I’m I the only one who thinks there’s something wrong with this?

The New York Times is reporting that Seantral Henderson has not signed his letter of intent (USC) and will not until USC faces the NCAA later this month to discuss possible violations.

As late as yesterday afternoon, Henderson’s father was telling reporters that even though he was sitting in a television studio in New York, he still hadn’t narrowed his choice beyond his original six.

Let’s step back for a moment and consider what happened yesterday. You’ve got an 18 year-old-kid facing what is got to be the biggest decision in his entire life. In what has become a national feeding frenzy, he’s been thrust into the spotlight and constantly badgered about the outcome of his decision. Coaches are recruiting him hard. Fans and reporters are speculating. If he so much as blinks, it is front page news.

Then you’ve got CBS and their quest for ratings. They fly the kid and his family to New York, put him on national television and tell him, “Decide Now!”

This is messed up.

Don’t think so? Watch that video above. Is it just me?

I normally don’t write much about the recruiting process. As a former teacher, I’ve seen a number of kids go through this on various levels. While it is a very exciting time in a young athlete’s life, it’s not always the best thing for the student, especially if they are facing academic difficulties. It takes a strong personality to withstand the impact of being told at a very young age that you are better then others, that your future is important enough that we want to televise it nationally. Some handle it well. Others, well, let’s just say it’s an abnormal situation.

And don’t think that it just happens during the senior year. I once had two students pulled from an 8th grade class, a special education class for children with emotional/discipline problems mind you, because Joe Paterno was at the high school next door recruiting and wanted to meet them.

As a Buckeye fan, yeah, I get caught up in it. I want to see Henderson go to Ohio State. The kid is huge, quick and talented. Just think of the lanes he could open and the protection he could provide. At the same time, we need to step back and let him make the decision that’s best for him and that may be exactly what he’s doing.

On Tuesday, I spoke to SI.com’s Kristian Dyer who told me, “I don’t think Seantrel has even decided on a final three yet, let alone make a decision. He’s got a strong support network and I know he is regularly talking about it with his father, Sean. When a decision is made, it won’t be a knee jerk – it will be solid.”

What we saw yesterday was a knee jerk decision brought on by fans and the media. He has until April 1 to decide. We all need to step back and let him.

Besides, we all know that in the end he’ll make the right choice. When he does, we will welcome him as a Buckeye.

Damn. And he said Ohio State was his second choice. Wonder what swayed him?

That’s two linemen we missed out on today.

Just a comment…did you hear his voice as he made the announcement? More thoughts on that later.

Highlights from Seantrel Henderson’s Junior Year

Although both ESPN.com and the Columbus Dispatch are reporting that top ranked recruit Seantrel Henderson will announce his college choice tomorrow (Wed.), I’m not counting on it. Sports Illustrated’s, Kristen Dryer is reporting that Henderson’s father, Sean Henderson has said that the younger Henderson hasn’t made a decision and “isn’t committing to any time tables.”

At this point, Henderson has narrowed his choices down to Ohio State, USC, Notre Dame, Miami, Florida and possibly Minnesota. Rumors are flying that it is between Ohio State and USC but the source I spoke to said, “The kid [Henderson] has no idea where he’s going, not a clue.”

Although Ohio State and USC have been mentioned as his top two, Henderson just visited Miami this weekend so as of just a few days ago, he is apparently still weighing his options.

No question we could use a linemen like Henderson. The kid is 6′8, 300+ pounds and could help provide the pass protection Pryor needs to make things happen. Scout.com has him ranked No. 1 and Rivals.com No. 2.

You will remember though that our last No. 1 recruit also made us wait. By the end of the 2008 signing day, we were hearing the same sort of thing from Pryor’s father that we are hearing now from Henderson’s.

If you haven’t watched the video above yet, be sure to check it out.

A) The kid is huge
B) Nobody is getting past him,
C) He opens gaping holes for the running backs. Something we can really use

And those are his junior year highlights!

Jordan Hicks, pretty much the No.1 recruit coming out of Ohio (Lakota West H.S., West Chester) announced today that he’s going to Texas. He’s been wavering between Ohio State, Texas and Florida for some time. He’ll sign his letter of intent Wed. Of the three, if he can’t go to Ohio State, I’m glad he’s going to Texas. Unlike Florida, I can stomach Texas and their fans.

Signing day is next Wednesday and the Buckeyes are still in the running for Seantrel Henderson and Matt Henderson, both offensive linemen. Both are doing their fair share of traveling this week though.

In the meantime, if you haven’t seen Hicks, here’s a glimpse of what we missed:

Up until just a few hours ago, chances are you’d never heard of Gerret Gilbert. And why would you? As the freshmen back up to Colt McCoy, he’d racked up a mere 124 yards passing and 11 yards rushing. Chances are he expected little more from his trip to Pasadena than a visit to Disney World and a great sideline seat for the BCS championship game.

