Not sure he has the same negative take (once again) as you. I'm not sure if he had to choose between the two he would have picked RU. To each his own. Smaller conference, but a very passionate football school with quite a few solid seasons since the mid 90s.
Sure--because you know the details of what happened, and the motives of everyone involved, right?? This is just an ignorant comment.
He picked a school in April that he thought was the perfect fit based on the city, school, their use of the TE, and the lack of bodies in the TE room. Unfortunately, they got a TE bailing from Baylor in late July (with 3 years in a college S&C program)--after Devin and one other local TE committed which led to them asking him to gray shirt. (Of course, they couldn't ask the same from the local guy from the big HS that they needed a lasting relationship with. Tough lesson learned.) He passed on that option (we took the hint), but since he was loyal to his commitment, he had extremely limited contact with other schools interested in him. So by the time he had this talk with Houston, and decommitted at then end of July, several spots were filled (at a position where most schools only take one guy per class), as the other schools had moved on.
He had a few options remaining, but wanted to wait for a couple official visits before making a decision again. And, RU seemed less interested (ex: no written offer sent in August). Fast forward, and you have 4 coaching changes that affected his options greatly (ex: He didn't hear from one new staff at all at a school he had a written offer from. Turns out, the new coach got the commit from his previous school to follow him to the new school.) As time passed, it looked like RU was close to offering, but ultimately fell into the group with coaching changes (i.e. Coach Kill as new OC) resulting in them "going a different direction," which seemed to be code for them taking 6-5/6-6 TEs only.
This said, as a family, we feel extremely blessed that Marshall became an option very late in the game. I've told close friends that I can genuinely say that it is an option he would have been extremely pleased with under any condition, regardless of how late it developed.
In the end, we learned a few more valuable lessons. Here's one: don't believe much when it comes to coaches and recruiting--they all talk about "character" but very few finish the process exhibiting much on their end. Specifically, after months of talking, you'd be shocked (or, maybe not) by the number of coaches that don't have the decency to tell you they are "moving on." Most kids would rather hear the truth--that perhaps you aren't the top guy or they found someone better. Instead, you get radio silence in the form of unanswered calls, texts, emails, etc. once they get to the point where they realize you can't do anything for them.
With that in mind, my philosophy has changed in regard to what I will be advising players and parents to do. I'm now in the group that will tell a kid to commit early in the process, and don't hesitate to change your mind every time you get an offer you perceive as a "better" one--whatever that might mean to them. Because coaches will sure as hell be doing the same.
Clearly, it's been a frustrating process. I'm writing partially to vent/get things off my chest, and also because I know some have been genuinely curious about what happened. In the end, we couldn't be happier as a family with the outcome and truly feel it resulted in a "meant to be" situation, and we also couldn't be prouder of Devin. We hold no resentment towards RU, and they are NOT in the majority group of coaches I was referencing above. Coach Okruch was always straight forward and always stayed in touch. We can't wait to watch Dorian's final season while Devin gets bigger and stronger while most likely redshirting--creating no viewing conflicts for the Millers.
#3for3
