Clowney would go #1 this year, and will be #1 next year, so should he sit out?

[BucfanNC12]

And the "make sure they get an education" crap -- it's just that, crap.  A large chunk of these kids aren't getting an education, they're getting a piece of paper that says they got an education, and that is not the same thing.

because a player turns down the opportunity for an education isnt the school, or the systems fault. its the player and the player alone imo.

Wrong....You are not going to put an eighth grader in high school calculus. How can these "players" really get a college level education knowing they weren't academically prepared in high school? To say schools have no blame is completely false. These players don't in big schools cause of their SAT scores.

[olafberserker]

If anything, they need to make the rule stronger and do a better job at enforcing the curricular standards in college programs. NFL careers are short and these kids should have a real education forced upon them whether they want it or not, so that they stand a chance at being responsible with there short term riches, and can be a positive member of society after football. 

Half these kids come from dirt poor families with little education. Then the colleges let them slide thru without getting a real education, the NFL hands them a ton of money, and then we fans point fingers and criticize when they self destruct. It's lame. We need to do better. Relaxing the three year rule would only make things worse.

How exactly do you plan on forcing an education on someone?

Well they could start by making them legitimately maintain a passing grade....without special treatment or cheating. The Ivy league schools and many others do it. These schools should be embarrassed when their "graduates" are on national television showing what complete morons they are. I realize it's a money game, but a change in culture is really what needs to happen. It should start in high school. No matter how talented a kid is, he shouldn't be offered scholarships if he doesn't show the hard work and effort required to have passing grades. Not every football player is going to be a genius, but if they don't put forth the effort scholastically, they should not get a scholarship. Once they get to college, they should be held to that same level of expectations, or risk having their scholarship revoked. As long as they keep pushing through and rewarding dumb ass irresponsible kids, nothing will change.

Kids in the Ivy League schools are not being "forced" to get an education.  They want it.

[olafberserker]

And the "make sure they get an education" crap -- it's just that, crap.  A large chunk of these kids aren't getting an education, they're getting a piece of paper that says they got an education, and that is not the same thing.

because a player turns down the opportunity for an education isnt the school, or the systems fault. its the player and the player alone imo.

Wrong....You are not going to put an eighth grader in high school calculus. How can these "players" really get a college level education knowing they weren't academically prepared in high school? To say schools have no blame is completely false. These players don't in big schools cause of their SAT scores.

Wrong, those players have an opportunity to get an education.  They also had that opportunity in high school to learn and prepare for college.  Now schools, fans, society in general  may hold some blame for the way the college football system is, but to blame the schools for kids not taking advantage of their free education is wrong.

[GameTime]

Wrong....You are not going to put an eighth grader in high school calculus. How can these "players" really get a college level education knowing they weren't academically prepared in high school? To say schools have no blame is completely false. These players don't in big schools cause of their SAT scores.

8th graders shouldnt be taking high school courses, should they?  if a student wants to learn in the 9th grade, the 10th grade, the 11th grade, and the 12th grade the opportunity is there.  if a student wants to learn as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior in college the opportunity is there.

[JDouble]

Exactly. Change the culture so that only kids who want an education get a scholarship. Then you don't have to force anyone. The way things are, kids know they don't have to do well academically if they are great at sports because recruiters don't care. Change that so from grade school on they realize they have to try just as hard academically, as they do in sports....or they won't go to college. Stop rewarding bad behavior. Pretty simple.

[Mateen]

Zoo ass.

[BucfanNC12]

And the "make sure they get an education" crap -- it's just that, crap.  A large chunk of these kids aren't getting an education, they're getting a piece of paper that says they got an education, and that is not the same thing.

because a player turns down the opportunity for an education isnt the school, or the systems fault. its the player and the player alone imo.

Wrong....You are not going to put an eighth grader in high school calculus. How can these "players" really get a college level education knowing they weren't academically prepared in high school? To say schools have no blame is completely false. These players don't in big schools cause of their SAT scores.

Wrong, those players have an opportunity to get an education.  They also had that opportunity in high school to learn and prepare for college.  Now schools, fans, society in general  may hold some blame for the way the college football system is, but to blame the schools for kids not taking advantage of their free education is wrong.

How are they going to get an education if they don't have the skills? We are talking about students who wouldn't make it pass the application phase of major schools if it wasn't for their athletic ability. Blaming schools isn't wrong. They get millions from these kids while giving them tutors to pass exams to meet academic requirements. By all means, I do think students should talk advantage of their education. However, these were not kids taking SAT prep courses in the summer while in high school. Considering the money schools make from kids, they should place a stronger emphasis on their education.

