Shaky offer

[Class of 61]

Saw a quick mention from Wagner of the Blade that BG has offered a kid named Merritt. WR who went to Oregon, the to Tex a+m, then a Jc. Supposedly kicked off Ore. due to "exposing himself to two different women.
If true, why the heck would we even consider this guy?
He does show an offer from us on his twitter feed too.

[bgbill]

nice topic title

[Flipper]

He's kept his nose clean since then....he's a 6-0, 205lb slot with speed and the ability to return kicks...a guy like that would be a mismatch in the MAC for most DB's and LB's...he had a really good JUCO season, is fully qualified academically and he'd be in for spring.

Seeing as how Jinks is judged almost solely on wins and losses as opposed to citizenship awards granted to players...he'd be nuts not to offer him. I hope he signs here

[Flipper]

Yep...I'd LOVE to have him here...

https://www.hudl.com/profile/2800641/kirk-merritt" target="_blank

[CrazyFan]

He'd better be careful about exposing himself around here; a Tiller could be just around the corner with their cell phone video camera going.........

[hiway44]

I am all about students getting second in this case third chances, but not on my team. I would like to see us build a team with character not just talent on the field. Remember what just happened at UCLA? Don't you think we had enough headaches last year from these same type of players Jinks brought in? I have a serious problem with that. Are we going down the road like like UCLA, Florida, Oregon, SMU?

I pride myself on good character student and combined with talent. How many of our players were ALL MAC Academics this year? What I'm saying is, I would rather BGSU be in the NEWS for education and not the negative.

I think we are heading in the wrong direction especially when we are already near the bottom. I would pass on these types of players at this time.

[Flipper]

What headaches did we have last year? I know there were issues when Clawson and Babers were here...but I don't recall any major issues with kids that Jinks brought here off the top of my head.

And UCLA? Really? Since this guy's last name isn't "Ball"...I think we'll be OK

[MarkL]

I'm hesitant. Earlier this year, there was a situation on campus where a transfer student from Ohio committed a sexual assault on campus. It turns out he had a record and had done the same at Ohio. Now the onus is on Ohio to report the crime to BGSU during the transfer process, which they failed to do, so BGSU unknowingly admitted someone with a record of sexual assault. However it just looked bad. A lot of people in the community were upset that kid was allowed to become a BGSU student, and one student had her life shaken upside down.

Merritt is talented. No doubt. But ask yourself this: if not for his football talent, would you want someone with this background as a student?

Just my $.02. And of course all I know is what I've read in articles, so there could be more story there or maybe he's really grown and matured. And I was initially uncomfortable with Roger Lewis joining the team until I learned more about the situation in question, so I could be quite wrong on the matter.

[Globetrotter]

I am a hard pass.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/colle ... 071266.php" target="_blank

[Flipper]

What would Roger Lewis' victim's family have said about him playing college football?

It's a bit of a leap to compare exposing one's genitals to committing a sexual assault....one isa passive act, the other is extremely aggressive. The young man has paid his debrt and has kept his nose clean...I'm inclined to give him another shot.

Besides...this is big time D1 College Football..this is how it's done today

[BGDrew]

What would Roger Lewis' victim's family have said about him playing college football?

It's a bit of a leap to compare exposing one's genitals to committing a sexual assault....one isa passive act, the other is extremely aggressive. The young man has paid his debrt and has kept his nose clean...I'm inclined to give him another shot.

Besides...this is big time D1 College Football..this is how it's done today

Flashing someone is still sexual assault and we shouldn’t be interested in judging the varying degrees of it either.

[Flipper]

Actually ...indecent exposure is not sexual assault unless physical contact is made during the crime. He wasn't charged with sexual assault, so I'm going to assume no contact was made

That said...I'm mystified as to why some of you were OK with signing Lewis...who was actually convicted of sexual assault...and not this guy who engaged in the more passive act of indecent exposure.

It's just not consistent...

[factman]

I’ll leave it to Coach Jinks, his staff and the athletic department to do the research and checks required on this kid. I’m sure they are not taking it lightly.

[Globetrotter]

Actually ...indecent exposure is not sexual assault unless physical contact is made during the crime. He wasn't charged with sexual assault, so I'm going to assume no contact was made

That said...I'm mystified as to why some of you were OK with signing Lewis...who was actually convicted of sexual assault...and not this guy who engaged in the more passive act of indecent exposure.

It's just not consistent...

I didn't think he was convicted. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories ... opped.html" target="_blank

I do agree there is inconsistency though. For me I think based on what I have seen Lewis seemed to not be guilty while the new guy seems guilty. I am not sure that is enough. I know when I was reading about Lewis when he came out it seemed to me that this was just a he said she said. With this guy it seems like a situation where he is guilty.

[Flipper]

Nope...I overstated my case. Lewis plead guilty to a lesser charge. I didn't fact check and now I slandered...libeled?...I did something unfair by being reckless with the facts and I apologize for that.

I'd still roll the dice on Merritt...we've recruited kids with issues in the past.