De-committing: The “dark side” of college football recruiting (complete list)
Loading ...The dark side of recruiting is “de-committing,” or when a football prospect commits to a college and one or both sides decide later on to go separate ways. There are many reasons for this to happen. With the state of Georgia projected to have between 175-185 high school seniors to sign FBS (formerly NCAA Div. I-A) scholarships, 12 prospects have already had their offer rescinded by a college or reneged on their original commitment. We take a closer look at the dozen:
Imani Cross, RB, North Hall (undecided): Cross was the first commitment of Tennessee’s 2012 recruiting class, remained loyal to the Volunteers for nearly a year, and then began looking elsewhere last month after being encouraged by Derek Dooley, according to Cross’ father. “[Dooley said] they hired a new RB coach from South Carolina and don’t know if he’s a Scat guy or Spread guy, so they were re-evaluating backs and that Imani should look around at other schools.” Cross has official visits scheduled for East Carolina on Jan. 13 and Nebraska on Jan. 20, and may also travel to Virginia, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin.
Ex-UGA WR recruit CJ Curry
CJ Curry, WR, Flowery Branch (Oklahoma State): Curry was the first commitment for UGA’s 2012 recruiting class but flipped shortly after making an unofficial visit to Oklahoma State last summer. Said his father: “After we started on our way back [from OSU], I asked him what he thought about it. He said ‘Dad, I loved it.’ Now he knows I’m a huge Mark Richt and Georgia fan. I told him ‘CJ, when it comes to choosing where you go to college, you’ve got to be a little selfish. You can’t go where your mom or I want you to go. It has to be what’s best for you.’ He said ‘Dad, in my gut, Oklahoma State is where I want to be.’ He just really liked the coaches and felt comfortable. They were really detailed about where they stand with him as a football player, as far as playing time as a freshman.”
Ex-Florida RB recruit Mike Davis
Mike Davis, RB, Stephenson (undecided): Davis was pledged to the Florida Gators for nearly a year before abruptly de-committing last month. Why? Davis felt misled by Florida’s staff. He also was upset by the love the Gators showed for 5-star RB Keith Marshall, who picked UGA over Clemson, along with Florida and South Carolina. Said Davis: “Only one [Florida] coach was sent to my house [for an in-home visit]. But the next day, [when] you send a whole coaching staff to another running back’s house, then there’s something wrong.” Davis said he has already picked a new school but won’t reveal it yet. Some think it’s UGA. His finalists are UGA, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State and Tennessee.
Khalid Henderson, LB, Pebblebrook (undecided): Henderson committed to Tennessee last summer, and thought things were going along smoothly until talking with Dooley a few weeks ago. “Coach Dooley said there is a ‘possibility’ you might not be coming to Tennessee. He said you have two options: ‘You can stay committed to us, wait it out and see what other players do. Or you can de-commit and try to get some attention from other schools but that doesn’t mean you can’t come to Tennessee’ or whatever. He was very iffy about everything. He wouldn’t say anything concrete. He kept on using that word ‘possibility’ … I thought it was a bunch of crap.” Henderson said he has an offer from Mississippi and heavy interest from UGA.
Nicholas Gibbons, OL, Stephenson (undecided): Gibbons had been committed to Memphis since last summer, but said he had his scholarship revoked after the college recently changed head coaches.
Tre Griffin, DE, North Cobb (undecided): Griffin was the first commitment for Vanderbilt’s 2012 recruiting class but said he had his offer rescinded in October after scoring a qualifying ACT score too late. “They said ‘Sorry, the slots are full.’ I had a bunch of emotions after hearing that. I was confused, a little upset, disappointed and almost embarrassed. I had been doing all these interviews, talking about how great Vanderbilt was and then they do that.” Griffin said he is hearing from Georgia Southern and UT-Chattanhooga, among others.
Ex-MTSU recruit Jarnor Jones
Jarnor Jones, FS, ML King (committed to NC State): The 6-4 Jones is a basketball player who only became serious about football within the last year. Middle Tennessee State saw enough potential to both offer and accept his commitment last summer. However, other schools noticed Jones while scouting his teammates, and he flipped to NC State over Maryland and West Virginia around Thanksgiving.
TJ Moon, RB, Stephenson (undecided): Moon had been committed to Florida Atlantic since last summer, but said he had his scholarship revoked after the college recently changed head coaches.
Josh Parris, TE, Stephenson (committed to Syracuse): Parris switched from South Florida after he said USF coaches changed their mind months after he committed, saying he projected to play fullback rather than tight end.
Ex-Tennessee WR recruit Keithon Redding
Keithon Redding, WR, Columbia (undecided): The speedster committed to Tennessee last summer, but the relationship soured after Tennessee WR coach Charlie Baggett stepped down – and Redding “never really heard from Tennessee after he left.” When Redding was finally contacted by another assistant, he was turned off by the Volunteers because they kept emphasizing the need for wide receivers from junior colleges. “I just didn’t have a good feeling about the situation anymore.” Redding has official visits scheduled with Mississippi on Jan. 20, and said he is working out dates for trips to Mississippi State and Kentucky.
Shadrach Thornton, RB, Liberty County (committed to Kentucky): Thornton might be the best running back in the state that nobody has really seen. He got off to a fast and furious start in recruiting by committing on his first official visit, which was to Kentucky. Thornton later said it was a “soft commitment” and vowed to finish his four recruiting trips. He was expected to choose between Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt, but pulled a surprise by pledging to NC State. Said Thornton: “When I told NC State that Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt were my leaders, they refused to give up on me and move on. That showed how much they wanted me because I’m sure if I had told the same thing to Georgia Tech or Vanderbilt, they would’ve moved on to other players.”
