Note To Recruits: U Snooze, U Lose

There is no need to read between the lines.

There is no hidden meaning or hidden agenda.

There is no mystery, intrigue or puzzle to solve.

There is no top secret information that needs to be shared. 

And, if you are a University of Miami football fan, there is certainly no need to get your knickers all in a wad over the Denver Kirkland situation.

As everyone reading this already knows, Kirkland is the highly sought after, four star offensive lineman from Booker T Washington high school in Miami. UM was one of many schools that were heavily recruiting Kirkland and had even offered him a scholarship to become a Miami Hurricane.

At least until yesterday that is. That was when Kirkland, apparently playing the always popular but not always effective "recruiting game" that usually involves more hats tricks than a full season of hockey games, was informed by Miami that the Hurricane train had left the station. 

Every single one of the Internets that Al Gore created were all abuzz on Thursday night after news of the situation broke in the late afternoon. So, I thought I would weigh in and offer my humble opinion on this issue.

To me it would appear that UM head coach Al Golden sent a clear, concise and long overdue message to all potential high school recruits who might like to spend their college years as a student-athlete at "The U": U snooze, U lose.

And, I for one, totally, completely and fully approve of this message.

So now, the day after the smoke has cleared, it appears that Booker T. Washington high school football Coach Ice "Ice Baby" Harris is back-pedaling a little on the comments he made on Twitter last night to the Miami Herald's Manny Navarro.

It seems coach Harris may have had big dreams of getting some serious media attention for himself and his school by playing match-maker between Kirkland and his many college suitors and instead fumbled the ball at the goal line and was shocked that his little scheme and his client wound up paying a heavy price in what basically amounted to recruiting divorce court.

Personally, I respected, appreciated and valued the move by Golden and the way he handled this situation so much that I have invented a new term to mark the day, and the way, that he single-handedly brought college football recruiting finally crashing back to earth: "Kirklanded".

Definition: (1) The act of waiting too long to make your decision on verbally committing to your school of choice and thereby having the school pull your scholarship offer and leaving you standing all alone out in the cold looking more foolish than you are young; (2) trying to get too cute during the recruiting process by telling the school you really want to attend that they are in your "top three" schools under the delusion of having all of the power in the recruiting process and thereby losing your best option; (3) the act of having your high school coach get in the way, give you bad advice and fumble away the only real chance you ever had to attend your dream school.

Just a word of advice to all high school football recruits out there: hat tricks are for kids, so commit to Miami while you can.

And please, whatever U do, don't get "Kirklanded". 

Related articles

Miami is out for Denver Kirkland, per reports

Miami Hurricanes pull offer from Denver Kirkland

Miami Hurricanes Football: National Signing Day Will Make or Break 2013 Class

Recruiting impact of James Coley leaving Florida State for Miami

Comments

[Jack]

Article Burns I like him! True "Miami Guy". Committed and never wavered!!

[Canesteeler]

There is more to the BTW story than we know. Schools pull offers all the time and recruits break promises all the time. Ice has an agenda and I wonder if he is looking out for his interest or his players interest. This entire recruiting fiasco gets worse every year. Great article.

[TJL]

need to send Omar from the wire to speak to Ice

[CaneRock]

need to send Omar from the wire to speak to Ice

Posted by: TJL | February 02, 2013 at 08:38 AM

LMAO!
Nah, this is a job for Chris-n-Snoop.

[Jersey_Cane]

I like the bravado that Golden displayed on this one... I have to assume that he couldn't go into signee day with so many unknowns and I have to believe this will translate into atleast one other verbal commit before Wednesday. As for the crop of unknowns, being a Cooper City High grad, I have to pull for the Broward kids to sign. So if we get Collins, that will make my day. Nice article 86, been a while since I have posted, but still come here frequently to catch up on things and I appreciate all the updates everyone provides...

