Bryce Brown, Nation's Top Running Back Recruit, Could Turn Pro in Canada

So you want to know how over-the-top college football recruiting has become, how utterly insane it is these days? Allow me to present the case of Bryce Brown.

Arguably the top prep prospect in the entire country, Brown verbally committed to Miami a year ago, but told The U. that he would still visit his other college options. He did so, putting together a list that included Oregon, Kansas State, Tennessee, USC and Auburn.

Then on signing day, with all those teams holding their breath, Brown signed with ... no one. And here's the kicker: He may not wind up at any of those places, according to his "manager" Brian Butler -- instead opting for a professional contract in the Canadian Football League.

Butler said he planned to have someone explore the possibility of Brown playing in the C.F.L. next season. "If they were talking about any amount of real money, I'd guarantee it," Butler said of Brown potentially playing in the C.F.L. He mentioned a C.F.L. team paying Brown $5 million a year for three years.

He added: "We're not playing around. I can promise you that. I'm not scared at all to do anything, and Bryce isn't either. Hey, he'll hurt your feelings. He's not worried about your feelings. He's worried about what's right and what's wrong."

This is about the time where teams, if they weren't so obsessed with bringing in the best players no matter the risk, would say "Thanks, but no thanks" and walk away.

Seriously, does a school need this? A fresh out of high school kid with (basically) an agent, who threatens to take his client elsewhere if he's not completely satisfied? The bugger of the whole thing -- and the reason that coaches won't turn away -- is that Brown supremely talented. The video below is Brown dominating at the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Game:

So the college football world waits and watches to see where Brown will finally decide to go.

If it's a U.S. college, that team instantly gets a boost in the final recruiting rankings, and probably has a new starting running back.

If it's to the CFL then, well, good riddance.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-06-2009 @ 11:06PM

horatiowrd said...

Good Riddance is kind of harsh, after all it is just a high school kid who is honestly just trying to decide where he will waste 3 years of his life in anticipation of a shot at the NFL. And its understandable, when your skill is RB and everyone talks about how expendable and plentiful RBs are giving up 3 years to a school that will do nothing but exploit you and maybe maybe educate you just going to Canada isnt that bad of an idea.

Be amazing if he did it and what happens in 3 years. This could be the start of something big, the CFL becoming a true and legit NFL farm league and proving ground.

If he does pick a school im calling shenigans. If a guy has dollars on the brain exactly what would convince him to go non-pro? 5 million for 3 years, lets face it 1 million would/should be enough if you were truly only interested in moola.

If he is considering CFL there should be nothing the NCAA could provide. Publicity? Well I hope NFL scouts dont concern themselves with collegiate hype, and in the age of the 24/7 sports world of blogs and ESPN hed get far more pub for the novelty act of "why are kids going to college in the 1st place"?

This could be big.

P.S. For those who would say education should be his goal, if your making million or so a year, whats stopping him from enrolling at a school in CFL offseason and getting a degree on his own terms? Lets face it, whether or not a kid with athletic ability gets a degree is a product of desire, not oppertunity.

2-06-2009 @ 11:42PM

gdmytrowich said...

Never going to happen. CFL salary cap is only $4.2M. I think the top salary is somewhere in the neighborhood of $400K.

2-07-2009 @ 2:17AM

hilyb said...

ALL of those schools pay more than 400k. He will go where the money is....

2-07-2009 @ 5:48AM

Willmore2000 said...

Eh. Smash Williams was a better prospect, and he signed with A&M.

2-07-2009 @ 9:53PM

chewwwy2 said...

Can anyone say Maurice Clarett??

2-08-2009 @ 11:05AM

mrkruft said...

I *LOVE* what this kid is doing. Stick it to the college football cartel. They basically take any chance they can to screw you over after you sign, so why go somewhere and get chewed up and spit out and not make any money while pretending to "learn"? Go be a football player. Make money. Then mosey on over to the NFL in 3 years...

2-10-2009 @ 12:10AM

zerodev said...

I have to say this is the worst music for a football highlight reel...ever. And this is a pretty crappy reel too. Those were some good plays, but 3 minutes for 4 plays? Come on...

2-13-2009 @ 7:41PM

ButtHead said...

Sure like this hot-dog is going to light up the score board up there. a few others have tried and nevre succeded. it is a tougher league than he gives them credit for. especially when the weather goes bad. Do some homework punk and find out who Leon "X-ray" McQuay was and how he tried. the emphasis is on the word "tried".

2-27-2009 @ 2:06AM

bgrundfest said...

An 18 year old man has a right to work - even in the NFL, NBA - and to get as much as can possibly get. Who is anyone else to "protect" him from "bad" decisions. A man has the right to make his own decisions, take his own risks - even one's other may consider "bad." Plus colleges show zero loyalty to their student athletes - get injured? Buh-bye. Hit the bricks. Oh, and pay your own medical bills. Colleges pay their coaches etc - a gazillion bucks - even the peanut vendors get paid - who doesn't The guys doing al the actual work. This is disgusting and insane and illegal. And anyone who still gets all warm and fuzzy watching "amateur, student athletes" (the ones with the 40% graduation rate) play for their "dear old alma mater" while "getting an education (did I mention the 40% grad rate? some education), and doing it for zippo - wake up, people.

2-27-2009 @ 2:09AM

"Good riddance?" An 18 year old man has a right to work - even in the NFL, NBA - and to get as much as can possibly get. Who is anyone else to "protect" him from "bad" decisions. A man has the right to make his own decisions, take his own risks - even one's other may consider "bad." Plus colleges show zero loyalty to their student athletes - get injured? Buh-bye. Hit the bricks. Oh, and pay your own medical bills. Colleges pay their coaches etc - a gazillion bucks - even the peanut vendors get paid - who doesn't? The guys doing al the actual work. This is disgusting and insane and illegal. And if you still get all warm and fuzzy watching "amateur, student athletes" (the ones with the 40% graduation rate) play for their "dear old alma mater" while "getting an education (did I mention the 40% grad rate? some education), and doing it for zippo - you probably believe the republicans claiming to be the party of fiscal responsibility while spending more than any democratic admin ever did (look it up). wake up.