E-Mailing It In

Rubenstein: Well, verbal commitments are non-binding (going both ways), so it's probably not nearly as big a deal as some people are making it out to be. If the kid turns out to be great, then Lane Kiffin in turn looks great, if not, oh well. Really, offering kids this early seems like it would affect the 8th-9th-10th grader more than it ever would a college team or its coach. It's kind of sad, but ultimately harmless to college sports.

Osterhout: It would be disturbing if this sort of thing didn't happen in college basketball all the time. Truth be told, this sort of commitment doesn't actually mean much. I'd be willing to bet that the 13-year-old does not actually end up playing football at Tennessee. Too many things can happen in the next five years to break this commitment.

Hildenbrandt: Actually, Jacob, it'd only be disturbing if it occurred somewhere other than a program run by Lane Kiffin. At this point, you'd have to think he's just doing things for shock value -- literally anything is possible. Hell, if he's doing things like this in front of the media, what's he doing to impress the players he already has? Bonging goldfish? Bench-pressing trucks? It's like that scene in Seven, when Morgan Freeman informs Brad Pitt that he wouldn't be surprised if Kevin Spacey's head split open and a UFO were to fly out.

Osterhout: By his own admittance, this 13-year-old recruit, Evan Berry, has no idea what's going on in his universe. "It's the only college I know right now and it seems the best for me," Berry told Rivals.com. Chances are you don't marry your middle school girlfriend. Chances are, Berry explores more options in the future. And I agree, Lane Kiffin is living in some alternative universe where making the headlines is the ultimate sign of success. I think a little bit of Al Davis rubbed off on him. Ask anyone who has played with Terrell Owens: crazy is contagious.

Hildenbrandt: If the NCAA isn't going to create some sort of age restriction, then I vote that this capability be immediately added to NCAA 2010 before it arrives in stores next month. While it would be somewhat creepy to scout junior high schools for potential talent, it'd be another selling point other than the addition of Erin Andrews

Rubenstein: Basically, if Evan Berry turns out to be as good as his brother was in high school, Lane Kiffin gets to say "Hey, I saw it and believed in you before anyone else," in two or three years, when other coaches start coming around. This is all so Kiffin gets the credit in four years when somebody else is winning with his players. Basically a Ty Willingham situation at Rocky Top.

Osterhout: How exactly do you go about recruiting a 13-year-old without seeming like a creepy old man? You can't really bring him to campus to party because he's in middle school. You can't even take him to an R-rated movie. Instead of co-eds and kegs, I guess you ply him with video games and lemonade.

Hildenbrandt: For sure, all recruiting activities would need to be cleared by a "Creepy Old Man" Czar. I nominate Chris Hansen. Also, since most 13-year olds are jobless and without income, what would constitute "illegal benefits"? Would it be legal for coaches to pay for visits to Chuck E. Cheese's?

Rubenstein: It would be fantastic to read the transcripts of an NCAA hearing in which Kiffin was accused of secretly supplying Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to eighth and ninth grade football players. Honestly, if I were 13 and somehow a transcendent athlete, I think all it would take for me to commit would be pizza, a two-liter bottle of soda, and maybe a couple of Playboys. For the articles. To really get a good writing foundation for high school English. Oh, and some sort of season laser-tagging pass. I miss laser tag.

Hildenbrandt: And pogs. Don't forget pogs.