Eligibility Questions re: Ford

[4Q Basket Case]

In his column in today's TideSports (Tuscaloosa News sports website), Andrew Bone mentions that Ford has re-affirmed his commitment to Bama and that he expects to graduate in December.

Good news, but it raises two questions:

1. Is a December graduation date from a post-high school prep program (Hargrave, in this case) even possible?

2. Assuming it is possible and assuming Ford does in fact graduate in December, could he participate in spring practice? How about bowl practice like JPW last year?

Thanks to anyone who knows.

 

[uafan4life]

Good questions.

I don't have a clue, but I'm sure Terry, Bayou, or Earle will know.

 

[runtheoption22]

ok,

First, all he needs is to raise his ACT to a high enough score, or vice versa, his GPA high enough for his current ACT to count. The ACT is the most likely route. If that can occur between now and December, he can leave Hargrave and come to Bama.

Hargrave's semester runs into January, which would not allow him to come in January to Bama- based on trying to get his GPA high enough.

If he gets his ACT up before December, he can come in for bowl practices and the spring....which is what we are all hoping for.

 

[BamaBackerBill]

Will Ford be a freshman or sophomore at Bama next year? And also, would you guys say that Ford is better than Coffee and Upchurch? rtr

 

[ajacks04]

yes, if he does everything he is supposed to do grade wise, he can enroll and participate in spring practice. remember, lionel mitchell did that same thing this year. i am not sure if he made the bowl practices, but he definitely was out there in the spring.

many have said that ford was the most talented of all of the backs we signed this year.

 

[runtheoption22]

yes, going to prep school causes you to lose NOTHING eligibility wise...therefore, he will be a true freshman when he shows up....

in my personal opinion, I thought Ford was the overall best of the backs. It will be an interesting situation when he gets on campus. Hopefully, he'll be in as good as shape as most who come from Hargrave are.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Thanks, RTO!

Great information, and it makes sense now that you've explained it.

On the condition front, I'd have to think the Hargrave coach's pipeline to several SEC schools depends on two things:

First, if a school places a player at Hargrave, the Hargrave coach had best do everything in his power to be sure that player ends up back at the school that placed him.

Second, that player needs to be in better physical shape when he leaves Hargrave than he was when he showed up.

If he messes up on either of those fronts, I'd imagine he'd find that pipeline drying up.

 

[NYBamaFan]

Here is a better question. Should a school like Alabama allow a student to enter into our football program that has performed this poorly as a student? Do you realize how little effort it takes to pass HS classes and score an 18 on the ACT? What chance does he have (without a little "help") of passing his classes at the Capstone while playing football?

With the new academic penalties, I would prefer to see Alabama pursue athletes who have a chance in the classroom. Would Bama even consider his application for general admission?

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Here is a better question. Should a school like Alabama allow a student to enter into our football program that has performed this poorly as a student? Do you realize how little effort it takes to pass HS classes and score an 18 on the ACT? What chance does he have (without a little "help") of passing his classes at the Capstone while playing football?

With the new academic penalties, I would prefer to see Alabama pursue athletes who have a chance in the classroom. Would Bama even consider his application for general admission?

Who says he doesn't have a chance in the classroom? We've had young men at Alabama who, for whatever reason, just didn't do well in the public school system. Those guys went on to get their degree and graduate.

I think an otherwise spotless record speaks well for the potential of someone like Mike Ford. Alabama doesn't recruit from the local juvenile detention center. We let the UT's, UM's, FSU's and AU's do that.

 

[NYBamaFan]

You do realize that the average 13 year old is capable of scoring a 16 on the ACT, right?

The average college requires a score of 22 for admission. Many schools require a score of 27 or higher.

Even schools with open enrollment generally require a score of 16.

Why do they require these scores? Because they know that students incapable of achieving these minimal scores are not ready for college level classes. And that is for general enrollment.

Add to that the time taken away from the classroom and study to accomodate football games and practice and you have a recipe for disaster.

This is not directed at Ford. It is meant to point out a policy that needs to be adjusted to meet the changing NCAA penalties tied to academic performance...

