USC secures commitment from 13 year old QB

[DeToxRox]

.. Okay this is pretty insane. This is the second 13 year old Lane has had commit (Eric Berry's bro was the other at UT) and yes that sounds bad.

College football: Middle-schooler David Sills verbally commits to USC
Quarterback verbals to USC

BY BUDDY HURLOCK, THE NEWS JOURNAL • February 4, 2010

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David Sills, a highly-touted youth quarterback, made a verbal commitment tonight to accept a college football scholarship from USC.

Sills is not even in high school yet. He is a seventh-grader at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear.

Red Lion high school varsity coach Eric Day confirmed the decision by Sills tonight, also confirming that USC coach Lane Kiffin recently offered a scholarship to the 13-year-old Sills.

"I'm very excited but I was very, very nervous," Sills said tonight about talking to Kiffin over the phone. "It was very cool [to talk to Kiffin] but my heart was beating so fast, and I was scared. But after it was over, I was so excited and pumped."

Its absurd as it is in hoops .. but football now? Get the fuck out.

[Izulde]

Get the fuck out sums up my thoughts exactly.

I could go on a rant about this sort of thing, but the corruption of college athletics by this middle-school poaching in basketball (and now football apparently) is one of those topics that so infuriates me that I can't even begin to talk about it rationally and logically.

[Noop]

It's pretty pointless to offer kids who aren't in high school. The development of players typically occur during high school. It is now uncommon for the youth football stud to be a bench player because everyone else caught up to him.

[Young Drachma]

Heh. Ridiculous, but funny.

In the sense that, Lane probably did this on purpose. But if he's training with Steve Clarkson a few times a year at age 13, it's clear that barring injury his family is going to invest the money to ensure he has access to the best training, etc., so...as far as gambles go...

I bet this is just a way to ensure that if he is still coaching there at that time and this kid develops into anything close to a decent prospect, that USC is in the conversation and he'll remember this when that time comes around.

"I was just a nobody back then and Coach Kiffin and USC believed in me."

[JPhillips]

That Kiffin guy is sure a winner.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

They make 'em younger & greener every year... (Coaches, that is.)

[PackerFanatic]

I doubt Kiffin is even at USC by the time the kid gets there. Just absurd...

[Chief Rum]

Kid musta ripped off everything down to the skivvies on his official.

[Groundhog]

I don't know how scholarships work, but can he actually officially accept a scholarship offer at this stage? And if so, what if in like 2 years time the kid has an accident and can never walk again, does he still get a free ride into a college education?

[Young Drachma]

I don't know how scholarships work, but can he actually officially accept a scholarship offer at this stage? And if so, what if in like 2 years time the kid has an accident and can never walk again, does he still get a free ride into a college education?

No, a verbal commitment is just isn't binding at all. The Letter of Intent is what binds them. This is just a dog and pony show.

[DeToxRox]

I don't know how scholarships work, but can he actually officially accept a scholarship offer at this stage? And if so, what if in like 2 years time the kid has an accident and can never walk again, does he still get a free ride into a college education?

Nothing is binding until he signs a letter of intent. He can't be given a written scholarship offer until Sept 1st of his Junior year of HS and even then those mean jack squat.

It's just the fact someone is actually offering 13 year old's that is insane.

[Karlifornia]

When he takes his official visit, can he ride in Lane Kiffin's flying car, or will he have to take his own?

[Lathum]

This kid is gonna use this to get mad tail. Once he hits puberty.

[MrBug708]

Lane Kiffin is a moron. I'm glad USC hired him to save a recruiting class

[CraigSca]

Heh - this is about 15 mins north of where I live, but I never heard of the kid. Apparently I'm not a very good recruiter.

[sabotai]

No, a verbal commitment is just isn't binding at all. The Letter of Intent is what binds them. This is just a dog and pony show.

Damn it!! That "time for the dog and pony show" movie quote is back in my head and I never found out what movie it's from!!!

EDIT: Pirates of Silicon Valley! Finally remembered it...

