2nd chance or not?

[Dracula]

Tre'von Armstead was a standout football player for PA Memorial. He graduated in 2012 and signed a scholarship to attend Baylor University. You can read the articles on why he was dismissed from the team and expelled by the University. The details about his legal problems are so murky, was there a crime committed or not, I doubt if the truth will ever be known. If he wanted to play out his eligibility, at Lamar, should Lamar be interested, knowing that it would be wading into really nasty water, or stay out of it?

[KABrother88]

I can't really see a reason to even take a chance at this point. As it stands right now we have a Sr TE who is coming off of an HM All-SLC season in DeAndre Jennings, a rising So who played quite a bit as a Fr in Duncan McVey, and an incoming Fr that I think will end up being a really good TE for us in Mason Sikes. Armstead played in Baylor's opener vs SMU before sitting out against us then being formally dismissed before their 3rd game. So barring a waiver from the NCAA (which would be an extreme long shot) he would only have 1 year of eligibility left. He was also expelled from Baylor last fall and if he didn't attend school anywhere in the spring there could be academic eligibility hurdles. I'm not saying the kid is guilty and by all reports he is fighting like hell to clear his name and has even threatened to sue Baylor over it. But at this time I don't think I would personally risk it. Coach Woodard has seemed very cautious with his transfers the last few seasons after having been burned by a few guys with legal issues coming into Lamar.

[eagle eye]

I have mixed emotions about this because, as a father, I would go crazy if my daughter was sexually abused--by anyone. I have no sympathy for someone who, in this case, appears to have drugged a girl with "date rape" drugs and then took advantage of her. But, we are supposed to live in a society where you are innocent until proven guilty and despite circumstantial evidence nobody has even been charged. Art Briles felt strongly enough about the allegations to justify dismissing Armstead and other players as well. I think we would have to trust in Coach Woodard to do the right thing and I'm sure past experiences with troubled players has caused him to be very cautious about recruiting.

That said agree completely with KABrother88 when he pointed out that there is no reason to pursue Armstead because the players in the program have more upside without the baggage. Plus, Armstead hasn't played much football in the last couple of years due to injury and suspensions. If Tre'Von is innocent I feel really bad for him because the circumstances that he was expelled for will follow him the rest of his life and it's hard for people to forget he was associated with sexual misconduct. I really hope Tre'Von is innocent and he gets his good name back but I realistically see no place for him at LU. My hope is he gets cleared and can get his shot in the NFL as a UFA.

[geezer]

I wouldn't give him a scholarship if there is any question still out on his legal problems but if he really wants an opportunity to play and show he could be an NFL prospect then maybe let him walk on. If you had to dismiss him from the team later because of any kind of discipline issue then at least you didn't waist a scholly that could go to someone who will be at LU for four years. Also I don't know what the APR implications are in football, but in basketball there is no way you take someone that might not be able to graduate.

[KABrother88]

Looks like this isn't even a possibility...according to this article, Armstead signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL s few weeks ago

 

http://www.riderville.com/2016/04/01/64732/