Ex-UK commitment Kobe Smith shifts timetable; Will enroll in school Saturday USC or UK.

[wildcatman26]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20160105/PSPORTS04/160109857?Title=Recruiting-Notebook-January-5th

DL Kobe Smith of Lawrenceville, GA said Tuesday night he's moved up his enrollment timetable by a day. Smith said he will show up at USC or Kentucky on Saturday. Other than appearing on the campus of his choice, Smith does not plan any other announcement regarding his decision. He's a former Kentucky commitment.

 

[mtn cat1]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20160105/PSPORTS04/160109857?Title=Recruiting-Notebook-January-5th

DL Kobe Smith of Lawrenceville, GA said Tuesday night he's moved up his enrollment timetable by a day. Smith said he will show up at USC or Kentucky on Saturday. Other than appearing on the campus of his choice, Smith does not plan any other announcement regarding his decision. He's a former Kentucky commitment.

That will clear- up some confusion concerning availability of remaining schools!!!

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

He is a huge commitment we lost and couldn't afford to lose. Looking like a long shot at this point but would be absolutely huge if we re-landed him. Fingers crossed.

 

[CloverforkCat]

As much as he changes his mind, he may go to 2 or 3 schools before his eligibility is up.

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

Obviously, you want him but one has to wander if he could end up being one of those wishy washy kids that still isnt happy wherever he lands and ends up transfering out.

 

[billoliver40]

Word through the web is that Kobe has a shoulder injury that possibly will require surgery. Rumor is that UK was talking to him about waiting so his time doesn't start ticking, USC telling him come ahead.
Young guys choice. Good luck to him. Would've been a big get.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

Kobe was a flip from NCS when he commit to CATS. Kobe had serious shoulder surgery that I read will require long rehab process. IMO don't think he'd be able to go through Spring practice for The CATS! South Carolina new coach has made Kobe a high priority!

 

[medeski7]

With Muschamp going to SC, seems like SC is the choice. Hoping I'm wrong and that he performs well here.

 

[ukalumni00]

If I am the kid, I want to get to into a college program's training program to help rehab instead of having to do it on my own. I honestly do not understand what UK's thinking is here.

 

[JHB4UK]

If I am the kid, I want to get to into a college program's training program to help rehab instead of having to do it on my own. I honestly do not understand what UK's thinking is here.

We don't know the real story, but maybe they don't want to commit to his eligibility clock starting when he has a bad shoulder that might keep him from playing until 2017. Or to be even more brutally honest to commit a scholly to a player who might never be what he originally was (see: Mossakowski, Ryan). Using a shoulder is pretty important for a D linemen.

 

[Beatle Bum]

He is a huge commitment we lost and couldn't afford to lose. Looking like a long shot at this point but would be absolutely huge if we re-landed him. Fingers crossed.

Wrong. This kind of extreme language always projects an ulterior motivation. Smith was more valuable as a kid who could go thru spring ball and provide possible depth in the fall. Pringle now is hopefully that, with Smith's injury. Smith would be a solid DLine commit who we hope can heal and grow in a RS. Good if he comes, unlikely that he does.

Right now, I take Pringle over Smith. That is how I hope this works out.

 

[Beatle Bum]

If I am the kid, I want to get to into a college program's training program to help rehab instead of having to do it on my own. I honestly do not understand what UK's thinking is here.

He signed papers with UK, probably before the staff understood the extent of his injury. UK is bound and he knows that.

 

[Deeeefense]

I'm not optimistic on this, if he were headed to Lexington I think we would have heard something before now.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

We don't know the real story, but maybe they don't want to commit to his eligibility clock starting when he has a bad shoulder that might keep him from playing until 2017. Or to be even more brutally honest to commit a scholly to a player who might never be what he originally was (see: Mossakowski, Ryan). Using a shoulder is pretty important for a D linemen.

I said something similar to this in another thread. It's possible he may recover 100% or he may never be the same. There is no way to tell. UK is looking for some type of impact for the 16 season. He won't be it if he needs serious shoulder surgery.

 

[Mr Schwump]

None of us knows the seriousness of his injury, if it requires surgery and when he may have it or how long a rehab will be required. If the injury is serious and surgery and a long rehab is necessary, he'd be smart to put off enrolling anywhere until Dec '16. Don't forget his NCAA clock starts ticking the instant he enrolls. No reason to piss away a year.

If he goes thru with just showing up somewhere this weekend, I'll give him credit for being unique at least. Sure beats the hell out of the "look at me crowd" that's taken over.

 

[hmt5000]

Has the brumbaugh to scar rumors been responsible for this? Could be someone told him brumbaugh was heading out and he was gonna follow. Idk do t have premium, maybe it is the shoulder. I just can't see passing on a true NT over a shoulder injury.

