Class of 2015 OLB Shyheim (Shy) Cullen (MA) Signed LOI

[Trueblue25]

Yeah a lot of people on this board, not pointing any fingers, fail to realize that at the end of the day these are just kids making some of there first adult decisions that effect the rest of their lives.

 

[CuseOnly]

Yeah the 92.86 percent was me sitting next to him when he was being interviewed by text. He asked me what he should tell the guy and I said tell him you 92.86 percent sure and see what he says. Then shy said but it's more like 98 and I said 98 just doesn't have a good ring to it. It's the little things that amuse me...lol. You know it's funny when shy got the offer I was searching the internet for stuff about it and I found this page and I wAs reading along seeing what people had to say. And I started thinking what was I going to do if people started saying he didn't look like a good prospect? So I sat by and reAd along for a while. Then I saw people starting to question why he wasn't getting. Offered and the speculation started to get moving. Plus the bad sparq score was coming out and the speculation on that would start. So I talked to shy and said I thought we may want to be up front and tell what his side was. He and I both agreed the truth would be better than people guessing that it would be better to put out the facts that academically he was borderline. Thankfully things have gone 180 degrees from there this quarter. But I have to tell you its a tonite of pressure on these kids. Shy has gotten some pretty good reviews but I can't imagine these kids that dominate there home division and are feeling pretty good then stumble across someone saying he looks small he's pretty slow etc. then you have the pressure of when to commit ... Is this this best option for me can I go somace better . Shy is sweating the day he has to call the other coaches and say sorry I'm commiting to ... Today thanks for everything. That's a pretty big deal to shy right now. He was just asking me what is he going to tell the other schools . Or after he commits what will he say if another school offers... These are things he is really worried about. I just told him relax enjoy the ride and we will work on a speech for the other teams lol

Shy seems to be a tremendous young man with his heart, head and priorities in the right place. A credit to you and your wife for bringing him up the right way in today's day and age.

Hoping to watch him play for the next 4-5 years at Syracuse but athletics aside, you and your wife should be very proud of this young man and I am sure you are.

 

[Bambrewer]

Yeah a lot of people on this board, not pointing any fingers, fail to realize that at the end of the day these are just kids making some of there first adult decisions that effect the rest of their lives.

You know it's more than just the decision too. It's a ton of pressure during this whole process. Let's say kid x we will call him is getting some interest for a few schools. So he starts to worry no offers are coming in. Then he gets an offer from a decent school. They have everything he is looking for but this guy from Alabama keeps calling him saying he loves him and wants him to come down for a camp. The kids parents can't afford to ship him across the country so he can't attend. But time is going on and the school that offered him is starting to take a lot of commits. So he goes and commits. Then all of a sudden every school talking to him offers. Now the kid could decommit and take a bigger school but that wouldn't be right. Now let's look at the other side of that. Same situation except he waits cause everyone is saying the offer is coming. The school that offered fills up at his position and they pull the offer. Now no one else offers and this kid is out. You look at some of these kids from Florida commiting now and you see they have no offers one school offers and they blow up. Is wrong for these kids to use a commitment to lure more offers? Or is it wrong for the schools to chase down these kids after they commit. This process has huge implications on these kids lives... When I was 16 my biggest worry was what clothes was I going to wear not what decision I make today could effect the rest of my life

 

[TheCusian]

You know it's more than just the decision too. It's a ton of pressure during this whole process. Let's say kid x we will call him is getting some interest for a few schools. So he starts to worry no offers are coming in. Then he gets an offer from a decent school. They have everything he is looking for but this guy from Alabama keeps calling him saying he loves him and wants him to come down for a camp. The kids parents can't afford to ship him across the country so he can't attend. But time is going on and the school that offered him is starting to take a lot of commits. So he goes and commits. Then all of a sudden every school talking to him offers. Now the kid could decommit and take a bigger school but that wouldn't be right. Now let's look at the other side of that. Same situation except he waits cause everyone is saying the offer is coming. The school that offered fills up at his position and they pull the offer. Now no one else offers and this kid is out. You look at some of these kids from Florida commiting now and you see they have no offers one school offers and they blow up. Is wrong for these kids to use a commitment to lure more offers? Or is it wrong for the schools to chase down these kids after they commit. This process has huge implications on these kids lives... When I was 16 my biggest worry was what clothes was I going to wear not what decision I make today could effect the rest of my life

Do you think an early signing period would be good for the kid? The school?

