Thomas Transfer (FSU)

[WiregrassTiger]

If they do this, the floodgates are opened.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/florida-state-signee-matthew-thomas-says-mom-made-162459529.html
Florida State signee Matthew Thomas says mom made him sign; wants his release
 .By Graham Watson | Dr. Saturday – 22 hours ago...
.
 
(USA Today Sports Images)
 
Matthew Thomas was one of the best signees of this year’s Florida State class, and now he wants out of his letter of intent.
 
Thomas, who was ranked the nation No. 2 linebacker out of Booker T. Washington High in Miami, told the Miami Herald that he informed Florida State coaches he does not plan on being in camp in August because the decision to go to FSU was not his — it was his mother’s.
 
“What happened was on Signing Day [was] I wasn’t sure who I wanted to sign with,” Thomas told the paper. “I had issues with different schools. But when I told my mom I didn’t want to sign with anybody and wait and give it a few days she said I couldn’t do that. She said, ‘FSU is a good school – pick them. It’s close to home.’ I wasn’t agreeing with it. But I felt like I was being disrespectful to her if I didn’t sign. So I made her happy.”
 
Thomas also told the paper he felt pressure because his announcement was live on ESPN.com.
 
Thomas said if he is released from his letter of intent, he’s seeking offers from either Georgia or USC, two schools that courted him during his recruiting period.
 
But the Florida State coaches aren’t giving up on him so easily. They plan to meet with Thomas and his parents in South Florida to understand the situation. According to Warchant.com, Thomas’ mother has been out of the country for the past couple weeks, but the meeting will take place when she returns.
 
Thomas told the Miami Herald his parents support his decision, but that it’s up to the Florida State coaches to make the final call.
 
This is a tricky situation. Thomas signed his letter of intent and should honor his commitment. However, Florida State doesn’t want a player in its program that doesn’t really want to be there.
 
It will be interesting to see what Florida State does here because it doesn’t want to set a precedent for future recruits.

[djsimp]

Is he coming to Auburn or what?

[WiregrassTiger]

Is he coming to Auburn or what?

What. I took very valuable time out of my day to bring this story to your attention. The very least that you could do is read it and post a civil comment thanking me for my contiribution to the X and society. But to answer your question, the kid may come to Auburn on his way to Athens.

[djsimp]

What.

pfft

[Buzz Killington]

Slippery slope if they grant him a waiver now.  On one hand, if the kid doesn't want to be there, FSU will not gain a thing by making him come in anyway, then later transfer.  On the other hand, they could have used that scholarship for a kid that actually wants to be there, so the kid owes them something.

[Snaggletiger]

I'm torn in half or 41/53 on this issue.  Someone with more info on it than me should comment but I've often wondered why we haven't seen more challenges in the past.  If I understand correctly, a scholarship is a contract, whether it's one year renewable or 4 years as some schools have gone to recently.  If it is a contract, a 17 year old (As many of these kids are) can't legally contract and would have to have parent or legal guardian to sign.

In the case of the Louisiana safety, who's momz was visibly upset he chose Alabama over LSU, could he legally enter into a contract if she or popz didn't sign off?  Now, I'm sure the REC helped her "see the light" and she was suddenly proud to see her boy wearing the crimpsum.  But, what if the parents refused?  Anyone familiar with the scholarship process?  Jumbo?  Prowler? CCTAU?  THS?  Beuller?     

[Godfather]

I'm torn in half or 41/53 on this issue.  Someone with more info on it than me should comment but I've often wondered why we haven't seen more challenges in the past.  If I understand correctly, a scholarship is a contract, whether it's one year renewable or 4 years as some schools have gone to recently.  If it is a contract, a 17 year old (As many of these kids are) can't legally contract and would have to have parent or legal guardian to sign.