Little more then ten minutes into what might have turned into a dominating Texas victory, Gilbert suddenly found himself standing behind a really big football player about to handing him the ball. Three or so very conservative plays later, his running backs failed to punch it in settling instead on a field goal and Texas was on the board.

Not to take anything away from Alabama but I think it’s safe to say they are lucky McCoy got knocked out so early. Through most of the first quarter, the Texas defense was absolutely smothering. Alabama also got off easy after throwing an interception on a botched fake punt and then standing back and watching as Texas smothered a kickoff to regain the ball deep in Bama territory. Alabama managed to hold  Texas to field goals on both turnovers but it may have been a much different situation with McCoy at the helm. (McCoy went out shortly after Texas intercepted the fake punt.

I also can’t believe that the impact of losing McCoy didn’t have an impact on the Texas defense. As the realization of what had happened settled in, Alabama took to the ground scoring 24 unanswered points in the second quarter.

I would love to know what happened in the Texas locker room during the half. Did Coach Brown give the speech of a lifetime? Did McCoy pull his team together? Whatever happened, it worked. Texas held Bama to 0 yards in the third quarter (or at least until the last 39 seconds), Gilbert found his passing arm and with only 6:15 left in the game, Texas had pulled to within three points. Not only that but the freshman quarterback threw a beautiful two point conversion in the process.

But then, just as it looked like Texas could pull it off, just as Herbstreet pointed out that the offensive line had protected Gilbert and that he hadn’t been sacked all night, the kid got blind sided from behind giving up the ball on the three yard line. Bama punched it in on their third attempt with only two minutes left.

Gilbert threw another interception which the Tide converted for six but at that point it really didn’t matter. Although the score may show a commanding Alabama win, it was anything but. Texas played a great game and it was disappointing to see them lose in the way they did.

Random Thoughts

How about the post game interview with McCoy. Talk about the words getting stuck in your mouth. He eventually pulled himself together and in his Texas drawl said something about faith and a big rock. The injury sounds strange. Says he can’t feel his arm, like it’s dead. Kind of scary stuff.

What’s with the crowd chanting “SEC.” Please. You almost got your ass handed to you by a freshman quarterback. Give it a break.

Thursday night BCS Championships Blow I’ve been saying this for a while but seriously, these weeknight bowl games have got to go. I’ve tried to watch at least three bowl games this week and I don’t think I’ve made it through an entire game without falling asleep yet. Thank goodness for DVR.

College football needs to end on New Year’s Day. By this point, the BCS Championship feels like an after thought. It would be one thing if it were a playoff situation but it’s not. The only people still watching are Texas/Alabama fans and a handful of college football fanatics. And to be honest, without the drama of McCoy, this fanatic wouldn’t have been nearly so interested in the game.

I was in Phoenix for both Ohio State BCS Championship games and what a difference a week made. Granted the move to Glendale didn’t help but with the Florida game, it felt like we were in the way. The excitement of the Fiesta Bowl was gone, locals were back to work and for the most part, it felt like the game was just another traffic jam. I can’t believe a BCS post Rose Bowl didn’t have the same effect.

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Bob Baptist of the Columbus Dispatch is reporting that he got a text message from Evan Turner’s mom stating that Turner will play tonight against Indiana.

No official word from the University at this point.

Game starts at 8:30 and it’s on the Big Ten Network which means I should be able to watch it here in MD. It will be good to have him back.

Nothing wrong with this photo. The Eggman was just really bent.

Long time readers of this blog will remember tEgg Man. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from our blogger at large but word has it he made it to the Rose Bowl. He’s back, the chemicals have worn off and he’s ready to report. Leave it to tEgg Man to prick his finger on the stem of the Rose.

Sitting in the North end of the Rose Bowl’s Row 66, in the nosebleed section under the Jumbotron, I was hit with a relentless barrage of text messages from Buckeye fans abroad. “Terrell throws like a girl” which was naturally from an SEC fan. “TP sucks,” came from a guy they that wanted Justin Zwick over Troy Smith in 2008 before Smith won 10 games in a row and a Heisman — before succumbing to the “Banquet Circuit” to oblivion at the hands of Myer’s and Tim Tebow’s underdogs. Praise the Lord for armchair quarterbacks.

If you attended the Rose Bowl, you’d find it hard to imagine that the game went “Exactly As Scripted” per the LA Times.  Even the Buckeye-hating Brent Musburger kowtowed to Tressell’s coaching the Scarlet and Gray. As expected, the Columbus Dispatch sportswriters fell in line.

I asked our 17-year-old son, “Am I missing something?” He responded as I read the paper aloud, “What game were they at?” I can’t get my head around why TP is viewed as the second coming of Vince Young — who by the way, really throws like a girl. We watched Terrell get sacked four times for 20 yards in losses and throw an interception.

