DaMarcus Smith is not about to be released from his letter of intent to the University of Central Florida if coach George O’Leary has his way. O’Leary has got his Irish up, if a report from College Football Talk is accurate:
Clearly agitated by the development, the UCF head coach told the Orlando Sentinel that he’s never released a player from his LOI, and he’s not about to start now.
“I met with him a month ago and he basically talked to me about that situation, and he left me saying he was 100 percent a Knight,” O’Leary told the paper. “But every time he goes back to the Louisville area, it seems to be questionable what’s taking place there.
“His mother did call me last night and expressed that they’d like a release and I told her no. And that if they have to do what they have to do as far as an appeal, they have to do that. But they’re not getting a release from UCF.”
O’Leary would be better served by granting the release. Smith will never be a happy camper in Orlando.
Episodes like this one also don’t build good will among people who might have a say in the future about UCF’s conference aspirations. The little things add up.
A classic case of a jilted lover exacting revenge. It is rumored Smith will enroll at Louisville in May…sit a year if neccessary…i.e. the appeal fails…and have four years to complete three years of elgibility.
I don’t buy the “Georgie Boy” rhetoric for one minute. He’s a fine example of integrity and above board recruiting tactics, isn’t he? Smith had a change of heart, common sense finally overcame the whispers in his ears and he’s thinking clearly now. As a result, he’ll most likely have to cool his heels for a season and lose a year of playing time.
LOI’s are just that… legal documents expressing intent to attend a particular institution. The NCAA holds them as “binding”…except for extenuating circumstances. Whether Smith can prove such remains to be seen.
He obviously hasn’t added class to his resume.
I especially loved how he says something “questionable” is taking place in Louisville. Yeah George, now you know how we felt about UCF when he switched his commitment at the last minute after taking a visit there.
He’s just the beacon of ethical behavior now isn’t he…
Just ask the golden domers what they think of him.