'12 CA DT/DE Arik Armstead (Oregon Verbal)

[Grahambo]

Armond to Cal; Arik to ND?

 

[me9rob]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I am a USC fan and have premium info about the whole Armond situation.

So Armond does look like he's leaning heavily toward transferring. There are a bunch of interesting things going on with his situation, though. For one, I believe he may not transfer to a Pac-12 school which means he may not go to Cal, the school Arik is favoring. Second, Armond, Arik, and their families actually have an excellent relationship with Lane Kiffin and they really do want them to go to USC, but they feel that the University itself has sabotaged Armond's chances at the NFL by not clearing him. So Armond wants to transfer to get his NFL stock up.

Personally, I like Armond and many USC fans have no Ill will towards him or Arik, but many of us are confused about the situation. NO ONE knows what it is that is not allowing him to be cleared. No one at USC will release that info and this is odd considering we have had a couple other players with medical issues and everybody knew what was wrong with them. Also, Armond keeps saying nothing is wrong with him, but when asked why the doctors didn't clear him, he keeps avoiding the question and says he doesn't want the media or outsiders to know.

It's all very odd and just weird. As for Armond transferring to Notre Dame, it's a possibility, but I don't think it happens. Armond is ALL USC. He actually did a premium interview today and he said how the worst part about sitting the season out was that he couldn't help his team, his coaches, and his University. So I personally, just by reading into what he's saying, don't think he'd transfer to Notre Dame. Auburn though is an intersting choice. Both Armstead's are considering them and it won't really affect USC.

 

[irishog77]

OK, let's assume Armond is a "typical grad student". "Typical" probably is not going to get accepted at ND. Competition is fierce. I don't know his personal academic creditentials but he is coming from a school that doesn't have a reputation for academic excellence within its football program, does it?

Maybe he's the exception like Myron Rolle was at FSU. If he was Myron Rolle or was coming from Stanford, Vandy, PSU, UVA, Duke, or some other schools that also strives for academic excellence and had a solid transcript there might be a chance. Regardless of where he got his undergraduate degree, have you ever heard of a post graduate coming to ND to play football? I don't.

I'd love to have either or both the Armstead's talent on the field. But the academic issues are more significant than the football skills are.

No, I don't know of any grad students going to play fb at ND either. Of course that rule has only been around several years, but I'd think we'd all agree that the requirements of ND would be a tougher stepping stone anyway.

I originally asked the question about him coming in as a "typical" graduate student because I was wondering if that might mean these impending deadlines might not matter as much as it would for an already enrolled student seeking a 5th year to play football at Notre Dame. Those wouldn't matter, essentially, because he would simply be a graduate student.

 

[tussin]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I am a USC fan and have premium info about the whole Armond situation.

So Armond does look like he's leaning heavily toward transferring. There are a bunch of interesting things going on with his situation, though. For one, I believe he may not transfer to a Pac-12 school which means he may not go to Cal, the school Arik is favoring. Second, Armond, Arik, and their families actually have an excellent relationship with Lane Kiffin and they really do want them to go to USC, but they feel that the University itself has sabotaged Armond's chances at the NFL by not clearing him. So Armond wants to transfer to get his NFL stock up.

Personally, I like Armond and many USC fans have no Ill will towards him or Arik, but many of us are confused about the situation. NO ONE knows what it is that is not allowing him to be cleared. No one at USC will release that info and this is odd considering we have had a couple other players with medical issues and everybody knew what was wrong with them. Also, Armond keeps saying nothing is wrong with him, but when asked why the doctors didn't clear him, he keeps avoiding the question and says he doesn't want the media or outsiders to know.

It's all very odd and just weird. As for Armond transferring to Notre Dame, it's a possibility, but I don't think it happens. Armond is ALL USC. He actually did a premium interview today and he said how the worst part about sitting the season out was that he couldn't help his team, his coaches, and his University. So I personally, just by reading into what he's saying, don't think he'd transfer to Notre Dame. Auburn though is an intersting choice. Both Armstead's are considering them and it won't really affect USC.

How else would you expect him to answer that question? That answer doesn't really mean anything.

 

[BGIF]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I am a USC fan and have premium info about the whole Armond situation. ... Auburn though is an intersting choice. Both Armstead's are considering them and it won't really affect USC.

Thanks rob for the local fan prospective. You raise a point with Armond not disclosing the nature of the medical issue. It is personal but he's going to have to disclose to the NFL and any new school he goes to. If USC is the bad guy (which most of us would like to believe) his disclosing he medical condition at leat in broad terms would force them to play him or let him go.

As for Auburn, someone pointed out the SEC passed a conference rule after Masoli that the SEC will not take graduate transfers. From the number of relatives I have that are AU alumni, if he didn't graduate due to flunking a course or two there would be no issue.

