February 6th. National Signing Day. The day college football programs across the nation get to harvest the fruits of a year long battle with each other, jet lag, and pushy parents. For those mid range schools its a time to land that big name recruit that will push you over the top, for the big fellas in the nation its a time to refurbish the NFL draft depleted roster. All across the nation players are signing letters, wearing their newly chosen school's hats, and bursting with pride over the fact that their journey to the NFL is one step closer. At this point in the year most schools and recruits have an idea as to how things will shake down. Julio Jones, for example, chose Alabama. The school that the top player in the nation was leaning towards all along. Jones handled his fame better than any 18 year old kid could ever be expected to. The Tide had a shoe in the whole season and everyone knew it. Jones let things play out and decided to announce today that he would be suiting up with Alabama.
And then there is Terrell Pryor. The Next Vince Young. 6 foot 5, 4.4 forty time, an arm like a cannon. So athletic in fact, he is a top 5 recruit on the gridiron and on the hardwood. Now football seems to be the lads sport of choice and about 5 weeks ago he was pretty much enrolled at The Ohio State University. What a fit. The top rated QB in the nation from the heart of Big Ten Country going to play for the Big Ten's best team and best coach. He went so far as to put a Buckeye sticker on the back of his All Star Game helmet 3 weeks back in the annual Army\Navy all star game. It was a forgone conclusion, this kid was a Buckeye. Then comes the resignation of Lloyd Carr at Michigan and the hiring of Rich Rodriguez as his replacement. A spread offense QB would certainly love a spread offense coach, so now OSU becomes number 1 while Michigan becomes number 1a. No problems. The kid has time. Why not entertain the offers,right? Well then Oregon comes out and says they want the kid. Certainy Dennis Dixon's dominance this year would speak to the fact that Pryor could do well in that system. Then the old wiley Joe Paterno comes around. What Pennsylvania kid wouldn't want to play for the coach he, his dad, and his dad grew up watching? A week later, 2 weeks before signing day, Pryor comes out and says that he has narrowed his choices down to the 2 time runners up, the hometown Lions, or the new look Wolverines and that he would decide on signing day. Finally, the day has arrived. Buckeye, Wolverine, and Nittany Lion nations world wide hold their breath until Pryor comes out and decides that he is undecided. He wants to wait. For what exactly? You want two of the Big Ten's most successfull coaches and three of the nation's most successfull programs to court you a little more? Pryor is the 4th rated player in the nation. Nothing to sneeze at...but that means three recruits are better than him and those three all signed today. What makes you any different, Terrell? Anyone who follows recruiting can tell you that this kid has milked the entire process, and rightfully so. As much God Given talent as this kid has coupled with as many coaches nationwide drooling over his services will tend to make one's head swell. But before you try to differentiate yourself from the 1000 or so other kids who signed today, Terrell, do yourself a favor and ask "Who exactly am I making wait?". Lets start with the Buckeyes. Their head coach has won more games with less talent at quarterback than anyone in the nation. Or how about Penn State? Their coach has only won more games than....well...pretty much anyone. Oh and Michigan? You might have heard of them, they have only been successfull for the last 100 years. All told you are telling more than 2000 wins, 15 national titles, 12 or so Heisman winners, and countless All Americans that THEY can wait for YOU. As a Buckeye fan, I'd love to see you in Columbus.....two weeks ago. Now? Sign with Indiana. That way the Bucks, Wolverines, and Lions can show you for 4 years that they didnt need you and that you should be honored to paly for them, not the other way around.
18 years old telling these schools to wait. Who the hell do you think you are?
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