Very interested in your opinion - as you and Shy are going through it now. As opposed to some blogger who is a 30 something with no kids.

 

[texascpa]

You know it's more than just the decision too. It's a ton of pressure during this whole process. Let's say kid x we will call him is getting some interest for a few schools. So he starts to worry no offers are coming in. Then he gets an offer from a decent school. They have everything he is looking for but this guy from Alabama keeps calling him saying he loves him and wants him to come down for a camp. The kids parents can't afford to ship him across the country so he can't attend. But time is going on and the school that offered him is starting to take a lot of commits. So he goes and commits. Then all of a sudden every school talking to him offers. Now the kid could decommit and take a bigger school but that wouldn't be right. Now let's look at the other side of that. Same situation except he waits cause everyone is saying the offer is coming. The school that offered fills up at his position and they pull the offer. Now no one else offers and this kid is out. You look at some of these kids from Florida commiting now and you see they have no offers one school offers and they blow up. Is wrong for these kids to use a commitment to lure more offers? Or is it wrong for the schools to chase down these kids after they commit. This process has huge implications on these kids lives... When I was 16 my biggest worry was what clothes was I going to wear not what decision I make today could effect the rest of my life

Both scenarios beg for an early signing period.

 

[Bambrewer]

I think the whole process needs to change. Have real quiet times real no contact periods . Not kids getting offered during no contact periods. Early signing would be a help but mores needs to change. Perhaps a commit should be handless as an early enrollment where you do away with a national signing day and you sign when you commit. And maybe we have a week in the beginning of July when all offers have to be done by a school. That way the kids have all available options pre season at one time. Then when the kid signs and changes his mind he is held to the transfer rules in ace where if you change your commit you sit a year. I don't know I'm far to new to this whole process to tell them how to do it but I think the way it is done now is crazy

 

[oldpinepoint]

I have found this thread so enjoyable to read. Thanks to Bambrewer who has given us a unique perspective of the recruiting process.

 

[PhatOrange]

You know it's more than just the decision too. It's a ton of pressure during this whole process. Let's say kid x we will call him is getting some interest for a few schools. So he starts to worry no offers are coming in. Then he gets an offer from a decent school. They have everything he is looking for but this guy from Alabama keeps calling him saying he loves him and wants him to come down for a camp. The kids parents can't afford to ship him across the country so he can't attend. But time is going on and the school that offered him is starting to take a lot of commits. So he goes and commits. Then all of a sudden every school talking to him offers. Now the kid could decommit and take a bigger school but that wouldn't be right. Now let's look at the other side of that. Same situation except he waits cause everyone is saying the offer is coming. The school that offered fills up at his position and they pull the offer. Now no one else offers and this kid is out. You look at some of these kids from Florida commiting now and you see they have no offers one school offers and they blow up. Is wrong for these kids to use a commitment to lure more offers? Or is it wrong for the schools to chase down these kids after they commit. This process has huge implications on these kids lives... When I was 16 my biggest worry was what clothes was I going to wear not what decision I make today could effect the rest of my life

That's why these kids need solid parental guidance. Not chasing the carrot guidance, but real educated (do your homework) guidance.

 

[rrlbees]

You know it's more than just the decision too. It's a ton of pressure during this whole process. Let's say kid x we will call him is getting some interest for a few schools. So he starts to worry no offers are coming in. Then he gets an offer from a decent school. They have everything he is looking for but this guy from Alabama keeps calling him saying he loves him and wants him to come down for a camp. The kids parents can't afford to ship him across the country so he can't attend. But time is going on and the school that offered him is starting to take a lot of commits. So he goes and commits. Then all of a sudden every school talking to him offers. Now the kid could decommit and take a bigger school but that wouldn't be right. Now let's look at the other side of that. Same situation except he waits cause everyone is saying the offer is coming. The school that offered fills up at his position and they pull the offer. Now no one else offers and this kid is out. You look at some of these kids from Florida commiting now and you see they have no offers one school offers and they blow up. Is wrong for these kids to use a commitment to lure more offers? Or is it wrong for the schools to chase down these kids after they commit. This process has huge implications on these kids lives... When I was 16 my biggest worry was what clothes was I going to wear not what decision I make today could effect the rest of my life

Every kid has to do what's right for him or her. If that means committing to a school because they are getting nervous, so be it. If they have a change if heart later because someone better comes along, so be it. Schools will do the same so why not the kid? It's not love and marriage.

