Very well stated. HWR, I would've agreed 100% with you about two years ago...and stated things VERY similar to your "decommit" post. However, after watching coaches, including LSU coaches, pull the very thing houtiger mentions...time and again...I have come to this conclusion. - There is no commitment on either side until the fax comes in...or the kid enrolls early. - In fact, that's the way I personally like to see it go. Last season, we had several EARLY enrollees...big names too including Shep. There was NO DOUBT where Shep was going at this time last year, because he was in class at LSU already.
Not saying anything about the decomments, they're 17-18 year olds who are making a tough decision. Moving from say Virginia or California and leaving family and friends is a difficult decision. Some can do it, some can't. I just know that when a highly touted recruit comes in with all the skills in the world and the potiential to go far in football, doesn't have the right character, then he'll never reach it and it will effect the team. Here's a well known example. Ryan Perriloux (sp? nevermind not worth it) came in as a 5 star QB and showed that he could be an amazing dual threat quarterback, didn't have any heart or a good head on his shoulders and eventually was kicked off. That set the program back from having to go to an expeirenced and talented QB to a true freshmen who wasn't ready. Now here's the flip side: Jacob Hester came in as a 2 star recruit, highly unherald, had the right heart, drive, and determination, and made something of himself and became one of the most liked players to ever play for us. Rankings don't mean anything if a kid doesn't live up to the hype, or in the opposite goes agaisnt the odds and makes something of himself.
If another 'Perriloux' came around we would sign him. Dude was a can't miss prospect out of highschool.. and attitude problems can be fixed sometimes. If it happens again.. we'll just make sure to have a backup plan. Hester wasn't unheralded btw. He had an offer from Texas and a few other major programs. Recruiting services definitely missed on him.. but colleges didn't. I get your point though. I wish we'd take a few more chances on borderline guys though.. if they fail they are easy to get rid of. If they succeed.. you have a contributor.
Consider this: A young male gets a job offer, accepts it, and enters into training.. but while he is training for this job -- a better offer comes along. It's a higher paying job with better benefits.. should he "honor his word" and stick with the lesser job? Or should he jump on the opportunity? I think he would be stupid not to take the better job. That's all these guys are doing.. excluding rare circumstances like Janzen Jackson.
I agree with Perriloux, just usually these attitudes aren't fixed because they are introduced to an enviroment where they percieve themselves as superstars. There are some cases where the player matures and eventually grasp how to become a better team player and a person. just didnt happen with perriloux, as he continuously broke team rules and Louisiana laws. ( Casino incident) There are some cases like Ray Lewis in the NFL who realized he was around the wrong crowd and needed to seperate himself, while there are some like pacman jones who just didn't get it. As for the line they are easily replaced, no there not, because if RP would have been easy to replace, we wouldn't have went 8-5 last year and 9-3 this year. Perriloux was amazing, and could have done great things here. As for Hester, these services miss on a lot, check Clay Matthews of the Packers. Was a walk on at USC became a first round pick, and had a hell of a season. Some prospects expected to contribute little can turn into superstars, while jus the opposite can also occur In general, some of these players will mature and others will constantly stay thugs. I wouldn't mind taking a gamble on some of these players who have serious pontiential, i just dont like what it can do to a program if said player turns out to be a bum or keeps up with old habits, then he can actually set back a team.
Kiffen and Orgeron are looking for guys like that (with character issues). He should fit right in with Janzen Jackson, NuKeese Richardson, Daniel Hood, etc. when they transfer over to USC. Gotta keep the "Kiffen/Orgeron" brand out there. :thumb:.
After reflecting on this a while, I should clarify...Ambles character issues that people refer to are alleged and more of a red flag than a personal indictment. The other guys from Tennessee, for the most part...have been, will be and should be indicted.
