Top Recruit Bryce Brown
By Chris Brochyus, Sports Editor
Forget Britney’s Circus, another circus is coming to town this week, Bryce’s Circus. Bryce Brown, (6’ 210) the nation’s top football recruit, runs a 4.32 40 yard-dash, and (according to his website) is planning to visit the []__[] on March 12 to “take a look at the offense.” Bryce committed to the U last February (2008) with his older brother Arthur, but began wavering in his commitment at around the same time his “mentor” realized that holding out will put a lot of extra cash in his pocket. His “mentor,” Brian Butler, started a pay website potentialplayers.com for interested recruiting junkies to read up on Bryce’s inner most thoughts, and to promote Butler’s “mentoring” program.
Butler, who has been the subject of a New York Times article examining his operation, has been called a “street agent.” Other news outlets and websites have sharply ridiculed Butler’s program with rumors that he was considering taking Bryce to the Canadian Football League. Also, rumors that he suggested to other recruits to lie about what programs were recruiting them to look more enticing, and allegations that he is under investigation by the NCAA.
This modern day Blue Chips saga appears as a legitimate service to help recruits “meditate” and make the right decisions on what college program is best suited. Though Butler has received heavy criticism from almost every sportswriter, his service does help student-athletes.
Butler’s website is a facebook for recruits. Butler writes a biography on each player and lists potential schools where they could play. The New York Times reported that Butler brings students on recruiting visits in a large bus during the summer. In addition, he serves as not only a personal trainer but a spiritual leader.
But, Butler and Bryce have led a revolution in college football recruiting. Many consider this revolution an attack on integrity but people fail to realize the tremendous pressure that high school juniors and seniors are subjected. College coaches begin calling and visiting students when they are juniors and they start a relationship with students in attempt to get them to sign with their program. These coaches are paid millions to get their universities into bowl games and they are very persuasive and coercive. Some of the time students have interested parents, coaches, or teachers but college coaches have incredible resources to invest in these teenagers. The level of influence is substantially uneven. How is Bryce supposed to make an informed decision when Pete Carroll, Randy Shannon, Lain Kiffin, and Les Miles are in his ear making him promises? These students should have extra advocates to look out for their interests. Should Brian Butler be considered a righteous advocate? Or is he a parasite? Is this “circus” coming to town, Bryce’s Circus, or is the whole recruiting process one big circus?
Loading ...