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FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/insidepreps/entries/2009/02/04/fau_snubs_pahok.html


By Jason Lieser | Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 02:36 PM


Even with star recruit Nu’Keese Richardson waffling on his commitment to the Florida Gators, Pahokee coach Blaze Thompson seemed relaxed Wednesday.

Until he got started on Florida Atlantic pulling its offer to cornerback Willie Hickman.

Thompson was surprised when FAU did not send Pahokee an letter of intent for Hickman, and when he called the football office he found out it wasn’t coming. FAU previously told Thompson and Hickman the Owls were making him an official scholarship offer.

“I was sitting and waiting on an FAU offer,” Thompson said. “He probably would’ve signed. He already had the hat ready.”

We’re unlikely to know both sides of this story because FAU won’t comment on players they haven’t signed. Ultimately, Hickman signed with Eastern Michigan.

The strange part of this is FAU did send Pahokee an offer for cornerback Jarvis Byrd, who was already committed to North Carolina State. Byrd was considering an offer from Wake Forest, but no one else. There was little reason at all for FAU to think it had any shot at him.

“So why not just give (Hickman) Jarvis’ offer?” Thompson asked.

He never got a straight answer and it’s likely we won’t either.

I fail to see a problem here. It's not a big if the kid changes his mind and doesn't want to go to FAU even after he gives a verbal but it's not OK for FAU to do it back to them? Obviously they felt as if they didn't need him or they would have offered him a scholarship

My two favorite teams are FAU, and who ever is beating FIU!
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

This isn't a big deal.  It happens at every program.  They offer a scholarship, then find out they can sign someone they want more and pull the offer.  The same story can be written about any school today.
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

Still, that coach is not going to be very likely to recommend recruits after this stunt we pulled.
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

owlcountry said

Still, that coach is not going to be very likely to recommend recruits after this stunt we pulled.

***ding***

But…

On a side note:

A couple of recruits have commented on appreciating the honesty we offer consistently…we don't tell them anything but the truth: which was told here…things change in the recruiting landscape all the time…so it is truly up to the coach to see this…after all, his own player, Nu’Keese Richardson, didn't honor the commitment he gave to UF, and went to UT instead…sure he has no problem with that though?
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

owlcountry said

Still, that coach is not going to be very likely to recommend recruits after this stunt we pulled.

It isn't a "stunt".  It's just one of the unfortunate things that happen in recruiting.  This happens all the time, but most of the time nobody ever hears about it.
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

Florida_Owl said

…after all, his own player, Nu’Keese Richardson, didn't honor the commitment he gave to UF, and went to UT instead…sure he has no problem with that though?

Yeah what was that all about?

Tennessee over Florida? That's crazy.
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

owlcountry said

Florida_Owl said

…after all, his own player, Nu’Keese Richardson, didn't honor the commitment he gave to UF, and went to UT instead…sure he has no problem with that though?

Yeah what was that all about?

Tennessee over Florida? That's crazy.

Exactly…i mean good for UT, but a great FL kid choosing them over UF…that is crazy…….

Family wasn't in the picture??  Pahokee is not that far of a drive to see all of his games at home…
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

Florida_Owl said

owlcountry said

Florida_Owl said

…after all, his own player, Nu’Keese Richardson, didn't honor the commitment he gave to UF, and went to UT instead…sure he has no problem with that though?

Yeah what was that all about?

Tennessee over Florida? That's crazy.

Exactly…i mean good for UT, but a great FL kid choosing them over UF…that is crazy…….

Family wasn't in the picture??  Pahokee is not that far of a drive to see all of his games at home…

I saw where one of the recruiting experts was saying that Florida may have so much talent that players decided not to sign with Florida because they want to play right away as opposed to sitting behind a stable of elite players. It makes sense. One of USC's top recruits chose Arizona State at the last minute for the same reason.

GO OWLS!!!

2017 and 2019 Conference USA Champions
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

The talent pool keeps growing, the number of schools in FBS is growing but really slowly, some years not at all.

If we assume some sort of finite level of football talent exists, the FBS players across the board are all pushing faster towards this level.

This is what HS means when he says we are an inch from UF, FSU, & Miami.

Florida Atlantic University Owls
2007 Sun Belt Football Champions 2007 New Orleans Bowl Champions 2008 Motor City Bowl Champions 2011 Sun Belt Basketball Champions No Bowls without Owls
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Re: FAU SNUBS PAHOKEE’S HICKMAN, MIFFS THOMPSON

SeminOWL2006 said

The talent pool keeps growing, the number of schools in FBS is growing but really slowly, some years not at all.

If we assume some sort of finite level of football talent exists, the FBS players across the board are all pushing faster towards this level.

This is what HS means when he says we are an inch from UF, FSU, & Miami.

Exactly, limited talent and an ever increasing number of teams going after that talent.

GO OWLS!!!

2017 and 2019 Conference USA Champions
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