Ricky Henry Ineligible
Disappointing? Yes. Surprising? No. Anyone’s business but Ricky’s? Questionable.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported Wednesday that Ricky Henry signed a national letter of intent to play for North Dakota State College of Science, a junior college, after being declared academically ineligible to play for NU. Rumors had circulated about the center’s academic troubles going back to even before he signed his letter of intent to Nebraska back in February.
Like most fans, I appreciate the opportunity to know as much as I do about Husker recruiting. It gives us more to nibble on throughout the offseason and helps us get an eye for the future. Aside from entertainment value though, should I really know whether or not a high school kid is making the grade? Should he be humiliated throughout his home state?
Imagine a different scenario, where the recruiting process is basically the same but the Huskers (and every other college team) make no public declaration of who has signed and who hasn’t on signing day. Later, at the beginning of each Fall, we learn who has been added to the team. The Ricky Henry’s of the world can then quietly go about getting eligible without the whole world knowing about it.
I realize this will probably never happen. Signing day has become a grand tradition in college football like homecoming and bowl games. Moreover, many of these kids are addicted to the press conferences and attention that comes with the current process. It just seems wrong that kids who struggle in school need the whole world to know about it.
Some might suggest that this type of humiliation is a good motivator for kids to make the grade. But isn’t two years at the North Dakota State College of Science punishment enough?
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