Taz - The Final Story...
One final time...... I thought I had cleared this all up before.
After Football camp Ronnie received both a written and verbal offer. I have seen the written offer, and I was there when he got the verbal.
The way at works at OSU, as with most programs, the school will offer 30 - 50 kids during the recruiting year. Both verbally and in writing. Then based on need, this changes.
Where everyone seems to get hung up, is they say he should have/could have committed then. If he did, OSU would not have accepted it. How, by discouraging him, or telling him that they are still working on numbers. Let's say for example, Ronnie told staff he wanted to be a Buckeye, in the past I have seen OSU and other schools, a) Just ignore the kid and never return calls, and the kid does not get a LOI on Wednesday. b) Call and say they "ran out" of scholarships, c) Use admissions as a tool to reduce over recruiting.
The most important thing to realize is that an offer just means we are interested in you until LOI day or in some cases, until enrollment. Exceptions being where you have a bad need and/or a highly rated recruit.
This is why I have all kids go on all of their visits,(even if they commit) and have a Plan A, B and C.
Their are other recruiting issues that I covered in a previous thread, so lets get back to TAZ.....
All of the readers of these OSU sites have been blessed to get the opportunity to meet a kid, who I feel is the finest recruit I have ever met. His honesty and sincerity are above approach by anyone. It is very evident that he received these values and tremendous personality traits from his parents. They are outstanding role models, who sincerely care about Ronnie and help guide him to be the best in whatever he does. Ronnie and family were all very generous with their time both to these OSU boards and while investigating OSU at a possible choice for his education.
Although I have never met, or talked to Mr. Bucknuts, I would like to believe that he feels he made a mistake, not only poking fun at Ronnie but the other recruits.
I think when Coach Conley mentioned Ronnie didn't have an offer, he meant it in the sense that I have described above. Coach Conley understands how the new regime works better than anyone, as a top 3 recruiting coordinator in the nation and one of the greatest individuals on the planet, he would be the first to admit that a offer in July doesn't necessarily mean an offer in December. I think it is fair for Steve H. to have his opinion, and for him to also repeat Coach Conley's opinion.
This recruiting process, especially at OSU, has become really frustrating to everyone, especially parents, who only go through it once. Us Buckeye fans go through it yearly! Mr. Wilson knows Ronnie had an offer letter, and I would bet he got very, very frustrated when he saw all this questioning about it going around.
In Ronnie's case, I am positive that anything negative said on any stupid board, could not influence him or his family. They are way to strong and intelligent to ever allow that to happen. However, I do know, all the love that has been shown, has been noted by Ronnie and family.
As the sunsets here in South Florida, so should our hopes of Ronnie being a Buckeye. As noted, not because of Ronnie, but due to different needs by the OSU football team.
Tonight, as we are all huddled around our computers, Doc Holiday is sitting in Ronnie's living room, telling Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, how good Ronnie would look in an NC State uniform....
I am positive, everyone will join me wishing Ronnie Wilson and Family all of our collective best wishes & love, and continue to dream about "what could have been......."
