Since rumors are encouraged re: Ole Miss recruiting

[IreadmorethanIpost]

I was in Las Vegas this past week, and was playing craps at Aria. The dealer standing next to me placing bets graduated from LSU. We struck up a conversation because he noticed my southern drawl. The conversation turned to recruiting, and of course, Ole Miss came up. I didn't bring it up, the dealer did. Another gambler, to my left, said the NCAA would be up Ole Miss' *** soon. I said, I sure hope so.

The following is exactly what he said, and I have no way of knowing if it's true. I guess this guy is my "source." If Joe Schad can run with unverified reports on ESPN, I guess I can do it on Sixpack.

He said, "My buddy's son was a heavily recruited running quarterback. Ole Miss came after him hard. They [Ole Miss] offered him $250K, and he turned them down." He said where the kid ended up going, but I honestly can't remember. Never said the kid's name. I was really more concerned at that point about being down $300. Then the dealer started talking about Cam Newton, and the conversation turned to him, and the Ole Miss thing was never brought back up.

The guy was obviously not southern; I think I remember him saying he was from California. Nothing about the way he said it gave me any reason not to believe him. He said it almost as a passing comment and not a "Hey, well listen to this ****" story to look like he had some inside info. The conversation was not taking place on a message board.

Anyway, there's a rumor. Do what you want with it.

 

[Railin Jemmye]

Nothing about the way he said it gave me any reason not to believe him.

This is just me speaking, but I usually look at things the other way around. As in, all is ******** until proven otherwise.

 

[goindhoo]

so you don't think Auburn paid Cam Netwon?

and my question is not related to or intended to imply I believe all of these rumors about UM.

 

[IreadmorethanIpost]

Maybe. But the guy was not an SEC fan, and he wasn't trying to impress anyone.

No dog in the hunt in other words.

 

[KurtRambis4]

**The kid

probably just had a connectiong to St. Freeze and/or His staff

/

 

[RocketDawg]

I'm surprised he'd ever heard of Ole Miss. It's not exactly a household name outside the SEC, and not inside to some ... even fellow SECers get us mixed up with them. I know that for a fact from my golf buddies who are big Bama fans.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

I see it slightly different

As in, even if it's 100% obvious for anyone with common sense (cam) just ignore it, and pretend there's a 0% chance anything will be done about it until proven wrong.

 

[Topgundawg]

That's a pretty large chunk of change $250K to be throwing around. Hell in this world anything
is possible but the kids dad that said it to you must be and idiot, if it is true...

 

[rabiddawg]

If true his buddies son must have been a retard to turn it down. Hell I would have taken it and still not went. What are they going to do, ask for their money back?

 

[UnknownDawg]

While the amount sounds absurd--they did offer a 5 star RB in Stockton CA that signed with USC. It would certainly line up with their supposed recruiting "plan" of elephant hunting. Wouldnt be surprised if something was offerred to either sign or visit--how else do you get on a kid like that's radar not to mention others that actually signed. They can defend that strategy & their "hard work & luck" all they want but they are dirty & the entire college football landscape knows it. But, until it results in an NCAA skulldrugging it doesnt really matter.

http://mississippi.scout.com/a.z?s=177&p=8&c=1&nid=5216652

 

[IreadmorethanIpost]

Take this for what it's worth:

I don't keep up with recruiting except by reading stuff on here and following the beat writers on Twitter. So, since I posted this on here this morning, I went over to Rivals to see what I could find. Top dual threat QB is from California. Says he signed with Washington. (That actually rings a bell with what the guy told me about where the "kid" ended up.) Clicked the link to see who all offered him. Mississippi is on the list.

My guess is, if the story is true, that is the guy they offered the $ to.

 

[o_Sevendawg]

If this kind of $ is being offered and paid, are these players risking their..

amature status? If the NCAA bust said scholl, does the player have to pay back all the money to become eligible or are they out of college athletics for good? If boosters are offering this kind of cash to athletes, they are not only jepordizing their schools, but also the kid's amatuer status. Seems like the 18 year olds are taking a lot of risks too.

 

[IreadmorethanIpost]

They're risking a lot.

These highly recruited guys have people around them looking out for them. I'm sure they have people giving them financial advice. When you're 18, $250K is not that much money. Let me explain that:$250K would be a lot of money TO an 18 yr old, but not FOR an 18 yr old. In other words, it ain't gonna last the kid the rest of his life, especially since the money must be hidden and can't be invested like regular income could. So, if you have a decent advisor, I think they would tell the recruit that,while it seems like a lot of money right now, the real pay day will come later, and it's not worth risking that pay day at that point.

 

[WhatWouldFreezusDo?]

Similar story...

I once met a guy that told me there was a fat man in a red suit that traveled all around the world in one night to give "incentives" to children to "bribe" them into being good. I mean, he didn't have any proof other than presents just appearing in his living room on the same morning every year. He wasn't a fan of the Tooth Fairy or Easter Bunny so I don't see why he would make this up.