[semperfi_cane]

Lastly I thought I read somewhere that a btw coach (harris jr?) all but said that the kid was a silent before the U pulled the scholly? If thats the case why would we not believe that and run with it?

Posted by: usagainsttheworld | February02, 2013 at 07:54 AM

Harris is claiming that he made those assurances, but apparently Kirkland wasn't when asked point blank by coach Barrow. However, because the Canes coaching staff is prohibited from speaking about recruits per NCAA rules, Harris' version of events is the only one, "officially,"on record thus far. Personally,I could care less what a coach says if the actual recruit is giving conflicting information.

[semperfi_cane]

Looks like Arkansas made Randy Shannon create a twitter account. I can't think he's going to be overly chatty.

[CGNC]

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 01, 2013 at 09:59 PM

LMAO so the owner of SWATS is a former male stripper? This story just gets better and better

[CGNC]

Good morning party people. Good sports weekend - Canes basketball and Pens hockey today, Pens - Caps tomorrow and then Superbowl. Oh and the groundhog predicted an early spring! Since it is 28 here, I LOVE THAT

[Ohio_Cane]

Want some good news, if its true?

"We have heard from multiple sources that Denver Kirkland's dad had a series of phone conversations with Al Golden, other UM coaches and even UM President Donna Shalala on Friday and the doors of dialogue have been opened that could lead to Kirkland getting back in the mix for this recruiiting class."

Was this a play by Golden to get DK to commit and all but secure 6? Very very possibly.

[CGNC]

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State looks likely to be without one of its top players against Atlantic Coast Conference-leading Miami.

Coach Mark Gottfried sounded doubtful about point guard Lorenzo Brown's chances of playing for the No. 19 Wolfpack on Saturday against the No. 14 Hurricanes because of a sprained left ankle.

"We'll see how he feels tomorrow," Gottfried said Friday. "The probability in my mind for him to be recovered enough to cut and move and sprint and jump is pretty slim. I think we'll have to prepare as if he's not going to play and then we'll see and go from there."

Brown was hurt when he stepped on a defender's foot in the first half of Tuesday's loss at Virginia. He didn't return to the game, hasn't practiced since and has been wearing a walking boot.

[CalGary cane]

Posted by: usagainsttheworld | February02, 2013 at 07:54 AM

Harris said in the radio interview that Kirkland did not commit but should have been given up to NSD to make up his mind.

[Sarasota 'cane]

How do we even know if the kid qualified academically? The problem with "recruiting news" is that it's one sided. Ice could be throwing UM under the bus for no reason and we would never know because Al is not allowed to discuss the situation.
Al has never shown me one shred of dis-loyalty to his players or recruits. If Kirkland didn't qualify then Al did him a huge favor since he still has plenty of time to find a new suitor.
And as far as Manny goes I understand. That dudes on a sinking ship! How many people here actually pay for the Miami Herald? Those blogs are the only way to show advertisers that people are actually reading their rag. They complain about the same issue on the Gator Clause blog.
My feeling on this upcoming season is this:
1. We don't have the beef on the defensive line to make a run at a NC.
2. We can win our first ACC title.
3. We will beat the Gators!
4. We will beat FSU!
5. We will beat USF!
6. We will be state champs AND bring the War Canoe home to its rightful place!
That's where we are, that's who we are! The icing on the cake for me would be if we can somehow get a chance to play Floriduh in a bowl game and beat them twice in the same season...AGAIN!!!

Go 'canes!

P.S. Vault this post Soup!

[canezilla]

Looks like Arkansas made Randy Shannon create a twitter account. I can't think he's going to be overly chatty.

Posted by: semperfi_cane | February 02, 2013 at 09:20 AM

HOW CAN HE TYPE WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED ALL THE TIME?

[Pre83]

CGNC

It's been frigid, more like arctic, here the better part of two wks! 15 below zero yest morn with a 35 below windchill... I pray the groundhog comes through this year!! SOOO glad hockey is back!!

