What Lincoln is Thinkin’ - Signing Day Recap

Signing Day Recap

- Signing day is for the players, and it should be. But I'd first like to give mad props (or "credit" for those of you that are tragically unhip) to the coaches who did a great job with these kids. I've always said that a high school coach has a number one priority, and this actually goes for anyone who works at any school anywhere - and that's to prepare the students and/or athletes for the next level of whatever they're trying to pursue. So Jimmy Longerbeam, who sent five kids to the next level from an awful team, should be commended. Granted, he had Jonathan Willard, but he also sent the other four players to juco's in California and Florida that he had previous connections with. Jackie Hayes also understands - with a record seven signees in Dillon. This is what a high school coach is supposed to do. While in the end it all boils down to the players themselves, you can't tell me that some of these schools that had just one, or zero, kids signing couldn't have produced more players if their coaches understood what their #1 responsibility is.

- I'm not singling any coach out by that point. And, of course, Wednesday is just the first official signing day of a long signing period. Carvers Bay head coach Nate Thompson had just one player sign Wednesday (Dyrell Porcha to South Carolina State) - but he's expecting at least three or four other guys to sign in the next month or so. Running back Jonathan Holmes has a chance to go to Georgia Southern, as long as his grades come in good enough that he doesn't have to go juco.

- St. James running back Brandon Tyson also needs time to shore his grades up. He will be a Prop 48 - coaches tell me he will attend the community college outside of Marshall University over the next year, and the join the Herd at the beginning of 2009.

- In connection with my first point - Ryan Quigley will be the first person to say this, but he wouldn't have gone to Boston College if it wasn't for his Dad. Quigley gave the one of the best player speeches I've ever heard on signing day, and it was on a stage in North Myrtle Beach's auditorium. He talked about how important his father, the athletic director at NMB was in the process. He did a great job shopping his son around to colleges all over the country. His reward? Being able to watch Ryan in the ACC every Saturday.

- The four signees at Myrtle Beach really got a raw deal. Scott Earley had scheduled a huge ceremony in front of the auditorium, but because of a terrorist protection drill, they had to cancel it. Apparently, outside media couldn't visit, and students couldn't leave class. Earley says it was planned for months, but no one had notified him until Wednesday morning. Unfortunate for Eddie Jones, Spencer Benton, Bruce Taylor and Evan Rose, who all deserve to honored the right way.

- Clemson fans - revel in the news now. The #2 signing class looks great on paper. But remember, Notre Dame has had top 5 recruiting classes for the last few years, and look where it has got them.

What are some of your thoughts from signing day?

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