Update: Just moments after posting this story, it was announced that Davonte’ Neal has chosen to attend Notre Dame.
With Signing Day 2012 now nearly a month into our rearview mirror, you’d have thought that the stream of goofy recruiting stories would’ve come to a halt by now. Well friends, you thought wrong. Because as five-star recruit Davonte’ Neal showed us once again on Tuesday morning, the moment you believe you’ve seen it all, you realize that you’ve actually seen nothing at all.
Now for those of you who don’t know Neal’s story, here’s a quick rundown: The hybrid wide receiver/running back was considered one of the top high school football players in the class of 2012, and the last “big fish” left on the recruiting market. After passing up on making his decision on Signing Day, Neal was expected to choose a college on Tuesday morning, at his old elementary in Arizona. His suitors were believed to be Arizona and Notre Dame, with North Carolina and Arkansas also in the mix.
That’s what we thought we knew about Davonte’ Neal. At least until this morning, when- at the press conference to make his college decision- everyone showed up… except for Davonte’ Neal and his family. What’s worse is that as best as we can tell, there was no reason given for his non-appearance. No phone call, no apology letter, no carrier-pigeon swooping in with a note of explanation. Just a lot of angry eight-year-olds.
The Tucson Citizen’s Anthony Gimino wrapped up the strange scene this morning:
There was 35-minute program set up at his former elementary school — Kyrene de la Esperanza, where about 600 children were pulled out of class to sit on the floor while waiting for a high school football star.
The kids ended up seeing Neal’s highlight video, but not Neal, who was expected to choose between Arizona, Notre Dame, North Carolina and Arkansas.
Well, it’s safe to say one thing: There’s weird. There’s really weird. Then, there’s this.
But while only Neal truly knows why he didn’t show up Tuesday morning (maybe the line at the Burger King drive-thru was really wrong), one thing I’m hesitant to do is entirely blame Neal alone.
For an explanation why, let me give you a quick backstory:
Late in January, I had the opportunity to head down to Kentucky to take in my first game at Rupp Arena. Chances are, if you follow on me on Twitter, you probably saw me blab on about my trip non-stop for about two weeks before I actually attended the game (and by the way, if you thought my Twitter blabbing was bad, imagine dating me. Acutally, don’t).
But in addition to the game itself, a funny thing happened while I was down there: Kentucky got a commitment from a local high school junior named Derek Willis. I was lucky enough to attend his announcement, and what I noticed above all was that as excited everyone was; how happy Willis’ friends and family, teachers and peers were. The problem unfortunately, was that there was one person who was noticeably uncomfortable with it all. That person? Willis himself, who looked more terrified than my dog during a lightning storm, and seemed relieved when the announcement was made and the cameras were decidedly off of him. Simply put, it seemed like everyone in the room had a great time at Derek Willis’ press conference, except Derek Willis.
And really, as Signing Day approached a few weeks later, I couldn’t help but think about Willis, and wonder, why do we have all these announcements in the first place?
Look, I’ve never been one to poo-poo the process of Signing Day. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the coverage, and frankly, these kids should have their moment in the sun if they’re so inclined. It’s obvious that some- like Isaiah Crowell on Signing Day 2011- really do enjoy the process. Frankly, if Crowell wants to hold up a bulldog puppy on national TV, I’m the last guy to tell him he shouldn’t (I only wish I were important enough to warrant the same interest).
The problem is that every kid isn’t Crowell, and not everyone embraces the moment. And too often these “celebrations” that are designed for the kids, are instead hijacked by the egotistical and self-serving adults that surround them. I’m not saying that definitively happened in Neal’s case… but it sounds like it might’ve. Gimino mentioned in the Tucson Citizen that the family had eagerly welcomed cameras and interviews in the lead-up to today’s announcement that never happened. Unfortunately, none of the people around Neal will be blamed for what happened today, as much as Neal himself.
In the end, Neal will make his decision at some point; maybe it’ll be tonight, maybe this weekend or maybe in a month. And when he does, we’ll all crack wise on the decision. We’ll also make jokes whenever Neal actually steps on the field next year; believe me, there’s some faux-comedian out there already writing his “It was nice of Neal to show up” joke for whenever and wherever he suits up in the fall of 2012. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, just that it’s going to happen.
And when it does, it will be fair for Neal to shoulder some of that blame. When you’re a high school football star, there are already plenty of eyeballs on you. When you pull a stunt like what happened Tuesday morning, there are a lot more eyeballs. Heck, in 2008 Terrelle Pryor delayed his college decision until after Signing Day, and people still bring it up as a character attack on the kid four years later. That’s just how we are as a society.
Just remember though that with whatever happened this morning with Neal, I’m guessing he wasn’t the only one to blame. I’m guessing behind the scenes there was some adult- maybe more than one- who had as much to do with today’s no-show as the kid did.
Let’s make sure when we criticize Neal, that we’re quick to criticize the adults around him too. Ok?
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