An Insider's Take on Rolin's Decommitment

[USCBASEBALL1]

Originally Posted by usc1

Well we must have changed our minds because he committed to play LB here and was set to play LB. I do think TM is putting a "make you feel better" spin on it, as I feel like we hear a lot when recruits decommit. Just makes very little sense that we'd recruit/offer/accept a commitment from a guy that we don't really want. Kid's a baller.

Coaches were willing to let him play LB first because he was a USC Legacy. Kid could turn out to be a great one but he certainly could turn out to no be more than a backup.

[CockyInGA]

Originally Posted by MBGCock

that makes sense.



You can't really disagree that he didn't want to play TE (if that is true). It seems like our coaches have given kids that type of offer before and it has work for/against our favor.

Your signature is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

[LegalCock]

That's racist. Just saying.

[sandstorm2001]

Originally Posted by CockyInGA

Your signature is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

The best thing about it is how disgusted the woman sitting next to him is.


I don't really understand why kids are afraid to switch positions, especially if they still get a shot to play their original position. Look at Melvin. He didn't want to play with his hand on the ground, but once the coaches convinced him that was where he needed to be and he bought into it he ended up being a first round pick.

[PvtWarlick]

Tony did say this was big loss, cause of the lack of depth but no as big as everybody made it to seem

[LegalCock]

Yeah and Carlos Dunlap was a gamecock all-american right?

[Garnet girl]

Originally Posted by usc1

Well we must have changed our minds because he committed to play LB here and was set to play LB. I do think TM is putting a "make you feel better" spin on it, as I feel like we hear a lot when recruits decommit. Just makes very little sense that we'd recruit/offer/accept a commitment from a guy that we don't really want. Kid's a baller.

Rolin said he would play at LB. The TE thing was the first thing our coaches said but I am certain that changed after seeing him play.
It seems like we have a hundred TEs, and they are all good.

[CockyMBA]

Originally Posted by 75CarolinaFan

A) Recruits NEVER improve "quality depth" before they get in a game and prove it on the field. Losing Rolin changed nothing in that regard. Not to mention the guy just tore his ACL.

B) Unless something has drastically changed in the last couple of years, Tony Morrell does not sugar coat. If anything Gamecock fans have complained the other way about him being negative or even rude. Most have always appreciated his brutal honesty.

C) How would claiming the staff didn't really want Rolin at LB make up for being wrong about the firmness of Rolin's commitment to Carolina? That doesn't make any sense. In recruiting there will always be bad info and no one will ever be 100% correct. Morrell has been the best and most consistent source of Gamecock info for over a decade. He doesn't need to prove anything and certainly doesn't need to lie to cover up being wrong about a recruit. His rep is better than anyone in the business of covering Carolina football.

Exactly!

Unlike many others, I aborted the meltdown after the decommit (though I will say I was disappointed). It's almost like HE (Rolin) begin seeing the writing on the wall. He was 1 of 6 linebackers in the class, but he's the one coming off ACL surgery.

Not saying that the injury or the # of LBs had anything to do with it, but it was clear to me that he had some information that caused him to begin looking around. You don't go from being a 3rd generation legacy, Can’t spell South caROLINa without Rolin, completely sold on a program, recruiting other players to come and calling yourself USC_9...to being suddenly split on where to go, then decommitting.

Clearly something changed that altered his expectations of what he would/could do at Carolina.

What had me even less concerned, is that despite our lack of quality depth, another Kight Davis was let go. It just said to me that they believed they would not get the desired production.

[b381l]

As was mentioned earlier, we were giving him an opportunity at LB first. It seems to me, if Rolin had that much confidence in his own ability as a LB, then he should have welcomed the challenge, but he didn't, wonder why. Maybe he knew what the coaches knew. Every single recruit that plays college football understands that he got to prove himself.....even Clowney had to do that.

Also, none of us knows the exact discussion that went on between Rolin and our coaches. They get paid a lot of money to be right most of the time and win games on Saturday, not to make us happy. What I do know that was discussed was the truth, and sometimes these kids can't handle the truth. I guess that applies to some on CT as well.

