Tim Tebow

This has nothing to do with ACC sports, but since it is a slow time of the year for college athletics (will have a post on ACC baseball tournament shortly) I thought I would post this.

Tim Tebow is one of the most successful and accomplished quarterbacks in the history of college football. Guys this good usually don't stick around this long, but Tebow is not your ordinary guy. He loves college football, his university, and wanted to come back for his senior year to try and win his third national championship in four years. Florida will be the odds on favorite again this year as they return every starter on defense from a season ago, not to mention Tebow and their stable of running backs.

Another reason Tebow may have come back for his senior season is because many scouts at the NFL level told him and Urban Meyer that he wasn't ready for the NFL, at least not if he wanted to play quarterback. They did not like his throwing motion (kind of a side-armed 3/4 release), his footwork (it is not traditional as many times he is scrambling out of the pocket), or the fact that he has never taken a snap under center at the college level, or the high school level for that matter. Many projected him as an "H-back" in the NFL and someone who could at times run the "wildcat" offense that many NFL teams are using on some level now.

With the departure of his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Mullen (left to take the head coaching job at Mississippi), Meyer hired Scott Loeffler. Loeffler was on Michigan's staff from 2002 to 2007 where he worked with quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Brian Griese, and Chad Henne, all of which now play on NFL squads. Loeffler spent '08 as the QB coach for the Detroit Lions.

Below I have pasted a link to an article on espn.com talking about Tebow's offseason changes
and what to look for from him this fall. I personally think he will make a great NFL player due to his work ethic and desire. He simply will not let himself fail. I really enjoy watching Tim Tebow play and can't wait to see what he looks like this fall.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4178702

Wall picks Kentucky

It was announced today that John Wall has decided to play most likely his only year of college basketball for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Duke and Miami were his second and third choices.

It is stated on espn.com that Wall actually gave an informal commitment to Miami last week shortly after his visit but decided more recently to play for Kentucky. Calipari had the longest standing relationship with Wall as he was recruiting him at Memphis as well before leaving for the Wildcats. Wall stated that Calipari was the main factor in choosing Kentucky. He likes Calipari's offense and how much of it runs through the point guard.

Wall now makes Kentucky one of, if not the, favorite going into the next college basketball season. A line-up of Wall, Jodie Meeks, DeMarcus Cousins, and Patrick Patterson will most certainly be one of the best in the country.

If Wall had committed to Duke it would have instantly made them one of the two or three best teams in the country going into next year (even without Gerald Henderson). Duke will now be extremely thin in the backcourt with only three guards (Smith, Scheyer, and Williams). Had he gone to Miami it would have made them an ACC contender for sure and given them some real credibility on the recruiting trail for future years.

John Wall update

Just wanted to throw out a quick update on John Wall and a couple of things I have read/seen. I know this is of interest to Duke, NC State, and UNC fans as they all have contacted him and are recruiting him at least somewhat.

Today, Monday, around 10 AM it became public knowledge that John Wall was cited with misdemeanor breaking and entering. He and a couple of friends, ages 16 and 17, broke into a house still under construction and not fully completed yet. Wall was picked up on site and charged.

I don't know what to make of this besides that the kid is immature. Everyone is going to make bad decisions and that is understandable, but this is crazy. Just when you think his recruitment can't get any more crazy he commits a crime. I have heard people say that this will immediately take Duke out of the running. I am not so sure. Duke did keep Shelden Williams after his commitment when he was accused of rape. While this is a different situation in that the charges were eventually thrown out, it does show a track record of Duke at least being somewhat forgiving. It has to worry Coach K a little though knowing that the guy you are recruiting to run and lead your team next year is that immature and really stupid.

The other piece of information I have gathered is that, whenever Wall decides to cut his list to three or four teams, those teams will be (in no particular order) Kentucky, Duke, Florida, and Miami. Kentucky and Duke are no surprise. Florida is a little just because they started the recruiting process with Wall so late but Donovan has shown he can really draw recruits to Gainesville. Miami will make the cut most likely due to the atmosphere (South Beach) they can offer but I really don't see him committing to the Hurricanes.

I'm sure many fans will just be happy to finally have some closure on this whole process as it has had one turn after another. John Wall will make whichever team he chooses much better, but is it worth the potential risk? And, is this kid really going to be ready for the NBA and the lifestyle it allows and presents in just one more year? After today's incident, it doesn't really appear so.