 

[runtheoption22]

Great information, and it makes sense now that you've explained it.

On the condition front, I'd have to think the Hargrave coach's pipeline to several SEC schools depends on two things:

First, if a school places a player at Hargrave, the Hargrave coach had best do everything in his power to be sure that player ends up back at the school that placed him.

Second, that player needs to be in better physical shape when he leaves Hargrave than he was when he showed up.

If he messes up on either of those fronts, I'd imagine he'd find that pipeline drying up.

Coach Prunty basically does not let college coaches talk to his committed players. He prides himself on returning them to where they signed. And, like Lionel Mitchell, he puts those uncommitted players in a position to get picked up- hence furthering his relationship with those schools.

I really like the Hargrave situation. It might not necessarily show up year 1, but that senior year, I think it will strength, mind, and maturity wise.

As for the academic side, these borderline HS students a lot of times have not tried in HS, or by the time they do, it's too late. It comes with maturity. Or it could be that they had no one pushing them or showing heavy interest in academics. In college, they'll get that. Not to say football players get special treatment, but they have help whenever they need it, studying wise.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Just to add...

a couple of words to what rto has said, the coaches are always evaluating academic potential as well as athletic. Sometimes students have done poorly for the reasons rto mentioned and they can be turned around with help. The guys the coaches try to avoid are those that simply don't have the brain-power or are so lazy that they won't make it, even with help. Those cases have always hurt, but now, they'll hurt more. It didn't get a lot of publicity, but we had some that almost didn't get in this time, even though they had met the Clearinghouse standards...

 

[NYBamaFan]

Sometimes students have done poorly for the reasons rto mentioned and they can be turned around with help.

I understand and agree, but doesn't it concern you that we allow athletes to attend Alabama that would not be allowed to attend if they were applying through general admission? There are reasons that Alabama (and every other university) turns away applicants with low scores.

Again, Hargraves may help turn Ford around, so this is not directed at him specifically. I wish him the nothing but the best and hope that he continues to work hard in the classroom...

 

[RecentAlum]

Hargrave's semester runs into January, which would not allow him to come in January to Bama- based on trying to get his GPA high enough.

I am almost positive Lionell Mitchell was practicing for the Music City Bowl. I know he was there for Spring practice.

RTR

 

[TIDE-HSV]

No...

it doesn't concern me, for the reasons stated above. They will receive many academic benefits the average student will not. There is a double standard operating, but it's been in operation for a long time and the inconsistency doesn't bother me...

 

[runtheoption22]

I am almost positive Lionell Mitchell was practicing for the Music City Bowl. I know he was there for Spring practice.

RTR

Mitchell was uncommitted and already qualified. He went to Hargrave to simply improve his stock. Therefore, when we jumped on him, he jumped from Hargrave......when that is the case, there is no need to "graduate" or finish a semester out. That is hopefully the case with Ford...he qualifies before December a la raising that ACT score.

 

[dayhiker]

On the academic equality front, even the service academies have reduced standards for their players. The standards are still very high, but not the 30+ACT, etc for general admisssion.

 

[Capstone46]

NYBamafan,
The football coaches have the responsibility for building a winning football program with student-athletes who can be successful on the football field, in the classroom, and represent the University well. The coaches are held accountable by the athletic director, the new NCAA APR requirements, and the president of the University. With that responsibility and accountability should come the freedom to select student-athletes they think they can develop into winners. If they select student-athletes who cannot be developed athletically, academically, or with character flaws, the coaches will be fired themselves. We should support and trust their judgements since their butts are ultimately on the line.

 

[RollTider82]

Ford has a learning disability, which is why he is at Hargrave in the first place, and not a JUCO. It is not always a question of whether someone is putting forth the effort. It is not far-fetched that the system in place at his HS probably did not help his situation, considering his disability.

 

[bamafan37]

How much PT will Ford get at Hargrave? Will he get some good game experience against better-than-highschool talent? Looking forward to getting him here, especially if he gets even better!

Do they give stars to prep school players? Just curious what they would give him, not that it really matters.