Have you figured it out yet?
Has anyone seen the nose on their face yet?
FIRST.. WINSTON is a STRAIGHT A student who takes AP courses. He planned on going to medical school if he couldn't play sports.
Now..
1. Gunner = IND.. he will graduate in December and start at IND and enroll early so he can get ready. He very well have to play next season and he intends to be ready for that moment. HE IS NOT GRADUATING EARLY to go to ALABAMA in the WINTER.. so he can back up another QB in the fall.
2. Gunner did want Alabama. Unfortunately Winston was the 1st pick. Winston was very CLEAR from the 1st moment that he would HAVE to go to a school that allowed DUAL SPORT. That was a HUGE concern of his with Alabama and a source of hesitancy. The coaches can sell you the world, and then you get there.. and none of it happens. Winston was not giving up Football or Baseball even if it meant going to another school. Winston has the goods and he very humble about his needs. Winston is NOT an EGO, FYI. we MUST make that clear.
3. WINSTON is going after a FOOTBALL scholarship.. He could play Baseball ANYWHERE. He WANTS to play football Winston has been an Alabama fan since before he was even on your radar. Alabama is where he started looking at when he was *potential* How MANY times does the kid have to tell the reporters and media "MY PASSION IS FOOTBALL" for it to sink in? FOOTBALL is his challenge. Its FOOTBALL. HE is a GREAT BASEBALL player.. but he very specifically said he would only *CONSIDER* his options if he was able to go the draft 1st round.. WHO WOULDNT..
However, Winston hasn't come this far to give up football. Baseball is an option. An individual challenge. Football is the heart and soul of him.
4. Gunner n Winston are locked in a classic game called "chicken".. see who will go first. Keil won't be announcing until Winston does but he's already stepped back so much its pretty obvious he knows.. Winston won't go where Gunner goes, and Gunner wont go where Winston does. Winston hasn't announced "YET" but once he does, the lightbulb will go off and you will see Gunner is going to IND. Gunner has a little friction with his older middle brother and he is more keen to the Eldest.. so the brotherly love.. well you know how it gets.. its not roses.. Not terrible..
5. Winston undoubtably WILL have a VERY high chance to go 1st round draft and YES, he is going to switch IMMEDIATELY to baseball mode once HS football season is done.. got to increase that baseball stock.. and YES, he will want to have the honor of being able to consider a deal like that. However, he is not done with Football. He will continue to increase his baseball stock in college.. and THEN when he is done in a few years, he will go for even more. Winston is going to be what Cam Newton dreamt he might be. Winston doesnt have any of the "dark side" stuff to worry about.
6. Winston has the persona and ability to go far, get some MAJOR commercial endorsements (Remember the *BO KNOWS....** deals). The exposure in college will actually allow Winston to gain a rather large fan base.. and the more commercial you are.. well endorsements are HUGE money when you go professional.
7. Winston IS a trend setter. He wants to be 1st in things.. REMEMBER how he ALWAYS says he hates being SECOND.. its a real frustration.. you want to see Winston blow out his own best? Tell him he's second to someone else. At Alabama, he can be a trendsetter. 1st Dual sport Athlete. That is a double edged sword however. If there is no precedence of dual sport athletes, how can you trust that YOU will be allowed that opportunity?
8. If he isn't able to play football + baseball, and he is stuck, he does have the option of going into the MLB and coming back to play football.
9. FSU is recruiting even harder because they already have him?? NOOOO.. when you like a chick, and she's not feeling you, you push even harder to get her from what ever it is that has her attention.
10. Gunner and Alabama aren't happening. Look at the steps he is making.. I said it before that he will start sliding back to Ind.. not all the way..
At this Elite 11 event, Winston is slaying the competition and he's the media darling. Gunner even knows it. The best athlete you could get and the fact that there is even a discussion about another one?
When he TURNS down millions from the Draft to play football at Alabama, will he have your RESPECT then?
Look at it this way, at least no one can say he played football at Alabama for the money. If he was JUST a sell out, he'd be in the draft and dropping football. THIS FOOTBALL SEASON could INJUR him, and ALL his MLB options GONE. He's STILL PLAYING Football this season and with a MAD PASSION. HE wants 5A state. Set some records. Be somebody.
Kinda risky. What's HS football when you could be getting ready to be a 1st round draft pick. An injury in HS football could even end his chances to play college football. He's not turned his back on his team has he? Would you play if you were in his "GOLDEN" shoes? And injury away from losing it all? SO DON'T SAY HE WOULDN'T TURN DOWN MILLIONS for FOOTBALL. He gets injured, his options are gone and he's STILL playing. I know some D1 signees that laid back their senior year, trying to keep from being injured because they didn't want to lose their scholarship due to an injury.
Finally, What has Gunner done it the LAST 2 weeks to even show he is going to Alabama? What has Gunner done in the last 2 weeks to lead you to IND? Perhaps he's mentioned it more than once. Which is unlike him. He's been dropping inadvertent indications.
Winston can Stay home, chill with his family and his beloved Boo, be there to watch his little brother grow up, and stay near a place he is comfortable.
What was he going to FSU for? Their Baseball program is so great? He's has the option of going in the draft. He doesn't need the exposure. Why not just pursue a BASEBALL scholarship.
Winston will be a draw for a great recruiting class. A good quarterback is key. This week, he showed everyone what a competitor he is.
Too much debate going on... what if.. how bout this.. Just listen to what Winston says constantly. He's never changed his story. Bet he learned a lesson not to answer questions about a draft option..
after that overblown contorted media fiasco, you will be hearing some answers like "well, I'll worry about that when it comes time for Baseball. Right now my focus is football".. And all he said was "when or if the time comes, I will sit down with my family and *CONSIDER* my options".... what was he supposed to say? Well now its just "Right now, my focus is on football"...
ROLL OUT THE RED TIDE FOR WINSTON!
He's a huge Tide fan. Seems only fitting he will get to QB his favorite team.
Oh, I know they said 08/03, but did no one stop to ask or question why that day? Didn't even think to question it did you? Why not the 2nd?
Today is the 22nd and ELITE 11 finals are today. Anyone know what time? Tune in and find out how the story plays out. Its the "YEAR of the Quarterback". Anyone Notice that the ONLY TWO QB at the event NOT COMMITTED are Winston and Gunner. Remember, WINSTON knows where he is going. He made his decision and then Gunner cancelled his annoucement and went back to visit Oklahoma (option 2), and which then prompted Knight to commit to OK. Now, Gunner is settling with option 3.
Could Winston go somewhere else and do better. YES. Will he. No. RTR.
(official post disclaimer- all statements made by me are intented for entertainment purposes and should not be considered facts)
