« Shipp's thumb | Main | Collison hurt »
March 13, 2007
E.J. Woods update
Crespi of Encino safety E.J. Woods talked about what is going on with his commitment to UCLA, which is in question just a few days after he was one of eight high school juniors to commit to the Westwood school for the 2008 reruiting class.
Two things happened that caused Woods to re-open his commitment, although at this time to call it a de-commitment isn't necessarily accurate.
Some other schools, including Miami and Ohio State, recruiting Woods found out he committed over the weekend, and put pressure on him to open his recruitment back up. So he did.
At the same time, Woods said he has to take improve his academic work to be accepted to UCLA, adding he was offered a scholarship, but under the guise he would improve in the class room.
Bottom line, though, if Woods gets the work done and gets admitted to UCLA, it sounds like he will remain committed.
"UCLA stands No. 1,'' he said. "I still have to get into school there, so I have to pick my grades up. If I get into the school, I'm going there. I'm looking at other things just in case. We'll be signing that letter if I'm accepted into the school.''
Posted by Brian Dohn at March 13, 2007 01:18 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.insidesocal.com/MT/mt-tb.cgi/8761
Comments
Sounds like he has recieved some good advice. Hope to see EJ on our final 08' commit list. I just hope he does not sell out, take the easy road and "attend" a school which emphasizes talent in one field. Also, seems like all these kids understand that UCLA does provoke true Student Athletes. At least their comments do not unclude "yea, they really help the footall team with their homework, thats why i committed." Things could be worse. Go Bruins!
Posted by: bruinchamp at March 13, 2007 01:35 PM
I think the word you want to use is "condition" and not "guise." The word guise refers to a pretense or a false appearance. So, unless UCLA was lying to E.J. then the sentence should read,
"...he was offered a scholarship, but under the guise (condition) he would improve in the class room."
Posted by: layden at March 13, 2007 05:04 PM
I don't get how Miami or Ohio State putting pressure on Woods would cause him to open up his recruitment. Is there some sort of magic barrier that went up preventing either school of text messaging, calling or sending mail after his verbal ?
Wouldn't they just keep on going after a player regardless of a player's verbal commit to another school ?
Have either school offered Woods ?
Posted by: trajan at March 14, 2007 03:11 PM
baby bears suck!
Posted by: Gator Guru at March 15, 2007 01:55 PM