Eleven Warriors has the story on his committment: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/07/24118/ohio-state-football-recruiti....
In related news, Tech had a visit from Jireh Prep WR Roger Lewis.
Virginia Tech Game blessed to be here to take a unofficial & see the game — Roger Lewis (@PrimeTimeLewis) September 7, 2013
Roger was a 4-star prospect in the 2012 recruiting cycle who held offers from Ohio State, West Virginia, and Cincinnati among other schools. Then this happened: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/02/21/Lewis-rape-tria.... (I'm deliberately not citing parts of the story because you need to read the entire thing for context.)
Tech sits well with Kendrick Holland (Winter Haven, FL), at the moment the Hokies and Kentucky lead for his services.
Given the lack of depth at wide receiver, I hope Tech is able to secure a verbal.
Comments
How do you guys feel about the Roger Lewis situation? Obviously, this is really complicated. You have to have faith in the country's judicial system and believe the guy is innocent. But at the same time, having a guy like Lewis on the team would be a massive distraction. How talented the guy is doesn't really matter to me.
I'm a little conflicted on this one. I'd probably lean towards giving the guy a second chance.
Yeah, fine, second chance.... just not here. Jiminey Christmas no.
Yeah...you're right. I definitely believe everyone deserves a second chance. However, I think a second chance here is maybe you start him out low on the totem pole...play ball at an FCS school, JUCO, etc. then work his way up to the D-1 level.
This kid needs to learn a little humility. Walking out of the court room into a FBS scholarship would probably teach him more about entitlement, rather than humility.
I can understand that sentiment but I don't think that's the case with this kid. Here's a quote from a 247 article about his unofficial to VT:
My journey, before I get to college, is the drive. It is the drive, not just on the football field but off of it as well, good academics and making good decisions to be an overall good person and a positive leader. I am just humble and hungry, that will stick with me forever, no matter what I will remember what I had to get through to get to where I am going.
Going to prep school has changed me as a player first and foremost because it is a daily grind. I am not at home, not in high school, away from my family and it is a daily grind. I have to be mentally and physically prepared for the grind. As a player it is physically and mentally preparing me. I have two to three workouts and a practice per day. It is making me mentally better to just go through the program. It feels like college, being away from family and following a strict schedule.
I mean, he did go from committing to Ohio State to now having to go to prep school and fight for even a chance to play so I'm not sure if he would feel entitled even if we did offer after what he's been through.
But I do agree with everyone that it's a tricky situation.
Yeesh. I don't know...
If he is in fact innocent and the victim fabricated her side of the story, this is something that could conceivably happen to any of us males. Can you imagine living with that quasi-scarlet letter for the rest of your personal and professional life?
It's not our place to judge, and I can't help but think of the Brian Banks incident (for those who don't remember or are too young to remember, see here). I'm not going to get into the dangers of being a high-profile athlete (high school, college, or pro) - they are well documented and oft discussed. If Beamer & Co. feel that he deserves a shot than who are we to second guess them at this moment? Unless we have spoken with him, the victim, witnesses, etc. than how can we objectively give any opinion about his innocence or character?
I agree with the above posters. Should get a second chance. But I don't think we should give it to him in Blacksburg. At the moment.
EDIT: Hadn't read the article yet when I posted this. My opinion is more negative now. Definitely not in Blacksburg.
Let him Play, IF he can contribute let him play.
Yeah I think for the program as a whole, we dont want that kind of black cloud hanging over our head. I think CFB has done an incredible job of keeping a clean and respected football program in Blacksburg, for many years now. I know just about every university has to deal with the occasional idiot/troublemaker....and I know we're no different. We have certainly had a few of those in the past. I simply think that we need to stay away from those type of recruits. We dont need them that bad anyway. Besides.... we're not in the SEC.... We dont need to lower our standards...lol.
In my opinion, individuals are innocent until proven guilty. And this young man was found to be not guilty. There should be no reason why he should not get a shot if he has the talent and the academic qualifications.
I think as observers we have to respect the decisions of the coaches. I trust the coaching staff to make the right call. If they believe he is a man of substance and will not cause problems them bring him in.