I ran across this article on SI.com (hat tip to @frankmartin on twitter for the link), about Kentucky coach Billy Gillespie offering an 8th grader a scholarship. I railed against the College Football signing day earlier this year and I have to say, this makes me even more confused and angry than that does.

I get that college athletics are increasingly competitive and are more and more about filling seats and keeping deep pocketed boosters happy. What I can’t get past though, is how in good conscious a coach can actually offer this kid - or any 8th grader for that matter? And how do the parents know that this is going to be what the kid wants in five years? Forget that the kid may never mature past his current height or that his skills may stay stagnant, what if he realizes he hates Kentucky or that Kentucky just blows by the time that he gets there? There are just too many variables to consider when trying to plan FIVE years down the road!

College coaches have to feel slimier than used car salesman. Imagine trolling the grade school and middle school gyms trying to impress a kid that can barely get into a PG13 movie? I know that staring a free education and a slot on a prestigious program’s roster is hard to turn down, however this is absurd. When fourth and fifth graders are being included in scouting reports you know that the madness has reached its peak.

The NCAA either needs to step in and address this issue or the coaches have to make a pact. Recruiting these kids is not worth the few that do pan out. Let them develop, learn the game, figure out life - or at least JR High, then come calling.

Stop the madness…OR, come check out my 10 month old, kid has a jumper that you wouldn’t believe!