 

[K_TIME]

1. With the constant struggle to get quality DL (especially in our new 3-4 scheme)..why would you turn him away? So what if he needs surgery and rehab...we RS him and still have him for 4 years after that. With technology the way it is and given that he's not a QB iwth a bad shoulder or a RB with bad knee, etc..we are talking DL who we need to pound with bigs in the trenches.
2. Can we not take Smith and Pringle? The roster is cleaning up with new transfers and we have room on the bus for both

I still don't get why UK would turn away for a solid rated and recruited DL like Smith.

 

[TBCat]

I don't buy the argument that we turn away from him or backed off. When he first decommitted I looked at those who were suggesting that we didn't really want him as if they were just being bitter. I don't buy that argument at all.

The argument that we are handling his timetable differently because of injury does have some merit however. I can't see a situation where we wouldn't want him or would back off. I do see the logic behind us wanting to start his clock later if there is an injury involved. Hopefully we won't lose him for that but there is logic behind delaying his entry if he's not healthy enough to participate.

 

[Mr Schwump]

1. With the constant struggle to get quality DL (especially in our new 3-4 scheme)..why would you turn him away? So what if he needs surgery and rehab...we RS him and still have him for 4 years after that. With technology the way it is and given that he's not a QB iwth a bad shoulder or a RB with bad knee, etc..we are talking DL who we need to pound with bigs in the trenches.
2. Can we not take Smith and Pringle? The roster is cleaning up with new transfers and we have room on the bus for both

I still don't get why UK would turn away for a solid rated and recruited DL like Smith.

Oh, I'd take Smith in a heartbeat. And Pringle. And Holmes. And try to figure a way to get Provitt in here. I recall some years when UK was forced, thanks to poor planning, piss-poor recruiting and pure bad luck, to try to go thru the year with three DTs. Three. Total. Can't have too many.

 

[ShoesSwayedBlue]

The reason to ask him to wait until the summer to come in and not as an early enrollee is simple: If he isn't going to play this year due to surgery and the staff might be in on another kid who can come in at the break who may have a chance to contribute this fall. There's an 85 limit. You bring in guys as EEs who you think have a shot to play that fall and there are only so many spots available. Pretty simple.

 

[Beatle Bum]

1. With the constant struggle to get quality DL (especially in our new 3-4 scheme)..why would you turn him away? So what if he needs surgery and rehab...we RS him and still have him for 4 years after that. With technology the way it is and given that he's not a QB iwth a bad shoulder or a RB with bad knee, etc..we are talking DL who we need to pound with bigs in the trenches.
2. Can we not take Smith and Pringle? The roster is cleaning up with new transfers and we have room on the bus for both

I still don't get why UK would turn away for a solid rated and recruited DL like Smith.

If you (1) thought the injury may be career ending or (2) had 3 openings for DT in the class and now want Pringle to fill the immediate enrollee commitment that you thought Smith would be able to fill, you might back away. There are many other potential reasons, but none of them seem to exist with the "facts" reported.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I don't buy the argument that we turn away from him or backed off. When he first decommitted I looked at those who were suggesting that we didn't really want him as if they were just being bitter. I don't buy that argument at all.

The argument that we are handling his timetable differently because of injury does have some merit however. I can't see a situation where we wouldn't want him or would back off. I do see the logic behind us wanting to start his clock later if there is an injury involved. Hopefully we won't lose him for that but there is logic behind delaying his entry if he's not healthy enough to participate.

When he first decommitted, you did not know he needed surgery on his shoulder and was in a sling.

 

[Beatle Bum]

BTW, if he simply decommitted and the staff wants him still, the likelihood that he comes to UK is low, perhaps very low. If this was all his decision, it is likely that he is using the UK vs. SC to build suspense for his commitment/enrollment this week at the AAA.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Word through the web is that Kobe has a shoulder injury that possibly will require surgery. Rumor is that UK was talking to him about waiting so his time doesn't start ticking, USC telling him come ahead.
Young guys choice. Good luck to him. Would've been a big get.

If he has a serious shoulder issue you probably need to be thankful he isn't taking up space on the roster. We have had several linement who hurt their shoulders and they were an issue the entire time they were in school, never lived up to their hype. A lineman with a bad shoulder is as bad as a RB with a bad knee, just can't use it like they need to and its a constant problem for them.

 

[DACats86]

USC starts classes on Monday, UK starts on Wednesday.

 

[JHB4UK]

With technology the way it is and given that he's not a QB iwth a bad shoulder or a RB with bad knee, etc..we are talking DL who we need to pound with bigs in the trenches.

What does this statement even mean? Technology, you think medical science has advanced to such a degree that there are no more career ending shoulder/elbow/knee/hip injuries in sports?

And do you even watch the linemen battle during a tackle football game? a D linemen uses his touching arms and touching shoulders a helluvalot! The big uns on the line don't play belly bump, they instantly raise up from the stance and lock arms, or use the arms to swim past to the backfield, or push off to disengage and tackle the passing running back.

What, do you think he can 1 arm it out there not using his bum wing? like Jason Pierre Paul with a few missing digits on a hand?

