Bunting revisits AJ Davis and “Puff” Thomas

Apparently John Bunting is coming out with a book soon. Check here for the full interview from the ACC Sports Journal:

On the recruitment of Puff Thomas:

I remember when the offering plate got passed, I think I put a $20 bill in there and I looked over and Webster’s writing a check. I was wondering to myself, “I wonder how much he’s writing that for,” and “I wonder if this is NCAA legal?”

On the recruitment of AJ Davis:

We came to find out, this was the infamous Chuck Amato “Come to me” signing over the telephone to A.J. and getting him over on campus. We later found that A.J. possibly went off campus with either other recruits or other players, to watch the Super Bowl at some undisclosed location. We were hot that all of that had taken place and now we’re going into Wednesday morning, Signing Day. Of course his scholarship papers never showed up for us. They showed up over in Raleigh.

Football Recruiting General NCS Football

35 Responses to Bunting revisits AJ Davis and “Puff” Thomas

  1. TheCOWDOG 01/23/2009 at 7:45 PM #

    Chop, ya nailed something again. Glenn knows his sh.t and I see him deal it in equal portions. I like the guy’s take and verve.

    Cannot understand vitriol aimed his way. Just don’t see him as a homer in anyone’s house. Just maybe more well informed than those in his detractors houses.

  2. BJD95 01/23/2009 at 8:13 PM #

    We certainly have a problem dealing with Tyrese Rice, that’s for sure. This team has no solution for said problem. Therefore, we will be 1-4 this time tomorrow.

    I will probably draft my usual sunny preview later tonight or tomorrow morning.

  3. choppack1 01/23/2009 at 8:41 PM #

    BJD – Tomorrow I’m looking for effort and execution. It’s a huge test for the program.

    These are the games thus far when I’ve been most disappointed in the Sidney Lowe coached teams. In the first 2 years, we’ve given mediocre efforts and backed down at the first sign of resistance. I really don’t think we see that tomorrow and I’ll be interested to see how Farnold, Fells, CJ, etc, etc, etc do with Rice.

    I’m actually optimistic.

  4. wolfonthehill 01/23/2009 at 8:53 PM #

    I’m looking for about a 14-point drubbing, with Tyrese Rice going somewhere north of 30 points… and I’m looking to be on S6’s liveblog with drink in hand…

  5. choppack1 01/23/2009 at 9:26 PM #

    Hey, good news all – BC is one of the worst in the country at generating TOs….

  6. wufpup76 01/24/2009 at 12:18 AM #

    ^Hasn’t stopped us from turning the ball over, before 🙁

    As usual, BC is tough and physical – and while I believe we’ve improved on each of those traits this season, we still don’t defend a stellar point guard very well or the flex offense very well

    I vote for doubling Rice as soon as he steps past halfcourt … Please find a way to get the ball out of his hands!

  7. wolfonthehill 01/24/2009 at 7:21 AM #

    Hell, our double-team against Marquette’s point guard on the last possession was so effective that he merely drained a game-winning three. Nothing magical about our double-teams…

  8. packnwilm 01/24/2009 at 8:54 AM #

    Kay Yow has passed away. What a wonderful, wonderful person our Wolfpack and world has just lost. Our prayers are with your family.

  9. VaWolf82 01/24/2009 at 10:35 AM #

    You and have had many discussions about your Glenn conspiracies before.

    I don’t remember any conspiracies discussions about Glenn….just him essentially accusing Amato of recruiting violations over the AJ Davis recruitment. And he lied about UNC’s SAT scores to elevate UNC and put State down the year that 4 Bunting DL recruits went to Hargrave.

    Someone should write in to the ACCSJ and ask Bunting to explain how an NFL All-pro couldn’t get off of his bench.

  10. ChiefJoJo 01/24/2009 at 3:24 PM #

    Don’t think anyone mentioned the Glenn “where’s there’s smoke, there’s usually fire” comment on 850’s signing day coverage when AJ Davis’ LOI was faxed to NCSU. I followed recruiting closely back then and remember very clearly how Glenn reacted. I like Glenn and IMO he seems to call it like he sees it. But, some State fans (not me) will never forgive him for making that comment while not apparently knowing all the info… as Noah pointed out that Davis never actually committed to UNC, etc.

    My feeling on this is that Amato’s reputation for taking big risks in recruiting (like the Tremain Hall fiasco) played into the public reaction that there may have been something nefarious going on. Of course, that being said, Glenn’s implication that some sort of violation may have occurred is not excusable either.

    As for Amato v Bunting… I don’t see how anyone could call either one much of a success, given how things ended. Amato’s legacy will be he rode Rivers coattails, helped put State on the football map for a while with some high profile recruits, couldn’t find a QB or develop and OL & then flamed out. Bunting was mostly in over his head, but somehow managed to own Chuck (absent Rivers). Even though the having alums of both schools fueled the rivalry and was fun for a while (until we lost to them 3 in a row), both schools are much better off now.

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