Boyds announcement

[Levi]

http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/275152.html

I don't understand.

[Matt Dillon]

What don't you understand?

[Flyingkat]

Attention....

[Levi]

What I don't understand is why Boyd would set a date that affects so many other football recruits at different schools. Its almost as if he is wanting the schools recruiting him to dance to his tune but in reality it is putting several other recruits at a disadvantage.

[NotFrank]

Umm, or maybe he wants to see who the schools who are recruiting him sign. It's risky, but not a bad idea so he doesn't get recruited in a class with five other WRs like Florida did with Hazelton, Harvin, and a few others a couple of years ago.

[Gunsmoke]

uF signs 4 and 5 stars. They will not put a 4 or 5 star WR in a holding pattern hoping Boyd chooses them. I doubt any of the other schools tell their recruits to wait either without tangible proof he is going to that particular school.

[Matt Dillon]

Good point Gunsmoke. To be quite honest, I don't care for this prima donna business. I know we need him, but if we have the opportunity to allocate all our scholarships, I say sign the people that know they want to wear the blue & white and let Mr. Boyd go where he wants/can.

[The Old School JPS]

If Boyd decided to go to Arkansas, Petrino would be happy to put him up to this just to hinder other schools' decisions and actions.

Not saying that's where Boyd is headed, but if it's Arkansas, it wouldn't surprise me if this was not his idea.

[DCWildcat]

Good grief, it's just a press conference, most high D1 players have one. How does that make him a prima donna?

We need a WR and he's a talented one. Could be our best signing of the class if we get him imo.

[Matt Dillon]

Good grief, it's just a press conference, most high D1 players have one. How does that make him a prima donna?

I'm not an idiot. I know enough about it to know most players have a press conference. I was referring to his waiting a week after the signing date begins to announce his decision. I feel he already knows where he's going to attend college and just wants the extra attention to be had by waiting an extra week to announce his decision.

[DCWildcat]

I'm not an idiot. I know enough about it to know most players have a press conference. I was referring to his waiting a week after the signing date begins to announce his decision. I feel he already knows where he's going to attend college and just wants the extra attention to be had by waiting an extra week to announce his decision.

I didn't call you and idiot or question your football knowledge. Sorry I misunderstood you, I thought you were calling him a prima donna because he was holding a press conference.

[Levi]

I didn't call you and idiot or question your football knowledge. Sorry I misunderstood you, I thought you were calling him a prima donna because he was holding a press conference.

Nobody is doing that. It is very rare for a player that has been recruited for over a year with all the attention that brings to not make a decision on the big day. There may be a very good reason in Boyds case but it just doesn't seem like anybody else "needs" that much extra time. It just seems like a contrived thing to do and challenging to Joker which makes it interesting to say the least.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't call you and idiot or question your football knowledge. Sorry I misunderstood you, I thought you were calling him a prima donna because he was holding a press conference.

It's cool. Sorry I flew off the handle. When I feel (and I could very well be mistaken since I don't know Mr. Boyd personally) these kids are trying to hold us hostage, it really irritates me.

[ImForKy]

Good point Gunsmoke. To be quite honest, I don't care for this prima donna business. I know we need him, but if we have the opportunity to allocate all our scholarships, I say sign the people that know they want to wear the blue & white and let Mr. Boyd go where he wants/can.

I agree with you "Mr. Dillon". If he chooses a school other than UK after the wait, and other kids decide to commit to other schools rather than wait for his decision, UK will be "left at the alter" empty handed. It isn't like the wait for Patrick Patterson. In that case, no other potential recruits were waiting, just UK and it's fans.

[Seymour]

I agree with you "Mr. Dillon". If he chooses a school other than UK after the wait, and other kids decide to commit to other schools rather than wait for his decision, UK will be "left at the alter" empty handed. It isn't like the wait for Patrick Patterson. In that case, no other potential recruits were waiting, just UK and it's fans.


