Macon County HS LB Roquan Smith’s Twitter account announcing he’s a Georgia Bulldog.
Eight days after verbally declaring he was signing with UCLA, Macon County High School (Georgia) linebacker Roquan Smith officially signed his financial aid paperwork with the University of Georgia on Friday, but not his National Letter of Intent.
Smith’s decision ends a week’s worth of debate about what school he will attend, but may bring-up more questions about the future of the NLI system that definitely has its flaws.
First, as many of you know, I’m just tired of the amount of pressure that is applied to the student-athletes by recruiting site writers, and I use that term loosely, that want to get the latest on what’s going on inside the mind of these teenage players. I’m glad that I’m not constantly having to ask players about the top schools on their list or when they’re going to issue their verbal commitment? Frankly, if that was my sole job, I would look for another line of work, because it would drive me crazy.
However, what also drives me a bit crazy is the circus atmosphere from the schools recruiting these impressionable young men and their families. Seriously, sometimes it’s hard to believe that we call these college football factories — institutions of higher learning.
Generally, what we learn is that football, not the student-athletes come first.
I applaud Dutch Fork High School head coach Tom Knotts, who last week banned Louisville from recruiting on his South Carolina campus, after Bobby Petrino and his staff pulled its scholarship offer to the state’s Mr. Football Matt Colburn, at the last minute, because it wasn’t in the school’s best interest to bring-in the running back over some much needed defensive backs. BTW…I’m was glad to see on Thursday, that Colburn will now be going to Wake Forest.
Roquan Smith’s decision to waver after making his verbal announcement on national TV to UCLA was based on several factors. One being that Smith had been torn between the Bruins and his hometown Bulldogs for a while. But, the big one was that the main guy that recruited him, UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has accepted a job with the NFL‘s Atlanta Falcons.
So the question becomes this — how should schools change the way they recruit kids in a day-and-age when they change coaches and staffs like I change my socks?
I also don’t believe an early signing period would help, because it would increase the chances that players would sign with one school on a coaches’ promise, only to learn at the end of a 3-9, 4-8, 5-7, 6-6 season etc., that his coach is no longer his coach.
Yes, there’s risk in everything you do in the world, but do we need to add more pressure on kids that are already struggling with trying to figure their way out of their childhood?
Some have said that the NLI is one of the worst contracts in the sports world, because it gives the schools all the power. As far as my limited legal knowledge, it does seem that the NLI is one-sided and unfair, but let’s face it, life can be unfair.
So what’s the answer?
Quite honestly, I’m not sure that there’s a one-size fits all response, but my best suggestion is for the colleges and universities to start selling the kids on the benefits of their school and whether it fits his educational needs first.
Let’s face it, fewer than 2% of all high school players make it to the NFL, but unless you’re extremely lucky to be born into a family with a trust fund and one that doesn’t make you work, I would suggest that both sides in the college football equation begin to really look at the value of the education that will be derived from going to class as much going to the weight room.
As far as how Roquan Smith’s move to declare and not sign the NLI will change things in the future – I can see such a move becoming the norm for the top-tier recruits, who will have more leverage than most on National Signing Day.
