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College Football Recruiting: NCAA Legislation Treading on Dangerous Ground

With legislation to strip a number of college football recruiting rules on the docket, NCAA members have some major questions to ask themselves before they vote.

By eightlaces
Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

In the wake of one of the most lop-sided football contests I've ever witnessed, I scanned my Twitter feed today more than engaged in conversation. For those of you who don't follow me or do not use the service, that's an eyebrow-raiser.

A few minutes after 6:00 PM central time, this came across my timeline:

When the words "disastrous" and "interesting" are in the same tweet regarding college football, you'd better believe I'm clicking.

You can read the entire article if you'd like, but to sum it up, the NCAA wants to pass legislation that essentially says, "Hey, remember all of those restrictions on communication and interaction with recruits that we implemented over the past several years? Nevermind."

Let me get this straight. You don't have to be a full-time coach to talk to a kid and/or his family, every coach can recruit, you can send as much mail as you want and once kids sign their Letter of Intent, they're players student-athletes.

Long story short: college football recruiting anarchy.

What does this mean? It means every football staff had better have 10 coaches on staff willing to truly earn every cent of their paychecks, recruit their butts off and sacrifice even more of the little time they have with their families.

If that school wants remain competitive with others for good prospects, that is. I can stomach that to a point.

However, my main issue with this legislation is clear disregard for the kids. Not prospects, not recruits, kids.

I've had the privilege of speaking with 17 and 18-year olds that everybody and their brother wanted to wear their colors. They're not all divas. In fact, all that attention can get really old, really quick.

If you're a high school football player on the level of Robert Nkemdiche, you're going to get enough love as it is. If the NCAA passes these rule changes, I can see kids changing phone numbers frequently, deleting Facebook and Twitter accounts, basically shutting themselves off from the outside world.

While you might think nixing Facebook and Twitter would be good for these guys anyway, this proposal by the NCAA offers the violation of a basic human right: the chance to be a kid. Don't think the families themselves won't be involved, either.

College football recruits are scrutinized from the moment they step on campus, especially at places like Nebraska, Alabama, Ohio State, etc.

This will only escalate if they're getting school benefits in February instead of when they step on campus come summer, by coaches at least. You're part of the roster now, son.

Do the right thing, NCAA. I've seen it done. I know you can do it again.

College freshmen are winning the Heisman Trophy these days. Let kids go to the prom before blindsiding them with any more recruiting contact than they already deal with.

Have a take of your own? Leave it below and follow Brandon on Twitter to continue the conversation.

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