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Bright and Alaeze

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UM tries everything under the sun to get a kid qualified for 2 years, qualified with the NCAA no less

While OSU has to let a kid like Freddie Lennix go because he cant get through OSU admissions but has already qualified w/ NCAA...they sure are the "Harvard of the Midwest", the line b/t UM and MSU gets grayer everyday in my opinion.
 
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I followed these two pretty close... they were studs... but I suspect they are merely buying time till it's three years post high school graduation and they're gone to the NFL... I highly suspect both will play pro ball.. and will be very good...

but going anywhere will be a huge risk for whoever takes them because even if they take only underwater basketweaving or ballroom dancing, they still need to have grades to be eligible to play... so chances are good, they consume two schollies but 50/50 at best to see a football field past one grading period...
 
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As I continue to read and hear about stories such as this, I wonder if the NFL would ever start a developmental type of league (or open up NFL Europe), should the available talent pool begin to dwindle. It might seem like a crazy idea to some, but if the NFL sees a drop in the quality of its' product, I wonder if they would pump some money into something like this to ensure that the best athletes were football-ready (avoid sitting out years), regardless of academics.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating this. College football is by far my favorite sport. Just wondering what the NFL might do, if things ever get tight.
 
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808 Buck said:
As I continue to read and hear about stories such as this, I wonder if the NFL would ever start a developmental type of league (or open up NFL Europe), should the available talent pool begin to dwindle. It might seem like a crazy idea to some, but if the NFL sees a drop in the quality of its' product, I wonder if they would pump some money into something like this to ensure that the best athletes were football-ready (avoid sitting out years), regardless of academics.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating this. College football is by far my favorite sport. Just wondering what the NFL might do, if things ever get tight.
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Doubt it. The NFL and college football are pretty cozy.
 
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Doubt it. The NFL and college football are pretty cozy.
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I think the NFL learned a lesson from the NBA. A free development league that also lets kids identify themselves as stars that fans will follow to the next level can't be beat.


As for Aleaze and Bright, I agree it is unfortunate to see such talent go to waste but I would stop short of any sort of sympathy for these guys. They are incomplete student-athletes because they lack something. There are kids out there who bust their butts to pull a 4.0, work relentlessly in the gym, memorize the playbook and are consumate team players but are lacking a couple of God-given tenths in the 40 and can never get a schollie at a major program.

I find it both unavoidable and unfortunate that programs go to such lengths to get these kids into school instead of simply going to the next name on their list. But competition and money do that.
 
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Oh8ch said:
I find it both unavoidable and unfortunate that programs go to such lengths to get these kids into school instead of simply going to the next name on their list. But competition and money do that.
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True, but tOSU passed on both of these kids. Alaeze in particular was high on the Buckeyes, but got the cold shoulder from the staff after coming up short in the classroom.
 
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I agree. People can say what they will about Slocum's school of choice, but it's hard not to root for the kid to "pass" the test. If I remember correctly, in Dante's Inferno an eternity of retaking the SAT was one of the punishments in the inner circles of hell. Slocum has to go through all this for goofing off like a 15-year-old kid... when he was a 15-year-old kid. Sure, he's responsible for his poor decisions. But the guy has accepted responsibility and is working hard to make ammends. We all know players who we wish had that kind of dedication.

unionfutura said:
I would put it at 40/60 he gets in. He's a good kid who I root for to make it in no matter where he wants to go. The mistakes kids make when they're freshman in high school can haunt them for the rest of their lives. It's sad.
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I do think we need to be cognizant that the world is average by definition... so for every brainiac there has to be folks on the exact opposite side of the spectrum.. since the world is average by definition...

I'm sure if these two could fix their issues, they would... they just may not have what it takes regardless of effort... and they shouldn't be rediculed for that which they can't control...
 
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I really doubt you would see a developmental league-the NFL does not want to piss of college teams, and, developmentally,IMO, cannot afford to do so. If you take an undisciplined 18 year old, and throw him into a minor league sports lifestyle-no real supervision or accountability away from the field, enough cash to party with, a lack of older mentors/role models-like seniors, you will see a higher burnout rate. I think a kid experiencing college and the guidance he would hopefully get from a veteran college coach cannot be replaced. College football coaches can keep a much tighter rein on student-athletes than minor league coaches. NFL Europe is there for guys who need more seasoning, as is the CFL. There is no advantage for the NFL in having these kids at 18 as opposed to 21, w/ very, very rare exceptions like Adrian Peterson, and, maybe, from the sounds of it, Callahan Bright.
 
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<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 520127" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125>LordJeffBuck</TD><TD class=alt2>Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by Oh8ch
I find it both unavoidable and unfortunate that programs go to such lengths to get these kids into school instead of simply going to the next name on their list. But competition and money do that.



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True, but tOSU passed on both of these kids. Alaeze in particular was high on the Buckeyes, but got the cold shoulder from the staff after coming up short in the classroom.


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Undoubtedly Maryland now wishes they had passed on Alaeze too. However, since he is from Maryland, maybe Ralph Friedgen thought that they should take a chance on him.

RE: "Other schools, including Virginia Tech and Penn State, that Alaeze had considered before could get back in the picture for his services."

