The Official "What the Hell Happened to Dillon Baxter" thread

[smokymountainrain]

I couldn't think of where to put this, so I created a new thread. Flame away.

But seriously, SC fans - Sipi, DDD, USCoug - any inside info about this situation? Baxter seemed to have everything going for him, all the talent in the world and SC seemed like a perfect fit. He didn't play a ton as a freshman and then his PT all but vanished in his sophomore season - a season I thought he might break out despite the presence of Tyler. Now he's gone and Kiffin won't reveal anything.

Why didn't he see the field more? And now, why is he gone? Seems like academic issues are part or all of the problem and perhaps it's that easy, but I'd be interested in any info.

Strange. Sad.

[Hot Lunch]

I couldn't think of where to put this, so I created a new thread. Flame away.

But seriously, SC fans - Sipi, DDD, USCoug - any inside info about this situation? Baxter seemed to have everything going for him, all the talent in the world and SC seemed like a perfect fit. He didn't play a ton as a freshman and then his PT all but vanished in his sophomore season - a season I thought he might break out despite the presence of Tyler. Now he's gone and Kiffin won't reveal anything.

Why didn't he see the field more? And now, why is he gone? Seems like academic issues are part or all of the problem and perhaps it's that easy, but I'd be interested in any info.

Strange. Sad.

Didn't he have issues with the ganja his first couple of weeks at SC? I seem to remember him getting busted during camp his last year. If that is true, I would bet the kid has ran into many other broken team rules if he couldn't wait a month to start breaking them.

[smokymountainrain]

Didn't he have issues with the ganja his first couple of weeks at SC? I seem to remember him getting busted during camp his last year. If that is true, I would bet the kid has ran into many other broken team rules if he couldn't wait a month to start breaking them.

Could be and that would make sense. I haven't been following it at all. I've just noticed he hasn't been playing much in the games and now the news that he's off the team.

[TripletDaddy]

First, this should be in the SC thread.

Second, Baxter had multiple issues. Among them....academic issues, violation of various team rules, he was rumored to take plays off in practice, and he started having some entitlement issues. As most people know, his parents met with Kiff about playing time....always a bad move.

He didn't make the trip to South Bend this past weekend and today it was revealed that he stayed behind because his girlfriend went into labor the day the team flew out to Chicago.

He came out of HS with a ton of potential but it hasnt yet translated on the field or off it. Also, with the recent emergence of Curtis McNeal, Baxter is now fourth on the depth chart, at best. The writing was on the wall when Kiff pulled George Farmers redshirt and switched him from receiver to play behind Tyler.

Sipi might now more from inside the locker room, but Baxter has made it tough on himself from day 1. It is too bad because he still has so much potential, but i guess Now he will have all the free time in the world to ride in wannabe sports agents golf carts.

[USCoug]

DDD pretty much summed it up. He's got some sort of attitude problem.

I'm questioning the switch of Farmer to a running back, especially since they are burning his redshirt in the middle of the season to do it, but we'll see how that works out.

but i guess Now he will have all the free time in the world to ride in wannabe sports agents golf carts.

ha

[smokymountainrain]

First, this should be in the SC thread.

Second, Baxter had multiple issues. Among them....academic issues, violation of various team rules, he was rumored to take plays off in practice, and he started having some entitlement issues. As most people know, his parents met with Kiff about playing time....always a bad move.

He didn't make the trip to South Bend this past weekend and today it was revealed that he stayed behind because his girlfriend went into labor the day the team flew out to Chicago.

He came out of HS with a ton of potential but it hasnt yet translated on the field or off it. Also, with the recent emergence of Curtis McNeal, Baxter is now fourth on the depth chart, at best. The writing was on the wall when Kiff pulled George Farmers redshirt and switched him from receiver to play behind Tyler.

Sipi might now more from inside the locker room, but Baxter has made it tough on himself from day 1. It is too bad because he still has so much potential, but i guess Now he will have all the free time in the world to ride in wannabe sports agents golf carts.

Thanks for the summary, DDD. Crazy that he would allow this to happen. You say his potential hasn't translated on the field or off it, but last year as a true freshman, we were hearing reports that he was just killing people in practice, making jaw-dropping plays, etc. Obviously, that isn't the type of "on field" that really matters, but it did show he could get it done at that level - I guess. Surprising that even with the off field issues, a guy that skilled could be 4th on the depth chart. Apparently he only has himself to blame. Again, thanks.

[TripletDaddy]

Thanks for the summary, DDD. Crazy that he would allow this to happen. You say his potential hasn't translated on the field or off it, but last year as a true freshman, we were hearing reports that he was just killing people in practice, making jaw-dropping plays, etc. Obviously, that isn't the type of "on field" that really matters, but it did show he could get it done at that level - I guess. Surprising that even with the off field issues, a guy that skilled could be 4th on the depth chart. Apparently he only has himself to blame. Again, thanks.

You are right, he had some sick practices. When he first came to SC, the thought was to figure out how to use him at various positions, possibly running more wildcat and letting him QB or run, depending on what the D gave him. He was supposed to be another in a long line of SC backs that were really good.

But it seemed that from his first week, he was getting into trouble here and there. I wonder, too, how short a leash these players are on right now given the SanCtions. Marc Tyler said stupid stuff, but he wasn't hanging with agents, for example, so he comes back to the team pretty quickly. If Baxter transfers, he will probably do well, but who knows. Emmanuel Moody left SC for greener pastures, went to Florida, and never really saw much playing time. Had he stayed, he had a decent shot at becoming SCs featured back. If I'm Baxter, I stick around and pull my head out of my rear end. Tyler is gone after this season anyway and if Kyle Prater can't get healthy, it is highly likely that we see more George Farmer at receiver next season, along with Robert woods and marquise lee.