By the end of Wednesday, WVU might pass Pitt in the recruiting rankings. Not for anyone Pitt lost. It would appear that Noel Devine has verballed to the Mountaineers. There are issues of qualifications academically (and let’s keep in mind the concerns with LeSean McCoy before getting too snide on that aspect).
If he does sign and get qualified, that backfield could be a terror to defense — even worse than before.
He isn’t anything special per se. (unless playing against a Rhodesian defense)
Matt Grothe on the other hand, (from USF) is a much better runner. He made plays all year with his feet, including a crucial TD run against WVU late in the season. He will be something special the next few seasons, provided he can stay healthy.
What would expect from a 19-year-old who has two illegitimate children? A kid who stiffed Deion Sanders when he tried to adopt him? An undisciplined, misguided teenager who apparently doesn’t realize the value of minimal schoolwork to his football career.
Those warning signs obviously haven’t stopped Rich Rodriguez, Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden — supposedly the three finalists — from doggedly pursuing Devine.
But at what cost? Devine reportedly has fathered children with two women. His parents reportedly both died of AIDS before he was 12. A grandmother has been his legal guardian. But he stays at the home of a Fort Myers couple.
He has witnessed the murder of a friend.
Best not to mention his grades. One recruitnik told me this week there is little chance the kid will qualify.
USF was a 5 or 6 win team at best without him last year.
He did get banged up a few times during the season. His style of play is very reckless, so staying healthy will be his biggest challenge.
