Ever-lovable USC head coach Lane Kiffin made headlines -- and by “made headlines” we mean “caused sane people to throw up a little bit in their mouths” -- early last year when he extended a scholarship offer to 13-year-old quarterback phenom David Sills, who promptly gave his “verbal commitment” to the Trojans -- for the Class of 2015.
Now that Sills is merely four years away from being allowed to legally vote, it’s of course the logical next step in the process for him to appear on an ESPN radio program for an interview. So he did.
During the course of the interview on ESPN Los Angeles, the eighth grader, who hails from the state of Delaware, addressed concerns some have that this may be too much too soon. Or that Chris Hansen should be involved in the recruiting process.
“There is definitely no thought from me that it is,” the kid said. “I’m just trying to get ahead so that when I do go to USC, I’m prepared for USC and prepared for whatever comes at me. So it’s just an early start for me, and I think it’s a full advantage for me, and I think my parents and my whole family like it as well.”
Sills talked about what is was like to be on the receiving end of a dream offer from Kiffin -- “I mean, that was my dream my whole life — to go to USC and play football” -- and also discussed something that’s a near-daily occurrence for most strapping young men his age in this great country of ours.
“Well yesterday I went to the quarterback meetings and I was with all the quarterbacks,” Sills said matter-of-factly. “And they treated me like I was one of the quarterbacks, I wasn’t any different. It was cool being in there.
“They went through things like they were on the field; they were calling cadences like they were on the field. It was just cool when they were going over and protections being like ‘wow, this is going to be me when I get older and can go to USC.’ And then we went and watched their practice and it was really cool. It was just really cool watching all the players do their positions.”
(Before you ask, it is entirely permissible for Sills to attend QB meetings as the NCAA does not consider a football player a potential recruit until he reaches the ninth grade.)
(Excuse me for a second: Hey, NCAA, pull down your skirt; your loophole is showing.)
Somewhat surprisingly, and with major kudos to the host of the show, the elephant-sized question in the room was addressed.If he knows if it’s a possibility that he’d not have the same offer by a different head coach other than Kiffin:
“Well I’ll always love USC. And I think Coach Kiffin is a great coach, so I think he’ll be there when I get there in five years.”
But can some coach other than Kiffin potentially rescind on the offer?
“I guess so. I’m not quite sure.”
This is where the whole creep-tastic situation could potentially spiral into ugliness and disappointment for the young man.
Of course there’s a chance that Kiffin won’t be with the Trojans in 2015, and his successor will be well within his rights to pull the offer if he so desires. Of course there’s a chance that, even if Kiffin is still with the Trojans when 2015 rolls around, he decides to rescind the offer. Hell, National Signing Day 2015 is nearly four years away; anything can happen between now and then.
By most media accounts, Sills is a very accomplished quarterback for someone his age and has a ton of potential. Hopefully, the kid realizes his dream of suiting up for the Trojans upon graduation and goes on to a long and prosperous collegiate career.
If he doesn’t? Don’t blame Kiffin or the school or anything else along those lines. If this grand plan doesn’t come to fruition, place the blame squarely where it belongs -- with the parents and with the NCAA.
And, if Sills reneges on his verbal? Just chalk it up to Lady Karma comin’ a callin’ on Coach Kiffin.