Ex-USF DB recruit DJ White
DJ White, DB, Union Gove (committed to Georgia Tech): Once upon a time, White was perhaps South Florida’s most celebrated commitment, pledging to USF shortly after winning DB MVP honors at last April’s Nike prospect camp. He de-committed from South Florida last month because “the program seemed a little unstable, so I decided to step back and re-evaluate some things.” Shortly after opening things up, White made an official visit to Georgia Tech and committed on the spot.
Note: There is still time for more. With about a month away from national signing day, we expect to finish with at least 17-18 de-commitments for the state’s Class of 2012. Maybe more.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND …
- Tennessee’s Derek Dooley parts way with 3rd Georgia recruit (click on story link)
- Is UGA on verge of landing another top RB? (click on story link)
- Top Alabama recruit flirting with UGA (click on story link)
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
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112 comments Add your comment
uga_alum_93
January 3rd, 2012
1:35 am
Derek Dooley is so unethical in the way he has jerked these recruits around. I can’t believe he is Vince’s Son…he definately doesn’t have the class of Coach Dooley. The GHSA Coaches talk to each other… I don’t think this will be viewed by them too favorably.
Tucker Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
2:05 am
I hope the high school coaches from this great state join together and ban Derek Dooley from recruiting their players. He lies to young men on a regular basis. Three so far is not an accident. Who will be next? I can’t believe he is related to Vince Dooley. As a Dawg fan I’m ashamed of that connection. I know a fine Christian man like Coach Richt would never pull this BS.
Bean Counter
January 3rd, 2012
2:06 am
Once again the problem of schools offering more scholarships than they have slots has reared its ugly head. The schools are getting to the point that their word means nothing. The NCAA needs to address this situation and come up with a solution.
JT
January 3rd, 2012
2:20 am
Interesting that there are 4 Stephenson kids on this list. I’m not inferring anything, just interesting.
NewnanRxDawg
January 3rd, 2012
2:39 am
over signing at it’s almost worst. The worst is when a rising junior or senior who has slipped on the depth chart but otherwise has done nothing but show up and practice hard is told that his scholarship is being revoked to make room for new recruits. (Saben, Spurrior, Nutt…the list of repeat offenders goes on)
P. Bull Terrier
January 3rd, 2012
2:52 am
Mike Davis sounds like the “me first” kind of player that UGA needs to stay away from. If he gets his feelings hurt enough to de-commit from Florida just because they sent more coaches to the nation’s top RB recruit’s house than they sent to his, I can’t imagine how he will react if he isn’t handed the #1 spot on the depth chart. Let him quit on someone else. I heard Derick Dooley has a few new openings at Tenn.
Atl Vol 90
January 3rd, 2012
3:19 am
I disagree, UGA alum 93. I think Dooley was correct in telling the recruit that there was a new coach on offense and, therefore, the offense may have a different focus. What would have been wrong would have been to continue to mislead the recruit into believing that there would be no changes when in fact there apparently were going to be major changes in focus which may result in less playing time for the recruit. Tell him before he signs — don’t wait to let him find out after he is already on campus.
NotCommitted
January 3rd, 2012
3:25 am
Call it as you see it, but Dooley is giving these kids a chance to find somewhere else to go. He very well could have not said anything and strung these kids along, making them think they are his number one choice until signing day, then not offer them. That’s been done in this business before. All it means is he has someone else that he thinks would be a better player on his wishlist.
NotCommitted
January 3rd, 2012
3:42 am
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1313543 Here is another story on primadonnas like Mike Davis.
westlakefootball
January 3rd, 2012
5:42 am
I think Dooley was right
George P
January 3rd, 2012
6:03 am
I don’t think Dooley is right. Once an offer as been extended and accepted, then an agreement has been reached. It’s not right for either side, the school or the player, to later decide they didn’t really mean it.
A school shouldn’t offer a scholarship until they are serious about it, and a player shouldn’t accept until he is serious about it, either.
Paddy
January 3rd, 2012
6:43 am
Did I read this wrong? UT signs a new rb’s coach and they are not sure of what kind of running backs he likes! So maybe you should look around until our new coach decides what he likes to coach!
It is early in the am so maybe I have missed something.
Tampa Gator
January 3rd, 2012
6:44 am
Mad because they sent more players somewhere else. Give me a break. Who does this kid think he is……News for you……Georgia, Tennessee, and Clemson would have done the same thing with Marshall. Wish you well at whatever school you attend. But you better change your attitude before you get there….or you will eventually end up at Jacksonville State or North Alabama.
Tampa Gator
January 3rd, 2012
6:48 am
Mike Davis is now very upset by the number he was assigned at the all-star game and nothing could please him. Please, Mr. Davis, take your skills and attitude anywhere but Gainesville. He has trouble written all over him.
King Gator
January 3rd, 2012
7:23 am
Read that story too, sounds like he needs a little reality check or he’s in for a big surprise after he inks his scholly and gets to summer practices for who ever he signs with.
SuperB
January 3rd, 2012
7:27 am
Is Thornton committed to N. C. State?
Ken
January 3rd, 2012
7:41 am
I am really blown away by some of you guys and your comments towards these kids. In six of these cases, the coaches were dishonest or changed their minds on the kids.
If these kids just de-commit then you same people would probably be on here talking about the kids not know how to honor their commitment or how they lack character or are prima-dona’s. The coaches must be held to the same standard as the players.
If the coaches, who are grown men, can’t commit then what incentive does the kid have to do it
hiveredtech
January 3rd, 2012
7:45 am
Mike Davis reason for decommitting is absolutely silly and big-headed. I would not touch him with a ten-foot pole if I was a recruiter. No one needs someone like that in the locker room.
Some of these other kids I really feel sorry for. The NCAA screwed up by the change to delay written offers from Sept 1 of junior year to Sept 1 of senior year…even though many of these schools will not honor those either.
I have really come to understand why Coach Paul Johnson advocates kids being able to sign LOI’s whenever they want to. If a school offers early and the kid wants to go there…he can sign right then or continue to visit. This would eliminate colleges using kids as placeholders until they find someone better…as we see Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee do quite frequently.
