The Republic of Sport

Posted Thursday September 04, 2008, About: Auburn, 'Bama chasing recruit

Since when does the player not have a say on where he thinks he can play? If both Bama and Auburn are recruiting him to play on the defensive side of the ball, then he has a decision to make. East Carolina, Louisville, Illinois and UAB are all fine institutions of higher learning. How about we let the recruit decide where he thinks he will fit in best. Allow me to give you an example you might weigh into your decision. There was a great running back up here in Connecticut that owned every title and accolade possible in the state. He was being recruited by top 25 institutions to include SEC schools as a defensive back but he only wanted to play the running back position, he chose a lesser school that recruited him as a running back. This player never started a game at the running back position in his collegiate career. In his Senior year at this university he asked to be looked at the defensive back position, not only did he earn the starting position but that year he became a first round draft pick by the New England Patriots. Isn't it ironic that all those top 25 institutions to include SEC teams that were recruiting him to play defensive back, turned out to know what they were doing? My point, sometimes we know what our heart is telling us and we don't listen to men and women who know better. I think the honorable Coach Saban and Tubberville have a ton of experience that as a recruit you can count on, trust them. The player's name that I wrote about was Tebucky Jones, Syracuse University, first round draft pick of the New England Patriots and a graduate with a degree in Education.