SB Nation - Vidal Hazelton

Vidal Hazelton And The Ethics Of Transfer Restrictions

Signal to Noise — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:03:36 -0000

Paragon noted this in a FanPost a few days ago, but I thought it merited further discussion: Scott Wolf of the L.A. Daily News reported that USC, in exchange for releasing wide receiver Vidal Hazelton from his scholarship, has restricted where he can transfer: he can't go to another Pac-10 school or Notre Dame, which seems appropriate because the Trojans always play those teams every year. Part of Hazelton's reasons for transferring involve being closer to his family on the East Coast, so it's probably easy to say that Hazelton wasn't even considering any of these institutions to begin with.

This probably wouldn't even be noteworthy if there hadn't been a more obnoxious and harsh example set down by the University of Miami with quarterback Robert Marve prior to the Emerald Bowl: originally, Marve had been restricted from going to any school in the ACC, SEC, or in the state of Florida -- which screwed the pooch, because the reason he was transferring was to be closer to his parents, who had various personal issues. (Eventually, these restrictions were lessened to Florida, LSU, and Tennessee, along with the rest of hte ACC.)

This prompted Every Day Should Be Saturday's Orson Swindle to dub Hazelton as getting the "Marve Treatment," as he stated that where a transfer goes in D-IA shouldn't be subject to restriction; that it reeks too much of treating players as cattle.

Even though Hazelton is in no danger of going to a Pac-10 school or ND, by my estimation, Pete Carroll, or any other coach, seems to be well within some rights to request that a transfer not attend an in-state rival or within a conference (and I am highly sensitive to the cattle argument.) The problem is kind of two-fold with the nature of recruiting: you are expecting 18-year old kids to make solid decisons about their future, and we are dealing with teenagers. That said, these young men and women who sign athletic scholarships (along with their parents, if underage) have signed something binding, and you can't just throw that out the window. In exchange for a free education, you've made an obligation to the university that's paying for it.

There's also the double standard of coaches being able to drop everything and leave a program for a better job (if the buyout can be handled, of course) while transfers have to wait a year. This can't be helped, in a sense. If students play a couple years at a D-IA school, then decide to switch to replace a valued player in a bigger, more successful program....well, you can see where that's headed.

Hazelton is merely the latest case to come to our attention, but what would you do if you could alter the NCAA's transfer rules? Would you leave them in place or make modifications?

Hey, Look At These Teenage Boys

Sean Keeley — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:25:00 -0000

Ah, recruiting season. The time of the year where grown men ogle (usually shirtless) teenage boys and size them up and down like they're checking out the line-up at a Hawaiian Tropic bikini contest while noting that most of said teenage boys will ultimately not have much impact on the precedings anyway.

Here we go...

Syracuse lone 3-star recruit to date backed out of his commitment to the Orange and instead decided to enroll at...wait for it...New Mexico! WR Derrell Person was apparently part of the camp that wanted SU to hire Mike Locksley because ,well, that's who's coaching New Mex these days.

"Coach (Mike) Locksley is the new head coach and they've got my teammate Emmanuel Yeager. I see it like Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn all over again at New Mexico.

Person also seems to be unaware that Syracuse actually did hire a coach at all.

"The Syracuse situation is going downhill."

This from the guy who committed to Syracuse while Greg Robinson was still in charge.

On the good news front, Syracuse now seems to be in the midst of stealing recruits away from it's Big East rivals, a fantastic sign for the new coaching staff. First up, the Orange received a commitment from Paramus High School offensive lineman Zack Chibane. Chibane, ranked #56 nationally for O-linemen by ESPN, had previously committed to USF. The best part about Zack is that he won't be awed by the Caroseul Mall...it's old hait...I mean, have you seen the Paramus Mall???

Next, the Orange seem to be closing in on Sheepshead Bay defensive end Andre Civil, according to Rivals. Civil had committed to Rutgers way back in May but seems to be looking at SU in a whole new light and ~~will visit~~ will NOT visit the school shortly. Civl is the #19 rated DE in the nation and is among the top ten NY recruits available. Plus his last name lends itself to many easy-made headlines (Civil War, A Civil Action, Civil-ity), so that would be a nice bonus for me.

I just wish he'd stop staring at me. It's freaking me out.

Finally...what if I told you that a USC player would actually consider transferring to Syracuse? Would that sound like the craziest thing you've ever heard of? Well, it's apparently possible. Former USC wide receiver Vidal "Sassoon" Hazelton is narrowing down his list of schools to transfer to and Syracuse is on that list.

Hazelton's current list of schools includes Pittsburgh and several Football Championship Subdivision schools (Western Michigan, Florida International, Georgia Southern).

Two weeks ago, Hazelton narrowed his choices to Missouri and Rutgers but his father said they decided to reconsider their options. "I think (Missouri and Rutgers) are out," Dexter Hazelton said.

Two other possibilities are Syracuse and Delaware. Hazelton is friends with former Penn State quarterback Pat Devlin, who recently transferred to Delaware.

According to one source (look at me!) , Syracuse is actually in the lead to land Hazelton. Hazleton is from Staten Island so there could be a strong connection to come home and play for the new-and-improved Orange. If he does, he brings a helluva pedigree with him.

He led the Trojans in receptions in 2007 with 50 catches for four touchdowns. An early-season injury cost Hazleton a spot in the line-up this year and the deep crop of WRs in front of him was too much to overcome. He decided to transfer in early December, which, is a little suspect and selfish-looking. Then again, Hazelton has also cited his grandfather's diagnosis with cancer as a reason for wanting to come back East (he lives in Georgia). But we'll see if it's even something we have to worry about, since even if he comes to SU he still has to sit out a year.

