I'm sorry that we lost a top Louisiana talent out of state. But, that's life. I find it hard to believe that some people on this board cannot fathom someone leaving the state of Louisiana. I'm a huge, huge Tiger fan through and through...But when it comes to a kids life and him making a decision for his life, let him be. Michigan happens to be, academically, a wonderful school and one of the top public school in the nation... Again, I'm sorry this guy doesn't want to come to LSU and, hell, I can feel a bit irritated about it...But leave it alone...
I hear ya. You don't see people from Florida crying over every top recruit that leaves that state....well...then again, I don't ever visit any of their boards to find out--so they just might. But in Jai's case, now I don't know all the details, so I won't be too harsh in my criticism, but when you say, "making a decision for his life", I can't help but wonder exactly how is it best for anyone but him? After all, he's not just Jai Eugene the high school player anymore...he's Jai Eugene the daddy--and I don't know that his son/family isn't ok with this--and for all I know, it may all be taken care of, but I can't help but think that his decision to go to Michigan, at least on the surface, and in my eyes, looks like Jai gets to do what he wants--life uneffected, while his child and his child's mother remain miles away. Unless they (mother and child) go up to Michigan with him (which may be the case, I dunno for sure), but until they are all up in Michigan, the whole thing stinks and sets a VERY bad example IMO. If his kid stays back, and he's the only one that goes up to Michigan, then that just sends the message that it's ok to leave behind your responsibilities, and I'm not ok with that--reguardless on if the kid is from Louisiana or not.
I wonder if Cox's decision to come to LSU had anything to do with Eugene's decision to go to Michigan?
Dandy Don agrees with you. He feels there is a good chance Eugene may still end up at LSU. I doubt it. There is always the possibility that he finds he made a mistake and transfers to LSU for the 2007 season. That has happened more than once. But you have to figure that the chances of that are remote. We need to get over Eugene and focus our attention on those still interested in coming to Tiger Town. I hate losing a top Louisiana athlete as much as anyone, but we all know that is part of the recruiting game. We do the same to other out-of-state universities, and we have to expect other out-of-state universities to do it to us. We have to move on.
Let me ask you a question. How many LSU athletes have children? ... do they live near them? ... are they actively involved in their lives? And more importantly ... is this really any of our business? I have a hard time understanding why that should be a concern to us fans. If the coaches are fine with it, then so am I.
Is child abuse or people convicted of of child abuse any of our business? No. Or the ever increasing reality that more and more teenagers do drugs...Just cause you don't have kids, are you not allowed to have an opinion on the matter? Of course not--and we all have opinions on those. Some just choose to be more vocal about it. We still have opinions about it. So those examples are similar with a high school kid that leaves his child behind while he/she persues their own interests in that no, it might not be any of our business, but it still sends a message that some people interpret differently and for all you know, I MIGHT have, or might be associated with someone, that WAS in a similar situation in my life. So, like I said, if (because I was careful to admit that I don't know all the details) it's a situation where Jai, and only Jai, heads up to Michigan while his child is left behind to be raised by his mother and grandparents, then I think that sends the wrong message. ...and if he thinks that he'll get to see and interact with his child 1,500 miles away, then I hope he understands that he just might only be spending no more than 4 months a year with his kid. Football season runs a long time and players report earlier than students...don't really have a Thanksgiving break because most schools play their final games that week....won't be home a whole lot during the Christmas break because good programs are in bowl games during that time and even if you're NOT going to school half-a continent away from your home, ask any football player exactly how much free time they actually have....add up all of those variables, and you're not left with a great deal of "down time"...
Careful, TW. Last time I suggested that people mind their own business, my post was deleted. Read into that how you choose. Now let me go find some 18 year old to pass judgment on...
I'll take back my original statements. At this point, I really think Jai signs with Michigan. I think we still have our eyes on one more DB though.
After reading his latest Rivals article, I agree. Eugene basically said he was done with visits and that his decision was final...
