If what i'm reading is accurate why would the NCAA grant a waiver for Thomas to play next year. He wants to be closer to his son from what i understand, so what does Estes have to do with that. If there's any truth to this and i'm the NCAA i would wonder how bad he wants to be closer to his son.
It's really hard to question someone in this position who comes where Jeff comes from, has been thru what Jeff's been thru, and is trying to get to the NFL to be able to take care of his children & his family....
But yes the obvious first thing that comes to mind is why *wouldn't he want to be closer to his son
No offense to anyone, but me personally, I'm picking my Son over any roommate.
He has 1 more year of college football left regardless. Being in Miami isnt going to give him more of a spotlight over Illinois in today's media outlet. I agree with logjam. I'm picking my kidIf you’re a kid like Thomas, hard as it is, you’re picking football first (Which is why he signed with Miami to begin with).
The Estes thing is an annoyance or a complaint for him but make no mistake, this is about the waiver. If his waiver possibilities are low and his problem with Richt is now a non-issue, you sure as heck look into staying. I would.
He has 1 more year of college football left regardless. Being in Miami isnt going to give him more of a spotlight over Illinois in today's media outlet. I agree with logjam. I'm picking my kid
First he has a daughter.
More info. He was told Estes would be his room mate as he expressed trust issues with the staff. At this point he feel that he was told whatever just to get him here. He (Jeff) stated from the beginning that he didn’t want to sit out a year and certain people assured him that going to Illinois will provide immediate eligibility.
Still haven’t found out why anyone would mention or include Estes when speaking with Jeff but they did. Obviously they didn’t do their homework as I am sure that wasn’t something he asked for knowing Jeff. He just found out midweek that Estes wouldn’t be his roommate which set this current stuff in motion.
On the back end some one from Miami has been reaching out since the day Manny got hired.
At this point it’s a matter of trust. Hopefully Lovie can clean all this up. The clock is ticking and there is no garauntee that Manny will take him back. No matter what, he will be at someone’s school next week.
I will also add, it wasn’t Lovie that included Estes. I am sure he is upset about being put in this situation. This could have been handled totally different.
Thanks for the info. This is hard to hear as a fan. The coach that has, seemingly, put a commitment to his word above all else has coaches lacking integrity with players. This is not a good look. I’m hopeful things get sorted out. In leading hang endeavors, when organizations are unreliable for their word, ive never seen I work
That’s not the issue. Thomas is a “Get to the NFL as quickly as possible kid”. You’re not getting there as quickly as possible by sitting out a year.
Spot on, IMO. Uncertainty about the waiver has Thomas wavering.
That’s not the issue. Thomas is a “Get to the NFL as quickly as possible kid”. You’re not getting there as quickly as possible by sitting out a year.
Miami Herald article about the situation:
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article224342755.html
Sounds like it could be up to Diaz whether he can return to Miami or not.
FWIW - he is NOT listed on the Miami Hurricanes official roster on their athletics site
He ain’t here to play school....do you want to win?After reading this article, I kind of feel like... if you're only coming to Illinois because Miami won't take you back... I don't know if this is the kind of student athlete I necessarily want wearing the O&B? And I hate to say that because he'd be our BEST player on next season's team. I really wonder what changed his mind?
And what I am saying is, he is not going to sit out the year regardless. It has been reported that if he didn't get the waiver, he was just going to play down a level where he wouldn't be required to sit. He then would still go in the draft.That’s not the issue. Thomas is a “Get to the NFL as quickly as possible kid”. You’re not getting there as quickly as possible by sitting out a year.
That is a really good question and absolutely challenges everybody's ideals of what kind of program we want Illinois to becomeHe ain’t here to play school....do you want to win?
He ain’t here to play school....do you want to win?