Don't you think that Brooks will sign some for Greyshirt scholarships and then if Boyb goes else where, he will give the schollie to one of the greyshirts. That has been his pattern. Brooks is smarter than to allow himself to be caught in a box like that.

If I were Boyd, and was only a 4 star recruit, I suspect that I would wait to see who my favorite school signed for my position. If I believed I was better than the others signed, I would still go there. If they signed a couple of 5 stars, I might well go to my second choice. It is the smart way to ride the road.

One thing that this says, is that we are not his #1 choice as we are very unlikely to sign anyone better than he is. UF will sign some 5's. Some others might sign some he considers better. We could be his #2 choice.

[The Black Watch]

The wait could play in our favor, like some others have said here. When the UF's of the world load up on signing day, he may see his place is at UK. With that said, I would love to have him. But there are other good guys out there. Either way, I'm not losing any sleep. Brooks will have this base covered.

[DCWildcat]

It's cool. Sorry I flew off the handle. When I feel (and I could very well be mistaken since I don't know Mr. Boyd personally) these kids are trying to hold us hostage, it really irritates me.

Definitely true. I can't tell you how many times I think "Who the hell do you think you are?" when I read recruiting stuff.

[RV]

Shouldn't affect what we do at all. MOF it could work in our favor. We need to sign 3 or 4 WR prospects and Boyd committing early could cause one or two of them to look elsewhere. We will certainly have a ride for Boyd whenever he decides to come here.

[Gunsmoke]

Shouldn't affect what we do at all. MOF it could work in our favor. We need to sign 3 or 4 WR prospects and Boyd committing early could cause one or two of them to look elsewhere. We will certainly have a ride for Boyd whenever he decides to come here.
I like the way you put that, "whenever he decides to come here.":icon_lol:

[7lives]

There is a little misunderstanding here it seems.

He originally announced the presser as being on February the 13th.

It has been changed to February 6th at 3:00pm. Signing Day.

I think Boyd, et al got confused when the NLOI signing date is.

[Matt Dillon]

You'd think a h.s. sr. about to sign a LOI would know when the signing date is.

[7lives]

You'd think a h.s. sr. about to sign a LOI would know when the signing date is.


Everybody makes mistakes like that. Nobody's perfect.

[mpdoyle]

Florida received a commit from Jeff Demps yesterday. I am not quite sure what Boyd is waiting on. Does anyone feel that there is cause for concern in regard to Mr. Boyd's character? Just wondering how you all feel.

[RV]

Florida received a commit from Jeff Demps yesterday. I am not quite sure what Boyd is waiting on. Does anyone feel that there is cause for concern in regard to Mr. Boyd's character? Just wondering how you all feel.

If there were we wouldn't still be recruiting him.

OTOH - In many cases where the fans say - why aren't we recruiting this guy or that guy - there can be some underlying factor. Whether it be character, parental over-involvement or many other factors. Maybe things that can't or shouldn't be discussed in a public forum.

[B1GGIN]

has anyone thought that he is hounded day in and day out where he is going. Maybe just a ploy. I don't know all I do know is this we need players like him. I believe in Rich Brooks and that he will do the right thing. Be it that he might hold a schollie for this kid or he might use it. There were a lot of people upset with Patrick Patterson being really coy with his decision process. I don't hear them complaining now. Hold your heads high big blue nation, we have a coach who is cool under pressure. Have faith!

[gerntz]

Florida received a commit from Jeff Demps yesterday. I am not quite sure what Boyd is waiting on. Does anyone feel that there is cause for concern in regard to Mr. Boyd's character? Just wondering how you all feel.

I see no relationship between one person's commitment & another person's character unless the 2nd improperly influenced the 1st to make such a commitment. Do you think Boyd did that with Demps, and if so, how? If not, why would raise such a question?

[poodoo]

Let's please immediately squelch such talk! There are NO questions in regard to Aaron's character.