 

[me9rob]

How else would you expect him to answer that question? That answer doesn't really mean anything.

I understand that, but it's weird that he'll talk about wanting to transfer and all the things that happened to the media, but then when asked a question he says he doesn't want the media involved in his business.

 

[irishog77]

Thanks rob for the local fan prospective. You raise a point with Armond not disclosing the nature of the medical issue. It is personal but he's going to have to disclose to the NFL and any new school he goes to. If USC is the bad guy (which most of us would like to believe) his disclosing he medical condition at leat in broad terms would force them to play him or let him go.

As for Auburn, someone pointed out the SEC passed a conference rule after Masoli that the SEC will not take graduate transfers. From the number of relatives I have that are AU alumni, if he didn't graduate due to flunking a course or two there would be no issue.

Then he'd be a normal transfer student and have to sit out a year. Which he's not going to do.

 

[me9rob]

Thanks rob for the local fan prospective. You raise a point with Armond not disclosing the nature of the medical issue. It is personal but he's going to have to disclose to the NFL and any new school he goes to. If USC is the bad guy (which most of us would like to believe) his disclosing he medical condition at leat in broad terms would force them to play him or let him go.

As for Auburn, someone pointed out the SEC passed a conference rule after Masoli that the SEC will not take graduate transfers. From the number of relatives I have that are AU alumni, if he didn't graduate due to flunking a course or two there would be no issue.

Oh, didn't know about the SEC issue. Thanks for that. I think the only thing that anybody can be really certain about with the whole situation is that he won't be at USC. In the end, he may even end up just leaving for the NFL and hoping a team gives him a chance. It's a sucky situation, but personally, I'd rather be overly protective of someone, instead of just winging it.

 

[NYIrish14]

Why is Armond not considering Cal? Could that show that Arik is possibly leaning towards ND? Also me9rob, why do you think Armond wont transfer to a Pac-12 school?

 

[TerryTate]

Why is Armond not considering Cal? Could that show that Arik is possibly leaning towards ND? Also me9rob, why do you think Armond wont transfer to a Pac-12 school?

Would USC release him, and therefore Arik, to Cal?

 

[NYIrish14]

Would USC release him, and therefore Arik, to Cal?

USC probably wouldn't release him to ND either but he mentioned in that article that he was interested in us and Auburn.

 

[me9rob]

Why is Armond not considering Cal? Could that show that Arik is possibly leaning towards ND? Also me9rob, why do you think Armond wont transfer to a Pac-12 school?

I believe there is a rule against it. I'm not very sure about it though. If there isn't a rule preventing him from going to Cal then Cal is easily the favorite for both Armstead's IMO

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I believe there is a rule against it. I'm not very sure about it though. If there isn't a rule preventing him from going to Cal then Cal is easily the favorite for both Armstead's IMO

As I understand it, most programs have a policy of not allowing transfers within the same conference, just as professional teams don't often trade with their conference rivals.

However, since Armond has already graduated (?), it's unclear whether USC has any say in where he enrolls next.

 

[me9rob]

As I understand it, most programs have a policy of not allowing transfers within the same conference, just as professional teams don't often trade with their conference rivals.

However, since Armond has already graduated (?), it's unclear whether USC has any say in where he he enrolls next.

Yea, i think that may be the case.


Also as far as academics, I wouldn't say Armond is an Honors Student, but I've never heard anything about him struggling with grades or academics.

 

[NYIrish14]

With USC's sanctions, is it possible they would have to let Armond transfer wherever he wants?

 

[TerryTate]

That's what the guy on II said.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

With USC's sanctions, is it possible they would have to let Armond transfer wherever he wants?

IIRC, the "free transfer" only applied to upperclassmen and during the first year.

 

[DillonHall]

I'm 99% sure that it was at least two years that USC players could transfer.

 

[BGIF]

IIRC, the "free transfer" only applied to upperclassmen and during the first year.

That's my understanding as well. I've never seen anything indicating that an athlete could return to USC for a year then transfer in the second year. It makes no sense. You either chose to stay with a sanctioned program or you take the NCAA waiver to opt out.

 

[woolybug25]

I like the thoughts on the sanctions, that very well may be a possibility.

I had an epiphany either way though. I highly doubt that Armond would put any team into his final cut that he wouldn't be able to go to. This is a kid that has already almost had his college career taken away from him, so it's hard for me to believe that he would put himself into a position where he wanted to commit to a school, but Kiffin had the ability to say no. Weirder things have happened, but if they have came this far, I have to believe that both ND and Cal are both real players here.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I like the thoughts on the sanctions, that very well may be a possibility.

