Based on how the touted prospect’s new year has gone, of course that’s the next logical step.
In less than a month, April Justin, the mother of five-star recruit Landon Collins, has very publicly displayed her displeasure over her son picking Alabama over home-state LSU as well as accusing Nick Saban of “stereotyping” her during an in-home visit last summer.
Now, Ms. Justin has flung additional accusations in Saban’s direction.
In an interview with a website called MomsTeam.com, Justin expounded on her distaste for the Tide as Collins’ choice, saying that “[Alabama] want[s] to redshirt – or greyshirt – him and they want him playing nickleback instead of safety. He is the top safety in the country and he will never play a game his freshman year.” At the choice of school for her son, LSU, “coach Les Miles is offering to play him as safety during his freshman year.”
“His (Nick Saban’s) goals don’t meet the criteria of the family; they meet the criteria of Alabama,” Justin added.
And then there’s the “girlfriend” issue. Prior to Collins’ televised announcement earlier this month, there was reportedly a confrontation between Justin and the player’s girlfriend, Victoria Lowery, over the latter appearing on the stage for the announcement. In the interview conducted last week with the MomsTeam website, Justin claimed that Lowery, who is headed to Alabama as a student, had “allegedly been offered a job to work in head coach Nick Saban’s office.”
The intimation is, of course, that Saban and/or the Tide football program had committed an NCAA violation in order to land Collins as a member of its 2012 recruiting class. If Collins were a basketball player, and if Justin’s accusation were true — UA officials would not discuss the issue — it would indeed be an NCAA violation. As he’s not a hoops player? It’s not. From the Birmingham News:
The NCAA passed a new bylaw in 2010 pertaining specifically to men’s basketball that prohibits a university from employing an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. This bylaw, however, does not apply to college football recruits. According to NCAA bylaw 13.8.3.2:
“In men’s basketball, during a two-year period before a prospective student-athlete’s anticipated enrollment and a two-year period after the student-athlete’s actual enrollment, an institution shall not employ an individual associated with the prospective student-athlete in any athletics department non-coaching staff position.”
So, that’s that, I suppose. While offering a job to the girlfriend of a five-star recruit may have the look and feel of something unsavory, it would not violate NCAA bylaws. Again, if Justin’s accusation of a job offer is even accurate.
Despite all of the noise surrounding his recruitment, Collins has remained steadfast in his verbal commitment to Alabama, and is expected to sign his National Letter of Intent with the school on Wednesday. Hopefully, Collins’ on-field talent is worth all of the off-field hiccups that have come along with it.
ugh… yuk. the mom and gf can stfu.. we don’t care what u want. let the kid decide and support him.
if you got something real – a real ethics concern.. come fwd with specifics..
OR…just stfu
SHUT UP
Let your son grow up….while you do too.
I say, Alabama doesn’t need these types of explosive parental types. Just don’t recruit Landon Collins any further.
This is turning into a total unfounded and She said She said bru ha ha due to a Mother wanting her Son to go where SHE will allow him to go.
So, Landon Collins go where your Mother wants you to go. In the end you’ll catch less hades when you do.
UA, no University wants a recruit to come to their school, when the parents are so against it. But all of these (alleged) alligations against Saban and the Recruiting staff are just a woman continuing to get her fifteen minutes of fame.
Go to LSU Landon. And good luck.
This makes no sense. Even Saban wouldn’t tell one of the very top recruits that he has to gray shirt — or pay his own way for a year. And Alabama’s losing its starting safety while LSU returns tow of the best safeties in the nation. How will he start at LSU and be relegated to a grayshirt at Alabama. Makes no sense.
To me, it sounds like Saban is being really honest. I mean, you’re telling the #1 safety in the country that you are going to sit a year. That shows A) how good ‘Bama is, but B) it sets a very real expectation. Let’s say he goes to LSU but doesn’t immediatly start, then he’s pissed. Versus, you go to ‘Bama, learn the system for a year, play 2, become a 1st round draft pick and momma finally shuts up.
It would be in Alabama’s best interest to cut Landon Collins loose immediately. But it would not be in his best interest to go to LSU where Mommie Dearest can keep him in her death grip. Besides, Les Miles is not a fool. He wouldn’t want this lunatic stage mother breathing down his neck for three or four years. At this point, the best thing for both SEC schools and Landon would be to get him a scholarship to Washington or Oregon–as far as possible from this self-centered, attention-seeking nut.
Not a lunatic mom…she just wants her son at LSU so like mny parents she is trying to influence this to Happen. I’m sure a lot of parents didn’t want their kids to go to The U Penn State or Ohio State this signing season…of course Saban hasnt drawn NCAA ire but the mom
Didn’t like meeting him and doesn’t want her son to go…
I rember Kellen Winslow wanted to go to another school and his father Sr. told him on national TV that he will go to a school based on his approval…and that if the wrong name came out on signing day he would step in!
