just ruins recruiting for me.

remember the A&M recruit’s mom that sent the forged LOI to Ole Miss…

First having watched Collins play on a few occasions, I’m not sure about all the superstar hype. Time will tell if his sometimes delayed reaction is from not having that natural instinct that the elite safeties have or if it was his simply knowing he had the athletic gifts to still make plays at the HS level. Regardless, he should be a solid player at the very least, and Smart and Saban are elite secondary coaches who will get him to his potential.

I think his mother is just one of those parents who wants to relive her life through that of her children. It is a sad insecurity complex. That said for some kids playing close to home is the best thing for them, while for others leaving the comfort of home is the best. Athlete or not, some need to be out on their own at that age because they get too distracted or have too much pressure as the "local" kid. Others need that extra attention. If he desires, Collins should play 4 years at Alabama but more importantly gets his degree. I hope he has an interest in psychology or something similar for a major and plans for graduate school because his Mom needs help, and unfortunately this young man will still be dealing with that issue long after his football playing days are over.

As for LSU athletics and academics, I have no recent knowledge of current athletes, but past athletes in all major sports have gone on to receive advanced degrees. Examples are Eddy Furniss, All American baseball player for Skip and now an MD; Joe "Nacho" Albergamo, All American Offensive line, also an MD; Garrett Temple, All SEC Basketball, and multiple graduate degrees (at least 1 while still playing on scholarship). Any of you could probably make similar lists for Alabama graduates. Most, if not all, SEC schools uphold academic standards for athletes. I just think higher education is sinking overall as respect for education in general is eroding.

Hope he sticks.

There is a possibilty that Collins might be switched from DB to RB in college. He did not play offense until his senior year, but was one of the best RBs in the state making the All State team as a RB. His stats are somewhat skewed because he had many long runs called back because of penalties. Some argue that his greatest potential is at RB and that he prefers offense to defense.

Still, Saban, Miles, or any coach who can at least walk and chew gum at the same time isn’t going to risk NCAA sanctions or being banned over this young man. We aren’t Ohio State and Lane Kiffen left very quickly. (With respect to Lane’s Dad who I think is a great defensive coach, but the son doesn’t have half the mind or sense of Monte Kiffen).

If the job offers were made, there would be infractions. I doubt there is any validity to the story of job offers to the girlfriend. Nice to hear that his position is set in stone and of the actual recruitment conversation, although releasing that info is a violation of FERPA which may result in both academic and NCAA sanctions. Fortunately, I doubt that will happen in this case.

Having sat in on several recruiting vists: football with my husband’s and brother’s players, back when my oldest brother played football, my youngest for baseball, and me with track to a degree and especially softball, many coaches say some of the most idiotic things at that time. Basically, they are trying to guess what the player and those of influence to the player want to hear.

What matters most is how easy you find it to communicate with one of the assistants, do you feel comfortable on the campus and in the area, talks with current players, and looking at how people of comparable skills as you have done within the system. Stability of the program and coaching staff is another huge factor, but I do not believe that is the case here.

I and my youngest, Michael, offer our combined apologies for remarks made last night. He had permission to correspond or reply to CarrotTop regarding the different ways statistical data can be used to either endorse or oppose a specific conclusion. As I mentioned, the interpretation here depends on whether or not you feel potential or improvement and actual performance are a better gauges of success. Personally, I am in the latter school, and with data set UA was actually far more successful with the lower rated recruits than with the 5 star recruits when comparing to other schools. Their success rate with 5 star recruits in achieving honors, starting, or practically any of measure you create is relatively the same as other institutions with multiple 5 star recruits.

Recruiting is an aspect, but I’ll maintain that Alabama’s current success results more from the players and coaches than from the recruit rankings. In the mode of that Bear Bryant talk, I’d rather have a player rated as a 6 or through work and effort plays as an 8 than a 10 who often plays as an 8. The intangible there which cannot be quantified is the effect on teammates in a team game. You see someone give it their all and get recognition, and you will want to give it your all. Set different rules for the perceived "elite" players, and you create divas and put an "I" into the word "Team." I’m proud of the examples Michael used to simplify a relatively complex statistical methodology.

His other comments, however, went too far. I appreciate and understand his reasoning in that what he considers to be wronging another HS athlete is also wronging him as a fellow athlete. He feels ashamed in that his comments do not represent what he believes the idea and image of a student-athlete should be. Since these are small communities, the boys know each other regardless of school. They work out and hang out together during the off season. Having played against on the field and knowing the young man originally mentioned in this thread off the field made the remarks personal for him. He has learned another lesson in how emotion clouds rationale thinking. I’m very biased since he is my son, but Michael is such a leader at his age that he truly feels out of line by posting comments in defense of me to anonymous figures. Face to face is the method of communication of which he is most familiar and comfortable, and like most boys in this area they are more likely challenge anyone in person regarding any matter than through some distant or concealed manner. Fortunately, he and his friends and acquaintances have progressed to settling their disputes via competitions instead of the drawing a line in the mud, one on one brawls they had when younger.

To clarify a remark Michael made: yes his oldest brother was a Saban recruit and offensive line prospect on the radar of many schools. Michael described the home visits accurately in how all the recruiters and coaches conducted the visits. My son was an undersized Guard/Center, but had great technique thanks to his Uncle, Dad, Grandfather, and Coach Pendry. He would have gained a portion of the necessary bulk with proper weight training, but his only professional chance would have been as a deep snapper. He did not have the natural size and also has very short arms which prevented the possibility of much greater improvement. After a physical revealed a spot on his vertebra, he decided to not play football after high school. The degree to which his Uncle’s injury played a role in the decision I cannot say. Mark, however, also had full academic scholarship offers. He still attended LSU, graduated in chemical engineering, and has never mentioned or shown any signs of regret regarding the decision he made. Again, I’m biased, but I could not be any prouder of my son.

Two very good young men, both with a ton of more class than their mother. I have enjoyed my brief participation on this board. Thanks for letting a Louisiana girl make some comments. I hope that you can accept my apology for the comments. On the Saints board, if you do not provide extended evidence, you will face the music even if someone agrees with your opinion, so I take that approach. I’ll punish myself by removing myself from your discussions; I believe Michael has punished himself more than enough based on his feelings of regret and sorrow this morning over what he typed last night.

Good luck…don’t ever let a tornado take away your spirit…you’ve already kicked a bad set to curb…and if you have never, please take the time to watch some of the women’s athletics. You might be pleasantly surprised by the athletic ability, speed and power needed in volleyball, and by the grit, hustle, skill (try to slap hit or even swing at something coming at your face at 70 mph from about 17 feet closer than a baseball mound). Roll Tide, Geaux LSU, Ragin Cajun !!, and the rest of the universities. Sincerely and with appreciation, Swamp Girl.