Donnie Gilstrap???

[agus_2_wun]

I noticed someone posted Donnie Gilray's name as Donnie Gilstrap. It's Gilray. And he did show up, Bennet wouldn't let the kid practice because Gilray had court to deal with about him driving someone home from a crime. He was an "accessor" is what i hear. He showed up and i know that he is going to be at SMU next semester. What i don't know is whether he will practice with the team when they start off season on the 10th of Jan...Someone should look into that...anyone know anything else on Gilray and his situation??? Is he good, do we need him?

[FloridaMustang]

he's honestly not that good..about the quality of a typical cavan recruit. the person that wrote donnie gilstrap was obviously making fun of him. btw he was an "accessorY." go mustangs !

[No Quarter]

I don't want to add to the Gilray family discomfort, but have the following questions from a fan's standpoint?

Did Gilray sign a letter of intent with SMU and has he been released?

Has he made any attempt to enroll in another school, a JUCO or CC say?

Are other schools showing interest?

What offers have been made by other schools?

[Mustang Stomping]

As I read these post, i'm wodering which part of "Back Off" leave alone, some posters do not understand.

Donnie is not currently on the roster so let's talk about who we have and who have committed for NSD. Positive thinking please.

[PerunaPunch]

Seriously folks, Donnie and his folks have been through enough crap. Nobody but Donnie knows what actually happened, but his parents have been nothing but class on this board. So give them a break.

Also, it's completely unfair to trash someone's ability when they've never even had the opportunity to practice and play – and not through any lack of ability but through an unfortunate incident. Remember, Donnie only played one year at QB if memory serves, but Cavan (a former QB) was so enamored with his arm that he gave him a scholarship.

So at least give the guy a chance to demonstrate his goods before you start talking smack. I bet you'd appreciate the same consideration. And regardless, there are ways of getting your point across without having to belittle someone (especially when that someone is a Mustang).

[Pony4Life]

Well said. Wherever Donnie ends up - especially if it's playing at SMU - he signed with OUR SCHOOL, and that makes him a Mustang to me. I want only the best for Donnie and his family, whether he ever suits up for us or not.

Since his family has seen him play more than any of the rest of us, I would contend that none of us has an accurate read on his abilities, and like PerunaPunch, Iinvite all PonyFans to back off the criticism and wish the Gilray family the best.

[ProudPonyPa]

This is mom again. Thanks very much for your support. You have no idea how much that means to us. Yes Donnie signed in Feb. like everyone else. He came to the field all summer long, very dedicated. He absolutely loves the game. This has been harder on him than you could know. But he loves SMU, and really wants to stay here. In our opinion, coach Bennett never gave him a fair shot. He considered him guilty untill proven innocent. Donnie has not been convicted of anything at all. This is all so stupid, much bigger than it really is. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Someone planned it that way.

[ProudPonyPa]

Donnie will be returning to SMU this semester. He was not released.

[PK]

Thanks for the update PPP. Hope everything works out for Donnie and he gets a chance to prove himself. Most importantly, I hope he gets to get a good college education and a degree....playing football or not.

[PerunaPunch]

I have absolutely ZERO knowledge of Bennett's thought process concerning Donnie and the 'incident', but given the fact that Bennett would bench his starting QB (or at least who he planned on starting at QB for the Hawaii game) for breaking curfew, I imagine calling Bennett a no-nonsense coach would be the understatement of all time.

So it could be that Bennett believes that absolute discipline translates into absolute execution, or it could be that Bennett didn't feel the team needed any negative publicity or distractions. Who knows?

But I do think this coach knows what he's doing, and I do think that he has the whole team's best interests at heart, even if those decisions are sometimes painful.

Hopefully Donnie will get a fair shot in the spring.

[FloridaMustang]

While I will not not take back my statements about his abilities, I will say that Donnie is a good kid and I really do wish him the best of luck at SMU. Go Mustangs!

[ProudPonyPa]

Yes, UNF, We know you have a good seat in Florida to judge a kid who was a standout in Hawaii, and quickly won over doubting Thomases here even through the skepticism: "This is Texas, boy, not Hawaii".

Once this situation is cleared, and Donnie is on the field (whether at SMU or wherever, we will hear the same thing we have heard elsewhere - "Where has this kid been?".

I predicted Cavan's first words to us when Donnie was 13 yrs old.

>Warning< Run-on sentence approaching:

I kept telling my wife and Donnie, even though we were going to move during Donnie's high school years, that the first time any coach sees Donnie throw, and not even a long ball -just playing catch, will want him to play for him.

So at SMU's camp in 2001, Cavan approached us while we watched the last practice at camp. He said "The first time I saw him throw, I asked "who is this kid?".

Kueck said, even before that: "Donnie has everything I am looking for in a QB." He went on to clarify that he obviously has the arm, but he is also big and tough and not afraid to take the hits. That gives you that extra 1/10th of a second to find that receiver. And finally, that Donnie had a coachable attitude. Kueck may not be Bill Parcells, but several of his recruits have gone pro, and he is at a winning organization, now.

I have seen Wallis and Bartel struggle this year, but even with that said, it's not enough to call them "Cavan's" recruits. Willingham took his team to a national bowl team in one year with the previous coach's recruits.

[agus_2_wun]

I am still not clear on his size...one place it will say he is 6'1 210 and another says he is 6'3 215...PPP what is it? do you have a picture?...I hope the best for him and SMU...he is a mustang either way...

[FloridaMustang]

I would have liked to see Donnie practice over two-a-days. He came off as a nice guy when I met him...albeit briefly. I haven't seen him play with my own eyes, but I have heard coaches talk about him. I also want to point out that simply because I have been in a privileged position, this doesn't meant I knew everything that went on in Coach Bennett's head. I wouldn't dare try and figure that man out. As far as Donnie is concerned, well, I hope he sticks around at SMU. He's a Mustang in my book and he deserves a chance to prove himself. If you say he can compete, I'd sure like to see him on the team. Til next year...Go Mustangs!

[This message has been edited by UNFMustang06 (edited 01-03-2003).]

[This message has been edited by UNFMustang06 (edited 01-03-2003).]

[ProudPonyPa]

Donnie is 6'3],230lbs,and runs a 4.9. He has a naturally overhand throw,has a solid 3,5,7-step drop backs,quick release,and very accurate.
He dissected Mesquite's secondary[5A State Champions]. He can play.He even played OL in Hawaii,and can block on reverses.