Post by FIUFanatic on Feb 7, 2008 21:51:46 GMT -5
Pretty interesting......and telling story, about 4-star OL Rick Barnum and his decision to de-commit from Florida and making his decision, while still considering FIU until the very end....Too bad the son didn't listen to his mom.....
www.gainesville.com/article/20080206/NEWS/118920533/0/news
www.gainesville.com/article/20080206/NEWS/118920533/0/news
Barnum stuns UF, picks Michigan
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LAKELAND — Ricky Barnum didn't make his final decision until late Tuesday night, and he didn't let anyone know about the decision until Wednesday morning. Sitting at a table with his parents in the Lake Gibson auditorium, the Braves' offensive lineman set three caps in front of him, one from FIU, one from Florida and one from Michigan.
After picking up the first two and making a brief state, Barnum put on the last cap. He's headed to Michigan.
Barnum (6-foot-2, 265 pounds), who earlier committed to Florida, expressed relief that the process was finally over.
‘‘I'm glad it's over,'' Barnum said. ‘‘When I got here this morning, the phones were just ringing off the hook — nonstop. They were just ringing, ringing, ringing. They had to hide me out for a little bit. Now that it's over, I can sleep at night.''
Barnum began having doubts about going to Florida shortly after he committed. He was getting different opinions. His mother wanted him to go to FIU, his father Florida, and his brothers and uncle Michigan.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who visited Lake Gibson after Barnum committed to Florida, was a major factor in his decision. Barnum noted that he likely would have gone to West Virginia had Rodriguez stayed there. His visit to Michigan also played a part.
'When I went up to Michigan, everything was nice,'' he said. 'They run the same offense we ran, the spread offense. They graduated three starting offensive lineman and four backups. Where could you go possibly wrong with that one?''
Barnum called the Florida coaches Tuesday night to tell them of his decision and noted that they were a bit upset.
'You've got to go with that gut feeling, and where ever you feel happy,'' he said.
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LAKELAND — Ricky Barnum didn't make his final decision until late Tuesday night, and he didn't let anyone know about the decision until Wednesday morning. Sitting at a table with his parents in the Lake Gibson auditorium, the Braves' offensive lineman set three caps in front of him, one from FIU, one from Florida and one from Michigan.
After picking up the first two and making a brief state, Barnum put on the last cap. He's headed to Michigan.
Barnum (6-foot-2, 265 pounds), who earlier committed to Florida, expressed relief that the process was finally over.
‘‘I'm glad it's over,'' Barnum said. ‘‘When I got here this morning, the phones were just ringing off the hook — nonstop. They were just ringing, ringing, ringing. They had to hide me out for a little bit. Now that it's over, I can sleep at night.''
Barnum began having doubts about going to Florida shortly after he committed. He was getting different opinions. His mother wanted him to go to FIU, his father Florida, and his brothers and uncle Michigan.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who visited Lake Gibson after Barnum committed to Florida, was a major factor in his decision. Barnum noted that he likely would have gone to West Virginia had Rodriguez stayed there. His visit to Michigan also played a part.
'When I went up to Michigan, everything was nice,'' he said. 'They run the same offense we ran, the spread offense. They graduated three starting offensive lineman and four backups. Where could you go possibly wrong with that one?''
Barnum called the Florida coaches Tuesday night to tell them of his decision and noted that they were a bit upset.
'You've got to go with that gut feeling, and where ever you feel happy,'' he said.