I would have to think that after all the criticism Frank Beamer took from dealing with Marcus Vick's problems, etc. that Virginia Tech would steer clear of him. Anyone think that JoPa will now pursue this kid?

Updated: June 21, 2006, 3:58 PM ET
Maryland releases Alaeze from letter of intent

By Bruce Feldman
ESPN The Magazine

Melvin Alaeze, the highest-profile recruit Maryland has signed in the Ralph Friedgen era, won't play for the Terps, ESPN Magazine has learned.
The all-everything 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive end has been released from his letter of intent because he violated the terms of his financial aid agreement, sources said. Drug charges also played a role.
He was charged in March with marijuana possession and intent to distribute marijuana, as well as possession of drug paraphenalia, according to court documents cited by The Baltimore Sun. None of the charges are active, the paper reported.
Alaeze committed to the Terps in 2005 but failed to qualify. He played last fall at Hargrave Military Academy but left that school after the season.
The Terps are coming off a 5-6 season and have a big need on the defensive line. They ranked ninth in the ACC in sacks with just 21 for the season. Other schools, including Virginia Tech and Penn State, that Alaeze had considered before could get back in the picture for his services.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/news/story?id=2494701
 
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Link

Ron Snyder: Alaeze’s release leaves Terps wondering what could have beenhttp://www.examiner.com/ArticleEmail.cfm?articleID=165414


Ron Snyder, The Examiner
Jul 1, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 197 of 12,504 articles
BALTIMORE - What could have been?

That is the question currently going through the minds of many Maryland football fans following the announcement last week that the Terps released former Randallstown defensive end Melvin Alaeze from his scholarship. The decision came four months after police arrested Alaeze on five marijuana-related offenses.
It must be noted prominently that three of those charges were dismissed in March and the remaining two — possession of marijuana and related paraphernalia — have been placed on the inactive docket, according to Baltimore County District Court records. However, the marriage between Alaeze and Maryland appeared doomed even before these arrests became public knowledge.
It had to have been for the Terps to give up on a talent like Alaeze due to a “violation of the terms of his financial aid agreement” before he even stepped onto the field for them. Coach Ralph Friedgen definitely could have used Alaeze right away to improve a pass rush that ranked ninth in the ACC last year with 21 sacks. Maryland also needs as many impact players as possible as it looks to rebound from back-to-back 5-6 seasons.
“It is unfortunate that Melvin Alaeze was not able to realize his potential as an athlete or a student at the University of Maryland,” said Friedgen in a statement released by the university last week. “He is a rare physical talent and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
That statement underscores the potential greatness Maryland and Alaeze could have achieved if given the opportunity. Recruiting experts and coaches considered the 6-foot-2, 280-pound Alaeze one of the top players in the country following a senior campaign at Randallstown where he piled up 110 tackles along with 18.5 sacks.
More than four dozens schools recruited Alaeze before he signed his initial letter-of-intent in 2005. He then signed again with Maryland last February after attending Hargrave Military Academy in the fall, while attempting to obtain the Scholastic Aptitude Test score needed to qualify for freshman eligibility.
“Melvin has tremendous acceleration and can really run for a big guy,” said Friedgen in a statement on Alaeze following the February national signing day. “He is really fit and we’re looking for him to make an impact.”
Unfortunately for Maryland, any impact Alaeze has on the college football field will be for another big-time program such as Virginia Tech, Penn State or a school of similar stature that is willing to take a chance on him.
Everything happens for a reason in this world. Alaeze’s arrival at Maryland could have placed a cloud over both the program and hurt the player’s future much like the horrible ending between Ohio State and running back Maurice Clarett a few years ago. There, Clarett felt the university treated him unfairly. Then, he unsuccessfully lobbied to enter the NFL draft after his freshman year and is now out of football and dealing with off-the-field legal issues.
Hopefully, that will not be the case and the falling out between Alaeze and Maryland will be the best thing to happen for everyone involved.
 
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Alaeze signed and reports to Illini

Alaeze might have a chance to aid the improvement. He was rated as the top high school strongside defensive end in the country by Rivals.com in 2005. He attended Hargrave Military Academy for a year but was charged with five marijuana related offenses earlier this year.

Three charges were dismissed, and two were placed on the inactive docket. But his scholarship was withdrawn by Maryland.

"He's zero tolerance," Zook said. "But I felt good talking to him about it. We've all made mistakes. He'll be the first to tell you he screwed up. But he's very grateful for a second chance. We checked him out thoroughly."
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http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sp...839CDBC00C1D9F2E862571BE001A90AD?OpenDocument
 
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</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="100%" valign="top" width="500"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tbody><tr> <td height="100%" valign="top"> Illini FB: Brown, Alaeze await word on NCAA status
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Illlinois freshmen Jerry Brown and Melvin Alaeze will miss practice indefinitely while awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse on their eligibility for the 2006 season.

Brown, a defensive lineman from Vashon, and Alaeze, a highly touted defensive lineman from Baltimore, were able to practice the first 14 days per NCAA regulations but went to the sideline when a ruling did not materialize.

They missed the team's scrimmage Saturday and every practice this week when the team returned to campus after two weeks in Rantoul, Ill.

Neither player was in contention for a starting job, but they are both expected to play as true freshmen. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="810"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="10" align="left" height="10" valign="top" width="810">
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