably two years of eligibility?
Best of luck on your new team, Sammy.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:35 PM ^
Serious queston - does EVERY D-1 football player think they're going to play in the NFL if given enough playing time in college? I mean I totally get players who transfer after coaching changes or are stuck on deep depth chart (like the OSU QB) but man, it sure seems like a ton of players in the portal are there for one reason and one reason only - playing time.
So does a diiploma from Michigan with no playing time mean less than a diploma from Upper Wichitia State College if UWSC offers a chance to start? I would really like to understand the thinking of players who move to small, far less prestigious academic schools just so they can get on the field. Do they honestly think they're going to the NFL if they do?
January 27th, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
The degree prestige kinda depends on what you majored in. And at some point, guys just want to play.
As much as we tout the prestige of a UofM degree, it doesn’t make that much of a difference in the real world unless you’re looking at something like engineering, law or medicine. For athletes who mostly major in things like communications or general studies, a UofM degree isn’t going to get you much further than a CMU degree.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Right. They spend a huge portion of their lives dedicated to the sport. The goal is to get on the field. They have a very, very small window of life to take advantage of that opportunity. I follow Minnesota-Duluth basketball, a midrange D-2 program (albeit having a great season) and there are transfers on this level every year for playing time, too. Had a good backup PG recently who was an excellent ballhandler and got time on the floor, but he had no 3-point shot and the coach wants 4 guys who can shoot on the floor at all times. He transferred. He's not going to the NBA, but he wants to play basketball.
Maybe the NFL is a possibility and maybe it isn't, but guys want to play.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:33 PM ^
I largely agree for athletes...but as someone who got one of the less prestigious degrees (as they say in Avenue Q "What do you do with a BA in English?") just having U of M on my resume DID open some doors that I don't think would have been otherwise. The name recognition does have some valuable cache even for the "downmajors" if you are in a field where credentialing matters AT ALL.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
Of course, but in the context that we are talking about athletes, it largely does not matter. What little benefit you do get from it would be offset by the athlete’s desire to see playing time in the sport they’ve dedicated their lives to up to that point.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:33 PM ^
Totally true, that's why I prefaced it as I did....Just was talking about the UofM experience in a more general sense but realize that took it more OT
January 27th, 2022 at 4:12 PM ^
There are some exceptions to this, especially if you want to work in a mega market with the pick of the litter in terms of talent, with many job candidates boasting impeccable credentials and pedigree. New York is one such market. Another exception is the financial services industry, especially investment banking, trading, or investment and asset management in client facing roles with an institutional client base. Heck, it is even tough for those people who do have those cherished pedigrees.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
No, but there's nothing wrong with still wanting to play. I know all the 40 and ups are in absolute love with the academic reputation of the school, but to a 18-21 year old, who is going through the grind of being on the football time without any of the reward of being able to play, it's kind of a waste.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^
You pose a false dichotomy: either wanting to play OR “academic reputation,” only beloved of “40 and ups” and otherwise a waste.
However, it’s rarely that simple. For instance, academic reputation doesn’t always equate to value of the education b/c too many factors figure into each. In addition, except for powerfully ambitious students, the best education may be a combination of classes, close friends, social life generally, and extracurricular experiences.
As for sports, some players find playing more enjoyable when they’re a regular part of campus life, next to impossible when, as at Michigan, your days are highly scheduled and full.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
But if he graduated as the post directly above yours indicates, he gets a M diploma and playing time elsewhere.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
It might just be for the love of the game. I mean it would have been a blast to have been on the team this year, but it does have to suck to only get on the field in garbage time, if that. Especially if you have your degree, players may just want to try to go somewhere where they'll get to play for a year or two since if you're not making the NFL, your football career ends with college (unlike basketball, for example, where there are plenty of foreign leagues to continue playing in if you want).
January 27th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
Maybe read the article before questioning his decision. Dude got his degree. What are you even talking about?
January 27th, 2022 at 1:49 PM ^
Maybe actually read my question before making a comment about it.
I asked an honest question about the general motives of players with little to no chance of making the NFL transferring. It's not an offensive question, I didnt direct it at him and now it's been answered by several other posters - that playing time IS that great of a priority.
I'm not questioning his particular decision - I was questioning ALL players who transfer with little to no hope of making the NFL. And now it's been answered.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:43 PM ^
Why are you so confrontational with your comments? Whenever I scroll through a thread and see your avatar I think, "I wonder what he's angry about now?" before I read your comment. Maybe step away for a while and chill out?
