Redefining 'commitment'

kramer

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Redefining 'commitment'

On the various Web sites that track such things, Pat Devlin had been listed as a Miami commitment for nearly seven months. Just three weeks ago, the Parade All-America from Exton, Pa., told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "I'm committed to Miami 100 percent."

But in the turbulent game of college recruiting, the word "commitment" doesn't always take on the same binding definition as it does in the real world. No one knows that better right now than Hurricanes coach Larry Coker. Last weekend, his 100-percent committed quarterback -- the fourth-best QB prospect in the country, according to Scout.com -- took an official visit to Penn State, where he was reportedly serenaded by students chanting his name while attending the Nittany Lions' basketball game against Ohio State.

The son of two PSU alums (his mother was a Nittany Lions cheerleader), it seems Devlin started to have second thoughts about his pending decision after Miami fired its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Dan Werner -- the coach who recruited Devlin -- following a 40-3 loss to LSU in the Peach Bowl. On Monday night, he informed coaches from both schools of his new "commitment": Penn State.

It was a familiar situation for both schools. Like Devlin, Anthony Morrelli, the Nittany Lions' projected starting quarterback next season, had been committed to another school, Pittsburgh, for several months before taking a last-minute visit to Happy Valley. And just last year, Derek Shaw, a quarterback from California who had committed to Miami the previous summer, also reversed course in mid-January and instead signed with Arizona State. The year before that, Miami pulled off a similar heist of its own, landing Pennsylvania running back Andrew Johnson -- who'd been committed to Pittsburgh since July -- on signing day.

Though such 11th-hour reversals are still far from the norm, they've become prevalent enough that coaches are spending nearly as much time re-recruiting their committed prospects as they are chasing the remaining undecided ones in these final, frantic days before national signing day next Wednesday, the first date prospects can sign official letters-of-intent.

"As a recruiter you have to be on your toes, because there are always people taking swipes at your guys," said one major-college assistant. "The recruiting process doesn't stop when someone commits. You have to stay on them until they sign."

Nearly 80 percent of Scout.com's Hot 100 players have already announced their college commitments, but that doesn't mean they're not still being recruited by other schools. A particularly high-profile switch took place last year when Louisiana quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, one of the nation's top overall prospects, insisted for months he was committed to Texas, only to wind up taking visits to LSU and Mississippi State and eventually signing with the Tigers.

There was a time earlier this month when it appeared this year's top-rated quarterback, Arkansas-bound Mitch Mustain, might pull a similar move after briefly reopening his recruitment (Notre Dame was among his suitors), but he re-committed to the Razorbacks. Besides Devlin, however, there are a few other notable prospects causing their prospective coaches to lose sleep these days.

• Springdale, Ark., receiver Damian Williams, a high-school teammate of Mustain's, has been committed to Florida since August, but was spotted in Fayetteville last weekend. (The pair's high-school coach, Gus Malzahn, is now Arkansas' offensive coordinator). Asked by Scout.com whether he may switch allegiance to the Razorbacks, Williams said, "I don't know. There's a chance of anything, but I'm still committed to Florida."

• Another player who committed to the Gators, Virginia receiver Damon McDaniel, is scheduled to visit rival Florida State this weekend. The 'Noles, who need to replace recently dismissed receiver Fred Rouse, are also reportedly pursuing a recruit who committed to Michigan, Greg Matthews of Orlando, Fla. Meanwhile, Alcoa, Tenn., tight end Brandon Warren, a longstanding FSU commitment, has been getting the full-court press from Tennessee and will visit the Knoxville campus this weekend. Ole Miss is apparently still hot on the trail of two previously committed LSU prospects.

It may sound unethical for rival coaches to continue actively pursuing previously committed prospects, but in today's recruiting climate, anyone is considered fair game until that letter-of-intent gets faxed on Feb. 1.

"The reality is that no one is going to give up on players until the very end -- that's just the world we live in today," said the coach. "Once a kid commits, you check in with him from time to time to see how he's doing and if he's having any doubts about his commitment."

Many coaches think much of the last-minute chaos for both coaches and prospects could be avoided if the NCAA had an early-signing period for football -- perhaps before the start of the season in September -- like it does for basketball.

"That would help," said the coach. "You could lock down guys and not worry about them going elsewhere. They would be signed, sealed and delivered when they committed."

 
I honestly have no problem with these kids changing their mind. It's their life. there the ones doing the schoolwork and practicing.

 
In a perfect world, kids would truly have their minds made up before they verbally commit to a school. I can, in a lot of ways, understand the decommitments of kids. They change their minds easily and are also easily swayed. Many of the "me" generation want to go where they will have more of the spotlight and in the quickest way possible. Also, I believe many do not thoroughly research a variety of schools and completely consider their options before committing to certian schools. Then another school comes along and opens their eyes to other possiblities. I am sure most have good intentions when initially committing.