 

[Bambrewer]

That's the problem I bet half of these kids have zero guidance on their path. When we went to bc for our visit there was a 16 yearold kid from North Carolina there by himself looking at the school. There was 4 kids there commiting on offical visits that were alone. These coaches make these kids feel like they are the next big thing. It would be very easy to convince a kid to go to your school if it was a big name school. I had one coach tell me don't ever leave your kid alone at a school I could convince him to commit any time I want. We met up with a kid that shy played against during a unh visit. The kid was all signed and is playing next year. One if the top players in the state last year. We were talking and shy was saying how crazy things are getting the kid said to shy just relax and enjoy it. Then he said you are lucky your dad is taking you around and helping you. My parents haven't been with me at all. His coach was taking him to visit schools. I bye there are plenty of kids ending up in bad situations for them because their high school coach is friends with a coach on a school that kid doesn't belong at.

 

[orangepassion]

Every kid has to do what's right for him or her. If that means committing to a school because they are getting nervous, so be it. If they have a change if heart later because someone better comes along, so be it. Schools will do the same so why not the kid? It's not love and marriage.

But can the schools really do that without getting killed about it?

 

[orangepassion]

That's the problem I bet half of these kids have zero guidance on their path. When we went to bc for our visit there was a 16 yearold kid from North Carolina there by himself looking at the school. There was 4 kids there commiting on offical visits that were alone. These coaches make these kids feel like they are the next big thing. It would be very easy to convince a kid to go to your school if it was a big name school. I had one coach tell me don't ever leave your kid alone at a school I could convince him to commit any time I want. We met up with a kid that shy played against during a unh visit. The kid was all signed and is playing next year. One if the top players in the state last year. We were talking and shy was saying how crazy things are getting the kid said to shy just relax and enjoy it. Then he said you are lucky your dad is taking you around and helping you. My parents haven't been with me at all. His coach was taking him to visit schools. I bye there are plenty of kids ending up in bad situations for them because their high school coach is friends with a coach on a school that kid doesn't belong at.

Interesting

 

[Bambrewer]

But can the schools really do that without getting killed about it?

Of course they do it all the time. If they offer 150 kids and have 25 scholarships available when the prospects commit they have to pull some... They can't sign 30 line backers. But at the same time they have to do it... Can't put all your eggs in one basket.

 

[orangepassion]

Of course they do it all the time. If they offer 150 kids and have 25 scholarships available when the prospects commit they have to pull some... They can't sign 30 line backers. But at the same time they have to do it... Can't put all your eggs in one basket.

I meant pull it from someone after he gives a verbal commitment

 

[Bambrewer]

Oh I don't know if they can do that I was referring to before they commit... I'm sure they can pull it though if a kid does something wrong or of course grades... I'm sure that has happened for at least good reasons

 

[Upstate]

Of course they do it all the time. If they offer 150 kids and have 25 scholarships available when the prospects commit they have to pull some... They can't sign 30 line backers. But at the same time they have to do it... Can't put all your eggs in one basket.

I think HCSS would want to sign 30 LBs.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Looking through the current roster and our reported offers the staff must think highly of any LB they are offering this early in the game. LB isn't going to be a true position of need until next recruiting cycle so any they are offering now must be guys they consider cream of the crop. Both our starting OLBs are Seniors this year so the opportunity for early PT will be there but they'd only be after guys who could compete with or potentially beat out guys from what I feel was an exceptional LB recruiting class last year. I can't see us taking more than 3 and am obviously hoping Shy is one of them.

 

[Bambrewer]

Yeah I have been looking at that and shy was kinda hoping to red shirt... He wants more size... I'm more concerned with the number of offers for line backers out. If a couple commit it could change the whole game. But I really don't want shy to give a shallow commit... These kids commiting without seeing campus would worry me if I was taking their commitment.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I don't think we've got that many offers out. It appears a hand full of them are offers to guys that we aren't really involved with anymore. Seems like Shy anda few others are who were actively pursuing. Presume we've got room for them all at this point if they commit.