January 27th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^
He’s got big mullet energy
January 27th, 2022 at 4:33 PM ^
Was just about ready to post the same thing after taking a look at SDW's posting history... They've called me a troll multiple times for, I guess, being an OSU fan on a Michigan blog? I enjoy the community here and the topics that are discussed (James Webb telescope yesterday for instance).. SDW is just an angry person in general.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
Completely agree. Also, while I don't see your comments often, I don't think you're unreasonable or a troll. You're probably just wrong most of the time! :D
January 27th, 2022 at 1:42 PM ^
I would say that most D-1 players think they at least have a shot at the NFL if they get a chance to play. I doubt they would be D-1 caliber athletes if they didn't have that mindset.
Faustin already graduated so he may be looking to take advantage of a scholarship to get a grad degree. That would be a smart call regardless of whether or not he gets a shot at the NFL.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
Also, if he ends up at a weaker program, much more likely that he would be offered scholarships for his maximum number of years (which could be 6 years if he red-shirted), maximizing the # of graduate school time (if that matters to him).
January 27th, 2022 at 1:42 PM ^
Why wouldn't they be in the portal for playing time? They've played football all their lives, and have been the alpha dog on pretty much every team, and league, they've ever be on. I think most of them realize that the NFL is a pipe dream, but they're just not ready to leave the game. If they have eligibility left, why not try to get someplace where you can be on the field?
I don't blame them at all. So good luck to Sammy...
January 27th, 2022 at 1:42 PM ^
I suspect that most of them have some morsel of hope that Mel Kuiper will notice them if they can get just a little more on tape. Hell, half this board still probably thinks their HS football coach screwed them out of playing time.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:56 PM ^
I coulda been a contender, if only...
January 27th, 2022 at 3:07 PM ^
I was a 3rd string safety for my high school in freshman football in 1987. On one glorious play, I saw exactly what the QB wanted to do pre-snap, read the QB's eyes and beat the WR on a go route down the sideline.
I jumped up and caught it with the tips of my fingers and then ran about 10 yards before getting tackled by the much faster WR.
I thought it was the coolest thing ever and my teammates were psyched patting my helmut by a great play from a little used player. I walk over to my asshole coach and he says: "that was the most awkward looking play I have ever seen". It is still burned in my brain.
That was the last snap I ever played of organized football. If that coach was a little bit more encouraging, I could be getting sized up for my yellow jacket in Canton.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:48 PM ^
While I agree that your coach was/is an asshole and likely shouldn't have been coaching at all, it sounds to me like you didn't have the mentality of a Hall-of-Famer. One coach's comment was enough to make you quit? HA! You never had a chance with that attitude! Now drop and give me 20!
January 27th, 2022 at 9:01 PM ^
I assumed the last paragraph was tongue in cheek. If it wasn't, I agree.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:53 PM ^
I assumed the same. That's why I was making a joke about it and ordering him to "drop and give me 20."
But on a side note, while a bad coach can make his/her players feel like crap and damage a player's drive to succeed, I believe whole-heartedly that the best of us can push through things like that and never quit. We should all strive to have a "never say die" attitude. It's amazing what that alone can accomplish.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
Many eons ago, I was at a summer football camp hosted by some NFL players. I was a safety and for positional drills Stacy Toran of the Rams ran some of the workouts. The defensive drills were run by Otis Wilson of the Chicago Bears (as well as some other people). For the afternoon scrimmages, I think Otis Wilson believed that I either had two-left feet or was the dumbest guy he had ever met. I do not think that he said one positive thing to me the entire camp.
For the final game scrimmage, the offense was led by QB Mike Tomczak, meaning he was quarterbacking the offense. There must have been some sort of rule that everyone had to play because Otis Wilson would routinely sub me in and out although at the time, I thought it was so he wouldn't have yell as far. For the last drive of the 'game', the offense had crossed the midway part of the field and was driving for the winning score. Just watching one of the WR's, I felt that he was going to run a post and the offense was going to win on a big play. From my safety position, I drifted over, out jumped the WR, picked Tomczak and returned it for a touchdown.
As I approached the sideline, I really expected Otis Wilson to give me some sort of atta boy or good job, high five, something. Instead, he told me that I was out of position and if I had been lined up correctly pre-snap, I would not have had to move over as much as I did to make the pick-six. He then turned and walked away.