[sodacitynate]

I wouldn't want to be in a TE rotation behind Busta, Jerrell, and Rainey, either.

[b381l]

Originally Posted by sodacitynate

I wouldn't want to be in a TE rotation behind Busta, Jerrell, and Rainey, either.

Neither would I. Maybe he was afraid of the competition......maybe it was our scheme.....maybe it was Florida's scheme. Maybe he looked at Larenz playing Will in front of him for 4 years.

[Glamcock]

OP is exactly right. First off, I will say that I think Rolin looks like a very good prospect, and I think he will have a good career at LB. The truth of the matter is that Whammy and Botkin were not that thrilled about him as a LB prospect, but were willing to let him come prove them wrong. They thought he was a TE. Rolin was not interested in being a TE, and felt they should be more excited about him playing LB. It sucks, but 1 guy is not worth getting worked up about. We will replace him with somebody with a similar skill set, and he will be a distant memory in time. It is not worth worrying about.

[Rebel4ever]

Wouldn't wish this on anyone but I started feeling like he might blow his knee out again but who knows? I trust the coaches to find other players. I just hope we don't lose Larenz.

[OLDCHARLESTONIAN]

Originally Posted by CockyMBA

Exactly!

Unlike many others, I aborted the meltdown after the decommit (though I will say I was disappointed). It's almost like HE (Rolin) begin seeing the writing on the wall. He was 1 of 6 linebackers in the class, but he's the one coming off ACL surgery.

Not saying that the injury or the # of LBs had anything to do with it, but it was clear to me that he had some information that caused him to begin looking around. You don't go from being a 3rd generation legacy, Can’t spell South caROLINa without Rolin, completely sold on a program, recruiting other players to come and calling yourself USC_9...to being suddenly split on where to go, then decommitting.

Clearly something changed that altered his expectations of what he would/could do at Carolina.

What had me even less concerned, is that despite our lack of quality depth, another Kight Davis was let go. It just said to me that they believed they would not get the desired production.

Are you implying that Rolin de-comitted because of the current Carolina recruiting class and the belief he wouldn't get playing time at LB? Have you taken a look at Florida's current class?

[USCBASEBALL1]

Originally Posted by OLDCHARLESTONIAN

Are you implying that Rolin de-comitted because of the current Carolina recruiting class and the belief he wouldn't get playing time at LB? Have you taken a look at Florida's current class?

We use 2 LB's. UF uses 4. Do the math.

[Flameout12]

Originally Posted by usc1

Well we must have changed our minds because he committed to play LB here and was set to play LB. I do think TM is putting a "make you feel better" spin on it, as I feel like we hear a lot when recruits decommit. Just makes very little sense that we'd recruit/offer/accept a commitment from a guy that we don't really want. Kid's a baller.

I understand...just saying...what if our coaches did mention playing TE? Does Rolin have the speed to play LB in the SEC or at least for Whammy? That may explain some of this.

[bcgibson75]

spilled milk...he probably wasn't going to play until '14 after the knee injury...glad he has family ties to Carolina...

but, if he was a 3* recruit, would that many people care?? Maybe-maybe not.

We're going to be competing for a National Championship in 2013, so a kid who would be standing in street clothes on the sidelines next season is not a huge cause for concern.

Now, if the coaches can't replace him with another solid LB recruit by the 2014...then I'll start to worry.

We're fine at LB...trust Spurrier, Whammy and Co. to get us to where we want to be early next Dec...the SECCG.

GO COCKS!!!

[usc1]

Originally Posted by Flameout12

I understand...just saying...what if our coaches did mention playing TE? Does Rolin have the speed to play LB in the SEC or at least for Whammy? That may explain some of this.

Who ever said speed was an issue? He looks plenty fast on film IMO. Not sure what there's not to like about him as a LB, granted I've never seen him play in person but I don't think I need to.

[Flameout12]

Originally Posted by usc1

Who ever said speed was an issue?

Whoever wanted him as a TE v. LB (if that was ever an issue in the first place)? Why would anyone want to move him unless there was a reason? And they all look fast on film in HS...hard to tell.

[LegalCock]

Adams to DE and Rainey to MLB = National Title for USC