Miami Plays Hardball with Top Recruit

The top recruit this year is Bryce Brown from Kansas, a running back who has said repeatedly that he’ll be going to Miami, making the official announcement on March 12. If he doesn’t said a letter of intent today, though, the school may not want him.

The offer currently on the table expires at midnight, and one of the recruiters has one on record as saying that the offer probably won’t be renewed. Even though Brown has said that he’ll be going to Miami, he already visited five other schools and has a scheduled visit to LSU next week.

So why the hardball with a high school? One athletic department admin says that Randy Shannon, the head coach, is concerned that too much emphasis is being put on the player, rather than the team. I tend to agree. With a good team, a top recruit will just fall flat (need I say “Clausen”?), and it seems like every year, the top recruit is treated more and more like a celebrity.

From the Brown camp, reports are different – they say that they’ve talked to the coach and they haven’t heard anything about the offer being taken off the table.

I think it is poor form to say you’re going to one school, but then to visit other schools. Be honest – say you aren’t sure! It isn’t fair to Miami to say “I’m coming,” but then wait to sign a letter of intent so you can visit other schools. Furthermore, it isn’t fair to the other schools to take time out of their days when you’re “sure” that you’re not going their in the fall.

I put “sure” in quotes because obviously he isn’t sure, for whatever reason… and that’s fine, but dude, just be honest about it.

Picture via Newscom.