It’s not a race issue she isn’t a crazy. She is like most parents that think their kid is making a huge mistake
This woman really comes off insane… I feel terrible for this kid. On a side note, if he did go to UA for a girl, which I hope is untrue, atleast it is a respectable football school and a place for him to grow as a player.
alabama univ of tuscalooser crimson rednecks sucks balls
@supremeomego …
This doesn’t have anything to do with meeting Saban or wanting what’s best for her child. She’s an LSU fan. She hates Alabama. And like many of the LSU fans who posted here in the weeks leading up to the title game, she had an irrational hatred of Nick Saban long before she ever met him because he once coached for LSU and (gasp!!!) actually left to coach somewhere else.
Racism is alive and well in America, but this doesn’t have anything to do with racism. And it doesn’t have anything to do with protecting her child and ensuring he gets the best opportunities. If it did, she would have done her homework about Saban’s placement record with the NFL and about Alabama’s academic standing compared to LSU’s. This is a woman who doesn’t mind publicly going after her son’s girlfriend or trying to damage an entire football program to get her way. No, she’s not crazy. She’s as selfish as they come. Not every parent puts her kid first.
Everybody laugh Nick Saban is bad for College Football Having Agents talking to Players Giving jobs to their Families Other favors to Players In God We Trust Paper Bills or Gold is Nick Saban He’s a terrible Coach No creativity
Bad Hair Club for Man Piece
It doesn’t happen often, but I disagree with you, Deb.
Suppose instead of this crazy mother, we were talking about a recruit whose father or brother had just been convicted of an actual crime. I don’t think we would be talking about cutting the recruit loose. Plus, as long as a kid like this has been recruited, I doubt the occasion of his verbal commitment was the first tip to the coaching staff that momma has a few screws loose. Or, that she is the first parent like this they have dealt with. Frankly, if we did cut him loose now, other schools would say to future recruits, “See look? No loyalty at Alabama.” It might not be a fair assessment, but that is what they’d say.
Not only is momma a loon in this case, but she also seems likely to have zero clue about college football (Why does this Dan Hawkins rant pop into my head as I type it (see starting at :45 mark)?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4T26x6GZEw )
Virtually NO ONE starts as a freshman. But many kids do PLAY as freshman. And, guess what, Mom? That’s almost certainly what Saban was telling you. He’ll first get on the field as a nickelback in throwing situations. If he performs well, he’ll eventually play more as a regular safety or cornerback. And, if he lives up to his hype, he’ll eventually start at some position in the secondary. How soon all that happens depends on how well he plays compared to other players on the team. It is also exactly what it sounds like Miles told you, just using different words. Miles said he would “play”. It doesn’t sound like he said Collins would “start”.
Prediction: Sign the kid and momma will eventually shut up. Either he will excel for us and get ample playing time (or even start), in which case she will be satisfied. Or, he won’t. In which case, she will shut up because he will have flopped. Even if she doesn’t shut up then, she’ll get ignored by the media because the media will see her for what she is.
Let’s hope by standing by this kid, we can provide him the space he needs from this toxic woman so that he can grow into a responsible man.
It most certainly is a race issue. Leave it to a black woman to try to spin a race card here since that’s all she knows how to do when they don’t get their way. She will never change but the kid has a chance. He should probably go to Maine or some place she can’t get to him. You have to feel sorry for the young man.
Whether this is true or not, the question has to be asked: why would the NCAA bylaw not apply to football recruits? Why would it be acceptable to employ someone associated with a recruit in exchange for a commitment? That should absolutely be against the NCAA bylaws, and the sport in question should have absolutely nothing to do with it.
i can’t even to begin to imagine how embarassing this is for Landon.
To my dearest son Landon,
Remember son while away at school…..NO WIRE HANGERS NO WIRE HANGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deepest love, dear mommie
Mrslay1, I’m certain you believe you are as unpredjudiced as new-fallen snow, but take your racist bile elsewhere. Yes, this particular black women, who appears by her actions and words to be a bad person, threw out the race card (a few days ago, but not in this particular interview). But YOU expanded that to all black women (or maybe all black people) when you said “that’s all she knows” (implying that is the only way black people know how to to act) and when you said, “[that's] how they do when THEY don’t get THEIR way” (implying all black people act like her when they don’t like something).
Take your garbage and go find a Klavern meeting.
mrsla- I can quite honestly say that I do no believe that I have ever agreed with any comment you have ever posted. Why is race even an issue? Both teams are coached by middle aged caucasian men.
As far as knowing what has been said and what has not been, it is impossible to know the truth. However, if this mother does not feel comfortable with her son’s decision then that is her purogative. Since half the time when an 18 year old makes a bad decision (i.e., posting something on twitter, smoking pot, etc), we say that he is young and will learn, why shouldn’t his mother have input. Who knows what is going on with his family? Maybe she knows that her son will do better closer to home. Plus going to a college because of the girlfriend (as implied by the article, I have no idea if this is true or not) is not the best decision in the world either.
Regardless, this is a family matter (and I wish the mother would regard it as such and not make all things public), and as his parent she has this right. He, being 18 (I suspect he is being a senior in high school), has the right to make his own decision. But unless you, as parents, have never disagreed with your child’s decisions, it is best to leave the supposition and negative comments about this family to yourselves.
