[donkey687]

[quote author=BobK link=topic=11701.msg166097#msg166097 date=1468281150]
Per his Twitter McElwain has committed to Vandy and will start there soon.

On one hand, I'm bummed to lose Bailey, because he seemed like a great kid who was going to do the work to enroll here.  I really admired his attitude and perseverance.  On the other hand, this is a great opportunity for a kid from the Southeast with limited FBS offers to go play in the SEC and get a great degree while he's at it. 

And, to be candid, given how small the Class of 2017 is shaping up to be, it probably wasn't mission critical to take a fullback as part of the class (especially since Houston Heimuli, a 2015 signee, is already going to be there next fall as a fullback).  This seems to have worked out OK for everybody, assuming we were honest and fair with Bailey and he doesn't feel burned.
[/quote] This doesn't surprise me at all that he won't be in our Class of 2017. The entire situation was strange. It sounds like he wasn't admitted in 2016 so how could he be guaranteed a spot in 2017 class? He talked like it was a sure thing, but I can't believe that Shaw & Co made any guarantees. Who knows what kind of grades and score he would have gotten this year and whether that would be enough for him to clear admissions especially if the staff isn't pushing him as hard as higher touted recruits.  It is probably a smart move for him to take the bird in hand rather than wait for the cardinal in the bush.

[donkey687]

[quote author=BobK link=topic=11701.msg166097#msg166097 date=1468281150]
Per his Twitter McElwain has committed to Vandy and will start there soon.

On one hand, I'm bummed to lose Bailey, because he seemed like a great kid who was going to do the work to enroll here.  I really admired his attitude and perseverance.  On the other hand, this is a great opportunity for a kid from the Southeast with limited FBS offers to go play in the SEC and get a great degree while he's at it. 

And, to be candid, given how small the Class of 2017 is shaping up to be, it probably wasn't mission critical to take a fullback as part of the class (especially since Houston Heimuli, a 2015 signee, is already going to be there next fall as a fullback).  This seems to have worked out OK for everybody, assuming we were honest and fair with Bailey and he doesn't feel burned.
[/quote] This doesn't surprise me at all that he won't be in our Class of 2017. The entire situation was strange. It sounds like he wasn't admitted in 2016 so how could he be guaranteed a spot in 2017 class? He talked like it was a sure thing, but I can't believe that Shaw & Co made any guarantees. Who knows what kind of grades and score he would have gotten this year and whether that would be enough for him to clear admissions especially if the staff isn't pushing him as hard as higher touted recruits.  It is probably a smart move for him to take the bird in hand rather than wait for the cardinal in the bush.