I hope the NFL closes out with a classic tomorrow

[86Cane]

P.S. Vault this post Soup!

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | February 02, 2013 at 10:44 AM

U sir have been vaulted.

[Sinistercane]

Want some good news, if its true?

"We have heard from multiple sources that Denver Kirkland's dad had a series of phone conversations with Al Golden, other UM coaches and even UM President Donna Shalala on Friday and the doors of dialogue have been opened that could lead to Kirkland getting back in the mix for this recruiiting class."

Was this a play by Golden to get DK to commit and all but secure 6? Very very possibly.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 02, 2013 at 10:23 AM

WTF, why is Donna is involved with the recruiting process? If you need your Prez "who has NO clue about recruiting" to get involved we're doomed.

[Ohio_Cane]

Well, she's the one who signs off on the scholarships, if I'm not mistaken. If true, seems like a desperation move by DK and family. That, or Golden wanted to make things right due to a possible lack of communication between coaches?

I'm only speculating here, of course

[Terrance Sullivan]

Sarasota epic post man.

[CGNC]

Pre - I know I sound like a wimp complaining about the Charlotte temps. I don't know how you do it! Can't wait to relocate

[TonyCane]

Sinister, I would love to see Donna Shalala's recruiting conversation. It might have been epic.

[MemNoles]

I'm sorry, but this post is asinine. You applaud Golden for pulling the scholly from a kid that wanted to wait till NSD, why doesn't he do the same to Matthew Thomas? If a kid wants to have a top 3 and commit when it's time to officially commit, how are we knocking that? What would you rather have? Denver Kirkland committed and taking visits, then come out and say, "I'm still committed to UM, but UF is my leader"

The whole basis behind recruiting is working to sign players you want. If you're going to sit around and think your UM offer is the end all be all, you're going to miss out on talented players.

This move shouldn't be applauded. If anything, you should question the stubbornness of Golden. OR question whether Golden wanted him to begin with. It's not far fetched to think they recruited heavily in a ploy to sign Matthew Thomas, then needs took over and they backed off cause the kid wanted his rightful time to make decision.

Just offering some real perspective here.

[fran]

I have only met soup and raise from this blog But I feel a part of it even if I just read every post. Today at 1 PM I will attempt to post from the the new TV bought Thursday. It is an LG 55" 1080P 3D Smart Tv. I will check back later for the result.
Thanks for all you ndo.

Fran in DeBary

[Sinistercane]

Let me asked the UNASWERED question for the third time, What has DONNA done to help the improve the athletic department since she loves to be so involved?

[Canesteeler]

Memnoles good post with very valid points.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

I don't think it's fair to Denver to be used as scapegoat or to be ridiculed this way just so our staff or the many adults involved in this can save face?

I've met the kid and he seems very genuine, very humble and is a nice calm dude. This whole thing should be blamed on the adults involved in this.

Imo, the kid did it right and waited all the way til' signing day announcing a top 3-5, nothing is wrong with that, it's what we all want a kid would do instead of flipping commitments like they work in mcdonalds.

"Kirklanded" really? Pshh...

I really hope Golden finds it in his heart to take this kid in and smooth things out in the reported 3 pm meeting today. Let's just stop this foolishness, in the end, every coaches know what they're dealing with. Teenagers! Young adults who didn't know better! At one point in our lives, we've all made mistakes, that is all!

[86Cane]

Fran in DeBary

Posted by: fran | February 02, 2013 at 12:05 PM

Fran...U will ALWAYS be part of the Canespace family.

Be well and GO CANES!!

[Memnoles]

Thanks. Just hope fans can see this for what it really is. A power play. But this can backfire dramatically. The most attention an inner city, poor kid gets is the recruiting process. So of course they milk it. These kids have NOTHING. If Kirkland was some tweeter 3/4 star that's for depth that's one thing, but why f around with a kid that has the potential to start and start big?

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

HOW CAN HE TYPE WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED ALL THE TIME?

