🏈 High School RB Opting Out of Senior Season / U. of Texas HS Recruit to sit out Senior Season

[Crtuneman]

Proving once again that the trickle down effect is real, a high school RB who committed to Texas has decided to skip his senior year of high school. Citing as his reason the wear and tear of the RB position, he said he and his family made the decision to skip the last year of school. It's one thing to skip a season of college, because everyone accepts that as the stepping stone to the NFL. But I have a real problem with high schoolers doing this. One, you are proving that education means nothing to you and that your only goal is to get to the NFL. Two, you are spitting in the face of your teammates and coaches who enabled you to get to this level. Three, you are setting a terrible example for all the kids who come after you. It's a selfish mentality that puts the individual first. And it's not fair to your teammates. This RB might have been the missing piece that carried them to a championship. Now if they have a losing season it will leave a bad taste in their mouth. It's just not right.


ESPN Article

 

[Tidestalker]

Texas recruit to skip HS season, prep for college

Jaydon Blue, the No. 82 recruit in the ESPN 300, won't play his senior season and will instead prepare for his college career. "Football is a brutal sport, and the wear and tear associated with the RB position is undeniable," said Blue, a Texas commit.

www.espn.com

I've always thought this would eventually come to college juniors, but surprised to see it come to high school seniors. He makes a valid point about the RB position having a short shelf life, but at that age I'd argue he's skipping over the more important factor; Development.

This year we saw quite a few NFL draftees "opt out" due to COVID, although I think it's fair to say that was a convenient excuse. I still believe we'll continue to see elite juniors sit out, at potentially now in a more obvious fashion.

 

[alabamajack]

I know this is a sports forum, but good God Almighty, I am sick to death of how soft our society is becoming.

 

[BamaFan334]

Texas recruit to skip HS season, prep for college

Jaydon Blue, the No. 82 recruit in the ESPN 300, won't play his senior season and will instead prepare for his college career. "Football is a brutal sport, and the wear and tear associated with the RB position is undeniable," said Blue, a Texas commit.

www.espn.com

I've always thought this would eventually come to college juniors, but surprised to see it come to high school seniors. He makes a valid point about the RB position having a short shelf life, but at that age I'd argue he's skipping over the more important factor; Development.

This year we saw quite a few NFL draftees "opt out" due to COVID, although I think it's fair to say that was a convenient excuse. I still believe we'll continue to see elite juniors sit out, at potentially now in a more obvious fashion.

When I saw this on ESPN before it was posted here I immediately thought of you. More from the standpoint that you always seemed to be in agreement that these guys should sit out and think about the business/money aspect of it. Well here we are now with this basically jumping over the collegiate level and hitting the high school ranks. I still can't get on board with this being "in their best interest". Everything is cyclical and this has the makings of the straight from high school to the NBA moves that ruined many young lives.

Money messes up everything, and we keep seeing evidence of that through politics and athletics. As soon as people come to realize that not everyone was made to be rich, we'll be better off. Throughout history there have always been the "have nots", and that will never stop no matter who is in charge or how ever many want to sit out.

 

[Tidestalker]

When I saw this on ESPN before it was posted here I immediately thought of you. More from the standpoint that you always seemed to be in agreement that these guys should sit out and think about the business/money aspect of it. Well here we are now with this basically jumping over the collegiate level and hitting the high school ranks. I still can't get on board with this being "in their best interest". Everything is cyclical and this has the makings of the straight from high school to the NBA moves that ruined many young lives.

Money messes up everything, and we keep seeing evidence of that through politics and athletics. As soon as people come to realize that not everyone was made to be rich, we'll be better off. Throughout history there have always been the "have nots", and that will never stop no matter who is in charge or how ever many want to sit out.

Yep I think we are in agreement, the almighty dollar has taken out so much of the purity and joy of just playing ball.

And FTR - I thought it made sense if a guy was a 1st round pick... Or at least in that conversation. I never even considered it would get to this point!!

I "get it", but think it's a poor decision at that age. If he was a soph in college and had a couple thousand yard seasons under his belt, then it makes more sense. He will be a case study to follow for years to come!

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Yep I think we are in agreement, the almighty dollar has taken out so much of the purity and joy of just playing ball.