FL Jacket
January 3rd, 2012
8:07 am
Hiveredtech…here here.
God forbid any of these kids ever factored into the equation where they are going to be in 4-5 years if they DON’T make it to the NFL and have to fend for themselves with the education they hopefully took seriously enough while they were looking for “their SEC slot”…
Hal
January 3rd, 2012
8:28 am
All of these guys have one thing in common. They have been told they are great all along the line from Pee Wees to High School . Then they actually start to believe it. When reality sets in and they find they are not the only fish in the pond they get their feelings hurt. Be thankful you are being considered for a scholarship.Take one where your needed and where you know you can contribute to making that team better. Getting a scholarship to a football factory in the SEC, Big Ten aor ACC is like walking accross a minefield. Go where you get to play if you love the game and the rest will take care of itself.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 3rd, 2012
8:30 am
I see a pattern with Stephenson players. Word is the top guy is about to have a change of heart.
McDonoughGator
January 3rd, 2012
8:38 am
This whole “Recruiting” process is getting way out of control. With all of the allstar games and recruiting services, it gives these “superstar” kids a sense of entitlement. The NCAA needs to step in and cut some of the access to the recruits, but I don’t know how they can inforce any of the services and websites that represent each university.
Roll Tide with Pride!!!
January 3rd, 2012
8:51 am
Dooley is telling these kids that things have changed due to new coaches – which is better than being left at the alter. At least he is being honest. It is a 2 way street.
How many recruits pledge to a school to reserve their spot – but keep looking elsewhere. If a better offer – or a grass is greener offer comes along – like an Alabama – then recruits dump their original commitment. Remember Dwayne Allen – the best TE in country – playing for Clemson – he gilted UGA on signing day.
As for UGA – the Michigan State Loss tells you all you need to know about UGA.
A collection of good athletes wasted on a mediocre coaching staff.
A winning program will find a way to win games – UGA did not beat a decent team all year. 1-4 against ranked opponents….. with the 1 win against Auburn.
UGA will never win a NT with their current staff.
BwkDawg
January 3rd, 2012
8:52 am
With the Imani Cross situation Dooley makes himself seem to be a bit of a coward he’s the head coach you mean to tell me he’s not quite sure who he hired. (He’s not sure if he’s a scat guy or a spread guy)give me a break you should know that before you hire him. So if cross was not you guy be staight up and tell him, don’t say your not sure who you hired.
FL Jacket
January 3rd, 2012
9:00 am
What I find completely dumbfounding is signing a highly ranked and talented kid like Imani Cross and not adjusting your system to fit his talents.
Even CPJ ran more isolation and counter (more pro style running) plays to take advantage of Jonathan Dwyer’s athleticism.
juan
January 3rd, 2012
9:02 am
Everything is the wide open until day signing – for players and the coaches to.
The Alabama team the LSU are the best – they have the best caoching and must get the best players.
Georgia Tech and Georgia are good teams but not up high with the best in this country and need better coaches and players i think.
GTJason
January 3rd, 2012
9:03 am
I grew up a UT fan, went to GT and so did my allegiances, but I still cheer for UT. I have no idea what is going on with Dooley. Sounds like someone bit off more than he can chew in the coaching department and is now having to deal with unrealistic fans who don’t understand that Kiffin set the program back 10 years. Recruiting is already down under Dooley and it’s about to get worse. Hope GT and UGA can grab some of these recruits with real promises and not smoke and mirrors. There is plenty of opportunity to play early on both teams, especially GT…
Coach
January 3rd, 2012
9:28 am
…And playing time is important.
The ole ball coach
January 3rd, 2012
9:30 am
Dooley has bigger problems at Tennessee now that his DC and Linebackers coach has left… look out UTk defensive recruits ………
RedandBlackDawg
January 3rd, 2012
9:30 am
Dooley is feeling the hot seat, and he is probably trying to be honest with these kids, but I think he is making a mistake. If these kids are really good athletes they would be able to fit into the system, no matter the RB coach, unless he is looking for one particular type of player and he can’t adapt his style to any other. This much media attention will end up hurting Dooley in the long run I am afraid.
As for this young man named Davis. Please UGA, do not give him a scholarship. He is a younger version of Ealey in the making. This kid might be a good athlete, but he has me not team written all over him. Get a good team player like that young man from N.C. if possible and if not, go for another person entirely. UGA was mostly a team of players this year that wanted to play like a team. Don’t get a kid who is athletic but think the sun only shines on his butt. He will destroy team chemistry.
bitter QB
January 3rd, 2012
9:40 am
——————————————————–?——————————————————–
tide roll
January 3rd, 2012
9:49 am
MIKE DAVIS IS YOUR ANSWER UGA FANS. I’m sure however, you (AND ESPECIALLY, THE SANFORD SOUTH STANDS ALUMNI ) will find something wrong with Mike, like you do most of these other kids. What’s wrong, you don’t like Avery Young’s dreads? He must, therefore, be a bad kid, incapable of changing, and therefore not worthy of playing for your wonderful Dawgs. Who cares if DAVIS and YOUNG are EXACTLY what you need to become competitive in the SEC, they’re simply not worthy! Thank goodness that prissy quarterback of yours is not a “ME FIRST player! Yeah Right. LOOK UGA FANS, For once in your lives face the truth: YOU AND YOUR HALF ASS PROGRAM ARE NOT WORTHY OF MIKE DAVIS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!. Sheesh. 31 years and counting, including a loss to MICHIGAN STATE! What a program.
collegeballfan
January 3rd, 2012
9:50 am
I agree in part with Hiveredtech that high school players should be able to sign the LOI when they want. But I would also say they could not sign until they are fully admitted to the university and have pre-registered for their first semester.
Les W. Moore
January 3rd, 2012
9:53 am
The media’s attention span is about as long as a dog’s attention span. 7 seconds.
