News last week broke that two prominent football players on the UCLA football team will be transferring out of the program. Quarterback Chris Forcier will transfer to Furman and Wide Out Dominique Johnson announced his plans to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo. Both players cited their lack of interest in sitting out a year and losing a season of eligibility if they transferred to a FBS (formerly known as Div. 1-A) school. By transferring to a FCS (formerly known as Div. 1-AA) school, players do not have to sit out a year and can play and contribute immediately.
Since the movement to bring back Titan Football started, it has been the belief and understanding that the Fullerton program needs to come back at the FCS level. Economically, trying to compete at the FBS level right out of the gate would be suicide for a program that has sat dormant for over 15 years. Many argue that the lack of competitiveness of the Titan Football team in the early 1990′s made the decision to kill the program an easy one. Knowing that we all do not want to repeat history, if the Titans were to return, it should be at the FCS level. Even though the FCS is a “step below” FBS does not mean it is any less competitive. Don’t tell that to the University of Michigan Wolverines who were beaten on their home field by Appalachian State, a FCS program, back in 2007. Fielding a FCS program at Cal State Fullerton would actually be an advantage to attract FBS players when it comes time for them to transfer.
For whatever reason, Forcier and Johnson are unhappy in Westwood and are looking to get out. Both Furman and Cal Poly SLO offered them an opportunity that USC, Notre Dame, LSU or Oklahoma could not; the opportunity to play right away without losing a year of eligibility. It is presumptive and speculative to assume that both Forcier and Johnson would have chosen to join the Titan Football program had one been in place already. But the argument can be made that Fullerton may not have landed those two former Bruins but the odds of landing other transfers is a definite possibility. There are no guarantees in life but we can all agree that by not having a football program guarantees transfers will not even consider attending Cal State Fullerton.
Add the potential of landing FBS talent playing for an FCS program as just another reason why we need to Bring Back Titan Football.
Fcs is the best way to get the program started.I really would like a Fbs program , but considering money,schlarships,conference, and the lack of Fcs programs in so. ca.It might last.
Titan football should be played @ the FCS level. It makes no financial sense to chase the “big” traditional football programs.
yes go Chris Forcier ..hope you play better at the FCS .