How many times does it take for you to realize that it just isn't the UK, UC or whatever fans that think this is wrong, its a matter of ethics! I don't care if this kid was from Canada and they pulled his scholarship, it would still be wrong no matter what school it was. You saying that you will keep your red goggles on because UL is heading to "bigger and better things" is a lot of the reason that it is hard for UK fans to respect and support UL. Me on the other hand, I wish the best for UL and UK and any other school in Kentucky, because with more eyes on the colleges here, I think it helps recruiting from this state as well! My main problem is that if they weren't 100% sold on this kid, then they shouldn't have offered.

 

 

Ethics? Why is it ethics are only a consideration when a school offers a kid and are expected to honor that committment, but when a kid renigs on a verbal, there are no recriminations?

 

Signing day is sitll 3 months away, and I'm sure this kid will have other offers. Heck, apparently UK is ready and UC already has offered. He'll wind up a D-1 recruit. So, exactly what harm has come to this kid, other than a wound to his ego?

 

I wish the best for every in-state school as well. But if any school in this state recruits a player they later feel would not A)benefit their program, or B) benefit from their program, it would be better to rescind the offer than have a kid on scholarship they feel would not be a fit. Eventually the kid would face having to transfer. Which would be harder?

 

As to your comment about why it's hard for UK fans to respect UL fans or the UL program, it may be true of some, but not all. Too many of the UK fans are simply anti-Louisville and it has nothing to do with anything anyone has done or said. It's their pastime. I respect those who are willing to support UL and to consider rationalities. I don't respect those that are simply looking for reasons to fan the flames of discontent. I find your posts to be generally thoughtful and respectful, and I don't include you in the latter group.

 

As to this issue, you make good points on the kids behalf, but I also feel that the school's position in this matter should be equally considered.

Ethics? Why is it ethics are only a consideration when a school offers a kid and are expected to honor that committment, but when a kid renigs on a verbal, there are no recriminations?

 

Signing day is sitll 3 months away, and I'm sure this kid will have other offers. Heck, apparently UK is ready and UC already has offered. He'll wind up a D-1 recruit. So, exactly what harm has come to this kid, other than a wound to his ego?

 

I wish the best for every in-state school as well. But if any school in this state recruits a player they later feel would not A)benefit their program, or B) benefit from their program, it would be better to rescind the offer than have a kid on scholarship they feel would not be a fit. Eventually the kid would face having to transfer. Which would be harder?

 

As to your comment about why it's hard for UK fans to respect UL fans or the UL program, it may be true of some, but not all. Too many of the UK fans are simply anti-Louisville and it has nothing to do with anything anyone has done or said. It's their pastime. I respect those who are willing to support UL and to consider rationalities. I don't respect those that are simply looking for reasons to fan the flames of discontent. I find your posts to be generally thoughtful and respectful, and I don't include you in the latter group.

 

As to this issue, you make good points on the kids behalf, but I also feel that the school's position in this matter should be equally considered.

 

I agree that when a player does the same thing to a school it is wrong, just like when a player goes into a school knowing he needs surgery but doesn't say anything untill he gets there. The problem I have is that a lot of schools are experienced and ready for some of the curves that come in the roads. The players and parents of the players are many times not coached and simply have to rely on what the recruiter is telling them...The problem with talking about ethics in recruiting is, there is no ethics in recruiting a lot of times from both sides...

I agree that when a player does the same thing to a school it is wrong, just like when a player goes into a school knowing he needs surgery but doesn't say anything untill he gets there. The problem I have is that a lot of schools are experienced and ready for some of the curves that come in the roads. The players and parents of the players are many times not coached and simply have to rely on what the recruiter is telling them...The problem with talking about ethics in recruiting is, there is no ethics in recruiting a lot of times from both sides...

 

 

I understand what you are saying. And, Louisville has been on the "other" side as well (see Victor Anderson).

 

I don't wish any ill to the kids who change their mind. But, I also would extend the same consideration to schools that change their mind. Nothing is "definite" until everything is signed. And neither party can sign until February so a lot can happen on either side between pre-season and season's end. That's all I'm trying to say. UL hasn't released any statement, and I respect that. Anything they say regarding their pulling the scholarship could hurt his recruiting potential. As it is, they're taking all the heat, and he actually has increased his exposure.

Another question occurs to me....

 

What kind of pressure was put on this kid by UL to sign early?

I've been through it, but had enough guidence and understood the business of the entire thing....it's a shame that Larkey doesn't.

 

Did UCF offer you, you verbal, and UCF yank the offer? Or were you simply recruited, with no set offer?

Not true...it probably happens 50 times a year.

 

I disagree that it happens like this. Maybe with an injury, or legal issues, but NOT just based upon review of tape. The true Big Boys do their tape work BEFORE they offer.

I disagree that it happens like this. Maybe with an injury, or legal issues, but NOT just based upon review of tape. The true Big Boys do their tape work BEFORE they offer.

They have tape of his senior season in the summer? Now that's impressive. No wonder they are the BIG BOYS...