At least Coach Dooley is telling these kids the truth. And he’s telling them several weeks before signing day. Would you rather he string them along then leave them standing with nothing on signing day? Or, oversign and ask them to pay their own way for a year?
Think before you rant… people.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
10:01 am
“Only one [Florida] coach was sent to my house [for an in-home visit]. But the next day, [when] you send a whole coaching staff to another running back’s house, then there’s something wrong.”
Translation: He got a bigger piece of cake than I did, so I’m taking my ball and going home!
Good luck and good riddance, Mr. Davis. The University of Florida will be just fine without you.
Taco
January 3rd, 2012
10:01 am
Does anyone notice a high number of these boys are Stephenson products? The most over-hyped school in Georgia. Can anyone say Reggie Ball? Stay away from these kids and the Carver of Columbus kids. They are nothing but trouble.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
10:05 am
Taco,
Think that’s a little unfair. You have hundreds of young men attending both schools. You can’t label them all as “bad news”. Would it have been fair to call all UGA players “thugs” the year before last because of the arrests of a few? I think not.
Nom Nom Nom Chuck's Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
January 3rd, 2012
10:20 am
Dooley ain’t making it another year at TN. Writing is on the wall.
Make an early signing period and make these kids and the schools honor their commitments. None of this being committed, but not signing or anything. Got to clean it up…and then get rid of the silly hat ceremony.
Nom Nom Nom Chuck's Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
January 3rd, 2012
10:22 am
And I don’t think Dooley is gone b/c of this recruiting issue (or lack thereof).
I want the guy to make it, but just aint gelling so far. And yes, this Davis kid seems to have a head issue, exactly what UGA does not need right now.
GT Man
January 3rd, 2012
10:27 am
We dont worry about de-commitments at Tech, who have you known that decommited from Tech to Elon, Ga Southern, MTSU, Troy or UAB ? Thats why PJ goes after tier 2 football players, because no big time will offer. Thats why Washington is our QB.
JRW7
January 3rd, 2012
10:40 am
CDD is giving the VOLS a bad name, and RECRUITS know this too!
gbal
January 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
I really feel like past recruits decommitting is the reason the coaches have now started to over recruit…. which has now lead to coaches/schools decommitting. I can’t blame a coach/school for insuring that they fill their needs with the top available recruits and having a back up plan in place should a recruit decommit at the last minute.
Of course you cant really blame the kids for making an early commitment to insure that they have a good college of their choice to attend… then if a coaching change or better offer comes along… changing their mind.
Really, too much is made of verbal commitments when neither the kid nor the school is really committed! The result is that neither the kid nor the school can truely plan for the future.
FL Jacket
January 3rd, 2012
10:56 am
GT Man (highly doubt it)…
Vad Lee and Justin Thomas would like to disagree with you. If your claim was true and Tech only recruited 2nd tier football players…the fact that CPJ is 34-19 in 4 years means he’s a pretty damn good coach then doesn’t it?
Or more likely…you don’t know what you’re talking about.
yearofthedawg
January 3rd, 2012
10:59 am
I don’t know Mike Davis, and I’m wagering that nobody else on this blog that is tearing the kid apart knows him either. Having said that…
His issue was that UF allegedly told him that he and Matt Jones would be the only RB’s in the class. Then they sent the whole staff to NC to recruit Keith Marshall. To me, that is a breech of trust. I would be hesitant to put my career in the hands of that staff.
This isn’t a slam at UF. If Gunner Kiel all of a sudden decided to be a Dawg, I’m sure UGA would take a good hard look at him no matter what they’ve told Bauta or Ramsey. I just get tired of people ripping teenagers they don’t know.
gbal
January 3rd, 2012
11:20 am
Multiple signing days would be an answer in my opinion. July, October, and January. And NO verbal offers given prior to the end of HS senior football season.
> Allows the kids to go ahead and commit early and avoid the continuous pulling from the schools after a decision has been made.
> Gives the kids the chance to commit early and insure that they do not get decommitted at the last minute by the school.
> Gives the school a chance to target positions that they need to fill w/out getting stuck with a de-commit last minute from a recruit.
I say do away with the verbal commitment all together. Continue to have verbal offers from the schools with the understanding up front that the offer is verbal and that circumstances could change with the schools if other recruits sign at their position.
Any recruit that passes on a early signing date, understand that the verbal offer is officially off the table once a signing date passes unless a new verbal offer is reissued after a signing date passes.
Having this one signing date in February while allowing offers and verbal commitments as early as a junior year is what creates all this problem.
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
January 3rd, 2012
11:22 am
How ’bout them dawwwwwwwwwwwwwgs ?????????
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHA
What a joke! at least you have a full off-season of delusional, trash talking to look forward to.
2012 is our year… seriously!
There's no I in TEAM
January 3rd, 2012
11:49 am
Said Davis: “Only one [Florida] coach was sent to my house [for an in-home visit]. But the next day, [when] you send a whole coaching staff to another running back’s house, then there’s something wrong.”
Q. Mr Davis….when heading to the store, or out with friends, how does it affect you when someone else calls “shotgun” before you do?
“When I told NC State that Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt were my leaders, they refused to give up on me and move on. That showed how much they wanted me because I’m sure if I had told the same thing to Georgia Tech or Vanderbilt, they would’ve moved on to other players.”
Q. for S. Thornton…you’re sure that’s what GT or Vandy would’ve done? Sounds like an ASSumption not a fact.
And it goes on and on….
Recruiting is a joke. These kids are spoiled premadonnas! Looks like UGA got one from Columbus last year!