Posted by: canezilla | February 02, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Memnoles, great post about DK's situation. I share the same sentiment.

Stop bashing the kid already, geez!

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

HOW CAN HE TYPE WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED ALL THE TIME?

Posted by: canezilla | February 02, 2013 at 11:00 AM

I meant to post this as well, this shiit is so true! Got me rollin' about Randy always have his arms crossed! LoL

[usagainsttheworld]

Thanks Semper Fi and Calgary Cane for clarifying.

@sinistercane-- I actually think that it's good for shalala to be involved at this point, particularly if Al and the band are trying to repair a relationship or better yet, get the kid to still sign.

How would you feel if you are Kirk's parents, the phone rings, you pick up and say hello, and the answer back is "hello, this is Donna Shalala, President of the U?"

Btw--Donna ain't callin unless Al asks her too.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Thanks. Just hope fans can see this for what it really is. A power play. But this can backfire dramatically. The most attention an inner city, poor kid gets is the recruiting process. So of course they milk it. These kids have NOTHING. If Kirkland was some tweeter 3/4 star that's for depth that's one thing, but why f around with a kid that has the potential to start and start big?

Posted by: Memnoles | February 02, 2013 at 12:43 PM

Yess, Thank you!

[CoCane]

MemNoles,

1st of all. Matt Thomas has always remained undecided. He's been consistant with that status. 2nd, he's the #1 rated player at a position we really need to upgrade & reload at. 3rd, We're stacked on the O-line & have Shane McDermott's little brother, that's rated just as high coming in next year.

Listen to the Tim Harris interview on WQAM. He's Kirkland's coach. He said himself that he told Barrow that Kirkland told him he is coming to the "U". Then, when Barrow asked Kirkland face to face. He said we're in his top 3. From Barrow's vantage point that sounds like some bullshyt. He wasn't consistant with his uncertain status. So instead of playing mind games this late in the game, Golden & Barrow said fukk'em. There is another player at a position of need that ain't playing around & is all about the "U". If he was truly undecided, he should've made that clear to his coaches & the UM staff. He told the his coaches 1 thing, then turned around & told the "U" coaches something else. His bad...

Golden showed he isn't going to let a 17 year old, snotty nosed, wet behind the ear, jitterbug psychologically control the situation. Why would you want a coach that would lay down like that??? Golden said "get on board or get left behind". Kirkland ain't get on board & got left at the fukkin train station. It's a new captain driving this biatch. Fans, local players & coaches better tighten the fukk up. PERIOD

CHUCH

[UMike]

Ohio..what I dont understand about all that is this...what in the world are the going through ALL THAT, just so they can "get back in the mix"??? lol...If his dad had to call and speak to all those people, why didnt the kid just commit and be a silent? Makes no sense lol...IF true, then he must of been guided the wrong way, because this would make it seem like he REALLY wants to be at Miami.

[UMike]

So their gonna call the President of the University just to "get back in the mix"..Not to say I will commit? lol

[semperfi_cane]

Posted by: CoCane | February 02, 2013 at 01:03 PM

Excellent post.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"Al has never shown me one shred of dis-loyalty to his players or recruits.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | February 02, 2013 at 10:44 AM"

Guys who left for 20 cents on the dollar was uncalled for in attempt justifying why he couldn't win consistently last year so I would disagree with that part of your post but other than that the rest is cosign all the way 'Sota.

There's no way to say a decision in the future is being made through negative or positive moves in present because you don't know the outcome of the moves on both the decision itself and the aftermath of it once it finally isn't at a future date like it is now.

The truth is anyway, it's both positive and negative at the same time for different reasons, kind of like a signing day version of Schrödinger's cat.

[UpNorthCane27]

Kirkland and his family meeting Golden and the Staff at 3 pm on campus according to several twitter and blog posts.....

[Ohio_Cane]

Hearing Gus Edwards may have committed today on his visit. Checking more sources.

