Dylan Moses' decommitment from LSU should spark debate about early offers: James Smith
University High's Dylan Moses hasn't started his junior season, yet he has been tabbed the LeBron James of football, compared to NFL players and been on the cover of national magazines. Monday, he added another label -- decommitment.
Moses announced via Twitter on Monday afternoon that he "decided to decommit from LSU." That announcement took me by surprise, as it did many others. Moses posted a thoughtful message in which he said, "This is a once in a lifetime deal and I wanna live this process up to the fullest."
While I am understand a kid wanting to take his time during the process to ensure he makes the best decision for his future, the "I wanna live this process up to the fullest" statement has me perplexed.
Moses has visited more college campuses than leading experts on climate change -- and has done so with the full support of LSU's coaching staff. It is not uncommon for a prospect to be committed to a program and visit other schools. What is unique about Moses' recruitment, however, is how often he has visited some of LSU's biggest rivals on the recruiting trail such as Alabama, Florida State and Texas among others.
Furthermore, Moses had been an active recruiter for LSU over the past two years and became the face of its 2017 recruiting class. So the question is: Why now? Why take a step back form his verbal commitment in early August? That is a question only Moses and his family can answer.
I have always had difficulty deeming a recruit as a solid commitment when he still takes numerous visits to other programs. But Moses, a lifelong Tigers fan, was as solid as solid could be for LSU.
With all of that said, the process as a whole might be the real culprit. When a program can offer a 13-year-old impressionable kid, pushes for an early commitment and uses him as a recruiting tool, it is difficult to blame the recruit. Then again, how can one blame LSU? It has a child prodigy that is enrolled in a high school on campus; plus, rival programs were ready to move on Moses.
Schools evaluate at a feverish pace in an attempt to get a leg up on their competition. But at what cost?
When is it too early to offer an athlete? Eighth grade, like Moses? Seventh? What's to stop schools from offering a fifth-grader? When does it begin to get ridiculous?
Many fans continue to clamber for early signing periods, which in theory could protect schools from late decommitments, although that would not have applied here because Moses has yet to start his junior year. I have never been a proponent of such a thing. I believe in giving kids all the time they need to make such a big decision. I am also a firm believer that once a kid commits, his word should carry weight. Otherwise, the verbal agreement between two parties is as solid as water.
No, Moses is not to blame for backing out at this stage. Neither is LSU. The entire process, however, is the biggest culprit.
http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2015/08/dylan_moses_decommitment_from.html