Hoopster
January 3rd, 2012
11:53 am
You guys calling Derek Dooley unethical and then turning around and saying “I can’t believe he’s related to Vince Dooley” must be kidding yourselves. Daddy Vince was as dirty as they come. Herschel’s Trans Am, the Jan Kemp scenario, the reason he pulled out of the gubernatorial race, 4.16, the cheating regarding recruiting. Did you guys lose your mind?
tide roll
January 3rd, 2012
11:53 am
31 years and counting. If Oregon can go 95 years without a Rose Bowl win, what’s stopping you guys from exceeding that record as it pertains to National Titles? Don’t give up Georgia, you’re already a third of the way there!! And as long as modern technology continues to allow Richt and Bobo to be in direct communication with one another during football games, you’ve got a shot!
Hoops Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
12:04 pm
Say anything you want to while defending Derek Dooley, but if there is a modicum of truth to what the linebacker from Pebblebrook (Henderson) says ( You may or may not be coming to Tennessee depending on what other players do), then it is hard to see this as something other than overrecruiting, which is unethical IMO. Supposedly head coaches are adults and men of their word. So when they offer a 17-year-old and go back on their promise, they set a hell of an example for an impressionable young man.
StingerSplash
January 3rd, 2012
12:14 pm
If the other sports can have early and late signing periods, why not football? How much of this claptrap could be avoided if the NCAA gave football the same kind of signing periods as it does the other sports? Granted, there’s been more shenangians in football recruiting over the years. But since scholarships are already capped, maybe having a couple of periods rather than one free for all would cut down on it. Maybe.
poopdawg
January 3rd, 2012
12:19 pm
This is exactly why Richt waits so long to offer a kid. He has way too much character to just throw scholarships out then reevaluate. tide roll , you might want to see your physician. I believe there is something undiagnosed. GO DAWGS!
#CF
January 3rd, 2012
12:27 pm
Who are the mutts going to blame for yesterday’s loss??
A) Michigan State (paid off the referees)
B) Bobo
C) The referees (against UGA)
D) Tim Tebow
Bulldog59
January 3rd, 2012
12:30 pm
Some applaud Dooley and say he is being up front with these recruits, and they may be right. But, there also appears to be some lack of direction and lack of leadership. He hired a RB coach and doesn’t know if he is a “scat guy or a spread guy”? Seriously? Wouldn’t that need to mesh with OC Chaney and the overall offensive strategy? Wouldn’t that have been discussed at some point before a contract was offered?
More and more, it appears Dooley is in over his head. His emphasis on the JUCO recruits is more evidence that even Dooley realizes, his remaining time at UT, is short.
duronimo
January 3rd, 2012
12:34 pm
It’s easy to see that this decommittment thing runs both ways. Schools will abandon a player for a variety of self-serving reasons and players will change their minds. All of that is expected. What’s really unethical, in my view, are schools who try to run off players they discover are not going to be productive. The reason is to gain another scholarship. Richt is proving to be a notch below the best football coaches but he is at the top of the list when it comes to ethics.
Bulldog59
January 3rd, 2012
12:35 pm
#CF, when in doubt pick “C” but in this case The Refs were a non-factor. The combination of Murray’s inconsistent play and (B) Bobo’s predictable play calling doomed us.
Unfortunately, odds are, we are stuck with (B) Coach Bobo. Unless McGarity puts his foot down during contract negotiations with Richt, and insists on an upgrade at the OC position.
rbositc218
January 3rd, 2012
12:40 pm
I know Georgia Southern is mentioned in the article but why does a GT poster always seem to bring us up when no one from GS has even made a comment.
this is why the sec is dominating
January 3rd, 2012
12:46 pm
the current cfb scenery ….
http://oversigning.com/testing/?s=saban+miles
notice that the coaches that are coaching in the mnc game are also the two worst offenders of cheating via over signing. is it a coincidence that they are in the championship game? i think not.
is it a coincidence that the sec is continually touted as the best conference in america? i think not.
if the ncaa did its job and outlawed this practice than the sec would slide back to earth and be just another good conference rather than the premier conference.
why is there so little exposure of this immoral practice on espn ? because the are sleeping with the sec,
anybody notice that lsu and bama always seem to ‘pull’ away in close games in the second half? quality depth even into the 3d and 4th string will do that for you.
JM
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
Maybe the signing date is in the wrong spot. Too many coaches turn over just before signing.
Frank
January 3rd, 2012
1:19 pm
If Tenn. coaches keep this up they will not have enough top notch player to field a competitive team.
Mr. SEC
January 3rd, 2012
1:19 pm
Committing early is a bad thing to do, your just a pong!
Ryno
January 3rd, 2012
2:17 pm
Letting a recruit know weeks in advance that he may need to look around is much, much better than a kid listing away on the bench for two years before he decides to transfer. Dooley is still trying to fill a roster with SEC caliber players that can contribute as soon as possible.
FYI, there is no clear indication of the offense UT will run next year as much of it depends on getting a gamebreaking RB, which they believe they don’t have now. Cross was not that guy, and Dooley realized that and let the kid know in time that he could find another spot. From all indications in the article, Cross will do just fine.
Dooley is doing just fine on the recruiting trail and as long as the next DC is one of his top two choices in Shannon or Steele, both who are apparently open to listening, he’ll hold all the recruits he wants.
brick
January 3rd, 2012
2:39 pm
Atl Vol, here is the problem as I see it with what UT is doing, nothing illegal about it, but still a problem to me. UT is throwing early offers out left and right to a huge number of kids, so when the kid is getting ready to commit UT can come with “We were the first to offer you”. Well that might be true that they were the first to offer, but is it really an offer if the kid can’t commit to it? I know it works with kids, and it worked with these kids, but as the recruiting season wore on, it turns out those offers weren’t real offers at all, UT drops them and moves to the next big thing. While the kid who had thought he was done with recruiting is sent scrambling for a scholarship. I guess its better than wating until after they sign and telling them they have to grayshirt or there is no room for them, but it doesn’t do much as far as setting examples for the kids.
FL Jacket
January 3rd, 2012
2:40 pm
Excuse me, but giving a 17-year old kid a month is not “plenty of time” to allow them to re-acquaint themselves with the coaching staff, campus life, or impact to family that a new college will bring.
