Spring Break
Matt's Recruiting Corner: Pull out those pens, recruits
Matt L. Stephens
Issue date: 2/4/09 Section: Sports
Great Scott! (I'm bringing it back) Just a week ago it felt as if recruits were falling off the board faster than Dan Hawkins could say, "losing season." But this week things have changed, picking up three more verbal commitments including yesterday's snag in Muskogee, Okla. - cornerback Vernon Scott.
Aside from Scott, who was being heavily recruited by both Arkansas and Kansas State, CSU has received commitments from corner Andrew Taylor of Dallas, Texas, as well as defensive tackle Curtis Wilson from Orlando, Fla.'s Timber Creek High School.
Oh, things are starting to look up because today is National Signing Day 2009! That's right, get your popcorn ready, today the signatures are going to roll in from coast to coast. Whether it's Jared Koster from Norco, Calif., Joe Brown from Wichita, Kan. or Te'Jay Brown down in St. Petersburg, Fla., today is the big day to sign the dotted line.
And the most exciting part of getting those signatures today means that those players are officially Colorado State Rams. Welcome to the family!
Here's where the greed sets in.
As an objective journalist, I wish the best for all high school prospects, no matter where they decide to play ball, but my alter ego, the dedicated sports fan, is sick and tired of players renouncing their commitment.
No, it's not just something that happens at CSU, it happens to virtually every school across the map, but you really don't care that much unless it hits close to home, and this recruiting season it definitely has.
Which prospects left the Rams after making early commitments? Well, there have been quite a few, but the one in particular who stands out is starting the nation's No. 16 ranked strong side defensive end, Craig Payne. Yes, at one time during the 2009 season the Rams had a verbal from one of the top 20 players in the country at the defensive end position. That was until Utah poached him on Jan. 12.
This is why I believe there should be an early signing period for football just like there is for basketball and baseball. You make a decision, you stick with it, that's it.
Aside from Scott, who was being heavily recruited by both Arkansas and Kansas State, CSU has received commitments from corner Andrew Taylor of Dallas, Texas, as well as defensive tackle Curtis Wilson from Orlando, Fla.'s Timber Creek High School.
Oh, things are starting to look up because today is National Signing Day 2009! That's right, get your popcorn ready, today the signatures are going to roll in from coast to coast. Whether it's Jared Koster from Norco, Calif., Joe Brown from Wichita, Kan. or Te'Jay Brown down in St. Petersburg, Fla., today is the big day to sign the dotted line.
And the most exciting part of getting those signatures today means that those players are officially Colorado State Rams. Welcome to the family!
Here's where the greed sets in.
As an objective journalist, I wish the best for all high school prospects, no matter where they decide to play ball, but my alter ego, the dedicated sports fan, is sick and tired of players renouncing their commitment.
No, it's not just something that happens at CSU, it happens to virtually every school across the map, but you really don't care that much unless it hits close to home, and this recruiting season it definitely has.
Which prospects left the Rams after making early commitments? Well, there have been quite a few, but the one in particular who stands out is starting the nation's No. 16 ranked strong side defensive end, Craig Payne. Yes, at one time during the 2009 season the Rams had a verbal from one of the top 20 players in the country at the defensive end position. That was until Utah poached him on Jan. 12.
This is why I believe there should be an early signing period for football just like there is for basketball and baseball. You make a decision, you stick with it, that's it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
magistry
posted 2/05/09 @ 8:16 AM MST
Matt, you make a good argument. I understand your point about having integrity, but at the same time this goes both ways. Do coaches pull back scholarships, absolutely. (Continued…)
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