Royce Jenkins-Stone and Terry Richardson visiting other schools
I recently saw on my twitter feed that RJS and Terry Richardson are planning on visiting other schools. Should this be a cause for concern? I remember Rich Rod used to say something along the lines of: "If I guy is committed but still taking visits to other schools then he's not really committed, he's just interested". Personally, I don't think its a big deal but I wanted to hear the opinions of some of the more knowledgeable posters.
It's like the whole parable about the kid throwing starfish back in the ocean. "Made a difference to that one." As long as a few people are shamed into getting away from recruits twitters and acebooks then it's all worth it.
I have never understood why people can't leave these guys alone and why they can't seem to get that freaking out about kids decisions drives the guys away. Besides how in the hell do you begrudge a guy the chance to take a free trip?
One things for damn sure on the absurdly low chance that my son ever grows to become a D-I level recruit, I'm sitting him down and explaining that I am personally approving every facebook request and shurring down his twitter. I don't see how being this exposed to the ugly side of fandom is good for these guys in any way shape or form.
I agree with this X1000
It's also considered by the NCAA to be a secondary violation, so it's just a good idea to not interface with these kids. Follow them if you'd like, sure, but never never never tweet them.
I expected richardson to, but not stone. If they're going everywhere together there may not be much to worry about for you guys
It is not a fan's job to tell the recruits what to do and what not to do. Let the coaches handle it. People are freaking nuts.
I think you're nuts if you don't take your officials. Haven't you guys seen "He Got Game"?!
Seen it? It was a true story based on my life.
I tried to get someone better looking to play me, but it turns out no movie stars are as handsome.
I have just the guy to play you....
Though the guy in your avatar might qualify too....
If those two people had a baby, that might be an approximation of how awesome I am in real life.
Then again, I can see why....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Mothers_of_Heimdallr
In Norse Mythology, the Nine Mothers of Heimdallr are nine sisters who gave birth to the god Heimdallr.
Nine mom's? No wonder you're so cranky.
(Yeah, what's my excuse...)
Twitter is an awful thing when it comes to crap like this.
Mattison. If these boys don't want to be coached by The best d- coordinator in the land it's their loss not ours. We will have no trouble getting top notch talent year in and year out so I'm just not that worried about it. These guys are great players and all, but I'm sure there are others out there that are just as good but have that attitude of say, Magnuson... Those are the boys I want. There is a long way to go til NSD and things will change. if these guys leave, there will be no shortage of great talent that want to be developed by GM... I truly believe that.
Uh, a little arrogant this morning arent we? These guys are top 100 talent, they are somebodies, these guys leave we are not replacing them this year.
I'm not claiming there aren't dumbass Michigan fans out there that will harrass recruits like this, of course there are. But what is preventing MSU or OSU fans from doing it to make recruits think the fan base is crazy? On that point, what is preventing us from doing it to other schools' recruits?
I have too much faith in humanity to think that this goes on.
I would have thought the same thing about pooping in coolers but.......
They aren't taking visits. They're attending camps at Oregon and Florida in July. RJS was the first of the big three in-staters (RJS, TRich, Ross) to commit and has been recruiting others to UM. He's going nowhere. Neither is Richardson.
Also it should be noted that _maizeandblue no longer exists on twitter.
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<br>Either he was shamed into deleting his account or...
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<br>Is it possible that it's a non-Michigan fan posing as a michigan fan to annoy our recruits?
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<br>(cue dramatic music)
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<br>Ok. I need to stop being so paranoid.
It is probably some dumbass Sparty fan trying to piss of Richardson and make it look like Michigan fans are assholes. If it isn't them, I hope whoever has been doing this grows the hell up because they are not helping at all.
I actually believe all the instate kids committed now will sign the dotted line( TBD on Richardson) on February 2nd. If we win 9 games like we should, we wont have any trouble getting more 4 star cbs if Richardson decides to go elsewhere. Look what BH and GMatt are doing in 1/2 a recruiting cycle and havent even coached a game yet!? Just imagine if we actually put together a reasonable defense and win the games MICHIGAN should win every year (NW,IU,Minny, Purdue) you know the games we used to win 35-14 or 42 7 before RR. Wasn't so bad when LC won 9 games a year... but anyways if all pieces fall into place were looking at a top 5 class here boys..
Maybe some of the people messaging the Cass Tech guys are Alabama fans.
I see what your saying, I agree I don’t beleive that Hoke will have a problem replacing any position if needed. However I tend to beleive that a 4 star instater has more value to this team then a 4 star recurite from out of state. I learned that from the RR error. We need T Rich to remain a member of this class.
I don't have a twitter but maybe when someone gets all up in their business (especially T-Rich) we should send in an army of mgobloggers telling them to stfu and stop creeping high school kids. It might stop them from being repeat offenders. Plus T-Rich might notice and feel better about the fanbase as a whole
I don't think the Michigan fanbase is that much better than Ohio's when it comes to this sort of anxiety and attention. I wish it were otherwise - but we have aggiatated recruits in the past verbally and with tweets. A verbal commit is what it is at this point. There is nothing holding these guys to anything.
