OT - Barry Sanders Jr. picks Stanford

Submitted by Butterfield on

I hadn't been following Barry Jr.'s recruitment too closely since Michigan wasn't involved, but I was more than a bit surprised when I saw that he planned on committing to Stanford over his other finalist (and papa's alma mater) Oklahoma State. 

http://newsok.com/barry-j.-sanders-expected-to-commit-to-stanford/article/3637724 

My memory must suck because I had thought he was a virtual Alabama lock a year ago...  I'm excited to see if he looks anything like his dad and am happy he'll be doing it anywhere but in Tuscaloosa. 

Butterfield

January 5th, 2012 at 7:06 PM ^

Barry Sr. was probably not expecting to have to name a kid. 

He was a pretty outspoken advocate for abstinence when he had Barry Jr. out of wedlock.  From an old SI article:  "His youthful reputation for piety took a hit, however, when he admitted having fathered a son, Barry James Sanders, out of wedlock in 1994. "Once upon a time he really was practicing what he preached," says William Sanders. "I know it's changed a little bit. I don't think he's a devout Christian like he used to be."  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1143140/3/index.htm  "

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1143140/3/index.htm 

LSAClassOf2000

January 5th, 2012 at 7:16 PM ^

As someone who is a "third" behind a "junior" who is a reasonably accomplished person in the Big Three, it's sometimes a little hard to hear, "So, how's your dad  lately?" and not "So, how are you doing lately?" when you run into family acquaintances. If your namesake parent has a profile of any kind like that, it can make life interesting. 

Nonetheless, I wish Barry Jr. well at Stanford, and if his career is anything like his father's, that would be a great family tradition. 

LSAClassOf2000

January 5th, 2012 at 7:27 PM ^

I said, "profile of any kind". I've seen Ford's house -  that's not "any kind", although I wouldn't mind that house. I assume I wouldn't mind Barry's house either, having said that. 

Barry Jr. probably gets reminded of who is father is about 1,000,000 times more than I do on a daily basis. 

ClearEyesFullHart

January 5th, 2012 at 7:19 PM ^

Until sometime in July before his senior year he quits football and decides to focus on his studies.

(too soon?)

MichiganTeacher

January 5th, 2012 at 11:38 PM ^

I was going to post the same thing, but you beat me to it.

Though I'm betting on junior year. Barry Sr. still had a few good years left in him. I'd shake my fist in anger if it weren't still wiping the tears away.

NoMoPincherBug

January 5th, 2012 at 9:07 PM ^

Huge score for Stanford.  It appears that the Cardinal will be making a push to stay competitive for awhile in college football with those type of recruits coming in.  Stanford is a great school and a great choice for BJ Sanders.  It will be fun to watch him play there.

BRCE

January 5th, 2012 at 11:32 PM ^

I'm really surprised we weren't in on his recruitment. He has a relationship with his dad who still lives in the Detroit area. He would have been an idol on campus from day one.

HELLE

January 5th, 2012 at 11:33 PM ^

I'm sure after seeing his Dads short (but great) career he is already thinking about life after football. Stanford was the right choice.