Thank you!!!! And you know, that was HONESTLY the first thing I thought of...like I said, I have followed recruiting even before it really became prominent. Incredibly rare for what Jefferson did to occur. Usually, if you are that doubtful about say LSU and the final weekend visit before NSD, you know what happens...the visit gets canceled. That is exactly what Jamal Peters did and I as an LSU fan appreciate that since a potentially awkward situation with Justin Reid has been avoided. If Peters visits on the same weekend as Reid, then you have 2 S and 1 scholarship at most. Now, LSU and Reid can make their decisions...either LSU gets another safety in Reid if he picks LSU (assuming an offer) or they pass on another safety period. I really don't think you are correct about the "trickster" part, but I swear, that is the first thing that crossed my mind before discarding it. Remember Tyron Johnson....2 days before he announced, LSU wasn't in his top 2. Magically, he picks LSU and I doubt it was even close. They play games...what can I say.
So @bhelmLSU there always seems to be a signing day surprise, who do you think that is this year and do you think LSU finishes in the top 4?
The big problem with college football is that it has gotten so much bigger than the 18 - 19 year olds that play it. Even the bright kids are not equipped, no one is, to deal with all the hype, talk, internet, etc. We really need a major reset, but that is never gonna happen. They say one thing, mean the next, and probably do a third or fourth!
Obviously you can't legislate character but there is an incredibly obvious thing that would clean up a lot of this mess. Simply have an early signing period like every other collegiate sport has. Then along comes Nov 15 or whatever, and at least the guys committed have to put up (sign the paper) or shut up. The only excuse I've heard for not doing this is "Oh, but what if the football staff isn't there after the season?" My answer to that is "Oh, you mean like the basketball staff could change, the baseball staff might be fired after a bad baseball season, etc." That would stop these chronic flippers because if they sign the paper, it's binding. If they don't sign the paper and are verbally committed, you now know their word is not their bond. It is literally as simple as that. Doesn't solve everything but definitely reduces the problem dramatically.
You wouldn't be talking about.....oh let's say, the legendary "Alabama processing" are you? Actually, I think the jury is in on that with literally about a dozen examples of that...some on NSD ...just within the last 4 years. The classic example was maybe 3 years ago? the RB who was ready to sign with Alabama after being committed to them for like 8 months (hadn't looked around, decommitted, etc). Then suddenly on NSD he found out his Alabama offer that little Nicky had given him and he had accepted was no longer good. Man, I remember his HS coach was PISSED!! Fortunately, literally on NSD he found a school to sign with...KY or some such. We talk about some of the things that kids do but coaches do similar type things. Even Elliot Porter as most will remember accepted an offer from LSU months before NSD and then a few days before, found out he would have to greyshirt. Porter went to KY for like a year before transferring back to LSU. But Les Miles is a mere apprentice compared to what Nicky pulls EVERY single year...already done it with multiple ones this year. As you I believe was hinting at, they could find out in November whether the coaches want them without hesitation. If they don't give them the letters of intent to sign, they are probably lying to them.
You're talking about Philon...got a lot of the details off. His story mirrors Elliott's...to a degree. BTW, I know Kerry...neither he nor Philon were "pissed" as you suggest. Disappointed? No doubt.
Can someone explain why LSU targets so many wide receivers and running backs? Seems like we are loaded. Why are we going after Charlot and Dillon?
