Everytime I entertain a thought like that I remember back to 2004 when we were on our 4th string RB by October.
First, I can't vouch for the info other that it made it into a national media article...my account is accurate based upon that. And yes, the coach was pissed....that of course is a word subject to interpretation but let's just say he did NOT appreciate the way his player was treated. Spin that like a top....don't really care. And noooo, it was NOT like Porter. EP was offered a greyshirt...the RB nothing. Also, the RB was told on NSD...literally. Porter was given at least a few days notice. Still a renege for sure but not mirrored in the remotest definition of the word. Oh, and just for the record, the RB I'm talking about was only 1 of 2 that got the same treatment from little Nicky that same year. Once again the term "processing" has now been assigned to what little Nicky does every single year. Perhaps, I should quote Starship Troopers about where the guy is offered a promotion by the commanding officer....."Would you like to become leader of this squad. If so, you have the job until I find someone better."
What I meant was you might have a kid sign with X in Nov and come Feb figure out he really wanted to go to Y. Guess if they aren't ready they can always wait.
Right, sorry, I thought you were talking about the other direction....you know where the coaches find someone better and pull the accepted scholarship. On your exact point, seems like your own answer is a good one. Some responsibility has to fall on the prospect. If he really doesn't know where he wants to go, then he shouldn't verbally commit...of course that happens all the time now....but verbals are non-binding. As you state, signing on the dotted line takes it to a whole new level. But once again, you can only do so much with the procedure...human beings are still involved. I do like the dead period in front of NSD. You and I both know how much pressure there would be on Monday....on Tuesday....before the Wednesday "fax' day.
Yep and that is a great point you bring. Would suck to fill the class early only to find out a bigger fish wanted in late.
Im just putting in my opinion here, like everyone else has, and if a kid can pull a NSD or an announcement flip or have been committed to a school for months upon months or have told the coaches they were coming only to flip to another school and leave the school screwed in a way because they didn't pursue someone else, then I think the coaches should be able to do it to. Now I don't agree with it because to me your word is your word in these types of situations and I do blame some of the parents on this because they don't teach these kids what your word really means anymore and alot do it for the hype and I've been wanting an early signing period where these kids can ink their intentions, and hopefully it will come soon. Just my opinion for what its worth
Like I just said, it stinks both ways. A kid's word should be worth something but to be fair, quite a bit of the time his recruiting coach leaves the program...aka Muschamp from Florida.....etc. The excuse you hear is "oh, but these poor kids are only 18 years old." Funny, these "18 year olds" understand the process enough to play it up to the hilt don't they...twitter teases, interviews out the kazoo, being treated like royalty on recruiting trips, etc. But if I had to pick the worse of the two, I have to come down on the coaches who offer and accept yes by prospects to scholarship offers and then find somebody better. These guys are NOT 18 years old and unlike some of the kids' decisions, these are not just random decisions. They know well what they will do if Player B ends up committing to them. They screw Player A.
That is what my problem is for the most part. They should love the school and of course like the coaches, but the school is the most important. I have always said, if they don't want to be in the purple and gold then I don't want them. I want those who would love my school like I do and that is what it should be all about. Coaches come and go as we have seen especially lately, but the games really do need to stop. But I do agree with the points you made about a coach waiting til the last minute to dump a kid, for me that is not right and should not be done and yes these are kids. I just get tired (like last year) when kids tell the coaches they are coming and then they don't and have little or no respect for their word which I do blame the parents for. I can understand wanting to visit different places, see different things and have your 'Moment" in the spotlight, but sometimes you need to have a few morals too and that is where I have the problem. It's become a circus and makes me drink heavily....lol