That was the point, because there is a rule about ripping people for their grammar I had to silently sneak it in there.

 

Great post, made even better by the spelling of interpreter!

I know all too well about a kid wanting to "live the dream"...and that's well and fine...but believe me, the financing of the college education ain't cheap and if UK can pony up for Ozzie's talent, I'm sure his parents would be much obliged! UK has been known to late/low ball KY kids because of (1) Keys $$ + (2) fanaticism can get them the non "slam dunk" prospects on the cheap and they can give the $$ to Fla/GA kids. I think it's great for Oz and wish him the best.

 

Your first hand knowledgable points are well taken UCRN and I'm certain that your situation at UC was discussed at the Ozzy household late into the morning hours last Friday night. All recruiting organizations tell kids to not verbally commit to a scholarship until after late in their senior season. None address how to handle a "preferred walk on" at the institution that they love, but common sense tells me that it is a little over the edge to accept a preferred walk on in June before the start of your senior year, when you are on the verge of getting some serious scholarship offers, and get two offers at the same exact camp that you accept a preferred walk on. That being said, a preferred walk on guarantees a player a number and a spot on the roster, on the team that they love, and on the same team as one of their best friends. The two of them have dreamed of this day for years. It's just a fact that some kids bleed HHS and UK blue. For the athlete on the football field, there is virtually little difference in a preferred walk on and a scholarship. One level up with his parents, they have to pay for his tuition instead of the scholarship ride. Sheehan's family will just have to consume less expensive beverages at pre game tail gate parties than the Towles family.

 

As a kid getting the opportunity to live your dream, you drink the Kool Aid that you are offered, in this case a preferred walk on. I'm certain that in the mix of colleges that Ozzy had prior to this past Friday, it listed to attend UK with friends and watch Pat play, and not play himself. In that case he would have also been paying tuition.

 

If you re-read the article above, colleges will still recruit a preferred walk on. Their leverage is a scholarship. Ozzy attended about 8 DI football camps in the last couple of weeks. There are a number of coaches that told them they would be contacting him, and as the article says, he will listen and talk to each of them. I don't think coaches are going to let a preferred walk on, stand in their way of recruiting a kid if they are interested in him. That being said, I believe there is a 99.9% chance that Ozzy will be at UK next year.

 

The analogy that a friend of Ozzy told him, is that if you travel 6 or 8 hours across Kentucky either way, go down every two lane highway, and proceed down each dirt path, each and every kid dreams of someday playing for the Wildcats. If you look at it through the eyes of a kid, it's really a very simple and a very wise decision to accept a preferred walk on.

Your first hand knowledgable points are well taken UCRN and I'm certain that your situation at UC was discussed at the Ozzy household late into the morning hours last Friday night. All recruiting organizations tell kids to not verbally commit to a scholarship until after late in their senior season. None address how to handle a "preferred walk on" at the institution that they love, but common sense tells me that it is a little over the edge to accept a preferred walk on in June before the start of your senior year, when you are on the verge of getting some serious scholarship offers, and get two offers at the same exact camp that you accept a preferred walk on. That being said, a preferred walk on guarantees a player a number and a spot on the roster, on the team that they love, and on the same team as one of their best friends. The two of them have dreamed of this day for years. It's just a fact that some kids bleed HHS and UK blue. For the athlete on the football field, there is virtually little difference in a preferred walk on and a scholarship. One level up with his parents, they have to pay for his tuition instead of the scholarship ride. Sheehan's family will just have to consume less expensive beverages at pre game tail gate parties than the Towles family.

 

As a kid getting the opportunity to live your dream, you drink the Kool Aid that you are offered, in this case a preferred walk on. I'm certain that in the mix of colleges that Ozzy had prior to this past Friday, it listed to attend UK with friends and watch Pat play, and not play himself. In that case he would have also been paying tuition.

 

If you re-read the article above, colleges will still recruit a preferred walk on. Their leverage is a scholarship. Ozzy attended about 8 DI football camps in the last couple of weeks. There are a number of coaches that told them they would be contacting him, and as the article says, he will listen and talk to each of them. I don't think coaches are going to let a preferred walk on, stand in their way of recruiting a kid if they are interested in him. That being said, I believe there is a 99.9% chance that Ozzy will be at UK next year.

 

The analogy that a friend of Ozzy told him, is that if you travel 6 or 8 hours across Kentucky either way, go down every two lane highway, and proceed down each dirt path, each and every kid dreams of someday playing for the Wildcats. If you look at it through the eyes of a kid, it's really a very simple and a very wise decision to accept a preferred walk on.

 

Well stated. Unless a kid has no other choice, he should go where his heart leads him; not where the money comes from. If Ozzie believes UK is the school for him (not just because of the opportunity to play football, but rather for the academics and because he believes the college will be a good fit for him) than that's where he should go.

Hey...I KNOW the Sheehan Clan bleeds the UK blue. As for there being little difference from the scholly athlete than the PWO...let's just say that's the song the coaches sing. The PWO is a VERY tough row to hoe. Talent is not always the difference, there are perceptions and coaches reputations to beat out, also. But I whole-heartedly agree that if a kid wants to "chase that dream" and ya' can swing it...then by all means chase that dream! Best of luck to Oz and his best friend in Lexington...I'll be pulling for them!

I do like how excited the young man was that it was UK.

Ozzy bleeds Blue, and so does his family. That there is enough to tell me that there is no turning his back on an offer, any offer, to play for the Cats. Ozzy will do well and be just fine remaining in Blue and White for 4 more years. I will be more than happy to join in the tailgate with his dad and Uncles. Oh, and that wildman from Richmond!