 
Personally, I have alot of problems with kids changing their commitment status. Alot of these schools back off on other prospects because of one kids commitment. Then at the last minute, their left like the nerd on prom night.

In life, how many times do you get to go back on your word you give to someone? Why make it a habit? Is that the first life lesson you want your kid to have?

Trust me, I understand this is something that affects their entire life. But instead of making a snap judgement on something so important, why not make 100% sure before you do so?

Put me as the father in one of those situations. I wouldn't influence my child either way, no matter if he wanted to play 3000 miles away. The only piece of advice I would give to him would be to make sure he is 100% sure of where he wants to go because he cannot and will not go back on that word. I would go as far as to not let other coaches call, meet him or influence him with their used car salesmen lines.

Part of growing up is becoming a man and becoming a man means holding true to your word that you give someone else. If you make a mistake in judgement, suck it up and take it in stride. Don't go running away because you do not like something.

 
easy for us to say.....for kids it is a far different story.......look at Freeman for instance, if i were a bettin' man, i would bet he selected NU and then his old man started telling him that playing time would not becoming as soon as he would like, so when old " Purple Rain" came calling.......you know, using all the cool kid-sh#t tech, text messaging and etc. he was ready to hear just what the "pied piper" was playing on his flute.......besides these are kids, not adults, so they do not have the maturity to make good choices, final choices, wihtout making mistakes and thinking things through, so this sort of thing will always be happening......the coaches now know that you have to keep the recruits interested and pumped, right up until signing day......that is life, like it or not, and these are kids, trying to grow up along the way.......

hunter

 
I honestly have no problem with these kids changing their mind. It's their life. there the ones doing the schoolwork and practicing.
:yeah

How many times did all of us change our minds when we were 17 and 18 yrs. old.

 
Kids?

So you're saying 'kids' get to go to war? 'Kids' get to move out on there own? 'Kids' are having families at this age? At what age do you stop being a 'kid'? When you pay a mortgage or maybe when you enter a retirement home? These are not 5 year olds we're talking about picking out which Power Ranger doll they want.

If you want your kid to back out on a pledge and show him it's okay to go back on his word and run from things, then more power to you. However, that isn't a precident I would want to set for my 'kid'.

 
i didn't say it was right or correct.....it is a fact of liife for the "me generation"..which is currently what we are dealing with, in case you didn't notice. get over it willie......accept it and live with it, you aren't going to change it, and yes, these are still kids.....no matter whether they are married, off to war or whatever......look at yourself, i bet you made some bad decisions when you were under 21 too....hell we all did.......at least those of us who will admit it......

hunter

 
Kids?
So you're saying 'kids' get to go to war? 'Kids' get to move out on there own? 'Kids' are having families at this age? At what age do you stop being a 'kid'? When you pay a mortgage or maybe when you enter a retirement home?
Obviously, you have not been around 18 year olds (high school seniors, college freshman) very often. Yes, they are still kids. Some may reach the "young adult category, but that is becoming a rare achievement. 18 was made the minumum age for the military for a reason and it was just prior to WWI. 18 year olds were forced to grow up a little faster in those days, and it made a heck of a lot more people eligible. There is also a reason why the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21; lack of responsible drinking by 18 and 19 year olds. Age does not an adult make. I have witnessed plenty of 30 to 40 year olds that ack like children.

These are not 5 year olds we're talking about picking out which Power Ranger doll they want.
No, they are playing xbox and playstation; and trying to get to the next level of "Grand Theft Auto". They are playing drinking games and doing keg stands; or, creating new ways to get sloppy/irresponsibly drunk even quicker. Ok, I exaggerate a little, but then again, so did you.

If you want your kid to back out on a pledge and show him it's okay to go back on his word and run from things, then more power to you.
A kid changing their mind on a college? Actually, this kids are trying to make up their minds over a huge step in their lives. Yes, to verbally commit and back out is

not the most resposible action, but they did not sign their name. Then again, it is their life, and their future. It is football to you and me.

However, that isn't a precident I would want to set for my 'kid'.
I hope that all would wish their children would be true to their word, and teach and mold them to be stand up members of the community. I actually hope my child does what is best for them and not what is best for a group of fans.

 
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Redman, don't give me some bull that I haven't been around many kids. I'm 20 years old myself fresh out of HS and working as an assistant at my local HS, so don't assume things, please.