As someone else has said, similar questioning of character took place when Patrick Patterson, a man of very high character, in actuality, had delayed his decision. :icon_frown: Also, if Aaron is anything like his brother Shane, which I suspect he is, he is a man of high character.

Instead of unfairly questioning the young man's character, let's just hope Mr. Boyd decides to become a Cat. THAT should be our concern. May it happen! :)

[ImForKy]

Let's please immediately squelch such talk! There are NO questions in regard to Aaron's character.

As someone else has said, similar questioning of character took place when Patrick Patterson, a man of very high character, in actuality, had delayed his decision. :icon_frown: Also, if Aaron is anything like his brother Shane, which I suspect he is, he is a man of high character.

Instead of unfairly questioning the young man's character, let's just hope Mr. Boyd decides to become a Cat. THAT should be our concern. May it happen! :)

Amen, Poodoo. Amen. :thumbup:

[gerntz]

I read elsewhere today that UK may have given AB a deadline to commit well before 2/6 and that if he doesn't, we're moving on. I took that to mean we'd no longer be promising him a scholarship but will accept the WR(s) that have an offer & commit first. If true, would indicate to me that we think we've got good alternatives.

I'd say AB has been given plenty of opportunity to commit here so, again, if this is true, it doesn't bother me. Certainly now can't use the future coaching plans as an excuse to not sign.

[CatClaws1]

is he looking at Missouri too? On his facebook status he has "MIZZOU....Living the goodlife". Maybe he is just now taking his official visit there or something.

[poodoo]

I read elsewhere today that UK may have given AB a deadline to commit well before 2/6 and that if he doesn't, we're moving on. I took that to mean we'd no longer be promising him a scholarship but will accept the WR(s) that have an offer & commit first. If true, would indicate to me that we think we've got good alternatives.

I'd say AB has been given plenty of opportunity to commit here so, again, if this is true, it doesn't bother me. Certainly now can't use the future coaching plans as an excuse to not sign.

Hmmm. I wonder if that is indeed the case. Too, the coaches could have given Aaron a deadline to announce privately, but allowing him to announce publicly on the sixth.

I agree that Aaron can certainly not use doubts about the futures of the coaches as an excuse after yesterday's press conference. Personally, I'm hoping yesterday's events helped Aaron decide to become a Cat. I do know that Joker has been close to the Boyd family for many years. Here's hoping it happens! :)

[UKGrad87]

I don't know AB, but I would consider being deliberate about such an important decision a sign of strong character rather than a lack thereof.

[jtukfan]

I don't know AB, but I would consider being deliberate about such an important decision a sign of strong character rather than a lack thereof.

Well said

[RV]

I'm not worried.

[poodoo]

I don't know AB, but I would consider being deliberate about such an important decision a sign of strong character rather than a lack thereof.

Well-said.

Too, I heard Dick Gabriel speak about Aaron's recruitment, still again, tonight. Gabriel, whose son played high school football with Aaron, still holds on to hope that Aaron will become a Cat, BUT he mentioned again that Aaron had really been bothered (understandably) about how UK fans had treated his brother Shane. Of course, the reference was to some UK fans' having booed Shane during his career, and, yes, some of those boos were very loud, as I too well remember. :icon_frown:

No, I don't think UK fans should be questioning Aaron's character. Perhaps there is a bit of irony in that.

[UKGrad87]

Well-said.

Too, I heard Dick Gabriel speak about Aaron's recruitment, still again, tonight. Gabriel, whose son played high school football with Aaron, still holds on to hope that Aaron will become a Cat, BUT he mentioned again that Aaron had really been bothered (understandably) about how UK fans had treated his brother Shane. Of course, the reference was to some UK fans' having booed Shane during his career, and, yes, some of those boos were very loud, as I too well remember. :icon_frown:

No, I don't think UK fans should be questioning Aaron's character. Perhaps there is a bit of irony in that.

