This is a double edged sword for sure...if a kid's grades aren't good enough, or if he decides that he's going to take Underwater Basket Weaving and The History of **** 101, then what does that tell you about his character and work ethic? Do you really want to take a chance on a kid that has proven that he has no motivation to work hard?
But then...don't kids deserve the opportunity for a second chance sometimes, for the opportunity to be given an exception so that they can play the sport that they are so gifted at (and makes the University money) - it won't work every time, but with a motivator as a HC, and with the academic tools at their disposal, maybe just maybe a kid will seize the bull by the horns and work hard and get his degree.
Just seems like UM is not willing to take the chances most of these other schools are. Right or wrong? I dunno how to answer that question.
A lot of good points.
It is hard work to become a great athlete. True genetics have a lot to do with it but with out the work and sacrifice you will not make it to the top. While everybody is out parting it up and goofing off you are still in the weight room for hours or running hours of windspints or stadium steeps or studying film on your own to give you that little bit of edge over the next person. What is the difference between just making the tackle or just missing it? Hours of extra hard work the next guy was not going or willing to do. The stakes and the competition are way higher every level you move up from Jr High to the pros. Same in the real world. Football is a full time job and finding the extra hours to study make it even harder.
A lot of these kids are from the local inter city that bleed orange and green. The only successful people they see are athletes. Who are their role models? Their single mom is so busy working one or two jobs who else do they look up to? A lot of them worry about where they are going to eat next. When do they have time to work helping with the bills, study for school and train for sports? Sometimes they can only pick two of them. You really got to look it that way. Since UM is Miami why not help out these kids by giving them a break like other colleges and a true overall education for some revenue that these same kids bring in the the U. Give these kids an extra year make a special program or what ever to help them out. Frank Gore and others made it. UM should let these kids get in if they can get into other colleges as well. Very few of these players would be able to get in if they were coming as students. What is the difference between 20 points? Going to LSU or going to UM. Give them a break.