I doubt if any of you had a 17-year old that would be acceptible to you, that is unless you thought the main job of college was to prepare your kid for the NFL…
life is about pecking order...
January 3rd, 2012
2:47 pm
sometimes others get to choose first.
Steve
January 3rd, 2012
2:53 pm
Dooley is receiving tons of pressure from Tenn. Alum to stay in Tennessee. His ties to Georgia and Dad’s old stomping grounds are not sitting well. Its a state v state issue. How many SEC schools have 2 schools from the same state? Miss(Miss St)/Tenn(Vandy rising!)Alabama(Auburn). 75-80% of recruits come from that state. He was keeping Georgia ties JIC he ever goes back to Georgia. He will be let go in October.
BobinBuford
January 3rd, 2012
3:56 pm
rbositc218:
I can guarantee you that GT Man is NOT a Tech fan – probably a UGA fan still trying to figure out how they lost to MSU yesterday. As a matter of fact, this whole discussion has been made better by the lack of GT-UGA trash talk.
GAWJABOI
January 3rd, 2012
4:28 pm
These kids have worked hard to be in a position to choose what school they will attend. If a student changes his mind every hour they have that right to do so.These people on here making this comments should slap yourself. U choose were u work, live and play so don’t criticize these kids for making a decison that could effect the rest of their lives..Most of these people doing the citicism may have never played a down of football or even put on a damn helment SO SHUT UP PLEASE!!!!
Yep
January 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
“GO DWAGS!”
Fair and Balanced
January 3rd, 2012
4:30 pm
The whole recruiting thing is a mess – on both sides. But it is probably worse on the school’s side. Coaches make promises like politicians and then don’t really care what happens to the kid and treat them like they are property that has been acquired. They refuse to discipline them properly, let them get away with not going to class, bulk them up using illegal performance enhancing drugs and don’t care about the outcome, their long range future or their families to whom they have also made promises. The athletes, on the other hand, act like rock stars during the process and look for whatever thrills, gifts etc they can get. It’s just a bad scenario. How bout dropping the scholarship system, put up a sign up sheet in the gym that says “Sign up if you want to try out for football”?
Yep
January 3rd, 2012
4:31 pm
I’m not talking any trash, I just find it hilarious!
GAWJABOI
January 3rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Whateva man.smdh
BigTimeTechFan
January 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Shaq Mason was a beast against Utah DL that has a couple of projected NFL draft picks.
He was unrated Zero Star when CPJ/Tech offered
Paul Johnson is a great recruiter
DEFENSIVE LINE: The Utes’ defensive line, anchored by junior Star Lotulelei, was maybe the best D-line this side of Alabama and LSU. The Ute run defense was seventh in the nation before the Georgia Tech triple-option anomaly of a game, giving up only 98 yards on the ground per game.
The D-line was also 25th in the nation in sacks with 29. A few more would have given them an A+. High standards here. Only White gets an A+. GRADE: A
GAWJABOI
January 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
@bulldog59 I couldn’t have said it better my friend.. We really need a O.C bad!!!!!!!!
Yep
January 3rd, 2012
4:38 pm
I thought everyone knew the SEC oversigns players and then kicks the ones they don’t want to the curb. It’s been that way since Dodd (if not earlier). Heck, that’s why he left the SEC. He thought it was unethical (and it is) and unfair to the kids (and it is). It did keep the ones that did not make the cut from playing for the opponent though, so it makes sense in the world of the SEC.
tide roll
January 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
Dooley’s a geek. By the way, your boy Theus, just like Debell last year, is getting rolled in workouts this week. The rankings can’t hide the facts, as much as they may try. Nice evaluations Richt/Bobo. These two are going to take y’all to the promised land? Do you really, truly believe that dawg fans?. Let’s go ahead and say 32 years and counting. Richt and Booboo have seen to it that you have no quality depth in your offensive line, no competetion at QB (Hair Product will play even softer next year), and your punter and place kicker will be TRUE FRESHMEN! But y’all are like: Bring on Bama! We want Bama! Y’all are crazier than Mark “we’re knocking on the door of greatness,” Richt. Better be careful Coach. LSU might answer.
Facts
January 3rd, 2012
4:49 pm
An Inconvenient Truth
US News Ranking
GT: 36
UGA: 62
Endowment Size
GT: $1.5 BILLION
UGA: $600 million
Avg. Starting Salary
GT: $59,000
UGA: $44,000
Football
GT: 4 National Titles (1990)
UGA: 2 National Titles (1980)
Basketball
GT: 2 Final Fours, Chris Bosh, Derrick Favors, Thaddeus Young, Jarrett Jack
UGA: 1 Final Four.
Baseball
GT: Mark Teixeira, Nomar Garciaparra, Kevin Brown, Matt Weiters
UGA: Gordon Beckham.
Golf
GT: Matt Kuchar, Stewart Cink, David Duval, Bryce Molder
UGA: Bubba Watson.
GT is a GLOBAL brand. UGA is a regional brand.
It appears obvious that UGA is the “flagship” in name only.
R. K. Biggs
January 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
So much for the adage, “My word is my bond.” Verbally committing doesn’t mean a thing to a lot of these kids. They’re playing games with the recruiters and it’s ridiculous. It’s a frustrating when your career hinges on teen-agers. The word de-commit didn’t even exist years ago in college football. How times have changed!
FL Jacket
January 3rd, 2012
4:55 pm
Facts, you left out…
Basketball…Mark Price, Matt Harpring, John Salley, Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott
Baseball…Jason Varitek, Matt Murton
Golf…Larry Mize
Oh yeah…UGAs self-proclaimed football title in 1942 is not officially recognized
Dawg48
January 3rd, 2012
5:02 pm
The problem is, is that ESPN and TV Internet sights is putting to much pressure on high school kids to make a choice. They seek ways to be on TV or be in the lime light at 16 or 17 years old which leads them to make the wrong decision or the feeling of entitlement and so on.