The 17-yard fling to Posey for a touchdown was sweet as was tight end Jake Ballard’s catch between two defensive backs and Dane Sanzenbacher for a jump ball and critical first down. Exactly a scripted? Please. Then, I guess, the Buckeyes scripted the Oregon personal foul that gave OSU a first down and an offside by Oregon for another third-down conversion crossing midfield — not to mention Oregon’s missed field goal in the third quarter to bring them within one possession of taking the lead. Stupid call Kelly.

To anyone that attended the game, you’d know it was a gut wrenching experience and eerily closer than the writers say. You have to admit the OSU kick coverage was at best a feeble sieve, allowing more than 200 yards off Oregon’s freshman Barger’s kick returns. Very cool and well executed reverse on a kickoff return. Brilliant! The Ducks had flash to the very end.

Their die-hard fans were great too. If it wasn’t for LeGarrett “Rock ‘em Sock ‘em” Blount’s fumble on the 10 yard line into the end zone, the game may have had a different complexion altogether.

Regardless, To the Victors Belong the Spoils. And, whoever wins writes the history books.

As a Buckeye fan, I acknowledge that we’re all spoiled, want, expect, desire, demand to win — despite our pensive and cynical nature from 12 years of Cooper and being thrashed twice by the SEC for the BCS titles. Not to mention choking against Vince Young’s Texas and not sneaking the ball on the one foot line three times (passing 3 times and out) against Surfer Boy Barkley’s University of Spoiled Children (USC) and choking to Purdue.

Yes, we’re full of Buckeye dread… A psychologist would have a field day with our narcissistic neurosis. We think therefore, we is… If the buckeyes lose, we collectively lose, and if they win, we’re in turn collectively winners. The Ducks’ fans understand that. They drove home 12 hours over the snow-covered mountains as losers hoping for a better year to come. Although both teams’ players are kids, we live through their eyes. Sometimes we just can’t see the forest through the trees.

The most telltale part of the Rose Bowl was The Battle of the Bands. The Best Damned Band In The Land (TBDBITL) was awesome, while the Duck band looked like a rabble — a bunch of stoned security guards in vinyl jackets and their safety Da-Glo yellow as if handed instruments at the last minute because the real Oregon band was stranded in the Sierra Madre’s in the snow with a flat tire.  Their band’s Half Time theme was “Back to the Future.” How sophomoric — like they’d ever be back in the next decade at USC’s home field. They better get some batteries for their Way Back Machine…

After the best tradition in NCAA football, Script Ohio, left the field, the rabble of Oregon band members ran out to the field (instead of marching) as if a rugby scrum. Nice uniforms — baseball caps and a flag drill team? Guys, even a high school band can create a formation and march in sync, and in a straight line. It was abysmal and an embarrassment to their university. For God’s sake, for the taxpayers of Oregon, you guys better not be on full ride scholarship or I’m going to give my kids kazoo lessons, ship him out, and replace your worthless asses. Feel my disgust. It’s as liberating as paying bills or taxes. But, it shouldn’t be in front of a national audience at the Granddaddy of Them All.

Enough — you get it.

You have to love the Buckeye fans’ ongoing, incessant O-H-I-O. mantra that could be heard on the flight to the game, at the Rose Parade, on the walk down Peco Valley to the stadium, at the tailgate, booming throughout the stadium, at the hotel, and on the flight home. It got so bad that it was almost embarrassing. Other schools might question Ohio State’s academic standing like that’s all we can spell — old and young alike screaming as if we just got off a drinking binge. Could be worse. It would be tough to spell MIS ISS I PPI. Good luck with that.

The put-off before, during and after the game were the holy rollers with their signs and bull horns proselytizing us football fans, “You know more about a Buckeye than you know about the Lord Jesus Christ… What the heck is a Buckeye anyway?”

Really — the audacity.

These are probably the same banner-carrying killjoys at the Rose Parade who followed us on our 5-mile pilgrimage to the Rose Bowl. At one point after the game a silver Hummer bedecked with its red white and black Buckeye helmet piping and Ohio license plate (yes, those numbnuts actually drove all the way out for the game) almost mowed them down.

Okay, that’s not the spirit, nor Christian. Let’s be rational. You might say the Buckeye nation is a sports-based cult built on tradition and fellowship. Let’s leave it at that. For your information a Buckeye is a poisonous nut we worship mostly during football season. If you eat it, then you die, then visit TLJC. But in the meantime, I have another five hours to fly and eat my airline ration, connect in Charlotte, fly another one and half hours, drive home, put the kids to bed for school and go to work in the morning so I can pay for this darned trip.

The best thing about the Buckeye fans is that we are worth our “buck.” Love us or hate us, we’ll spend our last stinking dollar, fly or drive to California, buy $5 hot dogs, $9 beers, $15 caps, $20 t-shirts, pay $500 for overpriced tickets — you name it. The massive Buckeye nation lives through the Bucks eyes like we earned it — so we can do whatever we want. Thank you for making us winners. Go Bucks! Oh, and Quack…