And FTR - I thought it made sense if a guy was a 1st round pick... Or at least in that conversation. I never even considered it would get to this point!!

I "get it", but think it's a poor decision at that age. If he was a soph in college and had a couple thousand yard seasons under his belt, then it makes more sense. He will be a case study to follow for years to come!

No...regardless...makes no sense..
Sitting out covid year...i might buy in...
But sitting out bowls...or a playable year....

and on bowls.... if you dont wanna play...dress...work with replacement...help him...work it out with coach...

Instead....standing on soap box and scream... "I am sitting out...look at me."

That says..to me..".I" am more important than "team"...

It is a team sport......

And it shows up later throughout life...

 

[XXL TideFan]

If I were a college coach, I would pull the offer. He will do the same thing in college.

 

[Crtuneman]

I think this demonstrates that this kid will be trouble in college. Since he doesn't care about education and since he doesn't care about anyone but himself, he will most likely skip classes, pay someone to take tests for him, loaf in practice, and not give maximum effort. Also,, I guarantee you we will see this kid in the transfer portal when he doesn't win the starting job from day 1. I would bounce this kid immediately if I were the coach. This is an example of poor character and poor judgement.

 

[Tidestalker]

No...regardless...makes no sense..
Sitting out covid year...i might buy in...
But sitting out bowls...or a playable year....

and on bowls.... if you dont wanna play...dress...work with replacement...help him...work it out with coach...

Instead....standing on soap box and scream... "I am sitting out...look at me."

That says..to me..".I" am more important than "team"...

It is a team sport......

And it shows up later throughout life...

Should all players get the same amount of targets, carries, tackles and media recognition too?!

Some guys have more opportunities and higher ceiling than others, and risking an injury could take away their opportunity to support themselves and families. It's not any more complicated than that.

I'd prefer the "good ole days" in regards of team building and commitment, but understand and respect someone's foresight to make the most our of their career.

 

[Tidestalker]

I think this demonstrates that this kid will be trouble in college. Since he doesn't care about education and since he doesn't care about anyone but himself, he will most likely skip classes, pay someone to take tests for him, loaf in practice, and not give maximum effort. Also,, I guarantee you we will see this kid in the transfer portal when he doesn't win the starting job from day 1. I would bounce this kid immediately if I were the coach. This is an example of poor character and poor judgement.

I don't know the kid so couldn't speak on those particular character issues. I see this more as questionable judgement than questionable character.

That being said, you may end up being right. But if you're wrong, and this kid "breaks the mold", I suppose we'll all tip our cap and acknowledge he was a visionary

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I don't know the kid so couldn't speak on those particular character issues. I see this more as questionable judgement than questionable character.

That being said, you may end up being right. But if you're wrong, and this kid "breaks the mold", I suppose we'll all tip our cap and acknowledge he was a visionary

The scuttlebutt was that the kid got into a fight with a teammate(s), got his comeuppance and left the team. Supposedly, he'll be a January enrollee and go through spring. I guess he'll get a few licks.

It would be interesting to follow his career and see if he sticks with Texas, transfers or otherwise.

RTR,

Tim

 

[BamaFan334]

Should all players get the same amount of targets, carries, tackles and media recognition too?!

Some guys have more opportunities and higher ceiling than others, and risking an injury could take away their opportunity to support themselves and families. It's not any more complicated than that.

I'd prefer the "good ole days" in regards of team building and commitment, but understand and respect someone's foresight to make the most our of their career.

I understand where you're coming from for the most part and get it for a big time college athlete even if I don't like it. But how many athletes that dominate and have high ceilings actually make it? No one knows how a kid will translate. For every one Peyton Manning or Adrian Peterson, there are 500 Ryan Leafs and Marcus Lattimore's regardless of transition or injury. All of those guys in that last sentence were other worldly at high school and even college. There has to be some bedrock to build off of and a lot will disagree, but I think it's that education. Even if they make it to the NFL and sign with a team and stay the average three years and make $5M take home, it won't last and they will need other ways of surviving financially. Regardless of ceiling, standards need to be set to help push society as a whole forward, because Lord knows there is no one welcoming these guys in once they are used up and spit out of these professional leagues. That shine wears off, they are normal citizens, and have zero clue how to conduct themselves during regular every day life. Najee just spoke about all the freedom he has as a Steeler compared to Alabama. It's that structure that breeds success for so many.