Fan sites would do well to take down the twitter account info in their roster listings. I think the players and recruits for that matter - are savvy but clearly there are personal boundaries that the lowest common denominator cannot appreciate.
For what it's worth - many of these guys solicit followers on twitter. They will have to manage that with their own boundaries. They are coming to terms with fame - it's just manifesting in Twitter. In 10 years (if Twitter stll exists) this is probably not so much an issue - though HS kids will still be facing fame when they are good at football. Hopefully the Michigan fanbase will be less infamous.
Let those who are not CFB obsessed throw the first stones. Nobody on this board can do that.
And I shall smoketh them.
I understand the free trip to a nicer destination and I would also take that trip as many of you would as well, however my opinion is that once you commit your done visiting. All of that is fine and dandy before you commit.
You don't date a girl and then start banging chics on the side to feel it out, you do all the banging prior and then once your sold on one your committed.
They aren't taking official visits. They're attending camps on their own dime.
their team is most likely going to Northwood also for the 7-7 camp there in july. should we all worry about that visit as well? let these athletes go about their business of visits. they have verbally committed. what more can they do right now?
Look, I read this blog on a daily basis, for along time - rarely post. Leave the talking to Tom. Otherwise, back the hell off the kids. If youre guilty of this you should be ashamed. Recruits have an amazing opportunity... if you are a stand up person, you wish them the best no matter where they go. Pull it together people.
Go Blue
For anyone with ESPNU, they're showing the Brock Mealer story on E:60 right now.
Why is that social media sites cause so many problems today? Let these kids have their fun because its once in a lifetime experience to visit all your favorite schools for free. You see what happens to OSU boards when Kalis decomitts, they all dog on him for doing whats in best interest of himself. Lets not become those sad OSU fans because we are so much classier than them. Let the kids decide for themselves and back off their twitters you creepers
does this mean they'll be downgraded to strong verbals?
Its just a free trip to see places in the world they've never seen. No biggie at all. Richardson has been openly recruiting for UM. Hes not going anywhere.
We're talking about 17 and 18 year old boys who will be flown to destinations they might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit. They get treated like kings, shown some impressive college campuses, meet some other people, and probably eat some fantastic meals.
Let them enjoy the experience. Is there a chance they could be swayed by these other coaches? Sure. But I bet Hoke & Co are quite confident in the commitments they've secured from these guys and aren't worried about these visits (if they, in fact, are "visits" in the official sense.)
people need to lay off of these kids. if all you do is sit around and bash 18 year old kids because of their tweets or if they are taking visits then you need a new hobby. go buy a goldfish or something. we all want Terry to suit up in the Maize and Blue as he is a hell of a player, but it is his decision and i can't blame the guy for wanting to go check out some other schools.
I get the frustration with fans like the guy tweeting TRich, but the OP just asked a question. OP didn't follow him home to make sure he had his 'Go Blue' pajamas on before bed, he asked if there was any concern about players already committed going on visits. His concern is real- we have a great class but theres still 8 months until signing day. He wasn't reaming the kids for taking visits, just seeing if he should be concerned. Y'all need to take a step back and chill.
EDIT: A dissenting opinion is not flamebait, as much as you may want it to be.
Most of the hostility was directed to the twitter knobjockeys. The OP didn't even get negged.
I guess most people didn't specify who they were ripping, I just took it as directed at OP. My apologies if I was defending someone who was not being attacked, it just seemed like people were giving him a hard time for a legitimate question.
It's kind of unclear and could be read either way, but I think a lot of the hostility was directed towards that _MaizeandBlue twitter dude.
Of course we as fan would rather this not happen, but it does. It is important for fans to not overreact and bad mouth young men for...acting like young men. Fans have a hand in recruiting - and that is is to present a positive atmosphere where young men feel they are wanted and will be able to form a lasting partnership. What we say about impressionable teenagers matters,especially in this age of Twitter and Facebook. We have to be mindful of that. None of us wants to be the reason a young man decides to pass over our beloved Wolverines - mostly because some spiteful pinhead idiot takes a well aim shot at a recruit or potential recruit. We have to be better than that if we are going to help this coaching staff build Michigan into a perennial super power once again. We, as the loyal Michigan fan base, must always remember we are trying to win the hearts and minds of young people who might not love all that is Michigan just yet - like we do.
I don't have a problem with visiting other schools and having a good time. They're only recruits once, so they might as well enjoy the process.
People will rationalize this, but no, it's not a good thing. They are leaving open the door, at least a crack, for other schools.
then there's no reason whatsoever to think twice about it. Are they supposed to sequester themselves within the borders of the state of Michigan until Fall 2012?
If they really are interested in other schools and end up deciding Michigan isn't where they want to be, so be it. It would suck to lose them, but anybody who thinks there won't be a single defection between now and Signing Day next February is a bit unrealistic. If Michigan survived the Rodriguez era, then it can survive the loss of a recruit. I know I will.
... at the MI High School All Star Game. I'm not sure what to think.
I guess we have to worry that he's joining the Marines.
Calm down, Dick. The picture is relevant to the thread.