More on how Florida flipped Derek Wingo...
- Thread starter NittanyBlue92
- Start date
“Florida is closer. The end.”
Would have made a bad article.
Would have made a bad article.
perhaps a summary, for those that are not subscribers to The Athletic?
Sorry...
In short, Wingo wanted one more visit really to 100% rule out Florida as there were still some questions on PSU he couldn’t answer. Turns out Florida was simply a better overall fit for him as they were incredibly prepared for his visit and addressed nearly all of he and his mom’s concerns.
Making that phone call to PSU was the toughest thing he had to do since he respected the coaches that much and he emphasized there was nothing PSU could have done differently...he just felt more at ease/home at Florida. The mom even said it was sad to see people being so upset at Franklin online when again there was nothing he nor anyone else could have done.
The article also said he wasn’t a fan of cold weather and has always had at least one parent attend his games so I got the impression he didn’t want to go too far from home.
Linked below is a free article that seems to capture the story
https://insidethegators.com/s/1470/...s-look-at-how-florida-flipped-four-star-wingo
https://insidethegators.com/s/1470/...s-look-at-how-florida-flipped-four-star-wingo
"There were still some questions on PSU he couldn't answer"?????? How about calling the PSU coaching staff and asking them to address those questions?
Parents were both long time Gator fans. Ultimately home is home. Sounds like a good kid and wish him luck. It’s also a position of current strength, so no harm no foul. See below key excerpt:
When Derek committed to Penn State last Christmas there was no doubt that is where he would end up. His whole heart was in it. Then, over time, I guess you can say he fell out of love. Sometimes you can’t really place when that happens, it just happens. It was nothing Penn State did or didn’t do. That is what in fact made the decision so hard. The PSU staff was good to us, so good to us, we consider them family and always will.
However, his heart just wasn’t there anymore.
Florida was very low key and transparent with the recruiting process. Which actually started over a year ago at the first Great Gator Grill Out. We all remember what went down that day (see note below). They impressed Derek on every level throughout the event. To be honest my husband and I have been ‘Noles our entire life so we did not even entertain the possibility that Florida was an option!
Parents were FSU fans which is why they think he initially didn't want to go to Florida -- out of respect for them -- even though he love it there.
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Why commit if your questions aren't answered? These kids can't get out of their own way.
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Translation: Not enough twitter love from Penn Staters, Florida fans wanted us, I had an edit ready to go so - why not?
You need answers about PSU to "100% rule out Florida" and then you commit to Florida? I see nothing about what those answers were about. Did he get them? Did he even ask the questions?
Suddenly he doesn't like cold weather? Did he look at a map before committing to Penn State?
I know he's just a high-school kid, but this is stupid.
Also, what about his parents? They were all in on Penn State when their son committed. It should be the kid's decision, but did their enthusiasm for Penn State fade suddenly?
Suddenly he doesn't like cold weather? Did he look at a map before committing to Penn State?
I know he's just a high-school kid, but this is stupid.
Also, what about his parents? They were all in on Penn State when their son committed. It should be the kid's decision, but did their enthusiasm for Penn State fade suddenly?
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Hey, let's let it go. He made his decision, I like many was not happy but we don't need to continue bashing the kid and his family. I'm sure PSU coaches have moved on to other prospects.
Oh hell let’s begin the conspiracy theory. Maybe he just wants to drive up to Gainesville in a new Bronco.
I didn’t start the thread, but I’m allowed to comment. Besides, his commitment isn’t about him. It’s about us as fans and alums who are owed his unwavering commitment. We’ve earned it.
I love her idea that you can't commit until the Spring before your senior year. I would even go as far as saying May 1. You can't commit until May 1. Leave the visit timetables alone but do not allow a prospect to verbally commit until May 1st. This way they can visit as many places as they want without any kind of rules placed on them.
I think this is more accurate than any of the goodwill fluff in that Athletic article
Stop the whining.Please. I have been a PSU fan for 60 years. Some of the posts here would make me reconsider picking PSU. The OP and article were appropriate then the down pour of crybabies had to show up. WTF?
If you were basing a college decision off message board posts, PSU might reconsider taking YOU
If you’ve been a PSU fan for 60 years ( its 62 years for me ) neither the fan base or the coaches care if you’re conflicted about reconsidering PSU. At your age you would be of no value to the team.
Good luck to the young man. It simply shows why the coaches spend so much time in our key recruiting areas PA, NJ, MD, and Virginia. It's really hard to pull stud kids out of Florida to State College and I'm afraid with today's portal they might not be here very long. Got 2 really good offensive kids last year and that's a credit to Seidler. Hope they both play early and perhaps heir success will help with the next Florida recruit,
Wish the kid well.CJF has plans within plans for this sort of stuff.PSU did very well with recruits this weekend even with losing this kid.
IF that was the case, then how about having a little thought and just telling the media something that would not go back to Franklin. Knowing Franklin might get backlash, how about saying something like this to the media ... "In the end he just did not want to be far away, he really wanted at least 1 parent to attend every game. He loves Coach Franklin and PSU, but it really came down to the distance" ........ BANG. Say something like that and all those bad feelings you have about Franklin getting a hard time, are over.
Come on Thomas, Rip still has eligibility & maybe a series are two of RPO in him. Rip is a good person, but we know he can be tough at times to deal with...on and off the field.
I mean, how would Wingo ever have known the distance to Gainesville from his house if the Gator staff didn't point it out?
When a kid goes to a local school I can’t blame them. My kids weren’t in these situations but it would be Penn State for a few reasons, one being close to home.
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Less a 'flip' and more the sudden realization from Wingo that a) he lives in Florida, b) there is in fact a university there that has a football team, and c) he can go to it. Or so it seems...
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Are we reduced to blubbering over a teenager who scorned us for a babe closer to home?
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Okay, just wanted to make sure I knew what we were crying about in case a coworker asked me about my tears.
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