 

[Tidestalker]

I understand where you're coming from for the most part and get it for a big time college athlete even if I don't like it. But how many athletes that dominate and have high ceilings actually make it? No one knows how a kid will translate. For every one Peyton Manning or Adrian Peterson, there are 500 Ryan Leafs and Marcus Lattimore's regardless of transition or injury. All of those guys in that last sentence were other worldly at high school and even college. There has to be some bedrock to build off of and a lot will disagree, but I think it's that education. Even if they make it to the NFL and sign with a team and stay the average three years and make $5M take home, it won't last and they will need other ways of surviving financially. Regardless of ceiling, standards need to be set to help push society as a whole forward, because Lord knows there is no one welcoming these guys in once they are used up and spit out of these professional leagues. That shine wears off, they are normal citizens, and have zero clue how to conduct themselves during regular every day life. Najee just spoke about all the freedom he has as a Steeler compared to Alabama. It's that structure that breeds success for so many.

Agreed on all that... Just a risk vs reward thing that everyone weighs differently. And in regards to education... A kid can always come back for 2 years of college, he can't replace his knee in the exact year his value is the highest or delete the wear and tear in that same year.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Should all players get the same amount of targets, carries, tackles and media recognition too?!

Some guys have more opportunities and higher ceiling than others, and risking an injury could take away their opportunity to support themselves and families. It's not any more complicated than that.

I'd prefer the "good ole days" in regards of team building and commitment, but understand and respect someone's foresight to make the most our of their career.

really dont disagree....about any of that...
Except for commitment...team player...part of...not the....

but that said...my point...was...dont have to stand on stage and scream...
"I am sitting out"....
Can still be part of team...help your replacement....work it out with coaching staff.... not blab to opposition that you wont be playing....

i think it's an attention getter as much as a protecting your self...

thats my issue...but...screw the asshole that so chooses...

 

[It Takes Eleven]

-snipped-, and have zero clue how to conduct themselves during regular every day life. Najee just spoke about all the freedom he has as a Steeler compared to Alabama. It's that structure that breeds success for so many.

I agree, but I think there is another issue with teams keeping strict control on their players during their time in college. Yes, it keeps teams from having incidents and, if you remember stories of Saban as an assistant at MSU calling Ingram's dad to make sure he got up and went to class, it's been this way to some degree for a long time. However, I think too much control potentially stymies their development as adults. I'd like to think I matured a little bit during college, and the poor choices I made bit me and decent choices moved me in the right direction. A kid under the thumb of many major football programs doesn't get the same freedom to screw up and learn from their mistakes. Most don't move into the more liberal, but still controlled framework of an NFL team, they just roll out.

That structure develops some kids into their next career, but it does concern me if some who show up without having had any structure truly have a chance to experience the maturation that comes from the freedom most have from 19-22.

RTR,

Tim

 

[50+yeartidefan]

chance to experience the maturation that comes from the freedom most have from 19-22.

RTR,

Tim

spent those years ..in military.....talk about controlling maturation.....
In some ways...in other ways....had different levels of freedom...

but..... overall...those ages do need some levels of control....

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

College football peaked years back and we're a slow downward slope. The east button crowd will F up everything they touch and the folks behind the curtain are more than willing to speed this along. They F up everything they touch but by design.

Just enjoy Nick's last years and even these will tend to be a struggle.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

College football peaked years back and we're a slow downward slope. The east button crowd will F up everything they touch and the folks behind the curtain are more than willing to speed this along. They F up everything they touch but by design.

Just enjoy Nick's last years and even these will tend to be a struggle.

As one gets older. Its a struggle to deal with changes I am trying not to be my dad. He said so much in the 80s we are saying now.
change is inevitable. As my boss once told me " change or die". I try not to over think things.....

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

As one gets older. Its a struggle to deal with changes I am trying not to be my dad. He said so much in the 80s we are saying now.
change is inevitable. As my boss once told me " change or die". I try not to over think things.....

You will not have to OVERTHINK it Cowboy...it will be plain as day. I assume you're a golfer, if so then you're to watch the PGA today and report back to me on the commercials.

 

[rick4bama]

I'm guessing it won't be long before we seeing Jr. kids doing this too!