Media is to blam justas much as the kid a coach or a school.
Yep
January 3rd, 2012
5:08 pm
Hey now, they do have Herschel Walker and his brand new Trans Am…
Jacket Man
January 3rd, 2012
5:23 pm
Expect a few more to flip relatively soon.
GAWJABOI
January 3rd, 2012
5:25 pm
Some of all are so judgemental. Yall don’t know Mike Davis from a can of paint, but people are already saying what type person he is or who he acts like. I don’t blame M.D more de-commiting,FL told him one thing but did another. What else will they renege on…JUST SAYING SHAWDY
FL Jacket
January 3rd, 2012
5:34 pm
GAWJABOI…
Apparently Mike Davis also reneged on what number he was given…at the Army All Star game. No…not a me-first guy at all.
Fat Friar
January 3rd, 2012
5:36 pm
If you guys think Dooley is doing these kids a favor check out the Deanthony Arnett story, you might change your mind.
Hummon
January 3rd, 2012
7:04 pm
That we have to go to de-committing to find the “dark side” of college recruiting – that is a bloody riot. The dark far overshadows the light in this whole enterprise.
BigTimeTECHfan
January 3rd, 2012
7:08 pm
watching Semper Fi All American game on CBSsports.
LeRoach looks good
D tackle bama signed looks good
WR from Georgia that signed with Auburn looks good
Dawg48
January 3rd, 2012
7:28 pm
BigTimeTechFan
Do they not teach these kids to wrap up when tackling anymore?
Buddy El
January 3rd, 2012
7:54 pm
@Facts & Fl Jacket:
Facts y’all left out. GT 1 of last 11; Dawgies 10 of last 11.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 3rd, 2012
7:58 pm
@Tide Roll:
I can’t disagree on your opinion of UGA’s OL. They were virtually NONEXISTANT against MS.
Tampa Gator
January 3rd, 2012
8:02 pm
Jawjobi…
I don’t know a lot of people, but you can get a good feel about someone by the things they say and do….and Mr. Davis has been saying things to the press he should not be saying and doing things at the all star game that you should not do. This does not speak well of the kids character….which appears to be very “me” centered….and neither Florida or Georgia needs anymore of those type of players.
Tampa Gator
January 3rd, 2012
8:06 pm
Tide Roll….
Bama is going to be in somewhat of a rebuilding mode next year as well. You will drop a serious notch below LSU, as it will be the Bayou Tigers and the rest of the SEC next year……and probably LSU and the rest of the nation. They are going to be seriously good….as they are this year.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 3rd, 2012
8:09 pm
Some people just can’t read writing. The original article made it abundantly clear that neither Cross nor his father had a problem with the way Dooley handled their situation but this blog has been overrun with those that don’t really know beans about the real situation. Some people need to find a job.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 3rd, 2012
8:15 pm
@Bulldawg 59:
You must have seen a different game than the one I saw. The OL disappeared completely. Watch the rerun.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 3rd, 2012
8:19 pm
@#CF:
See my 8:15 pm comment.
Crenshawcrusher
January 3rd, 2012
9:04 pm
GT Fan (also doubtful) Speaking of GT’s ability to evaluate talent, losing talent to lower tiered programs, and getting hit by de-commitments…… last year our 3 de-commits were – Stephon Tuitt – freshman DL starter for ND, Tre Jackson – freshman starter OL for FSU, and Trey Flowers – freshman DE for Arkansas, played in 8 games as a freshman with 28 tackles…… I think the staff has a good eye for talent.
Alabama 49 Mich State 7... Mich State 33 UGAg 30
January 3rd, 2012
9:33 pm
Mark Richt is a nice man
uga_alum_93
January 3rd, 2012
10:34 pm
Hey Tide Roll why don’t you go back to al.com or back to poisoning trees. Yeah, you have a great program but that is all you have in “sweet home” Alabama. Maybe if you people over on that side of the Chattahoochee cared more about infrastructure, economic development, etc. you would be home to more than 1 Fortune 500 Company (Regions Bank). Compared to the 14 Fortune 500 Companies we have headquartered in the Empire State of the South.
dawgforlife
January 4th, 2012
2:37 am
Tide Roll….I have had your racist insinuations up to here…about 90 percent of the Ga team is black…but, you will not be satisfied until they all are…as for the two players you’ve meantioned, both, I repeat BOTH, have offers from UGA. If they decide to come to Ga, they will be welcomed as part of the dawg nation regardless of color. But, not with you…you have never heard of a white player you would want…and as far as your beloved Tide, Barrett Jones, tell me what color is he?…your the worst kind of troll…a racist one…crawl back under whatever rock it is you crawled out from under
dawgforlife
January 4th, 2012
2:49 am
hey “facts”…..I want to teach history….can I get and educaton degree at Tech?….how about music?….Journalism?….Business?…oh wait, you do have industrial management that’s kind of a business degree…its a nice degree to hide players under…TECH is a fine school for engineering that is a “fact”….but, not everyone wants to be an engineer…you all stew over the fact UGA is a far superier team in a far superier conference. The only thing you can think to do is bash them in other areas. I have admitted TECH is a top notch engineering school; however, you will not ever hear a TECH fan utter the words UGA is good at anything. Be careful with your nose in the air. The rain might drown you.
UGA RB target Mike Davis says he is no “jersey diva” | AJC College Sports Recruiting
January 4th, 2012
3:01 am
[...] De-committing: The “Dark Side” of college football recruiting (click on story link) [...]
Dawg Squeeze
January 4th, 2012
8:31 am
Good for Curry and best wishes. He probably saved himself a football career (and a whole life) of mediocrity.
Dave from GT
January 4th, 2012
8:58 am
The NCAA needs to shut down this farm system for the NFL!
