OSU's recruitment of Raekown McMillan: Is this allowed?
OSU is hosting five-star ILB Raekwon McMillan on an official visit this coming weekend for Penn State. Per this article from cleveland.com (link), the official OSU Instagram/Twitter feed reached out to Raekwon with the following digital flier.
(Sorry for the giant embed.)
Does this violate the statute that disallows program from providing "Intentional or significant game-day simulations and/or impermissible recruiting aids"? I seem to remember Georgia and Washington getting dinged in their recruitment of Isaiah Crowell and Desmond Trufant, respectively, for violating the game-day simulation clause. Does putting his name on the back of the jersey make it any different than some of our recruits wearing jerseys and gloves and such during visits?
October 21st, 2013 at 4:25 PM ^
To clarify: I'm not whining that they're cheaters and this is totally unfair. I'm honestly wondering if this might be something the NCAA might need to consider in its interpretation of the rules. I'm guessing Instagram didn't factor into the equation when they were writing the current set of guidelines.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:25 PM ^
That's from McMillan's Twitter feed.
https://twitter.com/Kwon_daTRUTH/statuses/389854841436405762
October 21st, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^
Yes, but in the article it states:
The Buckeyes even reached out to the linebacker on Twitter, creating a digital flier that depicted McMillan walking in Ohio Stadium in an Ohio State uniform.
I don't know the answer to OP's question, but it did make me look up the rules surrounding social media contact between coaches/schools and players. Apparently, if the coach/school direct messages a recruit, and that recruit is following the coach/school, it's not a violation. So I am guessing what happened here is:
1) McMillian follows OSU Athletics
2) OSU Athletics DMs him this image
3) He reposts it, of course, because who wouldn't?
If that is what happened (just speculation on my part) it wouldn't be a violation of the social media contact rules.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^
Per Eleven Warriors, it was designed by someone named Sammy Silverman, who apparently works as a graphic designer for the OSU athletic department.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:33 PM ^
He says "Levels to this" ... he must be a really advanced user of Photoshop, I'm impressed.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:26 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^
I doubt that they would commit recruiting violations on social media where everyone could see it while they're still on probation.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:35 PM ^
Buddy, you're all right!
October 21st, 2013 at 4:56 PM ^
You decide and let me know...
October 21st, 2013 at 4:34 PM ^
Oh jesus, who cares anymore. This a a cool idea. Fuck the NCAA.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:35 PM ^
I dont know if it's allowed or not but you have to admit it's pretty damn cool. If I was a high school kid and got that sent to me I'd be fired up to at least take a visit.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:36 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 4:41 PM ^
Is this considered a committable offer?
And just researching this young man I found a picture of this:
Could somebody please explain to me what is eating his helmet?
October 21st, 2013 at 4:44 PM ^
obvsly a large kid
October 21st, 2013 at 4:56 PM ^
I believe he's something around 6'3" and 235 pounds, which I would think is a pretty decent size for a linebacker recruit that has not yet set foot on a campus of any sort. I could be misjudging the typical dimensions of linebackers though.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 4:49 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 4:53 PM ^
Why not wear it during games, too?
October 21st, 2013 at 7:58 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 8:32 PM ^
Sadly, that's probably it - but it's a ridiculous reason.
October 21st, 2013 at 8:49 PM ^
This was Maryland's next top-secret UNIFORMZ!! Trying to really embrace the terrapin mascot. Or maybe Koopa Troopa
October 22nd, 2013 at 7:59 PM ^
Everyone should be wearing Steve Tasker style darth helmets, alas they look ridiculous and the helmet makers wont make what the teams wont buy.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:44 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 4:49 PM ^
They did the same thing with Mike Gesicki. Pretty cool/original idea and the creator - Sammy Silverman - is a talented guy. Unfortunately (or fortunately), it wasn't able to sway Gesicki to OSU.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:59 PM ^
What swayed him to PSU was watching the TEs tear us apart.
October 21st, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^
That's a great name
October 21st, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 5:05 PM ^
It beat this...
October 21st, 2013 at 5:10 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 5:13 PM ^
Was the Green poster made and sent by the athletic department?
I think that is the issue here.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:15 PM ^
Hard to see a picture as a game day simulation. I'm sure the rule refers to things like having recruits run out of the tunnel with the team before a game.
October 21st, 2013 at 5:23 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 6:01 PM ^
...yeah, my work (well, actually, my Admin. Assistant) made up an entire graphic novel (comic book) for me. Well, actually, it was for the other admins, but it was about me. Most of the pages and story lines involve me dying in various, gruesome, painful ways, but I know that it was done out of admiration.
October 21st, 2013 at 7:59 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 11:14 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 5:28 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 5:40 PM ^
coaches aren't even allowed to mention guys by name till they sign, so no way in hell is that allowed
October 21st, 2013 at 6:30 PM ^
They can send direct messages in certain instances. See above.
October 21st, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 8:26 PM ^
am I wrong?
October 22nd, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^
No. When they go into the recruits' houses to talk to their families, they have to refer to them as that kid sitting over there.
October 22nd, 2013 at 2:57 PM ^
Is giving the kid the stink-eye required or optional? Throwing something at him?
October 21st, 2013 at 5:44 PM ^
I supposed they could say it's a spring practice day since I don't see any other teams in the picture.
October 21st, 2013 at 6:03 PM ^
but Urban Meyer will eventually "Urban Meyer", and probably consume Columbus and Ohio's football program in the procss. He does everything full bore and balls out: recruiting, hiring, protecting, coaching, winning, lying and cheating. All of it is intentional, aggressive, brutal, and with no apologies.
This is the way the world works now. Applause for it now drowns out questions and dissent.
Anyone in love with the idea of playing by the rules and with integrity really needs to grow up and get a freaking clue.
October 21st, 2013 at 6:07 PM ^
I believe in playing by the rules and with integrity. I have no desire to grow up or get a freaking, or other variety of, clue. I'd rather live in my world than yours.
October 21st, 2013 at 6:20 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 9:02 PM ^
October 21st, 2013 at 9:31 PM ^
But then we really lose the right to bitch about the program not winning national titles, competing with the SEC, or even winning Big Ten titles. If OSU is going to run a program with SEC standards, and that appears to be the direction they will go under Meyer, is it fair to expect Michigan to compete with them year in and year out? I am fairly confident Hoke will not over sign, pay players with illegal benefits, or turn a blind eye to shady agents and recruiting services. This means Meyer will always have the edge.