I had an epiphany either way though. I highly doubt that Armond would put any team into his final cut that he wouldn't be able to go to. This is a kid that has already almost had his college career taken away from him, so it's hard for me to believe that he would put himself into a position where he wanted to commit to a school, but Kiffin had the ability to say no. Weirder things have happened, but if they have came this far, I have to believe that both ND and Cal are both real players here.

He already played three years before being redshirted. Could have went pro after a really impressive junior year. Really cant call that "taken away from him".

 

[BGIF]

With USC's sanctions, is it possible they would have to let Armond transfer wherever he wants?

Under the NCAA upperclassmen transfer waiver due to sanctions one would think they could transfer anywhere but not so according to PAC-10. There's a conference rule that a school can block a transfer within the conference. USC chose to do that and the PAC-10 backed them up.

USC Trojans juniors, seniors can transfer without sitting - ESPN Los Angeles

Updated: June 12, 2010,
Transferring juniors, seniors can play
ESPN.com news services

While upperclassmen will be allowed to leave the USC football team, the Trojans claim other schools have illegally jumped the gun with a freshman.

Juniors and seniors to-be will be allowed to transfer to other FBS programs without having to sit out a season after the program was hit with a two-year postseason ban among other punishments, the NCAA clarified to ESPN on Friday.

"The second school would have to submit a waiver asking to waive the year in residence, but NCAA rules allow for this waiver to be granted if a student-athlete's first school has a postseason ban in their sport," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said in an e-mail to ESPN's Joe Schad.

The rule does not apply to freshmen who have signed national letters of intent, however. But schools with an interest in a USC junior or senior are allowed to initiate contact with the player, Osburn said.

With one rather large caveat. A USC official told ESPNLosAngeles.com on Thursday the Pac-10 would not waive the one-year transfer ineligibility rule in this case. This means, effectively, USC players won't transfer within the conference. A Pac-10 official confirmed the stipulation to the Seattle Times on Friday.

...

 

[NDdomer2]

He already played three years before being redshirted. Could have went pro after a really impressive junior year. Really cant call that "taken away from him".

I disagree. There is nothing more important than your senior season after all of the sacrifices and hard work you made for three and a half years, in Armond's case longer.

 

[woolybug25]

He already played three years before being redshirted. Could have went pro after a really impressive junior year. Really cant call that "taken away from him".

One of the best recruits in the country that gets his senior year taken from him in addition to have to play through the sanctions is your idea of a good college career? You must have low expectations.

 

[Rocky2820]

As I understand it, most programs have a policy of not allowing transfers within the same conference, just as professional teams don't often trade with their conference rivals.

However, since Armond has already graduated (?), it's unclear whether USC has any say in where he enrolls next.

Unless the NCAA has different rules for football and basketball, USC will have some say in where Armond is and is not permitted to transfer and play football, even as a grad student. I say this because of the situation that was recently reported about St. Joe's, where the basketball coach will not release a player who graduated this past summer and has already enrolled in graduate school at UAB. Again, I don't know if the rules are the same or different for the two sports, but if they're the same I'd imagine this scenario provides the answer to this question.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I thought if you graduate that you need a release and then you can play anywhere. No?

 

[Grahambo]

"Armond will be able to transfer to another school without having to sit out since he graduated from USC in December."

From the wearesc.com blog. Premium from ESPN.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

"Armond will be able to transfer to another school without having to sit out since he graduated from USC in December."

From the wearesc.com blog. Premium from ESPN.

Yeah but that's just dealing with the graduate transfer rule. Schools are (apparently) able to prevent players from competing on another team by refusing to release them from their scholarship. The player Rocky is talking about (Todd O'Brien) graduated from school, enrolled in a program at UAB not offered at his old school, and is currently forbidden from playing on their basketball team because St. Joe's just won't release him from his scholarship. It seems they don't even have to provide a reason for their decision.

Todd O'Brien: St. Joe's won't give release to play at UAB - NCAA Basketball - SI.com

 

[Grahambo]

Yeah but that's just dealing with the graduate transfer rule. Schools are (apparently) able to prevent players from competing on another team by refusing to release them from their scholarship. The player Rocky is talking about graduated from school, enrolled in a program not offered at his old school, and is currently forbidden from playing on their basketball team because St. Joe's just won't release him from his scholarship and it seems they don't even have to provide a reason for their decision.

Since USC is restricted to just 75 scholarships and they plan on taking in 15 recruits, they are going to need his scholarship so would have no reason to keep it.

 

[johnnykillz]

Since USC is restricted to just 75 scholarships and they plan on taking in 15 recruits, they are going to need his scholarship so would have no reason to keep it.

They're still hoping for Arik and might just for spite...