Georgia Football: The Justin Fields Recruiting Saga Is Insane

With all Georgia Football eyes turned to Saturday night in Athens, there is a local recruiting battle that is insane. Or, maybe it’s just the reaction to it.

If you are one of the hapless souls who meander through grown up life measuring, memorizing, and making-up the recruiting goings-on of 17 and 18-year-old young men, then I share your pain. I am, as some would say, a “recruitnik”. That said, I’ve just been exposed to a darker side. A troll ridden canvass of spite and dull sarcasm. Yes, I am talking about message boards. I am specifically talking about Georgia Football message boards.

It’s one thing to be informed and aware of who these uber-talented kids are, and where they might choose to go to school. Reality is that college football is a big business and a source of regional and state pride. Anyone who argues that it shouldn’t be that way should leave this country for a few years and see other cultures.

But modern day message boards are a whole other thing. Having just been exposed to them like a kid to coffee, it was amazing at first, then it was a little too much, then it was scary, then it was depressing. But what a ride.

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The impetus was the current recruiting battle between Georgia, Auburn, FSU, and Alabama for a local High school Quarterback named Justin Fields. In short, he’s a combination of hard work, a good family, and loads of talent.

It’s not just that Justin is a good player, he’s apparently such a good kid, that other uber-talented kids want to go to school where he goes. He’s a big deal for the 2018 class.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a place, where I subscribe monthly for information, and it was a message board. I went there on purpose, because like most folks, I wanted more information.

This particular weekend, Fields and family were traveling a circuit to visit most of the above referenced schools. The boards were a chatter. They were lit with rumor, speculation, innuendo, and outright insult. It was awesome. Truth be told, I spent close to 5 hours reading that stuff one night. Truly amazing.

But most of it was wrong. Most of it was a fever swamp of 40-year-olds talking junk like they are still in a student section.

I write this because just last weekend the young Mr. Fields, apparently, went to Athens with friends to watch “the fight” with some UGA players and coaches. The boards went live again today. UGA fans were triumphant and FSU fans were dismissive and discounting. Arguments of “business decisions” vs. “family and friends” erupted.

It’s like a family fight, except none of these people are in the Fields family. I would bet most don’t know anyone in their family. I would bet most don’t even know anyone with the last name Fields.

As of this writing, no one knows where Justin Fields, and his family, will decide to further his education and play football. Wherever he goes he is sure to do well, if his past is any tell.

What we do know, though, is that whatever the decision, there will be grown men, and women, presumably, who will lose their junk. It will be the last of days for a few hours.

Next: Georgia Football: The Dawgs Don’t Have to Be Much Better to Get to 10

The recruiting of Justin Fields these last few months has been insane. Watch the message boards these next few weeks. It will get even crazier. Bring the popcorn. Or Xanax. Or whatever it is people need these days.