The debate over oversigning

This is a topic that has always interested us and we generally come down on the side of the student-athletes. We admit there certainly are young athletes whose behavior is not on the up-and-up and/or those whose academics are subpar and /or those who do not live up to coach-perceived potential but there are also coaches whose perceive student-athletes as nothing more than interchangeable parts and that the best chance to win triumphs all else because that is what they are ultimately judged upon by their AD, everyday fans and big bucks supporters.

It's a mixed bag equation, one that requires judgments on individual coaches and players via a case-by-case basis.

The following article just glosses over the human interaction in the recruitment process -- the pitching of woo via notes, texts, calls and yes, promises -- and labels all simply as a business transaction.

We view it differently, more as a corporate versus individual dealing, the so-called 'experts' versus the 'inexperienced' despite however much time and effort a kid or his family puts into learning about the process. We liken it to an individual taking on the IRS without having counsel or an accountant in your corner.

Another element that disturbs us greatly is the running off of players but then having their former college limit who can recruit the discarded player. This doesn't even touch on the 'having-to-sit-out-a-year' restriction even if railroaded off a team and away from a college.

The NCAAF Over Signing Recruits Debate… Do Homework Before Signing
August 5, 2010

Whatever happened to due diligence? In today’s immediate gratification culture, cautious and responsible decision making seems like a thing of the past. Everywhere you look there are examples of people running headlong into risky situations. From credit card debt to the mortgage crisis and everything in between, it appears that people are no longer reading the fine print. It’s a dangerous game because when reality sets in it’s easy to be way over your head. There is no one else to blame but yourself.

Go here for the remainder.

Here's the presentation from the other side -- a much more student-athlete friendlier take.

Here's someone taking a look at both the previous articles and compiling his own look at the matter.

Here's a look at a former LSU footballer whose scholarship was pulled -- it contains something very interesting about how the NCAA supposedly looks at the athletics it controls -- at least in print.