[BucfanNC12]

Exactly. Change the culture so that only kids who want an education get a scholarship. Then you don't have to force anyone. The way things are, kids know they don't have to do well academically if they are great at sports because recruiters don't care. Change that so from grade school on they realize they have to try just as hard academically, as they do in sports....or they won't go to college. Stop rewarding bad behavior. Pretty simple.

That is not being realistic. If it would happen (yeah right), fans would then complain of the quality of players.

[olafberserker]

Exactly. Change the culture so that only kids who want an education get a scholarship. Then you don't have to force anyone. The way things are, kids know they don't have to do well academically if they are great at sports because recruiters don't care. Change that so from grade school on they realize they have to try just as hard academically, as they do in sports....or they won't go to college. Stop rewarding bad behavior. Pretty simple.

Why the hell do you care if a kid goes to school to get a "real" education or he goes because he wants to develop his game to go to the NFL.  There are minimum academic requirements to receive a college scholarship. 

[olafberserker]

And the "make sure they get an education" crap -- it's just that, crap.  A large chunk of these kids aren't getting an education, they're getting a piece of paper that says they got an education, and that is not the same thing.

because a player turns down the opportunity for an education isnt the school, or the systems fault. its the player and the player alone imo.

Wrong....You are not going to put an eighth grader in high school calculus. How can these "players" really get a college level education knowing they weren't academically prepared in high school? To say schools have no blame is completely false. These players don't in big schools cause of their SAT scores.

Wrong, those players have an opportunity to get an education.  They also had that opportunity in high school to learn and prepare for college.  Now schools, fans, society in general  may hold some blame for the way the college football system is, but to blame the schools for kids not taking advantage of their free education is wrong.

How are they going to get an education if they don't have the skills? We are talking about students who wouldn't make it pass the application phase of major schools if it wasn't for their athletic ability. Blaming schools isn't wrong. They get millions from these kids while giving them tutors to pass exams to meet academic requirements. By all means, I do think students should talk advantage of their education. However, these were not kids taking SAT prep courses in the summer while in high school. Considering the money schools make from kids, they should place a stronger emphasis on their education.

Again, each student had the opportunity to attend SAT prep courses and to get themselves prepared for college while in high school.   Of course some football players may have not sniffed college without football, but all the more reason for them to take advantage of the opportunity.   Head coaches are paid to win football games.  There are tutors provided for athletes and if the athlete is motivated enough he can get as much assistance as needed to get his education.   As  much money as the universities make, a degree for free plus room and board is pretty good payment

[dbucfan]

Universities are taking advantage of the 'student-atheletes'.  And lying about it.  So why not open up the football degree program - and let them all on the same playing field - stop the lying.

And taking advantage of the disadvantaged - regardless as to why - is always going to be wrong Olaf.  Universities take these kids in, teach them not a damned bit but for football - and wave goodbye.  Did I mention the Universities are making millions on this little practice? 

[GameTime]

disadvantaged?  thats some serious spin.  athletes get any advantage they desire...problem is they dont use them.  and thats somehow the universities fault?

[olafberserker]

I'm not going to call the universities perfect, but taking advantage is a two way street.  Many an athlete takes the universities money without any interest in gaining an education.   The opportunity is there if a student wants to get his degree for free.  Thousands do it every year.  Many get their masters degree on the universities tab as well.

If it is really that big of a problem to the masses, it is easy to fix.  Stop attending games, stop buying gear, stop watching on TV.  Start attending debate team meets, science/math competitions, etc. instead.  Throw all the support towards the "real" students.

[dbucfan]

The preparation for college is not there because the standards are not there for the 'athlete'.  Some do make it - some get degrees their don't deserve and kids who did the preparation as too frequently not able to get into schools without far higher accomplishment.  And me withholding attention to college football hasn't worked... even as I support Division II both in tuition and sponsorship...

[The Anti-Java]

Exactly. Change the culture so that only kids who want an education get a scholarship. Then you don't have to force anyone. The way things are, kids know they don't have to do well academically if they are great at sports because recruiters don't care. Change that so from grade school on they realize they have to try just as hard academically, as they do in sports....or they won't go to college. Stop rewarding bad behavior. Pretty simple.

Why the hell do you care if a kid goes to school to get a "real" education or he goes because he wants to develop his game to go to the NFL.  There are minimum academic requirements to receive a college scholarship.

Agree with that.  One good megadeal contract and the guys are set for life.