Landon lives with his dad. MOM, however, raises his younger step brother and step sister (who are “potential” college prospects). Could it be that MOM wants Landon to go to LSU to help the other children’s prospects? Not sure, but plausible. What can’t be true is the claim that Saban asked Collins to gray shirt. That means he doesn’t sign and he pays his own way the first year. He is the top of the top of prospects. He certainly does not fit the Gray shirt profile. So I would call “bull” on that claim.
(BARF!!)
Excuse me, that was not directed at anyone here. It was my reaction when I actually went and read the blog entry on Momsteams.com that was linked to. The woman who wrote the blog entry just spewed out everything April Justin told her, without the slightest critical eye.
Basically, “Oh this poor mom.” She didn’t even call Justin out for the claim that Collin’s decision didn’t conform to “the family’s long term goals” Excuse me? Why should your son choose a school based on where his sibings may (or may not) go? In what family is that considered “normal”? Plus, what you bet Dad and Step-mom were not in on the drafting of the “long term family goals”? And de Lench (the blog writer) didn’t call her out on any of it.
illogicalconsideration What a stupid thing to say. This entire story broke by her (his mother) stating she didn’t like Sabin because he sterotyped her. That is not a racist statement on my part, just the TRUTH. Deal with it! Denying the truth shows who the racist it
If I were that kid, I’d change my mind and sign with the “University of Get As Far Away Mama and Crazy Girlfriend Asap”
I cannot stand this kids MOMMA! She is a money hungry sycophant who could care less about the education her son will be getting. She knows NOTHING about education and alot more about the NFL. She is DESPICABLE!
I bet Landon is SO proud. Just my 2 cents, Bama cuts loose Landon’s scholly on signing day….
All we need when we read this thread are some banjos playing in the background.
Hard to believe this kid wants to attend college in another state…
If his momma had her way, he’d go right to the league today….education? schoolin?…..ah Landon, schoolin is for fools…..that’s what his momma probly been sayin…….
If there is anything going on at Alabama that shouldn’t be, and the kid happens to mention it to momma, you know momma’s going straight to the media. Could be trouble down the line for Bama.
This is going to turn out ugly for Alabama.
Without Mommas financial support, LC is going to be a target for the lurking financial boosters.
Don’t see this ending good..
ask russell shepard about leslie miles’ promises
April, don’t tell me you aready spent the money!!!
already
It ain’t that damned important.
Who were the “can’t miss” recruits three or four years ago?
Sorry, mom, but these aren’t your decisions to make. Your little boy can go to any school he wants and date any girl he likes. You’d best allow him to be his own man or in a few years you’ll be griping to your friends that he never calls and you never get to see your grandchildren.
when was the last time momma made a tackle.
oh by the way what job did lsu offer momma
She only fits the stereotype after opening her mouth.
She is so adamant about him going to LSU, it really makes me wonder what they promised her, if she steered her son to be a Tiger.
What an embarrassment of a parent. This statement amazes me and tells you how out of control recruiting is.
“His (Nick Saban’s) goals don’t meet the criteria of the family; they meet the criteria of Alabama,”
She is correct, because last I checked Nick Saban and Alabama are giving her son an education to play football. Pretty when this kid hits campus he will be just another freshmen. Pretty sure the coaches know what their doing, and this kid hasn’t done anything yet.
She should shut her mouth and quit embarrassing her child. He seems to be the only mature person in this sideshow.
@Logical Consideration …
It’s okay … I’m not serious about cutting Collins loose
I’m sure Nick knew what was coming when he signed the kid–and I’d never punish the child for the sins of the parent. But she is some piece of work. The funny thing is that if SEC football were as corrupt as some of these folks like to think, this dingaling wouldn’t be running her mouth. The Good Ol’ Boy Mafia would have pointed to the swamps and made her an offer she couldn’t refuse 
MOM has certainly earned the right to disagree. Any of you boys ever raised a teenager? Sign me up for more teenagers and their inability to make logical adult decisions. send the kid up here to OREGON, he’ll be treated right. But teenagers and logic? Hah!
160
His momma gives the perception of a money-hungry sycophant who wants to climb the social ladder on her son’s back! Both Alabama and LSU are good choices for the young man. If she has disagreements with her son’s selection, keep it behind closed doors….not in the media. If she doesn’t like Coach Saban, she’s entitled but to air it in the press is not acceptable and she deserves the blistering comments she is receiving. And tell her to get rid of the blond hair…..the woman is hideous looking as well as a dummy.
please tell us that his girlfriend is not white
Thanks for the laughs!!! I would love to have seen the look on Nick’s face when this started to hit the fan!! It was probably on the ‘WTF – the sh!t I have to go through just to get a freshman to ink a contract’ variety – no doubt while grabbing for the bottle of Pepto would be priceless!!!
Hey mom, Saban is doing your kid a favor. You want him to start when he is in danger of screwing up his career because you think it best? How many years have you been coaching?? lol, stfu
Leave the coaching to the Coaches, and the playing to your son. Saban are you sure you need this headache, I’m thinking another setup for NCA sanctions courtesy of mommy, waaaaaa boo hoo waaaaaa
BTW… Maybe he wants to go to BAMA to leave mommy behind. Let the kid grow up. He knows who will make him a better player and adult.