But let me pose a question for you, making a college decision is one of the biggest choices in your life, correct? Say you were getting married and you were at the altar, Jessica Alba pops up and proposes to you. Do you back out then even though you have given so many promises to one person already? You don't pick someone just to get you by until a better offer comes.

The decision is one of the biggest of your life, so act like it is. Don't make a quick judgement thinking you know. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, make sure of what you want. If that means taking 5 visits or even waiting until after LOI day, do it.

Their comes a point in your life when you have to grow up and act like an adult, so why not let it be today?

Oh wait, we have babies playing major college football. My mistake.

 
I think it is a smarter move for kids to not commit at all until the day is there, but I am sure the pressure gets to them and they just want to get it all over with. I like how Charles Deas has handled his recruiting process. No one knows anything till he signs, no hints, no bs clues like some boneheads last year. He took his visits and is evaluating his situation and then make his decision. Gotta respect that. Not everyone has the luxury of taking all their visits lumped together like he did though. Kids are kids and change their mind, I just hope that the kids are changing their minds for the right reasons. Freeman made his decision, then backed out because Purple Rain talked him out of his commitment like a drunken sorority girl out of her pants. BigWillie, what do you think of Justin Tomerlin and Chris Brooks? Both of those guys broke commitments to come here. What do you think of Rulon Davis? What about Ashlee Palmer?

 
I think it is a smarter move for kids to not commit at all until the day is there, but I am sure the pressure gets to them and they just want to get it all over with.  I like how Charles Deas has handled his recruiting process.  No one knows anything till he signs, no hints, no bs clues like some boneheads last year.  He took his visits and is evaluating his situation and then make his decision.  Gotta respect that.  Not everyone has the luxury of taking all their visits lumped together like he did though.  Kids are kids and change their mind, I just hope that the kids are changing their minds for the right reasons.  Freeman made his decision, then backed out because Purple Rain talked him out of his commitment like a drunken sorority girl out of her pants.  BigWillie, what do you think of Justin Tomerlin and Chris Brooks?  Both of those guys broke commitments to come here.  What do you think of Rulon Davis?  What about Ashlee Palmer?
:yeah

Im torn with these situations. Choosing a college to spend the next 3-5 years of your life is a huge step. These young men have alot going on. In a perfect word (one we are all hopeful for :blink: ) these guys would make their choice and stick to it. Im as hard as anyone on the younger generation as I see alot of them as being spoiled and lazy, but this is their life, and we all make changes and have regrets. Yes, keeping your word is a great lesson to learn, but its better that they back out now as opposed to clinging to a scholly that another might need (ala Souder, Tray Crayton-db 90's, etc).

I personally hope for a perfect world Willie, and these kids backing out on their word speaks volumes about them.

For a coach to talk them into a de-commit to come to his school is kind of like marrying the girl you were cheating with.

I guess to sum it up, its a double-edged sword (am I rambling :wacko: ), it sucks, but it is what it is, and sometimes it works out for the better.

 
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I'm 20 years old myself fresh out of HS
Now, I see why you are so defensive about the topic. I guess I hit close to home. I assume nothing about you, accept that you have strong convictions over the definition of "kids".

But let me pose a question for you, making a college decision is one of the biggest choices in your life, correct?
For many it is. When some are 18 years old, it is on of the biggest decisions they have had to make.

Say you were getting married and you were at the altar, Jessica Alba pops up and proposes to you. Do you back out then even though you have given so many promises to one person already? You don't pick someone just to get you by until a better offer comes.
You got me, and with a Jessica Alba analogy.

The decision is one of the biggest of your life, so act like it is. Don't make a quick judgement thinking you know. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, make sure of what you want. If that means taking 5 visits or even waiting until after LOI day, do it.
I agree. Not saying I like when decommits happen, and I definately don't agree with insincere decisions; but, they happen. My earlier post was simply my opinion on why they happen. I thought all of this rhetoric was about my use of the word "kids".

Oh wait, we have babies playing major college football. My mistake.
I never mentioned the NFL. This one is your assumption. I was simply saying the there are kids of all ages. You brought up a profession. So I guess it is your mistake.

I do not want to ponder the ethics, chronologies, and mannerisms of what someone an adult or a kid. I definately do not wish to respond to a Jessica Alba analogy. So, I guess we will just have to disagree on this one. I was simply saying that these are kids (or substitute a word you deem appropriate), and that many make abrupt decisions. That some change there minds can be disappointing, and that I do not condone this process. I do feel though, that I have an understanding of why it may happen.

working as an assistant at my local HS
I am glad that you are involved and associated with education. I am as well. So kudos here. More need to get involved.

If you wish to discuss the topic further: linguistics or semantics of "kids" or children in the NFL, I would glady discuss it in the woodshed.

 
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