[mckerney]

I don't know how scholarships work, but can he actually officially accept a scholarship offer at this stage? And if so, what if in like 2 years time the kid has an accident and can never walk again, does he still get a free ride into a college education?

Not sure how it would work with a 13 year old, but I think that Texas honored the scholarship of a player who committed after their junior year and then was either injured or diagnosed with a condition that left them unable to play football. A little different case being a player can't even be offered a scholarship officially until after their junior year, but I believe that in case of injury or health problem where of a player who'd been offered a scholarship and accepted it a major program would still honor the scholarship and allow them to be a part of the team. And if I remember correctly in these cases the team would be allowed an injury exemption and the scholarship wouldn't count against the teams limit.

[Young Drachma]

hehe sabotai.

I guess it's time to create this kid as a recruit for NCAA10 when it gets to that year and see if he really does end up at USC. Heh.

[Eaglesfan27]

Lane Kiffin is a moron. I'm glad USC hired him to save a recruiting class

Not just to save this class. To get the #1 class every year. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program and this staff has 3 of the best recruiters in college football on it already.

[cartman]

Interesting that EF27 commented only on the strong recruiting aspect, and completely ignored the ridiculousness of this particular situation.

[Eaglesfan27]

Interesting that EF27 commented only on the strong recruiting aspect, and completely ignored the ridiculousness of this particular situation.


I was pressured for time this morning before leaving for work (haven't even seen my WOOF results yet.) I was just doing a few quick posts. About to see a patient, but I absolutely agree that it is ridiculous and meaningless to offer/accept a verbal scholarship from a 13 year old football player.

Also, in regards to McKerney's point. USC has honored the scholarship of Juniors who they accepted for football scholarships and were later unable to play due to health complications.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

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[spleen1015]

USC can withdraw the offer any time right?

It's just pub.

[sooner333]

Is it possible that this is a made-up story? It would be the perfect publicity for the QB coach because USC cannot comment on prospective recruits and couldn't deny it. I doubt it's the case, but it would be pretty ingenius.

[Eaglesfan27]

Clarkson has a long history as a QB coach and has had a reputation with USC over the years. He was Barkley's QB coach as well when he was younger. I doubt this is made up, even though I wish it was.

[Senator]

No lie, George Sauer Jr. (stud receiver for the Jets who retired at 27 and 8 catches for 133 yds in the upset Super Bowl, which no one remembers)
was given a football scholarship to the University of Texas at BIRTH.

[cartman]

No lie, George Sauer Jr. (stud receiver for the Jets who retired at 27 and 8 catches for 133 yds in the upset Super Bowl, which no one remembers)
was given a football scholarship to the University of Texas at BIRTH.

Good stuff, I had almost forgotten about that.

George Sauer, Sr. played for D.X. Bible at Nebraska in the 30s. Sauer decided to name his first born D.X. in honor of his coach. It was a girl, but still named Dana. When Sauer's second child was born, it was a boy. Bible, who was then coaching at Texas, sent a note offering the kid a scholarship. He ended up being a good enough football player that Darrell Royal eventually ended up honoring Bible's offer.

[fantom1979]

The important questions is.... Does this kid now get Reggie Bush's old house? Or does he actually have to wait to get to USC before they buy it for him.

[TroyF]

Here is what I find the most amusing thing about the story I read on ESPN today:

Clarkson said Kiffin asked him his opinion of the recruit and Clarkson said, "You might call me crazy, but you've known me a long time, right? And when I said if there was going to be a Lebron James of football it'd be Jimmy Clausen that turned out to be a pretty good prediction.
"And when I said Matt Barkley had the potential to be as good as Jimmy, he ended up winning Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior and starting at USC as a freshman, right?
"Well, I've got a kid now who is better than all of them and he's in Delaware. You gotta take a look at him."


OK, I know I'm not a fan of the Golden Domers, but I actually kind of like Clausen. I'm not sure I'd say calling Clausen the Lebron James of football would be a "pretty good prediction."



The Clausen I know played three seasons and had his biggest honor be a 2nd team all america award from CBS sportsline. While he's one of the top ranked QB's out of the draft class, there is a very good chance he won't even be the first QB off the board on draft day.



