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Now Rivals.com is monitoring sixth graders for football

By Stanford Crissey

Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official Nike football on the field during the game between the Southern California Trojans against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official Nike football on the field during the game between the Southern California Trojans against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yes, really.

Rivals.com is an extensive survice that tracks high school football recruits across the country. But apparently, high school is no longer the limit for Rivals.

As the tweet reveals, Rivals has, for the first time, added two sixth graders, Daron Bryden and Tyson Thornton, to its recruiting database.

There’s so much wrong with this. Let’s dig in:

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Exactly what could be gained by keeping track of these sixth graders is not really clear. High school recruits are one thing; at least they’re getting to be near the time when they’ll need to start making a decision on a college. A sixth grader today graduates high school in 2021, and if that sounds like the distant future, that’s because it is the distant future. They’re going to be dropped off to high school by way of a drone, from their house on the moon.

But seriously, what could you possibly learn from keeping tabs on a “prospect” who a) is 11 years old; b) may or may not have even hit puberty yet; c) probably plays football against a bunch of kids who aren’t even five feet tall yet (but he dominates); and d) once more, for emphasis: IS 11 YEARS OLD.

Do you know what 11-year-olds are like? How far away playing college football is from being a reality for them? They go to school and learn long division; they’ve just figured out that the girls in their class don’t have cooties; then they go home and play Pokemon. Maybe the recruitment can wait until, you know, they become even vaguely adult-like human beings.

In the future, Rivals, here’s a guide to which prospects you should be keeping track of: limit it to anyone who wouldn’t die instantly upon being tackled by a college linebacker, and/or anyone who it isn’t borderline illegal to be “keeping tabs” on.

Then again, Nick Saban is probably placing a call to both of them today. If you’re not impressed with their skills, coach, be patient. They’ve got about seven years to change your mind.

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