Thank you, poodoo. I hope people take from this situation that boos from the stands and internet rants can profoundly effect the success of a program. Next next time one feels the urge to boo a player or coach, perhaps he will pause and remember the 4-star receiver who got away (or, hopefully, almost got away).

[gerntz]

I don't take that way at all. I take it as natural common, and pretty harmless, human behaviors being used as an excuse for not having to say I prefer somewhere else & then having to take heat for such a choice - assuming he chooses to. By saying that not coming here was due to the treatment of a brother, it would leave one off the "responsibility for your decision hook" & that in turn would cut down on local criticism. I refuse to accept that UK fans are excessively high into booing versus other schools. I hear it everywhere I go.

I mean why bring your brother into the discussion if it's not an excuse?

I can't imagine why one would come here, even consider coming here, if one truly feel that way. Makes no sense to me.

[UKGrad87]

I don't take that way at all. I take it as natural common, and pretty harmless, human behaviors being used as an excuse for not having to say I prefer somewhere else & then having to take heat for such a choice - assuming he chooses to. By saying that not coming here was due to the treatment of a brother, it would leave one off the "responsibility for your decision hook" & that in turn would cut down on local criticism. I refuse to accept that UK fans are excessively high into booing versus other schools. I hear it everywhere I go.

I mean why bring your brother into the discussion if it's not an excuse?

I can't imagine why one would come here, even consider coming here, if one truly feel that way. Makes no sense to me.

It is indeed possible that AB could be using the treatment of Shane as an excuse to not attend a school he didn't want to attend in the first place. I also agree fan behavior is not worse here than other places.

However, we hear more and more about recruits reading internet garbage and souring toward a team because, accurate or not, this is how he or she perceives the fanbase. To think boorish behavior of fans has only a marginal impact on a program is mistaken, IMHO.

[poodoo]

I don't take that way at all. I take it as natural common, and pretty harmless, human behaviors being used as an excuse for not having to say I prefer somewhere else & then having to take heat for such a choice - assuming he chooses to. By saying that not coming here was due to the treatment of a brother, it would leave one off the "responsibility for your decision hook" & that in turn would cut down on local criticism. I refuse to accept that UK fans are excessively high into booing versus other schools. I hear it everywhere I go.

I mean why bring your brother into the discussion if it's not an excuse?

I can't imagine why one would come here, even consider coming here, if one truly feel that way. Makes no sense to me.

The answer to that question is probably that Coach Phillips has developed such a close relationship with the Boyd family, including Aaron (something I have read). THAT is probably the strongest pull, besides the family members' attending UK games, even after Shane's departure. They reportedly pull for the Cats to win.

Also, gerntz, I don't think Aaron has ever PUBLICLY made such a statement. I have never heard or seen a reporter say that Aaron had mentioned Shane and the UK fans to him or her. Thus, it's not seemingly an excuse at all. The comment had been made to his high school teammates, and Gabriel's son was one of those. I suspect the comment had been made closer to Shane's actual time at UK, as Gabriel is still holding on to hope, partly because of Aaron's attachment to the coaches. The in-home visit reporetdly went really well.

FWIW, to me it makes perfect sense that Aaron would question whether or not he wanted to play for us UK fans, the same UK fan base that had loudly booed his brother at times during his career. Surely anyone can understand how someone hurts when a loved one has been hurt by harsh, unfair treatment. From Gabriel's comments about something Aaron had shared PRIVATELY, it makes a lot of sense to me that Coach Brooks and Joker face a more difficult situation because of the behavior of those particular fans.

On the other hand, in all fairness, IF Aaron does not become a Cat, we will NEVER know whether or not he would have become a Cat if Shane had not been thusly treated. IF he doesn't choose UK, I will look at the evidence and always WONDER if that had been a factor. That it is seemingly at least a factor when he debates what school and, more particularly, what fans he wants to play for certainly makes sense to me. Most of all, may Aaron please decide to become a Cat and make the issue totally irrelevant! :icon_biggrin: GO CATS! GO COACH BROOKS!