[Canesfan_1]

If anything, you should question the stubbornness of Golden. OR question whether Golden wanted him to begin with.

kid wanted his rightful time to make decision.

Just offering some real perspective here.

Posted by: MemNoles | February 02, 2013 at 12:04 PM

If anything, you should question how FSU can have top 3 recruiting classes, year after year and end up being a laughingstock and getting punked by teams like Wake Forest and NC State every year. If a were a perennially underperforming s!!!nhole, that's the question I would ponder, instead of worrying about your daddy down south.

Kid had his rightful time to make a decision.

Just offering some real perspective here.

[UMike]

Kirkland and his family meeting Golden and the Staff at 3 pm on campus according to several twitter and blog posts.....

Posted by: UpNorthCane | February 02, 2013 at 01:54 PM

This is an awful lot of attention for a kid who just has us in his top 3 lol...I forgot who said it yesterday, but Im starting to agree..Harris lead this kid in the wrong direction. He obviously wants to be at Miami (if this is all true).

[orange 'n green in the vein]

/\/\/\

You forgot to ask him about the Pimp slap they took in basketball/Leonard Hamilton's a great NIT coach joke combo, but other than that a pretty good gauntlet throw down there C_1.

[Ohio_Cane]

@MiamiTrack: Randy "Duke" Johnson wins heat two of the men's 60m with a time of 6.92

Go Duke!!

[MemNoles]

CoCane - that's kind of my point. You drop him for a need. But the post insinuates he's dropped cause he's as you say a snotty wet nosed kid. Bt he's also a snotty wet nosed kid that came from nothing that's finally getting the play he covets. I'm fine with dropping his scholly, I'm not fine with dropping him for the glorified reason that's made out in this post. Coaches notoriously blow smoke. If you follow recruiting you see that all the time. We're not in the know, so it's a tough determination to make. However, don't get me wrong, you want the guys that WANT to play for you. S that's totally fine. UF just dropped a solid LB the same way.

Canesfan_1 - bro don't be ignorant. There's no name calling necessary. If you want to call yourself "daddy", remember that all that matters is current progress. Right now, UM isn't winning its meaningful games, FSU has. S what if we didnt win the NC. next best was an ACC championship and a bcs bowl win, accomplished. Yes, there are some problems with Jimbo. FSU fans have expressed their concerns. They're under forming on the field, totally, but they're also getting drafted and contributing at the next level. Coaching problem? More than likely. Hopefully that's figured out. But if you're going to offer information, stick to the topic instead of trying to downgrade your biggest competition.

[Old Skool]

Good luck with the post Fran. Hopefully, there'll be comments worth reading in high def.

[Canesfan_1]

Thanks, coach

How could I have missed that? Especially knowing Coach L has a strong pimp hand

[slaps his forehead]

[Ohio_Cane]

Watching the Pens dismantle the Devils and the young version of grandpa Broduer

[Canesfan_1]

Hey "bro", if you call my response name calling, then you're alarmingly oversensitive. May I suggest testosterone supplementation?

But I do thank you for that impressive list of FSU accomplishments. Made me hang my head in shame.

As far as me sticking to the topic as you've defined it, I thank you again for pointing the error of my ways. I need to make sure that in the future I limit my responses so that they meet your rigid criteria, thereby earning me your approval, which I so desperately desire.

[MemNoles]

I'm an FSU fan. I hate the canes. I hate the gators. That's natural! I don't say scUM.i don't say FU. It's, in my opinion, uninventive that's all I'm getting at. And losing to wake and nc state is irrelevant when UM is losing to FSU. At least as far as this board is concerned. If you want to throw out FSU when I'm chatting about Denver Kirkland that's your MO. If you can't handle some perspective, well then, god speed. I not here for a an FSU/UM war. That's child's play.

[canezilla]

DON'T WORRY MEMNOLES WE WILL GET THAT WIN VS FSU AT YOUR HOUSE,BELIVE THAT