Regarding: In-state RB commits to Spartans | Michigan Musings

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In-state RB commits to Spartans
Touted Battle Creek Central running back Larry Caper has committed to play for Michigan State in fall 2009, Rivals.com reported on Wednesday. Caper, a 5-feet-11, 210-pound junior, rushed for 1,473 yards on 160 carries in 2007 and clocked a 4.41 time in the 40-yard dash. Rivals ranks him as the 64th-best junior prospect in the nation regardless of position. Caper also had offers from Michigan, Iowa and Stanford, among others.

I still don't get it, why would you commit to a school while you're a junior in high school? Granted, as a 16/17 year old it's exciting to be wanted by a major program. Maybe I'm being a little conservative, but what about the downsides of this? 1. In the full year between when you commit and when you enroll, the school could undergo a huge scandal (cheating, paying players, sexual harassment). 2. You could have a stellar senior season and be desired by the best program in the country offering a full scholarship (not that MSU isn't a good program). 3. The college coach that recruited you could retire (Michigan) or transfer to another school (Hawaii) during the full year you're in limbo playing in high school. 4. Finally, and I know this is a stretch, but you could totally change your mind about your course of study and end up being at the wrong school. Unfortunately most top recruits don't consider a "fallback" career if their college athletic endeavors don't work out. I think it's important to really consider you're major and future career before you commit...just in case you tear your ACL and end up having to undertake a normal job like the rest of us. Not that I was recruited, or even played a major sport in high school for that matter, but from the beginning of my junior year until the end I changed my mind several times before I decided on my major course of study. And it was a drastic change, from specific arts to a specific science. Say you're thinking about majoring in drama, but during you're senior year you decide you want to go into medicine. If you're a top recruit then you're getting offers from schools that have the best arts programs and from schools with the best science programs. All I'm saying is...I don't see how it hurts to be patient For all you students out there...When taking the SATs, write Chuck Norris for every answer and you will score over 8000.

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March 8, 2008 01:42 AM ET

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The commitment doesn't mean a thing though. He's just saying that's the school he plans on playing for when he does sign his National Letter of Intent.