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.
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Well said. The National Signing Day circus can be fun for the media and hardcore fans, but it’s easy to forget the actual decisions being made. We probably won’t wrap up Seantrel in the end, but he’s got to get some time away from the spotlight and really think about his future.
My guess is he won’t stay with USC. The NCAA is going to come down HARD on them for multiple major violations. They won’t give them a death sentence because they are to much of a money maker but they are definitely going to get hit hard.
The only reason for Henderson to stay with USC would be for the weather and the women (let’s be honest, I love my Buckeye girls but the song girls at USC are head and shoulders above everyone).
What we need to wait and see is that if OSU was truly the #2 or if taking USC out of the equation will bump a different southern school over them.
If he becomes a Buckeye I can see him starting day 1 and becoming the kind of force and icon that Orlando Pace was. I mean playing the same position of a guy they actually created a stat for (the pancake) would be an honor (at least to me).
One stat to leave you with about all of this recruiting nonsense and signing day. This comes from Dennis Dodd of cbssportsline:
“Another cautionary recruiting tale: It was announced this week that Miami linebacker Arthur Brown is leaving the program. The one-time five-star prospect made 17 tackles in two seasons. Speculation is that Brown and his brother Bryce, a tailback at Tennessee, could transfer to Kansas State.”
A 5 star prospect only making 8.5 tackles a year?
I know there are succes stories as well. Just wanted to point out that all of this is on speculation. These are kids. Kids grow up, mature, and some get better while some get worse and some stay the same.
Not surprising that Henderson picked USC. The Pac10 is a much stronger conference and USC had the second best recruiting class in the nation. Just a thought.
Yeah…the Pac 10 really proved that much stronger conference thing in the Rose Bowl didn’t they.
I also wouldn’t get too excited until USC has the signed letter in hand.
Jim, You have a valid point. The Pac10 certaintly did not show up to that game.
I am the furthest thing from a USC fan or their program. So, it is safe to say ……. I would not get excited to see anything positive happen to that program. The only thing that excites me about USC …… Is not having to see Pete Carroll patrol the sidelines any longer. I feel sorry for the Seattle Seahawks organization and players. His sophmore antics won’t go over well in the pro’s. I will be excited when I see their corrupt program get exposed.
I blame ESPN for this signing day mess. These are just kids who are great high school players, but if they make it at the next level is unknown. Bottom line it;s about going Pro. Get thier name in the media and hopefully a big payday at the end.
Agreed Carl. Which again goes to support my proposal that we need a major in professional sports.
Sorry Annapolisbuckeye ….. Your idea of a “major in professional sports” is ludicriss. Why doesn’t Ohio State also offer a “major in the military”. Any kid who joins the armed forces could get a 4 year degree from OSU after they honorably serve out their contract. Trust me …. these kids that join the military have learned a whole lot more in 4 years than some guy playing football.
College athletics is for “fun”. Lets not professionalize these young kids. The percentage of these kids that actually get on to a NFL team is very slim. If they want to prepare for another job in sports than they can pursue a degree in; brodcasting, business, physical therapy, etc. But to lump all of these degrees together and come out with a “professional sports” degee is just ridiculous. It will minimize the hard work and effort of the students that actually get a degree in that particular field.
Most of these football players that get to the professional ranks are going to school on a scholorship. Their education is FREE! Yes, they should work harder than the other students that have had to pay their own way. Nothing in life is “FREE”…..Let them earn a degree …… not just give it to them.
TIB
Why ludicrous? If a student goes to school and gets a degree in music or dance (often leading to solid careers) why shouldn’t there be a degree designed around the field of professional sports. I’m not talking a cupcake program. I mean a serious, academically rigorous program that trains students for professional sports related occupations outside of playing time (for example, sports marketing, business, etc.)
How many college athletes go to school with dreams of the NFL, NBA, whatever only to find out their senior year that they don’t stack up? Or worse yet, face a career ending injury. As opposed to professionalizing college athletes more then we already have, I’m proposing an academic program that trains them for a career.
Oh, and if you’re listening Gordon…I’m available to consult.
Let’s see if the revelation of USC’s latest recruiting outrage – the verbal of a 7th grade QB of all things – has any bearing on Seantrel’s final decision. If you read the NYT’s version of the last-minute push minute by USC, its pretty clear the SH’s dad and grandfather probably had a lot to do with the decision. Kiffin went to high school in Minn, and Monte had a rapport with the grandaddy. At any rate, I was hugely disppointed with SH’s pick, but really optimistic with this year’s recruting class, the recuiting outlook for 2011, and the upcoming season.
Good post AnnapolisBuckeye — I regularly fly the Block-O from my home in Edgewater.
Let’s go Bucks.