These guys should have to apply to universities through the normal process, selecting a school based upon what they want to accomplish in life (outside of football).
If they can’t make it in…. fine, let the NFL establish a “farm” program just like baseball.
Once these guys are focused and succeeding in a university, then let them tryout for the footall team (and a scholarship).
Treating these guys like prima donnas, elevating them above the general student population sends the wrong message….. and feeds the “college football as entertainment first” philosophy which as given us this perverted value system… that does very little to deliver a real benefit to society.
skybama
January 4th, 2012
9:19 am
Interesting that you would call it the “dark side” of recruiting – it is part of the process of 18 year old kids to change their minds and for coaches to adjust based on need. While I am not a fan of a coach backing out after taking a commitment from a kid, the reality of it is, if I was being paid what a coach is paid and had the pressures they have, I would make some of the same decisions if the opportunity to upgrade talent presented itself.
Also interesting is that you did not list the QB from Prattville (Thomas I think) that committed to Tech after decommitting from Alabama – it was news enough for you to run it for a couple of days and talk about the decision process but not enough for you to list him. BTW – I think the kid made the right choice for what he wanted – if he wants to play QB, then he should go to Tech. This is a good example of a kid make a decision, looking at the situation and adjusting his decision to what is right for him.
FL Jacket
January 4th, 2012
9:43 am
Dawgforlife…
Do you honestly believe you NEED an Education degree to teach? Or a Journalism degree to write?
The college of Management (yes…the M-train) is higher ranked than Terry, so there goes that false notion.
wreckmaniac
January 4th, 2012
10:07 am
Re: T Washington. I’m happy with Tev and with PJ’s offensive scheme. Tech needs work on defense and special teams. Its Wednesday and neither DRAD or PJ will tell us what they intend to do about this. Earth to DRAD: get it going.
RedandBlackDawg
January 4th, 2012
10:48 am
The early signing period or having two signing periods sounds good on the surface but a stumbling block remains. They can declare for the NFL up to Jan. 15th, and this makes recruiting a little more difficult, because the players are depending on getting an NFL evaluation and don’t know themselves whether they will play at their college, and don’t have to commit until one month before national signing day. It becomes hard for a coach to accurately gauge your needs when these guys are waiting on a NFL score to determine whether they will be back for another year. . I think it might work out a little better if you could have the last signing day, moved up a month, say until March 15th. Then if you wanted to have two signing dates. you could have one before NFL declaration and one after. The spring signers would have their time, the NFL would have it’s time and then the colleges could finish it up with the late signing date. Really, as long as the NFL is in the picture, college recruiting is really at their mercy.
Although I think it is a little disheartening for a recruits verbal to be taken away as a college coach, sees something different or decides to go in a different direction, it is also equally as hard on the coach when a kid commits verbally and then changes his mind. Maybe only seniors in high school should be able to make a verbal, since they change their minds so much.
jauk11
January 4th, 2012
12:08 pm
JMO but I think UT has been among the leaders in recruiting improprieties and irresponsible behavior. Not only did the eight (deleted) that ganged up on one man (twice) and kicked him while he was down avoid all serious charges (one local man charged with attemped murder for same offense, and the victim didn’t go to the hospital) but they didn’t even miss any serious action, maybe one or two the 52-0 romp over Tennessee directional. The five star that the NCAA didn’t ever get wind of his “problems” after missing a semester and then being kicked out, the 4* DE charged with assault for hitting a dancer from behind, the recruit that got the $1500 plane ticket from Texas (is that still Pending?), the Orange Pride operations that the NCAA curtailed (LOL), what do you expect from Dooley at UT?
I think it is unrealistic for a recruit to turn down his dream school if they offer, and A FEW offers should be withdrawn. One example is the linebacker that Joker didn’t take a couple of years ago, when he saw him he turned out to be 15# and 2″ short of as advertised. I think this recruit got another scholarship with an SEC offer on his resume and would have been in a miserable situation for both him and the school if he had gone to UK. The coach that recruited him was fired, so it was a serious mismatch.
GET YOUR DEGREE!
January 4th, 2012
1:38 pm
Way too many of these high school football “stars” get caught up in the fantasy of ” I’m going to the ‘league’ ”
and part of the blame is squarely on the shoulders of the college recruiting coord & head coaches for perpetuating this “fantasy” by leading these kids to believe they’ll make it to “the league” if they sign with their university.
Simple math (I purposely skewed the #s to drive home the pt) to help hammer home the importance of getting that FREE diploma, available to any student-ATHLETE who signs a scholarship if they work for it.
There are around 2,000 players in the NFL (32 teams X 62.5 players/team). And these guys have more than 4 years of eligibility, if they are good enough.
There are around 8,000 players JUST IN Div 1A of college football (120 teams X 66.7 players/team)
That’s 1/4th or 25%, and we know my #s are skewed in FAVOR of the high school stars making it “to the league”
It’s a FREE education if you’re on a scholarship. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GIFT!
Whew!
January 5th, 2012
7:56 pm
@GET YOUR DEGREE!: I appreciate your point. But, sadly a lot of these young men are in college as a delusional stepping stone to the league. College degree was not, and cannot be, the plan. Have you heard some of these young men speak???
Candy A. Westbrook
January 6th, 2012
11:31 am
Seriously? You’re shocked how coaches renege on scholarship offers? Even the patron saint Dooley’s son? Well, welcome to D-IA football, y’all! The Texas Two Step is the dance that coaches are required to master the moment the sign on as college coaches. And, the NCAA rulebook is already a mile thick with so many “rules” ti takes a team of lawyers to decode it all. Not a good idea. Here’s a thought; “play it straight even when everyone else isn’t.” Then again, I guess that’s just too much to ask.
Candy A. Westbrook
Author of “High heels, Cleats and Helmets… A Mama Takes-off Her Lipstick in College Football Recruiting” Release date to be announced.
Complete Recruit
January 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
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