Clarkson is WAY off if he thinks Clausen to James is a "pretty good" comparison.

[JediKooter]

I hear the kid is already demanding, a future undetermined NFL team, to play him or trade him

[MrBug708]

USC can withdraw the offer any time right?

It's just pub.

This. Rick was getting a lot of national pub for his recruiting efforts. UCLA and USC split 18 recruits who sported offers from both schools.

I'd like to see a new rule in which schools must honor scholarship offers to kids under the ages of 15.

[DaddyTorgo]

This. Rick was getting a lot of national pub for his recruiting efforts. UCLA and USC split 18 recruits who sported offers from both schools.

I'd like to see a new rule in which schools must honor scholarship offers to kids under the ages of 15.

I'd like to see a rule where they're forbidden to make such promises, and if someone comes out and claims that they did and does not have proof their kid is stripped of all future NCAA eligibility.

[DanGarion]

FIGHT ON!

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[johnnyshaka]

Wait a second, is the kid a ginger?? If he is...LOOK OUT!!!

[Young Drachma]

FIGHT ON!

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Man, he looks like he's walking on stilts. He's going to have to grow up and fill out in that body or else, some kid with no future during his freshman year is going to take him out.

What's funnier about that video is that Steve Clarkson paid someone to make a quarterback song set to music. Geez.

[Eaglesfan27]

Man, he looks like he's walking on stilts. He's going to have to grow up and fill out in that body or else, some kid with no future during his freshman year is going to take him out.

What's funnier about that video is that Steve Clarkson paid someone to make a quarterback song set to music. Geez.

Agreed. I find the idea behind that song hilarious. As far as the kid, he does have a nice throwing motion and good mechanics from what they showed in the video. I still dislike the idea of offering at this age and find it pointless, but the rumor is that Slick Rick was also contacting him about an offer, so I don't dislike it as much as I did this morning.

[Young Drachma]

The kid looks like a solid prospect for his age. I mean, he could be a HS QB in some places right now with those mechanics and would be a solid player, I'd imagine..even though I'm sure it's not lost on anyone that all of that footage was intrasquad play. :)

If his dad is paying Steve Clarkson at 13, there's probably no doubt he'll be doing something for somebody unless heaven forbid an injury. Or a failed growth spurt or something.

This certainly seems like stage parent-itis and he's just a prop in the whole deal. That's the sad part. I mean, Lane is encouraging it, but...surely if not him, someone else would be doing it if he's on their radar.

[timmynausea]

Imagine how good this kid will be when he can reach the top of the dry erase board.

[TroyF]

I'd like to see a rule where they're forbidden to make such promises, and if someone comes out and claims that they did and does not have proof their kid is stripped of all future NCAA eligibility.


So you penalize the kid because his parents are asshats? ummm, no.

Simple, simple rule here. If a coach talks to a kid or his parents about a scholarship under the age of 16, the kid is forbid from going to that school and anyplace the coach goes to after as well.

[MrBug708]

Agreed. I find the idea behind that song hilarious. As far as the kid, he does have a nice throwing motion and good mechanics from what they showed in the video. I still dislike the idea of offering at this age and find it pointless, but the rumor is that Slick Rick was also contacting him about an offer, so I don't dislike it as much as I did this morning.

LOL. I highly doubt that, but if true, Lane is getting desperate.

[cartman]

but the rumor is that Slick Rick was also contacting him about an offer, so I don't dislike it as much as I did this morning.

Really? Just because UCLA is rumored to be involved that somehow makes it a little bit more palatable?

[Eaglesfan27]

Really? Just because UCLA is rumored to be involved that somehow makes it a little bit more palatable?

Somewhat yes. If you haven't noticed, they are my most disliked rival of the teams I root for. More so than the Cowboys or anyone else. I want to beat them in any way possible whenever possible.

That being said, I wish there was a way for the NCAA to crack down on early contact before the age of 15 or 16.

[johnnyshaka]

So you penalize the kid because his parents are asshats? ummm, no.

