Just when we thought we were free and clear of any drama when it came to Malik McDowell, they pull us back in.
Earlier today, the five-star defensive end announced that he would be signing with his favorite Michigan State. McDowell’s father, who along with the player’s mother had been very much against an MSU signing, also reportedly signed his son’s National Letter of Intent, putting what was thought to be an official end to the mini-drama.
As Lee Corso is wont to say, not so fast my friends. According to Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell, the paper Greg McDowell signed was not an NLI. Instead, the signing impasse between the son and the parents apparently continues.
Looks like the impasse continues in the McDowell family, source told me letter hasn't been signed and @JoshHelmholdt has confirmed.
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) February 5, 2014
NCAA bylaws require that, if the prospective student-athlete is under the age of 21, a parent or guardian must sign the NLI. Additionally, the NCAA writes, the student-athlete “and your parent or legal guardian must sign the NLI within 14 days of issuance.”
In other words, the two related sides still have time to work this out.
McDowell the player had long preferred Michigan State. McDowell the father preferred that his son, in essence, get the hell out of the state of Michigan and sign with either Florida State or Ohio State.