I had no idea, but I'm really happy. I got this from Boland's blog: I really liked Toal, he was like the #1 recruit in the country coming in, smart kid, good player.
The Jets didn't sign him...yet. He was here for a tryout and it sounds like he earned a spot in camp. Don't bullshit...if you don't know what you're talking about, just don't say anything. Brian Toal was the lowest rated five star recruit on Rivals.com...still a great honor, but he certainly wasn't the #1 recruit in the country. (Adrian Peterson was)
Okay, but he was a top prospect nonetheless, one of the top linebackers in the country at the very least. He showed flashes at BC, and is supposed to be a real good kid and a hard worker. I'm glad to have him aboard, hope he can make an impact. Plus he's a hometown kid. Don Bosco, right?
I'm very happy too... It seems strange though no one gave him a UDFA contract.. oh well... let's sign him for TC and hope he fills the 4th roster spot as ILB.
This kid is really hyping Toal up. I mean, if he was one of the top linebackers in the country, why didn't he get drafted? Well hopefully you're right about the work ethic... hopefully he can work his way through and surprise people at mini-camp. btw - you should really fix your sig.
the typo is not an accident. It's a reference from some other thread were everyone started calling him snachez
I think he meant one of the top LB's in the country coming out of H.S. If you were in the North Jersey area you'd know about Brian Toal. He was a great back too. I remember watching that national H.S. all-star game, and I think he scored two TD's in it. Coming out of Don Bosco he was was a bigger prospect than Teel, Cushing, or Raji. Injuries killed his college career. If that's behind him (big if) he can make this team and a lot of NY/NJ metro area fans will be happy.
I can say that in high school Toal was the real deal. He was a top sprinter for Don Bosco Prep in NJ, along with being the captain of the football team that beat rival Bergen Catholic high with USC to be stud Brian Cushing starring at HB and LB. Toal was always mentioned in the same breath in all high school football coaching circles as Cushing and if he had not been injury plagued during his college years I believe he had at least as much potential as Cushing, who also had the advantage of playing with much better defensive personnel. Not saying this kids gonna be as good as Cushing anymore, but def has potential to be a solid contributor, at worst on ST.
It seems there are 2 trains of thought here , people who have seen him play regularly and people who have only read about his stats. In his final 2 seasons for BC , Toal was the man , versatile , a leader, hard hitter, dedicated and loved by his team mates.....A Ryan type player if there ever was one. I would be ecstatic if he signed with us.......It is even possible he could play at TE :wink:
Haha I went to middle school with Brian Toal, and college (BC). He was the biggest drunk in the entire world, he's such an out of shape piece of crap.
love that we brought him in. Injuries pretty much killed his career at BC but he was always a leader on the field and was definitely a playmaker. Hopefully not getting drafted motivates him because he was out of shape during the offseason and the kid does drink like a typical college kid. I think he'll stick and could make some significant contributions if he stays focused. btw, he's a real good short yardage back for those that aren't too familiar with him
Shoulder injury wasn't it ???? You've seen him play more than I have (I think). Do you think he could play TE ?