 

[K_TIME]

Orthopedic surgery and rehab have comes miles in the past 15 years. Guys get hurt and come back all the time. Donte Rumph had a pretty serious shoulder surgery and came back to play all 12 games his Sr year under Stoops.

If Kobie has had multiple major shoulder surgeries by now, that is one thing. But all we are hearing thru the grapevine is he may have a shoulder injury and UK may not want him to come in January at the same time of his de-commit. I just find it hard to believe our top rated DL recruit we can't make room for him and just shut him down with a RS and see what happens. If he's damaged good, that would stink but if he pans out...it is a much bigger updside for UK and than downside IMO.

 

[Deeeefense]

Has the brumbaugh to scar rumors been responsible for this? Could be someone told him brumbaugh was heading out and he was gonna follow. Idk do t have premium, maybe it is the shoulder. I just can't see passing on a true NT over a shoulder injury.

interesting point, you may have something there.

 

[TeoJ]

Orthopedic surgery and rehab have comes miles in the past 15 years. Guys get hurt and come back all the time. Donte Rumph had a pretty serious shoulder surgery and came back to play all 12 games his Sr year under Stoops.

If Kobie has had multiple major shoulder surgeries by now, that is one thing. But all we are hearing thru the grapevine is he may have a shoulder injury and UK may not want him to come in January at the same time of his de-commit. I just find it hard to believe our top rated DL recruit we can't make room for him and just shut him down with a RS and see what happens. If he's damaged good, that would stink but if he pans out...it is a much bigger updside for UK and than downside IMO.

But Donte was 32 years old when a senior.

 

[WildCard]

...Other than appearing on the campus of his choice, Smith does not plan any other announcement regarding his decision...

Certainly a strange way to "announce". [eyeroll]

Peace

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

Sounds like he was needed to play in 16 and if that's no longer the case that he can play they need to find a Dlineman that can. I don't like it either but these coaches know what they are doing here.

Maybe they just really want him to come in the fall now and he refuses to do that. Can't blame the coaches for that when you got limited rides and absolutely HAVE to show improvement on the dline this year.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Orthopedic surgery and rehab have comes miles in the past 15 years. Guys get hurt and come back all the time. Donte Rumph had a pretty serious shoulder surgery and came back to play all 12 games his Sr year under Stoops.

If Kobie has had multiple major shoulder surgeries by now, that is one thing. But all we are hearing thru the grapevine is he may have a shoulder injury and UK may not want him to come in January at the same time of his de-commit. I just find it hard to believe our top rated DL recruit we can't make room for him and just shut him down with a RS and see what happens. If he's damaged good, that would stink but if he pans out...it is a much bigger updside for UK and than downside IMO.

An argument about the medical prognosis of an injury that we do not have information about? Oh my!

 

[dreadpirate_rivals241225]

USC starts classes on Monday, UK starts on Wednesday.

It's UK then. What 18 year old wants to waste two days of sleeping in?

 

[tntuk]

Has the brumbaugh to scar rumors been responsible for this? Could be someone told him brumbaugh was heading out and he was gonna follow. Idk do t have premium, maybe it is the shoulder. I just can't see passing on a true NT over a shoulder injury.

USC hired a DL coach last week. Brumbaugh isn't going.

 

[Mr Schwump]

It's UK then. What 18 year old wants to waste two days of sleeping in?

Or 68 y/o for that matter.

 

[Jon(-24)]

We don't have the ability to back away from him. Forget his shoulder, if he lost both arms in an attack by a grizzly bear he still has a guaranteed scholarship here. LOI binds the kid to the school. Financial aid papers bind the school to the kid.

 

[hmt5000]

USC hired a DL coach last week. Brumbaugh isn't going.

I know. I wonder if the initial rumor was what made him decommit and consider scar in such a short amount of time

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Has the brumbaugh to scar rumors been responsible for this? Could be someone told him brumbaugh was heading out and he was gonna follow. Idk do t have premium, maybe it is the shoulder. I just can't see passing on a true NT over a shoulder injury.

Seriously doubt it. All Brumbaugh had to do was call him up and say it isn't true because I have not been contacted by SC. And that it was Buh that was the one contacted.

 

[willievic]

1. With the constant struggle to get quality DL (especially in our new 3-4 scheme)..why would you turn him away? So what if he needs surgery and rehab...we RS him and still have him for 4 years after that. With technology the way it is and given that he's not a QB iwth a bad shoulder or a RB with bad knee, etc..we are talking DL who we need to pound with bigs in the trenches.
2. Can we not take Smith and Pringle? The roster is cleaning up with new transfers and we have room on the bus for both

I still don't get why UK would turn away for a solid rated and recruited DL like Smith.

How do you know we have turned him away?

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[K_TIME]

How do you know we have turned him away?

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

I don't think UK did turn him away..RobCatt24 started a concept that when Kobie Smith decommitted it was really UK turning him away...I think Smith got in his mind a better offer in USC and bailed on UK.