Ragin' Cajun football in good shape heading into signing day

[DieHard1280]

Someone needs to let Rivals know that they forgot to downgrade him to two stars now that he's committed to the Cajuns.

[Cajunsmike]

_ This appears to be a dynamic group of recruits. Some unknowns. Some former blue-chippers. Some guys looking for a second chance.

More than likely, the overall impact won't be felt for at least two or three years. _

Some impact from the class needs to be felt immediately in 2010 for the program to move forward. The potential is there for that to occur. The three running backs being brought in need to contibute. At least two of the three need to play well for the offense to improve. On defense, the JC guys need to help steady that unit.

[DrumRoll]

_ It actually depends on whether Bates will sign a national letter of intent. If so, that ties him for one year to LSU regardless of whether he enrolls. He would have to sign a release to go elsewhere midyear on scholarship. If he doesn't sign one, that leaves him open to do what he pleases a year from now. _

_ Wrong. If he signs a NLOI, and the AD at lsu does not sign it, it is void. If the AD does sign it, but the school fails to grant him a scholarship upon enrollment, the NLOI is void. He cannot be held to a contract in which the other party renegs on its obligation. AND a NLOI MUST have in its language the aid he is being offered. If he is being offered no aid, then he can void the contract for inadequate consideration. By NCAA regulation, the school cannot guarantee a scholarship for the 2011 season, so no scholarship this year, the contract is nonbinding. _

Actually, I think it binds an athlete for 4 years unless enrollment is denied by the University or a release is signed. Scholarships are awarded per year, but I believe the NLOI is binding for 4. Never made much sense to me...

[CajunRed]

Actually, I think it binds an athlete for 4 years unless enrollment is denied by the University or a release is signed. Scholarships are awarded per year, but I believe the NLOI is binding for 4. Never made much sense to me... _

that can't be right.

[DrumRoll]

_ that can't be right. _

Yeah, seems ridiculous to me as well...

[zephyr]

_ Some impact from the class needs to be felt immediately in 2010 for the program to move forward. The potential is there for that to occur. The three running backs being brought in need to contibute. At least two of the three need to play well for the offense to improve. On defense, the JC guys need to help steady that unit. _

I believe this will happen. Above all things, we need some of these JUCO guys on defense to make plays. Dwight Bentley and Zanders seemed to be the only guys last year who seriously made plays. We need Bernard Smith to give us a pass rush end who can get to the QB and we need some guys like Brandon McCray to clog the middle so we don't give up 200 yard rushing days like we did last year. There are going to be some really good running backs in the SBC next year and we will have to stop the run if we want to win 6 games. I wish we were able to get Jelani Smith next year to help out in the middle but we need to put pressure on the QB if we want this D to be productive. Maybe a youngster like Justin Robertson will emerge and give us something at the DE spot along with Bernard Smith.

[CajunRed]

_ Yeah, seems ridiculous to me as well... _

Maybe CajunT can weigh in. It is my understanding that the NLOI binds the recruit to that school for that year. If the recruit then wishes to transfer, he/she can sit out a year and go wherever the hell they want.

If I am not mistaken, we have had athletics in the past who signed letters elsewhere, but ended up here within that 4 year period. They sat out a year and then transferred in.

[zephyr]

_ Maybe CajunT can weigh in. It is my understanding that the NLOI binds the recruit to that school for that year. If the recruit then wishes to transfer, he/she can sit out a year and go wherever the hell they want.

If I am not mistaken, we have had athletics in the past who signed letters elsewhere, but ended up here within that 4 year period. They sat out a year and then transferred in. _

It is my understanding that scholarships are technically renewed on a yearly basis. I don't have a lot of knowledge on the matter so take it for what you will but I think it is yearly rather than by a 4 year period.

[MetryCajun]

_ Some impact from the class needs to be felt immediately in 2010 for the program to move forward. The potential is there for that to occur. The three running backs being brought in need to contibute. At least two of the three need to play well for the offense to improve. On defense, the JC guys need to help steady that unit. _

Most of the great players at UL made immediate impacts as Freshman. I have a feeling we will know the story on our new RB's by the mid point of next season. At that position you can either make people miss or you can't. I like our chances for one of them to being special.

[Parrott]

_ Some impact from the class needs to be felt immediately in 2010 for the program to move forward. The potential is there for that to occur. The three running backs being brought in need to contibute. At least two of the three need to play well for the offense to improve. On defense, the JC guys need to help steady that unit. _

Mike, saying that there has to be some immediate impact in the 2010 recruiting class is obvious. The current running backs couldn't get the job done. There are holes that must be plugged at defensive end, linebacker and safety. The incoming tailback talent is impressive. I'm always interested to see who will be the surprise contributor in 2010.

Scholarships are renewed on a yearly basis, although schools and coaches worth their salt will keep a student-athlete as long as he works hard, provides some benefit to the team and takes care of his/her academics.

Here is more on the national letter of intent from ncaa.org:

The NLI is a voluntary program with regard to both institutions and student-athletes. No prospective student-athlete or parent is required to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program.

By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the designated college or university for one academic year. Pursuant to the terms of the National Letter of Intent program, participating institutions agree to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year to the student-athlete, provided he/she is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. An important provision of the National Letter of Intent program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospective student-athlete signs a Letter of Intent. This prohibition requires participating institutions to cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once a National Letter of Intent is signed with another institution.

The National Letter of Intent has many advantages to both prospective student-athletes and participating educational institutions:

*Once a National Letter of Intent is signed, prospective student-athletes are no longer subject to further recruiting contacts and calls.

*Student-athletes are assured of an athletics scholarship for one full academic year.

*By emphasizing a commitment to an educational institution, not particular coaches or teams, the program focuses on a prospective student-athlete's educational objectives.