CONFIRMED!!!! Brandon Willis coming back to UCLA
by BruinFaithful on Aug 23, 2011 1:31 AM PDT
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PrintScout has confirmed that Brandon Willis is heading back to UCLA. Tracy Pierson is usually VERY accurate and does a great job of confirming with his sources before posting a story. Here is the link to the headline, most of the story is behind firewall.
So now, we have heard from Jon Gold and Chris Foster, on Brandon's rumored return.
Tonight, Chris Foster's Tweet that Willis would unlikely get a waiver if he returned to UCLA, further ignites speculation.
CRN, might just be working on Admissions before making an announcement.
I don't know what has gone on in this kid's head, but such travels are certainly peculiar to say the least. Regardless, of the situations, If he left North Carolina because of his father's job and the apparent turmoil surrounding the program, then why return? Why not go to another school nearby? If his reason for leaving UCLA was solely based on his Grandmother, why leave so soon? Why not stick it out with the new administration and play the remainder of his Collegiate Career near his Grandmother? Is his Grandmother no longer ill? What is to say, that his Grandmother doesn't get ill again, or more ill, and he wants to leave again? I don't think there has ever been an NCAA player with such travels. Especially, before even playing a single down.
The only player I can think of is Luke Recker over 10 years ago, who transferred to and played for 3 different programs. First he left Indiana for Arizona, to get away from Bobby Knight, can't blame him there. Then he left Arizona to be closer to his GF who was in a devastating Car Accident and play for, ironically, Bobby Knight's protege, Steve Alford. Also, can't blame him there. However, at least Recker played at each of his stops. Willis hasn't played a single down for anybody.
I'm not trying to knock the kid, just that, I'm sure you can ALL agree, such travels would indicate a lack of commitment and focus. Maybe he's confused. No questioning his talent. I just wish he would have thought things through more clearly and stayed at UCLA, where he would be playing this Fall if he had. Regrettably, he now faces the potential prospect of having to sit out another year, or worse, not being able to get by Admissions. Imagine Rick Neuheisel and Co. selling this one to Moore Hall.
If he is truly committed to UCLA this time, and CRN and Co. can get him through admissions, then, I am all for it. He seems like a GREAT kid, albeit confused. However, if he is going to leave again at the first sight of adversity or get home sick again, then I say we are better off saving that Scholie for a truly committed Bruin.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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At 19-20
Years old I didn’t know what I wanted. Willis might have been confused , but one thing sounds certain , he wants to play for UCLA ! Anytime we can bolster our depth at either line Im all in! Hopefully he’s cleared to play … if not it gives us a great prospect to help for 3 more years to come.
God I can’t wait for some UCLA football !
Bruin for life!!!!
You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. - John Wooden
+!
And, at that age I had healthy parents and grandparents, and things were going well for my family.
Nothing changed while I was in school. My life was secure.
I don’t know how I would have handled it if the sands under my foundation were shifting.
I don’t think it productive to question his motives. It is clear he is not an “entitled” kid manipulated by his delusions and/or those of his parents — demanding playing time, etc. . He left with the good wishes of his coaches and team mates who are welcoming him back; that says a lot to me.
I’m glad he’s back. Glad even if he doesn’t play a down for us and simply takes advantage of the great things that UCLA has to offer.
sjh
It must be a law of the internet
That whenever someone says “not trying to be an asshole, but…” or in this case, “not trying to knock the kid, but…” the rest of the post proceeds to do just that. Just saying that you’re not trying to do it is practically tacit acknowledgment that you are trying to do it.
The Poll
There’s no response that isn’t somewhat shaded.
How about: “Welcome Home!” as a choice?
The most positive thing we can get is “He is worth the risk”?
sjh
agreed
I feel like he is a good player, in extreme unfortunate circumstances. He isn’t a risk. If he transfers after this year, we wouldn’t even lose out on a scholarship. If he transfers after next year, we will have still gotten at least one season out of a good recruit. I see no risk, and so I won’t answer a question in the opinion poll as there is not an option that accurately reflects my opinion.
I've gone over this before
but I will repeat again: Willis is not chasing playing time. Of the three programs he has tried to attend, two have had a lot of turmoil and turnover at head coach (Tennessee and UNC). UCLA could prove to be the anchor in his life and God knows he needs some stability right now. Let’s recap, once again:
- committed to Flame Kitten at Tennessee, then decommitted when Flame left
- went to UNC, but he recently lost his Mom, and his Dad found new employment opportunities near LA so he wanted his son near him.
- transferred to UCLA, sat out the 2010 season
- went back to UNC to be near ailing grandmother
- UNC program goes bust with Butch Davis getting fired
- tries to come back to UCLA
That’s quite a bit of bad luck. Your assertion:
I’m not trying to knock the kid, just that, I’m sure you can ALL agree, such travels would indicate a lack of commitment and focus.
This is totally bogus and unwarranted. I don’t see a lack of commitment and focus anywhere. At the end of the day, while he tries to be there for his family, he also has to think about his future. He has already gone through the various steps to get into UCLA, so it is not a stretch for him to want to come back here after Butch Davis got canned and the program potentially going on probation.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
Commiting to kiffin...
is his only offense as far as I am concerened!!! One he is about to rectify.
Once again according to a poster named Professor Smith (He has over 17,000 posts!!!)on scouts NVtarheel site…BW enrolled at NC but did NOT participate in spring ball.
by GogetemBruins on Aug 23, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
without knowing all the details it would be better to be circumspect
for all you know ‘BruinFaithful’, the answer to
" Is his Grandmother no longer ill?"
might be “She’s dead.”
I agree that – in general – this pattern of moving around might cause the school to be wary. But they know more about the details, apparently parted on good terms with him when he left (which would be unlikely if they thought he was just messing around), and apparently now want him back. I agree that you might expect him to pick a coast and stick to it, but if his family obligations are genuinely bicoastal and finely balanced, his movements aren’t so strange.
Hope it works out for everyone's benefit
The guy has certainly had a tumultuous time finding the right program. I feel like this will be his last move…it almost has to be, right? Either way, welcome back, Brandon!
Sorry - I don't remember the guy
What is the risk here? It sounds to me (from Tasser’s comment) that he has had a lot of stuff happen that he really couldn’t control.
I have no idea if the guy is a good player or not – I just don’t remember. But I feel a kinship with anyone who wants to be a Bruin, so I say Welcome Home. (Now watch him turn into a goon.)
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