• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

'05 MD LB Rico McCoy (Tennessee signee)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
http://mb8.scout.com/fgridscapefrm1.showMessage?topicID=25772.topic

McCoy admitted that Ohio State's off-field issues contributed to his decision.

"It made me think about it," McCoy said. "I shouldn't have to think about anything like that; so I chose Tennessee. I like 'Chief', (defensive coordinator John Chavis), and the fact that it's a stable program."
Click to expand...
Sometimes the reasons why a recruit chooses a certain school are out of our control. Seems like McCoy finally bought into the gloom 'n doom forecast being broadcast by the media and the Tennessee coaches. Ohio State tried convincing him nothing would come of the allegations, but it's obvious now that he didn't believe our coaches.
 
Upvote 0
One wonders what or who influenced McCoy to change his mind, but it is rather immaterial in my opinion. Wearing OSU attire and then announcing for Tennessee? Seems like a rather bush league thing to do and reminiscent of "where's the money, Mommy?".

I am not a recruiting expert, but I think that we will be far better off if we recruit people who want to be Buckeyes. There was great consternation when we lost our Toledo star to USC. Look at the attitude he has shown and the lack of contribution this year. The most successful teams are those that get extraordinary results from ordinary people. As Woody always said, you win with people. Look at Nugent's first year at OSU.

I wish any recruit who chooses another university well with their choices but these choices may well come back to haunt them, especially in the case of Tennessee. There is something else that our potential recruits need to consider: the education they can receive at OSU versus most other universities. OSU has become a much better university in this respect in recent years.
 
Upvote 0
One wonders what or who influenced McCoy to change his mind, but it is rather immaterial in my opinion. Wearing OSU attire and then announcing for Tennessee? Seems like a rather bush league thing to do and reminiscent of "where's the money, Mommy?".
Click to expand...

In defense of McCoy if a kid is trying to maintain the drama (as this entire AA game and the media behind it desperately want and encourage them to do) juggling gear from multiple schools is part of the process. If you are a Buckcye it hurts but it may be unfair to expect a teenager to appreciate the implications of what they are doing and how it will be perceived by all involved until after the fact.
 
Upvote 0
brutus2002 said:
He chose Tennessee thats all we need to know. There is no need to speculate lets have some class and just drop the whole he said she said and move on. Good luck to Rico at Tenn.
Click to expand...
It's like this every year. Just enjoy the kids who do want to be Buckeyes.
OSU's linebacking crew will do just fine. Good luck Rico.

Well Said Brutus2002!!
 
Upvote 0
I don't want to sound like one of this emotional wrecks who can't let go, but Tenn got a commit from Eugene Hayes yesterday. He was the #2 LB prospect in the country. That is their fourth LB in this class. I wonder if he was a surprise to McCoy?

Tenn LB recruiting -

2003 - #7 and a 4 star JC.
2004 - #8, #15 and #25
2005 - #2, #15, #17 and #22

Pay attention Rico.
 
Upvote 0
I am one that does not care about those who commit elsewhere. I want those who want to be Buckeyes and join a family that is for life. If a kid wants to go somewhere else - fine with me. As the late Al McGuire once said about a kid who went to Tennessee, if you want to play ball and get an education come to Marquette if you want to where a blazer go to Tennessee.

Same applies here but more. If you want to join a fraternity that is for life then become a Buckeye. If you want a quality education with life time memories become a Buckeye. If you want a coach and community that won't forget you after you graduate whether or not you are a success, become a Buckeye. If you want to buy all that crap other coaches sell you don't become a Buckeye. Unfortunately they will not realize what they have passed up until later in life.

Do I wish the kid well - no but I don't wish him ill will either. Enjoy your time at Tennessee for you will never be a Buckeye and join one of the truly great programs and traditions in college football.

Next.
 
Upvote 0
Posted this on Bucknuts...just had to post it here too

I was out of town on Saturday and TiVO'd the AA game. I came home and didn't feel like watching it so I read about Rico's decision on several boards. I was not mad or upset when I found out, I was sad. I was not sad because he said another school, I was sad because he didn't get to follow his heart.

I was driving to work today, and what I saw caused me to post this message. I saw two cars with "2002 national championship" license plate covers. One was from Florida and one was a Maryland plate, I s$!# you not.

I read a small snipet from an article that said his heart said OSU but the smart decision was UT, the quote was "a better situation.". He basically was telling everyone that what has happened with MoC and ESPN affected his choice. This is why I am sad. Everything about the young man makes me think of OSU greats.

He is a well spoken, strong, fast football player/student athlete. He plays from his gut. He plays hard. He plays for his teammates.

I can picture him with that gray helmet on covered in buckeyes, playing sideline to sideline and blowing up a RB right after a screen pass grazed his finger tips.
I can hear the announcers reaction after the hit!!
I can hear the chant from 105,000, "....Reeeeaaaal Deeeaaal....".
I can see him on the cover of SI with 13 on his chest, as proof that nothing was ever wrong with tOSU.
I can read the article, and how he was torn during recruiting and even announced for another school before siging with the Bucks, the best decision he ever made with his heart.
I see him coming back for his senior year after tOSU finishes 12-0, so that he might be the only 3 year starter at LB to win 3 national titles.
I can see him making us all proud in the NFL, and coming back to his home after an All-Pro career with his family, making a life among all those who loved to watch him play, just like others have done.

Mr.Brand the head of the NCAA has said that we should be applauded for the steps we are taking for STUDENT-athletes. We are one year removed from inviting the NCAA to tell everyone what we already knew, that tOSU is a great place to be and that nothing here is crooked or unjust.

The only comfort I have is that there are two weeks left before he writes his name on a piece of paper. A piece of paper that truly says what his heart feels. Doug Worthington will do the same. So will Alex Boone. So will many others. They will put their faith and trust in a man that puts his faith and trust in himself and in the Lord; not in what MoC says, not in what ESPN says, and not in what other coaches say.

Rico "The Real Deal" McCoy is a Buckeye!! No one else can tell him otherwise. I can only hope he realizes it before it is too late.

I know...a little stalker-like...but for a kid that even said he wanted to be a buckeye, and couldn't because of the MoC ESPN stuff, just makes me sad.
 
Upvote 0
Final Thoughts - Scout

Final Thoughts
By Jamie Newberg National Recruiting Analyst
Date: Jan 17, 2005


As far as the linebackers go, I already talked about Maualuga. Well, others stood out like Rico McCoy (Washington D.C.), Derek Nicholson (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Ryan Reynolds (Las Vegas, Nev.), Phillip Dillard (Jenks, Ok.), Travis Beckum and Brian Cushing (Oradell, N.J.- photo left). McCoy could be the fastest of the bunch. Once he gets in the weight room and fills out watch out. He looks like a weak-side backer all the way and this kid plays all over the field. Nicholson had a steady week of practice and he really shined in the game. He plugs the hole well and is a big time tackler. Reynolds, like McCoy, will likely play at “WILL” and what impressed me the most about him was his read and recognition. Once he knew where the ball was he was there making a play. And he can really lay the wood as well. Dillard is certainly not as fast and athletic as the others but he is always in the right place and he makes plays. And he may have been the best cover linebacker that I saw all week on either squad. If there is one word to describe Beckum it’s specimen. Of all the kids, he may have been the best “big” athlete there. First of all, I still think he could grow into a rush end. He certainly has the frame. And when he wants to dominate he can. He’s physical and he can really move. If he does stay at linebacker he will need to learn how to play in coverage. Cushing, like Maualuga, is just plain mean out there. I love players with that nasty streak and Cushing certainly has that and than some. He’s physical and very athletic.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top