There is something to be said about the homework being done by the Miami Hurricanes and Al Golden. Of course, the homework being done by three recent players to receive scholarship offers from the Hurricanes happens to be middle school-level algebra and geography.
Handing out scholarship offers to kids in middle school is nothing new, but it always generates a certain degree of conversation. Miami has done just that with three recent scholarship offers to players in eighth grade. Kenny McIntosh of Fort Lauderdale shared his offer news on Twitter. So did Owen Pappoe of Georgia, and he actually holds offers from Boston College and Tennessee as well.So thankful to @BCCoachWash @UTCoachThig @HurlieB blessed to have offers thanks #blessed pic.twitter.com/8E3X0G3fIg
— Owen Pappoe (@opfreak15) April 29, 2015
A third offer from Miami, according to ESPN’s Gerry Hamilton, landed in the hands of James Cook. Cook is the younger brother of Florida State running back Dalvin Cook, so maybe Golden is striking early to prevent Cook from following his brother to a rival school.
Recruiting is tense, and the attention given to it has only increased exponentially over the years. That has led to more awareness and perhaps more competition on the recruiting trail. Getting relationships established as early as possible seems to be the key for some coaches, so this kind of story is not likely to be silenced soon unless the NCAA gets involved with some recruiting reform measures that would prevent scholarships from being offered until a certain age or year of schooling.
Is it ethical for schools to be handing out scholarship offers to players this young? Feel free to have that debate in the comments if you choose.