Whew...I think that one post was the most exciting recruiting run-down I've written in two years. That was nice.

H/T: Jon

A little more on Hazelton's Transfer...

Paragon SC — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:00:29 -0000

interesting comments in today's OCR regarding Vidal Hazelton's transfer.

Hazelton, who did not appear in two October games despite suiting up for both, said he has been healthy for several weeks now and does not understand why he played less than a handful of snaps in nearly every contest. He caught just one pass over the past 10 games.

“It was definitely frustrating,” Hazelton said. “I’ve been trying to have fun. I’ve been going through a lot of stuff. I’ve been trying to make the best out of whatever I had.

“As far as me and the coaches, I have no problem with the coaches. It wasn’t that I didn’t like USC. I love USC.”

Dexter said the situation at home coupled with not playing killed his son’s spirit.

“I know Vidal uses football as an outlet,” Dexter said. “He’s a jokester, a prankster. That’s how he deals with the pressure. Vidal doesn’t want to leave. He loves USC. But these guys (coaches) were kind of isolating him.”

Dexter said he thinks Vidal did not play partly because of his letter and a personal rift with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, which began after he said the coach called his son’s injury a “mystery.”

“I know that him (Vidal) being in the doghouse had a lot to do with me and Sarkisian,” Dexter said. “It was a personal thing. It’s real petty on these coaches on how they handled the situation.”

Sarkisian said it was all about football.

“He’s just not as good as the other three guys,” Sarkisian said of Hazelton. “He wasn’t playing as well.”

Receivers coach John Morton agreed with Sarkisian, citing the success of receivers Damian Williams, Patrick Turner and Ronald Johnson. But there appeared to be some internal disagreement, as Morton said he pushed for Hazelton to get more playing time than he received.

“He had plays in the game plan,” Morton said. “Whether they get called, that’s up to Sark (and) whatever the situation is.”

Unbelievable...

Most people probably think that the letter to Carroll being leaked left some butts stinging but to me the real problem I have here is calling the kid out as not being good enough to get on the field. Maybe I am missing something but that needs to stay within the football offices. I know the whole recruitment process with Hazelton was strained to say the least but regardless of how this relationship ends the football office needs to keep those types of details in house and not for general distribution.

Regardless, whether or not it is personal just walk away. Why air out any dirty laundry that can be misinterpreted.

I realize that I don't have the inside scoop on all that went on but the whole situation is a pitch in the dirt so why swing? Its a distraction that really isn't needed right now.

Hazelton to Transfer

Paragon SC — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:11:13 -0000

USC loses another top player.

So, we can finally put this situation to bed. Vidal Hazelton is a great talent but with the way his recruitment went and with the email that was leaked earlier this season I always felt he was just going to have a hard time fitting in.

From the OCR...

Receiver Vidal Hazleton has transferred from USC.

“A lot of things have been going on,” he said. “Football is part of it. My grandfather has been diagnosed with cancer. I wanted a chance to be close to home.”

Hazelton said his grandfather, who lives in Staten Island, was diagnosed about two months ago.

We wish him well. I will have more on this after the ucla game.

UPDATE:

Here is a little more detail from WeAreSC.

“Yes, that’s true,” said Hazelton on his transfer from USC. “Part of the reason was football, but the main factor was because of my grandpa who I’m close with.

“He was just diagnosed with cancer.”

Hazelton, who joined former teammate Broderick Green as the second transfer from the team this year, stated that the thought of transferring has been in the forefront of his mind for some time now.

“No doubt I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” said the New York native.

Hazelton will remain at USC and finish out his semester before exploring options elsewhere, although it is generally assumed that Hazelton will stay out east.

Hazelton Rumors

Paragon SC — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:49:35 -0000

This whole situation about Vidal Hazelton wanting to redshirt because of his ankle injury has come to an interesting conclusion…will Hazelton transfer?

USC wide receiver Vidal Hazelton's status remains up in the air with no definite answers if he will play this week, the rest of the season or ever.

Hazelton, who wants to redshirt, said he will undergo an MRI on his sprained ankles today to determine the extent of his injuries. He was able to run routes Monday but said he wants to redshirt.

But USC coach Pete Carroll has not addressed the issue and the coaches appear resistant to granting the redshirt because they feel the ankle injury is not season-ending. There is increasing speculation Hazelton might transfer.

"I'm not thinking about transferring right now," Hazelton said Monday. "I don't think (the redshirt year) will be done anyways. It's up to the man upstairs (Carroll)."

Hazelton is one talented receiver but he has yet to find a consistent groove at USC. He has struggled to make plays and at time hold on to the ball.

Recent comments that he made about wanting to redshirt in order to make him a better man, or something to that effect, raised some eyebrows that there could be a bigger issue just underneath the surface. At times it seems that Hazelton based on his involvement with the offense that he just isn't comfortable here. Even going back to his recruitment it just seemed that there was always some turmoil. His family pushed for Hazelton to go to Penn State going as far to not co-sign Hazelton's letter of intent until the very last minute.

There is something more going here behind the scenes and it hasn't quite come to the surface. Make no mistake he has a lot of talent and if he is healthy and firing on all cylinders he is a great weapon in the USC offense and I do not want to lose him. But if there is something going on in his head that has to be fixed before he can be effective on the field.

This could simply be a phase of frustration about not living up to expectations or it could be issues with academics...I don't know but regardless I would prefer to see him get it all worked out and hit the ground running the to have this black cloud over the program that could be a distraction. Only the coaches, Hazelton and his family know the full story so the rest of us can only speculate...lets hope he gets it back on track he is too potent of a weapon not to have him on the field.