CWU Star RB Michael Roots to Transfer

[the tav]

Mike's a good kid and I wish him the best. It's just one game so don't get your panties in a bunch. He'll be just fine. NFL scouts know where CWU is and have been at practices the past 3 weeks Kansas City, Chicago, Philly, Arizona and others.

[tsull]

If people want to better their position in school and football, they can do so. People can also question that move. My take on Roots is he was the feature back at CWU. Maybe he had a falling out with the coaching staff. Early returns is that this wasn't a good move.

Regarding the NFL, a stretch even if he was a 1,000-yard back at CWU or wherever. Watson and Gardner didn't make it, I thought both better than Roots. It's also not a valued position in the NFL. They move through guys rather quick, about 2 years, maybe 3 and they're looking at another back. Boise State has had some really great backs in the league and now they're slowly seeing their roles diminished in years 2, 3, and 4.

Also, Roots, Moore, and others I'm sure, knew the risks of transferring. To me he was a star at CWU. CSUP? Maybe not.

[Turbonium]

I think you're reading too much into this. I question his move, but it's not jealousy or animosity. I'm just saying it doesn't make much sense. He would have been the feature back at CWU, he's not at CSUP. If he WAS at CSUP, then it'd make a lot of sense. Just like Moore not starting at Mesa, the move doesn't look like it's paying off.

Didn't mean from you, just throughout the thread from various CWU fans.

He's played one game against one of the best defenses in D2 and split carries with another talented RB who has been in the system a couple years now. I just think people are jumping on this notion that it was a bad move just a tad early.

If he's good enough the scouts will see. If he's not, it won't matter where he chose to play.

[IronOre]

And if that's the case then he could forget the NFL had he stayed at CWU too as it means he's not good enough. The jealousy and animosity throughout this thread are pretty sad to be honest. NFL scouts will be in touch with CSUP throughout the year as always and Roots will get to show his stuff both in games and at the annual pro day. The RB he is sharing carries with, DJ Penick, started as a true freshman at Murray State and is also very talented. They will rotate and both get their chances to shine.

I think you're reading too much into this. I question his move, but it's not jealousy or animosity. I'm just saying it doesn't make much sense. He would have been the feature back at CWU, he's not at CSUP. If he WAS at CSUP, then it'd make a lot of sense. Just like Moore not starting at Mesa, the move doesn't look like it's paying off.

[Turbonium]

Given how NFL teams value running backs these days, A D2 back is not going to get any attention unless he's absolutely running over the competition. If he wasn't good enough to secure the starting spot at CSUP, then he can forget the NFL.

And if that's the case then he could forget the NFL had he stayed at CWU too as it means he's not good enough. The jealousy and animosity throughout this thread are pretty sad to be honest. NFL scouts will be in touch with CSUP throughout the year as always and Roots will get to show his stuff both in games and at the annual pro day. The RB he is sharing carries with, DJ Penick, started as a true freshman at Murray State and is also very talented. They will rotate and both get their chances to shine.

[IronOre]

If he's talented enough for the NFL the scouts will easily find him in Pueblo lol. They know their way there at this point.

Given how NFL teams value running backs these days, A D2 back is not going to get any attention unless he's absolutely running over the competition. If he wasn't good enough to secure the starting spot at CSUP, then he can forget the NFL.

[Brandon]

Austin Ekeler isn't doing too terribly for himself either.

I'm stuck in the past apparently. :)

[Turbonium]

To be fair, CSUP has an OL (Ryan Jensen) with a Super Bowl ring and Morgan Fox is in his 5th year. Mike Pennell (DL) also has Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs. Danny Woodhead (Chadron State) is another RMAC player that had a great NFL career. He was denied a ring by Boss' former team - Giants.

Austin Ekeler isn't doing too terribly for himself either.

[Turbonium]

If he's talented enough for the NFL the scouts will easily find him in Pueblo lol. They know their way there at this point.

[Brandon]

Reilly is a great advertisement for what a student athlete should be, professional football career or not.

Yep. Great human being.

[Brandon]

You for got the Tight End that also has a Super Bowl Ring. I'm surprised by that.

To be fair, CSUP has an OL (Ryan Jensen) with a Super Bowl ring and Morgan Fox is in his 5th year. Mike Pennell (DL) also has Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs. Danny Woodhead (Chadron State) is another RMAC player that had a great NFL career. He was denied a ring by Boss' former team - Giants.

[tsull]

It sure helped him before the Steelers signed him his rookie year. Unless it is his wife's idea, I also don't see him moving back to the Tri-Cities but former Tri-City American player who is the owner and now the coach Stu Barnes is. Mentioning hockey for our SFU fans on this board.

I remember Washington State University place kicker/punter Jason Hanson saying for sure he's going to medical school when his football career is over.

I believe his NFL kicking career lasted 20 years and he became very wealthy off of that. Kind of hard to start med school in your 40s, and Hanson is not doing that.

Reilly is a great advertisement for what a student athlete should be, professional football career or not.

Going back to Michael Roots, I just think he could have made a good football and academic life for himself in Ellensburg, but maybe that's just me. To quote the late, great Frosty Westering: Make the big time where you are.

[Wildcat Khan]

I agree but Reilley signed an $800,000 a year contract for many years, I doubt he will be going into engineering.

It sure helped him before the Steelers signed him his rookie year. Unless it is his wife's idea, I also don't see him moving back to the Tri-Cities but former Tri-City American player who is the owner and now the coach Stu Barnes is. Mentioning hockey for our SFU fans on this board.

[tsull]

Well, at least for Mike Reilley he has a well paying career after football as an engineer. This should be the norm, not the exception in small college football and a lot of big colleges too. The vast majority of even Power 5 players don't end up playing in the NFL or CFL.

I agree but Reilley signed an $800,000 a year contract for many years, I doubt he will be going into engineering.

[Wildcat Khan]

Doubtful, he transferred twice within a few weeks and I'm guessing he will transfer at the end of this season.

Well, at least for Mike Reilley he has a well paying career after football as an engineer. This should be the norm, not the exception in small college football and a lot of big colleges too. The vast majority of even Power 5 players don't end up playing in the NFL or CFL.