Tom, I agree that you should be very excited about the 2010 recruiting class. OSU ended up ranked 26th in the nation. I would temper your feelings against USC though. Although I agree with your outrage re: the 7th grader …… It is hard to argue with success. They had the best recruiting class overall (rivals.com). Whats even more astounding is that they did this without Pete Carroll. I do think that the hammer is going to come down on their program though. I just have a feeling that Pete knows that there are some santions coming …… and that is why he bolted from the program. Another interesting stat from the Rivals ranking is that the PAC10 had 4 of the top 13 classes. The Big10 comes out with Penn State on top ranked number 12 … then Michigan is at 20 and finally OSU at 26. I think there are some concerns here.
TIB,
Ok, I just dug out from over 2′ of snow, so if this reply sounds like a lawyer in a cross-examination, blame it on my sore back. Your “its hard to argue with success” comment reflects an “ends justify the means” approach to UCS’s recruiting tactics. Are you kidding me? I couldn’t disagree more. I mean USC has football tradition, national exposure, and a local recruting base to draw from that’s as good as any in the country. Do they really need to violate, or give the appearance of playing fast-and-loose with NCAA regulations? C’mon – what kind of message does this send high school kids (the ones paying attention anyway) that it’s ok to break the rules as long as you don’t get caught, or can weasel out if you do? Perhaps naive considering the lessons conveyed by the lying skunks in Congress, but how does that message translate in the classroom or on the gridiron?
As far as Surfer Pete, yes he skedaddled before national signing day, but he paid visits to all of USC’s top recruits including Seantrel Henderson and his family so his signature is still on all the recruits. Kiffin just sealed the deal – to his slimy credit. As to Pete knowing about sanctions – maybe – but my gut tells me his job was getting much tougher with the growing parity in the PAC10. The decade of dominance by USC bloom was off that rose. Oh yeah, and the $$ offered by NFL…no matter what you read of hear, it almost always comes down to $$.
I do share your concerns with the trends in B10 recruiting however…but until Florida weather comes to Columbus in January, or the steel mills reopen in Youngstown with the reemergence of industry in the Midwest, it’s a distrubing trend that will probably continue. But when your conference can beat 4 top 15 teams in bowl games — I’m still smilin’!
Believe me Tom, my back up here in the Cape feels your pain. And don’t worry if you didn’t get enough, there’s more on the way.
I’m not at all concerned about recruiting class. It’s not the 2010 recruiting class I’m excited about, it’s the 2010 team I’m excited about. Ohio State will be chasing national titles for at least the next two years.
While the Buckeyes may not have landed the glamor recruits, they’ve got talent and they will continue to develop the talent they have.
As for Henderson, wait and see how this all shakes out before you get too excited.
I’m with you Jim…
The 2010 class is solid with headliners RB Roderick Smith and WR James Louis, and my personal darkhorse potential superstar WR Tyrone Williams.
That being said, the 2010 team definitely has a 100% legit shot at 12-0 and a trip to the BCS title game if TP progresses and matures even more, as he appeared to do after the Purdue game.
The games that concern me the most that we could potentially lose, but are games we really almost have to win to continue to prove ourselves and become a true national power again are vs. Miami-FL, @ Wisconsin, and @ Iowa.
Call me overconfident but the other 9 games don’t appear to be games we should have much to be worried about–Of course, the same can be said of the Purdue game in 2009…
Hey Annapolis, add my blog to your Buckeye links if you get a minute.
I just added you to mine!
Thanks,
HD, aka CEO of The BlockONation
Hey HD. Thanks for stopping by. Sorry about the blog roll. I’m afraid it’s long over due for an update. I’ve got you up there now.
I think Miami will be a good game but I think the Buckeyes can shut them down. No question 2010 has the potential to be a 12-0 season.
As info …. New off season poll at ESPN is out today. They rank the Buckeyes at number 2 and Oregon at number 4. Could we see a re-match of the Rose Bowl teams in the NC next year. Interesting thought.
Here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4901998
TIB
Prized recruit Seantrel Henderson didn’t show up last week for orientation at Southern California, so new football coach Lane Kiffin and three assistants took a private jet to St. Paul, Minn., to make sure the 6-foot-8, 330-pound offensive tackle was still committed.
From Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch on June 25…
With USC facing NCAA penalties that include no bowl appearances for two seasons and the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, it has been speculated that Henderson might reconsider his commitment to the Trojans and that Ohio State and the University of Miami might have another shot at landing him.
Sean Henderson, Seantrel’s father, had no comment for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and Seantrel didn’t return phone messages to the paper.
so where’s he going to go???
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=AqioScC8G8P1j8okw_tO998cvrYF?slug=ap-usc-seantrelhenderson