I wish I could have said that I was able to be a Power Five football starter. It was obvious, even to myself, that I just wasn't fast enough to play at the next level. I suppose that it would have been really easy for me to have gotten down when Otis Wilson kept picking on me. To be honest, I was sort of proud that Otis Wilson, for those few days at least, knew who in the hell I was. My father had told me once that myself worth was not dependent upon what other people thought of me. If Otis Wilson was just a coach and not a famous football player, it may have shook my confidence but there was no way I was going to let anyone take away the joy I felt at that particular moment. Your story brought that all back to me.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:50 PM ^
Yeah…Coach woulda put me in fourth quarter, we would've been state champions. No doubt. No doubt in my mind.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^
Yes getting to play is worth more than the degree. Just like tons of kids who play a sport that they know they won't be pro in choose to go to small d-3 schools to play that sport.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
I suspect some are recruited away with sweet nothings whispered in their ears (and perhaps a signing bonus to boot, I mean NIL...)
January 27th, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
As the great Cardale Jones would say
"We ain't come to play SCHOOL, classes are POINTLESS."
January 27th, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
Academic prestige has just as much to do with the alumni network..maybe even more so.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:12 PM ^
I can think of some reasons/scenarios
For those who already have a Michigan degree, they maybe looking for an opportunity to get a free grad degree or at least a free year towards that degree. Michigan is not likely to give those players a 5th year, so they have to go someplace else.
Another angle is that football is fun and it’s more fun on the field than on the bench. Like all of us, these players are only young once. The opportunity to play any level of college ball is rare. It may seem crazy to prioritize a year or two of thrills over turning one’s focus completely to their career beyond football, but I get it. Post eligibility, they can work hard to catch up or compensate for a lesser degree or lower gpa, but they will never get a chance to suit up & play real football again. If you love to play the sport, that may be all the motivation. The rest of your life is long, youth is fleeting. Enjoy it while you can.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:38 PM ^
Thanks everyone who responded to my question. I truly wanted to know why players would make a decision like that - now I think I do.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:37 PM ^
Maybe he just wants to get on the field after putting in so much work to play football? I don't see that as a surprising thing, and think it's the most likely reason. Or maybe he thinks he can play in Canada, or somewhere else that isn't the NFL.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:49 PM ^
You know what is massively marketable in the job world? A Michigan degree with even a cup of coffee in the NFL, let alone a season or two.
Perhaps a championship ring on the practice squad and you’ve got motivational speaking opportunities at your company for the rest of your life.
I think it’s reasonable for any scholarship football player at Michigan to see potential in the NFL. Certainly less so as an upperclassman who hasn’t played as much. Still very possible that what he’s learned at Michigan and what his body can do physically, there could be a spot on a roster or practice squad somewhere if he can get on the field.
January 27th, 2022 at 7:28 PM ^
The "love of the game" and the need to compete are very, very real things for these top flight athletes. Even though most of these guys don't have the world class status to get to the NFL, they aren't far behind.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
Did he play much this past year? It looks like he's been removed from the roster on MGoBlue.com, which also means that I can't see any 2021 info on him (you can still find him via the 2020 roster, but that only has info through 2020).
January 27th, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
Article says he didn't play in 2021 due to an injury. It is strange that he's not on the roster for 2021. Don't know why that would be.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
They don't have a 2022 roster (that I saw), just a list of signed recruits, so my guess is they removed him from the "active" roster since he left the team (understandable), with the unintended consequence that in doing so it also removed his 2021 profile and information.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:51 PM ^
He did not play at all. He was not on the roster this fall. He stepped away from the team in August due to "medical reasons" but remained on Athletic Aid.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
He has a medical issue and sat out the season. I was hopeful he’d recover, because it looked like he could be a nice upperclassman to have in the defensive backfield, but I can’t say I’m surprised to hear the news. It wouldn’t surprise me if Michigan was going to recommend a medical scholarship next year, given the past history of guys like Benjamin St. Juste and Ondre Pipkins.
January 27th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
Tip my hat to a kid who was Academic All Big Ten last year, took this year off with athletic aid and will be a grad transfer and still have two years left to play in grad school someplace, hopefully on scholarship.
January 27th, 2022 at 3:10 PM ^
In all seriousness, I'll remember him partly for this, which gave me extra motivation to keep up the workouts during the early phase of the pandemic in a greatly reduced gym:
January 27th, 2022 at 2:17 PM ^
Good luck to him. I think he'll wind up somewhere; he has talent and being a grad transfer is pretty impressive after 3 years.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:18 PM ^
Wish him the best of luck.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
Way down on the depth chart. Good luck to him wherever he goes.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:53 PM ^
This kind of surprises me. We lost 3 starting DB's going into next season (Hill, Hawkins and Gray).