 

[ImperialOrange]

If Shy does want to redshirt that would potentially give two years of seperation from this years class. Its a long way off though and perhaps next year this time he'll be thinking about making all ACC as a true frosh.

 

[Bambrewer]

If Shy does want to redshirt that would potentially give two years of seperation from this years class. Its a long way off though and perhaps next year this time he'll be thinking about making all ACC as a true frosh.

I'd love for him to play freshman year... He played varsity his freshman year of high school and it did so much for his game... Speed of game knowing the offense and defense... Practicing and playing down have good points but nothing gets you ready like playing in a reL game

 

[Libero2]

I'd love for him to play freshman year... He played varsity his freshman year of high school and it did so much for his game... Speed of game knowing the offense and defense... Practicing and playing down have good points but nothing gets you ready like playing in a reL game

True. However, if you had to weigh shy getting 5-10 snaps a game as a frosh (not counting specials) vs. him being a full time 5th year starter (with theoretically, 1 year of grad school paid for) I'd be curious to see which you'd ultimately prefer, assuming of course the NFL wasn't an option after year 3 or 4.

 

[anomander]

Yeah I have been looking at that and shy was kinda hoping to red shirt... He wants more size... I'm more concerned with the number of offers for line backers out. If a couple commit it could change the whole game. But I really don't want shy to give a shallow commit... These kids commiting without seeing campus would worry me if I was taking their commitment.

I'm not to concerned about taking a commit without seeing campus. It's something we have to deal with given our location, and the area's we recruit. Sometimes it's just not financially possible for these kids families to pay their own, and they don't want to hold off on committing just because there most likely wouldn't be a spot if they waited until the season started. We did it successfully last year with a couple big South Florida recruits.

As for LB it's looking like we take 3 this year. There are a couple seriously interested, but it doesn't look like any will commit before 6/21. Maybe 1 if Henderson, or Pugh pull the trigger, but Pugh hasn't visited, and Henderson just picked up a couple new offers.

As for red shirting personally I would be all for it if I felt I could develop some, and be able to get significantly more minutes all 4 years. It's tough not being able to travel, but if your ultimate goal is the NFL, or being a very successful college player, it's probably the best option. Shy is already a monster though, i don't know how much bigger he can get haha.

 

[Bambrewer]

I'm not to concerned about taking a commit without seeing campus. It's something we have to deal with given our location, and the area's we recruit. Sometimes it's just not financially possible for these kids families to pay their own, and they don't want to hold off on committing just because there most likely wouldn't be a spot if they waited until the season started. We did it successfully last year with a couple big South Florida recruits.

As for LB it's looking like we take 3 this year. There are a couple seriously interested, but it doesn't look like any will commit before 6/21. Maybe 1 if Henderson, or Pugh pull the trigger, but Pugh hasn't visited, and Henderson just picked up a couple new offers.

As for red shirting personally I would be all for it if I felt I could develop some, and be able to get significantly more minutes all 4 years. It's tough not being able to travel, but if your ultimate goal is the NFL, or being a very successful college player, it's probably the best option. Shy is already a monster though, i don't know how much bigger he can get haha.

There is a defInate up side to both playing and red shirt. So it really it doesn't matter which he ends up doing. He is ok with red shirting so I'm sure if they said were going to play you he would be fine with that also. Yes having that extra year is nice. I'm not so much concerned for the team taking a person who hasn't visited as I am for the kids. I've been to a few schools and a couple I have been to I would want to spend four years at. One of them had a farm across the street and the place looked like a prison. ... I'm not sure if I had told this story before and I'm not going back they this thread is way to big... But last year during the season shy separated his shoulder in the playoffs ( second quarter popped it back in and never missed a snap) ( the kid feels no pain some time I'll tell you about the game he broke his knee and played the rest of the game) we had to take him to the hospital to get the shoulder checked and the doctor says to us " this guy isn't 16" he thought we were commiting insurance fraud. So he takes him in and X-rays his growth plates while checking the shoulder and comes back and says his plates aren't even close to closed he will be 6'2 or 6''3. Plus shy eats so much he puts on 10 lbs pretty consistently. I'd say if he grows another inch and keeps hitting the gym he will graduate at 225 no problem.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Farm across the Street and looks like a prison? I'd be curious to know which that is. Admittedly made me think Storrs, CT.