The Glen Stanley saga doesn?t seem to be progressing. Chris Hays, our recruiting editor at the Sentinel, wrote a good, detailed story that came out earlier today about Stanley?s situation. Stanley, of course, is one of the top junior college prospects in the nation. An Ocala native and former UCF commitment, Stanley spent the past two seasons at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Ariz.
He committed to USC but has been seeking his release in the aftermath of the serious sanctions the NCAA levied against the Trojans football program. USC recently released Seantrel Henderson from his commitment, but the university has not yet released Stanley. So ? he waits.
Stanley told the Sentinel:
?They haven?t gotten in contact with me directly or said anything. I tried to get in contact with the AD (Mike Garrett) and a couple guys in compliance. I actually talked to one guy [Thursday] but he couldn?t give me answers on where I stand on my release.?
Such is the latest strange detail in a strange story. Stanley, a linebacker who could also play defensive end, committed to UCF last November and had been planning to enroll there in January. He never showed, though. Then he became a Tennessee commitment. And then, after Lane Kiffin left Tennessee for USC, Stanley became a USC commitment. Which brings us to now.
Stanley again reiterated his desire to play in Florida, where he said he has in Ocala a fianc? and a 2-year-old daughter. But then there?s this wrinkle, from Kiffin. He recently spoke to the Los Angeles Times about Stanley?s case. Kiffin said, ?We anticipate Glen being here by fall camp once he was taken care of everything.?
Taken care of everything? What does that mean? Apparently, it means Stanley has some academic issues to work through. When I spoke with Stanley last week, he mentioned no such academic hurdles. And he didn?t again during another recent interview with the Sentinel.
What Stanley did say, however, is that he?d seek legal help if USC doesn?t release him from his commitment. And let?s say he is finally released. Then what? Where does Florida State figure in to his plans? He told the Sentinel this:
?Actually, FSU is not my goal, but to get closer to home. I have a family ? a daughter. I love football but I would rather be a father first and me getting back close to home is really the idea.?
That sounds all well and good ? and you have to applaud a young father for wanting to be a father first ? but if we?re being honest here, that kind of statement is probably not what micro-managing college football coaches want to hear. In any case, Stanley said he hasn?t actually had any contact with Florida State coaches, or any other coaches for that matter. And that he wouldn?t have any contact with any such coaches until he is released from his commitment at USC.
So I guess we?ll see what happens.