Simple, simple rule here. If a coach talks to a kid or his parents about a scholarship under the age of 16, the kid is forbid from going to that school and anyplace the coach goes to after as well.

So you penalize the kid because the coach is an asshat??

[cartman]

That being said, I wish there was a way for the NCAA to crack down on early contact before the age of 15 or 16.

Carl Jung would have a field day with you :)

[DanGarion]

Man, he looks like he's walking on stilts. He's going to have to grow up and fill out in that body or else, some kid with no future during his freshman year is going to take him out.

What's funnier about that video is that Steve Clarkson paid someone to make a quarterback song set to music. Geez.

Acutally it's a Fountains of Wayne song... 'All Kinds of Time'.

[Eaglesfan27]

Carl Jung would have a field day with you :)

:D

FWIW, I realize how irrational the intensity of my dislike of UCLA is.

[DanGarion]

Or a failed growth spurt or something.



Well he's already 6 feet tall, so he doesn't need much more growth vertically.

[Ryan S]

Acutally it's a Fountains of Wayne song... 'All Kinds of Time'.

I think I first heard this song about 5 years back in an episode of "Scrubs"

[cartman]

I think I first heard this song about 5 years back in an episode of "Scrubs"

Are you sure it wasn't Franz Ferdinand? :D

[MrBug708]

Well he's already 6 feet tall, so he doesn't need much more growth vertically.

USC better hope he isnt done growing

[cartman]

FWIW, I realize how irrational the intensity of my dislike of UCLA is.

An OU or A&M fan can (and has) shown an affinity for kiddie porn, and that in NO WAY made it in any way ACCEPTABLE to me.

[TroyF]

So you penalize the kid because the coach is an asshat??

You consider it a stiff penalty if the kid cannot go to two division one schools to play football? If the NCAA makes it illegal to do it, there should be some responsiblity on the kid and the parent. Telling the kid he has to play at one of the other schools would not be a severe penalty.

Like the NCAA cares about kids anyway. . . what they did to that kid from West Virginia is a disgrace.

[Eaglesfan27]

An OU or A&M fan can (and has) shown an affinity for kiddie porn, and that in NO WAY made it in any way ACCEPTABLE to me.

Are you really comparing kiddie porn to offering a 13 year old a scholarship to play football?

[cartman]

Yep. Both are activities that bring some semblance of joy to men much older.

[MrBug708]

Are you really comparing kiddie porn to offering a 13 year old a scholarship to play football?

UCLA sent him a questionaire, not a scholarship offer

[DanGarion]

UCLA sent him a questionaire, not a scholarship offer

UCLA sent me a questionaire too, after we bought our house...

[Young Drachma]

David Sills and family react to USC commitment - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4891901)

Good quotes from the dad in the article, mostly responding to the backlash. I mean, people's concerns are valid though because it's reflective of an ugly trend, not so much a problem with the particular kid making the "choice" of a school at that age.

[Izulde]

David Sills and family react to USC commitment - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4891901)

Good quotes from the dad in the article, mostly responding to the backlash. I mean, people's concerns are valid though because it's reflective of an ugly trend, not so much a problem with the particular kid making the "choice" of a school at that age.

I still think this situation is completely ridiculous and foreshadows bad things. That said, I agree that the family seems to be pretty darned level-headed about this whole thing and I give them props for handling it well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sills' father believes the reaction would have been different if Sills were a prodigy pianist offered a spot in the Philharmonic Orchestra.

This.

[stevew]

So this kid is a WR at WVU now and the subject of an ESPN front page feature today.

[Atocep]

So this kid is a WR at WVU now and the subject of an ESPN front page feature today.

Yeah he's one hell of an athlete. He's a first round talent at WR and this is the first year he's played there full time. By all accounts a great kid and incredibly hard working.

[Ksyrup]

Funny, I just saw a post about a 2023 (7th grade) softball player who committed to UF today. It's insanity in girls sports - this stuff is way more routine than with guys. Still nuts..

[Atocep]

Sills is now up to 15 tds though 6 and a half games.