CJ Article

 

Rockcastle County High School lineman Brad Durham committed to the University of Louisville in August and was enjoying the Cardinals' success this season.

 

Until he received a phone call Saturday morning.

 

 

 

Rockcastle County coach Tom Larkey said the call to the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Durham was from a University of Louisville coach rescinding the Cardinals' scholarship offer.

 

"They basically told him they had been re-evaluating him on film and this place doesn't best suit you and that they couldn't use him," Larkey said. "I don't know why they did that, but they decided to look for other options."

 

U of L coaches can't comment on individual recruits until the signing day in February, but Larkey has been outspoken about the situation.

 

"I thought it was one of the most unethical and sorriest things I have ever seen done," Larkey told Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.

 

In an interview with The Courier-Journal last night, Larkey expressed dissatisfaction but wasn't as harsh about U of L's staff.

 

"It disappoints me," Larkey said. "It disappoints me they would treat a young man this way. It lets you know that they think more of themselves than ballplayers in this state. … Brad has other options, and I think things will work out for him. I always wanted him to go to UK. … I am pleased the UK staff has continued to recruit him."

 

Larkey said last night that he had not talked with anyone from U of L, but Rockcastle County athletic director Barry Noble said he spoke with a football staff member.

 

"He said they were looking out for the best interest of the kid," Noble said. "They felt like this time next year, if he signed, that he wouldn't be happy at Louisville. They wanted to give him the opportunity to re-open his recruitment."

 

Rockcastle County (10-1) will play Bell County on Friday in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs.

 

"Brad has improved all season long," he said. "What may have hurt him some is they probably run a different kind of offense than we run. This year we haven't thrown the ball a lot. But he has showed he can run and pass block."

 

Kentucky, Cincinnati and Baylor also had offered Durham a scholarship.

 

Jody Demling can be reached at (502) 582-7176.

Maybe they only have room for one, and a better player is in the mix...wow...not so amazing really.

 

As I stated earlier, if you as a coach think you have a chance to still land a better player then you DON'T offer someone else. You continue to recruite but you DO NOT offer. I have never heard of this and as a former HS coach who dealt with college recruiters, I would be hard pressed to believe anyone who would do this to a kid.

 

The only reason to pull an offer is academics or if the kid had some kind of legal trouble. And yes it will hurt U of L recruiting around the state.

They have tape of his senior season in the summer? Now that's impressive. No wonder they are the BIG BOYS...

 

I din't realize that he didn't play football until this season, my bad.

People can make this a UK is better or UL is worse debate all day. And people can also act like this isnt a big deal to do.

 

Now imagine you are a family with a son who studies hard as to where he wants to go to school and makes his visits. The school he wants to go to, Im sure one of the coaches shook his hand and said we want you to play football and get an education with us. The family discusses the decision and the player excepts the offer.

 

Now, for a program to then go and pull the scholarship is dishonest and wrong. Now I am willing to be on record saying that. And this is flat out wrong and unfair to do to a highschool senior.

This happens more often, than some realize....From the player and parents perspective, its extremely unfortunate and the recruitment process must continue elsewhere.

 

From a college program perspective, they usually withdraw offers for two reasons...

 

1) Found another player, with equal or better talent or declining skills.

2) Academics, off the field issues or injuries to current players, might lead to red-shirting/depth chart change.

 

Not defending UL, just offering reasons why this occurs.

As I stated earlier, if you as a coach think you have a chance to still land a better player then you DON'T offer someone else. You continue to recruite but you DO NOT offer. I have never heard of this and as a former HS coach who dealt with college recruiters, I would be hard pressed to believe anyone who would do this to a kid.

 

The only reason to pull an offer is academics or if the kid had some kind of legal trouble. And yes it will hurt U of L recruiting around the state.

As a coach dealing with College Recruiters, I, too, have never heard of a D-1 school rescind their offer because they didn't like what they saw on tape. If you are not sure , DO NOT OFFER.

As I stated earlier, if you as a coach think you have a chance to still land a better player then you DON'T offer someone else. You continue to recruite but you DO NOT offer. I have never heard of this and as a former HS coach who dealt with college recruiters, I would be hard pressed to believe anyone who would do this to a kid.

 

The only reason to pull an offer is academics or if the kid had some kind of legal trouble. And yes it will hurt U of L recruiting around the state.

I have seen it first hand.

So, exactly what harm has come to this kid, other than a wound to his ego?

 

For one, hundreds of people are talking and speculating on the fact whether or not he has done something wrong, illegal or else. Also there is specualtion that he has failed in his academics which is certainly not the case and he has lost the opportunity to schedule and visit many schools across the country that he was first considering or the offers that may have had come in had he not verbally committed early. His parents, his family, they have been decked out in UofL gear for months now. The list goes on and on, for a smaller community such as Mt. Vernon, the town was trying to embrace UofL and was going to support them, the opposite is the case in many many situations now though. His whole attitude ayave been changed and right at the one of the biggest games of his life. Those are a few things that have come his way, try not to think inside the box so much.