In the case of the Louisiana safety, who's momz was visibly upset he chose Alabama over LSU, could he legally enter into a contract if she or popz didn't sign off?  Now, I'm sure the REC helped her "see the light" and she was suddenly proud to see her boy wearing the crimpsum.  But, what if the parents refused?  Anyone familiar with the scholarship process?  Jumbo?  Prowler? CCTAU?  THS?  Beuller?   

They need one parents signature.

[dallaswareagle]

Anyone familiar with the scholarship process?   

   

[WiregrassTiger]

The way I sees it is if they sign, then they should have to go to that school for at least the first year--no exceptions. If they ask for a transfer after that year, etc. is a different story and I'm really o.k. with all of that. But, if they allow transfers before a kid even gets on campus, it's opening Pandora's box and encouraging recruitment of kids that have already signed (even though that's against the rules).

[Godfather]

The way I sees it is if they sign, then they should have to go to that school for at least the first year--no exceptions. If they ask for a transfer after that year, etc. is a different story and I'm really o.k. with all of that. But, if they allow transfers before a kid even gets on campus, it's opening Pandora's box and encouraging recruitment of kids that have already signed (even though that's against the rules).

He can transfer anywhere he wants.  He can file a waiver, if he doesn't get it.  He will have to sit a year.

See: Mike Blakely

[Snaggletiger]

He can transfer anywhere he wants.  He can file a waiver, if he doesn't get it.  He will have to sit a year.

See: Mike Blakely

Stop with your fruity logic

[WiregrassTiger]

He can transfer anywhere he wants.  He can file a waiver, if he doesn't get it.  He will have to sit a year.

See: Mike Blakely

Right...but wouldn't this be unprecedented for a kid that isn't even out of HS yet? I don't remember it ever happening. That's the difference to me. IF they do grant the waiver, then it's dangerous territory. Most times, from what I understand, SEC schools don't allow transfers at all to other schools in their division or a rival in the conference. It's a stipulation. Anywhere else, they sit the year and go. It it's to a D1aa, they can play next season.

Blakely was granted a special waiver by Muschamp. Why this happened is a good question.

[CCTAU]

I know that there are rules about this, but I am inclined to say that this contract is not binding unless they are 18. Parents (or anyone) cannot sign rights away for the child. And as long as no benefits have been accepted, I can't think of any reason why legally this kid won't win.

Does it open up a Pandora's box maybe. But aren't they signing a letter of intent? And not the actual scholly? I can't remember what I signed years ago. When I got on campus, I filled out a shitload of paperwork, but I was 18 by then.

I'm not sure what would have happened had I just not showed up.

[Snaggletiger]

I know that there are rules about this, but I am inclined to say that this contract is not binding unless they are 18. Parents (or anyone) cannot sign rights away for the child. And as long as no benefits have been accepted, I can't think of any reason why legally this kid won't win.

Does it open up a Pandora's box maybe. But aren't they signing a letter of intent? And not the actual scholly? I can't remember what I signed years ago. When I got on campus, I filled out a shitload of paperwork, but I was 18 by then.

I'm not sure what would have happened had I just not showed up.

They would've had to go get another trainer to tape the player's ankles.

[CCTAU]

They would've had to go get another trainer to tape the player's ankles.

Bwaaaaaahhaaaaaaa. Bwaaaahaaaaaaaa.

You should go on the road with that. No really, hit the road.

I should have gone into ankle taping. There's a lot of money in sports medicine today.
I know. I am still paying off both my kids sports rehab bills.

[AWK]

Bwaaaaaahhaaaaaaa. Bwaaaahaaaaaaaa.

You should go on the road with that. No really, hit the road.

I should have gone into ankle taping. There's a lot of money in sports medicine today.
I know. I am still paying off both my kids sports rehab bills.

Truf.

[Godfather]

They would've had to go get another trainer to tape the player's ankles.

L-Look at me. I'm the w-w-waterboy.

Duh! I got a wooden spoon. Duh!

[AUJarhead]

Smells like you need a shower, Stinky!

[Saniflush]

Captain Insano shows no mercy.

[AUJarhead]

Ben Franklin is the Devil!